Credit Hours

Course description

Course title

2

The course introduces students to the various disciplines of public health. Topics covered by the course include: history of public health, the modern public health, core functions of public health, measurements of health, principles of communicable and non-communicable disease control,introduction to the Palestinian health care system, social determinants of health, mental health, environmental and occupational health, ethics of health, and other hot topics of public health.

Introduction to Public Health

8081510

3

This course focuses on the statistical description of data and inference with applications to research in public health.  Topics covered: descriptive statistics, graphical displays of data, introduction to probability, expectations and variance of random variables, confidence intervals and tests for means, differences of means, proportions, differences of proportions, chi-square tests for categorical variables, hypothesis testing, an introduction to analysis of variance, regression and multiple regression.  Statistical software will be used to supplement hand calculation.

Biostatistics & SPSS

8081512

2

This course provides an introduction to the basic principles and methods of epidemiology. This unique branch of science is necessary to give the student an understanding of disease present in the community in the past and present, it will allow the student to conceptualize, analyze, and evaluate an epidemiological study relevant to the community. Topics covered:  measures of disease frequency & associations, study designs used in epidemiological research, concepts of confounding and bias, screening & diagnostic tests, causation concepts, and epidemiology and health services.

Epidemiology

8081523

2

The course consists of two parts and introduction to health management and to health economics. The health management focuses on the managerial functions, processes and managerial roles. Enhancing students’ managerial skills to advance their capacity as decision makers both at the macro and micro levels is also among the aims of the course. The health economics aims part at providing students with basic knowledge of health economics and the application of economic theory to health care context. This includes the market concept and market failure in health care, methods of financing health care, analysis of health care financing in Palestine, cost analysis and the tools used for economic evaluation for health programs are also discussed.

Health Management & Economics

8081511

2

The course focuses on practical issues in the conduction of epidemiological, and health services research studies with an emphasis on survey research methods.  Both quantitative and qualitative methods of research will be covered. Topics will cover conceptual phase of the research process including research ethics, formulating studies, aims, objectives, quantitative and qualitative research designs, validity and reliability, quantitative and qualitative sampling strategies, hypothesis formulation and testing, measurement types, the implementation phase of the research process, data collection methods and criteria, the analysis & interpretation phase of the research process and dissemination, proposal development  phases, and research critique.

Research methodology

8081513

3

In this course the student takes a position in a health care or public health institution such as a hospital, a PHC, a government or non-governmental agency, or any other health care institution. Students will have to spend one full-time working day each week during the academic semester (around 14 working days) at the institution chosen to do their residency. The residency requires students to apply and test the theories, skills and knowledge acquired in the academic setting. Practical application of skills and knowledge is an essential part of professional degree programs, offering learning opportunities not available in classrooms. The residency is a planned and supervised learning experience gained through first-hand observations and operational responsibilities in a health services organization. It is coordinated with the target institutions and mentors within the institutions will guide the students. However, the students will be supervised and monitored by the course instructor at the School of Public Health. In addition to gaining some breadth of experience within the host

Residency***

8081665

6

Thesis 1 aims at providing the students with an opportunity to apply research knowledge in designing a workable research proposal. At the end of thesis 1, students are required to present their research proposal for approval by the faculty before starting in (Thesis 2). Thesis 2 consists of implementing the approved research work plan. Each thesis student will have one supervisor. The supervisor can be one of the program faculty members or another person from inside the university from a relevant field and who have the qualification required by the Deanship of Graduate Studies.

Thesis 1*

8081660

& Thesis  2*

8081662

2

This course aims at providing the students with opportunity to apply research knowledge in designing a workable research proposal as a first step in the process of conducting research. At the end of the course the student is required to present his/her research proposal for approval by the faculty.

Seminar project **

8081612

** Comprehensive exam 8081777

Credit Hours

Course description

Course title

2

The course provides an introduction to health information systems e.g. structure and components of the system, and to the information technology. It concentrates on the health information systems and subsystems, data resources, and common problems related to health information systems. It explores the information needs and the selection of proper indicator and ways to enhance their use in decision-making and planning. It also examines routine and non-routine data collection methods. The course also introduces the geographical information system and finally the advantages of available software possibilities to support management activities.

Management health Information system

8081514

2

The course examines the political, economical and social influences and frameworks which affect the provision of health are in general and the Palestinian society in particular. It introduces the structure, funding, health care delivery models and factors affecting the health system. It provides a comparable analysis of different international health care systems and focuses on the Palestinian system. The course also includes an introduction to health policy, policy making and implementation process, policy agenda and policy analysis. It also tackles the issue of health care reforms and gives some country experiences.

Organizational behavior

8082540

2

This course will expand on the core themes of organizational management and fundamentals of organizational behavior, studies on motivation, roles, interaction, leadership, power, influence, groups culture, organizational development, design and change in organizations and the history of management theory. The course will also include the application on theory to the performance improvement and effectiveness of health organizations and personnel.

Health care systems and health policy *

8082522

2

This course will define main concepts of corporate strategy and strategic management in theory and practice. It will introduce the aims, uses and content of strategic health and different phases of formulation of a workable strategic health plan. The tools of strategic analysis of the environment such as PEST, SOWT, 7 Ss analyses etc are also introduced. It will also introduce GAP analysis, strategic option appraisal and the management of change as an inevitable process in most organizations. The course will also discuss issues related to marketing of health care organizations through the understanding of markets, analyzing market opportunities and planning the marketing mix.

Strategic Planning and Management in Health Care *

8082615

 2

The course will introduce the students to basic accounting, financial reporting, understanding and analyzing financial statements and financial concepts and develop basic knowledge of cost accounting principles and the concept of cost/profit centers. Marginal costing and its use in health set-ups will also be examined. Preparation and control of budgets will be a major part of the course. The student will also be exposed to the essential ingredients of business planning and the basic elements and skills of contracting and negotiating.

Managerial financing for health care* 

8082610

1

The seminar will provide the opportunity for in-depth analysis and discussion of important contemporary managerial health and policy issues facing the Palestinian health organizations and system. Topics will be identified in the beginning of the course and students will be supported and supervised by the course instructor to tackle these issues with in-depth and breadth.

Seminar in Health Management and Health Policy **

8082666

Credit hours

Course description

Course title

2

The course provides an introduction to health information systems e.g. structure and components of the system, and to the information technology. It concentrates on the health information systems and subsystems, data resources, and common problems related to health information systems. It explores the information needs and the selection of proper indicator and ways to enhance their use in decision-making and planning. It also examines routine and non-routine data collection methods. The course also introduces the geographical information system and finally the advantages of available software possibilities to support management activities.

Management  Health  Information system

8081514

2

The course provides in-depth use of inferential statistical procedures which will include ANOVA, applied regression analysis, nonparametric statistical measures, and other applications to health and health related issues. Topics presented include measures of disease effect: cross sectional analysis, cohort analysis; case-control studies, diagnostic testing and evaluation, bias, interaction and adjustment. Course application will include major types of applied epidemiological studies.

Advanced Statistics and Epidemiology *

8081610

2

The course examines the proper strategies for surveillance, outbreak investigation for communicable diseases of importance for the Palestinian population. It also deals with the public health consequences of different non-communicable diseases including malnutrition, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, cancers, arthritis, mental and behavioral disorders concerns. The major epidemiological methods for investigating and assessing strategies for surveillance should be explained to identify groups at risk and preventive measures for each of these diseases.

Communicable & non- communicable diseases **

8081515

2

The course discusses health-illness social behavior, its cause and relationship with disease manifestations, distribution and management. Levels of prevention, health promotion and health education are three important paradigms that are going to be emphasized throughout the course. Throughout the course the psych-social-cultural and political characteristics and influences on Palestinian society is integrated. The ecological model is the main conceptual framework of this course.

Social and behavioral dimensions of health

8081516

2

Principles and concepts underlying environments and human health comprise the major focus of this course. The nature of a variety of agents, including chemical, physical, biological, ergonomic and radiation hazards, how these agents are dispersed and transformed in the environment, the pathways of human exposure to these agents, and characterization of the health effects resulting from exposure are reviewed. Issues of risk assessment, risk management and perception, communication, and policies are also topics that are introduced.

Principles of occupational and environmental health

8085518

1

The seminar provides the opportunity for in-depth analysis and discussion of important current epidemiological studies and issues, particularly in Palestine. Topics will be identified in the beginning of the course and students will be supported and supervised by the course instructor to tackle these issues with in-depth and breadth.

Seminar in epidemiology ***

8081666

Credit hours

Course description

Course title

number

2

The course examines the basic concepts of toxicology in environmental and occupational surroundings. It includes the distribution, absorption, metabolic conversion, and elimination of toxic agents; mechanisms of injury to various body systems following exposure to toxic chemicals are explored at the systemic, organ, and cellular level. Topics also include classes of toxicants, methods for detecting and evaluating their effects, and the scientific basis for risk estimation in humans in local industries and suspected or known locations of environmental pollution.  Journal articles discussion for topics that addresses specific issues in environmental and occupational toxicology.

Toxicology

8085520

2

The course aims at giving the participants basic knowledge about environmental issues in the form of sciences and policy to enable them to understand, apply and monitor to some extent the realities they face in the daily work programs. The theory behind this is that the graduate, especially in a related field, whose work involved environmental health in a developing country, finds that he must concern himself with a variety of issues for which he is not traditionally trained. It is also known that each area of this course requires much more attention and time allocation, but it is believed that the structure of the course shall equip the students with the basic needs and requirements.

Principles of occupational and environmental health

8085518

2

Review basic epidemiological principles and presents issues unique to environmental epidemiology. The application using case studies that represents assessment of environmental health risk: concepts and risk analysis: including hazard identification; dose-response assessment, exposure assessment and risk characterization using the application of international and local studies evaluation of exposure risk by the risk analysis tools management of environmental health and safety and other hazards
communication by using the case-method approach case studies representative of a variety of exposures, outcomes, and study designs are used to illustrate the application of epidemiological principles to the study of exposures occurring in the general environment.

Environmental Epidemiology *

8085642

2

This course covers sources of air, water and air pollution including noise pollution and radiation, which is associated with health effects. Course also includes risk assessment, interpretation, evaluation and management issues to be addressed. Application used in this course will include case studies and discussion of international and local cases.

Environmental Pollution *

8085521

2

The course provides students with a broad knowledge about social behavior in health and illness. Besides, the course is going to discuss various theories of social behavior, learning, attitudes and change. Focus will be on two areas which are of major importance for health psychology; health behavior and psychosocial stress. For studying  the determinants of health behaviors, 5 main social cognitive models will be discussed during the course. Whereas, factors which mediate the relationship between stress and health will be studied by using cognitive stress theories.

Social and behavioral dimensions of health

8081516

1

The seminar provides the opportunity for in-depth analysis and discussion of important current issues in environmental health, especially in Palestine. Topics will be identified in the beginning of the course and students will be supported and supervised by the course instructor to tackle these issues with in-depth and breadth.

Seminar in environmental health **

8085666

Credit 

hours

Course description

Course name

Number

2

The course discusses theories of demographic transition theory and their application population changes in developing countries, with specific application to Palestine. The course will also explain the different theories, (social, economic theories) including indicators and measures used in studying population and demographic change used for population projection and estimation. The course will discuss the effect of population growth and demographic changes including migration on the social, economic, environmental and health conditions of people utilizing different development theories and arguments.

Fundamentals of demography

8084517

2

The course provides students with a broad knowledge about social behavior in health and illness. Besides, the course is going to discuss various theories of social behavior, learning, attitudes and change. Focus will be on two areas which are of major importance for health psychology; health behavior and psychosocial stress. For studying the determinants of health behaviors, 5 main social cognitive models will be discussed during the course.  Whereas, factors which mediate the relationship between stress and health will be studied by using cognitive stress theories.

Social and behavioral dimensions of health

8081516

2

The course introduces classic and contemporary developmental theories, themes, and concepts from birth to death and will explore ways in which students can apply these to their own development and the development of others. The main focus is "normal" development or group averages rather than the development issues of a single individual, although differences among individuals are discussed. Physical, cognitive, emotional, social and spiritual development will be discussed for all stages of development. At the end of the course students will be able to identify developmental lags and demonstrate awareness of specific issues relating to children, adults, and the elderly. This course enables the students to identify normal individual differences in human development in addition to the risk factors involved in the later appearance of psychopathology.

Human growth and development

8084611

2

This course provides students of human nutrient requirements and how these are met through the digestion, absorption and metabolism of food. Content covers the major macronutrients of carbohydrates, lipids and proteins, energy use by the human body and control of energy balance.  They will be exposed to the effects of diet on development and prevention of disease.  Nutrition in the lifecycle and its effect on growth & body maintenance will be covered

General Principals of Healthy Nutrition

8084639

2

This course focuses on the health problems of individuals in the different stages of their life-cycles: childhood, adolescence, adulthood and old age. Emphasis is placed on the various lifestyles, leading to differences in nutrition and health, and the impact of lifestyle on public health.

Family Health

8084512

1

The seminar provides the opportunity for in-depth analysis and discussion of important contemporary issues in population and family health in Palestine. Topics will be identified in the beginning of the course and students will be supported and supervised by the course instructor to tackle these issues with in-depth and breadth.

Seminar in population and family health  **

8084666

 Credit hours

Course description

Course name

Course number

2

The course provides in-depth use of inferential statistical procedures which will include ANOVA, applied regression analysis, nonparametric statistical measures, and other applications to health and health related issues.

Advanced biostatistics *

8081613

2

The course examines how to recognize the hazards of waste contamination, reduce the risk to humans and the environment, and respond to an emergency involving a spill or release. Topics include: waste management concepts, the hazards of environmental  waste, the regulations in place to manage waste reduction and waste generation, and actions to take if a spill or release of hazardous material occurs. In addition topics such as recycling, medical waste, and related environmental policies and laws will also be discussed.

Environmental Management

8085648

2

The course introduces students to evaluation research in health care context. It discusses the design and implementation of health programme evaluations. The terminology of evaluation and different evaluation approaches including stakeholder analysis, rapid assessments, participatory evaluations and other methods. Students will also learn how to write an evaluation report and proposals.

Evaluation in health care

8082520

2

The course introduces students to the concepts and applications of health promotion and education. Topics include: concepts of positive health, principles of health promotion and education, health promotion strategies at the individual, community and society levels, practical aspects of health promotion programs, social concept of health education, in addition to methods of planning for health promotion and health education programs.

Health promotion

8081521

2

Problems of public health nutrition and their key factors are analyzed. Recent advances in nutrition are examined as they have a bearing on programs aimed at specific segments of the population, and on surveillance and control of nutritional problems. The role of the nutrition expert in the health care team is emphasized.

Healthy nutrition in specific populations

8084640

2

This course deals with concepts related to human resources for health with emphasis on issues related to planning for developing and retaining personnel. Issues include planning for human resources at national and local levels, staffing and managing personnel services, and competency specifications for personnel, recruitment and selection, assigning and balancing staff, personnel evaluation and development of human resources. Jobs satisfaction, motivation and effective communication skills in health care organizations are also tackled.

Human resources management in health care

8082611

2

The purpose of this course is to examine epidemiologic methodology in relation to nutritional measures, and to review the current state of knowledge regarding diet and other nutritional indicators as etiologic factors in disease. This course is designed to enable students to better conduct nutritional epidemiologic research and/or to better interpret the scientific literature in which diet or other nutritional indicators are factors under study.

Nutritional epidemiology **

8081611

2

The course provides an interdisciplinary perspective on population processes and
contemporary population issues. The focus is on theory in the areas of
fertility, mortality, and migration. Theories on population growth, main indicators of population changes, demographic transitions and its impact on public health will be discussed.  Other topics covered are population
composition, age structures, population and development, and population policy.

Population Dynamics

8084645

2

The course focuses on current public health issues in Palestine. Topics include disease spectrum, health indicators and statistics, health systems and policies.

Public health issues in Palestinem

8081519

2

The course offers theoretical information that are related to the designing of qualitative research methods, including: major concepts and methods, sampling techniques, data collection techniques and data analysis.

Qualitative research methods

8081522

2

 The course introduces concepts of quality improvement in health care. It is based upon the teaching of total management as applied to health care, it is designed for senior health care profession undergoing graduate-training program. The course assumes no previous knowledge in total quality management in health care. The course aims at providing knowledge & skills in quality management for senior leadership in health care.

Quality improvement in health care

8082614

2

The course deals with the world wide epidemiological picture of fertility and infertility, family planning among women and men and factors influence fertility patterns in developed and developing countries. Also, the course will look at social, economic, and reproductive factors including family planning, which influence maternal morbidity and mortality with focus on application to developing countries. Measures of fertility, infertility, maternal mortality, and others will be discussed and presented through the presentation of case studies or papers on issues pertinent to reproduction.

Reproductive Epidemiology 8081609

2

The course provides a comprehensive understanding of the development of social welfare and welfare states, social welfare policy and services, social needs and values. The analysis of social welfare policy and services will be examined with an emphases on issues related to those policies and services that affect health and well-being including education, housing, health care, social security and personal social services (e.g. child, elder and mental care). The course also analyses social policies in Palestine and contrasts them with health policy priorities and developments.

Social Policy

8084646

2

Vector born diseases such as Malaria, Leishmaniasis, West Nile Fever etc. are a major cause of morbidity and mortality in the developing countries and a concern for the world in general. This course aims to introduce the students to such diseases and their transmitting vectors, their causes and risk factors, epidemiology, transmission and control. Concentration will be focused on the most important diseases and the ones relevant to Palestine and the surrounding.

Vectors and vector borne diseases

8081623