Date:12/12/11
To:Robert Goldstein, Associate Provost
From:Peter L. Walton, Associate Dean
Subject:Proposal to add PHPH-610 “Data and Statistics Management for Public Health using SPSS”
The above-named course is proposed to be added, to be effective Spring 2012.
The course is required in the MPH program and replaces PHMS-618 “Introduction to Public Health Informatics.”
The proposed syllabus has been approved by the MPH Program, SPHIS Curriculum Committee, Faculty Forum, and the dean’s office.
Attachments:
- Proposed CIF (signed hard copy to follow)
- Proposed syllabus
Data and Statistics Management for Public Health using SPSSPHPH-610
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Data and Statistics Management for Public Health using SPSSPHPH-610
Course Data
Number:PHPH-610
Title:Data and Statistics Management for Public Health using SPSS
Credit-hours:3
Department:MPH Program
School/College:School of Public Health and Information Sciences
Type:Lecture
Catalog Description
Studentslearn and apply Microsoft Excel® and SPSS for Windows®to capture andmanipulate, public health-related data, includingrecoding and transforming, and to generate descriptive statistics.
Course Description
The course focuses onthe data management, data processing, and statistical computing methods and tools utilized in the field of public health.Studentsare able to acquire the skills necessary for preparing and analyzing public health research data through the use of software packages such as Microsoft Excel® and SPSS for Windows®.Emphasis is on storing and manipulating research data andon elementary- and intermediate-level data analyses and presentations.
Course Objectives
Upon completion of this course, the successful student is able to[Bloom’s taxonomy level[1]]:
- Process data into a spreadsheet or statistical package from various sources. [C3]
- Merge data sets and communicate data with minimal errors. [C3]
- Analyze data sets for errors. [C4]
- Createelementary databases, including databases with related tables. [C3]
- Build useful basic graphs and tables that are acceptable for submission as part of a journal article. [C3]
- Conduct elementary- to intermediate- level statistical analyses using a statistical software package. [C3]
- Interpret statistical reports. [C4]
- Apply new data management and statistical techniques independently using a statistical software package. [C3]
Prerequisites
PHST-500or permissionof course director.
Course Instructors
Name / Office / Phone / EmailJohn Myers, Ph.D.
Course Director / SPHIS131 / 502-852-3986 /
Steven McCabe, M.D. / SPHIS130 / 502-852-3300 /
The course instructors welcome conversations with students outside of class. Students may correspond with instructors by email or set up appointments by contacting Ms. Lynne Dosker at 502-852-1827 or .
Students should also contact Ms. Lynne Dosker with questions they might have regarding the mechanics or operation of the course.
Course Topics and Schedule
IMPORTANT NOTE: The schedule and topics may change as the course unfolds. Changes are posted on Blackboard.
Class / Topic1 / Introduction to Data Management
2 / Introduction to SPSS
3 / Managing Data
Quiz #1
4 / Graphing and Presentation of Data
5 / Frequencies, Estimation, and Descriptive Statistics
6 / Crosstabulation and Chi-Square Analysis
Quiz #2
7 / Means Procedure and Bivariate Correlation
8 / One-Way Inference
9 / Introduction to ANOVA
Quiz #3
10 / GLM and Two-Way ANOVA
11 / Linear Regression
12 / Multivariable Regression
Quiz #4
13 / Logistic Regression
14 / Survival Analysis
Quiz #5
Course Materials
Blackboard
The primary mechanism for communication in this course, other than lecture times, is UofL’s Blackboard system at or Instructors use Blackboard to make assignments, provide materials, communicate changes, or additions to the course materials or course schedule and to communicate with students other aspects of the course. It is imperative that students familiarize themselves with Blackboard, check Blackboard frequently for possible announcements, and make sure that their e-mail accounts in Blackboard are correct, active, and checked frequently.
Required Texts
George and Mallery.SPSS for Windows Step by Step: A Simple Guide and Reference, 18.0 Update (11th Edition).Prentice Hall (2010).ISBN-10: 020501124. 1; ISBN-13: 978-0205011247.
Other Required Reading:
None
Additional Suggested Reading:
None
Prepared Materials Used by Instructors
Materials used by instructors in class are available to students via Blackboard no later than 24 hours following the class. These may include outlines, citations, slide presentations, and other materials. There is no assurance that the materials include everything discussed in the class.
Course Policies
Attendance and Class Participation
Lectures are held weekly to present and discuss material on data management and statistical computing methods used in public health.
Each student is assigned an instructor to meet and communicate with the student to facilitate learning and applying the material.
Each student is expected to meet with theassigned instructor on a schedule that is mutually determined by the instructor and studentand is appropriateforthe student’s learning progress.
Student Evaluation
The components of student evaluation are:
- Problem sets:Students submit fourteen problem sets during the course. A problem set is due each week and is based on the previous week’s reading and class.Partial credit for an incorrect answer to a problem in the set is awarded for the portion of the documented work on the problem that is correct. Each problem set is 5% of the final grade. Problem sets are self-paced exercises on Blackboard. (70% of grade)
- Quizzes:Five quizzes are given during the course. A quiz is based on readings and classes since the previous quiz or the beginning of the course, whichever is later. Each quiz is 6% of the final grade. (30% of grade)
Grading
The components of student evaluation are weighted as follows:
- Problem sets (14 at 5% each) 70%
- Quizzes (5 at 6% each) 30%
Grading is on anA-F basis.
Final Grade / Final PercentA / 90 - 100%
B / 80 - 89%
C / 75 - 79%
F / 75%
Other Policies
Syllabus Revision
The course director reserves the right to modify any portion of this syllabus. A best effort is made to provide an opportunity for students to comment on a proposed change before the change takes place.
Inclement Weather
This course adheres to the University’s policy and decisions regarding cancellation or delayed class schedules. Adjustments are made to the class schedule as necessary to take into account any delays or cancellations of this class. Local television and radio stations broadcast University delays or closings. The UofL web site ( and telephone information line (502-852-5555) also broadcast delays or closings.
Grievances
A student who has grievances regarding the course should seek to have the matter resolved through informal discussion and through administrative channels, such as the course director, chair of the course’s department, associate dean for student affairs, and university grievance officer. If the issue remains unresolved, the student may file a formal grievance. More information is located at Summary of SPHIS Student Academic Grievance Procedure in Student Academic Grievance Committee (
Disabilities
In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, students with bona fide disabilities are afforded reasonable accommodation. The DisabilityResourceCenter certifies a disability and advises faculty members of reasonable accommodations. More information is located at
Academic Honesty
Students are required to comply with the academic honesty policies of the university and School of Public Health and Information Sciences. These policies prohibit plagiarism, cheating, and other violations of academic honesty. More information is located at
Course instructors use a range of strategies (including plagiarism-prevention software provided by the university) to compare student works with private and public information resources in order to identify possible plagiarism and academic dishonesty. Comparisons of student works require students to submit electronic copies of their final works to the plagiarism-prevention service. The service delivers the works to instructors along with originality reports detailing the presence or lack of possible problems. The service retains copies of final works and may request students’ permission to share copies with other universities for the sole and limited purpose of plagiarism prevention and detection.
In addition instructors provide the opportunity for students to submit preliminary drafts of their works to the service to receive reports of possible problems. Such reports are available only to the submitting student. Copies of preliminary drafts are not retained by the service.
Continuity of Instruction Plan
A plan for continuity of instruction for this course has been developed and published. All plans are available at Continuity of instruction plans provide guidance for how instruction may be modified to lessen disruption by events that affect transportation, communication, or personal interaction. Such events may be weather-related (e.g., floods, blizzards, tornados), health-related (e.g., epidemics), or other widespread occurrences or threats.
Additional Policy Information
Additional policy information is available in the following:
SPHIS Catalog (
SPHIS Policies and Procedures (
UofL Graduate Catalog (
v2011.11.11
Course History
Version / Submitted / Approved / Change Summary / Author(s)
2011.11.11 / 12/12/11 / 12/15/11 /
- Initial version
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