Fall Course Descriptions for SPPH

Bioethics & Health Humanities Courses (BHH)

Biostatistics & Data Science Courses (BIOS)

Epidemiology Courses

Global Health & Emerging Diseases Courses (GHED)

Population Health & Health Disparities Courses (PHHD)

  • PHHD 6323 Research Methods I

    School of Public and Population Health Courses

    Bioethics & Health Humanities Course Descriptions

    BHH 6097 Research

    This course is designed to afford the student the opportunity to develop a thesis or dissertation proposal under faculty guidance. The proposal development may involve a literature search, preliminary experimentation, or a pilot field study. The research will be preliminary but relevant to the thesis or dissertation. Credit and hours to be arranged. Teaching technique is tutorial in nature.

    Prerequisites: None
    Terms offered: I, II, III
    Year offered: Annually
    Hours per week: Variable

    BHH 6098 Thesis

    Once admitted to candidacy, it is required for students pursuing a Master of Science or Master of Arts degree to enroll in this course. This course is for the formal research and writing leading to the preparation and completion of the thesis for the Master of Science or Master of Arts degree while under the direction of the student's supervisory committee. The student will pursue the proposed research and present a progress report and/or agreed upon objectives to the mentor and/or supervisory committee for approval and recommendations. Grading will be based upon the student's level of performance as reported by the chairperson of the student's supervisory committee and will be assigned as Satisfactory (S), Needs Improvement (N), or Unsatisfactory (U).

    Prerequisites: Admission to candidacy
    Terms offered: I, II, III 
    Year Offered: Annually
    Hours per week: Variable 3-9


    BHH 6099 Dissertation

    Once admitted to candidacy, it is required for students pursuing the Doctor of Philosophy degree to enroll in this course.  This course is for the formal research and writing leading to the preparation and completion of the dissertation for the Doctor of Philosophy degree while under the direction of the student’s supervisory committee. The student will pursue the proposed research and present a progress report and/or agreed upon objectives to the mentor and/or supervisory committee for approval and recommendations. Grading will be based upon the student's level of performance as reported by the chairperson of the student's supervisory committee and will be assigned as Satisfactory (S), Needs Improvement (N), or Unsatisfactory (U).

    Prerequisites: Admission to candidacy 
    Terms offered: I, II, III
    Year Offered: Annually
    Hours per week: Variable 3-9

    BHH 6101 Ethics in Scientific Research

    This course aims at providing an introduction to the ethics of scientific research and its impacts on society. The course first looks at ethical decision-making, norms and ideals of science, and discusses why ethics should be important for science. We will learn how to apply ethical frameworks to topical issues including conflict of interest, bias, research collaboration, peer review, authorship, research on human subjects, animal research, and research misconduct. 

    Small group discussions throughout the course will help students develop critical thinking skills. Using case-based analysis students will identify ethical issues, discuss applicable ethical principles and frameworks, and justify appropriate actions or outcomes. By sharing this thought process in small group settings, students will identify different systems of thought, values, and cultures. 

    BHH 6301 Histories of Health & Bioethics

    Bioethics and health humanities are relatively new fields that have shaped—and been shaped by—the history of medicine and public health. In this course, we will utilize history to analyze cases and social movements that have influenced the development of these fields and explore how historical methods can contribute to them. Special emphasis will be placed on how social, political, and ethical contexts have changed over time. Students will gain a multidisciplinary foundation upon which they can not only analyze issues of the past, but also address contemporary and future challenges in bioethics and health humanities.

    BHH 6306 Foundations in Bioethics

    Bioethics is a rich, multidisciplinary field of inquiry. Bioethics begins, no matter what discipline from which one comes, with encountering a problematic, value laden practical situation in biomedical science or practice, which provokes one to ask basic ethical questions, many of which are perennial ethical questions. From this initial ethical inquiry, the quest begins to find our ethical bearings and to explore the ways in which an acceptable ethical argument or value position can be adequately formulated. To do bioethical inquiry adequately, a bioethicist must have some knowledge of relevant theoretical perspective and be skilled in its practical application. This course will prepare students to use these common methods and approaches and is meant to be a foundational experience in their bioethics education that will be used in all of their inquiries into bioethical problems. 

    BHH 6312 Science and Technology Studies

    This graduate seminar provides and advanced introduction to the field of science and technology studies (STS). In this course we will examine how the production and application of knowledge has attained authority in contemporary societies. we will read key theoretical and empirical works in STS. Central themes of expertise, risk, and governance will be explored through topical studies or life sciences, biomedicine, and emerging biotechnologies. Students will sharpen methodological capacities to understand interactive dynamics or knowledge and power in contemporary ethics, policy and pratice.

    BHH 6314 Research Ethics

    This course aims at providing an introduction to research ethics.

    BHH 6316 Disability Ethics

    This course is designed to introduce students to key concepts and theories of disability, as well as provide both political and bioethical analyses of disability issues in healthcare, research, and society. Texts and resources will be primarily sourced from disabled writers and creators.

    Biostatistics & Data Science Course Descriptions

    BIOS 6304 Intro to Public Health Informatics

    Biomedical informatics is the study of the utilization of data, information, and knowledge towards the improvement of patient care and patient outcomes. The course is designed to be an overview of major topics related to this interdisciplinary field that combines various sub-fields in medicine, and the application of sub-topics from the computer and information sciences. Topics will include introduction to aspects of information theories, exposure to applied methods and tools in biomedical informatics, ethics and standards, and an overview of sub-fields from biomedical informatics (public health informatics, clinical informatics, consumer informatics, etc.).

    BIOS 6321 Survival Data Analysis

    This course covers the following: Scope of Survival Analysis, Definition Failure Times, Left & Right Censoring, Left & Right Truncation, Accelerated Failure Time Testing, Distributions of Failure Times (particularly families of exponentially distributed failures), Hazard Functions, Survivorship Functions, Product Limits and Actuarial Estimators, Statistical Tests for Comparing Failure Time Distributions, Statistical Software for Survival Analysis, Competing Risks and Proportional Hazards, Time Dependent Covariates, Repeating Events and Frailty Models.

    BIOS 6343 Biostatistics

    This course introduces the general application of biostatistical analysis, as performed in the biomedical, public health and social sciences. The course will examine how a wide variety of problems can be described and analyzed using the language of statistics. Specific topics to be covered include:

    • probability and distributions, data types, graphical representation of data, and the connection of probability to statistics and statistical inference;
    • hypothesis testing, equivalence testing, one vs. two sided tests;
    • parametric bivariate statistics such as the t-test and chi-squared tests, and their appropriate application, as well as non-parametric alternatives;
    • parametric multivariate statistics such as ANOVA, the regression framework including linear and logistic

    The aim of the course is fourfold. First, to familiarize students with the vocabulary, basic notions, and some general concepts of statistics. Second, to apply these techniques to real data sets, using statistical programming software. Third, to learn how to use a statistical software programming language for data manipulation and analysis, and to gain a general understanding of statistical software tools. Fourth, to critically analyze both the results of our own analyses, as well as published work in the biomedical literature.

    Evaluation of students will be done through class assignments and two final group projects where 1) students are to present a critical analysis of an article from the literature, highlighting and explaining the statistical concepts therein, 2) students carry out an analysis of real world data of their choosing, and explain their methodology, results, and the implications thereof. Details are provided below.

    BIOS 6485 MPH Biostats & Data Management

    This course will introduce the foundation of statistical theory and methods for summarization and elementary analysis of public health related data. Students will be able to carry out most statistical analyses discussed in the course with R. Topics include study design, data description, elements of probability, distribution of random variables, application of the binomial and normal distribution, estimation and confidence intervals, hypothesis testing, contingency tables, regression, and analysis of variance.

    Epidemiology Course Descriptions

    EPI 6330 Intro to Epidemiology

    This course is an introduction to the theory and practice of epidemiology, the study of the distribution and determinants of health in populations and the application of this study to control and improve health outcomes.  Concepts that will be covered include: historical foundations of epidemiologic research, measures of disease frequency, standardization, study design, measures of effect, screening, and causality.  The student will gain insight into the strengths and limitations of population-based research, acquire skills to critically evaluate epidemiologic research, understand the basis of causal inference regarding health and disease, and appreciate the scope of epidemiology and its uses in the areas of public health and clinical care.

    EPI 6335 Infectious Disease Epidemiology

    This course provides an overview of the epidemiology of the most common infectious diseases worldwide, including HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, Malaria, COVID-19 and others. Students will understand the theoretical basis of pathogen transmission, basics concepts of disease control and the factors that determine patterns of disease occurrence.

    EPI 6379 Social Epidemiology

    Social epidemiology is the branch of epidemiology that considers how social interactions, institutions, and human activity impact health. Essentially, social epidemiology focuses on how society’s social interactions, past and present, yield differential exposures and thus differences in health outcomes between persons who make up populations. Social epidemiology also investigates how well-known exposures (e.g., cigarette smoking, lead paint, health insurance) are maintained by the social system. In short, social epidemiology is about social allocation mechanisms (i.e., economic and social forces) that produce differential exposures that often yield health disparities (Oakes, 2015).
    The primary objective of this course is to develop and enhance students’ ability to gather, synthesize, and critically evaluate the research literature in the field of social epidemiology.  A secondary objective is to provide students with a practical conceptual and methodological framework for conducting empirical research in social epidemiology.  Course assignments—readings, meetings, papers, and presentations—will focus on the description, explanation, and investigation of social differentials in health outcomes.

    Global Health & Emerging Diseases Course Descriptions

    GHED 6303 Global Health Governance & Diplomacy

    The course aims to build capacity for achieving the health-related sustainable development goals by cultivating a better understanding of the governance structures for health, the challenges of program implementation, and the application of a health diplomacy framework. The course will also discuss the challenges facing health systems during the time of pandemic, focusing on the role of governance structure and stewardship in shaping the pandemic response. Grades are based on submitting and presenting weekly homework assignments, active participation and engagement in group work and professionalism.

    GHED 6304 Global Health & International Development

    This course will introduce fundamental concepts and explore the field of global health from multiple critical perspectives, including economics, political science, sociology, anthropology, human rights, and public health. Students will learn about the key frameworks, actors, systems, and practices that define global health in the modern era. They will engage in critical self-reflection while developing the ability to apply a health equity lens to evaluate emergent global public health challenges within their historic, structural, and political contexts. In so doing, the course will equip students with knowledge, attitudes, and approaches that apply to public health practice at regional, national, and international levels.

    School of Public and Population Health Course Descriptions

    SPPH 6011 Rotation

    This course allows the student, under faculty guidance, to engage in a limited research project unrelated to his or her thesis or dissertation, but concerned with their area of study (Population Health Sciences, Clinical Sciences, Rehabilitation Sciences, or Public Health). Credit and hours to be arranged. Course grade will be based on satisfactory performance and accomplishments in the chosen research area.

    SPPH 6016 Integrative Learning Experience

    The Integrative Learning Experience (ILE) is a requirement of all MPH students. The ILE is a culminating project that allows students to integrate the knowledge and skills they have gained throughout their MPH coursework and practice experience. It is intended to provide students with the opportunity to explore a public health area of interest in greater depth, produce a high-quality written product that aligns with their educational and professional goals, and demonstrate the synthesis of competencies attained during the MPH program.

    SPPH 6070 Applied Practice Experience

    This course involves the completion of the Applied Practice Experience (APE) requirement described by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH). The APE allows students to gain experience and develop skills towards the application of public health knowledge to address public health problems. Students are able to gain applied experience in a variety of settings, including governmental, non-governmental, non-profit, and for-profit agencies. The activities that are completed through this course should be mutually beneficial to both the student and the selected site.

    SPPH 6097 Research

    This course is designed to afford the student the opportunity to develop a thesis or dissertation proposal under faculty guidance. The proposal development may involve a literature search, preliminary experimentation, or a pilot field study. The research will be preliminary but relevant to the thesis or dissertation. Credit and hours to be arranged. Teaching technique is tutorial in nature.

    Prerequisites: None
    Terms offered: I, II, III
    Year offered: Annually
    Hours per week: Variable

    SPPH 6098 Thesis

    Once admitted to candidacy, it is required for students pursuing a Master of Science or Master of Arts degree to enroll in this course. This course is for the formal research and writing leading to the preparation and completion of the thesis for the Master of Science or Master of Arts degree while under the direction of the student's supervisory committee. The student will pursue the proposed research and present a progress report and/or agreed upon objectives to the mentor and/or supervisory committee for approval and recommendations. Grading will be based upon the student's level of performance as reported by the chairperson of the student's supervisory committee and will be assigned as Satisfactory (S), Needs Improvement (N), or Unsatisfactory (U).

    Prerequisites: Admission to candidacy
    Terms offered: I, II, III 
    Year Offered: Annually 
    Hours per week: Variable 3-9

    SPPH 6099 Dissertation

    Once admitted to candidacy, it is required for students pursuing the Doctor of Philosophy degree to enroll in this course.  This course is for the formal research and writing leading to the preparation and completion of the dissertation for the Doctor of Philosophy degree while under the direction of the student’s supervisory committee. The student will pursue the proposed research and present a progress report and/or agreed upon objectives to the mentor and/or supervisory committee for approval and recommendations. Grading will be based upon the student's level of performance as reported by the chairperson of the student's supervisory committee and will be assigned as Satisfactory (S), Needs Improvement (N), or Unsatisfactory (U).

    Prerequisites: Admission to candidacy 

    SPPH 6147 In the PHield (2024)

    This course is designed to introduce MPH students in the Public Health Practice concentration to different careers in the public health field (PHield). Each week, a guest speaker will be brought into share about their career path, their current organization/agency, as well as the duties/responsibilities of their position. There will be time for students to dialogue with each speaker. In addition to the speakers, students will also be expected to complete personal professional development activities like job searching/identification, as well as cover letter and resume/CV writing.

    SPPH 6161 Evidence-based Practice

    Preventive interventions in clinical medicine and public health should be evidence- based and adopt a systematic approach to identifying, integrating, and applying the available evidence. Evidence-based decision-making should incorporate findings from formal research studies, but also data on patient and population preferences and values, and information on available resources. In this course a general framework for evidence-based decision-making will be presented and its application to different practice settings considered. This course is designed to align with topics in Gastrointestinal/Nutrition (GIN), which you are concurrently taking in JSSOM.

    SPPH 6195 Professional Development

    This course allows students to increase their knowledge and skills around current issues in public health, programs, and research in various areas, including public health, preventive medicine, health policy, advocacy, and community engagement. The course also offers an opportunity for practical knowledge exchange and application of skills to help students become well-rounded practitioners in the field of public health.

    SPPH 6201 Approaches to Academic & Professional Writing

    This course is an introduction to scholarly writing. The course emphasizes skills used in research (e.g., manuscripts, research proposals), but students will also learn aspects of writing style, clarity, and structure that are valuable in all professional settings. Students will develop knowledge and skills through selected readings and class discussions. Students will choose between writing a brief scientific manuscript or an NIH-style specific aims page as their final project. Students will submit sections of their manuscript or specific aims page during the semester for feedback and submit a full draft in the last week of the semester.  

    SPPH 6303 ASM I

    This course will teach residents the fundamental principles and physiologic changes of aerospace environments as they pertain to a variety of human body systems. It will introduce concepts for spaceflight and compare and contrast different models (government vs. private). It will also introduce topics of systems engineering, vehicle design, and requirements writing.

    SPPH 6324 Assessment, Planning & Evaluation

    Public Health Assessment, Planning, and Evaluation is designed to facilitate the integration and application of a variety of public health topics, issues, and skills. In particular, students will gain greater understanding of community assessment, program planning, and program evaluation. This course is designed to provide students with different perspectives and approaches, as well as a greater familiarity of a range of methods, essential to public health practice. Topics will be framed around the application of public health practice skills.

    SPPH 6384 Health Policy & Management

    This course is designed to provide an overview of the U.S. health care delivery system and policies. We will compare the U.S. system with that of other industrialized and developing countries. Detailed examination of the structure of the U.S. health insurance market and the Affordable Care Act will be undertaken. You will learn the theory and practice of policy evaluation. You will also develop an understanding of the current problems and issues in health care delivery.

    SPPH 6390 Intro to Rehabilitation

    This interdisciplinary course provides an overview of the integrated fields of disability, rehabilitation science, and engineering. Weekly didactic lectures will be complimented by presentations by and interactive discussions with investigators in the three research focus areas of the UTMB Rehabilitation Sciences program.

    SPPH 6403 Analytical Methods

    This course is designed to provide an overview of analytical methods in public health, both quantitative and qualitative. Students will learn basics of epidemiological study design, basic quantitative and qualitative analysis, data collection, and interpretation.

    SPPH 6410 Public Health Practice I

    This course is designed to provide students in the Public Health Practice concentration of the MPH program with a strong foundation in the systems and structures that address and impact public health. Students will be acquainted with concepts and performance of public health practice as well as the core functions of various public health agencies and organizations. Current public health topics will be discussed and representatives from programs/agencies that serve public health functions will participate in course activities.

    SPPH 6483 Healthcare Delivery and Evaluation

    This course is for MD/MPH students and teaches principles, methods and practices of improving quality, outcomes and costs of healthcare delivery for patients and populations with a focus on leadership, financing, value-based care, teamwork, care coordination, and the translation of science into clinical and community practice. Grades are based on debates, a quality improvement project, a final presentation, class participation and a peer evaluation.

     

    SPPH 6486 Ecological Approaches to Health

    Health does not occur within a vacuum. Health is a product of genetic code, behaviors and decisions, social supports and networks, culture, environmental exposures, political forces, and many other determinants. This array of determinants impacts health across the life course. This course will introduce each of these concepts using a social ecological framework. This course teaches the multitude of factors that contribute to disease risk and influence health, including behavior, culture, environment, and a variety of other social and structural determinants. This course will focus on key research findings and the growing range of variables known to be antecedents of individual and population health and health disparities over the life course. Research and practice in this area contributes to the development and evaluation of programs and policies in public health and health services. Course activities will focus on developing knowledge and skills in the application of an ecological framing to public health solutions. Students will not only gain knowledge about each of these important determinants of health, but will also be given the opportunity to apply what they have learned in practical settings and to reflect on their experiences through an ecological lens. Grades will be based on 4 reflection papers, 3 application exercises, class participation and a peer evaluation.