Occupational Health Psychology (PSYC6379)

A survey course focusing on the diverse content areas related to the emerging field of OHP.

Introduction to Epidemiology (PH2610)

Introduces students to principles and concepts in epidemiology through lectures, discussion groups, assigned readings, and exercises. Students are given the opportunity to acquire an understanding of these principles and concepts, the vocabulary of epidemiology, methods of epidemiologic investigation, and interpretation and evaluation of reports of epidemiologic research.

Safety Engineering (INDE7397)

Special Topics in Violence

 

 

Stress: A Social Psychological/Physiological Approach

 

 

Developmental Health Psychology (PSYC8393)

This course addresses issues affecting children and adolescents in the context of parental illness.  Our society has many resources for children and adolescents when it is the child who is ill.  Unfortunately, however, this is not the case when it is the parent who is ill.  In fact, in a recent textbook, Psycho-Oncology (Holland, 1988), only 3% of 1190 pages were devoted to the children of parents with cancer.  This seminar will take a developmental psychology perspective to address issues of parental illness both at home and in the workplace.  Possible topics for discussion include: the effects of depression and anxiety on parental and child coping strategies at home and at work; the effects of journal writing on mental and physical health in adolescent girls; the psychological stages of grieving involved in serious illness; family issues for spouses and children; children’s understanding of death and dying; and, long-term residual memory and attention problems associated with cancer treatments and their effects on the family and in the workplace.  Attempts will be made to incorporate student’s interests in that each student will select a topic of interest to write either an experimental design proposal or a grant proposal in this area.

Health Psychology: Emotional and Cognitive Issues of Serious Illness (PSYC8393)

Investigates the emotional and cognitive issues both at home and in the workplace that are associated with long-term survival from life-threatening illness.  Investigates the emotional and cognitive issues both at home and in the workplace that are associated with long-term survival from life-threatening illness.  With improvements in detection and treatment, for example, many cancer patients are being diagnosed earlier and are living longer with an increased need for psychological investigation and understanding across Clinical, Developmental, Social, Industrial-Organizational, and Neuropsychology.  Although psychological issues that will be discussed cut across many life-threatening illnesses (cancers, AIDS, etc.), this seminar focuses on breast cancer survivors.  Possible topics for discussion include: the influences of depression and anxiety on coping strategies; the effects of cancer diagnosis and treatment on cognitive functioning in the workplace; the social and cognitive factors affecting treatment decision-making; issues of self-image, optimism, and pain; the psychological stages of grieving involved in diagnosis and treatment of serious illness; family issues involving the survivor as wife and as parent; the role of the clinical psychologist in quality of life issues; the effects of exercise on optimism, depression and coping strategies, and the psychological aspects of immune system functioning.  The selection of specific topics to be included will depend upon the interest of the students, with each student selecting a topic of interest and developing either an experimental design proposal or a grant proposal in this area.  These proposals will be read and critiqued by the class.  No other assignments, examinations, or textbooks will be required.

Social Psychology/Behavioral Medicine (PSYC6337) 

This seminar addresses how social psychological theory and research are utilized to address a variety of significant public health issues related to behavioral health. A particular area of behavioral health is prevention of health threatening behaviors such as drug abuse, excessive use of alcohol, smoking and co-morbid behaviors such as risky sexual behavior or excessive gambling. Grantmanship is the core of the seminar. Each student prepares a possibly funded research proposal reflecting his or her particular interest in an area of behavioral health. Class members serve as a review group as each proposal proceeds through a process of development. Possible dissertations or theses may serve as the basis for the research proposal which each student develops.

Stress and Work (MANA 7337)

Examination of stress causes and management techniques, including relationship of stress to health, performance, and individual differences.

Occupational Health Law (LAW 5308)

Explores the federal regulation of workplace safety, focusing on the developing case law under the Occupational Health and Administration Act.

Practicum

A practicum within an organizational setting is strongly recommended, but not required.