Curriculum
The MPH degree with concentrations in Biostatistics, Community Health and Health Equity, Environmental and Occupational Health, Epidemiology, Global Health, or Health Systems and Policy is a 63- or 64-unit degree program taken over five to six quarters. Seven courses must be taken by all students. In addition, students take at least six additional courses in their concentration and either 8 or 12 units of elective courses, depending on the concentration. All courses required for the MPH except the MPH seminar courses and the capstone course must be taken for a letter grade; only grades of B or better represent satisfactory scholarship, as per Irvine Division Senate Regulation 420.
Please note that degree requirements are subject to change. For the most accurate and up-to-date list of requirements, current students should consult with their academic advisor.
Introductory course:
PubHlth 200
Foundations of Public Health
4 UNITS
Presents the overarching framework, principles, and core responsibilities of public health research and practice from a multidisciplinary perspective. Provides necessary foundation for further studies toward advanced cross-cutting approaches essential for public health practice.
Core competency courses:
PubHlth 206A
Principles of Epidemiology
4 UNITS
Fundamental principles of epidemiology, biostatistics, and epidemiological research. Topics include research methods of measuring health problems in populations, disease control and prevention in populations, how epidemiology contributes to knowledge of disease etiology, and biostatistical analysis and interpretation of epidemiologic data.
PubHlth 222A
Health Policy & Management
4 UNITS
Multidisciplinary inquiry into theory and practice concerned with delivery, quantity, costs of health care for individuals and populations. Explores managerial and policy concerns regarding structure, process, outcomes of health services including the costs, financing, organization, outcomes, and accessibility of care.
PubHlth 253
Introduction to Community Health
4 UNITS
Introduces the field of Health Behavior and segues into major theoretical perspectives. Focus on health behavior change from the vantage point of individual health behavior and theoretical abstraction. Explores how to relate theory to behavior-change intervention programs.
PubHlth 264
Introduction to Environmental Health Sciences
4 UNITS
Convergence of agents (chemical, physical, biological, or psychosocial) in environment can emerge as diseases influenced by social, political, and economic factors, allowing them to become rooted in society. How these agents from various spheres come together and impact human health.
MPH Seminar (complete 2 courses):
PUBHLTH 291A
Advances and Challenges in Public Health
2 UNITS
Forum for exploring recent advances and challenges in all disciplines of public health research and practice. Features case studies exemplifying the integration of core competencies with cross-cutting interdisciplinary themes of public health.
Grading Option: Satisfactory/unsatisfactory only.
Repeatability: May be repeated for credit unlimited times.
Restriction: Graduate students only.
Concurrent with PUBHLTH 191A.
PUBHLTH 291B
Advances and Challenges in Public Health
2 UNITS
Forum for exploring recent advances and challenges in all disciplines of public health research and practice. Features case studies exemplifying the integration of core competencies with cross-cutting interdisciplinary themes of public health.
Grading Option: Satisfactory/unsatisfactory only.
Repeatability: May be repeated for credit unlimited times.
Restriction: Graduate students only.
Concurrent with PUBHLTH 191B.
PUBHLTH 291C
Advances and Challenges in Public Health
2 UNITS
Forum for exploring recent advances and challenges in all disciplines of public health research and practice. Features case studies exemplifying the integration of core competencies with cross-cutting interdisciplinary themes of public health.
Grading Option: Satisfactory/unsatisfactory only.
Repeatability: May be repeated for credit unlimited times.
Restriction: Graduate students only.
Concurrent with PUBHLTH 191C.
Capstone course:
PubHlth 295
Graduate Practicum & Culminating Experience
8 UNITS
Provides opportunities for hands-on experience for graduate students at agencies or organizations engaged in public health practice. Students are matched with placement sites based on academic preparation and students’ career goals. The practicum report is integrated into the culminating experience.
Prerequisite: PUBHLTH 200 and PUBHLTH 244 and PUBHLTH 222 and PUBHLTH 264 and PUBHLTH 207A. PUBHLTH 200 with a grade of B or better. PUBHLTH 244 with a grade of B or better. PUBHLTH 222 with a grade of B or better. PUBHLTH 264 with a grade of B or better. PUBHLTH 207A with a grade of B or better
Grading Option: Satisfactory/unsatisfactory only.
Restriction: Graduate students only. Public Health Majors only.
Environmental & Occupational Health Concentration Courses:
A. Two Course Statistics Series
Select one: PUBHLTH 207A, PUBHLTH 204A or EPIDEM 204A.
PUBHLTH 207A
Probability and Statistics in Public Health
4 UNITS
An introduction to probability and statistical methods, using examples in public health. Topics include descriptive statistics, laws of probability, discrete and continuous probability distributions, estimation, confidence intervals, hypothesis testing, and power calculations for one- and two-sample comparisons.
Prerequisite: PUBHLTH 206A. PUBHLTH 206A with a grade of B or better
Restriction: Program in Public Health students only. Master of Public Health Degree students only. Graduate students only. Public Health Majors only.
PUBHLTH 204A
Biostatistics I. Introduction to Statistical Methods
4 UNITS
Designed to help students develop an appreciation for statistician’s view of the research process, emphasizing biomedical research. Instills an understanding of how statistical models are used to yield insights about data that form evidence-based understanding of the world around us.
Same as EPIDEM 204A.
Restriction: Graduate students only.
EPIDEM 204A
Biostatistics I. Introduction to Statistical Methods
4 UNITS
Designed to help students develop an appreciation for statistician’s view of the research process, emphasizing biomedical research. Instills an understanding of how statistical models are used to yield insights about data that form evidence-based understanding of the world around us.
Same as PUBHLTH 204.
Restriction: Graduate students only.
Select one: PUBHLTH 207B, PUBHLTH 204B or EPIDEM 204B
PUBHLTH 207B
Analysis of Public Health Data Using Statistical Software
4 UNITS
Overview of common statistical methods in public health and how to implement them in R. Topics include linear regression, ANOVA, the Kruskal-Wallis test, logistic regression, missing data and censoring, Kaplan-Meier survival curves, log-rank tests, and Cox regression.
Prerequisite: PUBHLTH 207A. PUBHLTH 207A with a grade of B or better
Restriction: Program in Public Health students only. Master of Public Health Degree students only. Graduate students only. Public Health Majors only.
PUBHLTH 204B
Biostatistics I. Introduction to Statistical Methods
4 UNITS
Designed to help students develop an appreciation for statistician’s view of the research process, emphasizing biomedical research. Instills an understanding of how statistical models are used to yield insights about data that form evidence-based understanding of the world around us.
Same as EPIDEM 204A.
Restriction: Graduate students only.
EPIDEM 204B
Biostatistics I. Introduction to Statistical Methods
4 UNITS
Designed to help students develop an appreciation for statistician’s view of the research process, emphasizing biomedical research. Instills an understanding of how statistical models are used to yield insights about data that form evidence-based understanding of the world around us.
Same as PUBHLTH 204.
Restriction: Graduate students only.
B. Environmental Health Seminar (taken twice: Spring of Year 1 & Fall of Year 2):
EHS 298
Seminar in Environmental Health Sciences
2 UNITS
Presentation and discussion of current research problems and issues by students, postdoctoral fellows, faculty, and guests, covering the broad research and policy areas of environmental health sciences.
Repeatability: May be repeated for credit unlimited times.
Restriction: Graduate students only.
C. LIST 1: Environmental/Occupational Epidemiology (Choose 1 from LIST 1 below):
EPIDEM 205
Environmental Epidemiology
4 UNITS
Concentrates on epidemiological approaches to the assessment of community environmental hazards; issues involved in environmental exposure estimation; interdisciplinary approaches to environmental epidemiology, including the use of biomarkers of exposures and susceptibility; epidemiological studies within the context of risk assessment.
Prerequisite: EPIDEM 200 and EPIDEM 204. EPIDEM 200 with a grade of B- or better. EPIDEM 204 with a grade of B- or better
Restriction: Graduate students only.
EHS 203
Occupational Epidemiology
4 UNITS
The importance of work environment for workers’ health and productivity has increased with changing technology, work organization, demographics, and occupation/industry structures. This advanced occupational epidemiology course focuses on work environment as exposures, and workers’ health and productivity as outcomes.
Restriction: Graduate students only.
D. LIST 2: Biological Basis for Environmental/Occupational Disease (Choose 1 from LIST 2 below):
EHS 202
Principles of Environmental Toxicology
4 UNITS
Explores molecular, biological, and structure-based toxicity of environmental toxicants. Topics include dose-response relationship, ADME, mechanisms of action, and its impact on the environment, wildlife, and human health. Covered through lectures, research papers, and discussion.
EHS 204
Neurotoxicology
4 UNITS
The effects of various harmful chemicals upon nervous system function. Emphasis given to the molecular events underlying neurological damage and to the relation of such processes to basic mechanisms of neurobiology.
EHS 206A
Target Organ Toxicology I
4 UNITS
Outlines vulnerability of selected organ systems to environmental and occupational chemicals. Reviews molecular aspects of toxicological damage. Topics include molecular toxicology and the following organ systems: nervous, cardiovascular, respiratory, dermal, and skeletal embryology.
EHS 206B
Target Organ Toxicology II
4 UNITS
Analyzes mechanistic responses in animals and humans to environmental and occupational chemicals and radiation, focusing on organ system physiology. Topics specifically covered include reproductive, endocrine, developmental, kidney, liver, pancreas, vascular, immune toxicology, radiation, and chemical carcinogenesis.
EHS 212
Inhalation Toxicology
4 UNITS
Explores laboratory inhalation toxicology principles and practices. Covers aerosols, gases, respiratory tract structure/function, lung defenses, exposure techniques, experimental designs, animal models, and regulations/guidelines.
EHS 294
Health Psychology
4 UNITS
Focus on theory and research in health psychology as applied to major acute, chronic, and occupational health problems. Adopting the biopsychosocial model of health, emphasis is on understanding and influencing how biology, behavior, and the environment influence health and illness.
BIO SCI 285
Topics in Allied Health Microbiology
4 UNITS
Basic microbiology with emphasis for allied health professions such as nursing. Emphasis is on micro-organisms involved in human health, disease and food safety.
PHYSIO 206A
Introduction to Medical Physiology
5 UNITS
Vertebrate physiology with emphasis on humans and on the relationship between the function of normal tissues and the processes of disease. Fundamental principles of physiology and the interrelationships which control organ function.
E. List 3: Elective Course in Environmental/Occupational Health (Choose 1 from LIST 3 below):
Any course from LIST 1 or LIST 2 not used to satisfy another concentration requirement may be taken in lieu of one of the courses below.
EHS 201
Case Studies in Environmental Toxicology
4 UNITS
Explores toxicology principles through case-based discussions. Topics include exposure routes, absorption, metabolism, and mechanisms of toxicity. Lectures with discussions are delivered by invited faculty experts.
Prerequisite: EHS 206B. EHS 206B with a grade of B- or better
Restriction: Graduate students only.
EHS 220
Industrial Toxicology
4 UNITS
Analysis of responsibilities toxicologists have in industry, including product safety, generating material safety, data sheets, animal testing, ecotoxicological testing, risk/hazard communication, and assisting industrial hygienists and occupational physicians; emphasis on interdisciplinary nature of industrial toxicology and communication skills.
Prerequisite: PUBH 277B or EHS 206B. PUBH 277B with a grade of B- or better. EHS 206B with a grade of B- or better
Same as PUBH 278.
EHS 269
Air Pollution, Climate, and Health
4 UNITS
Emission of air pollutants into the atmosphere, physical and meteorological processes that affect transport, and influence on global warming. Concepts of how and where people are most exposed, and how exposures and health effects differ in developed and developing regions.
Same as EPI 269, PUBH 269.
EHS 275
Environmental Modeling and Risk Management
4 UNITS
Learn general principles and basic mathematical methods for environmental modeling and human health risk assessment, including compartmental and advection-dispersion models for contaminants in air and water, uptake by plants and animals, exposure, assessment, dose-response modeling, risk management, and risk perception.
Prerequisite: MATH 2A and STAT 7
Same as PUBH 275.
Restriction: Graduate students only.
Concurrent with PUBH 175.
EHS 290
Independent Study in Environmental Toxicology
4 UNITS
With consent from a faculty member who will supervise the program, a student may receive credit for individual study in some area of toxicology, culminating in the completion of a scholarly paper on the subject.
Repeatability: May be repeated for credit unlimited times.
EHS 299
Research Problems
1-12 UNITS
Research work for the M.S. thesis or Ph.D. dissertation.
Repeatability: May be repeated for credit unlimited times.
PUBHLTH 204C
Biostatistics III. Advanced Statistical Methods
4 UNITS
Intended for graduate students in epidemiology, public health, and related fields. Introduces statistical methods for analyzing survival and longitudinal/clustered data, and techniques to resolve missing data.
Prerequisite: EPIDEM 204B. EPIDEM 204B with a grade of B or better
Same as EPIDEM 204C.
Restriction: Graduate students only.
PUBHLTH 206B
Intermediate Epidemiology
4 UNITS
Explores conceptual aspects of epidemiology, focusing on strengths and limitations of observational designs. Learn to identify, quantify, and correct bias (e.g. selection, confounding), and evaluate causal identical conditions. Gain skills to evaluate study designs systematically.
Prerequisite: PUBHLTH 206A. PUBHLTH 206A with a grade of B or better
Same as EPIDEM 200B.
Restriction: Graduate students only. Epidemiology Majors only. College of Health Sciences students only. Master of Public Health Degree students only. Program in Public Health students only.
PUBHLTH 279
Special Topics in Environmental & Occupational Health
4 UNITS
Current research in environmental and occupational health. Topics vary from quarter to quarter.
Repeatability: May be repeated for credit unlimited times.
Restriction: Graduate students only.
PUBHLTH 283
Geographic Information Systems for Public Health
4 UNITS
Engage extensively with GIS software, combining lectures and hands-on tutorials. Cover mapping basics, projections, geocoding, and toolbars. Apply GIS to public health data for practical understanding of its applications.
Prerequisite: PUBH 206. PUBH 206 with a grade of B- or better
Restriction: Graduate students only.
Concurrent with PUBHLTH 190.
PUBHLTH 286
Advanced Geographic Information Systems and Spatial Epidemiology
4 UNITS
Explore GIS software extensively, with lectures followed by hands-on tutorials. Topics include rasters, groundwater modeling, spatial statistics, and R programming. Analyze spatial epidemiology using public health data, with weekly assignments and a class project.
Prerequisite: PUBHLTH 283. PUBHLTH 283 with a grade of B- or better
Restriction: Graduate students only.
PUBHLTH 290
Special Topics in Public Health
4 UNITS
Studies in selected areas of public health. Topics addressed vary each quarter.
Repeatability: Unlimited as topics vary.
Restriction: Graduate students only.
Elective Courses (must complete a minimum of 8 units):
Most graduate level courses (200 series) in public health are approved electives for the M.P.H. Students may petition to meet the elective requirement by substituting other relevant course(s) for any of those on this list. If a course is taken to satisfy another requirement for the M.P.H., it cannot be counted as an elective concurrently:
| Course # | Course Name |
| EHS 201 | Case Studies in Environmental Toxicology |
| EHS 202 | Principles of Environmental Toxicology |
| EHS 203 | Occupational Epidemiology |
| EHS 204 | Neurotoxicology |
| EHS 207 | Experimental Design and Interpretation of Toxicology Studies |
| EHS 212 | Inhalation Toxicology |
| EHS 290 | Independent Study in Environmental Toxicology |
| EHS 297 | Advanced Topics in Occupational Toxicology |
| EHS 298 | Seminar in Environmental Health Sciences |
| EHS 299 | Research Problems |
| EPIDEM 200B | Intermediate Epidemiology |
| EPIDEM 200C | Advanced Epidemiologic Methods |
| EPIDEM 201 | Cancer Epidemiology |
| EPIDEM 204C | Biostatistics III. Advanced Statistical Methods |
| EPIDEM 205 | Environmental Epidemiology |
| EPIDEM 212 | Methods for Design and Implementation of Epidemiologic Research |
| EPIDEM 215 | Introduction to Statistical Genetics |
| EPIDEM 232 | Chronic Disease Epidemiology & Prevention |
| EPIDEM 244 | Toxic Chemicals in Environment |
| EPIDEM 275 | Special Topics in Epidemiology |
| EPIDEM 298 | Directed Study in Epidemiology |
| EPIDEM 299 | Independent Study in Epidemiology |
| PUBHLTH 208 | Advances in Social Epidemiology |
| PUBHLTH 209 | Methods of Demographic Analysis |
| PUBHLTH 210 | Theory-Driven Secondary Data Analysis |
| PUBHLTH 213 | Epidemiology in Global Health |
| PUBHLTH 213 | Epidemiology in Global Health |
| PUBHLTH 223 | Risk Communication |
| PUBHLTH 223 | Risk Communication |
| PUBHLTH 242 | Theories of Health Communication |
| PUBHLTH 244 | Health Behavior Theory |
| PUBHLTH 245 | Health Promotion Planning |
| PUBHLTH 246 | Social Research Methods |
| PUBHLTH 246 | Social Research Methods |
| PUBHLTH 247 | Program Evaluation |
| PUBHLTH 248 | Fundamentals of Maternal and Child Health – Programs, Problems, and Policy |
| PUBHLTH 251 | Models of Practice and Intervention at the Community Level |
| PUBHLTH 269 | Air Pollution, Climate, and Health |
| PUBHLTH 275 | Environmental Modeling and Risk Management |
| PUBHLTH 277A | Target Organ Toxicology I |
| PUBHLTH 277B | Target Organ Toxicology II |
| PUBHLTH 278 | Industrial Toxicology |
| PUBHLTH 279 | Special Topics in Environmental & Occupational Health |
| PUBHLTH 280 | Global Burden of Disease |
| PUBHLTH 281 | Infectious Disease Epidemiology |
| PUBHLTH 282 | Climate Change and Global Health |
| PUBHLTH 283 | Geographic Information Systems for Public Health |
| PUBHLTH 286 | Advanced Geographic Information Systems and Spatial Epidemiology |
| PUBHLTH 287 | Qualitative Research Methods in Public Health |
| PUBHLTH 289 | Special Topics in Global Health and Disease Prevention |
| PUBHLTH 290 | Special Topics in Public Health |
| PUBHLTH 291A | Seminar: Advances and Challenges in Public Health |
| PUBHLTH 291B | Seminar: Advances and Challenges in Public Health |
| PUBHLTH 291C | Seminar: Advances and Challenges in Public Health |
| PUBHLTH 292 | Ethics and Responsible Conduct of Research in Public Health |
| PUBHLTH 293 | Foundations of Clinical and Translational Science |
| PUBHLTH 294 | Research Communication in Public Health |
| PUBHLTH 297 | Research Design and Proposal Writing |
| PUBHLTH 298 | Directed Studies in Public Health |
| PUBHLTH 299 | Independent Study in Public Health |
