Public Health (PH) - Courses

PH 200 Cr.3

Introduction to Public Health

This course serves as an introduction to the past, present, and future of public health. The course covers multiple issues including analytical methods, biomedical basis of disease, social and behavioral factors, and environmental health. Students examine what those issues are, what determines them, and how they can be addressed. As a survey of the entire field of public health, students explore persistent health disparities, determinants of health, and public health in an era of globalization. Offered Fall, Spring, Summer.

PH 204 Cr.3

Introduction to Global Health

This course introduces participants to global health through its history, definition, determinants, and development as a field of study. The connection between health problems in developed and developing countries and the interdisciplinary approach necessary to understand and address health issues are emphasized. Students learn about population health in regions of the world, and explore how and explain why various health indicators are likely to change over time. Students also develop a basic understanding of the methods used to assess population health, discuss why some groups are healthier than others, and suggest what can be done to reduce health disparities. Offered Fall, Spring.

PH 207 Cr.3

Youth Health Issues

This exploratory course is designed to identify the health issues that affect youth throughout various stages of their development. Societal institutions that support the healthy growth and development of youth are identified, while students consider strategies that enable the healthy mental/emotional, physical, and social development of today's youth between the ages of 4-18. Offered Fall, Spring.

PH 335 Cr.3

Environmental Health

This course will examine the interdisciplinary and global impacts of human-environment relationships. Emphasis is placed on the critical nature of our understanding these relationships in order to improve ecosystem health, human health and well-being, global economics and sustainability. Politics, economics, science, technology, human behavior (both individual and collective), history, ethics, and the media are examined for the purpose of improving the quality of life for all people through the creation of a sustainable global society. The science, methods and processes of environmental health will be considered. The role of environmental health in public and population health will be examined. Prerequisite: admission to the public health and community health education major or an environmental studies minor. Offered Fall, Spring.

PH 340 Cr.3

Epidemiology and Human Disease Prevention

This course provides an introduction to epidemiology as a basic science for public health. It will address the principles of the quantitative approach to public health. The course will introduce measures of frequency and association, introduce the design and validity of epidemiologic research, and give an overview of appropriate data analysis for understand population health. An introduction to the skills needed by public health professionals to interpret critically the epidemiologic literature. The influence of epidemiology on legal and ethical issues will be presented. Prerequisite: admission to the public health and community health education, school health education major, or healthcare analytics management minor. Offered Fall, Spring.

PH 495/595 Cr.1-3

Independent Study in Public Health and Community Health Education

Individualized study of areas not available in existing courses. This course is taught largely at an undergraduate level. Graduate students have additional course requirements/expectations. Repeatable for credit - maximum six. Prerequisite: junior standing. Consent of department. Offered Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer.

PH 498 Cr.1-15

Community Health Education Preceptorship

Professional experience in a community health education setting for a full semester. The student works under faculty supervision with a professional in health education/health promotion who serves as a mentor. Repeatable for credit - maximum 15. Prerequisite: successful completion of all program course requirements; recommendation of the department; major GPA of 2.75. Consent of department. Offered Fall, Spring, Summer.