USC
University of Southern California
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Please note: Due to late revisions, some text on this page differs from what appears in the printed version of the USC Catalogue. The changes appear below as highlighted text, with corresponding explanations appearing in the right margin. Click here for more information.

Courses of Instruction

The terms indicated are expected but are not guaranteed. For the courses offered during any given term, consult the Schedule of Classes.

Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Studies (HP)

This new course is available beginning fall 2008.
HP 101 Current Issues in Medical Education and Healthcare (2) Current critical issues in healthcare delivery strategies to succeed in medical school and as physicians. Graded C/NC.

HP 200 Introduction to Health Promotion and Disease Prevention (4, FaSp) Introduction to strategies for promoting health and wellness. Includes self monitoring of health risk behavior, goal setting, and behavior changes.

HP 230 Nutrition and Health (4, FaSp) Nutrition as it relates to health promotion across the lifespan and disease prevention. Discussion of nutrients, factors affecting food choices, food safety and global nutrition issues.

HP 290 Introduction to Research Apprenticeship (2, max 8, FaSp) Individual research apprenticeship in health related fields under supervision of a departmental faculty member. Graded CR/NC.

HP 300 Theoretical Principles of Health Behavior (4, Fa) Overview and analysis of predictors and consequences of health-related behaviors; theoretical viewpoints and strategies for behavior change. Recommended preparation: HP 200; prerequisite: PSYC 100.

HP 320 Biological and Behavioral Basis of Disease (4, Fa) Examination of the major systems of the human body; disease processes and behavioral risk factors. Prerequisite: BISC 220L or BISC 221L.

HP 340L Health Behavior Statistical Methods (4, FaSp) Intermediate statistics for health behavior studies; topics include descriptive statistics, hypothesis testing, correlation and regression, and use of computer software in data analysis.

HP 350L Health Behavior Research Methods (4, Sp) Introduction to the design, conduct and evaluation of health behavior research studies; quantitative and qualitative approaches to research and analysis. Recommended preparation: HP 340L.

This new course is available beginning fall 2008.

HP 370 Introduction of Epidemiology: Methods and Applications (4) Examines the primary goals and methods of epidemiology, the study of factors that influence health and disease in individuals and populations.

HP 400m Culture, Lifestyle, and Health (4, Fa) Comparison of national and international differences in health status as influenced by cultural practices and lifestyles within geographic, economic and political environments.

HP 401 Cultural Competence: Promoting Health in Diverse Communities (4, Fa) Systematic development of specific professional skills for providing effective, culturally sensitive health services to diverse populations. Recommended preparation: ANTH 101.

HP 402 Maternal and Child Health (4, Sp) Health issues of women of childbearing age from pre-pregnancy through the postpartum period, and of children from their development in utero through early adolescence. Recommended preparation: PSYC 100.

HP 403 Behavioral Medicine (4, Sp) Examines behavioral risk factors for illness, health enhancing and health compromising behaviors, stress/coping in promoting health and preventing illness, and behavioral management of chronic illness. Prerequisite: PSYC 100.

HP 404 Religion and Health (4, Fa) Differential relationships of religiosity and spirituality with health and risk behaviors, physical and mental health outcomes, coping skills and well-being across cultures and religions.

HP 405 Sexually Transmitted Diseases: A Global Public Health Priority (4) An overview of the magnitude and impact of STDs including prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of common STDs, STD/HIV inter-relationship, global burden, trends, public health challenges, and STD/HIV prevention and control strategies and programs worldwide.

HP 410 Issues in Prevention and Cessation of Drug Abuse (4, Sp) Examination of factors related to drug abuse behaviors; overview and assessment of drug abuse prevention and cessation programs; relapse prevention programs. Recommended preparation: HP 300.

HP 411 Drug Intervention Program Design and Evaluation (4, Sp) Strategies for drug abuse prevention and intervention; introduction to techniques and research methods used in designing, conducting, and evaluating drug abuse prevention programs. Recommended preparation: HP 410.

HP 412 Health Promotion and Prevention Policy (4, Sp) Overview of health promotion and drug prevention policy at local, state, and federal levels; methods for evaluating policy effectiveness and cost effectiveness.

HP 420m Gender and Minority Health Issues (4, Fa) Examines the nature and roots of health disparities among women, men, and different ethnic and age groups; methods for reducing such disparities; strategies for prevention services.

HP 421 Violence as a Public Health Issue (4, Fa) Patterns and prevalence of violence; psychosocial, environmental, and biological influences on violent behavior; youth gangs; drugs and violence; family violence; and prevention and intervention strategies.

HP 422 AIDS in Society (4, Sp) Provides a broad examination of issues in HIV/AIDS, including behavioral, social, biological, clinical and ethical dimensions of the pandemic in the U.S. and elsewhere.

The title and description for this course will change in fall 2008. Show revised version

HP 430 Nutrition and Exercise Epidemiology (4, Fa) Principles of nutritional assessment and dietary needs of special population groups; meal planning and exercise prescriptions during the lifecycle and for groups with chronic diseases. Prerequisite: HP 230.

HP 430 Obesity and Health (4, Fa) Examination of causes and consequences of obesity, with emphasis on health risks of type II diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Recommended preparation: HP 230.

HP 431 Behavior and Education Strategies for Nutrition and Fitness (4, Sp) Examination of dietary intake and exercise behaviors as they relate to health and illness; methods for measuring diet and exercise. Recommended preparation: HP 430.

The prerequisites for this course will change in fall 2008. Show revised version

HP 432 Clinical Nutrition (4, Sp) Metabolism of carbohydrates, fats and protein; introduction to vitamins, minerals and dietary modifications in various pathological conditions. Prerequisite: CHEM 105a; recommended preparation: HP 230.

HP 432 Clinical Nutrition (4, Irregular) Metabolism of carbohydrates, fats and protein; introduction to vitamins, minerals and dietary modifications in various pathological conditions. Prerequisite: CHEM 322aL.

HP 433 Advanced Topics in Nutrition (4, Sp) In-depth discussion of vitamins and minerals and their role in human nutrition; introduction to the role of vitamins and minerals in selected pathological conditions. Prerequisite: HP 432.

HP 440 Happiness, Well-Being, and Health (4, Fa) Explores human strengths that promote happiness/well-being and whether they influence physical health; mind-body relationships; and strategies for promoting hope, resilience, and quality of life. Recommended preparation: HP 200, PSYC 100.

HP 441 Health Promotion in the Workplace (4, Fa) Covers phases of worksite health promotion; research, design, implementation and evaluation; concerns regarding escalating medical costs and the role of health promotion in offering solutions.

HP 442 Chronic Disease Epidemiology (4, Sp) Overview of causative factors and demographic distributions of the major chronic diseases in the western world; epidemiologic concepts and research designs. Recommended preparation: HP 320.

HP 443 Health Communication Strategies and Evaluation (4, Fa) Examination of how communication affects health behavior; role of doctor-patient contacts, social groups, community health campaigns, images in media, and advanced communication technologies.

HP 450 Traditional Eastern Medicine and Modern Health (4, Fa) Overview of traditional Eastern approaches toward health and disease; relevance to modern health issues, emphasizing a comparison between traditional Chinese and modern Western medicine. Recommended preparation: fundamentals of medicine.

HP 460 Adolescent Health (4, Fa) Survey of the development of healthy and the prevention of health-risk behaviors during adolescence. Prevention and promotion techniques will be explored emphasizing cultural differences. Prerequisites: HP 200, PSYC 100.

HP 480 Internship in Health Promotion and Disease Prevention (2-4, max 4, FaSpSm) Field placement in a community agency such as a county health services agency, a not for profit voluntary agency or a health care setting. Open to majors only. Graded CR/NC. Prerequisite: completion or concurrent registration in required core courses.

HP 490x Directed Research (2-8, max 8, FaSpSm) Individual research and readings. Not available for graduate credit. Open to HP majors only. Corequisite: HP 340L; recommended preparation: HP 350L.

HP 499 Special Topics (2-4, max 8) Lecture and discussion focused on specific topics within health promotion and disease prevention. Course topic will vary from semester to semester.

Preventive Medicine (PM)

PM 500 Foundations of Health Behavior (4, Fa) Overview of behavioral theory and research in disease prevention and health promotion and in adaptation of chronic disease, including an introduction to measures of outcomes. Prerequisite: admission to Ph.D. in Preventive Medicine.

PM 501 Foundations in Health Education and Promotion (4, FaSpSm) Overview and application of behavioral theories to the field of health education and promotion. Examines the determinants of health behavior and strategies for change at the individual, group and community level.

PM 505 Training and Curriculum Design in Public Health (4, Sm) Curriculum writing and training skills applied to public health needs and settings. Covers adult learning theories, assessment of learning needs, curriculum design, training design, conduct and evaluation. Recommended preparation: PM 500.

PM 508 Health Service Delivery in the U.S. (4, FaSpSm) Historical development of the American health care system; determinants of health care utilization; role of health care providers; health policy; public health services; and health care finance.

PM 509 Comparative Health Care Systems (4, Sp) Macro-level analysis of the structure and delivery of health care services around the world, including an examination and comparison of health system performance.

PM 510L Principles of Biostatistics (4, FaSp) Concepts of biostatistics; appropriate uses and common misuses of health statistics; practice in the application of statistical procedures; introduction to statistical software including EXCEL, SPSS, nQuery. Laboratory.

PM 511abL Data Analysis (4-4, a: Fa, b: Sp) a: Major parametric and nonparametric statistical tools used in biomedical research, computer packages including SAS. Includes laboratory. Lecture, 3 hours; laboratory, 1 hour. Prerequisite: PM 510L. b: Exploratory data analysis, detection of outliers, robust methods, fitting data with linear and nonlinear regression models, computer packages including BMDP. Includes laboratory. Lecture, 3 hours; laboratory, 1 hour. Prerequisite: PM 511aL.

PM 512 Principles of Epidemiology (4, FaSp) Terminology/uses of epidemiology and demography; sources/uses of population data; types of epidemiologic studies; risk assessment; common sources of bias in population studies; principles of screening. Recommended preparation: algebra.

PM 513 Experimental Designs (3, Sp) Statistical methods for analysis of various experimental designs. Parametric analysis of variance (ANOVA), repeated measures methods, crossover designs, non-parametric ANOVA. Prerequisite: PM 510L.

PM 514 Detection and Control of Sexually Transmitted Infections (4, Sm) Overview of issues concerning the design and implementation of STI prevention and control programs. Epidemiology, diagnosis, treatment and partner management strategies for common STIs in the U.S. Recommended preparation: PM 501, PM 512.

PM 515 Behavioral Epidemiology (3, 2 years, Sp) Basic understanding of behavioral risk factors in chronic disease and premature mortality; epidemiological methods for studying behavioral risk factors. Recommended preparation: PM 511ab, PM 512.

PM 516ab Statistical Problem Solving (1-1, FaSpSm) An overview of the tools used by statisticians for solving statistical problems. Prerequisite: PM 510L.

PM 517ab Research Methods in Epidemiology (a: 3, Fa, b: 3, Sp) a: Study design, ascertainment of study objects, questionnaire development, various methodological issues in data analysis and interpretation including bias, measurement error, confounding and effect modification. Prerequisite: PM 511aL, PM 518a. b: Overview of epidemiologic research in cancer. Selected cancer sites will be covered to highlight study design and conduct, exposure assessment, data analysis and interpretation. Prerequisite: PM 517a.

PM 518ab Statistical Methods for Epidemiological Studies I, II (3-3) a: Principles and methods used in epidemiology for comparing disease frequencies between groups. Restricted to the analysis of binary outcome variables. Prerequisite: PM 512. b: Statistical methods for binary outcomes by introducing techniques for cross classified risks and rates and regression models for individual data. Prerequisite: PM 518a.

PM 519 Introduction to Human Nutrition (4, Sp) Dietary role of carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, vitamins, and minerals in metabolism; nutritional assessment; nutritional deficiencies. Focus on the role of nutrition in the prevention and treatment of chronic disease. (Duplicates credit in former PHNU 527.) Recommended preparation: PM 530.

PM 520L Advanced Statistical Computing (3, SpSm) Techniques for the solution of statistical problems through intensive computing; iterative techniques, randomization tests, the bootstrap, Monte Carlo methods.

PM 521ab Seminar in Nutrition (2-2, FaSp) (Duplicates credit in former PHNU 520ab.)

PM 522ab Introduction to the Theory of Biostatistics (4, Fa; 4, Sp) a: Density distribution and hazard functions; normal, chi-square, student's t and F distributions; and sampling procedures for single factor and multiple factor designs, distributions. Prerequisite: undergraduate differential and integral calculus. b: Theory of estimation and testing, determining structure in data, and sampling methods. Prerequisite: PM 522a.

PM 523 Design of Clinical Studies (3, Sp) Design, conduct, and interpretation of results of clinical trials; emphasis on principles affecting structure, size, duration of a trial, and the impact of ethical and practical considerations. Prerequisite: PM 511abL, PM 513.

PM 524abc Practicum in Health Behavior (2-2-2, FaSpSm) Practical experience in a variety of field settings to gain a certain type of skill such as curriculum development, media production, and patient education. a: Practicum in prevention; b: practicum in compliance; c: practicum in health behavior topics. Recommended preparation: PM 500.

PM 525 Culture and Health: An International Perspective (4, Fa) International variations in health status with a focus on the impact of socioeconomic status, politics, environment, education and gender in etiology of illness, access to health care, progression of disease, and recovery.

PM 526 Communications in Public Health (4, Sp) Application of communication theories and methods to community health problems. Includes background assessment, program design, evaluation, social marketing, media advocacy, review of major health campaigns. Recommended preparation: PM 500.

PM 527 Epidemiology of Infectious Disease (3, Sp) Survey of natural history of infectious disease, methods of disease control and outbreak investigation. Prerequisite: PM 512.

PM 528 Program Design and Evaluation (4, Sp) Core concepts, methods and values of public health program planning and evaluation, including community needs assessment, writing objectives, designing health promotion programs, process and outcome evaluation. Recommended preparation: PM 500.

PM 529 Environmental Health: An Epidemiological Approach (4, FaSp) An overview of environmental health, identifying issues in assessing effects of exposure on health and potential interventions for reducing adverse health risks. Prerequisite: PM 510L, PM 512.

PM 530 Biological Basis of Disease (4, 2 years, Sp) With a physiological overview, differentiates genetic and environmental disease; emphasis on the relationships between lifestyle, behavior, and health. Prerequisite: admission to Ph.D. in Preventive Medicine, Health Behavior Research or basic biology.

PM 531 Research Methods in Nutrition (4, Fa) In-depth discussion of nutrition research including nutrition assessment, measurement of dietary intake, study design, statistical issues, critical appraisal, and translation into practice. Open to M.P.H. nutrition track students only. Prerequisite: PM 510, PM 512.

PM 532 Genetics in Public Health and Preventive Medicine (4, Sm) History and philosophy of public health genetics and mechanisms of genetic diseases. Epidemiologic methods used to identify genetic diseases in individuals, families, and populations. Emphasis on prevention and relevant ethical issues. Recommended preparation: PM 512.

PM 533 Genetic and Molecular Epidemiology (3, Fa) Genetic principles; design and analysis of family studies; introduction to likelihood estimation; segregation and linkage analysis; biomarkers of exposure, susceptibility, and disease; laboratory methods; susceptibility genes; association and linkage disequilibrium. Prerequisite: PM 510L, PM 511a, PM 512, PM 518a.

PM 534 Statistical Genetics (4, Sp) Familial aggregation, segregation analysis, linkage analysis, association, regressive models, gene-environment interactions, genetic heterogeneity and linkage disequilibrium. Prerequisite: PM 518a, PM 522a.

PM 535 Nutrition in Public Health (4, Fa) Principles related to developing effective programs and services to improve the health and nutrition within a community. Attaining and maintaining nutritional health related to biology, lifestyle choices, environments, and health care delivery systems. (Duplicates credit in former PHNU 523.) Recommended preparation: PM 530.

PM 536 Program Evaluation and Research (4, Fa) Overview of concepts, tools, data collection, analysis methods and designs used to evaluate health promotion programs. Examples from substance abuse prevention, family planning and reproductive health programs.

PM 537 Chronic Disease Epidemiology (3) Overview of causative factors and demographic distribution of major chronic diseases in the western world. Epidemiologic concepts, methods and research design as applied to chronic disease prevention will be emphasized. Prerequisite: PM 512; recommended preparation: PM 527.

PM 538 Introduction to Biomedical Informatics (3, FaSm) Overview of current topics, enabling technologies, research initiatives, and practical considerations in biomedical informatics.

PM 539 Nutrient-Drug Interactions (2, Sm) Examines the various ways foods, and the nutrients contained in them, interact with medications used to treat chronic health conditions.

PM 540 Maternal and Child Nutrition (4) Physiological basis for good nutrition during pregnancy and childhood through adolescence. Design, implementation and evaluation of public health nutrition programs serving women and children. Recommended preparation: PM 530.

PM 541 Obesity, Metabolism and Health (4, Fa) Overview of the epidemiology of obesity, related health conditions and mechanisms related to energy balance, food intake and genetics. Discussion of prevention and treatment strategies. Recommended preparation: PM 530.

PM 542 Social Network Analysis (4, Sp) Theory, methods and procedures of network analysis with emphasis on applications to public health programs.

PM 543L Nonparametric Statistics (3) (Enroll in MATH 543L)

PM 544L Multivariate Analysis (3, 2 years, SpSm) Exploratory and inferential techniques for multivariate data, Hotelling's T2, multivariate analysis of variance, classification analysis, principle components, cluster analysis, factor analysis. Involves computer use. Prerequisite: PM 510L, PM 522a.

PM 545L Introduction to Time Series (3) (Enroll in MATH 545L)

PM 546 Biological Threats and Terrorism (4, Fa) History of biowarfare and bioterrorism; proper surveillance techniques, capacity building for public health and medical communities, and the importance of effective communications. Methods of preparedness, prevention and response are examined. Recommended preparation: PM 512.

PM 550 Sample Surveys (3) (Enroll in MATH 550)

PM 552 Statistical Methods in Clinical Trials (3, 2 years, Sp) Stochastic failure process; parametric models for survival data; sample size estimation procedures for clinical trials; multivariate regression models for binary outcome and censored survival data; computer programs; multiple failure modes and competing risks. Prerequisite: PM 518a, MATH 408.

PM 561 Promoting Dietary Change (3, Sp) Development, implementation, and evaluation of dietary interventions at community and individual levels. Discussion of lifespan, culture, socioeconomic, and environmental factors. Open to M.P.H. nutrition track students only. Prerequisite: PM 501.

PM 562 Intervention Approaches for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention (4, Sp) Approaches for modifying health behavior in various settings and within diverse populations. Emphasis on practical considerations necessary to design and implement interventions with demonstrated effectiveness.

PM 563 Organizing and Mobilizing Communities for Global Health (4, Fa) Survey of effective community organizing and mobilization efforts in the U.S. and abroad, using participatory, organizational, community empowerment and public-private partnership models.

PM 564 Public Health Leadership and Management (4, Fa) Examination of future-focused leadership principles with applications to public health systems. Formulation and implementation of strategy, organizational management and change, and development of public health organizations.

PM 565 Emerging Trends In Global Health: A Public Health Seminar (4, Sp) Current public health issues and research topics relating to 21st century challenges and threats. Lessons learned and best practices to strengthen public health systems and enhance public health readiness and preparedness.

PM 566 Public Health in China: A System and Country in Transition (4, Fa) Scientific, political, economic, social, and historical influences affecting Chinese public health policy and practice. Prerequisite: PM 501, PM 510L; recommended preparation: PM 512.

PM 567 Floods, Quakes and Human Folly: An Interdisciplinary Approach to Disaster Study (4, Sp) Definition and chronology of natural and man-made disasters and their effects on the global community. Structure and organization of disaster management systems and the role of humanitarian organizations. Recommended preparation: PM 501, PM 512.

PM 568 Ethical Issues in International Health Research: Promotion and Intervention (4, Fa) Ethical principles in the distribution of health resources, the conduct of global public health research, and the implementation of public health initiatives and practices across different nations, cultures, religions. Recommended preparation: PM 501.

PM 570 Statistical Methods in Human Genetics (4, Sp) An introductory course in the statistical methods used in the analysis of human genetic data. Prerequisite: PM 533.

PM 571 Applied Logistic Regression (3, Sm) An introduction to the logistic regression model, emphasizing practical data analysis techniques. Prerequisite: PM 510L; PM 512; and PM 511aL or PM 518a.

PM 572 Systems Physiology and Disease I (4, Fa) (Enroll in INTD 572)

PM 573 Systems Physiology and Disease II (4, Sp) (Enroll in INTD 573)

PM 580 Foundations of Child Health (4, Sp) Overview of issues related to infant, child and adolescent health, including special health considerations at different points in the developmental cycle, health care systems and policies and health disparities.

PM 581 Quality and Inequality in Health Care: Examination of Health Services (4, Fa) Social inequalities, including racial/ethnic disparities and income related inequalities are examined in the context of access and delivery of health care in the U.S.

PM 582 Epidemiology and Prevention of Pediatric Injuries (4, Fa) Examines the incidence and causes of injuries to children from birth to adolescence, risk factor distributions and approaches to prevention.

PM 583 Foundations of Early Childhood Mental Health (4, Fa) Overview of major infant and early childhood mental health issues, relating to the status of child mental health and the importance of comprehensive systems of care for children that support resilience and respond to biological and psychosocial mental health risks.

PM 584 Systems of Care for Children with Special Needs (4, Sm) Examines and evaluates principles, policies, programs and practices (systems) that have evolved to identify, assess and meet the special needs of children and families. Includes both historical and current perspectives.

PM 585 Child Health Policy (4, Sp) History of child health and social welfare programs during the past century. Issues examining health status and health service delivery, the role of health care financing and health policy.

PM 590 Directed Research (1-12, FaSpSm) Research leading to the master's degree. Maximum units which may be applied to the degree to be determined by the department. Graded CR/NC.

PM 592abz Directed Field Research in Health Behavior (1-12, Sm) Research leading to the advanced degree. Graded CR/NC.

PM 593 Public Health Practicum (4 or 8, FaSpSm) Field placement in a community agency, such as a county health department or community-based organization. Open to MPH candidates only. Graded CR/NC. Recommended preparation: completion of all course work.

PM 594abz Master's Thesis (2-2-0, FaSpSm) Credit on acceptance of thesis. Graded IP/CR/NC.

PM 599 Special Topics (2-4, max 8, Irregular) Special topics relevant to the study of selected issues and areas of health behavior research or other aspects of preventive medicine.

PM 601 Basic Theory and Strategies in Prevention (4, 2 years, Fa) Psychosocial basis of health-hazardous lifestyle behaviors and preventive strategies. Recommended preparation: PM 500, PM 515.

PM 602 Basic Theory and Strategies for Compliance/Adaptation (4, 2 years, Fa) Behavioral and psychosocial demands of acute and chronic diseases. Comparison of theoretical models of compliance and adaptation with intervention methods to improve compliance and adaptation. Recommended preparation: PM 500, PM 515.

PM 603 Structural Equation Modeling (4, 2 years, Sp) Factor analytic and structural equation modeling approaches to health behavior research -- conceptual, practical and mathematical. Prerequisite: PM 511b.

PM 604 Health Behavior Research Methods (4, Fa) Health research/evaluation philosophies, approaches, and development of skills for development and critique of health behavior research projects/studies. Recommended preparation: PM 511.

PM 610 Seminar in Biostatistics and Epidemiology (1, max 4, FaSp) Special topics of current interest to provide background for research in biostatistics and epidemiology. Based largely on student dissertation research. Graded CR/NC. Prerequisite: Ph.D. level.

PM 611 Advanced Topics in Epidemiology (3, Irregular) Review of current epidemiologic research contained in recent medical literature; emphasis on critique of studies and interpretation of findings.

PM 690abcdz Directed Research in Health Behavior (2-2-2-2-0, FaSpSm) Independent research at an advanced level on a problem in the field of Health Behavior. Graded CR/NC. Recommended preparation: PM 604.

PM 756 Research Seminar in Health Behavior (1, max 6, FaSp) Short seminar presentations and discussions on issues accompanying the development of the field of health behavior and implementation of research in this field. Graded CR/NC.

PM 790 Research (1-12, FaSpSm) Research applicable to the doctorate. Maximum units which may be applied to the degree to be determined by the department. Graded CR/NC.

PM 794abcdz Doctoral Dissertation (2-2-2-2-0, FaSpSm) Credit on acceptance of dissertation. Graded IP/CR/NC.