Gerald and Patricia Turpanjian School of Public Health (SPH) Course Descriptions
PH101 Basics of Healthy Lifestyle (Credits: 3)
The course provides an overview of concepts and issues related to mental, social, and physical dimensions of health with a focus on healthy behaviors and lifestyle. The course emphasizes preventive health practices which reduce risk factors associated with disease. The course enables students to analyze the relationship between healthy lifestyle and health and builds knowledge and skills to recognize and cope with health problems that they may face during their college years and later in life. Main topics include behavior change, mental health, stress and stress management, nutrition, addictions, physical exercise, and sexual behavior and STIs.
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PH201 Global Health (Credits: 3)
This multidisciplinary course is designed to explore global health and how it impacts all of us globally and locally. The course develops skillsets for interpreting, developing and using global health indicators and methods, and to explore the application of measures to improve the wellbeing of people globally and locally. The course will include an exploration of topics including leading causes of death, disease and disability, mental health, socioeconomic impacts on health, maternal and child health, media and health, disasters and war (including earthquakes and genocide), climatic change, gender equity and humanitarianism. The course will confer theory and practice for developing and measuring indicators of health and wellbeing. Students will be graded based on quizzes and exams, group projects with reallife problems, oral presentations and participation.
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PH202 Causes, Treatment and Prevention of Cancer (Credits: 3)
This course provides an overview of the biological basis of cancer, including the causes and progression of cancer, as well as the currently available treatment options. The course addresses the genetic, epigenetic and environmental factors’ contribution to cancer with the emphasis on changes occurring on molecular, cellular and organismal levels. Specific attention is paid to factors, including behavioral, social and environmental, important for prevention of cancer. This course also examines how the concept of cancer and understanding of its causes evolved throughout history based on important discoveries in the biomedical field. Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to apply the knowledge of cancer biology in adopting appropriate lifestyle strategies.
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PH302 General Principles of Public Health Problem Solving (Credits: 3)
An introduction to the diverse profession of public health and a guiding paradigm for public health problems solving, this course emphasizes the development of essential skills in critical thinking and group process. Student groups will complete an analysis of a current public health problem, including recommended courses of action. Evaluation components consist of individual and group participation, an individual written critique and other written assignments, a group paper, and a group presentation.
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PH303 Special Studies Seminar (Credits: 3)
Seminar series offered by MPH faculty for MPH students.
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PH304 MPH Elective (Credits: 1)
Special seminar topics offered by guest faculty for MPH students.
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PH310 Social and Behavioral Sciences in Public Health (Credits: 3)
This course utilizes the PRECEDEPROCEED framework for analyzing the behavioral and sociocultural determinants of public health problems and the role of the individual, family, and community in addressing public health problems. Evaluation is based upon class participation, an examination, and a project carried out in the community or the AUA Health Center.
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PH311 Problem Investigation in Environmental Health (Credits: 3)
This course presents the broad concepts and principles used in organizing and assessing the major environmental health problems in low/middle income and in industrialized countries. Student evaluation is based on quizzes, examinations, and a project.
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PH320 Data Management Systems (Credits: 1)
Students will apply their knowledge of database, spreadsheet and statistical packages to the development of appropriate database and management information systems to process and analyze raw data. Issues of database design, coding schemes, data cleaning, and handling missing data will be addressed. Evaluation is based upon graded problem sets.
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PH321 Inferential Biostatistics (Credits: 5)
This course introduces the major concepts of modern statistics as applied to problems in public health and medicine. The topics begin with an understanding of life tables and survival curves, progress to concepts of probability and distributions, and conclude with inferential reasoning and simple regression. Evaluation is based on problem sets, quizzes, and examinations.
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PH322 Epidemiology (Credits: 3)
This course introduces the principles and methods of epidemiologic investigation of infectious and non-infectious diseases. Epidemiologic reasoning and assessment is demonstrated through faculty lectures and problem solving exercises. Evaluation is based upon a mid-term and final examination..
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PH323 Biostatistics: Modeling and Sampling (Credits: 4)
This course advances the concepts of linear regression to a unified perspective of generalized linear models, including multivariate regression, logistics regression, and log-linear models. Established and recently collected data sets will be analyzed using these methods. The course also addresses issues of sampling, sample size, and power calculations with respect to a number of study designs. Evaluation is based on problem sets, quizzes, and examinations.
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PH324 Intermediate Epidemiology (Credits: 3)
This course builds upon the introductory course in epidemiology as well as courses in survey design and sampling. Students learn to assess the impact of bias and confounding and techniques for mitigating those effects. Special consideration will be given to the role of case-control studies in addressing a variety of health and organizational problems. Evaluation is based upon examinations and practical exercises.
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PH330 Health Economics and Finance (Credits: 4)
This course consists of two components. The first component addresses the basics of health sector financial management, including simple budgeting, variance analysis, and benefit/cost analysis as tools for assessing the financial health of an organization. The second component of the course explores the application of basic micro and macro economic principles to the health sector. Evaluation is based upon homework assignments, quizzes, projects and exams.
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PH331 Comparative Health Systems (Credits: 2)
This course provides an overview of the conceptual aspects of the macro level organization of health care systems worldwide. The course presents the economic and financing mechanisms underlying changes occurring in the health sector. It also provides a critical comparison of the philosophy, organization, financing, and benefit packages of different health care systems; comparing low, medium, and high-income countries. Evaluation is based upon a quiz, a group project, and a take-home examination.
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PH332 Program Planning (Credits: 3)
This course addresses the analytic and practical considerations in designing and implementing a field program. Topics addressed include manpower and facilities planning, design, and implementation considerations, and planning for evaluation. Evaluation is based upon a student project.
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PH340 Health Services Management (Credits: 3)
This course provides the practical and theoretical underpinnings of the organization and management of health organizations. Specific emphasis is placed on individual leadership and management skill development. Evaluation is based upon examinations and student projects.
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PH350 Project Development and Evaluation (Credits: 4)
This course provides a thorough grounding in the basic methods of health services evaluation, focusing on research designs, threats to reliability and validity, and instrumentation. Emphasis is on critical analysis and assessment of study designs. Evaluation is based upon an examination, student-prepared evaluation protocols, and critiques of published papers.
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PH351 Qualitative Research Methods (Credits: 3)
This course introduces the methods and techniques used in conducting qualitative research. Course sessions will focus on the development of practical research skills relevant to the collection, management and analysis of qualitative data useful for the design, implementation and evaluation of public health programs. Methods for data collection will include individual in-depth interviews, individual and group/social observations, and focus group discussions. Note: The formative research projects will form the basis for development of a formalized survey instrument during PH352.
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PH352 Survey Research Methods (Credits: 3)
This course demonstrates the application of health survey research methods in the field. Topics include the design, implementation, and evaluation of a health survey instrument, including probability sampling, questionnaire design, interview techniques, coding procedures, and planning for the analysis and presentation of the findings. Evaluation is based upon an examination, participation in field projects, a written report, and a presentation. Note: The data generated during this exercise will be analyzed as part of PH323.
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PH360 Training of Trainers (Credits: 3)
This course prepares MPH graduates to effectively respond to the enhanced job responsibility of providing formal and informal in-service training to professional colleagues and co-workers. The course will prepare students to develop objective-based learning modules and to develop and refine effective presentation and teaching skills. Evaluation is based upon short quizzes, presentations, and the development and delivery of a brief instructional module relevant to the student’s professional objectives.
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PH381 Graduate Research Seminar (Credits: 3)
This course begins a structured emphasis on application of core knowledge and critical thinking skills. Students will critically review and discuss a number of relevant journal articles with an orientation toward the application of these insights to the health context of Armenia and the region. Students will also critically review on-going student projects.(Pass/ Fail only).
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PH390 MPH Project Planning (Credits: 1)
This course allows students to formulate a preliminary project proposal for their MPH Project. Students will apply the knowledge and skills acquired during the first year curriculum to shape and focus a tentative project proposal and implementation plan. Evaluation is based upon successful completion of a draft proposal.
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PH391 Master’s Project Implementation I (Credits: 3)
Under the guidance of a faculty mentor, students will concentrate on implementing and completing the Masters Project defined during course PH 390.
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PH392 Master’s Project Implementation II (Credits: 4)
Under the guidance of a faculty mentor, students complete a master’s project, concluding with a paper of publishable quality and oral presentation to faculty and relevant members of the public health practice community.
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PH393 MPH Internship (Credits: 3)
The goal of the MPH internship is to have a public health experience that provides an opportunity to contact with public health professionals and participate in real-life projects in a meaningful way. The internship will provide a significant practical experience in population-based health prior to graduation. (Pass/Fail only)
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