Syllabus
Graduate Programs in Public Health
GPH 717 Applied Epidemiology – Summer A 2018
Credits - 3
Description
Applied Epidemiology is for individuals who want to practice and refine their epidemiological skills and ultimately participate in investigating health and disease in communities. This course will focus on the application of epidemiological tools and skills and offer a more in-depth experience for students who have completed the required courses.
Materials
Learning Objectives and Outcomes
Course Outcomes
- Select evidence-based public health programs to address health priorities
- Design questionnaires to evaluate a public health program
- Use computer-based software to conduct data management
- Describe data management practices to ensure accuracy of data analysis results
- Interpret results of quantitative data analysis to evaluate impact of public health programs
- Identify high quality publicly available quantitative datasets to use in public health practice or research
- Analyze publicly available quantitative datasets
- Analyze the quality of peer-reviewed publications
- Select appropriate communication strategies for a written public health report
CEPH Competencies
- Apply epidemiological methods to the breadth of settings and situations in public health practice
- Interpret results of data analysis for public health research, policy or practice
- Select communication strategies for different audiences and sectors
Assignments
Discussions
There are five discussions in this course. For most discussion boards, each student is expected to post at least twice each week in response to forum questions on that week’s topic and to their classmates (1 initial post and 1 response post, minimum). 2 discussion boards require three posts. Posts that count toward the minimum must be between 250 and 500 words. Because this is an online course, the online discussion portion is an important way to exchange ideas with your classmates. Students will be graded on their participation and effort of their posts. These posts will take time to complete but they are an essential part of this online course and a great way to get to know your colleagues. Please be familiar with the course material (readings/lectures) before posting each week. Full marks will be given to those who ask questions, bring in new data from the literature or other resources, and demonstrate a thorough understanding of the topics for the week.
Written Assignments
Week 2, Written Assignment: Identification of a Population’s Health Priorities
This written assignment is designed to help you identify content needed for section 2a-b of your final project. In addition to this week’s lecture and reading materials, you will apply skills learned in previous courses to identify the top four health priorities for the geography of your local health department. Start by describing the top four public health priorities for your PHD’s population. These priorities may be diseases or conditions. In addition, identify comparison data, ideally national data for a State PHD or state data for a County PHD, for each health priority.
Week 3, Written Assignment: Analyzing Publicly Available Data
This week’s assignment will allow you to apply data management skills learned in this course and analytic skills learned in your previous courses. The assignment will use publicly available data from the NHANES study. In addition to finding and downloading the datasets, you will need to use the data documentation to find the variables needed and to interpret the variable responses.
Week 5, Written Assignment: Selection of Programs To Address Health Priorities
This written assignment is designed to help you identify content needed for section 3a-b of your final project. For each of the two priorities on which your public health department will intervene, identify and describe two specific evidence-based programs designed to impact the selected priority. Describe the impact and the strength of the evidence to support the impact. For each of the two priorities on which the PHD will intervene, based on best available evidence, propose which program should be used by your DPH.
Week 6, Written assignment: Designing a Baseline Questionnaire
Design a questionnaire that will be used to identify individuals who are eligible for the program that the DPH will implement. This questionnaire should collect baseline information that you would need to evaluate the program.
Quiz
In week 4, you will complete a quiz on the content of the first four weeks. This is an open book quiz. You can save your answers at any time and return to the quiz later. However, you only have one opportunity to submit the quiz; once submitted, you cannot change your answers.
Final Project
Your final project, a culmination of your experience in the course: a State Public Health Department’s Annual Report, will be due in Week 7.
Grading Policy
Your grade in this course will be determined by the following criteria:
Grade Breakdown
| Discussions (5 x 4 points) | 20 |
| Written Assignments (4 x 10 points) | 40 |
| Quiz | 10 |
| Final Project | 30 |
| Total | 100 |
Grade Scale
| Grade | Points Grade | Point Average (GPA) |
| A | 94 – 100% | 4.00 |
| A- | 90 – 93% | 3.75 |
| B+ | 87 – 89% | 3.50 |
| B | 84 – 86% | 3.00 |
| B- | 80 – 83% | 2.75 |
| C+ | 77 – 79% | 2.50 |
| C | 74 – 76% | 2.00 |
| C- | 70 – 73% | 1.75 |
| D | 64 – 69% | 1.00 |
| F | 00 – 63% | 0.00 |
Schedule
Course Schedule
Course Weeks
Each week opens on Wednesday at 12:01 AM Eastern Time. Each week closes on Wednesday at 11:59 pm ET, with the exception of Week 8, which ends on Sunday.
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Week 1 |
May 2 – May 9 |
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Week 2 |
May 9 – May 16 |
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Week 3 |
May 16 – May 23 |
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Week 4 |
May 23 – May 30 |
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Week 5 |
May 30 – June 6 |
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Week 6 |
June 6 – June 13 |
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Week 7 |
June 13 – June 20 |
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Week 8 |
June 20 – June 24 (Sunday) |
Week 1: Identifying and Evaluating Publicly Available Datasets
*See modules in Blackboard for weekly readings.
Learning Outcomes
- Evaluate the strength of publicly available datasets
- Select publicly available datasets to answer a public health question
Lectures
- Week 1, Part 1 Lecture: Introduction to GPH 717: Applied Epidemiology
- Week 1, Part 2 Lecture: Identifying and Using Publicly Available Datasets for Public Health Practice or Research
Assignments
- Week 1 Discussion: Introductions
- Week 1 Discussion: Publicly Available Datasets
Week 2: Identifying Public Health Priorities
*See modules in Blackboard for weekly readings.
Learning Outcomes
- Identify a population’s public health priorities using epidemiological evidence
- Present quantitative data using appropriate communication strategies
Lectures
- Week 2, Part 1 Lecture: Identifying Public Health Priorities
- Introduction to American Community Survey
- Week 2, Part 2 Lecture: Downloading American Community Survey Data
Assignments
- Week 2 Discussion: ACS Data
- Week 2 Written Assignment: Identification of a Population’s Health Priorities
Week 3: Using Computer-Based Software to Manage and Analyze Data
*See modules in Blackboard for weekly readings.
Learning Outcomes
- Use computer-based software to create and save data files
- Use computer-based software to prepare data for analysis
- Use data documentation for publicly available datasets
- Analyze publicly available data
Lectures
- Week 3, Part 1 Lecture: Introduction to the Stata Interface and Other Basics
- Week 3, Part 2 Lecture: Preparing Data for Analysis in Stata
Assignments
- Week 3 Written Assignment: Analyzing Publicly Available Data
Week 4: Analyzing Peer-Reviewed Journals
*See modules in Blackboard for weekly readings.
Learning Outcomes
- Analyze journals’ peer-review process
- Analyze the impact of peer-review journals
Lectures
- Week 4 Lecture: Identifying high-quality, peer-reviewed publications
Assignments
- Week 4 Discussion: Impact Factor
- Week 4 Quiz
Week 5: Identifying and Selecting Public Health Programs
*See modules in Blackboard for weekly readings.
Learning Outcomes
- Identify the strengths and weakness of public health programs based on epidemiological evidence
- Interpret results of a quantitative analysis to assess the impact of public health programs
- Select evidence-based public health programs to address a specific health priority
Lectures
- Week 5 Lecture: Evidence-Based Programs to Address Health Priorities
Assignments
-
Week 5 Written Assignment: Selection of Programs To Address Health Priorities
Week 6: Designing Questionnaires
*See modules in Blackboard for weekly readings.
Learning Outcomes
- Design questionnaires to evaluate a public health program
- Discuss the differences between efficacy and effectiveness
Lectures
- Week 6 Lecture: Designing Survey Questionnaires
Assignments
- Week 6 Discussion: Effectiveness Studies
- Week 6 Written Assignment: Designing a Baseline Questionnaire
Week 7: Analyzing the Potential Impact of a Public Health Program
*See modules in Blackboard for weekly readings.
Learning Outcomes
- Analyze potential impact of a public health program on specific population based on interpretation of quantitative data analysis results
- Generate public health report using appropriate communication strategies
Lectures
- Week 7 Lecture: Analyzing the potential impact of public health programs on other populations
Assignments
- Final Project
Week 8: Ensuring Accuracy of Data Analysis Results
*See modules in Blackboard for weekly readings.
Learning Outcomes
- Describe practices that ensure the accuracy of data analysis results
Lectures
- Week 8 Lecture: Ensuring accuracy of data analysis results
Assignments
- Week 8 Discussion: Possible Sources of Error
Student Resources
Online Student Support
Your Student Support Specialist is a resource for you. Please don't hesitate to contact them for assistance, including, but not limited to course planning, current problems or issues in a course, technology concerns, or personal emergencies.
Questions? Visit the Student Support Public Health page
UNE Libraries:
- Library Access for all students: Your library login ID and password are the same as the ones you use to log into Brightspace.
- Public Health Databases: https://library.une.edu/library-materials/find/research-by-subject/public-health/
- Library Questions: Ask a librarian or phone library staff at (207) 602-2361 or (207) 221-4330.
UNE Student Academic Success Center
UNE's Student Academic Success Center (SASC) offers a range of free online services to support your academic achievement. Writing support, ESOL support, study strategy and learning style consultations, as well as downloadable resources, are available to all matriculating students. The SASC also offers tutoring for GPH 712 Epidemiology, GPH 716 Biostatistics, GPH 717 Applied Epidemiology, GPH 718 Biostatistics II, and GPH 719 Research Methods. To make an appointment for any of these services, go to une.tutortrac.com. For more information and to view and download writing and studying resources, please visit:
Information Technology Services (ITS)
- ITS Contact: Toll Free Help Desk 24 hours/7 days per week at 1-877-518-4673
Accommodations
Any student who would like to request, or ask any questions regarding, academic adjustments or accommodations must contact the Student Access Center at (207) 221-4438 or pcstudentaccess@une.edu. Student Access Center staff will evaluate the student's documentation and determine eligibility of accommodation(s) through the Student Access Center registration procedure.
Online Peer Support
Togetherall is a 24/7 communication and emotional support platform monitored by trained clinicians. It’s a safe place online to get things off your chest, have conversations, express yourself creatively, and learn how to manage your mental health. If sharing isn’t your thing, Togetherall has other tools and courses to help you look after yourself with plenty of resources to explore. Whether you’re struggling to cope, feeling low, or just need a place to talk, Togetherall can help you explore your feelings in a safe supportive environment. You can join Togetherall using your UNE email address.
Information Technology Services (ITS)
Students should notify their Student Support Specialist and instructor in the event of a problem relating to a course. This notification should occur promptly and proactively to support timely resolution.
ITS Contact: Toll-Free Help Desk 24 hours/7 days per week at 1-877-518-4673.
Career Ready Program
The College of Professional Studies supports its online students and alumni in their career journey!
The Career Ready Program provides tools and resources to help students explore and hone in on their career goals, search for jobs, create and improve professional documents, build professional network, learn interview skills, grow as a professional, and more. Come back often, at any time, as you move through your journey from career readiness as a student to career growth, satisfaction, and success as alumni.
Policies
AMA Writing Style Statement
The American Medical Association Manual (AMA) of Style, 11th edition is the required writing format for this course. Additional support for academic writing and AMA format is provided throughout the coursework as well as at the UNE Portal for Online Students.
Online resources: AMA Style Guide
Turnitin Originality Check and Plagiarism Detection Tool
The College of Professional Studies uses Turnitin to help deter plagiarism and to foster the proper attribution of sources. Turnitin provides comparative reports for submitted assignments that reflect similarities in other written works. This can include, but is not limited to, previously submitted assignments, internet articles, research journals, and academic databases.
Make sure to cite your sources appropriately as well as use your own words in synthesizing information from published literature. Webinars and workshops, included early in your coursework, will help guide best practices in APA citation and academic writing.
You can learn more about Turnitin in the guide on how to navigate your Similarity Report.
Technology Requirements
Please review the technical requirements for UNE Online Graduate Programs: Technical Requirements
Course Evaluation Policy
Course surveys are one of the most important tools that University of New England uses for evaluating the quality of your education, and for providing meaningful feedback to instructors on their teaching. In order to assure that the feedback is both comprehensive and precise, we need to receive it from each student for each course. Evaluation access is distributed via UNE email at the beginning of the last week of the course.
Late Policy
Students are responsible for submitting work by the date indicated in Brightspace.
Quizzes and Tests: Quizzes and tests must be completed by the due date. They will not be accepted after the due date.
Assignments: Unless otherwise specified, assignments will be accepted up to 3 days late; however, there is a 10% grade reduction (from the total points) for the late submission. After three days the assignment will not be accepted.
Discussion posts: If the initial post is submitted late, but still within the discussion board week, there will be a 10% grade reduction from the total discussion grade (e.g., a 3 point discussion will be reduced by 0.3 points). Any posts submitted after the end of the Discussion Board week will not be graded.
Please make every effort ahead of time to contact your instructor and your student support specialist if you are not able to meet an assignment deadline. Arrangements for extenuating circumstances may be considered by faculty.
Student Handbook Online - Policies and Procedures
The policies contained within this document apply to all students in the College of Graduate and Professional Studies. It is each student's responsibility to know the contents of this handbook.
UNE Course Withdrawal
Please contact your student support specialist if you are considering dropping or withdrawing from a course. The last day to drop for 100% tuition refund is the 2nd day of the course. Financial Aid charges may still apply. Students using Financial Aid should contact the Financial Aid Office prior to withdrawing from a course.
Academic Integrity
The University of New England values academic integrity in all aspects of the educational experience. Academic dishonesty in any form undermines this standard and devalues the original contributions of others. It is the responsibility of all members of the University community to actively uphold the integrity of the academy; failure to act, for any reason, is not acceptable. For information about plagiarism and academic misconduct, please visit https://www.une.edu/studentlife/plagiarism.
Academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to the following:
- Cheating, copying, or the offering or receiving of unauthorized assistance or information.
- Fabrication or falsification of data, results, or sources for papers or reports.
- Action which destroys or alters the work of another student.
- Multiple submissions of the same paper or report for assignments in more than one course without permission of each instructor.
- Plagiarism, the appropriation of records, research, materials, ideas, or the language of other persons or writers and the submission of them as one's own.
Charges of academic dishonesty will be reviewed by the Program Director. Penalties for students found responsible for violations may depend upon the seriousness and circumstances of the violation, the degree of premeditation involved, and/or the student’s previous record of violations. Appeal of a decision may be made to the Dean whose decision will be final. Student appeals will take place through the grievance process outlined in the student handbook.
Attendance Policy
8 week: Students taking online graduate courses through the College of Professional Studies will be administratively dropped for non-participation if a graded assignment/discussion post is not submitted before Sunday at 11:59 pm ET of the first week of the term. Reinstatement is at the purview of the Dean's Office.
16 week: Students taking online graduate courses through the College of Professional Studies will be administratively dropped for non-participation if a graded assignment/discussion post is not submitted before Friday at 11:59 pm ET of the second week of the term. Reinstatement is at the purview of the Dean's Office.
Student Handbook Online - Policies and Procedures
The policies contained within this document apply to all students in the College of Professional Studies. It is each student's responsibility to know the contents of this handbook.
UNE Course Withdrawal
Please contact your student support specialist if you are considering dropping or withdrawing from a course. The last day to drop for 100% tuition refund is the 2nd day of the course. Financial Aid charges may still apply. Students using Financial Aid should contact the Financial Aid Office prior to withdrawing from a course.
Academic Integrity
The University of New England values academic integrity in all aspects of the educational experience. Academic dishonesty in any form undermines this standard and devalues the original contributions of others. It is the responsibility of all members of the University community to actively uphold the integrity of the academy; failure to act, for any reason, is not acceptable. For information about plagiarism and academic misconduct, please visit UNE Plagiarism Policies.
Academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to the following:
- Cheating, copying, or the offering or receiving of unauthorized assistance or information.
- Fabrication or falsification of data, results, or sources for papers or reports.
- Action which destroys or alters the work of another student.
- Multiple submissions of the same paper or report for assignments in more than one course without permission of each instructor.
- Plagiarism, the appropriation of records, research, materials, ideas, or the language of other persons or writers and the submission of them as one's own.
Charges of academic dishonesty will be reviewed by the Program Director. Penalties for students found responsible for violations may depend upon the seriousness and circumstances of the violation, the degree of premeditation involved, and/or the student’s previous record of violations. Appeal of a decision may be made to the Dean whose decision will be final. Student appeals will take place through the grievance process outlined in the student handbook.