Course Descriptions

MPH 221.  ECCE: Environmental Facts and Fictions: The Mystery Genre.  3 hours.

Mystery fiction's role in shaping popular beliefs about environmental issues and science will be examined across cultures and around the globe.  Same as ENS 221

MPH 403.  Emerging Diseases.  4 hours.

Examines the factors responsible for the emergence of previously unknown infectious diseases and the re-emergence of diseases thought to be controlled.  This course is designed to provide non-scientist with up-to-date and accurate information regarding these afflictions.  Same as PAC 403.

MPH 405.  Computer Applications in Public Health.  2 hours.

This course will provide the basic practical concepts and computer techniques for analyzing health-related data. Topics include introduction to commonly used software systems in public health, (specifically EPI-INFO software), simple statistical analysis, and interpretation of results.

Public Health  (MPH)PH

MPH 408.  Addiction.  4 hours

Examines the relationship between addiction and rationality.  Presents an interdisciplinary approach; explores treatment and regulatory policies to prevent and treat addiction in the U.S.  Same as PAC 408.

MPH 419.  Environmental Law.  4 hours.

Surveys the major federal statutes and regulatory schemes relating to environmental quality; analyzes and compares the contrasting approaches to regulation that have been used. Focuses on the interaction of law and policy and considers the roles of Congress, the regulatory agencies, and the courts in defining and implementing environmental mandates. Same as ENS 419, LES 419, and POS 419.

Public Health  (MPH)PH

MPH 428.  Laboratory Science in Public Health.  2 hours.

Provides an understanding of laboratory science as it applies to public health. Topics include the history and role of the public health laboratory, tests and procedures used in monitoring the health of the population and the organization of the laboratory, water and air quality, food preparation and sanitation, waste disposal, vector control, and appropriate personnel standards.

Public Health  (MPH)MPH

MPH 449. Environmental Toxicology.  3 or 4 hours.

Study of effects of toxic chemicals on the environment. Included are sources, transport, chemical behavior, and toxic mechanisms of environmental pollutants. Prerequisites: Organic chemistry or cell biology. Same as CHE 465, ENS 449.

MPH 450.  Chemicals and the Citizen.  4 hours.Provides the basic concepts and vocabulary to understand many of the hot environmental issues related to chemicals in our environment. Introduces public health and policy issues as well as technical aspects related to the broad topic of chemicals in the environment. A course about chemical issues, not chemistry, this course is designed to provide non-chemists with a basis for understanding contemporary issues such as safety testing of chemicals, air and water quality, and disposal of hazardous chemicals. Same as PAC 415, ENS 450.

MPH 478.  Crisis in Environmental Health.  4 hours

Provides awareness and preparation on environmental health issues in crisis management using multidisciplinary approach to response strategies to natural disasters; industrial accidents; terrorism in food safety, waste management, environmental health risk assessment, crisis communication; cultural competence; local and state level legal and policy issues; and environmental justice.  Same as PAC 478, ENS 478.

MPH 484.  Air Quality Policy  4 hours

Clean Air Act and amendments and their effect on improving ambient air quality.  Analysis of administrative procedures, standards, and regulations, as well as case studies.

MPH 486.  Solid and Hazardous Wastes Policy.  4 hours.

Examines the nature of solid and hazardous wastes. Technologies, regulations, and enforcement techniques are studied and present and potential solutions are analyzed.  Same as ENS 486.

MPH 503.  Biostatistics for the Health Professional.  4 hours.

Provides a general overview of statistical methods commonly used in the collection and analysis of health research data. Topics include descriptive statistics, basic concepts of probability, statistical inference, analysis of variance (ANOVA), correlation, regression, distribution free methods, and introduction to use of a statistical software. Emphasis is on understanding and applying statistical concepts intuitively to the interpretation of health research data.  Working knowledge of algebra required.  Restricted to Graduate - Springfield, and Doctoral - Springfield.

Public Health  (MPH)PH

MPH 506.  Community Health Research.  4 hours.

Emphasizes the practical application of community health research to enhance the practice of public health. Public health practitioners engaging in administration, policy analysis, program development, and service coordination must be able to assess the needs of populations served and must be able to design and implement programs to meet those needs and evaluate program outcomes. The objective is to provide practical experience necessary for students to skillfully apply a variety of research methods and protocols, data collection, and analysis and interpretation skills to needs assessment and evaluation in public health. Core course. Prerequisite: MPH 503 or WPI.  Restricted to Graduate - Springfield, and Doctoral - Springfield.

Public Health  (MPH)MPH

MPH 508.  Program Evaluation for Health Professionals.  4 hours.

Evaluation of public health programs includes concept of a program, analysis of evaluation models, program measurement, causality, internal and external evaluation, process and outcome evaluation, and evaluation strategies. Use of experimental design, quasi-designs, and case studies.  Restricted to Graduate - Springfield, and Doctoral - Springfield.

Public Health  (MPH)PH

MPH 511.  Foundations Of Epidemiology.  4 hours.

Introduction to epidemiological concepts and methods. Meaning and scope of epidemiology and the uses of morbidity, mortality, and other vital statistical data in the scientific appraisal of community health. Core course. Same as ENS 561.  Restricted to Graduate - Springfield, and Doctoral - Springfield.

Public Health  (MPH)MPH

MPH 512.  Epidemiology of Infectious and Chronic Diseases.  4 hours

Examines the application of epidemiological methods to understanding the natural history, prevention, and control of disease.  Presents a population-based perspective of the distributions and determinants of major chronic diseases in the United States and worldwide.  Prerequisite: MPH 511 or permission of instructor.  Restricted to Graduate - Springfield, and Doctoral - Springfield.

MPH 514.  Analytical Epidemiology.  4 hours.

Presents the fundamental concepts, principles, and methods of observational epidemiologic research. Practical issues in the design, conduct, and analysis of epidemiologic studies, as well as theoretical issues in the analysis and interpretation of research findings will be discussed. Intended for students interested in epidemiologic research. Same as ENS 562. Prerequisite: MPH 511 or permission of instructor.  Restricted to Graduate - Springfield, and Doctoral - Springfield.

Public Health  (MPH)MPH

MPH 521.  Environmental and Occupational Health.  4 hours.

Recognition, analysis, and control of major environmental and occupational diseases and issues. Examines policy, law, economics, politics, and liability as they relate to environmental and occupational health. Core course. Prerequisites: MPH 503 and MPH 511.  Restricted to Graduate - Springfield, and Doctoral - Springfield.

Public Health  (MPH)PH

MPH 522.  Analytical Tools for the Environmental Sciences.  4 hours.

This course will be a comprehensive treatment of sampling strategies, sampling processing, analytical protocols, data collection, processing and interpretation and instrumental methods used in environmental analyses.  Same as ENS 555.  Restricted to Graduate - Springfield, and Doctoral - Springfield.

 PH

MPH 526.  Risk Management and Communication.  4 hours.

Risk management decisions and options. Public health, economic, ethical, social, and political consequences of decisions. Decision stakeholders, techniques of decision communication, and implementation of choices. Quality assurance and quality control tools.  Restricted to Graduate - Springfield, and Doctoral - Springfield.

MPH 527.  Environmental Risk Assessment.  4 hours.

Introduction to the many aspects of risk assessment, the relationship between risk assessment and public policy and the perception of risk. Students will be expected to work out elementary problems in risk and exposure assessment. Same as ENS 521.  Restricted to Graduate - Springfield, and Doctoral - Springfield.

Public Health  (MPH)PH

MPH 528.  Risk Assessment:  Air, Land, and Water.  4 hours.

Investigates risk assessment methodologies of terrestrial, waterborne, and airborne pollutants. Case studies, computer models, and extant data considered.

Prerequisite: MPH 527.  Same as ENS 522.  Restricted to Graduate - Springfield, and Doctoral - Springfield.

MPH 529.  Risk Assessment Practicum.  4 hours.

Subject matter to include identification and assessment of hazardous and toxic materials, site assessment, cleanup, and management strategies, and legal, policy, and economic applications in a real situation using extant data. This is the final course in the risk assessment sequence. Prerequisites: MPH 527 & MPH 528.  Same as ENS 523.  Restricted to Graduate - Springfield, and Doctoral - Springfield.

MPH 531.  Public Health Policy and Administration.  4 hours.

Overview of the public health system, contemporary issues confronting the health system, introduction to the health policy framework, agenda setting political processes, stakeholders, and policy theorists.  Students will develop an understanding of the empirical and normative forces that shape policy and be prepared to participate in practical deliberations shaping and administering those policies.  Core course.  Restricted to Graduate - Springfield, and Doctoral - Springfield.

Public Health  (MPH)

MPH 535.  Public Health in the Political Arena.  4 hours.

Examines the influence of politics on public health policy and practice. Presents a professional approach to engaging the political process at the local, state, and national levels.  Restricted to Graduate - Springfield, and Doctoral - Springfield.

Public Health  (MPH)PH

MPH 536.  Contemporary Issues in Public Health.  2 or 4 hours.

An Internet-intensive course to explore new ideas and approaches to public health. The instructor will select the first book of the semester and students will make the rest of the selections from an instructor-compiled list. Students will have opportunities for self-selection, personal growth as public health professionals, and development of skills that will help them effectively articulate their position on a number of topics. May be repeated up to 2 time(s).  Restricted to Graduate - Springfield, and Doctoral - Springfield.

Public Health  (MPH)

MPH 541.  Emotions and Decision Making.  4 hours

To discuss the role of emotions in decision-making, and ways in which consumers make self-destructive choices.

MPH 545.  Determinants of Health.  4 hours.

Medical sociological and anthropological framework for analyzing and understanding the health status of American society, social structure and social value, special issues in health and medical care, and various models of health, life styles, and impact on health.  Restricted to Graduate - Springfield, and Doctoral - Springfield.

Public Health  (MPH)

MPH 561.  Community Health Education.  4 hours.

Theoretical foundations of health education; skills required to communicate effectively with various audiences in the community. Core course.  Restricted to Graduate - Springfield, and Doctoral - Springfield.

Public Health  (MPH)H

MPH 575.  Economics for Policy Analysis.  4 hours.

Introduces the theory, methods, and applications of economic evaluation in the health context. Provides a coherent framework within cost-benefit analysis for the different methods of economic evaluation. Students learn to develop an understanding of the theoretical foundations of economic evaluation, to critically examine economic evaluations, and to carry out different topics of economic evaluations.  Restricted to Graduate - Springfield, and Doctoral - Springfield.

Public Health  (MPH)H

MPH 581.  Internship.  1 to 4 hours.

Under faculty guidance, students are placed in a public health setting relevant to their specific needs and interests. Experiences may focus on research, planning, or administrative activities in the delivery of health services. May be repeated to a maximum of 4 hours. Prerequisite: Completion of at least 24 hours of core courses.  Core course.  Restricted to Graduate - Springfield, and Doctoral - Springfield.

Public Health  (MPH)MPH

MPH 582.  Independent Research Project.  1 to 4 hours.

An individual project to demonstrate ability to formulate, investigate, and analyze a problem in a practice setting. Students choose a topic with the advice and approval of the faculty members who agree to supervise and evaluate the students' work. May be repeated to a maximum of 4 hours.  Restricted to Graduate - Springfield, and Doctoral - Springfield.

Public Health  (MPH)PH

MPH 583.  Comprehensive Exam Continuing Enrollment.  0 hours.

Encourages students to maintain contact with the department and allows them to use campus facilities such as the library and computer laboratories while preparing to take the department's master's degree closure exercise -- the comprehensive examination. NOTE: If students do not earn a passing grade on the comprehensive examination during their final semester, they must enroll in MPH 583 for zero credit hours (one billable hour) in all subsequent semesters until they pass the exam. May be repeated.  Restricted to Graduate - Springfield, and Doctoral - Springfield.

Public Health  (MPH)MPH

MPH 599.  Graduate Tutorial.  1 to 4 hours.

Restricted to Graduate - Springfield, and Doctoral - Springfield.

For More Information contact:
Public Health Department
College of Public Affairs & Administration
PAC 308
University of Illinois at Springfield
One University Plaza
Springfield, Illinois 62703-5407
Phone: (217) 206-6720
Fax: (217) 206-7807
email: MPH@uis.edu