Note: This is the 2019–2020 eCalendar. Update the year in your browser's URL bar for the most recent version of this page, or .
Program Requirements
Students will study the foundations and principles of epidemiology and biostatistics as applied to public health research and practice in order to design, conduct, and analyze clinical, population-based, environmental, policy, and methodological public health-related research. The program will include a three-month practicum after the first year.
Practicum/Project (9 credits)
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PPHS 630 MScPH Practicum/Project (9 credits)
Overview
PPHS : The practicum provides the opportunity to integrate classroom learning and practice in a population or public health work environment. The student contributes to an organization's mandate and to addressing a population and/or public health problem while developing skills as a population and/or public health professional and/or researcher.
Terms: Summer 2020
Instructors: Stich, Christine; Hankins, Catherine A (Summer)
Prerequisite: PPHS 629D1/D2
Restriction(s): Open to students registered in the M.Sc. in Public Health.
1. PPHS 629D1/D2, PPHS 630 or PPHS 630D1/D2, and PPHS 631D1/D2 are required and students must complete them in sequence.
2. PPHS 629D1/D2, PPHS 630 or PPHS 630D1/D2, and PPHS 631D1/D2 are equivalent to the former EPIB 630 or EPIB 630D1/D2 (14 credits).
Required Courses (30 credits)
Students exempted from any of the courses listed below must replace them with additional complementary course credits.
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EPIB 601 Fundamentals of Epidemiology (4 credits)
Overview
Epidemiology & Biostatistics : This course aims to provide a comprehensive introduction to epidemiologic concepts and corresponding terms. After an introduction to the history, definition, and purposes of epidemiology, "core" concepts that are relevant in several areas of investigation (e.g., etiologic research, health care research, and community medicine practice) will be presented.
Terms: Fall 2019
Instructors: Koski, Alissa; Malagon, Talia (Fall)
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EPIB 603 Intermediate Epidemiology (4 credits)
Overview
Epidemiology & Biostatistics : Concepts and methods for epidemiology at the intermediate level, including causation, measures of disease occurrence and effect, study designs, biases in epidemiologic research, interaction, and data analysis for categorical and survival data using statistical software.
Terms: Winter 2020
Instructors: Brophy, James (Winter)
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EPIB 605 Critical Appraisal in Epidemiology (1 credit)
Overview
Epidemiology & Biostatistics : This course provides the opportunity to develop skills to critically evaluate evidence presented in the biomedical and health sciences literature, based on the concepts acquired in the epidemiology introductory courses.
Terms: Winter 2020
Instructors: Sewitch, Maida; Foster, Bethany Joy; Azoulay, Laurent; Rahme, Elham; Baumgartner, Jill (Winter)
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EPIB 607 Inferential Statistics (4 credits)
Overview
Epidemiology & Biostatistics : Introduction to the basic principles of statistical inference used in clinical and epidemiologic research. Topics include variability; methods of processing and describing data; sampling and sampling distributions; inferences regarding means and proportions, non-parametric methods, regression and correlation.
Terms: Fall 2019
Instructors: Bhatnagar, Sahir (Fall)
Prerequisite (Undergraduate): A first year course in undergraduate differential and integral calculus.
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EPIB 613 Introduction to Statistical Software (1 credit)
Overview
Epidemiology & Biostatistics : Introduction to statistical software and data management; including basics of entering, manipulating data and elementary statistical analysis, SAS software, with reference to other packages of potential interest to students (R, Stata, SPSS).
Terms: Fall 2019
Instructors: Haris, Asad; Lian, Yi; Wu, Yin; Dey, Rajib (Fall)
Prerequisite: Enrolment in Epidemiology stream program or permission of instructor.
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EPIB 621 Data Analysis in Health Sciences (4 credits)
Overview
Epidemiology & Biostatistics : Univariate and multivariate statistical techniques for continuous categorical and survival data. Topics include generalized linear models, multiple linear and logistic regression, introductory survival analysis, model selection. Maximum likelihood and Bayesean approaches will be presented.
Terms: Winter 2020
Instructors: Golchi, Shirin (Winter)
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PPHS 602 Foundations of Population Health (3 credits)
Overview
PPHS : Introduction to population health and the conceptual basis of the population health approach to measuring disease occurrence and to prevention. Fundamentals of, and methods for, studying burden of disease in population, and how these differ across time, space, and groups. Topics include population dynamics, denominators, occurrence of events, time, person and place, health indicators, standardization, life tables, age, cohort and period effects, disease surveillance and vital statistics. Introduction to the concepts and principles of measurement including measurement error, validity, reliability, and accuracy.
Terms: Fall 2019
Instructors: Paradis, Gilles; Weichenthal, Scott Andrew (Fall)
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PPHS 612 Principles of Public Health Practice (3 credits)
Overview
PPHS : Principles and methods in public health practice. Topics will include investigation in public health, public health intervention, program evaluation, public health and the health care system, society and public health.
Terms: Winter 2020
Instructors: Cox, Joseph; Paradis, Gilles (Winter)
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PPHS 629D1 MScPH Forum 1 (1 credit)
Overview
PPHS : The Forum is a seminar and discussion series that provides an opportunity for students to be introduced to experts in population and public health and to prepare for their practicum experience. They will also be introduced to some of the skills and competencies that they will be expected to address in their practicum settings, such as the use of statistical analysis software and data cleaning.
Terms: Fall 2019
Instructors: Richer, Faisca (Fall)
Restriction(s): Open to students registered in the M.Sc. in Public Health.
Restriction(s): Not open to students who have taken EPIB 630 or EPIB 630D1/D2.
Students must register for both PPHS 629D1 and PPHS 629D2.
No credit will be given for this course unless both PPHS 629D1 and PPHS 629D2 are successfully completed in consecutive terms.
1. PPHS 629D1/D2, PPHS 630 or PPHS 630D1/D2, and PPHS 631D1/D2 are required and students must complete them in sequence.
2. PPHS 629D1/D2, PPHS 630 or PPHS 630D1/D2, and PPHS 631D1/D2 are equivalent to the former EPIB 630 or EPIB 630D1/D2 (14 credits).
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PPHS 629D2 MScPH Forum 1 (1 credit)
Overview
PPHS : See PPHS 629D1 for description.
Terms: Winter 2020
Instructors: Cox, Joseph; Paradis, Gilles (Winter)
Prerequisite(s): PPHS 629D1
Restriction(s): Open to students registered in the M.Sc. in Public Health.
Restriction(s): Not open to students who have taken EPIB 630 or EPIB 630D1/D2.
Students must register for both PPHS 629D1 and PPHS 629D2.
No credit will be given for this course unless both PPHS 629D1 and PPHS 629D2 are successfully completed in consecutive terms.
1. PPHS 629D1/D2, PPHS 630 or PPHS 630D1/D2, and PPHS 631D1/D2 are required and students must complete them in sequence.
2. PPHS 629D1/D2, PPHS 630 or PPHS 630D1/D2, and PPHS 631D1/D2 are equivalent to the former EPIB 630 or EPIB 630D1/D2 (14 credits).
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PPHS 631 MScPH Forum 2 (4 credits) *
Overview
PPHS : The Forum is a seminar and discussion series which provides an opportunity for students to be introduced to experts in public health, and to reflect upon and share their practicum experience. Students will also have practical learning activities and will share their practicum experiences with their fellow students through their oral presentations.
Terms: Fall 2019, Winter 2020
Instructors: Stich, Christine; Hankins, Catherine A (Fall) Hankins, Catherine A; Stich, Christine (Winter)
Prerequisite(s): PPHS 630 or PPHS 630D1/D2
Restriction(s): Open to students registered in the M.Sc. in Public Health.
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PPHS 631D1 MScPH Forum 2 (2 credits)
Overview
PPHS : The Forum is a seminar and discussion series which provides an opportunity for students to be introduced to experts in public health, and to reflect upon and share their practicum experience. Students will also have practical learning activities and will share their practicum experiences with their fellow students through their oral presentations.
Terms: Fall 2019
Instructors: Stich, Christine; Hankins, Catherine A (Fall)
Prerequisite(s): PPHS 630 or PPHS 630D1/D2
Restriction(s): Open to students registered in the M.Sc. in Public Health.
No credit will be given for this course unless both PPHS 631D1 and PPHS 631D2 are successfully completed in consecutive terms.
Students must register for both PPHS 631D1 and PPHS 631D2.
1. PPHS 629D1/D2,PPHS 630 or PPHS 630D1/D2, and PPHS 631D1/D2 are required and students must complete them in sequence.
2. PPHS 629D1/D2,PPHS 630 or PPHS 630D1/D2, and PPHS 631D1/D2 are equivalent to the former EPIB 630 or EPIB 630D1/D2 (14 credits).
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PPHS 631D2 MScPH Forum 2 (2 credits)
Overview
PPHS : See PPHS 631D1 for description.
Terms: Winter 2020
Instructors: Hankins, Catherine A; Stich, Christine (Winter)
Prerequisite(s): PPHS 629D1/D2, PPHS 630D1/D2, PPHS 631D1
Restriction(s): Open to students registered in the M.Sc. in Public Health.
Students must register for both PPHS 631D1 and PPHS 631D2.
No credit will be given for this course unless both PPHS 631D1 and PPHS 631D2 are successfully completed in consecutive terms.
1. PPHS 629D1/D2, PPHS 630D1/D2, and PPHS 631D1/D2 are required and students must complete them in sequence.
2. PPHS 629D1/D2, PPHS 630D1/D2, and PPHS 631D1/D2 are equivalent to the former EPIB 630 or EPIB 630D1/D2 (14 credits).
* with departmental permission only.
Note: Students take either PPHS 631 or PPHS 631D1/D2
Complementary Courses (12 credits)
12 credits of coursework at the 500 level or higher, with a minimum of 3 credits chosen from each of the following fields:
Environmental Health Sciences
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GEOG 503 Advanced Topics in Health Geography (3 credits)
Overview
Geography : A critical review of current themes and trends in health geography, with emphasis on geographical perspectives in public health research. Topics include the social and environmental determinants of chronic and infectious disease, health and health-related behaviours. Seminars focus on critical appraisal of conceptual and methodological approaches in health geography research.
Terms: Fall 2019
Instructors: Ross, Nancy; Riva, Mylene (Fall)
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OCCH 602 Occupational Health Practice (3 credits)
Overview
Occupational Health & Hygiene : This course analyzes the functions, structure and organization of occupational health programs and services.
Terms: Fall 2019
Instructors: Czyziw, Elizabeth; Gregoire, Gabrielle (Fall)
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PPHS 529 Global Environmental Health and Burden of Disease (3 credits)
Overview
PPHS : This course presents the grand challenges in global health from environmental and occupational risks along with the multi-disciplinary methods used to identify, control, and prevent them. It will introduce students to knowledge and skills in core disciplines of environmental health and approaches to environmental risk recognition, control and prevention in a global context.
Terms: Winter 2020
Instructors: Weichenthal, Scott Andrew (Winter)
Restriction(s): Not open to students who have taken EPIB 529.
1. Permission of instructor required for undergraduate students.
2.This course is open to graduate students and advanced undergraduates from all departments.
3. Previous coursework in statistics and environmental science is useful, though not required.
Or other courses, at the 500 level or higher, selected with the Program's Academic Adviser.
Health Services Research Policy and Management
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PPHS 525 Health Care Systems in Comparative Perspective (3 credits)
Overview
PPHS : Comparative perspective to illustrate processes involved in the development and evolution of health care systems around the world. Countries examined will represent different welfare state regimes, health care system typologies, levels of development and wealth.
Terms: Fall 2019
Instructors: Quesnel Vallée, Amélie (Fall)
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PPHS 527 Economics for Health Services Research and Policy (3 credits)
Overview
PPHS : Key health policy topics in developed economies using analytic frameworks and tools from economics. Major topics include health insurance, health care financing, and the roles of individuals and public and private institutions in the health care system.
Terms: Winter 2020
Instructors: Panagiotoglou, Dimitra (Winter)
Restriction(s): Not open to students who have taken EPIB 527.
NOTE: This course is open to graduate students and advanced undergraduates from all departments, with the permission of the instructor. A background in introductory economics is useful, though not required.
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PPHS 528 Economic Evaluation of Health Programs (3 credits)
Overview
PPHS : Concepts and methods used to carry out economic evaluations of health programs and interventions, including public health interventions, pharmaceuticals, and other health care interventions. Includes topics such as calculation of unit costs, measurement of quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) and assessment of uncertainty in cost-effectiveness analysis.
Terms: Fall 2019
Instructors: Latimer, Eric A (Fall)
Prerequisite: Permission of instructor.
Restriction(s): Not open to students who have taken EPIB 528.
No prior background in economics is required.
Open to graduate students and advanced undergraduates from all departments.
Or other courses, at the 500 level or higher, selected with the Program's Academic Adviser.
Population and Public Health Interventions (social and behavioural science)
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PPHS 525 Health Care Systems in Comparative Perspective (3 credits)
Overview
PPHS : Comparative perspective to illustrate processes involved in the development and evolution of health care systems around the world. Countries examined will represent different welfare state regimes, health care system typologies, levels of development and wealth.
Terms: Fall 2019
Instructors: Quesnel Vallée, Amélie (Fall)
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PPHS 624 Public Health Ethics and Policy (3 credits)
Overview
PPHS : Critical assessment of ethical dilemmas and policy considerations raised by the practice of public health. Specific topics include: measuring and defining health; surveillance and privacy; preparedness, quarantine, and distribution of resources during a health emergency; and health inequalities.
Terms: Fall 2019
Instructors: King, Nicholas (Fall)
Restriction(s): Not open to students who have taken EPIB 624.
Students from all disciplinary backgrounds are welcome.
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SOCI 515 Medicine and Society (3 credits)
Overview
Sociology (Arts) : The sociology of health and illness. Reading in areas of interest, such as: the sociology of illness, health services occupations, organizational settings of health care, the politics of change in national health service systems, and contemporary ethical issues in medical care and research.
Terms: Fall 2019
Instructors: Cambrosio, Alberto (Fall)
Prerequisite: Undergraduate students require permission of instructor
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SOCI 588 Biosociology/Biodemography (3 credits)
Overview
Sociology (Arts) : This course will explore linkages between social and biological systems, their influence on health and well-being over the life course, and on health disparities. Topics include classical sociological approaches to biosocial processes, sociobiology (reductionist, but population-based), and newer demographic studies on gen-environment, epigenetic, and stress-metabolic/allostatic processes.
Terms: Winter 2020
Instructors: Das, Aniruddha (Winter)
Or other courses, at the 500 level or higher, selected with the Program's Academic Adviser.
Field Epidemiology or Epidemiology in Practice
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OCCH 604 Monitoring Occupational Environment (3 credits)
Overview
Occupational Health & Hygiene : Principles and practices of environmental and biological monitoring of workplace hazards are addressed. Familiarization with instrumentation and calibration procedures is undertaken. Students learn to identify workplace health hazards, develop effective sampling strategies, use industrial hygiene equipment and interpret results of exposure measurements.
Terms: Winter 2020
Instructors: Gauvin, Jean-Pierre (Winter)
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PPHS 615 Introduction to Infectious Disease Epidemiology (3 credits)
Overview
PPHS : Introduction to the field of infectious disease epidemiology taught from a public health perspective. Topics include analytic methods, study design, outbreak investigations, surveillance, vaccine development and evaluations, screening, modelling, and infectious causes of cancer or chronic diseases.
Terms: Fall 2019
Instructors: Merckx, Joanna-Trees (Fall)
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PPHS 616 Principles and Practice of Public Health Surveillance (3 credits)
Overview
PPHS : The objectives of this course are to familiarize students with the theory and methods of surveillance, a core public health function. The seminars will define surveillance and explore surveillance applications and methods through case studies and in-class exercises. Topics will include: measurement, indicators, analytical methods, and the future of surveillance. Computer-based modules will complement seminars. Topics will include: estimating the burden of a disease, detecting disease outbreaks, and identifying cases of chronic disease.
Terms: Winter 2020
Instructors: Buckeridge, David (Winter)
Or other courses, at the 500 level or higher, selected with the Program's Academic Adviser.
Electives (9 credits)
9 credits of coursework, at the 500 level or higher.
Students may choose to focus on more advanced methods in epidemiology, biostatistics, geography, etc. or substantive areas such as environmental or occupational health, or to select a variety of courses that will deepen their general knowledge of the disciplines that influence population and public health.
Courses will be selected with and approved by the Program's Academic Adviser.
