MVPH Curriculum
Our goal is for each graduating student to have a sound grasp of the epidemiologic approach to problem solving, outbreak investigation, study design, data storage, data analysis, and data communication, The core curriculum is designed to provide each graduate with a working knowledge of the issues and policies that impact public health, animal agriculture, international trade in animal products, and the risks that challenge the integrity of our food supply. In addition, each graduate will be required to have a thorough understanding of zoonoses, their rapid detection, and alternative approaches that can be used to minimize their affect on human health.
The curriculum offers students the opportunity to take advantage of classes taught at the NCSU College of Veterinary Medicine, other NCSU Departments and The University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, School of Public Health. Each student is required to complete 48 credit hours of classes, which includes 5 credit hours for completion of a research project. In addition, to the core curriculum, students work with two faculty mentors to select elective classes that complement their career goals.
Course Schedule
The MVPH program is designed to accommodate students with a wide range of needs. Enrollment for two years provides students with a broader breadth of course opportunities. Students can also enroll part-time, completing the program over several years; taking a few courses each year until all degree requirements are completed.
NCSU On-line Graduate Course Descriptions
UNC On-line Graduate Course Descriptions
Curriculum
Students and their mentor identify actual course schedules and electives.
Required courses
- EPI 710 Fundamentals of Epidemiology
Instructor :Thomas
4 credits (Fall)
An intensive introduction to epidemiological concepts and methods for students intending to engage in, collaborate in,
or interpret the results of epidemiologic studies - ST 590 Statistics for the Biomedical Sciences I
Instructor: Daowen Zhang
4 credits (Fall)
Introduction to biostatistics, hypothesis testing, descriptive statistics, study design, data presentation. - VPH 554: Trade and Agricultural Health
Instructor: Correa
2 credits
International trade and agricultural health, WTO/SPS policy, production,food security, public health, tourism and the environment. - VPH 760 Molecular Technologies for Epidemiologic Investigation
Instructor: Thakur
3 credits (spring)
Introduction to diagnostic techniques and the use of molecular techniques for assessing population health. - CBS/VPH 754: Principles of Analytic Epidemiology
Instructor: Correa
3 credits (spring)
Multivariable analysis and its practical application1 core course Pre-requisites: Stat 512 or an equivalent, VPH 580 or an equivalent - ST 590: Statistics for the Biomedical Sciences II
Instructor: Jung-Ting Tzeng
4 credits (spring)
Categorical data analysis, longitudinal data analysis, survival analysis, hazard analysis, receiver operator analysis - Stat 505: Applied Nonparametric statistics
Instructor: Stat. Dept. faculty
3 credits (spring)
Use of nonparametric statistics - VPH 650 PopMED Forum
Instructor: Levine
1 credit (fall, spring)
Seminar course covering a broad range of topics relating to population health. This seminar course is taken each fall and spring semester.
The class must be taken twice by all students. However, students are encouraged to enroll each semester. - PRT 532 Principles of Geographic Information Science
Instructor: Devine
3 credits (fall)
Use of geographic information systems for examining spatial data - VPH 713 Zoonoses and Public Health
Instructor: Levine
3 credits (spring, alternative years)
Introduction to zoonoses, and infectious diseases of importance to both human and animal health. - FSA 540 Food Safety and Public Health
Instructor: Food science faculty
3 credits
Issues and developments related to the relationship between food safety and public health, including emerging foodborne pathogens;
virulence, pathogenicity; toxins; epidemiological techniques, rapid detection methods; and risk assessment. - VPH 675 Supervised Public Health Research
Instructor: Levine
1-7 credits
Research credits for MVPH student projects
Example Elective courses
These are examples and the graduate course catalog at both NCSU and UNC include numerous additional courses that can be taken as electives:
Food Safety Emphasis
- FS 520 Pre-Harvest Food Safety
Instructor: Morrow
3 credits (fall)
Introduction to food safety Issues impacting farm production prior to harvest
- FS 530 Post-Harvest Food Safety
Instructor: Jaykus
3 credits (fall)
Background on the current issues and developments associated with post-harvest food safety, including biological, chemical,
and physical food safety hazards. Additionally, regulations governing food safety and consumer perceptions.
- VPH 555 Public health, sustainable development and gender in a global context
Instructor: Correa
2 credits (spring, alternate years)
International food safety trade policy and public health. - FS 553: Food Laws and Regulations
Instructor: Food Science Faculty
3 credits
Federal and state laws and regulations, and case law history affecting food production, processing, packaging, marketing, and
distribution of food and food products.
Epidemiology and Biostatistics Emphasis
- EPID 218 Introduction to Methods in Infectious Disease
Epidemiology
Instructor: Weber (UNC)
3 credits (Spring)
Patterns of transmission, and "newly" discovered infections, diseases in developed countries, especially the United States. - EPID 221 Mathematical Modeling of Infectious Diseases
Instructor: Van Rie (UNC)
3 credits
Introduction to basic methods for analysis and interpretation of epidemiological data on infectious diseases and for predicting the impact of control
programs such as HIV prevention programs and vaccination strategies. - ST Sampling Animal Populations
Instructor: Pollack
3 credits (fall)
Statistical methods applicable to sampling of wildlife populations, including capture-recapture, removal, change in ratio, quadrant and line transect sampling.
Geographic Information Systems Emphasis
- ST 733 Applied Spatial Analysis
Instructor: Genton
3 credits - FOR 510 Introduction to GPS
Instructor: Cheshire
1 credit (Fall and Spring) One-third semester mini-course.
Introduction to collection and use of mapping grade global positioning satellite systems data. - PRT 562 Principles of Geographic Information Systems
Instructor: Leung
3 Credits, (Spring)
Exploration of theoretical underpinnings of Geographic Information Systems (GIS); - PRT 563 Technical Issues In Geographic Information Systems
Instructor: Devine
3 Credits (Fall)
A generic understanding of GIS algorithms, data structures and analysis of error in context of natural resource management applications.
Summer sessions can also be used for course studies
MVPH Project
All students must complete an epidemiologic-oriented project suitable for publication. The project is designed cooperatively with student mentors and the five credit course provides enrollment credit for the project. The five credits can be spread throughout multiple semesters.
VPH 675 Supervised Public Health Research
Instructor: Levine
1-7 credits
Research credits for MVPH student projects