University of Pennsylvania
Graduate Program in Public Health
MPH Degree Program
Course Syllabus – Spring 2012
Title: PUBH 508 – Capstone Seminar
Course Units: 1.0 c.u. / Semester, Contact Hours: 42 hours / Semester
Course Description: The Capstone is a two semester integrating experience required for
graduation in the Master of Public Health Program. In two Capstone Seminars, students will
synthesize the knowledge and public health competencies they have developed through their
coursework. Capstone students will apply their knowledge and skills to public health problems in
a chosen area of interest.
They will engage their peers in scholarly discussion, drawing from relevant scientific
literature and public health experience in order to begin to develop a common grounding and
identity as public health professionals.
The capstone experience includes a mentored project that involves no less than 108 hours
of fieldwork in a community setting. Over the course of the Capstone Experience, students will
develop, propose, revise, implement, and present their projects.
Placement / Room Assignments:
Section 001: Thursday, 5:00-8:00 PM
Blockley Hall, Room 940
Section 002 (afternoon and evening):
Monday, 1:00-4:00 PM
TBA
Monday, 4:30-7:30 PM
Anatomy Chemistry Building, Room 104
Section 003: Monday, 4:30-7:30 PM
Anatomy Chemistry Building, Room 103
Course Instructors: Jeane Ann Grisso, MD, MSc (Section 001)
Professor of Medicine and Nursing, University of Pennsylvania
425 Claire Fagin Hall, Philadelphia, PA, 19104-6096
215-746-5477
jgrisso@nursing.upenn.edu
Office Hours: By Appointment.
Rosemary Frasso, PhD, MSc, CPH (Section 002)
Lecturer, School of Nursing and School of Social Policy & Practice,
University of Pennsylvania
129 Anatomy Chemistry Building, 3620 Hamilton Walk,
Philadelphia, PA 19104
215-746-8554
rofrasso@mail.med.upenn.edu
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Office Hours: By Appointment.
Frances S. Shofer, PhD (Section 003)
Adjunct Professor of Emergency Medicine
Director of Research Design & Biostatistics, University of Pennsylvania
Department of Emergency Medicine, Ground Floor, Ravdin Building,
3400 Spruce Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104-4283
215-662-6917
frances.shofer@uphs.upenn.edu
Office Hours: By Appointment.
Pre-requisites: MPH Students Only.
Course Overview: Each MPH student is required to complete a public health practice
experience and produce a culminating Masters’ project known jointly as the MPH Capstone
Experience. The two-semester Capstone Course is a core element of the Penn Public Health
Program as it provides each student faculty guidance as they design, negotiate, complete and
share their Capstone Experience with the Penn public health community and stakeholders.
Capstone instructors provide guidance and supervision to students as they apply the knowledge
and skills they have acquired through their academic course work in a supervised real world
setting.
Co-requisites: None.
Capstone Public Health Fieldwork: Capstone students are responsible for identifying a field
placement and a community preceptor. Typically students secure placements in organizations
that provide public health services, conduct public health research or are engaged in program
planning and evaluation. Each semester Capstone 1 students should contact Wendy Voet, MPH,
Director of Community Engagement and Public Relations for the Master in Public Health
Program. Ms. Voet will be helping students identify appropriate placements and design their
practice experience to assure a rich field work experience. Additionally, Ms. Voet will help
students deal with the field placement logistics including, but not limited to, appropriate
documentation of student time in the field. Each Capstone 1 student must complete a Fieldwork
Form and submit this to Ms. Voet by March 18th, 2012. The Capstone fieldwork experience
must include at least 108 hours of work outside of the classroom. Note: Students must keep a
fieldwork journal, and document their hours in the field. Additionally, students must submit a
journal summary by the end of their 2nd Capstone semester. Of note, the deliverable described
below may or may not be related to the student’s fieldwork. Some students choose to carry out
the fieldwork requirement as a practical experience and work on a public health related research
project for their capstone deliverable.
Capstone Deliverable: Capstone students are responsible for designing a public health project
and completing and presenting a deliverable (described below). Each student must identify an
MPH faculty mentor, who will oversee the design and development accompanying the
deliverable. The deliverable may or may not be related to the student’s fieldwork. The final
product may include (but is not limited to); a research paper, white paper, report to stakeholders
or product, such as a newly designed curriculum or public health promotion campaign. Each
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student is required to conduct a comprehensive review of the relevant literature to assure they
understand the social, cultural, and environmental context of the public health problem of
interest. Additionally students are asked to pay particular attention to the relevant policy
environment, and to the needs of vulnerable populations. The nature and scope of the project is
determined jointly by the student, MPH faculty advisor and their capstone course instructor.
Student fieldwork placements and plans for the final deliverable must be approved by
their capstone course instructor who assures that each student’s experience provides an
opportunity to master the core competencies addressed in their course work. These include but
are not limited to: applying the public health paradigm in a real world setting, employing the
ecological framework in the understanding of the chosen public health problem, choosing the
appropriate research methods to explore a public health problem, and effectively assessing the
needs of a community or population, identifying the appropriate information in order to employ
evidence based public health practice in the field.
Student progress is monitored by each student’s MPH faculty mentor, community
preceptor, Ms. Voet, and weekly in the seminar setting by the capstone instructor. In class
students will engage their peers in scholarly discussion, drawing on relevant scientific literature
and their individual public health experiences in order to begin to develop as public health
professionals. At the end of the second semester in the capstone course each student must submit
a paper and present their capstone experience and the associated deliverable to the MPH
community and the organizations and groups they worked with. This allows the faculty an
opportunity to assure the student is able to effectively communicate public health information
with.
Course Objectives/Core Competencies:
At the conclusion of the course, the student will be able to:
 Apply social science-based theories and frameworks, as well as epidemiological,
biostatistical, and/or qualitative methods in order to:
o Understand what it means to identify and solve a new or existing public health
problem including diagnosis and analysis, negotiating the opportunity to
intervene, documenting the need for intervention, planning, implementing and
evaluating a program.
o Assess population-level health status and health needs and identify at-risk
populations at the local, community, regional, national and global level.
o Understand the social, demographic and economic determinants of health and
identify factors that contribute to health disparities in order to promote timely
and appropriate use of health services and health promotion programs.
o Plan, design, apply and evaluate public health projects, interventions and
research efforts while employing evidence based practice in order to improve
health behavior, health communication, public health outcomes, and public
health preparedness.
o Develop collaborative partnerships across disciplines and organizational
sectors in order to enhance the impact and sustainability of public health
programs and research efforts.
o Collaborate with, and contribute to, the work of others. A key aspect of the
course is to critically review and offer feedback on peer projects and
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proposals. The course provides a “laboratory” where students can practice
these skills.
Teaching Methods:
 Each student’s capstone experience is monitored in the context of the capstone course--a
highly interactive seminar that complements each student’s independent work.
 Graduate education is largely self-directed. Students are expected to take the lead in
designing, developing and executing their projects, relying on course instructors as
facilitators and critical reviewers. In this class the students and the instructors will be
engaged in a partnership that fosters active learning.
 The class will follow the structure laid out in the syllabus but there will be some
flexibility and openness in order to address the varied public health interests of, and
challenges faced by, the students.
Evaluation Methods:

Students receive an S or U for all Capstone semesters until their Capstone Experience is
completed. A letter grade (A, B, or F) is then assigned for the overall 2.0 cu (2 semester)
Capstone Experience. After the student has successfully completed all Capstone
requirements and has successfully presented his or her work to Penn’s MPH community,
the S or U will be changed to a letter grade for each segment of the Capstone Experience.

Note: Capstone Semester 1 Students will be given a letter grade by the course instructor
at the end of the first Capstone semester. This grade will not appear on the transcript
but will be shared with the second semester Capstone instructor and will influence the
final grade for both semesters.

An incomplete or “I” is given when the student has not submitted the proper
documentation or required work. Capstone Seminar 1 students with an “I” cannot move
forward to Capstone Seminar 2. Capstone Seminar 2 students with an incomplete will not
be given authorization to graduate.

Specific Expectations:
 Students are expected to be prepared to actively participate in the class discussions
and activities based on the topic and readings of the day and their own experience and
interests. Class participation grades are determined in part on the quality of the
feedback students provide peers during the Capstone review process.
 For this class to accomplish its goal of advancing each student’s research,
collaboration is key. Therefore, attendance will be taken each week and will impact
the student’s grade. Students who need to miss class must notify their course
instructor prior to the class meeting.
 Students should demonstrate that they think critically and creatively, and that they
can apply what they learn. This will be demonstrated through class participation and
successful completion of assignments and ultimately, satisfactory and timely
completion of the Capstone protocol (semester 1), final project (semester 2) and
associated oral presentations in both semesters.
 Students will complete all paperwork associated with the Capstone project and
fieldwork in a timely fashion.
 Forms: (to be found on BB)
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o Capstone 1 students must complete the following forms and submit them to the
appropriate parties on or before March 18th, 2012. Please keep copies of all your
paper work.
 Public Health Fieldwork APPROVAL FORM
(cc: Ms. Voet, Capstone Instructor, MPH office)
 Capstone Project APPROVAL FORM
(cc: Capstone Instructor, MPH office)
o Capstone 2 students must complete the following forms and submit them on or
before their capstone presentation.
 Fieldwork Summary FORM
(cc: Ms. Voet, Capstone Instructor, MPH office)
 Capstone Project Summary FORM
(cc: Capstone Instructor, MPH office)

Assignment Weights: The assignments and class activities will be given the following
weights.
Capstone Semester 1 Assignments and Grading
Class participation:
Assignment 1: Key Literature (background and significance)
Assignment 2: Presentation of Capstone Protocol (plan)
Assignment 3: Written Protocol (plan)
25 points
20 points
25 points
30 points
Capstone Semester 2 Assignments and Grading
Class participation:
25 points
Assignment 1: Key Literature (background and significance)
10 points
Assignment 2: Presentation Capstone Progress Report (in class)
10 points
Assignment 3: Final Written Capstone Project Report & Journal Summary25 points
Assignment 4: Final Capstone Project Presentation (MPH Community) 30 points
Assignments & Presentations:
Capstone Semester 1 Students:
Assignment 1 - Key Literature:
 In both Capstone semesters, students will carefully select an article or articles (no
more than 3) that have influenced their thinking, research question, and/or
approach to their Capstone project. Students will present their articles to the class.
Note: Students must distribute these articles to their classmates and capstone
instructor at least 1 week prior to their presentation.
o The key literature should introduce your colleagues to your area of interest
and provide context regarding the importance of your particular Capstone
project to public health.
o During the “key literature” session students should address the following
questions: What is the main research question addressed in this paper?
What methods were applied? What are the shortcomings and strengths of
this approach? What questions remain unanswered? How does your
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research question or project fit in? What are the possible strategies you
have considered or are considering using to respond to those unanswered
questions? Pros and cons of each? How is this relevant to public health?
o In addition, students should be able to describe the theory or conceptual
framework that is guiding their own work. Presenters and colleagues
should come away with a clearer idea of why the particular Capstone
project matters to public health.
Assignment 2 - Capstone Project Protocol--Oral Presentation:
 Students in their first semester of the Capstone Experience will present their
Capstone Project protocol and a progress report in class.
Assignment 3 - Written Capstone Project Protocol:
 Students will prepare and submit a formal protocol to the IRB and their instructor.
 Students will submit a written report on their progress to date, including but not
limited to a detailed project outline and a status report on their protocol/IRB
submission.
 The protocol should ideally follow the sections of the Penn Social and Behavioral
Sciences IRB Section II Protocol Summary form (as appropriate, given the nature
of the student’s Capstone project). This form, with guidance for each section, is
available at: www.upenn.edu/regulatoryaffairs/human/forms.html. Note: The
Capstone Preceptor Agreement Form and Capstone Plan Approval Form
must be completed and submitted by the end of the first semester of the Capstone
experience.
Capstone Semester 2 Students:
Assignment 1 - Key Literature (see details above)
Assignment 2 - Capstone Progress Report-Oral Presentation:
 Students in their second semester of the Capstone Experience will present a
project progress report to the class. This presentation should be considered a ‘dryrun’ for the final presentation, which will take place at the end of each student’s
second semester in the Capstone course. This presentation should be
comprehensive and include but not be limited to: all aspects of the study or
project design, analysis, interpretation, and public health relevance.
Assignment 3 - Final Written Capstone Project Report:
 The final Capstone project report should be structured as a scientific paper (if
applicable). This will be discussed in class.
Assignment 4 - Final Capstone Project Presentation:
 Final Capstone presentations are required in order to earn credit for completing
the two-semester Capstone Experience. At the end of each student’s second
semester in the Capstone course, he or she will present his or her completed
project to the MPH community, including MPH students and faculty members as
well as Community Preceptors and Capstone Mentors. The Capstone Instructor
will be in touch with second semester students individually in order to schedule
these final presentations, which will likely occur outside of class time.
 Note:
1. Students must submit a journal summary by the end of their 2nd Capstone
semester.
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2. Students’ final Capstone forms must be completed and submitted to the MPH
office at least one week prior to the students’ final presentation.
3. Students are required to turn in a copy of their deliverable (including a brief
abstract describing their capstone experience) and, if applicable, a copy of
their power point presentation to the MPH office, on or before their final
presentation.
All Class Presentations:
 Presentations will be 20-30 minutes, followed by discussion (exact time to be determined
in class).
 Each presentation will be assigned a “primary” and a “secondary” reviewer. Primary
reviewers will lead the question and comment period, and secondary reviewers will
collate all class and instructor comments. Those comments should be emailed to the
presenter and posted to blackboard within a week following the presentation. If either
reviewer cannot be present during their assigned week, they should make sure that this
responsibility is covered by another member of the class.
 Students may elect to use PowerPoint for their presentation of a Capstone Protocol (if in
seminar 1) or a Capstone Progress Report (if in seminar 2).
 After the presentation, the in-class discussion points should be emailed to and reviewed
with the student’s Capstone Mentor. This is the student’s responsibility.
 Capstone Mentors and Field Preceptors are strongly encouraged to attend final Capstone
presentations to the MPH community.
 Evaluation of presentations will be based on the following criteria:
o Content: Addresses the goals of the assignment as described above.
o Oral Presentation Skills: Nonverbal skills (eye contact, body language), and
verbal skills (elocution and ability to engage the audience, spark constructive
conversation), creativity, and time management.
o Written or Other Deliverable: Clarity, format and comprehensiveness.
All Written Reports:
 All reports must be submitted to the Capstone instructor by the end of each semester. All
reports must be double spaced, 12pt font, 1” margins, AMA or APA format and
submitted via Black Board. Details will be reviewed in class.
 Reports will be graded based on the content, clarity and format.
Academic Integrity and Authorship Guidelines: Students are expected to adhere to the
University’s Code of Academic Integrity. Care should be taken to avoid academic integrity
violations, including: plagiarism, fabrication of information, and multiple submissions. Students
who engage in any of these actions will be referred to the Office of Academic Integrity, which
investigates and decides on sanctions in cases of academic dishonesty.
See link for more information: http://www.upenn.edu/academicintegrity/index.html
Many capstone projects lead to publication. Students should discuss authorship with their
capstone instructors, community preceptors and MPH advisors. For more information visit:
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http://jama.amaassn.org/site/misc/ifora.xhtml#AuthorshipCriteriaandContributionsandAuthorshipForm
MPH Academic Standing Policy/Academic Probation: According to University policy, a
graduate student must maintain a ‘B’ average or better to be considered in good academic
standing. A student who does not meet the University policy of a ‘B’ /3.0 average will be
reviewed by the MPH Program Director, the Associate Director and the Academic Progressions
Committee. A student may be put on academic probation for a period of 1 semester to improve
his/her overall average may be put on academic probation for a period of 1 semester to improve
his/her overall average.
Any course in which the student receives a grade below a B- will not be applied toward
the Master of Public Health degree. The record of any student who receives an unsatisfactory
grade (less than a ‘B-‘) in a course or who does not meet the University policy of a ‘B’ /3.0
average will be reviewed by the MPH Program Director, the Associate Director and the
Academic Progressions Committee. A student may be put on academic probation for a period of
1 semester to improve his/her overall average
Students may continue to take other courses during the probation period and the student
must make arrangements with the course director to remediate any grades lower than a B-. These
arrangements must be approved by the MPH Program Director with input from the Academic
Progressions Committee as needed. Any student who is on academic probation for a period
greater than 1 semester will be referred to the Academic Progressions Committee for review and
recommendation. This committee is authorized to dismiss the student or allow the student to
remain in the program on a probationary basis. A return to good academic standing is contingent
on receiving an acceptable grade (B or higher) in all remaining courses.
The MPH grading policy is at the discretion of the individual course instructors.
Please find below the generally used grading scale for the MPH Program.
A+ 97-100
B+ 87-89
C+ 77-79
A
93-96
B
83-86
C
73-76
A- 90-92
B- 80-82
C- 70-72
F
Please note that an A+ carries the same weight (4.0) as an A.
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Incomplete Grade: It is expected that a matriculated Master of Public Health student shall
complete the work of a course during the semester in which that course is taken. A student who
fails to complete a course within the prescribed period shall receive at the instructor’s discretion
either a grade of I (incomplete) or F (failure). If the incomplete is given, the instructor may
permit an extension of time up to one year for the completion of the course. In such cases, any
course which is still incomplete after one calendar year from its official ending must remain as
incomplete on the student’s record and shall not be credited toward the MPH degree. Students
who receive two or more incompletes within a semester may not register for the subsequent
semester(s) without the permission of the Department.
For additional information on academic policies, please refer to the corresponding sections in the
Student Handbook.
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