We acknowledge that the UBC Vancouver campus is situated on the traditional, ancestral, and unceded territory of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam).
We invite you to check out these Summer Courses that have space available!
SPPH 581O: Intervening in Global Public Health, Sustainability, and Preventive Medicine
Learn to apply the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals and the Social Determinants of Health to real-world problems!
Taught by Professor Erica Frank, this course aims to equip students with the skills and knowledge to improve global public health outcomes through a hands-on, case-/problem-based learning approach. Students will have the opportunity to collaborate in small teams to develop and implement interventions that address real-world public health issues, with a particular focus on the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Social Determinants of Health (SDoH).
Tuesdays: 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm
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SPPH 541 Economic Evaluation
Taught by health economists Craig Mitton and Stirling Bryan, the course introduces students to the basic concepts and tools of economic evaluation in health services research. It equips students with the knowledge and skills needed to undertake critical evaluations of economic analyses of new drugs, technologies, and other health interventions, as well as to design economic evaluation protocols.
The course covers a range of topics including the rationale for economic evaluation, different approaches such as cost-effectiveness analysis (CEA), cost-utility analysis (CUA), and cost-benefit analysis (CBA), and measuring costs and outcomes. Students will learn about discounting, sensitivity analysis, and decision analysis modeling. The course also addresses the practical application of economic evaluation methods, including alongside clinical trials and in health care resource allocation.
Thursdays: 9:00 am to 1:00 pm
SPPH 538 Application of Ethical Theories in the Practice of Public Health
Taught by Dr. Daniel Steel, the course introduces students to ethical theories and frameworks relevant to public health and provides hands-on experience in applying these theories to real-world public health dilemmas. The first half of the course focuses on introducing ethical theories, while the second half dives into examples of ethical issues in public health practice, such as immunization and the opioid crisis. Learning outcomes for the course include the ability to identify and describe ethical issues in public health, explain and apply ethical theories and frameworks, connect empirical research to ethical issues, and support recommendations for public health policies with ethical reasoning.
Thursdays: 9:00 am to 1:00 pm
SPPH 519 Qualitative Methods in Health Research Design
This course, taught by Professor Brenda Poon, introduces students to the principles and practice of qualitative inquiry in health research. This course provides a general understanding of qualitative research methods and skills- and practice-oriented experiences related to the design and conduct of qualitative studies in population and public health and interdisciplinary health research. Key learning objectives include explaining the practice of qualitative inquiry and ways it differs from quantitative research; various tools and approaches of a qualitative researcher; and ways to evaluate the rigour of qualitative research. Students will have the opportunity to design a qualitative research project on a health-related topic. Assessment is based on class participation, class presentation, and a final qualitative research proposal.
Thursdays: 12 noon to 4:00 pm
SPPH 527: Social Determinants of Health
The course provides a comprehensive overview of the social determinants that influence health outcomes and contribute to health inequities. It emphasizes understanding the structural and systemic roots of health disparities and the importance of considering these factors in public health research and practice. Through a combination of guest speaker presentations, group discussions, and critical appraisal of research studies, students gain a deeper understanding of how social determinants impact the health of individuals and communities.
The course is structured to encourage active participation and engagement with the material, with a focus on creating an open and respectful learning environment. Students are assessed through participation, critical appraisal of research articles, group presentations, and essays. The course equips students with the knowledge and skills to critically analyze public health research and develop interventions that address the social determinants of health to improve population health and reduce health inequities.
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SPPH 536: Aboriginal People and Public Health: Ethics, Policy, and Practice
This transformative course, rooted in the ancestral knowledge of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam) and Syilx peoples, delves into the ethics, policies, and practices shaping Indigenous health. Guided by Professor Patricia Spittal, and enriched by Indigenous Health Leaders’ teachings, students will engage in deep discussions, reflective journals, and applied learning activities.
Explore pre-contact Indigenous health, the impacts of settler colonialism, and the ongoing challenges faced by Indigenous communities. Unpack systemic racism in healthcare, learn about cultural safety and humility, and understand the importance of governance in health and wellness. This course is a journey towards accountability and leadership in Indigenous public health, empowering students to be effective change agents in health system transformation
Thursday 1:00pm to 5:00pm
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