Public Health Program Courses

Sph 539 Topics in Public Health Preparedness (3)

This course provides an overview on a variety of public health topics with a focus on skill and knowledge building in the area of public health preparedness.

Sph 559 Selected Topics in Public Health (2-3)

This course focuses on a specific public health topic that might unexpectedly become significant or an interdisciplinary topic that may not fit neatly into the curriculum of a department of the School of Public Health. Possible topics include occupational ergonomics, disaster preparedness, preparedness for biological terrorism, confidentiality of medical data.

Sph 589 (Ehc 589) Emergency Preparedness: The Public Health Perspective (3)

Preparedness planning has been an essential but often overlooked aspect of public health. Events of this decade have clarified the need for preparedness training around issues such as bioterrorism and have emphasized a new role for public health workers in community response activities. This course will serve as an introduction to the knowledge, skills and competencies needed by public health staff in being prepared for these new concerns. Prerequisites: Permission of instructor or Epi 501 and Ehs 590.

Sph 603 Advanced Topics in Preventive Medicine (3)

In this interactive weekly seminar professionals from public and private sector health organizations discuss a wide range of preventive medicine issues, including applied epidemiology, clinical preventive medicine, health services management, and public health leadership. The course is required for physicians in the NYS Preventive Medicine Residency program. Prerequisite: Enrollment in the NYS Preventive Medicine Residency Program or permission of instructor.

Sph 629 (Ehs 629) Protocol Development and Grant Writing (3)

This course will teach methods for developing research grant proposals in the population sciences.  Exposure and outcome assessment, study designs and bias will be discussed in-depth.  Application of these methods will be evaluated through written critiques of the peer-reviewed literature, in-class discussions and the preparation of a grant proposal.

Sph 680 MPH First-Year Seminar (1)

As the introduction to the MPH degree, this course introduces new MPH students to important contemporary issues and leaders in Public Health.  A different issue will be chosen as the theme for this course each semester.  In addition, the course helps students express their knowledge and understanding by completing a variety of short writing assignments.  This course teaches students about a variety of common formats for written communication in public health.  Prerequisite: Matriculation in MPH Program.

Sph 685 MPH Capstone Seminar (1)

As the capstone in the MPH degree, this course encourages students to reflect on competencies they have acquired during the academic and hands-on phases of the degree program.  Using an evidence-based public health framework, it helps them to integrate their knowledge and apply it to new public health issues.  Prerequisite: Completion of 6 or more credits of MPH internship (concurrent, with permission).

Sph 687 Independent Study and Research in Public Health Practice (1-6)

Supervised independent study or research of selected topics and problems of public health practice undertaken with a UAlbany instructor.  Prerequisite: Permission of instructor.

Sph 690 Internship in Biomedical Sciences (3, 6)

Individual directed internship program with an appropriate institution concerned with biomedical science. Internship rotations may be full-time or part-time. Each credit represents a minimum of 80 hours of work with the host agency. A paper and an oral presentation are required. Prerequisite: Admission to M.P.H. program.

Sph 691 Internship in Environmental Health (3, 6)

Individual directed internship program with an appropriate institution concerned with environmental health. Internship rotations may be full- time or part-time. Each credit represents a minimum of 80 hours of work with the host agency. A paper and an oral presentation are required. Prerequisite: Admission to M.P.H. program.

Sph 692 Internship in Epidemiology (3, 6)

Individual directed internship program with an appropriate institution concerned with epidemiology. Internship rotations may be full-time part- time. Each credit represents a minimum of 80 hours of work with host agency. A paper and an oral presentation are required. Prerequisite: Admission to M.P.H. program.

Sph 693 Internship in Biostatistics (3, 6)

Individual directed internship program with an appropriate institution concerned with biostatistics. Internship rotations may be full-time or part-time. Each credit represents a minimum of 80 hours of work with the host agency. A paper and an oral presentation are required. Prerequisite: Admission to M.P.H. program.

Sph 694 Internship in Health Administration (3, 6)

Individual directed internship program with an appropriate institution concerned with health administration. Internship rotations may be full- time or part-time. Each credit represents a minimum of 80 hours of work with the host agency. A paper and an oral presentation are required. Prerequisite: Admission to M.P.H. program.

Sph 695 Internship in Behavioral Sciences (3, 6)

Individual directed internship program with an appropriate institution concerned with behavioral science. Internship rotations may be full-time or part-time. Each credit represents a minimum of 80 hours of work with the host agency. A paper and oral presentation are required. Prerequisite: Admission to M.P.H. program.

Sph 696 Internship in Public Health Practice (3, 6)

The internship program at either institution will offer concentrations in the areas of: epidemiology, environmental health, biomedical sciences, health policy, nanoscience, nanoengineering, nanobioscience, or nanoeconomics.  These internships will be in support of research for the NanoLife initiatives which focuses on environmental and human health and safety of engineered nanomaterials.  Internship rotations may be full-time or part-time.  Each credit represents a minimum of 80 hours of work with a host agency or organization.  A paper and an oral presentation are required.  Prerequisite: Admission to the MPH program or CNSE graduate program.

Sph 698 Completion of Internship (1)

Continuation of an internship for which an MPH student has previously registered but has not completed the work. Prerequisites: Sph690, Sph691, Sph692, Sph693, or Sph695 and completion of all other MPH requirements.

Sph 701 Doctoral Seminar: Defining, Quantifying, and Presenting Evidence for a Public Health Problem (3)

This first year doctoral seminar prepares students to conduct research on a public health problem.  Students learn to succinctly define, quantify and present a public health issue.  The product of this course is a thoroughly researched, clearly written, and orally presented literature review which is the prelude to the spring semester's final product, a completed grant proposal.  Additionally students attend weekly preventive medicine residency seminars to participate in journal clubs and discussions with guest speakers about timely topics in public health.  Prerequisite: MPH core courses.

Sph 702 Leadership for Planning, Implementing, and Writing a Proposal for a Public Health Intervention (3)

This is the second in a sequence of doctoral seminars designed to complete the process of writing a grant proposal.  Following the completed literature review from the previous semester, students develop implementation and evaluation plans for the proposed evidence-based public health intervention.  The course culminates with a completed written proposal and oral presentation worthy of submission to a funding agency.  As in the fall semester, students will continue to attend preventive medicine seminars and journal clubs for the second 90 minutes of course time each week.  Prerequitistes: MPH core courses and Sph 701.

Sph 780 Doctoral Seminar in Public Health (0)

For students who are satisfying the doctoral level internship requirement for the DrPH degree. Through a written paper and an oral presentation given at a seminar session, the internship work experience is discussed and related to public health principles and practice. Must be taken when a student enrolls in a doctoral level internship. Co-requisite: Sph 790 or 791.

Sph 790 Doctoral Internship in Area of Concentration (3, 6)

Individually directed internship with an appropriate training agency in the student's area of concentration. Six hours of doctoral level internship within the area of concentration are required for the DrPH degree and may not be waived. Internships may be full-time or part-time. Each credit represents a minimum of 80 hours of work with the host agency. An oral progress report, a paper and an oral presentation are required. Co-requiste: Sph 780.

Sph 791 Doctoral Internship Outside Area of Concentration (3,6)

Individually directed internship with an appropriate training agency outside the student's area of concentration. Six hours of doctoral level internship outside the area of concentration are required for the DrPH degree and may not be waived. Internships may be full-time or part-time. Each credit represents a minimum of 80 hours of work with the host agency. An oral progress report, a paper and an oral presentation are required. Co-requiste: Sph 780.

Sph 898 Doctoral Project (3-12)

Required of all Dr.P.H. students, prior to admission to candidacy. Prerequisite: Consent of advisor.

Sph 899 Doctoral Project and Dissertation (1-12)

Required for all DrPH degree candidates, the doctoral project will consist of an extended work experience of at least nine months full time duration in a public health or related agency and will include the writing of a professional dissertation. The project will consist of an investigation of a problem of significance in the students area(s) of concentration. While it does not require the collection of new data, it must demonstrate that the candidate is capable of original thinking and sophisticated, independent analysis of a significant problem in public health. Registration for this course is limited to doctoral students who have been admitted to candidacy.