Course Number & Complete Course Title:PH 7540:Introduction to Public Health Laboratories

(CRN 88525)

Instructor’s Name: Christine E. Stauber

Division: Environmental Health

Semester: FallYear: 2014

Course Basics / Class Day/Time: / Mondays 1:00-3:30pm
Class Location: / Petit Science Center (PSC) 433
Prerequisite(s): / None
Required Course Materials / Public Health Laboratories: Analysis, Operations and Management. Wiley D. Jenkins. 2011. Jones and Bartlett, Sudbury, MA
Faculty Accessibility / Instructor(s) of Record: / Christine E. Stauber
Office Location: / PSC 414
Phone Number(s): / 404-413-1128
Email: /
Office Hours/Availability: / By appointment (please send an email to set up a time).
  1. Course Description: This is an in-depth course on the role of laboratory analysis in public health. It will focus on development of an understanding of the way laboratory data are collected and integrated into the public health system. The role of state and federal laboratories will be examined as will various laboratory methods in a laboratory setting. We will also examine the current challenges and possibilities for enhancing the role of public health laboratories and how knowledge about this area can enhance the integration into the field of public health. The course will be approximately half lecture and half laboratory experiments. Students will gain experience in performing basic laboratory analysis in both clinical and environmental fields.
  1. Course Objectives / Competency / Assessment of Student Learning:

This course is designed to support students in acquiring competence in the following areas, as indicated in the GSU School of Public Health Graduate Student Handbook (see MPH Competencies).

  • Demonstrate knowledge of the implications of regulations, laws, standards, and various types of policy on activities aimed at protecting environmental health. (Environmental Health Concentration Competency #1)
  • Articulate how biological, chemical and physical agents interact with the environment and affect human health. (Environmental Health Concentration Competency #3)
  • Apply biological, chemical, physical and public health principles to development and implementation of prevention and control programs. (Environmental Health Concentration Competency #4)

Course Objectives / Program Competency / Assessment Method(s)
Describe the historical, current and future aspects of public health laboratories at the state, federal and international levels. / EH Concentration Competency#1 / In-class discussion assignment;
Evaluate the core functions for public health laboratories, and how these can be integrated into the public health system at various levels and the role they play in supporting environmental health regulations and research. / EH Concentration Competency #1 / In-class discussion assignment; Take-home mid-term
Carry out routine laboratory procedures, describe techniques and assays used routinely in an environmental health setting and evaluate the results and place them into the context of current research with a focus on microbial and chemical environmental hazards. / EH Concentration #3 & #4 / In-class discussion assignment; Laboratory report assignments; Take-home mid-term
Develop critical writing skills for reporting and examining results from environmental health laboratory reports. / EH Concentration #3 & #4 / Laboratory report assignments
Critically evaluate the benefits and challenges of public health laboratories and the role that current laws and regulations play in support of public health laboratories. / EH Concentration competency #1 & #4 / In-class discussion assignment; Final presentation and paper
  1. Course Assignments and Requirements

Course Requirements / % of Final Grade
Discussion of an article during class – Each student will select an article on a topic (specific to role of public health laboratory/laboratory research and public health) for the class period. The student will provide an introduction to the article as well as open up a brief discussion for the class. The article and discussion questions will be sent out one week prior to the discussion so that the class is prepared to discuss. Dates for discussions to be determined in the first two class periods. / 10%
Laboratory reports: 3 (1 worth 10% and 2 worth 15% each):
We will perform three laboratory experiments and two field trips during the course. You will be given a laboratory report/field trip report format to use. All students will write up the first lab and then you will choose two additional experiments/field trips to write up. All laboratory reports will be due two weeks after the laboratory/field trip was completed unless otherwise listed. / 40%
Take home mid-term examination (assigned 10/13/14 – due 10/20/14) – An open note, book mid-term will be assigned and will be due back on 10/20/14. / 25%
Final Paper and Presentation (12/8/14): Analyzing the challenges and future directions for public health laboratories and public health laboratory science. Students will select an area of research focused on the future of public health laboratories. A paper and presentation for the class will be due on 12/8/14. / 25%
Total / 100%
  1. Grading Policy

90 – 100 points A

80 – 89.9 points B

70– 79.9 pointsC

60 – 69.9 points D

Below 60 points F

  1. Attendance and Class Participation Policy: Attendance at each class meeting is extremely important and is highly correlated with overall success in the course. The nature of the class makes attendance essential. In addition, because we will be doing experiments that may take more than one day, visits to the laboratory on Tuesday may be required. Students will form pairs so that one of the students will be able to come to the laboratory the following day. If no one from the pair will be available to check results the following day, please let the professor and/or GRA know at the beginning of the semester.
  1. Late Assignments and Make-up Examination Policy: Laboratory experiments, Assignments and Exams: If a student has a serious conflict for a documented personal/family or full-time work related reasons, he or she must notify the instructor at least 48 hours prior to laboratory or exam.If the student misses the exam or laboratory experiment prior to informing the instructor, make up will only be available in extenuating circumstances communicated and determined by the professor. Late Assignments Policy: Five percent of total assignment will be deducted per day for any assignment turned in late.
  1. Syllabus Deviation Policy: The course syllabus provides a general plan for the course; deviations may be necessary.
  2. Student Code of Conduct and Policy on Academic Honesty: All students at this University are expected to engage in academic pursuits on their won with complete honesty and integrity. Any student found guilty of dishonesty in any phase of academic work will be subject to disciplinary action. The complete Academic Honesty policy is located in the GSU Graduate Catalog, Section 1350: Students and faculty are expected to review and conform to the university’s policy on academic honesty. Information on the Student Code of Conduct and related policies and procedures are available at:

Special attention should be paid to the sections on plagiarism and multiple submissions:

Plagiarism. Plagiarism is defined as, “appropriating and putting forth as one’s own the ideas, language, or designs of another” (The Living Webster, 1975) – and it is strictly forbidden. Written and oral presentations must be a student’s own work. Students plagiarizing or cheating in any form will face disciplinary action which could result in an “F” in this course and suspension or expulsion from the University. Copying from written materials, presentations, websites, etc. without source acknowledgement and referencing is plagiarism. Read it, appreciate it, learn from it, and make sure you source it – and then reflect it with your own thoughts and words! If you are uncertain about what constitutes plagiarism, please contact the instructor.

Multiple Submissions.It is a violation of academic honesty to submit substantial portions of the same work for credit more than once without the explicit consent of the faculty member(s) to whom the material is submitted for additional credit. In cases in which there is a natural development of research or knowledge in a sequence of courses, use of prior work may be desirable, even required; however, the student is responsible for indicating in writing, as a part of such use, that the current work submitted for credit is cumulative in nature.

  1. Disability Accommodations Policy: Students who wish to request accommodation for a disability may do so by registering with the GSU Office of Disability Services. Students may only be accommodated upon issuance by the Office of Disability Services of a signed Accommodation Plan and are responsible for providing a copy of that plan to instructors of all classes in which an accommodation is sought. The Office of Disability Services is located in the GSU Student Center, Suite 230 and online here:
  1. Course Evaluations Statement: Your constructive assessment of this course plays an indispensable role in shaping education at Georgia State. Upon completing this course, please take time to fill out the online course evaluation.
  1. Career Services: The School of Public Health provides career services & student leadership opportunities (student clubs & organizations) to all current SPH students and alumni. SPH Career Services can help students with resume writing, interviewing, job searching, internship development, and professional networking. Students are invited to attend our career events and workshops, and individualized career counseling appointments can be arranged. To see what career panels, career fairs, and events are available this semester, please visit: The SPH Career Services office is co-located with the Office of Academic Assistance in room 640 at One Park Place.
  1. Tentative course schedule, topics, and readings: Please see course schedule below.

Class / Date / Primary Topic of Class / Class Subtopic 1 / Class Subtopic 2
1 / 8/25/14 / Course Overview / Role of Public Health Laboratories (Core Functions) - Lab Safety Training for semester (Ch. 1) (APHL Website) / Future Directions and Challenges for PHLs -
9/1/14 / Labor Day (No Class)
2 / 9/8/14 / Lecture - - Overview of Association of Public Health Laboratories / Discussion of State Public Health laboratories (MMWR 51 (RR-14), 1-8))
3 / 9/15/14 / Field trip to State Public Health Laboratory
4 / 9/22/14 / Lecture - Basics of Microbial Analyses / Clinical sampling for infectious disease as well as other indicators of disease (blood lead, etc) (Ch. 2, 5, 6) / Water sampling for microorganisms and chemicals
5 / 9/29/14 / Laboratory class* - Basic Bacteriological Techniques - Will require visit to laboratory on Tuesday afternoon / Streak plate techniques (Laboratory Procedures for Lab 1) - Read before class / Dilution series and spread plating
6 / 9/29/14 / Guest Speaker - Nathalia Sanchez - 2:30-3:30pm
7 / 10/6/14 / Laboratory class* - Detection of bacteria in water - Will require visit to laboratory on Tuesday afternoon / Membrane filtration (Laboratory Procedures for Lab) - Read before class / IDEXX ColilertQuantitray Assay (an MPN technique)
8 / 10/13/14 / Take home given out - no class
9 / 10/20/14 / Lecture - Food testing / Important bacteria, parasitic and viral agents of foodborne disease (Ch. 7) / Role of various agencies in food safety - including FDA, USDA, CDC, EPA
10 / 10/27/14 / Laboratory class* - Detection of bacteria in foods - Will require visit to laboratory on Tuesday afternoon / Sample preparation - homogenization (Laboratory Procedures for Lab) - Read before class / MPN assay for E. coli on beef and Aerobic plate counts for vegetables
11 / 11/3/14 / Laboratory class* - Isolation and identification of bacteria - Will require visit to laboratory on Tuesday afternoon / Enterotube / PCR
12 / 11/10/14 / Lecture - The Basics of Chemical Analysis - Air Testing / Sample collection and preparation (Ch. 3, Ch. 8) / Testing for various air pollutants including PM, NOx, SOx,
13 / 11/17/14 / Laboratory class - Analysis for NO2 in air / Dr. Christina Fuller will assist with interpretation of data from air samples collected in the area.
11/25/14 / Thanksgiving Break / No class
14 / 12/1/14 / Work outside of class on final project/presentation / No class meeting -
15 / 12/8/14 / Final project - report due and presentation in class