Suggested Courses for the Terminal Degree

If you plan to use this degree as a stepping-stone to a job, then you may want to consider including training in biostatistics or STATA, program management, grant-writing, program evaluation, and Context-Area Certificates from the School of Public Health. Here are the related resources and courses:

Epidemiology

GMS MA 677: Epidemiology for Social Scientists: This seminar focuses on selected issues in medical anthropology. This semester, the course will introduce epidemiologic theories and methods to students who are in the social sciences and humanities. The course seeks to systematically analyze the field of epidemiology and how the discipline is leveraged in a spectrum of health arenas. We will examine core topics and concepts such as causality, associations, confounding and interactions, as well as review epidemiologic study designs, as a way to critically engage with the epidemiologic activity of quantitative analysis toward specific public health aims and objectives. Students will be encouraged to approach epidemiologic methods and theories with a critical eye toward recognizing the assumptions, disciplinary power and actions that epidemiologists take to achieve their mission and vision for health and wellbeing. 3 cr, Spring sem. Check T 12:30-3:15, Charles River Campus.

Biostatistics

SAS

SAS is a comprehensive statistical software that provides a wide variety of analytical capabilities, data management, and visualization options. It offers an interactive matrix programming language and integration with R. SAS is most often used for handling large-scale management systems, data mining, and statistical analysis. Download the program and learn to use.

STATA

Stata is a powerful statistical package that provides data management, statistical analysis, simulations, high quality graphics, and programming tools. It is often used in the fields of epidemiology, biomedicine, economics, and sociology. Stata allows user-written commands, which can be loaded into Stata and used along with the Stata built-in commands. A wide variety of data formats are supported, including .csv (ASCII comma separated value) and .xls and .xlsx (Microsoft Excel’s formats). Stata’s own file format is platform independent and can be easily copied from one operating system to another. BU faculty, staff, and students can purchase an individual Stata license, and access related training.

Courses

GMS AN 712 – Biostatistics: This course will provide you with a working understanding of experimental design and statistical analyses that are appropriate for various types of relatively small sample based experiments such as those used in the biological, medical, pharmacological, psychological, and social sciences in general. Joseph. 4 cr, Spring sem.

GMS MS 700 – Elementary Biostatistics for the Biomedical Science: Topics include collection, classification, and presentation of descriptive data; the rationale of hypothesis testing; experimental design; t-tests; simple correlation analysis; and analysis of contingency tables. Special attention is directed to the ability to recognize and interpret statistical procedures in articles from current literature. 2 cr, Spring sem.

GMS CI 670 – Biostatistics for Computing: This course is designed for students with no prior experience with statistics who want to utilize computer software in performing statistical analysis. Topics include the collection, classification, and presentation of descriptive data; the rationale of hypothesis testing; t-tests and chi-square tests; correlation and regression analysis; sample size calculations, and analysis of contingency tables. Computer Laboratory course. 4 cr, Fall sem. Grad Prereq: consent of instructor.

SPH PH 717 – Quantitative Methods for Public Health: Public health is, at its core, an evidence-based discipline. Evaluating relevant evidence to understand the distribution and determinants of disease across the population and to identify and engage in prevention activities requires the collection, analysis and communication of quantitative information. In this course, students will learn fundamental quantitative skills to evaluate data and make evidence-based decisions as a public health professional. This course will provide students with core training in the conduct and design of epidemiologic studies, basic biostatistical analyses and the use of biostatistical software, and foundational knowledge of exposure and outcome assessment. 4 cr, Fall sem.

Project and Program Management

GMS BT 575 – Design and Conduct of Clinical Trials: Prereq: knowledge of biostatistics. This course covers basic principles and current methodologies used in the design and responsible conduct of clinical trials. Topics include statistical design of clinical trials, sample selection, data collection and management, patient recruitment strategies, adverse event reporting, and compliance monitoring. Practical exercises include writing clinical research protocols and informed consent forms, and designing case report forms. 4 cr, Fall sem.

MET AD 642 – Project Management: The course examines the concepts and applied techniques for cost effective management of both long-term development programs and projects. Project management principles and methodology are provided with special focus on planning, controlling, and coordinating individual and group efforts. Key topics of focus include overview of modern project management, organization strategy and project selection, defining a project and developing a project plan and scheduling resources, project risk analysis, work breakdown structures, and project networks. MS Project will be introduced in this course to provide hands-on practical skills with the above topics. Mastery of key tools and concepts introduced in this course provides a significant competitive advantage in the marketplace. 4 cr, Fall sem.

MET AD 643 – Project Communications Management: Prereq: MET AD 642 To succeed in project management, you must be a strong leader and an effective communicator. This course examines the current philosophies of leadership as applied to project management and identifies various styles of communication and conflict resolution. Through case studies and various exercises, you will develop enhanced leadership, communication, conflict management, and negotiation skills. 4 cr, Fall sem.

MET AD 645 – International and Advanced Project Management: This capstone course provides an opportunity to integrate skills and knowledge, review state-of-the-art issues, and produce deliverables required for successful project management. Students learn advanced simulation tools and techniques that can reinforce project planning and control skills, and enrich leadership skills as they pertain to change-control and decision-making. A key focus of this course is on the development and delivery of project quality management and applying a quality framework to ensure customer satisfaction. Within this topic students learn: quality planning, quality assurance, and quality control. Students also master state-of-the art topics such as: Outsourcing and virtual project management, including global project management practices to overcome national boundaries, geographic distances, and cultural diversity project portfolio management, and aligning projects to business strategy for optimized enterprise success and PMBOK practices applied in the organization. 4 cr.

MET AD 742 – Program and Project Management This survey course provides an integrative approach to project management focusing on the skills that are fundamental to successful completion of projects. The course covers the project management life cycle, project selection and alignment with organizational strategy, project definition, risk analysis, work break down structure, activity scheduling, and resolving scheduling conflicts. The course examines the concepts and applied techniques for cost effective management of both long-term development and short term projects. The content covers planning, scheduling, organizing, and controlling projects, for example, product development, construction, information systems, new businesses, and special events. Management principles and methodology are provided as they apply to projects, with special focus on leadership, teaming, and coordinating individual and group efforts. MS Project will be introduced in this course to provide hands-on practical skills with the above topics. Mastery of key tools and concepts introduced in this course could give you a significant competitive advantage in the marketplace. 4 cr.

SSW MP 759 – Communities and Organizations: Analysis and Intervention This course familiarizes the student with basic concepts and strategies related to large system, or macro, practice. The primary focus is on community and agency analysis, along with methods of achieving change within those settings. Students acquire a basic framework for problem solving and an understanding of the opportunities and limits in the role of change agent. Required to be in a field placement with this course. 3 cr, Fall sem.

SSW MP 783 – Planning and Program Development: Grad Prereq: SSW MP 759, or permission of department chair. Required to be in a field placement with this course. This course introduces students to planning theory, planned social change, organizational development, program development, proposal writing, and leadership. Specific emphasis is placed on basic concepts, principles, skills, and knowledge necessary to effect change at the organizational and community levels. 3 cr.

SPH PH 718 – Leadership and Management for Public Health: Public health professionals rarely work alone to make anything happen. Thus, the goal of this course is to develop your ability to be a change agent for public health by furthering your abilities to communicate with, engage, and organize others in the pursuit of specific projects and change efforts. While you may not immediately hold a formal leadership position, you can always “lead from where you are” and/or informally by understanding how to effectively and ethically work with others both within and beyond your particular organizational home, and manage processes to achieve specific objectives, in order to advance the health issues that you care about. 4 cr, Fall sem.

SPH PM 790 – Pro-seminar: Tools for Project Management, Communication, and Budgeting: Researchers and research professionals are routinely called upon to ensure research project success through the application of many professional skills beyond data collection, management, and analysis. In this course, students will learn and apply concepts and tools relevant to research project management, budget development, research team management, and the communication of research results to various audiences. Students will work together to apply each skill to a real research project, and will present their work to the rest of the class.

Program Evaluation

GMS MA 677 — Special Topics in Medical Anthropology — Program Evaluation for Social Scientists: This course will examine different approaches to applying the tools and methods of anthropology to evaluating programs. Evaluation anthropology takes an integrated approach that examines meanings of program efficacy and effectiveness, in the context of cultural systems that change over time and space. As Mary Odell Butler has asked, “How can we establish useful statements of program value given the complex contexts in which programs are implemented? How can we arrive at evaluation results induced from variable manifestations of program concepts in complex cultural systems?” 3 cr. Hyde Th 12:30-3:15 PM. Charles River Campus.

SED RS 751 – Program Evaluation: Grad Prereq: two graduate-level research courses and consent of instructor. Alternative approaches to evaluation; consideration of stakeholders; specification of multiple outcomes; program monitoring; formative and summative designs; practical guidelines for planning, conducting, reporting, and using evaluations; role of the evaluator; necessary skills; political, ethical, and interpersonal aspects. Applicable to curricular interventions, training programs, social action projects, social policies. Case studies and student proposals are critiqued in seminar. Requires some pilot testing. 4 cr, 1st sem.

SSW MP 785 – Program Evaluation: Grad Prereq: SSW MP 759. Or permission of department chair. The aim of this course is to provide advanced MSW students with the theory and basic skills necessary to develop sound program evaluation models. It presents techniques for creating evaluation designs that respond both to a program’s organizational reality and to funding requirements. The course also includes a discussion of the political-policy context of program evaluation. Finally, students are provided with the opportunity to either participate in an ongoing evaluation effort or implement their own evaluation model in the field. 3 cr.

Grant Writing

MET AR 550 – Raising Funds and Grant Writing for Nonprofit Organizations: An introductory course that examines ways to raise funds from government, foundation, corporate, and individual sources. The following topics will be addressed through lectures and case analysis: the history of philanthropy, the planning and research process, proposal and grant preparation, program evaluation, and the role of the board and staff in developing effective fundraising strategies. 4 cr.

MET UA 523 – Skills and Techniques in Planning: Students introduced to specific skills and techniques to help them achieve community and urban planning goals. The course covers a range of communications skills, including oral, written, visual, and using social media in planning to help planners develop concise, understandable plans and documents. Grant research, writing, and administration will be discussed. Segments on community outreach and engagement and how to build equity and cultural competency will be explored. Students will be introduced to skills in designing and implementing community meetings, including facilitation skills and managing group dynamics. 4 cr.

School of Public Health Core Training

These core Public Health courses provide a comprehensive understanding of key public health concepts that are designed to cut across traditional disciplines. All core courses are taught by experienced faculty members and serve as an introduction to the range of public health skills, research, and practice:

SPH PH 719 – Health Systems, Law, and Policy: This is a course about who gets what health services, when and how. Policies and laws governing what services are available and on what terms strongly influence health status at both the individual and population levels. This course examines the Constitutional, regulatory, political and socio-economic bases for the policies that determine access, quality, cost and equity in health services and population health programs. While the focus is principally on US examples, the course is structured on the World Health Organization’s framework for organizing and analyzing national health systems, covering governance, financing, delivery systems, workforce, and human and other resources. The course combines intensive individual preparation for each class using both written and video materials, interactive class presentations and hands-on individual and group projects in laboratory sessions. 4 cr, Fall sem.

SPH PH 720 – Individual, Community, and Population Health: This course is intended to provide students with a foundation for future coursework in program design, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation. It assumes little prior knowledge of determinants of health, and various ways of addressing health problems. It aims to help give students an appreciation of health and the determinants of health at multiple levels in order to gain knowledge and skills necessary to work effectively to improve the health of individuals, communities, and populations. 4 cr, Fall sem.