Course Descriptions

HPH 506 Biostatistics I
Sequence: This 2-term course is intended to provide students and researchers in public health with an introduction to the principles of statistical methods and their application in biomedical and public health research. This course includes introductions to the use of computers for statistical analysis, summarizing and exploring data, probability theory, discrete and continuous probability distributions, populations and samples, sampling distributions and statistical inference, hypothesis testing, sample size and power, two-sample comparisons, analysis of variance, association and correlation, simple linear regression and simple logistic regression.
2 credits, Fall term, Dr. Melody Goodman

HPH 507 Biostatistics II
Sequence: This 2-term course is intended to provide students and researchers in public health with an introduction to the principles of statistical methods and their application in biomedical and public health research. This course includes introductions to the use of computers for statistical analysis, summarizing and exploring data, probability theory, discrete and continuous probability distributions, populations and samples, sampling distributions and statistical inference, hypothesis testing, sample size and power, two-sample comparisons, analysis of variance, association and correlation, simple linear regression and simple logistic regression.
3 credits, Spring term, Dr. Melody Goodman

HPH 508 Health Systems Performance
This course introduces students to the health care system within the United States, with international comparisons. The topics include the organization and financing of health care systems, access to health care including health insurance, regulation and policy issues, and the health care workforce.
3 credits, Fall term, Dr. Norman Edelman

HPH 514 Epidemiology for Public Health
This course presents basic epidemiologic concepts used to study health and disease in populations. It provides an overview of the major causes of morbidity and mortality, including methods of measurement (e.g., incidence, prevalence). Observational and experimental epidemiologic studies will be described and their advantages and disadvantages compared. The course aims for students to begin developing the skills needed to evaluate data, interpret reports, and design and conduct studies. Students will be introduced to the various areas of epidemiologic study–cancer, molecular/genetic, environmental, occupational, social and behavioral, and infectious disease/surveillance. The course comprises both lectures and small group seminars for in-depth discussions of previously assigned topics.
3 credits, Spring term, Dr. Jaymie Meliker

HPD 519 Systematic Review of the Literature
This course will provide students with an understanding of the processes used to perform a systematic literature review, as well as provide a "hands-on" experience. Each student will perform a systematic review of the literature for their own pre-defined research question of interest. As part of the systematic literature review process, students will learn how to focus their research question; to search the literature to identify relevant studies; to appraise the quality and select studies; and to summarize studies as well as to synthesize their results in context of their original research question raised. To receive a grade for this course, moreover, a scholarly product (e.g., manuscript or letter to the editor) must be submitted to a peer-reviewed journal.
3 credits, Fall term, Dr. Laurie Shroyer

HPH 523 Social & Behavioral Determinants of Health
This course introduces students to population health as one of the organizing concepts in public health and the orientation that differentiates public health from medicine. Consistent with public health tradition, health is discussed from an ecological perspective, and the course presents current knowledge about the multiple determinants of population health including socioeconomic status, the physical environment, medical care, individual behavior, and genetics and the interaction of these factors. Also covered is the measurement of population health, sources of data, and methods for assessing population health improvements.
2 credits, Spring term, Dr. Lauren Hale

HPH 560 Advanced Biostatistics
Students learn to formulate a scientific question in terms of a statistical model, leading to objective and quantitative answers. Topics may include analysis of variance, regression, including details of data-analytic techniques and implications for study design, measures of association, 2x2 tables, stratification, matched pairs, logistic regression, model building, analysis of rates, and survival data analysis using proportional hazards models. It stresses applications in epidemiology, and other areas of public health research. Prerequisites: HPH 506 & HPH 507.
3 credits, fall term, Dr. Melody Goodman

HPH/HPD 566 Clinical Trials
This course introduces the design, conduct, and analysis of clinical trials. Topics will include types of clinical trials, study design, treatment allocation, randomization and stratification, quality control, sample size requirements, patient consent, and interpretation of results.
2 credits, Spring term, Dr. Laurie Shroyer

HPH/HPD 567 Clinical Outcomes Research
This course will introduce the basic concepts, methods, and topics in clinical outcomes research; and introduce the skills necessary to evaluate the efficacy, effectiveness, and cost-effectiveness of devices, interventions, processes of care, and health care delivery systems. The specific topics to be covered include: outcomes measurement; population health assessment, valuing health outcomes, risk adjustment case-mix adjustment methods, effectiveness efficacy and cost effectiveness in clinical outcomes research, and analysis methods.
3 credits, Fall term, Dr. Laurie Shroyer

HPD 592 Applied Data Management and Analysis Using SAS
This course provides students with an introduction to the principles of public health and clinical research-related informatics and data management using the SAS systems. Lectures and labs will be aimed at developing hands-on skills about how to create, maintain, manage, and analyze databases using the SAS Systems for Windows, a major software package used frequently in public health and clinical outcomes research.
Prerequisites: HPH 562 or comparable SAS skills
1 credit, Spring Term, Ms. Jamie Romeiser

HPD 601 Human Subjects Research Ethics/ Responsible Conduct of Research
This introductory course incorporates three components focused upon identifying: 1) the ethical principles associated with human subjects’ research; 2) the primary tenets of responsible conduct of research; and 3) academic career planning. This course provides a philosophical basis for current research ethics practices, identifies outstanding ethical issues and controversies in clinical and translational science research, and provides students with knowledge and access to resources such that they may to address the ethical challenges that may arise most effectively. The course provides a more in-depth exploration of the ethics and responsible conduct of clinical and translational science research that can supplement current mandated training in the area.
1 credit, term varies, Dr. Laurie Shroyer and Dr. Stephen Post

HPD 661 Psychometric Theory
This course covers classical and modern psychometric theory. Topics include an introduction to formulation of metrics, composite tests, validity and reliability, test length, factors impacting precision, item parameters, test construction, and item response theory. Using data, students will evaluate the psychometric properties of an outcome instrument.
Prerequisite: HPH 560 Advanced Biostatistics
3 credits, term varies, Preventive Medicine Faculty

HPD 662 Observational Research Methods
This course provides an introduction to a broad range of observational research methods. Emphasizing different observational research design approaches, topics covered include: research question clarification, hypothesis formulation, development of a conceptual model, comparing the strengths and weaknesses of the different methodological approaches, identification of data forms/definitions with data collection requirements, and sampling strategies. In addition to cross-sectional, case-control, and cohort study designs, the observational study methods discussed will include systematic review of the literature including meta-analysis approaches.
2 credits, term varies, Preventive Medicine Faculty

HPD 671 Advanced Statistical Modeling
This course provides an introduction to a wide variety of advanced statistical modeling methods, such as categorical multivariable logistic regression, used to address complex questions raised. The course includes extensive data analysis, with de-identified data sets.
Prerequisite: HPH 560 Advanced Biostatistics
3 credits, term varies, Preventive Medicine Faculty

HPD 672 Survival Analysis
This course uses time-to-event analytical approaches as applied to questions related to clinicalmedicine and population health. Nonparametric methods for group comparisons and semi-parametricregression models will be emphasized. Parametric methods and distribution theory forsurvival analysis will also be included.
Prerequisite: HPH 560 Advanced Biostatistics
3 credits, term varies, Preventive Medicine Faculty

HPD 673 Longitudinal Data Analysis
This course covers the theory and application of univariate and multivariable techniques appropriate for longitudinal data. Students will be exposed to both theory and application addressing repeated measures challenges.
Prerequisite: HPH 560 Advanced Biostatistics
3 credits, term varies, Preventive Medicine Faculty

HPD 681 Advanced Social & Behavioral Determinants of Health
This course will build on the prior HPH 523 and further examine the current evidence supporting an association between social determinants (e.g., socioeconomic status, physical living conditions, individual characteristics, social support, etc) and health. Students will review and critically examine the current literature on the social determinants of population health with the goal of indentifying gaps in this literature which may be filled by future research. Concepts relating to the social determinants of health – e.g., identification of current priority areas, theoretical frameworks and perspectives, intervention, research methodology, etc, will be addressed as each comes up in the context of the reviewed journal article. Using publicly available data sets, students will choose a research topic related to an identified gap in the current research on the social determinants of health, propose a project to examine this topic or need which can be accomplished using publicly available data sets, conduct the analysis and write up their project in a format suitable for submission for publication.
Prerequisites: Permission of Instructor
3 credits, Spring term, Dr. Catherine Messina

HPD 682 Statistical Methods in Clinical Outcomes Research
The purpose of the course is to familiarize students with some major topics in clinical outcomes research, the statistical models commonly employed, and statistical problems that need to be overcome. Specific topics of interest may include: risk factor analysis—static models; risk factor/disease progression analysis—dynamic models; survival analysis (including multivariable survival analysis); volume-outcomes research; and forecasting models. Statistical techniques and challenges will be discussed within the context of each research topic as they arise. By the end of this course, students should be broadly familiar with these issues, and should be able to evaluate published clinical outcomes research in terms of the appropriateness of models chosen and how well the statistical problems have been addresses, and the reliability of the results.
Prerequisites: Permission of Instructor, HPH 507 Biostatistics II or equivalent course.
3 credits, Fall term, Dr. John Rizzo

HPD 685 Research in Population Health & Clinical Science
This course provides an overview of research methods as applied to questions raised in the fields of population health and clinical outcomes research. It covers the topics of risk adjustment, cost assessment, access to, utilization and quality of care, outcomes and health status measurement, and health system performance.
Pre/Co-requisite: Permission of Instructor
3 credits, term varies, Preventive Medicine Faculty

HPD 686 Mentored Research Project in Population Health & Clinical Science
This course will expose doctoral students to a project with which they are not currently familiar in the field of population health or clinical science. Each student will select a faculty mentor for their course project. Students will identify (with the pre-approval of their mentor and course director) a specific problem to address and/or a component of the mentor’s project to complete. Following IRB approval or waiver (if applicable), the mentored project will be initiated. Final grade will be based upon the research proposal, project plan, and final project report submitted.
Prerequisite: HPH 685 Research in Population Health and Clinical Science
3 credits, term varies, Preventive Medicine Faculty

HPD 693 Practicum in Teaching
3 credits, term varies, S/U grading

HPD 694 Graduate Seminar in Research Writing
A weekly departmental colloquia is hosted with discussions related to current research on population health or clinical science. Presenters may be students, faculty members, or outside investigators. A primary focus of these sessions will be to coordinate doctoral student submissions of abstracts, manuscripts, and grants. The key concepts in scientific writing and presentation skills will be covered in readings, lectures, and discussions.
3 credits, Fall & Spring terms, S/U grading

HPD 699 Dissertation Research
Original investigation in population health or clinical outcomes research undertaken with the supervision of the student’s Dissertation Committee.
0-6 credits, Fall & Spring terms, S/U grading