MPH Fall Courses

MPH0516 Environmental Exposures, Risk and Public Health

Credits: 3 Offered: Fall

Humans come into contact with chemicals every day. The computer on which you’re reading this contains phthalates and brominated flame retardants - chemicals associated with endocrine disruption that are potentially carcinogenic. The fruits and vegetables we consume hold residual pesticides. Does this make them dangerous? How do public health professionals determine risk and how to best manage risk? Further, how do public health professionals communicate these risks in an evidence-based way to not falsely reassure or unnecessarily alarm people? This course introduces the major concepts in environmental exposure assessment and risk assessment - key topics for public health practitioners. Students will learn how common environmental exposures at home and in the workplace are identified and measured in different media (air, water, soil, consumer products) and how those data are used to characterize and quantify risk. The course will also cover basic risk management and communication, as well as strategies of effective risk communication with various stakeholders. The course will have traditional lectures, coupled with class discussions and activities to enhance learning of the topic and build practical skills for public health practice. Public health practitioners will be invited as guest lecturers to discuss how they conduct exposure assessments and/or risk assessments in their work as public health professionals. Students will complete several short assignments that integrate topics discussed in class through hands-on learning and online resources. The course will also include a final exam.

MPH1001 Introduction to Socio-Behavioral Health

Credits: 3 Offered: Fall This core course provides an overview of the social and behavioral sciences and their importance in the interdisciplinary field of public health. A primary emphasis is on the social determinants of health, the social ecological model, its application to public health issues, and its use in the development of policies, strategies, interventions and programs. The course content will introduce students to several relevant social and behavioral theories as well as a range of community health assessment and planning models used by public health professionals in both domestic and international venues. In addition, some lectures will focus on social networks, social support and community capacity building. Finally, a few lectures are reserved to provide students with insight into public health policy and health outcomes. Through a series of assignments, students will enhance their knowledge and awareness of the role of social and behavioral sciences in public health and its relevance to their specific discipline.

MPH1002 Introduction to Biostatistics

Credits: 3 Offered: Fall Lecture and Lab are required and may be held on separate days of the week. This course provides an introduction to the principles underlying biostatistical methods and their application to problems in epidemiology, public health and clinical research. Students will learn about basic probability distributions, descriptive statistics, presentation of data, hypothesis testing principles, and the specific hypothesis tests and analytic methods for a variety of data types. These analytic methods will include t tests, chi-square tests, nonparametric tests, correlation, regression, and basic survival analysis methods. Students will have the opportunity to apply these methods to sample data both via direct calculation and using SAS statistical software. Each week, a one-hour laboratory session will reinforce material from lecture with additional examples and instruction in use of the SAS software. Methods for determining sample size and power for a variety of commonly used study designs will also be presented, as will measures of the accuracy of diagnostic and screening tests.

MPH1002 Online Introduction to Biostatistics

Credits: 3 Offered: Fall & Spring 2 This is the online version of MPH 0300 Introduction to Biostatistics. This course is most appropriate for students with strong quantitative skills, those who are independent learners, and those who have previously taken a statistics course. No prior knowledge about statistics is assumed, however, and the online option is open to all.

This course provides an introduction to the principles underlying biostatistical methods and their application to problems in epidemiology, public health and clinical research. Students will learn about basic probability distributions, descriptive statistics, presentation of data, hypothesis testing principles, and the specific hypothesis tests and analytic methods for a variety of data types. These analytic methods will include t tests, chi-square tests, nonparametric tests, correlation, regression, and basic survival analysis methods. Students will have the opportunity to apply these methods to sample data both via direct calculation and using SAS® statistical software. Each week, a one-hour laboratory session will reinforce material from lecture with additional examples and instruction in use of the SAS® software. Methods for determining sample size and power for a variety of commonly used study designs will also be presented, as will measures of the accuracy of diagnostic and screening tests.

MPH1004 Introduction to Epidemiology

Credits: 3 Offered: Fall & Spring I Lecture and Lab are required and meet on separate days of the week. This introductory course focuses on the fundamental concepts of epidemiology and its application to the field of public health. The course will provide students with an insight to epidemiologic methods and how they can be used to study health outcomes in human populations. Students will learn the elements of epidemiology, such as causation, study design, measures of effect, and potential biases. Practical and theoretical training will include lectures, small group discussions, and readings.

MPH3000 Introduction to Global Health

Credits: 1 Offered: Fall This course provides an introduction to the major concepts and principles of global public health with particular emphasis on neglected populations. The course provides students with an understanding of the principles of health within the context of development, human rights, and globalization, and provides an appreciation of the pertinent challenges and controversies. Students will learn about the establishment of global health priorities, develop an appreciation for issues related to underserved populations, and learn about the major players in the global arena, including the challenges of financing. The course decolonizes global health education by rethinking institutional global public health partnerships and approaches. A multidisciplinary approach is used to discuss the major determinants of health and disease with particular emphasis on the relationship between health and socioeconomic development. Students will meet some experts in the field and are encouraged to engage in discussions of the most current and important global public health topics. By the end of the course, students will have been introduced to the most important players, challenges and variables of global health and their interactions. They will be prepared to advance to more specific and in-depth courses of the Global Health Track.

MPH4000 Program Planning

Credits: 3 Offered: Fall

Cross listed as MHA 1011 Strategy and Program Planning in Health Systems.

Students who successfully complete this course will be able to design an evidence-based and culturally appropriate public health program, in both US and developing country contexts. The course requires quite a bit of small group work in teams of three to develop a final plan for a public health program. The small groups are required to submit four graded assignments and meet with the professor via Zoom four times during the fall term to get feedback. Specifically, students will gain competence in analyzing local needs and resources; developing an evidence-based and technically and programmatically sound causal pathway; articulating program objectives; designing relevant program partnerships and technical components; and designing the program’s monitoring and evaluation plan, implementation plan and budget. Prerequisite: Completion of 1-2 terms in the Program.

MPH6000 Introduction to Public Health (Formerly MPH0001)

Credits: 1 Offered: Fall This introductory course will provide a broad overview of public health. We cover fundamental public health concepts to guide your studies and careers. A principal goal of the course is to give students an understanding of the function of public health as a powerful set of tools to improve the health and achievement of populations. Guest speakers include a diverse array of professionals from various disciplines to provide students with a sense of the breadth and depth of public health as well as a sense of the extraordinary range of career opportunities that exist in this dynamic field.

MPH6003 Community Based Participatory Research (Formerly MPH0019)

Credits: 2 Offered: Fall This graduate-level course introduces students to the principles, methods, and practices of Community-Based Participatory Research (CBPR), an approach that equitably involves community members, organizational representatives, and academic researchers in all aspects of the research process. Emphasizing collaboration, co-learning, and mutual benefit, CBPR is increasingly recognized as a powerful strategy for addressing complex public health challenges and reducing health disparities. Through lectures, readings, case studies, and community-engaged assignments, students will explore the theoretical foundations of CBPR, ethical considerations, and practical strategies for building sustainable partnerships.

MPH6004 Social Justice in Public Health and Medicine

Credits: 3 Offered: Fall Justice is a major concern in theoretical ethics and political philosophy and a huge literature is devoted to trying to explain just what it entails. In this course our aim will be to examine a broad spectrum of issues in medicine, medical research, and public health that raise questions about justice. In light of these critical examples, we shall review and critique an array of philosophical views on justice. Throughout the seminar we shall be engaged in two activities: (1) using clinical dilemmas and health policies as touchstones for developing a clear understanding of justice, and (2) developing an understanding of how theories of justice apply in different public health and medical contexts. By going from practice to theory and from theory back again to practice we shall advance our understanding of the theoretical literature as well as the requirements of justice in public health, medicine and other areas of the social world. This course will begin with an examination of the allocation of medical resources that raise questions about justice. It will then move on to examine contemporary work on justice and review of some theoretical work by authors who focus their attention on justice in medicine (e.g., Norman Daniels and Paul Menzel). As the seminar progresses, we shall develop an understanding of how the U.S. happens to have developed the mechanisms that we now have for the delivery of health care. We shall examine how medical resources are actually distributed here, elsewhere, and globally, and in various contexts. We shall consider ways in which those allocations do and do not express justice. We shall also explore some of the problems that become apparent when you attend to the special needs of social groups (e.g., the poor, children, women, the elderly, African-Americans) and examine dilemmas and conflicts that are raised by issues such as the treatment of premature and compromised neonates and resource allocations during the COVID-19 pandemic.

MPH6008 Emerging Issues: Women Sex & Reproductive Health and Rights (Formerly MPH 0215)

Credits: 2 Offered: Fall Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) of women are integral to their overall health and wellbeing. According to the United Nations Population Fund (2021), "a woman who has control over her body is more likely to be empowered in other spheres of her life. A woman—or adolescent girl— with little bodily autonomy is less likely to have control over her home life, her health and her future, and less likely to enjoy her rights.” Multiple theoretical frameworks will be presented to explore pertinent SRHR issues including body autonomy, gender identity and gender roles, LGBTQ health, women and Covid-19, gender-based violence and abortion. Special emphasis will be placed on discussing the impact of poverty, ethnicity, class and institutional racism experienced by many marginalized populations which may deprive them from seeking and obtaining adequate health information, access to quality health services and free to fully participate in the expression of their sexuality.

MPH6009 Health, Equality, Literacy, and Communications

Credits: 1 Offered: Fall This course provides an overview of the linkage between health equity efforts and health literacy and communication. The course content will focus on the social determinants of health and how municipal, state, and federal policies influence downstream health. The course will familiarize GPM residents with NYC and East Harlem structural features and the community-based organizations that promote resilience. Students will appraise the role of health literacy in conveying health risk and participate in a workshop to create patient facing materials. In addition, some lectures will focus on incorporating community voices and different ways in addressing racism through clinical care. As part of the curriculum, residents will collaborate with the Mount Sinai Department of Health Education's Public Health and Racial Justice Program, an innovative education and empowerment program for youth of color aged 16-24 years. GPM residents will lead small group discussions with youth participants on training and careers in public health.

Open to MD/MPH Students, Residents, Fellows. All others must seek Course Director’s approval.

MPH6013 Global Mental Health

Credits: 3 Offered: Fall “There is no health without mental health.” While millions of people struggle with mental disorders, sufferers in resource-limited areas receive little or no treatment. This course will describe how to strategically approach global mental health planning and implementation for scaling up mental health services within a public health framework. It will rely on a model known as the Wheel of Global Mental Health, which encompasses seven interdependent elements that together encompass the goals, resources, and dynamics integral to scaling up. Questions raised by the COVID-19 pandemic can also be expected to shape this year’s course.

MPH6017 Clinical Occupational & Environmental Medicine (Formerly MPH0522)

Credits: 3 Offered: Fall Environmental and occupational exposures known to cause human disease are examined from the public health framework of exposures and etiology, clinical diagnosis, and prevention. Regulatory and other approaches to prevent and reduce exposure will be discussed. Important public health and policy implications of workplace and environmental exposures will be examined. This course can fulfill the MPH 1005 Introduction to Environmental Health course requirement.

The course is targeted toward those training or working in health care, and is limited to residents, physicians and medical students, except with the permission of the Course Director.

This course can be substituted for MPH 1005 (formerly MPH 0500) Introduction to Environmental Health.

MPH6024 Epidemiology of Cancer & Chronic Diseases

Credits: 3 Offered: Fall The course will cover substantive and methodological issues in the epidemiology of chronic diseases, including cancer, chronic respiratory diseases, neurodegenerative diseases, and aging. Students will be presented with examples of descriptive and analytical epidemiology studies in each of these areas; aspects such as disease registration and its contribution to epidemiology research, estimates of attributable fractions, and preventive strategies will be also addressed. The course will complement the series of methodological courses offered within the epidemiology track, by providing a framework to incorporate research in chronic disease etiology and control.

Pre-requisites: MPH1004 (formerly MPH0400) Introduction to Epidemiology MPH2000 (formerly MPH0412) Epidemiology II

MPH6028 Epidemiology IV (Formerly MPH0425)

Credits: 3 Offered: Fall This advanced course in epidemiology is built around the overarching themes of the contribution of epidemiology to causal inference, and strategies for selection of study populations, prevention, control and quantitative assessment of bias, and options in study design and statistical analysis. Pre-requisites: MPH1004 (formerly MPH0400) Introduction to Epidemiology MPH2000 (formerly MPH0412) Epidemiology II MPH2001 (formerly MPH0420) Epidemiology III

MPH6029 Introduction to Probability (Formerly MPH0801)

Credits: 3 Offered: Fall This course provides an introduction to probability models emphasizing applications in medicine and biology. In addition to presenting basic probability theory and models, a variety of topics important in statistics will be covered, including: random variables; discrete and continuous probability distributions; conditional probability, joint probability, expectation and variance; independence; sampling distributions, combinatorics, and permutations.

MPH6030 Statistical Computing with SAS (Formerly MPH0802)

Credits: 2 Offered: Fall & Spring 1 This course provides students with the skills needed to utilize SAS systems for data management in order to prepare datasets for statistical analysis. In addition, procedures that are used to conduct basic statistical analyses and produce graphical output will be covered. Students will be given hands-on training using sample data provided by the instructor as well as (optionally) data from their own work. Recommended Pre-requisite: MPH1002 (formerly MPH0300) Introduction to Biostatistics

MPH6032 Public Health Lab: How to Solve Problems in Public Health (Formerly MPH0012)

Credits: 3 Offered: Fall How do we turn public health theory into meaningful change in the world? How can you do the most good for the problem you care about? The answers exist! This course will review fundamental concepts in public health practice and translation into successful actions. These concepts and practices can guide program and policy developments in the service of helping populations, and they accommodate variables including the scope of the efforts, the level of involvement of the population, the utilization of other stakeholders and the sustainability of the efforts. Students will develop their own advocacy project proposals. Empowering other people starts with empowering oneself.

Pre-requisite: Completion of 1-2 terms in the Program.

MPH6033 AI in Public Health (Formerly MPH0022)

Credits: 3 Offered: Fall This course will use a journal club-style to introduce students to the rapidly evolving applications of artificial intelligence (AI) in public health research and practice. Through critical reading, presentation and discussion of state-of-the-art peer-reviewed articles of original studies and reviews, students will critically evaluate and discuss the opportunities, limitations, risks, ethical implications, and current and future applications of AI methods and tools such as machine learning and natural language processing in public health research, disease surveillance, global health strategies, public health data analysis, and public health education and communication.

MPH6042 Managed Care & Healthcare Reform (Formerly MPH 0120)

Credits: 3 Offered: Fall Cross listed as MHA 2005 Population Health and Managed Care.

Following a brief survey of the 3000 year history of insurance, the course will focus on health insurance and reform in this country before examining the variety of techniques used by managed care organizations and various national health systems to balance health expenditures, access and quality of healthcare. Through weekly Socratic-type discussions about contemporary healthcare controversies, the course will help develop students’ critical thinking about health policy alternatives and managerial decision-making. Feedback on short weekly essays, student presentations, and a final essay will help students improve their written and presentation skills.

MPH6043 Journal Club for Health Professionals (Formerly MPH0411)

Credits: 1 Offered: Full Year Course (only register in Fall) This intermediate level Journal Club builds upon the Introductory Journal Club, training students in the presentation of articles relevant to the public health specialties of environmental, occupational and preventive medicine. Each student will be assigned a week to be responsible for selecting and presenting an article relevant to their area of specialization. The student may decide to invite a Mount Sinai faculty expert in the particular topic to provide additional commentary on the article. Prior to class, all students are required to read the article and complete a short critique form. All students are expected to participate in class discussions. Students must be residents in either the Preventive Medicine or Occupational and Environmental Medicine residency programs at ISMMS. Others must obtain approval of the course director to enroll.

MPH6044 Seminar in Applied Preventive Medicine (Formerly MPH0021)

Credits: 1 Offered: Full Year Course (register each term) This weekly seminar focuses on current local, national, and international issues in public health and preventive medicine. Discussions center on critical review of new published literature in public health and include topics related to health policy, economic and legal issues, and the impact of these issues on the health of populations. There will be didactics on public health ethics, risk communications and preventive medicine research as well as critical review of enrolled student research or theses. On a rotating basis, each student is responsible for setting the agenda and chairing seminar discussions.

MPH6048 Independent Study for Public Health

Credits: 1-3 Offered: Fall, Spring 1, Spring 2 An Independent Study can be valued at one, two, or three credits. Each credit represents approximately 45 hours of work. Three credits are the maximum number of credits that may be awarded to any Independent Study. Please note that while the total hours committed to the pursuit of the Independent Study may be sufficient for more than three credits or more than one elective, students will not receive any more than three credits for one project/course of study.

An Independent Study is an elective option, providing the student with an opportunity to delve more thoroughly into an area of public health that is of specific interest to him/her. An Independent Study must be a unique experience. Material covered during an independent study project should be highly targeted and not simply a review of the regularly offered coursework. Each student may complete no more than two independent study projects. Eligibility - Students with more than one outstanding Incomplete at the time of the proposal submission may not be eligible to complete an Independent Study. Restrictions - It is important to note that independent study projects should not be attempts to take MPH courses that are offered routinely during the academic year at times that are more convenient for the student. Independent study projects cannot exempt students from core course requirements. Steps towards formalizing an Independent Study Identify and meet with your Faculty Sponsor to discuss and plan the Independent Study. Complete the Independent Study Proposal Form. Submit the Independent Study Form to the Academic Program Office for approval. Once approved, complete the project/course of study. Complete the Independent Study Postscript Report. Request that your Faculty Sponsor review the Postscript Report and complete the Independent Study Evaluation Form. Submit completed Postscript Report and Evaluation form to the Academic Program Officer

MPH6049 Maintenance of Matriculation (Formerly MPH8001)

Credits: 0 Offered: Fall, Spring 1, Spring 2 To maintain matriculation, students must either register for at least one credit-bearing course or register for MPH6049 Maintenance of Matriculation for every term up until degree conferral. Maintenance of Matriculation allows students continued eligibility to earn their degree while not pursuing coursework. The MPH6049 Maintenance of Matriculation registration is $333 per term for students in trimester programs. Please see the full Maintenance of Matriculation policy in the Student Handbook.

MPH6050 Project Continuation (Formerly MPH0098)

Credits: 0 Offered: Fall, Spring 1, Spring 2 Register for Project Continuation if you are continuing your Culminating Experience project for more than 1 term, working full time on this effort. You can only register in the term following MPH 9002 (formerly MPH0097) Culminating Experience registration.

MPH6051 Current Topics Clinical Preventive Med (Formerly MPH0003)

Credits: 2 Offered: Fall This course builds on the fundamental aspects of clinical prevention and the United States Preventive Services Task Force Guidelines. Designed for the healthcare professional, the course will include discussions about new evidence-based approaches that guide clinicians regarding the appropriateness and utility of new preventive services, screening tests, guidance for counseling patients, and an examination of current interventions at the community level, in addition to current controversies and research in the prevention field.

Open to medical students, trainees and other health professionals. Please request permission from Course Director prior to enrolling in this course.

MPH9000 Applied Practice Experience (Formerly MPH0092)

Credits: 3 Offered: Fall, Spring 1, Spring 2 Students should complete at least 15 credits of MPH coursework before starting the Practicum. The MPH Applied Practice Experience provides the student with an opportunity to translate theory into practice within a public health setting. The Applied Practice Experience Proposal must be submitted to the Office of Public Health Practice for approval prior to the beginning the experience. Students may register for MPH0092 after receiving approval on the APE Proposal. This registration is not a course that meets, instead it is a registration reflecting the time, energy, and advisement involved in the degree requirement.

MPH9001 Culminating Experience Seminar (Formerly MPH0023)

Credits: 1 Offered: Fall, Spring 1, Spring 2 Students must have their Culminating Experience Statement of Support and Project Outline submitted to the Program Office before starting this course. This seminar is designed for second year students who will be completing a Culminating Experience (thesis, manuscript or capstone). These words are more than a paper - They are major independent projects that requires you to design, implement, and present professional work of public health significance. This course will help you design your Culminating Experience, start writing, and give and receive feedback from peers. The course is heavily interactive. We will work with materials provided primarily by the students. By the end of the term, you should be ready to complete your Culminating Experience.

Pre-requisite: MPH1003 Research Methods

MPH9002 Culminating Experience (Formerly MPH0097)

Credits: 3 Offered: Fall, Spring 1, Spring 2 The Culminating Experience provides the student with an opportunity to synthesize, integrate and apply the skills and competencies they have acquired to a public health problem. Students may choose to complete a Thesis, First Author Manuscript or Capstone to satisfy the Culminating Experience. Students who are completing a First Author Manuscript or Capstone should register for MPH9002 Culminating Experience (students who are completing a Master's Thesis should register for MPH0099 only).

Please refer to the MPH or MS in Epidemiology Culminating Experience Guide as a resource for the steps that need to be taken to fulfill the Culminating Experience requirement.

MPH 9003 Research Seminar in Epidemiology for MPH Students (Formerly MPH0423)

Credits: 2 Offered: Fall Registration in Fall is for students taking the course in Fall and throughout Spring I. This course is designed for second year students studying Epidemiology to provide direction and support for the development of their research proposal in preparation for the submission of the final degree requirement. To participate in this course, students must have identified an ISMMS Faculty advisor and a general area for their first-author manuscript or thesis project. Class activities will include: student-directed discussions of peer-reviewed journal articles in their project-related area of interest; presentations by graduates on his or her experience completing the degree requirement; and student-prepared presentations of their capstone research proposal. Discussions about how to lead a productive journal club, issues related to preparing a good research proposal, and how to prepare effective PowerPoint presentations and other data-reporting formats will be part of the course experience. Outside readings will be assigned as appropriate for the in-class discussions/presentations. Registration in Fall is for students taking the course in Fall and throughout Spring I.

MPH9005 Capstone I for MS Epidemiology Students (Formerly MPH1097)

Credits: 1 Offered: Fall The Capstone provides the student with an opportunity to synthesize, integrate and apply the skills and competencies they have acquired to a public health problem. Students are expected to develop and submitproject outline and description by the end of the fall term.