Master of Science in Public Health Mission Statement The mission of the MSPH program is to provide students with advanced training in parasitology and infectious diseases in the context of public health for non-physicians. Program Description Many students who enter the MSPH program in tropical medicine and parasitology do so with the intention of working toward an advanced degree (MD, PhD, etc.) at a later time. This program provides a sound background for students who would like to work for advanced degrees in parasitology or other public health-related programs in infectious diseases. The degree requires a minimum of 42 credits of coursework (45 credits for those without a biological background). Because of scheduling and sequencing of courses, entry in the Summer or Fall Semester is strongly encouraged. Degree requirements include: a minimum of 42 credits consisting of core courses; specialty courses; course electives/independent study; practicum/culminating experiences. Program Competencies Students will be able to describe the basic biology and clinical manifestations of infections caused by parasitic helminths and protozoa, including morphological features, host-parasite interactions, geographic distribution, methods of transmission and control, pathology, and diagnosis. Methods of transmission and control will include vector-borne tropical infectious diseases. Pertinent courses/activities: TRMD 6050, TRMD 6070 Students will be able to describe the general anatomy, physiology, and taxonomy of arthropods and their role in the transmission of pathogens causing human disease, including epidemiology, pathogenesis, and methods of vector control. Pertinent courses/activities: TRMD 6060 Students will be able to describe the cells and tissues of the immune system, and mechanisms of innate and adaptive immunity, including cell-mediated and antibody-mediated immune responses and the complement system. In addition, students should be able to describe the mechanisms of immediate-type hypersensitivity reactions and transplant rejection. Pertinent courses/activities: TRMD 6170 Students will be able to describe the basic principles of biochemical, molecular, and immunological techniques used in biomedical research. Pertinent courses/activities: TRMD 6230, TRMD 6240 Students will be able to perform routine diagnostic tests for tropical diseases using a microscope, including hematologic, bacteriologic, and parasitologic studies. Competence must be demonstrated with hands-on laboratory experiences. They should also be familiar with appropriate use of specialized diagnostic tests, including culture techniques, antigen detection tests, serologic tests, and clinically relevant molecular techniques. Pertinent courses/activities: TRMD 6090, TRMD 6340 Operational skills that will be acquired include the ability to perform laboratory procedures for the diagnosis of parasitic and other tropical infections, epidemiologic and demographic studies for the prevention and control of parasitic diseases and the critical analysis of information related to parasitic infections, techniques employed in experimental research and basic statistical treatment of data. Many students who enter the MSPH program in parasitology do so with the intention of working toward an advanced degree at a later time. This program provides a sound background for students who would like to work for advanced degrees in parasitology or other public health-related programs in the infectious diseases. MSPH Degree Requirements The degree requires a minimum of 42 hours of coursework. Because of scheduling and sequencing of courses, entry in the summer or fall semester is strongly encouraged. Students must complete 200 hours of one of the following practicum experiences (practicum field sites): A) A laboratory-based research project on a topic chosen by the student, carried out by the student under the direction of a preceptor, and evaluated by the preceptor.
OR
B) A field placement under the supervision of a health professional. This placement may be with a health agency, a clinical laboratory, or an individual health professional working on a project related to the public health in the United States or abroad.
Students enrolled in the MSPH degree program may choose one of the following options for the culminating experience: 1. Written report or thesis on a laboratory or field based research project
2. Public Health Analysis. A written paper; graded pass-fail, no academic credit. 3. Comprehensive examination. A two-part examination (Part A-school core courses; Part B-specialty curriculum) is scheduled one month before graduation for completion of the MSPH degree in Tropical Medicine.
Course requirements for MSPH
| 
