Course Descriptions

• CHS 701. Biostatistics. General introduction to descriptive and inferential statistics: techniques and principles for describing data, designing research, analyzing data and principles of statistical analysis. This course covers basic statistical methods such as relative risk, number needed to treat, "square" tests and linear regression. An emphasis is placed on describing treatment effects with 95% confidence intervals. Permission of instructor. (3 semester hours)
• CHS 702. Biostatistical Modeling I. This course covers many aspects of regression modeling as it is commonly used in health research. The statistical methods covered include multiple linear regression and multiple logistic regression. Prerequisite: CHS 701 . (3 semester hours)
• CHS 703. Clinical Decision Making. This course expands on topics covered in the first modeling course. This class also covers other topics such as survival analysis and factor analysis and addresses problems that arise during research including dissertation research. Prerequisite: CHS 701 and CHS 702 . (3 semester hours)
• CHS 704. Research Methods I. This course is a survey of qualitative, quantitative and clinical research methodology including techniques and procedures for research design, data collection, data analysis, and data presentation. Prerequisites: CHS 601/70l Biostatistics or permission of instructor. Prerequisite: CHS 701 (3 semester hours)
• CHS 705. Research Methods II. A continuation of CHS 704 Research Methods I. The main focus of this course is to provide practical exposure to hypothesis or question driven research, literature reviews, tools needed to write a dissertation proposal, and organization of the research report. Prerequisites: CHS 704,CHS 701, CHS 702, CHS 720, CHS 706 or permission of instructor. (3 semester hours)
• CHS 706. Philosophy of Science. A survey of general research design principles and methods related to health services research; philosophy of science method, language of research, evaluation of existing scientific literature, empirical research methodologies, experimental approaches and qualitative research designs. (3 semester hours)
• CHS 709. Qualitative Research Designs. An examination of qualitative designs most applicable to the study of health care. The course focuses on essential aspects of qualitative research designs, including identification of researchable questions, subject protection, interviewing and transcribing, and analysis methods. (3 semester hours)
• CHS 711. Basic Human Neurobiology. Neurological basis of central nervous system function with emphasis on motor performance. (3 semester hours)
• CHS 716. Advanced Laboratory Diagnostics. The course is designed as a general overview of new and developing advanced laboratory techniques. The major areas are: advanced chromatography (GC and HPLC), immunology techniques (ELISA, Western Blot), nucleic acid and amplification protocols (PCR, RT PCR, Northern/Southern Blot Hybridization, restriction enzyme digest analysis, etc.) and a discussion of clinical virology as it applies to the development of diagnostics in the laboratory. The course is intended to offer students expertise in emerging techniques in the laboratory and an understanding of the rapid technical changes occurring in clinical, research, and industrial laboratory settings. Prerequisite: Permission of instructor. (3 semester hours)
• CHS 717. Directed Research. Program recommendation required. (Hours/credit TBA.)
• CHS 719. Anatomical Basis of Human Movement. An integrated lecture and laboratory approach to regional study of the gross anatomical structure and functions of the human body with emphasis on the study of the musculoskeletal, nervous and cardiovascular systems. (8 semester hours)
• CHS 720. Essentials of Pathophysiology. An introduction in the physiology and biological manifestations of diseases. Topics to be covered will include organ dynamics, inflammation, healing and repair, immunity, and neoplasia. (3 semester hours)
• CHS 721. Advanced Pathophysiology. This course is designed to study how alterations in structure (anatomy) and function (physiology) disrupt the human body as a whole. Emphasis will be placed on how the human body uses its adaptive powers to maintain steady state. Prerequisite: CHS 720 Essentials of Pathophysiology. (3 semester hours)
• CHS 722. Problems in Pathophysiology. A course designed to acquaint students with field-oriented problems in pathophysiology. Prerequisite: CHS 720 Essentials of Pathophysiology. (Hours/credit TBA)
• CHS 723. Pathophysiological Phenomena. A focused review of specific pathophysiological phenomena (e.g. pain, inflammation, wound healing) and evaluative criteria used to answer research questions. Students present and evaluate current research on selected topics. Required for the biological/physiological focus. Prerequisite: CHS 720 and CHS 701. (3 semester hours)
• CHS 724. Pharmacological Considerations in Health Practice. An overview of the reactions of the body to medications introduced under selected conditions encountered by health practitioners. (3 semester hours.)
• CHS 725. Basic Biomedical Microbiology. Emphasis and content to be arranged. (3 semester hours.)
• CHS 726. Health Care Professions in Underserved Areas. This course provides an in depth analysis of health care management, delivery and recruitment of practitioners for rural and underserved communities. The focus will be on issues unique to Mississippi in the areas of economics, policy decision, practice management and psychosocial aspects of rural health practice. (1 semester hours)
• CHS 728. Histopathology. A study of the microscopic and functional changes in selected tissues and organ systems due to injuries and/or diseases, incorporating a review of the normal structure and functions of eukaryotic cells, the four basic tissues and the relevant organ systems. The proposed etiologies and pathogenesis of the selected diseases will be considered. (3 semester hours)
• CHS 729. Health Systems Phenomena. A focused review of specific health systems phenomena and evaluative criteria used to answer research questions. Students present and evaluate current research on selected topics. Prerequisite: CHS 701 and CHS 720 (3 semester hours)
• CHS 730. Critical Thinking in Health Sciences. This course emphasizes concepts of critical thinking and problem solving skills as they apply to students in health sciences. Students will review material that will facilitate problem solving in a health care environment. (1 semester hour)
• CHS 740. Biomedical Ethics and Health Law in the Clinical Health Sciences. An introduction to morality, ethics, and the law. Principles of biomedical ethics and health law resources are used to analyze current problems and dilemmas arising between patients and the health care system. Promotion of quality of health care, patient access to care, and liability of health care professionals and institutions form the basis for reading and writing assignments and group discussions. (3 semester hours)
• CHS 741. Medical Sociology. This course will examine how socio‐cultural and demographic factors influence utilization of health care resources. Specifically, this course will deal with ethical issues surrounding access and care; barriers to quality care; and variations in definitions of what it means to be ill and healthy (e.g., epidemic of health). This will include multicultural issues associated with access to quality care. In addition to the above, this course will explore various sociological theories and methodologies used in the analysis of health care data. (3 xemester hours)
• CHS 750. Health Systems Management. Designed to provide an analysis of the health care delivery system including organizational, delivery, financing and integrative aspects among the various delivery/policy sectors. Major concepts and topics will include managerial, social, behavioral and economics. Utilization of case studies will be a major course direction. (3 semester hours)
• CHS 759. Geographic Information Systems (GIS) in Health Care and Epidemiology. This course combines an overview of the general principles of GIS and analytical use of spatial information technology applicable for healthcare professionals. (3 semester hours)
• CHS 761. Topics in Health Informatics. Health informatics topics, including the electronic health record, clinical information systems, health care policy analysis and development, technology and data standards, health information exchange and consumer health informatics. Course includes extensive reading and critical discussion of relevant professional research literature. (3 semester hours)
• CHS 762. Data Exchange and Manipulation in Health Systems. A study of database and systems through which to accomplish the exchange of data between computer systems. Course will focus on the process of data extraction, format, and manipulation for the upload, download, and transfer of data between heterogeneous systems. Topics will include a study of database tools and query languages, format standards, and communication protocols. (3 semester hours)
• CHS 763. Alternative and Complementary Therapies. This course will answers questions about kinds of alternative and complementary therapies, alternative health care providers, efficacy of various treatments, legalities and economics involved, and different cultural systems of health care. (3 semester hours)
• CHS 764. Biostatistical Computer Applications in Health Care. This is a three-hour lecture/lab course, which introduces the use of biostatistical computer packages available within the academic/clinical settings. The course covers the theory of biostatistical software package such as SPSS, SAS, MINITAB, and EXCEL. It provides students with skills needed to understand data management, manipulation and analysis. Students will acquire hands-on training and learn how to analyze, describe, visualize and present data using statistical software. Prerequisite: CHS 601/701 Biostatistics or equivalent. (3 semester hours)
• CHS 775. Health Care Disparity. This class will examine issues related to disparity in healthcare. Topics in this class will focus on disparity issues ranging from access to care, to quality of care, to differential health outcomes and treatment of vulnerable populations at both national levels and within the state of Mississippi. Education (e.g., skills training related to racial and ethnic health disparities), community issues and research associated with disparate treatment will form the foundation for discussion and coursework. (3 semester hours)
• CHS 765 Decision Support Systems. Design and development of decision support systems, with emphasis on use of knowledge management applications and decision analysis techniques. Design of artificial intelligence systems will be addressed. (3 semester hours)
• CHS 776. Rural Health Care. This class will focus on the special needs rural healthcare providers face in providing care. Specific topics will focus on the use of technology (e.g., telehealth and telemedicine), recruitment of healthcare professionals, service delivery models, and policy (National and State) directed at improving care in rural areas. (3 semester hours)
  CHS 767 Clinical Vocabularies & Classification Systems. Addresses standardized clinical terminology, medical vocabulary standards, data mapping and natural language processing. Covers classifications used for statistical reporting, as well as terminologies required for interoperability standards. (3 semester hours)
• CHS 768 Ethical, Legal & Social Issues in Health Informatics. Uses case-based approach to examine ethical, legal and social concerns related to use and protection of electronic health information. Addresses social factors related to diffusion of innovations in health care environments. Requires use of critical thinking to address tough challenges in today's health care environment. (3 semester hours)
• CHS 780. Special Topics. Treatment of specific subjects not dealt with fully in other courses. This course may cover any area of interest to the student(s) and at least one faculty member. (Hours/credit TBA)
• CHS 781. Special Problems. (Hours/credit TBA)
• CHS 782. Seminar. (Hours/credit TBA)
• CHS 790. Thesis Research Proposal. An advanced course in which master's degree students prepare a research proposal for their thesis research project. (Hours/credit TBA.)
• CHS 791. Dissertation Research Proposal. An advanced course in which doctoral students prepare a research proposal for their dissertation research project. (Maximum of 3 semester hours.)
• CHS 798. Dissertation and Dissertation Research. (Minimum of 6 semester hours)
• CHS 799. Thesis and Thesis Research. (Maximum of 9 semester hours)