Course listings | Case Western Reserve University

Term: Fall 2025

MPHP 301: Introduction to Epidemiology (100/2052)

MW 04:50-06:05 PM Aug 25-Dec 05

Stein, C

This course begins with the exploration of the history, philosophy and uses of epidemiology. It then moves to the basic descriptive functions of epidemiology such as condition, frequency and severity. Data is used to describe qualitatively and quantitatively diseases and injuries in a population. Applications include identifying patterns of disease and injury over time and geography The course them moves to analytical epidemiology with focus on estimation, inference, bias, confounding and adjustment in the determination of what factors are associated with, or cause disease or injury. The different kinds of study designs are introduced including ecologic, cross-sectional, case-control, retrospective and prospective cohort, and experimental designs such as clinical trials. Students are introduced to evidence-based public health with analysis of harm, benefit and cost, and intervention effectiveness. The course concludes with applications to policy, covering outbreak investigation/testing/screening, public health policy and special epidemiologic applications including molecular and genetic epidemiology, environmental health and safety, unintentional injury and violence prevention and behavioral sciences. Recommended preparation: A course in statistics taken before or concurrently with MPHP 301.

MPHP 306: History and Philosophy of Public Health (100/1614)

M 05:30-08:00 PM Aug 25-Dec 05

Terebuh, P

The purpose of this course is to introduce students to the science and art of public health through an understanding of the history and philosophies that represent its foundation. Students will learn about the essentials of public health and applications of those precepts throughout history and in the present. The course will examine public health case histories and controversies from the past and present, in order to better understand solutions for the future. Offered as MPHP 306 and MPHP 406.

MPHP 406: History and Philosophy of Public Health (100/1615)

M 05:30-08:00 PM Aug 25-Dec 05

Terebuh, P

MPHP 409: Addictions & Dual Diagnoses (100/2583)

T 02:45-05:45 PM Aug 25-Dec 05

Singer, L

This interdisciplinary course, designed for graduate students in public health at Case Western Reserve University, will explore the extent and types of alcohol/ drug addictions and co-occurring mental health problems prevalent in the U.S. and worldwide, as well as the historical and current contexts of public health prevention and treatment efforts. The course takes a bio-psychosocial approach to prevention, assessment, treatment and public health intervention efforts regarding alcohol and other drug abuse problems. The course introduces the student to the etiology and treatment of alcohol/ other drug abuse problems and co-occurring mental health disorders in the context of public health. The historical background and the development of the evidence base for alcohol and other drug treatment interventions, self-help groups, and conceptual models of addiction will be presented. Additional emphasis will be placed on current knowledge and research on maternal drug use during pregnancy, fetal exposures and developmental sequelae. Emphasis will be placed on current screening, assessment, prevention and legal issues, including racial and social class disparities. Students will be asked to explore their own attitudes and values towards alcohol and drug abuse problems and how those may affect larger legal and public health efforts. Case studies will be used to illustrate similarities and differences among various populations, including minority and ethnic identity groups.

MPHP 411: Introduction to Health Behavior (100/1940)

R 05:30-08:00 PM Aug 25-Dec 05

Kim-Mozeleski, J

This course will provide a broad overview of health behavior theories and health behaviors in the context of health promotion, examining a variety of models and frameworks to better understand correlates of health risk and protective behaviors, behavior change, and contextual factors that affect health in both individuals and populations. Emphasis is placed on applying "theory" to a variety of health concerns that have strong behavioral components. The relationship between health behavior and individual, interpersonal, and community/environmental context will be presented. Offered as MPHP 411 and PQHS 411.

MPHP 413: Health Education, Communication, and Advocacy (100/1939)

W 02:45-05:15 PM Aug 25-Dec 05

Knight, K

Various class meetings will be held via Zoom instead of in-person. Please contact the instructor for additional details.

MPHP 426: An Introduction to GIS for Health and Social Sciences (800/2198)

MW 10:30-11:45 AM Aug 25-Dec 05

Curtis, A; Curtis, J

This course is designed to give students a first exposure to understanding how GIS is integral to understanding a wide variety of public health problems. It introduces students to current spatial approaches in health research and provides a set of core skills that will allow students to apply these techniques toward their own interests. Subject matter will include chronic diseases, infectious diseases, and vectored diseases examples. Other topics related to social determinants of health and current events (e.g., violence, overdoses, disaster and homelessness) will also be incorporated. Students will be exposed to different types of data and different applications of these data (for example, hospitals, police departments), enabling them to think "outside the box" about how GIS can be utilized to solve real-world problems. Students will learn classic mapping and hotspot techniques. In addition, they will be introduced to novel ways to collect geospatial field data using online sources (Google Street View), primary data collection (spatial video) and mixed method approaches (spatial video geonarratives), all of which represent the cutting edge of spatial epidemiology. Offered as MPHP 426 and PQHS 426.

MPHP 431: Statistical Methods I (100/1616)

TR 01:00-02:15 PM Aug 25-Dec 05

Love, T

This course is the first half of a two-semester sequence focused on modern data analysis, advanced statistical modeling, and programming in R and R Markdown. The course emphasizes placing biological, medical and health research questions into a statistical context, and thinking effectively about practical questions of design and analysis, while minimizing theory. In the first semester, we use tools from the tidyverse and literate programming to produce replicable research on public data. Course projects focus on using modern tools to ingest, tidy, manage, explore (transform, visualize and model) and communicate about data. Foundations of the first semester include exploratory data analysis, estimation strategies for means and proportions, and linear models for prediction and exploration of quantitative outcomes. The course attracts people with varied backgrounds in statistics/data science or coding/programming or biomedical science, and a common interest in using data effectively in scientific research. Instructor permission is required for enrollment. Offered as CRSP 431, MPHP 431, and PQHS 431.

MPHP 431: Statistical Methods I (101/2601)

TR 04:00-05:15 PM Aug 25-Dec 05

Zhang, L

MPHP 451: A Data-Driven Introduction to Genomics and Human Health (100/2180)

WF 01:15-02:30 PM Aug 25-Dec 05

Bush, W

This course introduces the foundational concepts of genomics and genetic epidemiology through four key principles: 1) Teaching students how to query relational databases using Structure Query Language (SQL); 2) Exposing students to the most current data used in genomics and bioinformatics research, providing a quantitative understanding of biological concepts; 3) Integrating newly learned concepts with prior ones to discover new relationships among biological concepts; and 4) providing historical context to how and why data were generated and stored in the way they were, and how this gave rise to modern concepts in genomics. Offered as PQHS 451, GENE 451, and MPHP 451.

MPHP 468: The Continual Improvement of Healthcare: An Interdisciplinary Course (100/1617)

W 05:30-08:00 PM Aug 25-Dec 05

Phillips, S

This course prepares students to be members of interprofessional teams to engage in the continual improvement in health care. The focus is on working together for the benefit of patients and communities to enhance quality and safety. Offered as PQHS 468, MPHP 468, and NURS 468.

MPHP 482: Qualitative and Mixed Methods in Public Health (100/1885)

R 09:00-11:30 AM Aug 25-Dec 05

Perzynski, A

Understanding complex public health issues requires both qualitative and quantitative inquiry. The exploration of the perceptions and experiences of people is as essential as analyzing the relationships among variables. Often, the integration of the two methods is required in order to effectively address the significant health issues faced by today's society. It is the purpose of this course to facilitate a meaningful and substantive learning process around engaging in, and critically analyzing, qualitative and mixed methods research in public health. This includes gaining first-hand experience in research design and collecting, managing, analyzing, and interpreting data for the purposes of making data-driven program and policy recommendations. In addition, students will have the opportunity to engage with local professionals engaged in qualitative and mixed methods research.

MPHP 483: Introduction to Epidemiology for Public Health Practice (100/1857)

T 05:30-08:00 PM Aug 25-Dec 05

Tisch, D

Various class meetings will be held via Zoom instead of in-person. Please contact the instructor for additional details.

MPHP 484: Global Health Epidemiology (100/1618)

M 02:45-05:15 PM Aug 25-Dec 05

King, C; Bosch, J; Tisch, D

This course provides a rigorous problem-centered training in the epidemiology, prevention, treatment, and control of infectious diseases and, more generally, global health. This is an advanced epidemiology that embraces an active learning environment. Students are expected to invest time out of the classroom reading and working with classmates. Classes will be conducted with discussions, debates, group projects, and group presentations. By taking this course, students will develop a framework for interpreting, assessing, and performing epidemiologic research on issues of global importance. The course will be divided into three modules:1) Global Health Epidemiology 2) Helminth Epidemiology, and 3) Epidemiology of Disease Elimination. Each module is worth 1 credit hour and may be taken separately. Each module will have a separate project and/or exam. The final exam time will be used for group presentations and panel discussion. Active class participation is required through discussions, case studies, and group projects. Offered as PQHS 484, INTH 484, and MPHP 484.

MPHP 485: Adolescent Development (100/1619)

Rome, E

In-person and remote meetings will be scheduled based on the availability of enrolled students. Please contact the instructor for additional information.

MPHP 490: Epidemiology: Introduction to Theory and Methods (100/1620)

TR 02:30-03:45 PM Aug 25-Dec 05

Moore, S

This course provides an introduction to the principles of epidemiology covering the basic methods necessary for population and clinic-based research. Students will be introduced to epidemiologic study designs, measures of disease occurrence, measures of risk estimation, and casual inference (bias, confounding, and interaction) with application of these principles to specific fields of epidemiology. Classes will be a combination of lectures, discussion, and in-class exercises. It is intended for students who have a basic understanding of the principals of human disease and statistics. Offered as PQHS 490 and MPHP 490.

MPHP 499: Independent Study (101/2107)

Narendran, S

MPHP 499: Independent Study (102/2166)

Tisch, D

MPHP 540: Operational Aspects of Global Health and Emergency Response (100/2497)

MTWRF 08:00-04:30 PM Aug 18-Aug 22

Yax, J

Among professional in the medical field and the field of public health, there is a gap in knowledge, structure and research in best practices surrounding emergency response. This gap results from the limited number of training programs in the United States that focus on this very specialized field and the limited number of academic partnerships with international non-governmental organizations (NGOs). This course helps remedy this gap by introducing public health students and international emergency medicine fellows to the overall structure and operations of international humanitarian coordination systems, types of emergency response, morbidity and mortality associated with various emergencies, and the actors and institutions involved. The course highlights, through reading, workshops, and examples, the real world issues that must be faced and overcome in the field during emergency response operations.

MPHP 650: Public Health Practicum (100/1905)

T 12:00-01:00 PM Aug 25-Dec 05

Morris, A

On Tuesdays at noon, the MPH program hosts a weekly seminar called Community Health Research and Practice - or CHRP for short. Sessions range in topic each week, and over the course of the semester we cover some housekeeping things (example: how to create a capstone presentation), some skill-building (example: how to prepare an abstract for a conference), and some guest presentations from public health researchers and practitioners from the community. We expect students to attend at least 10 CHRP sessions over the course of your time in the program.

MPHP 652: Public Health Capstone Experience (100/2354)

Morris, A; Zimmerman, P

Public health field practicum, involving a placement at a community-based field site, and a Master's essay. The field placement will provide students with the opportunity to apply the knowledge and skills acquired through their Master of Public Health academic program to a problem involving the health of the community. Students will learn to communicate with target groups in an effective manner; to identify ethical, social, and cultural issues relating to public health policies, research, and interventions; to identify the process by which decisions are made within the agency or organization; and to identify and coordinate use of resources at the placement site. The Master's essay represents the culminating experience required for the degree program and may take the form of a research thesis, an evaluation study, or an intervention study. Each student is required to formally present the experience and research findings. In any semester in which a student is registered for MPHP 652 credit, it is required that the student attend the Community Health Research and Practice (CHRP) group at a minimum of two sessions per 3 credits. CHRP is held once a week for approximately an hour and a half for the duration of fall, spring, and summer semesters. MPHP 652 credit is available only to Master of Public Health students.

MPHP 652: Public Health Capstone Experience (101/2355)

Kim-Mozeleski, J; Morris, A

MPHP 652: Public Health Capstone Experience (102/2356)

Bailit, J; Morris, A

MPHP 652: Public Health Capstone Experience (103/2357)

Morris, A; Singer, E

MPHP 653: Public Health Capstone Experience (100/2368)

Morris, A; Whiting, P

The Public Health Capstone is a multi-semester project intended to provide students with the opportunity to develop a broad understanding of their chosen topic area, the ability to communicate effectively with target groups and professionals, and develop skills necessary for scientific investigation. The Public Health Capstone provides students with the opportunity to apply the knowledge and skills acquired through their Master of Public Health academic program to a problem involving the health of the community. Students work in conjunction with a community organization; therefore, the Capstone is expected to be mutually beneficial to both the student's educational goals as well as the host organization. At the conclusion of the Capstone experience, students are required to submit a capstone essay, which represents the culminating experience required for the degree program and may take the form of a research thesis, an evaluation study, or an intervention study. Each student is required to formally present the experience and research findings. While engaged in the Public Health Capstone, students are expected to attend the Community Health Research and Practice (CHRP) seminar, held weekly on Tuesdays at 12:00pm.

MPHP 655: Dual Degree Field Practicum II (100/1987)

Foster, J; Morris, A

This course is designed to be taken by MSW/MPH joint degree students as the second field period of their master's program. It consists of a field practicum and participation in professional development opportunities. The Field Practicum is an integral component of the MSW and MPH curriculums, allowing students to apply, develop, and refine their conceptual knowledge and skills as part of a planned, supervised, and evaluated community-based experience. The Practicum is designed to move students beyond the walls of academia, to understand the political, economic, social, and organizational contexts within which social work and public health activities are conducted. These collective experiences provide students with a forum to develop skills, integrate and operationalize the values and ethics inherent in professional practice, and confront social injustice as self-reflective, competent developing practitioners. (EPAAS Program Objective M6 and EPAAS Content Area 4.7). The overall goal of this course is to provide graduate level MSW/MPH joint degree students with field related opportunities to continue to develop foundation level competencies in the eight MSSAS abilities by helping students apply knowledge of social work and public health theory, skills, values and ethics acquired in the classroom in an agency setting. Offered as MPHP 655 and SASS 655.

MPHP 656: Dual Degree Field Capstone III (100/1938)

Foster, J; Morris, A

The Public Health Capstone Project is an integral component of the MPH curriculum, allowing students to apply, develop, and refine their conceptual knowledge and skills as part of a planned, mentored, and evaluated public health scholarly project. This course is designed to be taken by advanced level students. It consists of a 288 hour field based Capstone experience and participation in 12 hours of professional development opportunities. The overall goal of this course is designed to move students beyond the walls and constraints of the classroom, to understand the political, economic, social, and organizational contexts within which public health and social work activities are conducted. It is also designed to provide graduate level dual degree students with field related opportunities to begin to develop advanced level competencies in the eight abilities by helping students apply knowledge of social work theory, skills, values and ethics acquired in the classroom in an agency setting. These collective experiences provide students with a forum to continue to develop and hone social work skills, integrate and operationalize the values and ethics inherent in professional practice, and confront social injustice as self-reflective, competent developing practitioners. (EPAS Program Objective M6 and EPAS Content Area 4.7). Offered as SASS 656 and MPHP 656.

MPHP 657: Dual Degree Field Capstone IV (100/1986)

Foster, J; Morris, A

MPHP 657: Dual Degree Field Capstone IV (101/13296)

Iciek, J; Morris, A