PUBLIC HEALTH (PUBH)

This course provides an overview of the field of public health, its history, key concepts, and the role of public health in promoting and protecting the health of populations. The course will also explore public health professions and Essential Public Health Services. (fall, annually)

This course introduces the ecological framework of health and focuses on one's physical and social environments and access to health care as determinants of health, health disparities, and health inequities. Students will gain an understanding of factors that contribute to illness versus wellness, as well as factors that affect health outcomes and recovery from illness. Students will learn basic community assessment skills, including how to use and interpret basic epidemiological measures.

This course explores the social and behavioral factors that influence health and the strategies used to promote healthy behaviors and prevent disease. The course will explore the role of logical fallacies, cognitive biases, disinformation, and misinformation in health decision-making process. Students will integrate evidence-based communication strategies, professional ethics, and cultural humility to promote health goals consistent with personal values. This course also provides an exploration of the intersection between health communication and theories that underpin human behavior change within the context of public health. (spring, even years)

This course explores the role of advocacy in public health efforts through coalition-building, social networking and mobilization, interpersonal communication, and negotiation, as well as the use of media and social platforms for generating public discourse. Students will explore the use of counseling, public campaigns, and political processes to advocate for health among diverse populations. Students will integrate cultural humility and professional ethics to promote health goals consistent with personal values. (spring, odd years)

This course examines principles of health leadership and management in the context of public health organizations. Students will explore leadership theories, management strategies, and the application of these concepts to address contemporary challenges in public health. Special attention will be given to coordinating relationships with partners and stakeholders. Students will apply Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Services (CLAS) standards and enhance continuing cultural competence within a workplace context. (spring, even years)

This course explores the distribution and determinants of diseases in populations. Students will learn basic epidemiological principles and methods used to investigate and analyze health-related issues. Students will interpret statistical public health research and draw conclusions. (spring, even years)

This course explores the intricate connections between the environment, climate change, and public health. Students will examine the impact of environmental factors on health outcomes, assess the impact of climate change on health disparities and vulnerable populations, and develop an understanding of how climate change poses challenges and opportunities for public health interventions. (fall, odd years)

This course investigates health issues that transcend national borders and explores the challenges and opportunities of addressing health disparities on a global scale. Students will analyze the critical issues affecting global health, while appreciating the complexities, challenges, and opportunities in the field. Topics include infectious and chronic diseases, health disparities, healthcare delivery systems, and the impact of socio-economic and cultural factors on health outcomes. (fall, even)

The course aims to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the intersection between health policy, political determinants of health, and health disparities. (fall, odd years)

This course will enable students to plan a targeted public health promotion program using evidence-based program design. Students will apply health content knowledge, communication skills, and behavior change theory to gain necessary skills for securing grant funding and program support. Emphasis will be placed on developing and understanding needs assessment, program rationale, logic modeling, mission statements, goals and objectives. (fall, odd years)

This course will enable students to create a detailed and effective public health intervention and evaluation using evidence-based practices. Emphasis will be placed on developing and understanding public health marketing practices, implementation plans, budget development, evaluation protocols, and effective public health promotion program advocacy. Students will present their comprehensive, capstone project (building from summative project created in PUBH 480) at the conclusion of the course. (spring, odd)

The Public Health Capstone and Internship course is designed as the culminating experience for students in the Public Health program, providing an opportunity to integrate and apply the knowledge, skills, and competencies gained throughout their academic journey. This course combines a structured capstone project with a hands-on internship, offering students a comprehensive and practical understanding of public health principles and practices. (prerequisite of senior status, PUBH 101). (spring)

This course provides an introduction to the field of public health, exploring its history, philosophy, core values, functions, and essential services. Students will examine the major causes and trends of morbidity and mortality and the importance of evidence-based approaches in advancing public health knowledge. The science of primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention in population health will also be covered.

This course explores the various determinants that impact population health, including environmental, biological, genetic, behavioral, psychological, social, political, and economic factors. The course also examines globalization's effects on health and applies an ecological perspective to the connections among human health, animal health, and ecosystem health.

This course provides an introduction to the principles and methods of epidemiology. It covers the application of epidemiological methods to public health practice, including data collection, analysis, and interpretation. Students will explore major causes and trends of morbidity and mortality, and learn to apply biostatistics, informatics, and computer-based programming in public health research. 

This course explores the intersection of climate change, societal factors, and environmental health. Students will analyze the impact of climate change on population health, evaluate the connections between human, animal, and ecosystem health, and develop strategies to mitigate the adverse health effects of environmental changes. 

This course provides an overview of key concepts in health communication, promotion, and behavior. Students will explore communication strategies, cultural competence, and behavioral theories essential for designing and implementing effective health promotion programs.

This course explores the application of health communication theories and models to public health practice. Students will design and implement communication strategies for health promotion, analyze the effectiveness of these strategies, and effectively communicate complex public health information to non-academic audiences. The course also examines the role of media and technology in health communication. 

This course introduces students to biostatistical methods and their application in public health. Students will learn to analyze quantitative data, use computer-based programming for data analysis, interpret statistical results, and understand the role of biostatistics in public health.

This course provides an in-depth exploration of research methods used in public health to develop evidence-based practices. Students will learn to select appropriate quantitative and qualitative data collection methods, analyze data using relevant tools, interpret results, and apply epidemiological methods to inform public health research, policy, and practice.

This course provides an in-depth exploration of public health planning, implementation, and evaluation. Students will learn to assess population needs, design and implement public health programs with cultural competence, manage resources effectively, and evaluate the impact of public health initiatives. 

This course provides an in-depth examination of public health policy and practice. Students will explore the policy-making process, including the roles of ethics and evidence, and learn to propose strategies for stakeholder engagement and coalition building. The course will emphasize advocacy for policies and programs that improve health in diverse populations and evaluate the impact of policies on public health and health equity. Additionally, students will compare the organization, structure, and function of health care and public health systems across different settings.

This course focuses on developing detailed plans for applied learning experiences in public health settings. Students will assess community needs, design evidence-based interventions, integrate interprofessional perspectives, and apply systems thinking to address public health issues.