Office of Programs and Academic Assessment (MC 103) 2630 University Hall 601 South Morgan Street Chicago, Illinois 60607-7128 September 26, 2012 TO: FROM: Ilene Harris, Chair Senate Committee on Educational Policy Kim Neumann, Director of Academic Program Development I am submitting for review and action by the Senate Committee on Educational Policy the attached Proposal to Revise the Concentration in Water Quality and Health, Master of Public Health. The revision was approved by the Committee on Educational Programs in the School of Public Health on March 13, 2012. October 3, 2012 1
Title: Revision of the Concentration in Water Quality and Health, Master of Public Health Sponsor: Division of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences School of Public Health Description: Changes are being made to the Water Quality and Health Concentration (approved last year) as a result of ongoing evaluation of the Water Quality and Health concentration ( the concentration ) by EOHS faculty, communications with the instructor of CME 521, and students in the program. The goal of these changes is to better prepare students for careers in water quality and public health, while simultaneously increasing program flexibility. 1) Change CME 521 (Environmental Microbiology, 4 hours) from a requirement to a selective. 2) Add the following courses to the list of selectives: EPID 594 (Outbreak Investigations/Field Epidemiology); EOHS 405 (Environmental Calculations); EOHS 512 (Advanced Water Quality Management Topics); EOHS 542 (Water Chemistry); UPP 461 (Geographic Information Systems for Planning). Add EOHS 436 (GIS for Environmental and Public Health Professionals, 4 hours - newly developed) to the list of choices for the GIS option. 3) Remove EOHS 565 (Datamining Applications in Public Health) from the list of selectives. 4) Remove EOHS 543 (Environmental Organic Chemistry) from the list of recommended electives. Remaining recommended electives will be added to the selective list. Students must take a minimum of 3 courses from the selective list rather than 2. Total minimum credit hours for the program will change from 45 to 43 hours. Justification: 1) Change CME 521 (Environmental Microbiology) from a requirement to a selective. The rationale for this change is that this course presents an engineering approach to environmental microbiology, which may be of interest but is not required in the knowledge base of a public health student. 2) Add EPID 594 (Outbreak Investigations /Field Epidemiology) to the list of selectives. This course includes three modules of water-borne disease outbreaks. Given the importance of investigating environmental disease outbreaks to practitioners in the field of water quality and health, this course should be of value to student in the concentration. Revise the list of selectives regarding GIS courses: EOHS 564 (Geographic Information System Application in Public Health) or UPP 461 (Geographic Information Systems for Planning) or EOHS 436 (GIS for Environmental and Public Health Professionals). EOHS 436 will give students more solid, basic skills in GIS so that they are able to handle more complex analyses that are specific to EOHS. Because EOHS 564 is taught online only, students who prefer the in-class format will now have the option of acquiring skills in mapping by enrolling in the UPP course. October 3, 2012 2
Add EOHS 405 (Environmental Calculations) to the list of selectives. Fundamentals of mass-balance models and the movement of pollutants through environmental media (including water) may be valuable to students in the concentration. Add EOHS 512 (Advanced WQ Management Topics) to the list of selectives (this course was previously a recommended elective). This course may be of value to students who wish to pursue future doctoral training in water quality management. This will not be a requirement because students need flexibility in scheduling their electives, and may not be planning to go on to the PhD. Add EOHS 542 (Water Chemistry) to the list of selectives (this course was previously a recommended elective). This is the next level course for a student who seeks a greater depth of understanding of the natural science involved in water quality. It is a selective (rather than a requirement) since there is a subset of students who will have a greater interest in policy rather than natural science. 3) Remove EOHS 565 (Datamining Applications in Public Health) from the list of selectives. While the data mining methodologies have the potential to be applied to water quality data, the class is taught with an emphasis on health outcomes data and non-water media. 4) Remove EOHS 543 (Environmental Organic Chemistry) from the list of recommended electives. This course is a PhD level course and one of the listed prerequisites will be changed to PhD standing in the future. Catalog Statement: See below Minority Impact Statement: Greater flexibility in which courses may be selected and in learning style (online versus in class) will enhance the diversity of students that can be successful in this program. Budgetary and Staff Implications: The addition, deletion, and revising of courses does not alter the current need for financial support or staff. Library Resource Implications: Space Implications: There are no special library resource implications, since students will utilize the same types of publications/documents and library guaranteed internet access. There are no additional space requirements; our existing classrooms, teaching laboratories, and online teaching platforms are adequate to support these changes. October 3, 2012 3
Unit (e.g. department) approval date: College (educational policy committee, faculty) approval dates: Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences: November 11, 2011 School of Public Health Committee on Educational Programs: March 13, 2012 School of Public Health Executive Committee: Submitted as an informational item for April 2, 2012 meeting Contact Person: Samuel Dorevitch sdorevit@uic.edu Proposed Effective Date: Fall, 2013 October 3, 2012 4
Water Quality and Health Concentration, MPH Current (Total Minimum Hours=45) MPH Core (23 25 hours) BSTT 400 Biostatistics I 4 SH SAME Proposed (Total Minimum Hours=43) MPH Core (23 25 hours) CHSC 400 Public Health Concepts and Practice 3 SH CHSC 401 Behavioral Sciences in Public Health 3 SH EOHS 400 Principles of Environmental Health 3 SH Sciences EPID 403 Introduction to Epidemiology: 3 SH Principles and Methods HPA 400 Principles of Management in Public 3 SH Health IPHS 650 Field Experience in Public Health 3 5 SH IPHS 698 MPH Capstone Experience 1 SH Required Non Credit Training: http://tigger.uic.edu/depts/ovcr/research/protocolreview/irb/ education/initial.shtml HIPAA Research 101 No credit Investigator Training 101 No credit Required Courses for the WQH Concentration (16 hours) Required Courses for the WQH Concentration (12 hours) EOHS 411 Water quality management (4 SH) SAME EOHS 418 Analysis of water and wastewater quality (2 SH) EOHS 440 Chemistry for environmental professionals (3 SH) EOHS 455 Environmental and occupational toxicology (3 SH) CME 521 Environmental microbiology (4 SH) (moved to selectives, below) Two of the following Selectives: (6 8 hours) Three of the following Selectives: (8 12) EOHS 475 Health related database design and analysis (4 SH) EOHS 475 Health related database design and analysis (4 SH) EOHS 556 Risk assessment in environmental and occupational EOHS 556 Risk assessment in environmental and health (3 SH) occupational health (3 SH) EOHS 564: GIS application in public health (3 SH) Preferred: EOHS 436 GIS for Environmental and Public Health Professionals (4 SH) or EOHS 565 Datamining applications in public health (3 SH) EOHS 572 Environmental risk assessment and management (4 SH) EOHS 564: GIS application in public health (3 SH) or Acceptable: UPP 461 GIS for planning (4 SH) DELETE EPID 594: Outbreak investigations/epi field methods (3 SH) EOHS 572 Environmental risk assessment and management (4 SH) CME 521 Environmental microbiology (4 SH) Recommended Electives EOHS 512 Advanced water quality management topics (4 SH) EOHS 542 Water Chemistry (4 SH) EOHS 543 Environmental Organic Chemistry (4 SH) EOHS 405 Environmental calculations (2 SH) DELETE (courses below are now part of selective options) EOHS 512 Advanced water quality management topics (4 SH) EOHS 542 Water Chemistry (4 SH) DELETE October 3, 2012 5
Catalog Statement: Current UIC SPH Catalogue publichealth.uic.edu/departments/environmentalandoccupation alhealthsciences The division of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences (EOHS) is one of four academic divisions of the School of Public Health (SPH). EOHS prepares students to protect the environment and improve the health of workers and the general public. EOHS students learn to anticipate, identify and assess environmental and workplace health hazards, recommend corrective measures, institute programs to reduce morbidity and mortality, and evaluate these efforts. Proposed SAME EOHS offers the following degree, joint degree and academic certificate programs: Master of Public Health (MPH) Master of Science (MS) Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) MBA/MPH MD/MPH Emergency Management and Continuity Planning Certificate Master of Public Health (MPH) The Master of Public Health (MPH) degrees offered by the Division of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences trains students in the areas of exposure and risk assessment, environmental and occupational toxicity and injury, risk management and evaluation, and policy. MPH students are admitted to the Comprehensive Program or to the Professional Enhancement Program (PEP) for experienced professionals with at least three years of paid public health or community health experience. Students admitted to the EOHS division may choose a generalist track or focus their studies in any of the concentrations or areas of emphasis below: EOHS MPH Programs of Study Industrial Hygiene Concentration Water Quality and Health Concentration Environmental & Occupational Health Policy Concentration General EOHS MPH Occupational Medicine Residency program (for residents, only) SAME EOHS MPH Programs of Study Industrial Hygiene Concentration Water Quality and Health Concentration Environmental & Occupational Health Policy Concentration Occupational Safety Concentration General EOHS MPH Occupational Medicine Residency program (for residents, only) October 3, 2012 6
COURSE DESCRIPTIONS BSTT 400 Biostatistics I 4 hours. Descriptive statistics, basic probability concepts, one and two sample statistical inference, analysis of variance, and simple linear regression. Introduction to statistical data analysis software. Enrollment restricted to public health students and healthcare administration students; other graduate, professional and advanced undergraduate students admitted by consent as space permits. To obtain consent, see the SPH registrar. CHSC 400 Public Health Concepts and Practice 3 hours. Introduction and overview of public health systems, including the philosophy, purpose, history, organization, functions, tools, activities, and results of public health practice. Prerequisite(s): Graduate or professional standing; or approval of the department. CHSC 401 Behavioral Sciences in Public Health 3 hours. Provides grounding in the social and behavioral sciences to analyze public health issues, including individual, community, institutional, and societal factors influencing health and illness. Prerequisite(s): Graduate or professional standing; or approval of the department. EPID 403 Introduction to Epidemiology: Principles and Methods 3 hours. Introduction to descriptive and analytic epidemiology, and determinants of health and disease in populations. Measures of occurrence, association and statistical testing will be addressed, along with study designs, bias and confounding. Prerequisite(s): Credit or concurrent registration in BSTT 400 and graduate or professional standing; or consent of the instructor. EOHS 400 Principles of Environmental Health Sciences 3 hours. Environmental influences on health: population, food, energy; community hygiene and injury control; solid/hazardous wastes, air and water pollution, radiation; industrial hygiene and occupational health. Prerequisite(s): Enrollment restricted to public health students; other graduate, professional and advanced undergraduate students admitted by consent as space permits. To obtain consent, see the SPH registrar. HPA 400 Principles of Management in Public Health 3 hours. A detailed discussion of the conceptual and theoretical foundations to the principles of management with an emphasis on public health and health care settings. Prerequisite(s): Enrollment restricted to public health students; other graduate, professional and advanced undergraduate students admitted by consent as space permits. To obtain consent, see the SPH registrar. EOHS 405 Environmental Calculations 2 hours. Problem solving techniques as applied to environmental and occupational health: dimensional analysis, mass and energy balances, trial and error solutions, numerical and graphical techniques. Recommended background: Mathematics through calculus, college physics and chemistry. EOHS 411 Water Quality Management 4 hours. Water pollution; historical and current developments in problems and solutions: characterization of pollutants, regulatory framework, risk assessment, standards, modeling, water purification, public health concerns. Prerequisite(s): Taught online. Consent of the instructor. EOHS 418 Analysis of Water and Wastewater Quality 2 hours. Basic instrumentation and procedures related to measurement and surveillance of various water quality parameters. EOHS 436 4 hours. GIS for Environmental and Public Health Professionals 4 hours. The course aims to promote a critical understanding of the basic practices and techniques associated with GIS applications in the environmental and public health areas. Taught online. Prerequisite(s): Enrollment in a program offered within the Division of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences or consent of the instructor. Recommended Background: Computer skills (knowledge of Excel is a minimum) and a strong quantitative background. October 3, 2012 7
EOHS 440 Chemistry for Environmental Professionals 3 hours. Introductory atmospheric chemistry, aspects of air pollution, chemistry related to natural water and water treatment; priority organic pollutants and heavy metals. Same as CME 411. Prerequisite(s): One year of college chemistry. EOHS 455 Environmental and Occupational Toxicology 3 hours. General and applied toxicology as it relates to environmental and occupational exposures to hazardous agents. Emphasis on basic principles, specific types of toxicity, and major classes of toxic agents. Prerequisite(s): CHEM 232 and CHEM 234 and BIOS 100 or the equivalent courses and senior standing or above or consent of the instructor. EOHS 475 Health Related Database Design and Analysis 4 hours. Introduces students to the design and analysis of health related relational and spatial databases. Same as HPA 480. Extensive computer use required. Taught online only. Prerequisite(s): Consent of the instructor. Recommended Background: Strong quantitative background recommended. EOHS 512 Advanced Water Quality Management Topics 4 hours. Water quality management course examining drinking water quality and contaminant discharge topics. Risk assessment methodologies are applied for deriving optimal decisions. Extensive computer use required. Prerequisite(s): EOHS 411 or consent of the instructor. EOHS 542 Water Chemistry 4 hours. Chemical equilibria and kinetic principles as applied to processes occurring in natural and engineered water systems. Same as CME 524. Prerequisite(s): EOHS 440 or CME 411. EOHS 556 Risk Assessment in Environmental and Occupational Health 3 hours. Methodologies for utilizing toxicological and epidemiological data to estimate health risks due to exposures to pollutants in environments. Prerequisite(s): EOHS 405 and BSTT 401 and EPID 400; or consent of the instructor. EOHS 564 Geographic Information System Application in Public Health 3 hours. Examination of GIS applications in Public Health and the process of designing a GIS based public health investigation. Same as HPA 564. This is an on line course. Prerequisite(s): BSTT 400 and HPA 465 and consent of the instructor. EOHS 572 Environmental Risk Assessment and Management 4 hours. Risk assessment from a public health, quantitative and environmental risk management perspective. EPID 594 Advanced Special Topics in Epidemiology 1 TO 4 hours. (NOTE: Topic must be Outbreak Investigations/EPI Field Methods to be used toward the concentration in WQH) Advanced special topics in substantive areas of Epidemiology (including infectious disease, chronic disease, environmental/occupational, social, methods, etc). Course content will vary with each offering. May be repeated. Students may register in more than one section per term. Prerequisite(s): EPID 401 or EPID 403 or consent of instructor. CME 521 Environmental Microbiology. 4 hours. Microbial cell structure and function, applications of molecular biology in microbial ecology, biogeochemical cycles. Prerequisite(s): Credit or concurrent registration in CME 422; or consent of the instructor. Recommended background: A basic understanding of biology. UPP 461 Geographic Information Systems for Planning. 3 OR 4 hours. Applications of Geographic Information Systems to urban planning and policy making. Same as GEOG 469. 3 undergraduate hours. 4 graduate hours. Prerequisite(s): Junior standing or above; and consent of the instructor. Priority registration will be given to students admitted to a campus certificate program in Geospatial Analysis and Visualization, graduate students in Urban Planning and Policy, or students in the Master of Arts in October 3, 2012 8
Real Estate program. COURSE DESCRIPTIONS FOR DELETED COURSES EOHS 543 Environmental Organic Chemistry 4 hours. Properties and behavior of environmental organic pollutants. Theory and estimation techniques. Concepts of environmental fate assessment. Applications of fate models. Same as CME 523. Prerequisite(s): EOHS 440 or CME 411. EOHS 565 Datamining Applications in Public Health 3 hours. Presents the key public health information system sources, describes the process of datamining and introduces the student to a sample of datamining techniques. Same as HPA 565. Extensive computer use required. Prerequisite(s): BSTT 400 UPP 461 SELECTIVE APPROVAL ---------------------------- Original Message ---------------------------- Subject: Re: Your GIS course From: "Kazuya Kawamura" <kazuya@uic.edu> Date: Tue, February 7, 2012 7:26 am To: "Forst, Linda" <forst-l@uic.edu> Cc: sdorevit@uic.edu "Savar, Nina" <nsavar@uic.edu> "Dieber, Max" <maxdbr@uic.edu> "Ann K. Barnds" <abarnd1@uic.edu> "Hazel Brown" <memi@uic.edu> -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Linda, I am fine with the idea that making UPP461 a selective for the students in the water quality and health concentration for the Master of Public Health degree in Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences with the understanding that the number of student in the concentration will be relatively small (5 maximum), and while we cannot guarantee that they will be accommodated in UPP461 when the sections are full, we will give those students the same level of priority given to the students in other cross-college initiatives such as NSF-IGERT programs. Is this acceptable? Kazuya On 2/6/2012 2:47 PM, Forst, Linda wrote: > Hi Kazuya. > > There will be, I would think, 0-5 students per year taking UPP 461 > > No semester preferance. > > You do not have to accomodate our students if you are full, but it would October 3, 2012 9
> be great it you would consider them more strongly than students at large. > > 461 is a selective (along with another GIS course in our Division), not a > requirement. Our Division would always take these students; but your slant > is a little different and some students are more attracted to that. > > Thanks. Linda CME 521 CHANGE TO SELECTIVE APPROVAL Sam Subject: RE: CME 521 From: "Karl Rockne" <krockne@uic.edu> Date: Fri, January 6, 2012 1:52 pm To: "'Dorevitch, Samuel'" <sdorevit@uic.edu> Cc: forst-l@uic.edu Priority: Normal Options: View Full Header View Printable Version Download this as a file View Message Details Add to Address Book OK. I'll go back to teaching it with more technical content; the feedback from some of the engineering students is that they preferred a more quantitative approach. Perhaps I should have waited for everything to be finalized before I expended the effort. Lesson learned. Regards, Karl Karl J Rockne, Ph.D., P.E. Associate Professor of Environmental Engineering Director of Undergraduate Studies Department of Civil and Materials Engineering University of Illinois-Chicago 3077 Engineering Research Facility M/C 246, 842 West Taylor St. Chicago, Illinois 60607-7023 312/413-0391; 312/996-2426 Fax krockne@uic.edu October 3, 2012 10
-----Original Message----- From: Dorevitch, Samuel [mailto:sdorevit@uic.edu] Sent: Friday, January 06, 2012 12:06 PM To: Karl Rockne Cc: forst-l@uic.edu Subject: CME 521 Dear Karl, I hope you've had a great winter break and that 2012 is off to a great start. It's been a year since the School of Public Health proposed the MPH concentration in "Water Quality and Health." We've solicited input from faculty, students, and EOHS alumni regarding careers and educational objectives in water quality in health. Based on that feedback, we'll propose several relatively minor changes in the program. Four students from the SPH did enroll in CME 521 last year, though only two of them completed the course. The students did found the course interesting and were glad they enrolled. Students with a background in microbiology thought that the course need not be a requirement for all SPH students in the Water Quality and Health curriculum, particularly those who had taken prior coursework in microbiology. Accordingly, our Division will propose changing CME 521 from a requirement to a "selective." Students with specific interests in environmental engineering and environmental microbiology will be encouraged to take the course. I appreciate the thought and effort you put into revising the course so that students without engineering backgrounds could benefit, and I hope to direct students to the course in the future. I'd be glad to discuss this further with you. Best, Sam October 3, 2012 11