Course Catalog

Courses are offered on both the Kansas City and Wichita campuses, and via Web-based format. The location of each course is denoted by the following symbols:

*Courses are not offered every semester. Contact program for projected course offerings.

KC = Kansas City
W = Wichita
Web = Web-based format

PRVM 800. Principles of Epidemiology (3) KC, W, Web
Basic concepts of epidemiology and methods for identification of factors influencing health and disease in human populations. Considerations are centered on physical, biological, psychosocial and cultural factors in relation to infectious and non-infectious disease; interactions between agent, host and environmental factors as determinants of health and disease; application of the epidemiologic approach to health services; retrospective and prospective analysis of morbidity and mortality data. Instruction is by lectures, laboratory exercises, and seminars.

PRVM 802.  Principles of Epidemiology Lab (1) KC, W
This course is an additional supplement to the Principles of Epidemiology course.  We will review articles and discuss the major principles of epidemiology through the use of the medical literature.  The course will meet every two weeks and will complement the Principles of Epidemiology course.

PRVM 803. Introduction to Clinical Research (1) KC, W
Course will provide a comprehensive overview to clinical research. The student will gain an understanding of how to develop clinical research questions including protocol design and the factors that should be considered in initiating a clinical research study. This will include biostatistical considerations, the recruitment of study participants, regulatory issues, and data management, and defining measures and instruments.  Students will gain knowledge of how to define clinical research among the various institutional entities involved with clinical research at the University of Kansas Medical Center such as the Research Institute (RI), General Clinical Research Center (GCRC) and the Human Subjects Committee (HSC). Additionally, one component of the course will focus on how to apply for funding (grantsmanship), critical appraisal of research studies, and how to present research data. Prerequisite: Permission of instructor.

PRVM 804. Principles of Statistics in Public Health (3) KC, W, Web
Introductory graduate level course concerning the concepts of statistical reasoning, statistical principles and their role as the scientific basis for clinical research, and public health research and practice. Prerequisite: Permission of instructor.

PRVM 805. Public Health Seminar (1) KC, W
This course will focus on research and experience in various aspects of community health, through study of research reports, journal materials, and review articles and reports of experts in the field. Students will be required to present one or more seminars on relevant topics such as nutrition, environmental health, health policy, health promotion, aging, health education or epidemiologic studies. Prerequisite: Permission of instructor.

PRVM 806. Special Topics in Public Health (1-4) KC, W
In-depth, individualized investigation of special problems in community health. Designed especially for students with limited background in community health. Prerequisite: Permission of instructor.

PRVM 807. Field Epidemiologic Investigation (2) KC
The student will investigate the outbreak of an infectious or chronic disease. This disease could be caused by agents in food, water, or air (etc.). The aim is to gain practical experience in epidemiologic investigation techniques which can later be presented at a seminar. Assignments will be made to state or local health departments, other governmental agencies, ongoing faculty research projects or other investigations. Prerequisite: PRVM 800.

PRVM 808. Clinical and Translational Research Seminar (1) KC, W
This seminar will present locally and nationally recognized clinicians and researchers to discuss various areas of public health and clinical research. The course is designed to expose MPH students to a variety of ongoing research and features speakers from a variety of disciplines including physicians, epidemiologists, biostatisticians behavioral scientists, nursing faculty, nursing students, medical students, allied health faculty and students, and others. This course will run over two semesters.

PRVM 810. Clinical Trials (3) KC
The design, implementation, analysis, and assessment of controlled clinical trials. Basic biostatistical concepts and models will be emphasized. Issues of current concern to trialists will be explored. Prerequisite: PRVM 804, or Permission of instructor.

PRVM 811. Introduction to Phamacoepidemiology (3) KC
Pharmacoepidemiology is the application of the principles of epidemiology to the study of medications and their effects on health. Evaluating a drug’s effects commences when a chemical entity becomes a drug candidate, intensifies through clinical trials, and continues after products reach the market. These studies are crucial for supporting the proper use of medications in terms of efficacy, effectiveness, and cost-effectiveness. This course provides a broad introduction to the principles of pharmacoepidemiology with a focus on applications in the medical literature. Prerequisite: PRVM 800.

PRM 814. Fundamentals of Biostatistics I (3) KC
First semester course of a two-semester introductory statistics courses that provides an understanding of the proper application of statistical methods to scientific research with emphasis on the application of statistical methodology to public health practice and research. This course focuses on basic principles of statistical inference with emphasis on one or two sample methods for continuous and categorical data. This course is one of the alternative courses that can be used to fulfill the Core Biostatistics requirement for the MPH Degree. Prerequisite: Calculus.

PRVM 815. Surveillance and Control of Infectious Disease (3) Web
This course is concerned with the public health aspects of infectious diseases of importance in the United States. Emphasis will be given to surveillance and control of reportable diseases transmitted via person to person spread, arthropod vectors, lower animals, and common sources. Special considerations are given to characteristics of the agent, host, and environment that influence transmission and selection of control strategies. Instruction is by lecture, seminars and problem-solving sessions. Prerequisite: PRVM 800 or equivalent or Permission of instructor.

PRVM 816. International Health (3) Web
This course will deal with international health and disease and their effects on Americans at the individual and community levels. It will consider health problems of Americans going abroad and health problems brought to America by persons, animals, and objects coming from abroad. It will consider worldwide health problems and geographically contained health problems. It will consider America's role vis-a-vis global health, and the effects of foreign health problems on the United States. It will consider preventive health measures and the role of national and international health organizations. Prerequisite: PRVM 800.

PRVM 817. Fundamentals of Biostatistics II (3) KC
Second level statistics courses that provides an understanding of more advanced statistical methods to scientific research with emphasis on the application of statistical methodology to public health practice and research. The course will provide students an opportunity to understand and interpret the results of statistical analyses that appear in the public health and epidemiologic literature, to conduct some advanced statistical analyses and to collaborate with a statistician to generate more complicated analyses. Prerequisite: PRVM 814.

PRVM 818. Social and Behavioral Aspects of Public Health (3) KC, W, Web
Examination of the characteristics, beliefs and behaviors of groups and individuals concerning health issues as a basis for understanding the role of these factors in public health and their incorporation into strategies designed to address health needs of populations. Course draws on the clinical, social and behavioral sciences to examine issues underlying concepts of health and non-health; actions taken in response to symptoms or to promote health/prevent illness; interactions with health care systems; vulnerability to specific health problems; and the effects of health on societal agreements and expectations. Prerequisite: Permission of instructor.

PRVM 821. Research Methods in Public Health (3) KC, W
This is an introductory behavioral research methods, course. Students will learn about research designs, hypothesis formation, measurement, sampling, ethical issues in research, and pragmatic and research issues with evaluating behavioral interventions. Students will also learn how to critically evaluate and develop behavioral randomized clinical trials. Prerequisites: None. Social and Behavioral Aspects of Health and an Introductory statistics course are recommended but not required.

PRVM 823. Field Experience in Public Health Education (1-3) KC, W
Internships with community agencies and with community preceptors in areas of concentration. Prerequisite: Permission of instructor.

PRVM 825. Child and Family Health (3) Web
Family, maternal, and child health problems will be addressed. Topics will include prenatal care (maternal health and habits); fetal growth factors, well baby care (immunizations, nutrition, growth, development, behavior); developmental disabilities; adoption; adolescence; child abuse; family as a support system; and long-term medical and social outcomes of chronic illness/disability in children. Subjects are covered through lecture, discussion and field visits under the supervision of a pediatrician. Prerequisite: Permission of instructor.

PRVM 827. Public Health Administration (3) KC, W, Web
This course provides students with an in-depth understanding of the core functions of public health, assessment, policy development, and assurance. It uses both theoretical and practical material to develop basic administrative competencies necessary for the practice of pubic health. Particular emphasis is placed on case studies which examine how public agencies use public and private resources most efficiently, effectively, and equitably to maintain or improve the health populations.

PRVM 828.  Public Health Program Development and Management (3) Web
This is an introductory course for the student interested in developing health programs. Students in this course develop and practice skills in the planning and evaluation of health programs by developing a program plan for a health program in a community of interest.  The emphasis will be on disease prevention and health promotion programs.

PRVM 830. Environmental Health (3) KC, W, Web
This course will identify specific health effects of environmental contaminants and discuss principles of prevention. Specific problem areas will include air and water pollution, solid waste disposal, food preservation, radiation, industrial hygiene, occupational skin and lung diseases, chemical carcinogens and teratogens, noise, temperature, and accidents. A number of guest lecturers and field trips will be utilized. Prerequisite: Permission of instructor.

PRVM 832. Environmental and Occupational Epidemiology (2) KC, Web
Epidemiology concepts applied to problems in environmental and occupational health. Theoretical issues include extrapolation from high to low doses, extrapolation from animals to man, synergism, multiple exposures, sensitive populations, and control (comparison) groups. Illnesses of concern include cancer, respiratory disease, and reproductive disease. The concept of surveillance is emphasized. Prerequisites: PRVM 800; PRVM 830; BMTR 811, PRVM 804 or PRVM 814; and Permission of instructor.

PRVM 835. Evaluation Methods in Public Health (3) KC, Web
Principles and procedures to evaluate health promotion and disease prevention programs. Includes data collection methods, instrument scale development, measurement, and evaluation designs. Case studies of disease prevention literature on evaluation will be analyzed. Prerequisite: Permission of instructor.

PRVM 836. Epidemiology in Aging (3) KC
An overview of the aging process, review of current knowledge of epidemiology of selected diseases, such as dementia and osteoporosis, and falls that primarily affect aging individuals. Emphasis on epidemiologic designs, methods, and issues (e.g., low response rate and measurements) that are pertinent to research on aging individuals. Prerequisite: PRVM 800; BMTR 811, PRVM 804 or PRVM 814; Permission of instructor.

PRVM 838.  Reproductive Epidemiology (3) Web
Epidemiologic concepts applied to problems in reproductive health of men and women.  Critical analysis of epidemiologic studies on sociocultural, individual and pregnancy-specific risk factors to reproduction.  Field trips will be used to explore methods to reduce adverse reproductive health outcomes in populations (worksites, managed care organizations, local health departments).  Literature synthesis skills are used in a project focused on preventing adverse reproductive outcomes in a defined population.

PRVM 841. Advanced Epidemiology I: Methods in Cross-Sectional and Case-Control Studies (3) KC, W
This course will concentrate on concepts and application of various statistical techniques in the analysis of epidemiological data. Emphasis will be placed on health data management. Topics include: 1) design of studies, 2) evaluation of data, 3) analysis of cohort studies, 4) clinical trials, and 5) community trials. Students will be oriented toward application and interpretation of various methodologies. Prerequisites: PRVM 800; SAS; and BMTR 811, PRVM 804 or PRVM 814.

PRVM 842. Advanced Epidemiology II: Methods in Longitudinal Studies (3) KC
Concentrations and application of various statistical techniques in the analysis of epidemiologic data. Topics include: 1) design of studies, 2) evaluation of data, 3) analysis of cohort studies, 4) clinical trials, and 5) community trials. Orientation toward application and interpretation of various methodologies. Prerequisite: PRVM 841 or Permission of instructor.

PRVM 843. Obesity and Public Health (3) KC, W, Web
This course reviews the basic definition of obesity and defines its known personal and public health effects, including issues of bias and stigmatization. The course further examines the epidemiology and future predicated consequences of obesity and then examines personal models of treatment followed by examination of public health efforts to date. Finally, proposed interventions and areas for research are discussed and evaluated. Students apply principles of behavioral change and communication to develop proposed public health approaches to ameliorating the obesity problem in children and adults. Prerequisites: PRVM 800 and PRVM 818, or Permission of instructor.

PRVM 845. Cultural Competency in Public Health (3) Web
This course provides students with a broad range of contemporary research and writings in the area of cultural competence in public health as it relates to health disparities and health interventions. Specific attention will be paid to examining self-awareness, developing cross-cultural competence, and identifying and utilizing culturally appropriate strategies in health promotion and prevention. Students emerge from this course with an understanding of how culture operates as a critical variable in health behaviors, planning health promotion and disease prevention strategies, and in addressing health disparities.

PRVM 849. Qualitative Methods in Public Health (3) KC, W
Qualitative research has diverged from its anthropology roots to become commonplace in marketing, business, clinical and public health settings. This course is focused on basic qualitative methodologies with applications in public health, health services research, health behavior and quality improvement. This course reviews and gives real practice with strategic planning, choice of methods, logistics and integration with quantitative methods. Students will receive hands-on experience with logistics and actual data collection using several methods. Students will present and discuss recent journal articles reporting qualitative studies in weekly “journal club” fashion. Students will present the results of their qualitative research in an oral class presentation and poster, and in an abstract submitted to a local, regional or national conference. Prerequisite: PRVM 800 or Permission of instructor.

PRVM 850. Cancer Epidemiology (3) KC
Epidemiology of major malignant disease is discussed. Emphasis is placed on the identification of populations at risk, etiologic factors and foreseeable methods of prevention. Relevant information on tumor biology, immunology, and viral, chemical and physical carcinogenesis is presented. Problems unique to epidemiologic investigation of cancers are discussed. Prerequisites: PRVM 800 and BMTR 811, PRVM 804 or PRVM 814.

PRVM 851. Public Health Policy and Law (3) Web
This course is designed to prepare public health leaders to live and work in a world of laws, and to play an active and effective role in policy making and analysis. Students will understand the source of national, state, and local statutes and regulations and understanding the role of common law. Students will understand the policy process at the national, state, and local level, and develop skills analyzing legislation and influencing policy decisions. Students will understand the rule making process at the national and state level.

PRVM 852.  Health Care for Special Populations (3) KC
This course examines the characteristics and health-related needs of population groups with higher-than-average risk of disease, disability or premature death.  Such groups include the frail elderly, racial and ethnic minorities, homeless people, refugees and immigrants, people with AIDS, alcohol and substance abusers, teen mothers, low-birthweight infants, victims of family or other violence, the chronically or mentally ill, and persons with mental retardation and developmental disabilities.  The course uses a social epidemiology approach to explore relationships between public policy and private behavior.

PRVM 853.  Responsible Conduct of Research (1) Web
The purpose of this course is to engage research trainees in reading about, considering, and discussing the responsible conduct of science.  The course is designed as an option for meeting current federal regulations, which require that all NIH training grants provide training in the responsible conduct of research.  This course provides a concise overview of key subject areas in the responsible conduct of research.  It is designed to make students aware of relevant guidelines, policies and codes relating to ethical research, as well as to provide the skills for identifying and resolving ethical conflicts that may arise in research.

PRVM 854.  Population and Community Mental Health (3) Web
Social and social-psychological processes that shape the experience of mental health and illness and the consequences of disorders for individuals, families, and communities will be examined. Theories of systems, evidence-based treatment, epidemiologic research, diverse populations, mental health consequences of disaster and terrorism, and systems of care and change. Students will become familiar with the role of mental health risk and protective factors in the promotion of well-being. Through critical review and discussion of selected readings in this area, students will consider the implications of mental health and illness as a community or public health issue. Students will be evaluated on critical thinking and evaluation skills through written assignments and projects designed to demonstrate their ability to identify and integrate key elements of mental health theory and research.

PRVM 855. Seminar in Women’s Health (2) Web
This elective course focuses on gender issues that are relevant in treatment approaches to various health issues, the differing health status of minority women, the evolvement of women’s health to include the entire life span and areas other than reproduction, the changing implications of health care and policy, and men in women’s health. 

PRVM 856.  Community-Based Participatory Research (3) KC, W
This is a graduate-level course designed to teach students the basic methods of conducting and evaluating community-based participatory research (CBPR).  Students will be introduced to the five phases of CBPR, including partnership formation and maintenance, community assessment and diagnosis, defining the issue, documentation and evaluation of partnerships, and feedback, interpretation, and evaluation of partnerships.  In addition, students will learn how to find funding mechanisms and journals that are appropriate for CBPR, as well as some of the key factors in writing about CBPR.  Students will be introduced to a variety of examples of well-done CBPR and will learn what makes it different from other types of research done in community settings.  PREREQUISITES:  Social and Behavioral Aspects of Public Health or permission of instructor.

PRVM 857. Motivational Interviewing in Public Health Settings (1) KC
Designed to introduce participants to Motivational Interviewing, its concepts, and to the subsequent skills required for helping people to change.  Students will learn to: Develop and sustain rapport over the course of a clinical encounter; engage in hypothesis testing with the patient through reflections and open-ended questions regarding health behaviors; express empathy towards participants through reflective listening and summarizing; recognize patient ambivalence and assist the patient in resolving their ambivalence regarding health behaviors; and encourage patients to making healthy behavior changes in their lives through the use of egalitarianism and sharing of power.

PRVM 859. Tobacco and Public Health (3) Web
This course will provide an overview of tobacco as a public health problem and tobacco politics. Students will learn about the pharmacology of nicotine, the mechanisms leading to tobacco addiction and biologic factors that affect pharmacology, and tobacco use such as the menstrual cycle and comorbid illnesses such as depression and others. Public health approaches to preventing tobacco use initiation will be studied, including which initiatives are most effective. State-of-the-art methods to assist smokers to quit will be reviewed, including pharmacologic interventions, counseling by health professionals and education/motivation support. Barriers to obtaining services will be explored, such as educational needs among various types of health professionals, and access to care in rural areas or among clients with certain types of health insurance.

PRVM 860.  Community Nutrition (3) Web
This community nutrition course blends the sciences of nutrition and cultural anthropology with the principles of epidemiology.  From a cultural anthropology perspective, it is concerned with the importance of food within different cultures and cultural influences on the food choices and dietary patterns of populations.  Communication strategies to address these differences are explored and formulated.  From a nutritional science perspective, it is concerned with relationships between nutrition and eating behavior and the health of a community and its members.  From an epidemiological perspective, it is concerned with directing programs and interventions to either a primary, secondary, or tertiary prevention level.  More specifically, this course will assist the student to tackle specific nutritional needs of groups based on the age of the group, the culture of the group, or the disease experienced by the group.

PRVM 862.  Terrorism, Emergency Preparedness and Response (3) KC, Web
Through lectures, tabletop exercises, and invited speakers, the course content will include the following topics: terminology and core competencies, public health infrastructure, collaboration and communication, roles and responsibilities, psychological effects of terrorism, agricultural and zoonotic bioterrorism, law enforcement and public health, epidemiology of BT diseases (including agent-specific lectures), burn injuries, risk communication, Strategic National Stockpile (SNS), National Incident Management System (NIMS), public health law as related to bioterrorism, and public health laboratory response related to bioterrorism.

PRVM 863.  Health Disparities in Public Health (3) Web
This course is designed to enhance students' understanding of the biopsychosocial factors that contribute to disparities in health and health care. This course will also review strategies developed to reduce health disparities. Prerequisite: PRVM 818 Social and Behavioral Aspects of Public Health is recommended.

PRVM 868. Seminar in Outcomes Management and Research (1) KC, Web
Analysis of political, economic, and methodologic issues that affect health care quality and outcome measurement. Visiting faculty experts in outcomes research and management will present models for health care outcomes assessment and evaluation.

PRVM 872. Grant Writing (3) KC, W
Involves all aspects of preparing grant applications. This includes writing an actual grant application containing all the usual elements of grants - budgets, biosketches, resources, and scientific text. In addition, different funding and resubmitting grants will be covered. Prerequisite: PRVM 800 or Permission of instructor.

PRVM 873.  Scientific Writing (2) W
This elective course addresses research and scientific writing skills.  This course prepares students to develop, edit, and submit manuscripts for publication in academic journals.  The course is designed for students at any level in their graduate career.

PRVM 875. Management of Public Health Data (3) KC, W
Basic data and computing knowledge and skills to persons working in public health and clinical research fields. Data set building and maintenance, data analysis, descriptive epidemiology. Statistics limited. SAS, Epi-Info, SPSS, Kansas Integrated Public Health System (KIPHS), EXCEL and ACCESS.

PRVM 877. Health Communication (3) W, Web
This course is focused on community health education and promotion, especially designing and evaluating health communication programs for populations with shared risks, exposures or behaviors. Ways in which the general public receives and assigns meaning to health messages will be reviewed. The strengths and weaknesses of specific health communication initiatives will be analyzed in terms of theoretical constructs, costs and outcomes. Students apply public health principles by designing a substanstive health communication piece or educational material. Prerequisites: PRVM 800 and PRVM 818, or Permission of instructor.

PRVM 878. Cost-effectiveness and Decision Analysis (3) KC
This course examines the techniques that are used in making clinical and management decisions when outcomes are uncertain. The course begins with a review of probabilistic decision making, then explores methods of analyzing choices with uncertain outcomes stressing the use of decision trees and sensitivity analysis. The course examines cost minimization analysis, cost effectiveness analysis and cost benefit analysis. (Cross-listed as HP&M 872)

PRVM 879.  Statistical Computing in Research (2) KC
This course will utilize statistical packages (SAS and SPSS) for data management and analysis.  Collection and management of data along with one, two and multiple cample parametric procedures will be covered for categorical and continuous data.  Simple linear regression will also be covered.

PRVM 881.  Performance Improvement in Public Health (3) W
This course provides students with an overview of performance improvement and management integrated within the core public health functions: assessment, policy development and assurance. It uses both theoretical and practical material to develop basic competencies necessary for performance management in community and public health settings. Key topics will include assessment tools and models, continuous quality improvement, evidence-based practice, performance improvement methods (epidemiologic measurement, measures of central tendency, problem identification and analysis, control charts) and the development of team-based problem solving and resolution. Prerequisite: PRVM 800 Principles of Epidemiology, PRVM 875 Management of Public Data; PRVM 827 Public Health Administration is preferred.

PRVM 882.  Nonparametric Statistics (3)  KC
This course will study nonparametric methods in many situations as highlighted by the following topics: Students will learn how nonparametric methods provide exact p-values for tests, exact coverage probabilities for confidence intervals, exact experimentwise error rates for multiple comparison procedures, and exact coverage probabilities for confidence bands.  This course will be using EXCEL and SAS to conduct various procedures.  Prerequisite:  PRVM 814 and PRVM 817 or consent of instructor.

PRVM 884.  Categorical Data and Survival Analysis (3)  KC
An intermediate level statistics course that provides an understanding of the more advanced statistical methods to scientific research with emphasis on the application of statistical methodology to clinical research, public health practice, public health research and epidemiology.  Prerequisite:  PRVM 814, PRVM 817 and PRVM 879; or permission of the instructor.

PRVM 886.  Applied Linear Regression (3)  KC
Simple linear rgression, multiple regression, logistic regression, nonlinear regression, neural networks, autocorrelation, interactions, and residual diagnostics.  Applications of the methods will focus on health related data.  Prerequisite:  1) Fundamentals of Biostatistics I (PRVM 814) or the equivalent and 2) Fundmentals of Biostatistics II (PRVM 817) or Analysis of Variance (BMTR 801) or Permission of the Instructor.

PRVM 887.  Applied Mutilvariate Methods (3)  KC
This course is an advanced statistical course for students who have had fundamental biostatistics and linear regression.  Topics to be covered include Hotelling's T-squared test, MANOVA, principal components, factor analysis, discriminant analysis, canonical analysis, and cluster analysis.  More advanced topics such as Multidimensional Scaling or Structural Equation Modeling might be introduced if time allows.  Computers will be extensively used through the whole course, and students are suggested to be familiar with some statistical software before taking this course.  Although students are allowed to use the software they are comfortable with, SAS will be the primary statistical package used to demonstrate examples in this course.  PREREQUISITES:  PRVM 886 Applied Linear Regression or equivalents or permission of instructor.

PRVM 891. Public Health Practicum (3) KC, W
Practicum of at least eight hours per week in a community health setting. Prerequisites: PRVM 800; PRVM 818;, BMTR 811, PRVM 804 or PRVM 814; and Permission of instructor.

PRVM 893. Public Health Project (1-3) KC, W
Completion of a written project based on the community health practicum. The student will be examined orally over the methodology and content of the project. Prerequisites: PRVM 891 and Permission of instructor. (This course may be repeated for a maximum of 6 credit hours).

**In addition to the courses listed above, six (6) hours of graduate elective credit taken at a regionally accredited graduate school may be transferred and applied to the Master of Public Health degree program, if the transfer has the approval of the University of Kansas Master of Public Health Curriculum Committee.