PMB Graduate Programs Orientation: MPH Practicum & Independent Project 5 July 2011

1. PMB Graduate Programs Orientation:MPH Practicum & Independent Project5 July 2011 Tomoko I. Hooper, MD, MPH Professor and Director, MPH Program Director, Graduate Research & Practicum Programs Deputy Director, Graduate Programs Department of Preventive Medicine & Biometrics

2. “PIP” • Practicum and Independent Project—two separate requirements for the MPH degree • Different requirements for the MTM&H, MSPH, and MHAP degree programs • Opportunities for application of newly acquired knowledge and skills

3. MPH/MTM&H Independent Project • Guided, sequential process for project development and implementation over three academic quarters • Weekly PIP seminars: PM0671 (Fall), PM0672 (Winter), PM0673 (Spring) • Basic research methods • Compliance with institutional and federal regulations pertaining to research • On-line research ethics training—http://www.citiprogram.org • Co-Course Directors: Drs. Gibson and Hooper

4. Independent Project Deliverables • Fall Quarter (PM0671, 1 credit P/F) • Documentation of CITI training • Draft research question • Winter Quarter (PM0672, 1 credit P/F) • Office of Research (REA) forms and proposal • Spring Quarter (PM0673, 1 credit P/F) • Notice of project approval (REA) and IRB approval for human subjects research • Summer (PM0674, 3 credits graded) • Oral presentation and written report

5. MPH Practicum • Planned, supervised, evaluated activity • Proposal with learning objectives • In specific cases, requirement for interagency MOU • Total of 108 hours (PM0670, 3 credits P/F) • Written report and two evaluation forms • “Practicum & Project Fairs” and/or in-class speakers during Fall Quarter

6. End of Year Capstone Events • Poster presentation at USU Research Week • Project oral presentations over two days • Scoring by 5-member faculty panel • CAPT Richard Hooper Memorial Award • Project written report evaluation • Primary project mentor • Secondary review by PMB faculty member

7. Keys to Success • Start early—make appointment to see me or Dr. Gibson • Consult your academic advisor and other faculty members with expertise in your area of research interest • Keep to timeline for project milestones • Take advantage of peer review • For experienced researchers, think of public health perspective • Aim for peer-reviewed publication

8. Other PMB Masters Programs • MTM&H (restricted to physicians) • Overseas experience (PM0563, Clinical Tropical Medicine) satisfies the practicum requirement • MSPH • Two-year, thesis-based program • Field experience (PM0942, Directed Rotations) • MHAP • Two-year program with full-year placement at outside agency

9. Questions? • Looking forward to meeting and working with each one of you! • Strongly encourage you to make an appointment by email to discuss project areas of interest during the Pre-Fall session • First day of PM0671 (Monday, 22 August 2011) • Contact information • Office: Rm A1040G (Hooper) and A1040H (Gibson) • Phone: 301-295-1975 (Hooper) and 295-0305 (Gibson) • Email: thooper@usuhs.mil and roger.gibson@usuhs.mil