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Public Health Course Descriptions

Public Health (PH) Courses

6300 Principles of Public Health (3-0-0). In this course students gain a deeper understanding of public health and its concentration areas. They will examine how the federal, state, and local healthcare and public health system/infrastructure has evolved in the U.S. over time. Students will discuss public health problems, diseases and risk factors, and the role of public health in preventing or alleviating these conditions.

6305 Biostatistics for Public Health Professionals (3-0-0). This course will provide an introduction to statistical issues in public health, including basic probability, significance levels and confidence intervals, interpretation of public health data, and specific statistical techniques such as correlation, regression, analysis of variance, and nonparametric techniques.

6310 Principles of Behavioral Health Science (3-0-0). This course provides students with the most current knowledge and analysis of issues influencing people’s health and well-being from a social and behavioral science perspective. Theoretical frameworks that draw on major health behavior theories will provide a better understanding of how individuals, families, peers, schools, neighborhoods, and the larger community influence risk and protective factors.

6315 Environmental and Occupational Health (3-0-0). This course provides an overview of the nature and magnitude of environmental and occupational disease. Topics include sources of exposure, methods of monitoring and modeling exposure, review of target organs and potential effects of specific chemicals, as well as discussions of workplace hazards and monitoring programs.

6320 Principles of Health Policy and Management (3-0-0). This course prepares students for administrative or policy positions in governmental programs, voluntary health organizations, or in other health service organizations. It supports effectiveness of public health and health services professionals by providing knowledge of health organizations, services and associated policy issues; and introduces the U.S. health system and healthcare management areas with an emphasis on policy topics.

6325 Fundamentals of Epidemiology (3-0-0). This is an overview course intended to familiarize students with the basic principles and applications of epidemiological concepts and methods in the study of public health problems in populations. The focus of the course is on the interpretation and assessment of epidemiologic research, both descriptive and analytic, and its application to public health practice and relevance to the key disciplines of public health.

6330 Public Health Special Topics (3-0-0). Contemporary public health topics seminar in areas of specialization within the department. Students are introduced to a series of research topics from different speakers. Knowledge gained will be used to choose their Capstone Project topic.

6335 Public Health Ethics for Health Professionals (3-0-0). This course explores “applied” research and practical ethics using a broad range of both historic and contemporary public health cases. Students will learn how to recognize, analyze and discuss ethical issues associated within the field of public health.

6340 Public Health Research Methods (3-0-0). This course introduces the fundamentals of research study design and methods and data collection. It serves as an introduction to quantitative, qualitative, mixed method and participatory approaches to research, as well as ethical issues in conducting research. A particular focus is placed on community-based participatory research.

6345 Understanding Individual Behavior (3-0-0). This course provides students with a broad understanding and application of theories of health behavior change most commonly used in research and practice. Basic theories include individual level models (Health Belief Mode, Theory of Planned Behavior/Reasoned Action, Theoretical Model), interpersonal level models (Social Cognitive Theory), and community level models (Community Based Participatory Research).

6350 Principles of Global Health (3-0-0). This course examines major global health challenges, programs, and policies at a deeper level. Students discuss how globalization has a significant impact on health and health care. Major global initiatives for disease prevention and health promotion will be investigated. The course also analyzes current and emerging global health priorities, including poverty, infectious diseases, health inequalities, and conflicts.

6355 Health Inequities in American Populations (3-0-0). This course provides a comprehensive overview of race/ethnic health disparities/health inequities in the U.S. Both historical context and current perspectives of identified determinants of health inequities. Class discussions will focus on comparing the health status and health outcomes of persons of different racial/ethnic groups and discussing possible explanations, solutions, and ethical implications for these health disparities.

6360 Infectious Disease Epidemiology (3-0-0). This course highlights the principles and practices of epidemiology appropriate for the study of communicable diseases. It focuses on methodology, public health concerns, patterns of transmission, and newly discovered infectious diseases.

6365 Chronic Disease Epidemiology (3-0-0). This course provides insight into the epidemiologic concepts and research needed in the study of chronic disease and its associated risk factors. This course studies the major trends in the incidence and prevalence of specific chronic diseases. The focus will be from both a U.S. and international perspective. Methodological challenges relevant to chronic disease epidemiologic research will also be discussed.

6370 Advanced Methods in Epidemiology (3-0-0). This course is an intensive introduction to epidemiological concepts and methods for students in the epidemiology concentration and others who will collaborate in - or be required to - interpret the results of epidemiological studies. Emphasis is placed on calculation and interpretation of crude and adjusted data, measures of association, and study design.

6390 Capstone I Project (3-0-0). The course focuses on the application of theory, principles, and methodologies obtained through formal coursework to inform public health practice across community, government, private industry or other institutional settings relevant to public health. Students will review, critique, and evaluate public health reports and research articles related to their Capstone Project.

6395 Capstone II Presentation (3-0-0). Preparation and individual formal presentation of Capstone Projects to public health practice across community, government, private industry or other institutional settings relevant to public health. Capstone project presentations will demonstrate the student’s fully developed public health skills, such as the ability to perform data collection and analysis, program evaluation and program development and implementation.