Main Content
Syllabus
The information contained on this page is designed to give students a representative example of material covered in the course. Any information related to course assignments, dates, or course materials is illustrative only. For a definitive list of materials, please check the online catalog 3-4 weeks before the course start date.
PHP 527 Public Health Evaluation of Disasters and Bioterrorism (3): Introduces students to the design of exposure assessment and health effect studies applicable to disasters and terrorism. Prerequisite: PHP 510 or permission of the instructor
Overview
This course introduces students to the design of exposure assessment and health effect studies applicable to bioterrorism and disasters. Methodologies of exposure assessment, outbreak investigation, surveillance, and approaches of epidemiology in estimating the burden of disease are presented. Examples including the 9-11 attacks at Ground Zero and avian influenza are elaborated in terms of exposure assessment and health effect estimation.
Course Objectives
At the end of this course, students should be able to:
- Explain the nature of exposure problems in daily life and in disaster scenarios
- Describe typical exposure assessment methods
- Discuss public health evaluation of disasters and bioterrorism and explain it to those unfamiliar with it
Materials
Most World Campus courses require that students purchase materials (e.g., textbooks, specific software, etc.). To learn about how to order materials, please see the Course Materials page. You should check LionPATH approximately 3–4 weeks before the course begins for a list of required materials.
Library
Many of the University Libraries resources can be utilized from a distance. Through the Libraries website, you can
- access magazine, journal, and newspaper articles online using library databases;
- borrow materials and have them delivered to your doorstep—or even your desktop;
- get research help via email, chat, or phone using the Ask a Librarian service; and
- much more.
You must have an active Penn State Access Account to take full advantage of the Libraries' resources and service. The Off-Campus Users page has additional information about these free services.
Technical Requirements
For this course we recommend the minimum World Campus technical requirements listed below:
| Operating System | Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8*; Mac OS X 10.5 or higher *Windows 8 support excludes the tablet only RT version |
|---|---|
| Processor | 2 GHz or higher |
| Memory | 1 GB of RAM |
| Hard Drive Space | 20 GB free disk space |
| Browser | We recommend the latest ANGEL-supported version of Firefox or
Internet Explorer. To determine if your browser fits this criterion,
and for advice on downloading a supported version,
please refer to the following ITS knowledge base article: Supported Browsers and Recommended Computers.
Note: Cookies, Java, and JavaScript must be enabled. Pop-up blockers should be configured to permit new windows from Penn State websites. Due to nonstandard handling of CSS, JavaScript and caching, older versions of Internet Explorer (such as IE 6 or earlier) do not work with our courses. |
| Plug-ins | Adobe Reader [Download from Adobe]
Flash Player (v7.0 or later) [Download from Adobe] |
| Additional Software | Microsoft Office (2007 or later) |
| Internet Connection | Broadband (cable or DSL) connection required |
| Printer | Access to graphics-capable printer |
| DVD-ROM | Required |
| Sound Card, Microphone, and Speakers | Required |
| Monitor | Capable of at least 1024 x 768 resolution |
If you need technical assistance at any point during the course, please contact the Service Desk.
For registration, advising, disability services, help with materials, exams, general problem solving, visit World Campus Student Services!
Privacy Notice
For your privacy, the World Campus has chosen to limit course access to only those individuals that have a direct impact on your educational experience. In addition to the instructor, a teaching assistant may be assigned to the course to insure optimal faculty availability and access. At times, your course instructor may invite a guest lecturer in order to meet a specific educational goal or objective. Each course has one or two instructional designers to assist the instructor in managing both the course content and the online delivery. Finally, the Program Chair has course access for administrative and educational purposes. The Program Chair can serve as a valuable resource and mentor to both faculty and students. The Program Chair, in collaboration with your instructor, is ultimately responsible for overall course quality and for making sure that the academic integrity of the course is consistent with University and Program policies.
Netiquette
Netiquette ("[inter]net" + "etiquette") is a special set of personal conduct rules for online communication and a topic worth reviewing. Remember, it is inappropriate to send offensive e-mail, chain letters or items that interfere with others' work. See these tips for guidance on the content of your postings and other online communications in this course.
Interacting with the Course TA
Your course may have a TA. The course TA interacts with teams and individual students through discussion forums, e-mail, or E-Live. They provide guidance and feedback, as needed, with respect to team and individual activity assignments. Finally, they serve as a resource to students for general questions regarding lesson content and regarding preparation for the essay, research proposal, and final exam.
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Course Schedule
Note that assignments are due based on the Eastern Time zone (EST or EDT). This ensures that all students have the same deadlines regardless of where they live.
- Course length: 15 weeks
| College of Medicine | Activity |
|---|---|
| 1: Course Introduction |
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| 2: Exposure Concept |
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| 3: Exposure Assessment - Foundations |
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| 4: Exposure Assessment - Applications |
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| 5: Outbreak Investigation |
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| 6: Measures of Disease Frequency and Association |
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| 7: Surveillance and Data Sources |
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| 8: Mid-term Assessment |
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| 9: Epidemiological Study Design (Part 1) |
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| 10: Epidemiological Study Design (Part 2) |
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| 11: Chance, Bias, Confounding, and Effect Modification |
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| 12: Case Study: 9-11 Ground Zero |
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| 13: Case Study: Avian Influenza |
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| 14: Common Statistics and Measures in Epidemiology |
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| 15: Final week |
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Course Access
Formal instruction will end on the last day of class. Provided that you have an active Penn State Access Account user ID and password, you will continue to be able to access the course materials for one year, starting from the end date of the academic semester in which the course was offered (with the exception of library reserves and other external resources that may have a shorter archival period). After one year, you might be able to access the course based on the policies of the program or department offering the course material, up to a maximum of three years from the end date of the academic semester in which the course was offered. For more information, please review the University Course Archival Policy.
Graduation
NOTE: If you are planning to graduate this semester, please communicate your intent to graduate to your instructor. This will alert your instructor to the need to submit your final grade in time to meet the published graduation deadlines. For more information about graduation policies and deadlines, please see "Graduation" on the World Campus Student Policies website.Unsatisfactory Grades
Unsatisfactory Grades All degree-seeking students in the MHS program who receive an F in the course will be reviewed by the Committee on Admissions and Academic Affairs, which has the final say regarding continued progress toward the degree, and under what conditions.
Grading
| Assignment | Weight |
|---|---|
| Participation | 10% |
| Course Introductory Activities | 10% |
| Individual Activities | 25% |
| Team Activities | 10% |
| Mid-Term Assessment | 20% |
| Final Assessment | 25% |
Please refer to the University Grading Policy for Graduate Courses for additional information about University grading policies.
Academic Integrity
According to Penn State policy G-9: Academic Integrity , an academic integrity violation is “an intentional, unintentional, or attempted violation of course or assessment policies to gain an academic advantage or to advantage or disadvantage another student academically.” Unless your instructor tells you otherwise, you must complete all course work entirely on your own, using only sources that have been permitted by your instructor, and you may not assist other students with papers, quizzes, exams, or other assessments. If your instructor allows you to use ideas, images, or word phrases created by another person (e.g., from Course Hero or Chegg) or by generative technology, such as ChatGPT, you must identify their source. You may not submit false or fabricated information, use the same academic work for credit in multiple courses, or share instructional content. Students with questions about academic integrity should ask their instructor before submitting work.
Students facing allegations of academic misconduct may not drop/withdraw from the affected course unless they are cleared of wrongdoing (see G-9: Academic Integrity ). Attempted drops will be prevented or reversed, and students will be expected to complete course work and meet course deadlines. Students who are found responsible for academic integrity violations face academic outcomes, which can be severe, and put themselves at jeopardy for other outcomes which may include ineligibility for Dean’s List, pass/fail elections, and grade forgiveness. Students may also face consequences from their home/major program and/or The Schreyer Honors College.
How Academic Integrity Violations Are Handled
World Campus students are expected to act with civility and
personal integrity; respect other students' dignity, rights, and
property; and help create and maintain an environment in which all
can succeed through the fruits of their own efforts. An environment
of academic integrity is requisite to respect for oneself and
others, as well as a civil community.
In cases where academic integrity is questioned, the Policy on Academic Integrity indicates that procedure requires an instructor to inform the student of the allegation. Procedures allow a student to accept or contest a charge. If a student chooses to contest a charge, the case will then be managed by the respective college or campus Academic Integrity Committee. If that committee recommends an administrative sanction (Formal Warning, Conduct Probation, Suspension, Expulsion), the claim will be referred to the Office of Student Accountability and Conflict Response.
All Penn State colleges abide by this Penn State policy, but review procedures may vary by college when academic dishonesty is suspected. Information about Penn State's academic integrity policy and college review procedures is included in the information that students receive upon enrolling in a course. To obtain that information in advance of enrolling in a course, please contact us by going to the Contacts & Help page .
University Policies
Deferred Grades
If, for reasons beyond the student's control, a student is prevented from completing a course within the prescribed time, the grade in that course may be deferred with the concurrence of the instructor. The symbol DF appears on the student's transcript until the course has been completed. Non-emergency permission for filing a deferred grade must be requested by the student before the beginning of the final examination period. In an emergency situation, an instructor can approve a deferred grade after the final exam period has started. Under emergency conditions during which the instructor is unavailable, authorization is required from one of the following: the dean of the college in which the candidate is enrolled; the executive director of the Division of Undergraduate Studies if the student is enrolled in that division or is a provisional student; or the campus chancellor of the student's associated Penn State campus.
For additional information please refer to the Deferring a Grade page.
For information about additional policies regarding Penn State Access Accounts; credit by examination; course tuition, fees, and refund schedules; and drops and withdrawals, please see the World Campus Student Center website.
Disclaimer: Please note that the specifics of this Course Syllabus are subject to change, and you will be responsible for abiding by any such changes. Your instructor will notify you of any changes.