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Master of Science (M.Sc.); Public Health (Non-Thesis) (60 credits)

Offered by: Epidemiology and Biostatistics     Degree: Master of Science

Program Requirements

Students will study the foundations and principles of epidemiology and biostatistics as applied to public health research and practice in order to design, conduct, and analyze clinical, population-based, environmental, policy, and methodological public health-related research. The program will include a three-month practicum after the first year.

Practicum/Project (12 credits)

Required Courses (27 credits)

Students exempted from any of the courses listed below must replace them with additional complementary course credits.

  • EPIB 601 Fundamentals of Epidemiology (4 credits)

    Offered by: Epidemiology and Biostatistics (Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences)

    Administered by: Graduate Studies

    Overview

    Epidemiology & Biostatistics : This course aims to provide a comprehensive introduction to epidemiologic concepts and corresponding terms. After an introduction to the history, definition, and purposes of epidemiology, "core" concepts that are relevant in several areas of investigation (e.g., etiologic research, health care research, and community medicine practice) will be presented.

    Terms: Fall 2015

    Instructors: McKinnon, Brittany; Huang, Jonathan; Yang, Seungmi (Fall)

    • Corequisites: EPIB 602 and EPIB 607

    • Restrictions: Not open to students who have taken EPIB 606. Open to students in Epidemiology or Biostatistics programs, or permission of instructor.

  • EPIB 603 Intermediate Epidemiology (4 credits)

    Offered by: Epidemiology and Biostatistics (Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences)

    Administered by: Graduate Studies

    Overview

    Epidemiology & Biostatistics : Concepts and methods for epidemiology at the intermediate level, including causation, measures of disease occurrence and effect, study designs, biases in epidemiologic research, interaction, and data analysis for categorical and survival data using statistical software.

    Terms: Winter 2016

    Instructors: Brophy, James (Winter)

  • EPIB 605 Critical Appraisal in Epidemiology (1 credit)

    Offered by: Epidemiology and Biostatistics (Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences)

    Administered by: Graduate Studies

    Overview

    Epidemiology & Biostatistics : This course provides the opportunity to develop skills to critically evaluate evidence presented in the biomedical and health sciences literature, based on the concepts acquired in the epidemiology introductory courses.

    Terms: Winter 2016

    Instructors: Gyorkos, Theresia; Foster, Bethany Joy; Rahme, Elham (Winter)

  • EPIB 607 Inferential Statistics (4 credits)

    Offered by: Epidemiology and Biostatistics (Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences)

    Administered by: Graduate Studies

    Overview

    Epidemiology & Biostatistics : Introduction to the basic principles of statistical inference used in clinical and epidemiologic research. Topics include variability; methods of processing and describing data; sampling and sampling distributions; inferences regarding means and proportions, non-parametric methods, regression and correlation.

    Terms: Fall 2015

    Instructors: Saha Chaudhuri, Paramita (Fall)

    • Prerequisite (Undergraduate): A first year course in undergraduate differential and integral calculus.

  • EPIB 613 Introduction to Statistical Software (1 credit)

    Offered by: Epidemiology and Biostatistics (Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences)

    Administered by: Graduate Studies

    Overview

    Epidemiology & Biostatistics : Introduction to statistical software and data management; including basics of entering, manipulating data and elementary statistical analysis, SAS software, with reference to other packages of potential interest to students (R, Stata, SPSS).

    Terms: Fall 2015

    Instructors: Yang, Seungmi (Fall)

    • Prerequisite: Enrolment in Epidemiology stream program or permission of instructor.

  • EPIB 614 Basics of Measurement in Epidemiology (1 credit)

    Offered by: Epidemiology and Biostatistics (Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences)

    Administered by: Graduate Studies

    Overview

    Epidemiology & Biostatistics : The course will review principles that can be applied to measuring a wide range of exposures, as well as outcomes. Accurate measurement is essential to the validity of epidemiological research.Topics to be covered include measurement error, and the design, analysis, and interpretation of validity and reliability studies.

    Terms: Winter 2016

    Instructors: Yang, Seungmi (Winter)

    • Prerequisites: EPIB 601, EPIB 602 and EPIB 607

    • Restriction: Open only to students in the M.Sc. and Ph.D. programs in Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Occupational Health.

  • EPIB 621 Data Analysis in Health Sciences (4 credits)

    Offered by: Epidemiology and Biostatistics (Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences)

    Administered by: Graduate Studies

    Overview

    Epidemiology & Biostatistics : Univariate and multivariate statistical techniques for continuous categorical and survival data. Topics include generalized linear models, multiple linear and logistic regression, introductory survival analysis, model selection. Maximum likelihood and Bayesean approaches will be presented.

    Terms: Winter 2016

    Instructors: Labbe, Aurelie (Winter)

  • PPHS 602 Foundations of Population Health (3 credits)

    Offered by: Epidemiology and Biostatistics (Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences)

    Administered by: Graduate Studies

    Overview

    PPHS : Introduction to global population health, including causes of morbidity and mortality, surveillance systems and vital statistics, and trends over time. Overviews of epidemiology of cancer, cardiovascular, infectious, environmental, psychiatric and nutritional diseases. Fundamentals and methods for studying burden of disease in populations, and how these differ across time, space, groups.

    Terms: Fall 2015

    Instructors: Paradis, Gilles (Fall)

    • Not open to students who have taken EPIB 602.

  • PPHS 612 Principles of Public Health Practice (3 credits)

    Offered by: Epidemiology and Biostatistics (Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences)

    Administered by: Graduate Studies

    Overview

    PPHS : Principles and methods in public health practice. Topics will include investigation in public health, public health intervention, program evaluation, public health and the health care system, society and public health.

    Terms: Fall 2015, Winter 2016

    Instructors: Cox, Joseph; Richer, Faisca (Fall) Cox, Joseph; Richer, Faisca (Winter)

  • PPHS 629D1 MScPH Forum 1 (0.5 credits)

    Offered by: Epidemiology and Biostatistics (Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences)

    Administered by: Graduate Studies

    Overview

    PPHS : The Forum is a seminar and discussion series that provides an opportunity for students to be introduced to experts in public health, and to prepare for their practicum experience. Students will also have practical learning activities and be exposed to the practicum experiences of the second year students.

    Terms: Fall 2015

    Instructors: Fuhrer, Rebecca; Cox, Joseph (Fall)

  • PPHS 629D2 MScPH Forum 1 (0.5 credits)

    Offered by: Epidemiology and Biostatistics (Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences)

    Administered by: Graduate Studies

    Overview

    PPHS : The Forum is a seminar and discussion series that provides an opportunity for students to be introduced to experts in public health, and to prepare for their practicum experience. Students will also have practical learning activities and be exposed to the practicum experiences of the second year students.

    Terms: Winter 2016

    Instructors: Fuhrer, Rebecca; Cox, Joseph (Winter)

  • PPHS 631D1 MScPH Forum 2 (0.5 credits)

    Offered by: Epidemiology and Biostatistics (Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences)

    Administered by: Graduate Studies

    Overview

    PPHS : The Forum is a seminar and discussion series which provides an opportunity for students to be introduced to experts in public health, and to reflect upon and share their practicum experience. Students will also have practical learning activities and will share their practicum experiences with their fellow students through their oral presentations.

    Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2015-2016 academic year.

    Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2015-2016 academic year.

  • PPHS 631D2 MScPH Forum 2 (0.5 credits)

    Offered by: Epidemiology and Biostatistics (Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences)

    Administered by: Graduate Studies

    Overview

    PPHS : The Forum is a seminar and discussion series which provides an opportunity for students to be introduced to experts in public health, and to reflect upon and share their practicum experience. Students will also have practical learning activities and will share their practicum experiences with their fellow students through their oral presentations.

    Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2015-2016 academic year.

    Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2015-2016 academic year.

Complementary Courses (12 credits)

12 credits of coursework at the 500 level or higher, with a minimum of 2 credits chosen from each of the following fields:

Environmental Health Sciences

  • GEOG 503 Advanced Topics in Health Geography (3 credits)

    Offered by: Geography (Faculty of Science)

    Overview

    Geography : A critical review of current themes and trends in health geography, with emphasis on geographical perspectives in public health research. Topics include the social and environmental determinants of chronic and infectious disease, health and health-related behaviours. Seminars focus on critical appraisal of conceptual and methodological approaches in health geography research.

    Terms: Fall 2015

    Instructors: Ross, Nancy (Fall)

    • Fall

    • 3 hours

    • Prerequisite: GEOG 303 or GEOG 403 or permission of instructor

    • Restrictions: Course open to U3 undergraduate students and graduate students in the Department of Geography OR others with permission of instructor. Not open to students who took GEOG 503 in Winter 2009.

  • OCCH 602 Occupational Health Practice (3 credits)

    Offered by: Occupational Health (Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences)

    Administered by: Graduate Studies

    Overview

    Occupational Health & Hygiene : This course analyzes the functions, structure and organization of occupational health programs and services.

    Terms: Fall 2015

    Instructors: Martin, Stephen (Fall)

  • PPHS 529 Global Environmental Health and Burden of Disease (3 credits)

    Offered by: Epidemiology and Biostatistics (Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences)

    Overview

    PPHS : This course presents the grand challenges in global health from environmental and occupational risks along with the multi-disciplinary methods used to identify, control, and prevent them. It will introduce students to knowledge and skills in core disciplines of environmental health and approaches to environmental risk recognition, control and prevention in a global context.

    Terms: Winter 2016

    Instructors: Baumgartner, Jill (Winter)

    • Restriction(s): Not open to students who have taken EPIB 529.

    • 1. Permission of instructor required for undergraduate students.

    • 2.This course is open to graduate students and advanced undergraduates from all departments.

    • 3. Previous coursework in statistics and environmental science is useful, though not required.

Or other courses, at the 500 level or higher, selected with the Program's Academic Adviser.

Health Services Research Policy and Management

  • PPHS 525 Health Care Systems in Comparative Perspective (3 credits)

    Offered by: Epidemiology and Biostatistics (Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences)

    Overview

    PPHS : Comparative perspective to illustrate processes involved in the development and evolution of health care systems around the world. Countries examined will represent different welfare state regimes, health care system typologies, levels of development and wealth.

    Terms: Fall 2015

    Instructors: Quesnel Vallée, Amélie (Fall)

    • Prerequisite: Permission of instructor.

    • Restriction(s): Not open to students who have taken EPIB 525. Not open to students who are taking or have taken SOCI 525.

    • Note: This course is cross-listed in Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Occupational Health and in Sociology

  • PPHS 527 Economics for Health Services Research and Policy (3 credits)

    Offered by: Epidemiology and Biostatistics (Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences)

    Overview

    PPHS : Key health policy topics in developed economies using analytic frameworks and tools from economics. Major topics include health insurance, health care financing, and the roles of individuals and public and private institutions in the health care system.

    Terms: Winter 2016

    Instructors: Strumpf, Erin (Winter)

    • Restriction(s): Not open to students who have taken EPIB 527.

    • NOTE: This course is open to graduate students and advanced undergraduates from all departments, with the permission of the instructor. A background in introductory economics is useful, though not required.

  • PPHS 528 Economic Evaluation of Health Programs (3 credits)

    Offered by: Epidemiology and Biostatistics (Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences)

    Overview

    PPHS : Concepts and methods used to carry out economic evaluations of health programs and interventions, including public health interventions, pharmaceuticals, and other health care interventions. Includes topics such as calculation of unit costs, measurement of quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) and assessment of uncertainty in cost-effectiveness analysis.

    Terms: Fall 2015

    Instructors: Latimer, Eric A (Fall)

    • Prerequisite: Permission of instructor.

    • Restriction(s): Not open to students who have taken EPIB 528.

    • No prior background in economics is required.

    • Open to graduate students and advanced undergraduates from all departments.

Or other courses, at the 500 level or higher, selected with the Program's Academic Adviser.

Population and Public Health Interventions (social and behavioural science)

  • PPHS 525 Health Care Systems in Comparative Perspective (3 credits)

    Offered by: Epidemiology and Biostatistics (Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences)

    Overview

    PPHS : Comparative perspective to illustrate processes involved in the development and evolution of health care systems around the world. Countries examined will represent different welfare state regimes, health care system typologies, levels of development and wealth.

    Terms: Fall 2015

    Instructors: Quesnel Vallée, Amélie (Fall)

    • Prerequisite: Permission of instructor.

    • Restriction(s): Not open to students who have taken EPIB 525. Not open to students who are taking or have taken SOCI 525.

    • Note: This course is cross-listed in Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Occupational Health and in Sociology

  • PPHS 624 Public Health Ethics and Policy (3 credits)

    Offered by: Epidemiology and Biostatistics (Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences)

    Administered by: Graduate Studies

    Overview

    PPHS : Critical assessment of ethical dilemmas and policy considerations raised by the practice of public health. Specific topics include: measuring and defining health; surveillance and privacy; preparedness, quarantine, and distribution of resources during a health emergency; and health inequalities.

    Terms: Fall 2015

    Instructors: Weinstock, Daniel (Fall)

    • Restriction(s): Not open to students who have taken EPIB 624.

    • Students from all disciplinary backgrounds are welcome.

  • SOCI 515 Medicine and Society (3 credits)

    Offered by: Sociology (Faculty of Arts)

    Overview

    Sociology (Arts) : The sociology of health and illness. Reading in areas of interest, such as: the sociology of illness, health services occupations, organizational settings of health care, the politics of change in national health service systems, and contemporary ethical issues in medical care and research.

    Terms: Fall 2015

    Instructors: Cambrosio, Alberto (Fall)

    • Prerequisite: Undergraduate students require permission of instructor

  • SOCI 588 Biosociology/Biodemography (3 credits)

    Offered by: Sociology (Faculty of Arts)

    Overview

    Sociology (Arts) : This course will explore linkages between social and biological systems, their influence on health and well-being over the life course, and on health disparities. Topics include classical sociological approaches to biosocial processes, sociobiology (reductionist, but population-based), and newer demographic studies on gen-environment, epigenetic, and stress-metabolic/allostatic processes.

    Terms: Winter 2016

    Instructors: Das, Aniruddha (Winter)

Or other courses, at the 500 level or higher, selected with the Program's Academic Adviser.

Field Epidemiology or Epidemiology in Practice

  • OCCH 604 Monitoring Occupational Environment (3 credits)

    Offered by: Occupational Health (Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences)

    Administered by: Graduate Studies

    Overview

    Occupational Health & Hygiene : Principles and practices of environmental and biological monitoring of workplace hazards are addressed. Familiarization with instrumentation and calibration procedures is undertaken. Students learn to identify workplace health hazards, develop effective sampling strategies, use industrial hygiene equipment and interpret results of exposure measurements.

    Terms: Winter 2016

    Instructors: Gauvin, Jean-Pierre (Winter)

  • PPHS 615 Introduction to Infectious Disease Epidemiology (3 credits)

    Offered by: Epidemiology and Biostatistics (Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences)

    Administered by: Graduate Studies

    Overview

    PPHS : Introduction to the field of infectious disease epidemiology taught from a public health perspective. Topics include analytic methods, study design, outbreak investigations, surveillance, vaccine development and evaluations, screening, modelling, and infectious causes of cancer or chronic diseases.

    Terms: Fall 2015

    Instructors: Quach-Thanh, Caroline (Fall)

    • Prerequisite: EPIB 601 or Permission of Instructor.

    • Restriction(s): Not open to students who have taken EPIB 615.

    • Note: An undergraduate level biology course is highly recommended.

  • PPHS 616 Principles and Practice of Public Health Surveillance (3 credits)

    Offered by: Epidemiology and Biostatistics (Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences)

    Administered by: Graduate Studies

    Overview

    PPHS : The objectives of this course are to familiarize students with the theory and methods of surveillance, a core public health function. The seminars will define surveillance and explore surveillance applications and methods through case studies and in-class exercises. Topics will include: measurement, indicators, analytical methods, and the future of surveillance. Computer-based modules will complement seminars. Topics will include: estimating the burden of a disease, detecting disease outbreaks, and identifying cases of chronic disease.

    Terms: Winter 2016

    Instructors: Buckeridge, David; Chiolero, Arnaud (Winter)

    • Prerequisite(s): EPIB 603, EPIB 621, PPHS 612, or equivalent, or permission of the instructor.

    • Students are encouraged to use R statistical software and to bring a laptop to class.

Or other courses, at the 500 level or higher, selected with the Program's Academic Adviser.

Electives (9 credits)

9 credits of coursework, at the 500 level or higher.

Students may choose to focus on more advanced methods in epidemiology, biostatistics, geography, etc. or substantive areas such as environmental or occupational health, or to select a variety of courses that will deepen their general knowledge of the disciplines that influence population and public health.

Courses will be selected with and approved by the Program's Academic Adviser.

Faculty of Medicine—2015-2016 (last updated Dec. 8, 2015) (disclaimer)
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