PUBLIC HEALTH NUTRITION (MPH)

Areas of Study PUBLIC HEALTH NUTRITION (MPH) 219

PUBLIC HEALTH NUTRITION I. Public Health Nutrition Program Program Overview Mission Core Competencies Learning Objectives II. Public Health Nutrition Curriculum Two-Year MPH Curriculum Two-Year Sample Schedule III. PHN Capstone PHN Capstone Details Capstone Requirements 220

Public Health Nutrition Program I. Public Health Nutrition Program PROGRAM OVERVIEW Public Health Nutrition (PHN) is an area of concentration emphasizing the application of food and nutrition knowledge, policy, and research to the improvement of the health of populations. Students in PHN will gain a perspective on the following critical questions: What are the most critical social, behavioral, and food and nutrition-related factors that affect health? What are ways that the design, implementation, and evaluation of programs can improve the nutritional status of the population or subgroups in the population? How can nutrition and food related public policies affect health, especially in vulnerable populations? How can global, national, state, and local community programs be designed to improve the nutritional status of the population as a whole and those at particular risk? MISSION The mission of the Public Health Nutrition Program is to develop future public health leaders in the field of nutrition. Our research and curriculum span a breadth of topics from the metabolic bases of human health and disease, through the influence of the sociocultural determinants of health, to nutrition-related programs and policies that address human health and safety. Students who complete professional training in Public Health Nutrition go on to exciting careers in nutritional research, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), as well as local and state health departments. CORE COMPETENCIES Upon satisfactory completion of the MPH curriculum with a concentration in Public Health Nutrition, students will be able to demonstrate the following competencies: Critically analyze emerging and critical issues in public health nutrition. Evaluate nutrition research and interpret the implications for public health policies and programs. Organize and direct nutrition-related programs and projects, within the context of a health system. Analyze and formulate public policy related to health and nutrition. Plan, perform, and evaluate nutritional assessments and screening for individuals and populations. Design, develop and evaluate nutrition components of health services, programs, and projects. Demonstrate effective organizational skills and the ability to communicate with and enlist the support of potential participants and stakeholders. Participate in making policy related to health and nutrition within services, programs, and projects. Interpret food and nutrition legislation and regulations for professionals and consumers. Understand the biological and social roles of nutrition in health. 221

LEARNING OBJECTIVES In general, the Masters of Public Health graduate will possess and demonstrate: A broad understanding of the core areas of public health and related disciplines with particular emphasis on the selected field of study (e.g. Public Health Nutrition). An ability to conceptualize analytic models and collect relevant data, test models with data, and present findings in a policy or scientific context. Skills for effective practice in their selected field of study. A capacity to assess one s own strengths or weaknesses and to plan for continued self development. Learning objectives specific to the Public Health Nutrition Program are to: Plan, perform, and evaluate nutritional status assessment, and screening for individuals and groups to identify the health needs and resources of the community. Plan and evaluate the nutrition component(s) of health services, programs, and projects; demonstrate organizational skills, such as the ability to prioritize and manage time effectively; participate in formulating and analyzing policy related to health and nutrition within services, programs, and projects. Provide services within the nutrition component(s) of health services, programs, and projects; develop realistic expectations for change; and develop effective approaches to bring about change in individuals, groups, and systems. Participate as a member of a multi-disciplinary health team through consultation, in-service education, and service coordination. Disseminate nutrition information to professional and nonprofessional audiences through various media; and develop and apply knowledge and skills in learning theory, curriculum planning, behavior modification, and communication techniques. Analyze and help formulate public policy related to health and nutrition; interpret food and nutrition legislation and regulations for professionals and consumers; be active in the legislative process regarding health and nutrition issues. Participate in discussions and present critical analyses of issues in public health nutrition. Design and conduct analyses of research projects in the area of public health nutrition. II. Public Health Nutrition Curriculum TWO-YEAR MPH CURRICULUM The PHN Program is a 2-year, full-time MPH degree program. MPH graduate students are expected to complete at least 48 units of coursework over four academic semesters and one summer. Students must complete both Schoolwide required courses as well as PHN required courses for the MPH degree in PHN. Elective courses may be chosen from anywhere in the School or university. Elective courses must be numbered 100 and higher to count toward the 48-unit minimum requirement for graduation. 222

SCHOOL-WIDE REQUIRED COURSES (16 units) Fall 142* Introduction to Probability & Statistics in Biology and Public Health 200J Health Policy & Management Breadth Course 2 200L Health & Social Behavior Breadth Course 2 250A* Epidemiologic Methods I 3 297 Public Health Field Placement (2nd fall only) 3 4 Spring 200K Environmental Health Breadth Course 2 PHN REQUIRED COURSES (21 required units) Fall 206C Nutritional Epidemiology (2nd fall only) 3 207A Public Health Aspects of Maternal and Child Nutrition 2 292 PHN Capstone (2nd Fall Only) 3 218B Evaluation of Health and Social Programs 4 206D** Food & Nutrition Programs and Policies in Developing Countries 3 (even years) 206 Critical Issues in Public Health Nutrition 2 Spring 205 Program Planning, Development and Evaluation 4 206B** Food and Nutrition Policies and Programs (odd years) 3 290 Leadership in MCH (Required for MCH Nutrition trainees only) 1 RECOMMENDED COURSES FOR STUDENTS INTERESTED IN NUTRITIONAL EPIDEMIOLOGY Fall 245 Introduction to Multivariable Statistics 4 250B Epidemiological Methods II 4 Spring 241 Statistical Analysis of Categorical Data 4 144A Beginning SAS Programming 2 144B Intermediate SAS Programming 4 RECOMMENDED (continued next page) 223

Fall/Spring MBA 209F Fundamentals of Business 3 NOTES: * This requirement may also be fulfilled by passing an exemption exam or by completing an SPH-approved higher-level alternative course **PB HLTH 206B and PB HLTH 206D are both recommended, but only one is required and may be taken in either your 1st or 2nd years. They are offered alternating years, so each 2-year MPH student will have a chance to take both if desired. MCH Nutrition trainees MUST take PB HLTH 206B. Please note that most of the courses listed above are only offered only in the Fall semester OR the Spring semester, not both semesters. TWO-YEAR SAMPLE SCHEDULE First Year Program Required Courses Fall Semester PB HLTH 142* Biostat 4 PB HLTH 250A* Epi Methods 1 3 PB HLTH 200J HPM Breadth 2 PB HLTH 200K EHS Breadth 2 PB HLTH 206 Critical Issues in Public Health Nutrition 2 PB HLTH 206D Food and Nutrition Programs and Policies in Developing 3 Countries PB HLTH 207A Public Health Aspects of Maternal and Child Nutrition 2 TOTAL REQUIRED UNITS: 15-18 *OPTIONAL: PH142 or PH250A can also be taken in the summer before your first year if you want to start early (in the summer, PH142 is called PH141 and is 5 units). PH142 can be substituted with PH241 (Spring) or PH245 (Fall, M 2-5 p.m.). An alternative to PH245 (similar content) is PH290 (Applied Linear Models, MW 5-7 p.m.), PH290 does NOT count as a substitute for PH142 so you MUST take either 142, 241, or 245 in addition to 290-003 to satisfy your Biostat requirement. Spring Semester PB HLTH 205 Program Planning PB HLTH 200L HSB Breadth 2 PB HLTH 206B Food & Nutrition Policy & Programs 3 TOTAL REQUIRED UNITS: 6-9 224

MCH Nutrition funded trainees are also required to take PH290.005 MCH Leadership (1 unit, Spring) in either your 1st or 2nd year. Optional For students who want more training for research, you should also take PH241 (Statistical Analysis of Categorical Data, MWF 1-2 p.m.) and PH144A (Beginning SAS Programming, W 4-6 p.m. or F 3-5 p.m.). PH241 is more important in your 1st year Spring, if you only want to choose one of these. MBA 209F Fundamentals of Business Administration (3 units, W 6-9p) SECOND YEAR PROGRAM REQUIRED COURSES Fall Semester PB HLTH 206c PHN Capstone 3 PB HLTH 206D Nutrition in Developing Countries 3 PB HLTH 292.2 Nutrition Epidemiology 3 TOTAL REQUIRED UNITS: 5 Students will also enroll in PH297 (3 units), to earn credit for the summer field placement. Optional For students who want more training for research, PH142 can be substituted for PH241 or PH245 (M 2-5 p.m.). An alternative to PH245 (similar content) is PH290-003 (Applied Linear Models, MW 5-7 p.m.), PH290-003 does NOT count as a substitute for PH142 so you MUST take either 142, 241, or 245 in addition to 290-003 to satisfy your Biostat requirement. Spring Semester PB HLTH 206B Food & Nutrition Policies & Programs 3 PB HLTH 218B Evaluation of Health & Social Programs 4 TOTAL REQUIRED UNITS: 4-7 MCH Nutrition funded trainees are also required to take PH290-005 MCH Leadership (1 unit, Spring) in either your 1st or 2nd year. III. Public Health Nutrition Capstone PHN CAPSTONE DETAILS The Graduate Division of UC Berkeley and the School of Public Health require a comprehensive exam with both written and oral components. Each student in the Public Health Nutrition program is required to submit a written paper and present it orally in the spring semester that precedes graduation. All students must receive a passing grade on their paper and their oral presentation in order to receive the MPH degree. This paper serves as the comprehensive examination in PHN, and is intended to be a culminating experience for MPH students, requiring synthesis and integration of knowledge acquired through coursework, internships and other experiences. 225

Students prepare for and complete this requirement in the Capstone Courses in Public Health Nutrition (PH292 in the Fall of your second year). The Capstone Course in PHN is an integrative seminar that builds on the core curriculum requirements of the School and the PHN program, and provides a structured schedule for the development of the paper and the presentation. CAPSTONE REQUIREMENTS Students will prepare a 10-page paper, a press release, and an oral presentation for faculty and peers on a Public Health Nutrition topic of their choice. ILE papers will be original, individual, and based on the class associated with each option below. Each ILE option below requires a course to be taken concurrently, in addition to any prerequisites noted below. Students should use the tools and skills learned in the class taken concurrently to write their ILE papers. Students must sign an ILE Plan Contract and submit it to Carol Hui by May 1. Option 1: Program Evaluation Required Class: PB HLTH 218B Evaluation of Health & Social Programs In PBHLTH 218B, you will be led through the process of designing a plan for a process and outcome evaluation of a program in groups of two. For your ILE, you will write a new evaluation based on the same/similar program/organization. Option #2: Case Study Required Class: PB HLTH 206D Global Nutrition In PBHLTH 206D, you will learn to write a case study. For your ILE, you must write a new case study on a topic of your choice. Option #3: Quantitative Research Project Using NHANES Data Set Required Class: PB HTLH 206C Nutritional Epidemiology In PBHLTH 206C, you will be led through data analysis of the NHANES data set. For your ILE, you will write your analysis in a 10-page paper. Additional Prerequisites/Concurrent Classes Required (all completed with B+ or higher): PB HLTH 142 Intro to Biostatistics (prior to Fall 2017) PB HLTH 250A Epidemiological Methods 1 (prior to Fall 2017) PB HTLH 241 Statistical Analysis of Categorical Data (prior to Fall 2017) PB HLTH 290 Applied Linear Models (concurrently with PBHLTH 292 PHN ILE Course in Fall 2017) Regardless of the type of paper written, there are four features that should be common to all the papers submitted to fulfill this requirement. The paper must: 1. Be original and new work done by the student and not previously submitted for credit in a course at UC Berkeley or any other institution. 2. Address a nutrition-related topic and demonstrate knowledge and skills in key public health and public health nutrition competencies. 3. Include a critical review of the literature describing what is already known about the topic area, and what gaps still remain. 4. Include a clear plan with: your question/issue/problem, your goals and objectives, your plan of activities for getting the work done, a rationale for your choice of those activities, how you will ein total, the examination requires: (1) a 10-page written paper, (2) a one- 226

page press release, and (3) a five-minute oral presentation to faculty and peers. In total, the examination requires: (1) a written component (a 20 page paper) and (2) a one page press release for a lay audience, and (3) a short (10 minute) oral presentation to a group of faculty and peers. As you work on your papers, consider how you are demonstrating your skill and competence in the following areas, which are key Public Health Nutrition Competencies: 1. Ability to set priorities to match the interest and funds available 2. Public policy advocacy skills to know what the levers are for policy change 3. Cultural competence at home and abroad, foreign and domestic 4. How nutrition affects populations understanding of nutrition science information and how to use it 5. Communication skills written and verbal, and for reaching mass audiences 6. Understanding how to translate academic research into practice and policy 7. Social competence knowledge and understanding of social and environmental determinants of health and nutrition 8. Community organization 9. Program planning and evaluation 10. Understanding of food systems, food production, and agriculture, and related business and economics 11. Networking and team building understanding of how to collaborate with other fields outside of public health 12. Understanding the health care delivery system 13. Understanding research gaps in nutrition LEARNING OBJECTIVES By completion of this course, students will be able to: 1. Articulate, in writing and orally, their breadth and depth of knowledge of public health, and, more specifically, the public health nutrition competencies. 2. Demonstrate the ability to translate academic research into a recommended practice, intervention or policy. 3. Demonstrate the ability to plan an evaluation for a program or project. 4. Create and deliver a concise presentation that communicates the background, core issue, recommendations/alternatives and challenges related to their chosen topic. 5. Demonstrate the ability to translate complex information into a press release suitable for a lay audience. 6. Demonstrate the ability to give and accept critical feedback from professional colleagues. 227