Course Overview

Expectations for this course:

Expect an average workload of three hours of outside preparation for every one hour of in-class instruction.  Readings typically include two to four journal articles or book chapters per week; you will be expected to discuss these readings in class and apply them to in-class exercises.  Late assignments will not be accepted unless previously arranged with instructor.  Students will prepare a detailed final project including a in-class presentation, there will be no final exam.

Students will be evaluated on the following:

1.  Weekly class assignments based on the readings and course project.

2.  Participation in group discussions and in class case studies.

3.   A written final project involving the evaluation of an existing public health information system using the CDC evaluation framework.

4.  In class presentation of final project.

Assignments: There will be weekly reading assignments and a written response to a question concerning the readings. A project involving an evaluation of a public health information system/application will be due the 9^th week of the course with presentations on the tenth week.

Readings: Weekly readings are assigned from the textbook and articles that will be made available on line or as handouts. Weekly reading assignments are outlined in the course schedule. Students are expected to have read the week's reading before class.  

Textbooks: Available at the UW Bookstore (South campus) and on reserve at the Health Sciences Library

O'Carroll, P (editor) Public Health Informatics and Information Systems. Publisher: Springer 2003 (required) ISBN #: 0-387-95474-0

Turnock, B  Public Health: What is it and how does it work? Publisher: Aspen, 2001 (optional) ISBN#: 0-7637-3215-X