Emergency & Disaster Mgmt (EDM)

This course provides an introduction to the field of emergency management. It covers the fundamental principles, key concepts, and essential practices involved in managing emergencies and disasters, both natural and human-caused. Students will explore the roles and responsibilities of emergency managers, the coordination among various agencies and organizations, and the impact of emergencies on communities.

The Foundations of Homeland Security and Defense course provides a comprehensive overview of the core concepts, frameworks, and practices essential to understanding and managing homeland security and defense in a modern context. This course explores the multi-faceted nature of homeland security, encompassing national, state, and local perspectives. Students will explore the historical development, policy frameworks, strategic approaches, and operational challenges associated with protecting the nation's critical infrastructure, borders, and citizens.

International and Humanitarian Disasters Management is an interdisciplinary course designed to equip students with the knowledge, skills, and tools necessary to understand, and manage, complex crises around the globe. The course delves into the causes, impacts, and responses to natural disasters, armed conflicts, public health emergencies, and other humanitarian crises. Students will gain a comprehensive understanding of disaster management, humanitarian principles, international law, and the operational frameworks employed by international organizations, NGOs, and governments during a disaster.

This course offers an in-depth exploration of the principles, regulations, and practices essential for managing hazardous materials and ensuring industrial safety. The curriculum covers a broad range of topics including the identification and classification of hazardous substances, risk assessment, emergency response planning, and safety management systems.

This course is designed to equip students with the knowledge, skills, and practical experience necessary to effectively manage and respond to natural hazards and emergencies. Through an interdisciplinary approach students are equipped with the advanced knowledge and practical skills to better understand, analyze, and mitigate the impacts of natural disasters.

This course provides an in-depth analysis of Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD), including nuclear, chemical, biological, and radiological weapons. The course explores the historical evolution, technological aspects, and global impact of WMDs. Students will engage with critical issues related to the proliferation, control, and deterrence of these weapons, and will analyze the complex international frameworks and treaties to gain insights into the complex network of international relations and national security strategies.

This course explores the principles and practices of risk and crisis communications within organizational settings. Students will gain a comprehensive understanding of how to identify, assess, and manage risks, as well as how to effectively communicate during crises to protect organizational reputation and ensure stakeholder trust. The course combines theoretical frameworks with practical case studies to equip students with the skills necessary for strategic communication in high-pressure situations.

The Business Continuity and Crisis Management course is designed to equip students with the tools and skills necessary to plan for, respond to, and recover from disruptive events that can impact an organization’s operations. The course focuses on a holistic approach to risk management, emphasizing both preventive measures and reactive strategies to ensure business resilience.

This course is designed to prepare professionals for the complexities of maintaining and managing recovery strategies and restoring business operations in the face of disruptions. The course emphasizes a multidisciplinary approach, combining elements of business continuity, risk management, crisis management, and strategic planning. Students will explore the theoretical foundations and practical applications of recovery planning, with a focus on minimizing the impact of disruptions and ensuring organizational resilience.

This course provides an in-depth examination of terrorism as a global phenomenon, exploring its causes, evolution, and impact on contemporary society. Through a multidisciplinary lens, students will investigate the historical roots of terrorism, the psychological and sociological factors driving individuals and groups to engage in terrorist activities, and the various methods and strategies employed by terrorists. The course will also explore the complex challenges faced by governments and international organizations in combating terrorism, including the legal, ethical, and strategic dimensions of counterterrorism efforts.

Organizational Management and Communications is an interdisciplinary course designed to provide students with advanced expertise in managing organizations and mastering communication strategies. The course blends key principles of management, leadership, and communication, to prepare students to take on leadership roles, drive organizational change, and craft effective communication initiatives.

This course provides an in-depth exploration of the psychological impacts of disasters on individuals, communities, and responders. Students will examine the cognitive, emotional, and behavioral responses to various types of disasters. The course will also cover the cultural and social factors that influence psychological responses to disasters, ethical considerations in disaster psychology, and the development and implementation of psychological interventions and support systems

The Principles of Disaster Exercises and Drills course provides a thorough overview of the design, planning, execution, and evaluation of exercises and drills. Through a combination of lectures, case studies, and hands-on activities, students will gain practical knowledge and skills to effectively develop and implement drills, tabletop, functional, and full-scale exercises. Students will learn to develop objectives, create realistic scenarios, manage logistics, and facilitate post-exercise evaluation and improvement planning. PREREQUISITES: EDM610, EDM 631, and EDM651

This course provides a general overview of logistics management, focusing on the planning, implementation, and control of efficient and effective flow and storage of goods, and services during a disaster from the point of origin to the point of consumption. Students will explore key concepts and practices in logistics, including supply chain management, inventory control, transportation management, warehousing, and distribution strategies.

This course provides an in-depth exploration of public health principles and practices within the context of disasters. Students will gain a comprehensive understanding of the impact of disasters on public health systems and communities. The course covers key topics including risk assessment, emergency planning, resource management, and the coordination of public health efforts during crises.

This course explores the unique challenges faced by vulnerable populations during disasters, including but not limited to the elderly, children, individuals with disabilities, low-income communities, and marginalized groups. It examines the intersection of social, economic, and environmental factors that exacerbate the risks and impacts of disasters on these groups. Students will also explore how these factors affect the experiences and needs of these populations before, during, and after disasters.

This Healthcare Emergency Management course provides a in-depth exploration of healthcare emergency management, focusing on strategies within healthcare settings. Students will explore the principles of emergency management, including risk assessment, emergency planning, and coordination among various stakeholders. The course emphasizes the development of effective response plans, the integration of healthcare facilities into broader emergency management frameworks, and the role of technology and data in managing crises.

The Applied Research and Methods and Statistics course provides a comprehensive introduction to applied research methods and statistical techniques. The course emphasizes practical applications of research methodologies and statistical analyses in both qualitative and quantitative research methods, equipping students with the skills to design, analyze, and interpret research studies effectively.

The Clinical Disaster Medicine course offers a comprehensive exploration of medical responses to disasters and emergencies. It is designed for healthcare professionals and emergency management personnel aiming to enhance their understanding for providing medical care during disasters, including triage, mass casualty management, and treatment of disaster-related injuries and illnesses in complex environments. Students will also explore the ethical considerations and policy frameworks guiding disaster medical response, including issues of resource allocation and clinical decision-making. PREREQUISITE: Program Director Permission

This course is an in-person, on-campus requirement for all graduates. Students will demonstrate knowledge, skills, and abilities acquired throughout the EDM program. During this six day intensive offering students will collaborate on projects, receive additional lectures from subject matter experts, and visit partner emergency management organizations to grasp a greater understanding of the emergency management profession. COREQUISITE: EDM 639

The Capstone is an intensive project focused on the student’s specific area of interest within Emergency and Disaster Management. EDM 751 is the first course in the capstone sequence and focuses on Capstone proposal development. In this course students will apply knowledge and skills acquired throughout the entire program of study, to develop a research plan. With the guidance of a Faculty Mentor, students will make connections among concepts, ideas and experiences and apply them to study design, define objectives, formulate their Capstone study plan, and delineate deliverables and milestones.

EDM 752 is the second course in the capstone sequence and focuses on the literature review, data collection, and, if required, successful Institutional Review Board (IRB) submission. With the guidance of their Faculty Mentor, students will apply knowledge and skills acquired throughout the entire program of study, to start implementing the research plan developed in EDM 751and continue the development of the research project.

EDM 753 is the third course in the capstone sequence and focuses on the successful completion of the Capstone. With the guidance of their Faculty Mentor, students will apply knowledge and skills acquired throughout the entire program of study, to continue the implementation of the research plan developed in EDM 751. Students will focus on data analysis, writing the final research report and preparing a presentation of their work.

In this capstone experience students will complete either an: original research project; an original disaster plan; a systematic review paper on a disaster-related topic with thorough literature search, analysis and compilation; or an internship with disaster plan. All of these will involve a thorough literature search, an analysis of the current research, integration of multiple facets of disaster medicine and management and completion of a substantial written product.

This course provides an opportunity to explore topics in Emergency and Disaster Management that are not covered in other courses. The topics presented in this course will vary and students may take this course more than once. The Special Topics in Emergency and Disaster Management course is not routinely offered. It is only offered when a new course is developed that is relevant to the programmatic goals.