Degree: Master of Public Health
Program (Major/College): M.P.H./P.H.
Concentration: Infection Control(Code: IFC)
COPH Department: Global Health
Minimum Credit Hours: 46
Competencies: In addition to the overall Master of Public Health (M.P.H.) degree competencies, graduates with a concentration in Infection Control will:
- Outline the role of infection preventionists in various healthcare settings, outbreak and bio-terrorism scenarios and in promotion of public health;
- Describe essential research and education principles utilized in infection control practice;
- Identify and explain the essential elements of an infection control program;
- Compare and contrast infectious disease prevention strategies, surveillance and control of infectious disease in developed vs. developing countries;
- Design programs for the surveillance and control of communicable diseases on a national and global scale;
- Interpret the natural history of disease-causing parasites, bacteria, viruses, fungi, and other organisms of major public health concern, as well as the disease processes and clinical manifestations caused by those infectious organisms;
- Identify the appropriate diagnosis, epidemiology, surveillance, control, treatment and prevention of communicable diseases;
- Describe the natural human defenses, the appropriate use of diagnostic techniques and serological surveillance, and the role of preventive interventions and treatments such as isolation/precautions, vaccines, antibiotics and post-exposure prophylaxis against communicable diseases;
- Identify the cultural, social, and economic and environmental factors that contribute to the incidence and prevalence, as well as the transmission, control, treatment and prevention of communicable diseases;
- Analyze data collected through epidemiologic studies and interpret the findings; and
- Demonstrate mastery of the five areas of infection control practice: 1) identification of infectious disease processes; 2) surveillance and epidemiologic investigation; 3) preventing/controlling the transmission of infectious agents; 4) employee/occupational health; management and leadership; and 5) education and research.
Concentration Details
Curriculum Information
Download the 2015/2016 Program Check Sheet
Program Coursework
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* CH=Credit Hours; Pre-reqs= prerequisite courses unless noted as CR (co-requisite) or CC (Concurrent requisite)
- During 2nd semester meet with advisor and begin planning field experience. See http://health.usf.edu/publichealth/academicaffairs/fe/. May be met through the Peace Corps Master’s International option.
- Any grade below a C (C- to F) is required to be retaken. The grade will be included in the student's GPA.
- The College Reserves All Rights to Repeal And/or Modify.
Electives (6 credits) from within the College of Public Health, based upon student assessment, and approved by assigned advisor. Examples include but are not limited to the following:
- PHC 6530 Maternal and Child Health 1: Issues and Concepts
- PHC 6307 Principles of Exposure Assessment and Control
- PHC 6355 Principles of Occupational Safety
- PHC 6350 Occupational Toxicology and Risk Assessment
- PHC 6373 Protecting Public Health: Bioterrorism and Biodefense
- PHC 6556 Pathobiology of Human Disease I
- PHC 6074 Epidemiology of Diseases of Major Public Health Importance
- PHC 6591 Reproductive and Perinatal Epidemiology
- PHC 6104 Management of Public Health Programs
- PHC 6110 International Health and Health Care Systems
- PHC 6195 Public Health Data, Information and Decision Making