Thesis I: Practice ​and Integrative Learning Experiences

Catalog description

This course (part of a two-semester series; Thesis I and Thesis II) introduces the thesis as the culminating experience for MPH candidates in the Biostatistics (BIO), Epidemiology (EPI), and Social and Behavioral Science (SBS) tracks, and allows students to develop skills in conducting public health research, analyzing and interpreting data and presenting study findings. The thesis is intended to reflect the training students have received in the MPH program and demonstrate their ability to integrate, synthesize, and apply the knowledge and skills from coursework and practicum experiences to a real world public health problem or issue that is relevant to their major field of interest. In Thesis I students will also have the opportunity to reflect on their practice experiences, most often in the site from which the thesis is drawn. The course provides students with the knowledge and skills to develop and refine research questions, conduct a comprehensive review and analysis of the literature relevant to the topic of interest, select a theory or organizing framework, outline the methods, formulate a plan for data collection and analysis, and develop an annotated outline of the project.