School of Nursing and Allied Health Sciences Public Health Courses and Course Descriptions

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School of Nursing and Allied Health Sciences

Public Health Courses and Course Descriptions

2015-2016

Public Health Core (30 credits required for all emphasis areas)

PHS 20000 Foundations of Public Health

3 credit hours

This course provides a history of public health. It provides learners with the overarching framework, principles, and core responsibilities of public health from a multidisciplinary perspective. It offers students a

methodology for understanding populations and population health through an overview of the five core disciplines: epidemiology, biostatistics, environmental health, social and behavioral health, and health policy

and management. PHS 22000 Public Health

and Social Justice

This course explores the concept of social justice and its role in the mission of public health. The impact of

social justice measures on health disparities, health behaviors and social and physical environment will be

examined.

PHS 24000 Global Health 3 credit

hours

This course introduces the student to the concept of population health in a global context. In this course, health problems that transcend national boarders or have a global economic or political impact are identified

and explored. PHS 36000 Introduction

to Epidemiology

This course introduces students to the basic science of public health and population health. The course will provide an introduction to the different categories of epidemiology and types of epidemiological studies; and

an overview of the disease transmission cycle.

PHS 34000 Health Policy 3 credit

hours

This course provides an historical overview and current status of health care organization, delivery and finance

in the United States. The distribution of and access to medical care and public health services are explored within current political, economic, and social contexts. The role of public and private insurance in the delivery

of health care is examined. The role and impacts of politics and advocacy on health policy is discussed. PHS 32000 Health

Disparities

This course provides an overview of health disparities in the U.S. The scope and magnitude of health disparities in various racial, ethnic and other emerging groups will be identified. Evidence-based strategies for promoting health equity will be explored. The role of cultural competency, advocacy, and social justice in

promoting health equity will be explored. PHS 30000 Social

Determinants of Health

This course provides an understanding of the process by which the social and physical environment “gets under the skin” to influence health outcomes. Social determinants of health including: socioeconomic status,

race/ethnicity, gender, class, neighborhood, environment, education, social relationships, and immigration will be examined. Mechanisms through

which social determinants operate across the life course to influence health and will be discussed. The

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influence of stress and access to health resources on health disparities will be explored.

PHS 38000 Evidence-Based Practice in Public

Health

This course explores the methodology used by public health professionals to develop informed decisions, policies, and programs in response to identified risks to

population health. Students will have the opportunity to learn and apply the essential steps in evidence-based public health practice which include: finding data and scientific literature to identify effective interventions, weighing these options in recommending an approach to take, and then developing a programmatic response. PHS 38300 Research

Methods in Public Health

This course provides theory and applied experience with methods utilized in public health research and

program evaluation. PHS 48000 Capstone

Seminar & Project I

This course, taken in the fall semester of the senior year, gives the student the opportunity to apply skills and knowledge gained in the public health program to an authentic public health problem or issue. The student

will work with a community organization or agency and public health program faculty to identify and define a need or problem, find data to establish the magnitude of the problem within the population and identify

evidence-based interventions aimed at reducing or ameliorating the problem.

PHS 48200 Capstone Seminar & Project II

This course, taken in the spring semester of the senior year, gives the student the opportunity to continue the

work initiated in Capstone Seminar & Project I. The student will continue work with their selected community organization or agency and public health program faculty to weigh the evidence-based options identified in Capstone I, select the best

community-specific approach and develop a program or intervention based on best evidence.

Public Health Electives

(18 credits required for Communities & Aggregates Emphasis) (18 credits required for Policy, Systems & Administration Emphasis)

(6 credits required for Cell Science & Biology Emphasis)

PHS 35300 Health Communication

This course emphasizes effective communication with a variety of public health stakeholders including consumers, family members, medical providers, community leaders, news media, policy makers, researchers and the general public. The fundamentals of

public health communication will be explored. The vital role that public health communication plays in the success of new health care delivery structures, the implementation of health care reform and the adoption

of advances in prevention, health promotion and emergency preparedness will be addressed. Public health communication innovations, tools, technologies,

research and strategies will be examined. PHS 37000 Health

Promotion

This course explores information necessary to understanding factors that affect human health: health

determinants, health indices, health behavior change theories, ethical issues and societal trends. Health promotion and behavior change theories are presented.

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Professional practice settings, health professions, roles and functions of health professionals and professional

health organizations are examined. PHS 37700 Health

Behavior Change

This course provides an overview of the health behaviors that contribute to disease development and

premature death in the United States. The learner will have an opportunity to explore the behavioral and social

science factors that influence health and disease, with an emphasis on relevant knowledge for helping individuals make better health-related decisions and

changes in their lives. The course explores these factors from the individual to the societal level. PHS 33000 Eliminating

Health Disparities

This course addresses advanced design, analysis, and evaluation of interventions to promote health and reduce health disparities in underserved, vulnerable, minority or ethnic populations. Methods of culturally competent research, education and clinical practice will

be explored. PHS 38200 Biostatistics

for the Health Sciences

This course explores biostatistics methodologies used in public health practice and research. Included are:

measurement methods, descriptive statistics, confidence intervals and hypothesis testing, sample size and power calculations, analysis of variance and

multiple comparisons; correlation and regression; multiple regression and statistical control of confounding; logistic regression; and survival analysis. PHS 35500 Introduction

to Health Literacy

This course gives an overview of the issues surrounding low health literacy, including populations

at risk. Effective strategies to improve health literacy including writing in plain language; health communication techniques; and organizational

approaches are presented. PHS 38400

Environmental Health

This course explores the relationship of people to their environment and focuses on how environment impacts physical well-being. Environmental factors involved in transmission of communicable diseases and hazards due to exposure to chemical and physical materials in

our environment will be examined. PHS 38500 Biological

Basis of Public Health

This course introduces students with no or minimal formal training in biological sciences to the field. An emphasis on application of biological sciences to significant public health problems will be provided. The course provides individuals with diverse backgrounds a

working knowledge of how biomedical sciences influences our lives and shapes public health. Emphasis

will be placed on disorders of public health relevance, including infectious and transmissible vectors, genetic

disease and chronic disorders such as type II diabetes and obesity. PHS 38600 Infectious and Communicable Disease Prevention 3 credit hours

This course explores management and control of communicable diseases affecting human populations.

Concepts covered include: communicable disease prevention, treatment, surveillance, management of outbreaks and epidemics, disease management, modes

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control in the domestic and international settings. PHS 38700 Chronic

Disease Prevention

This course explores management and control of chronic diseases affecting human populations. Concepts covered include: the historical context of

chronic disease development in the U.S., chronic disease surveillance and monitoring, prevention, evidence-based strategies to reduce chronic disease in

populations at risk. PHS 38800 Money,

Politics and Health Advocacy

This course explores how money, politics and advocacy intersect to shape public health policy and practice. The

influence of special interest groups and lobbying on public health policy will be examined. Coalition-building

and written and verbal advocacy tools as methods to influence public health policy will be addressed. PHS 37600 Advanced

Epidemiology

This course provides an intermediate depth of knowledge in epidemiologic theory and methods.

Concepts include: advanced understanding of epidemiologic and clinical study designs; knowledge of

classical methods of statistical analyses of epidemiologic studies; an introduction to multivariate

regression modeling for epidemiologic and clinical studies; and a foundation for statistical and causal

inference. PHS 37800 Advancing Health Literacy in Diverse Populations 3 credit hours

This course is designed to examine and analyze issues of low health literacy in diverse populations. Measurement tools for assessing health literacy in diverse populations will be explored. Evidence-based strategies and challenges for improving health literacy

in diverse populations will be addressed. NUR 37500: Introduction

to Health Care Informatics

This course will provide students with an introduction to health informatics, including the interdisciplinary study of the design, development, adoption and application of IT-based innovations in health care services delivery,

management and planning. Students will learn foundational concepts of health informatics including

theoretical foundations of informatics; information systems in health care delivery; participatory health

care and quality; usability and standards in health informatics; governance and organizational structures

for health informatics; and future directions for the science and profession.

NUR 38300: Population Focused Maternal and

Child Health

This course provides a national and global perspective on critical maternal and child health (MCH) issues.

Determinants of MCH outcomes and public policy surrounding these issues will be explored. The course will focus on women of reproductive age, adolescents,

and children. PHS 37900 Emergency Preparedness in Public Health 3 credit hours

This course provides a comprehensive overview of public health emergency preparedness and response,

including bioterrorism events and threats. PHS 37500 Lifecourse

Perspective on Health

This course provides and introduction to life course theory and its application to public health, disease prevention and health promotion. The course provides

a conceptual framework with which to understand the interrelationships among biological, psychological, and

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social factors which influence development and health. EXS 21000: Nutrition and

Metabolism

This course is an introduction to the biochemical processes that drive nutritional and dietary recommendations, including the metabolism of micronutrients and macronutrients, the digestive process, enzymatic reactions, hormonal regulation and

the neuroscience of food intake. EXS 23000: Assessment

of Nutrition Status

This course reviews the principles of nutrition assessment for individuals and groups. Evaluation methods for nutrient intakes and diets, anthropometric

assessment, analysis of food composition databases and identification of variability and reproducibility of

studies will be covered. EXS 24000: Nutrition

Throughout the Lifecycle

This course will provide students with an understanding of the influence of physiological, psychosocial and environmental changes on nutrient needs throughout

the lifecycle. Students will identify appropriate screening tools for evaluating the nutritional status of

individuals from birth through death. SW 27000: Human

Behavior in the Social Environment I

This course includes content on the reciprocal relationships between human behavior and social environments. Also considered are empirically based theories and knowledge that focus on the interactions between and among individuals, groups, societies, and

economic systems; the range of social systems in which people live, individual, family, group, organizational, and community; and the ways social

systems promote or deter people in maintaining or achieving health and well-being.

SW 28500: Human Behavior in the Social

Environment II

This course includes content on the reciprocal relationships between human behavior and social environments. Also considered are empirically based theories and knowledge that focus on the interactions between and among individuals, groups, societies, and

economic systems; the range of social systems in which people live, individual, family, group, organizational, and community; and the ways social

systems promote or deter people in maintaining or achieving health and well-being.

Cell Science & Biology Emphasis Area (all courses required EXCEPT CHM 35500)

MTH 24100: Statistics for Natural Science

Topics covered in this course include counting rules and probability, normal and binomial distributions,

Chi-square, t-tests and F-tests, ANOVA, linear regression, precision, accuracy, absolute and relative error, random

error, means, medians, standard deviation (population and sample), standard error of the mean, variance, relative standard deviation, coefficient of variation, confidence levels and intervals, Q-tests, and definitions

and sources of error (methodological, sampling, procedural and instrument). Prerequisite: C or better in

MTH 15100 or passing the placement test. MTH 17300: Survey of

Calculus

Topics include a brief review of trigonometry; limits and

continuity; derivatives and integrals of polynomials,

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functions; relative extrema and points of inflection; graphs of functions, derivatives, and integrals; implicit

differentiation and related rates; the extreme value theorem; definite and indefinite integrals; and the

Fundamental Theorem of Calculus. A graphing calculator is required. Prerequisite: C or better in MTH

15100 or higher level math course, or passing the placement test. BSC 24000: Introduction to Biological Diversity w Lab 4 credit hours

This course will be a study of basic biological principles related to the diversity of living organisms and their development. Topics covered will include taxonomy,

morphology, life cycles, and developmental relationships among the prokaryotes, protists, fungi,

plants, and animals. Lab fee required. Offered every semester. Prerequisite: Placement into MTH 15100 or

higher BSC 24400: Cellular &

Molecular Biology w Lab

This course introduces students to the scientific concepts of biologically important molecules, cell structure/ function, Mendelian and molecular genetics. Lab activities will reinforce lecture concepts, introduce techniques, and model modern scientific inquiry. Lab fee required. Prerequisite: C or higher in CHM 23000 or

CHM 23100. BSC 22700: Human

Anatomy & Physiology 1

This course is a study of structure and function in the human body, including the following systems: integumentary, skeletal, muscle, endocrine, nervous, and sensory. Lab fee required. Prerequisite: C or higher

in CHM 10000 or CHM 23000 or CHM 23100, and C or higher in BSC 10000 or BSC 24400.

BSC 22800: Human Anatomy & Physiology 2

This course is a study of structure and function in the human body, including the following systems: respiratory, cardiovascular, excretory, digestive,

reproductive, and immune. Lab fee required. Prerequisite: C or higher in CHM 10000 or CHM 23000 or CHM 23100, and C or higher in BSC 10000 or BSC 24400,

and C or better in BSC 22700.

BSC 40400: Cell Biology 4 credit

hours

This course examines cellular and subcellular structure, organization, and function with emphasis on relationships between cell structure and the dynamics of the cell. Hands-on laboratory experiments strengthen

understanding of these concepts. Lab fee required. Prerequisite: C or higher in BSC 24400 and CHM 23200.

BSC 40800: Genetics 4 credit

hours

The course is a study of classical and modern genetics, including Mendelian inheritance, the genetic code, gene interactions, gene control, and population genetics. Lab fee required. Prerequisite: C or higher in MTH 24100 and

either BSC 40400 or BSC 32000. Prerequisites: C or higher in BSC 24000

BSC 24800: Introduction to Ecology and Evolution

This course will study the basic biological principles related to the diversity of living organisms and their environment. Topics covered will include evolution and

the ecological relationships among the prokaryotes, protists, fungi, plants, and animals. Lab fee required.

Prerequisites: C or higher in BSC 2400.

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hours and its implications throughout biology. Topics include Darwinian Natural Selection, mechanisms of evolutionary change, adaptation, and the history of life

on earth. Prerequisite: C or higher in BSC 40800 and either BSC 24800 or BIO 25200, and senior standing. PHY 25100: Introductory

Physics I

This course is an algebra-based treatment of mechanics including kinematics, vectors, Newton's laws, and conservation of energy and linear momentum. Other topics include rotational motion, moments of inertia, rotational energy, and angular momentum. This course

also treats solids, fluids, waves, and sound. Lab fee required. Prerequisite: MTH 15200, MTH 17300 or MTH 27100. PHY 25200: Introductory Physics II 4 credit hours

This course is an algebra based treatment of thermodynamics, electricity and magnetism, including

electric fields, Gauss's law, voltage, capacitors, inductors, Kirchhoff's laws, AC and DC circuits, and

geometric and physical optics. Lab fee required. Prerequisite: PHY 25100.

CHM 23000: General Chemistry 1

This course provides a systematic treatment of the principles of chemistry. Topics include the fundamental

principles of chemistry, dimensional analysis, basic atomic structure and theory, stoichiometry, general nomenclature, and types of reactions. Prerequisite:

Math placement test in MTH 15100 or higher. CHM 23100:General

Chemistry 2

This course is a continuation of CHM 23000. Topics include an advanced review of stoichiometry, gas laws,

intermolecular forces, periodic properties, advanced bonding theory, solutions chemistry, molecular structures, and organic nomenclature. CHM 24100 must

be taken concurrently with this course. Prerequisite: Grade of C or better in both CHM 23000 and MTH 15100

or higher. CHM 23200: General

Chemistry 3

This course is a continuation of CHM 23100. Topics include an advanced solution chemistry, acid-base equilibria, thermochemistry, kinetics, electrochemistry,

and nuclear chemistry. CHM 24200 must be taken concurrently with this course. Prerequisite: Grade of C

or better in both CHM 23100 and MTH 15100 or higher. CHM 24100: General

Chemistry 2 Lab

1 credit hour

This course consists of one 2.5-hour laboratory period per week. Laboratory includes hands-on experimental

procedures of general chemistry phenomena. Discussion focuses on mastery of chemistry concepts

through class participation and group work. Lab fee required.

CHM 24200: General Chemistry 3 Lab

1 credit hour

This course consists of one 2.5-hour laboratory period per week. Laboratory includes hands-on experimental

procedures of general chemistry phenomena. Discussion focuses on mastery of chemistry concepts

through class participation and group work. Lab fee required.

CHM 36100: Organic Chemistry 1

This course is a systematic study of the nomenclature, structures, properties, and reactions of organic compounds with emphasis upon the principles by which chemists predict the properties and reactions of organic

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compounds. Lab fee required. Prerequisite: C or better in CHM 23100. CHM 36200: Organic Chemistry 2 4 credit hours

This course is a continuation of CHM 36100. The principles of chemical behavior are applied to many

types of organic compounds, including those of biological significance. Laboratory work is included. Lab fee required. Prerequisite: Grade of C or better in

CHM 36100. CHM 35500: Analytic

Chemistry (optional for students wanting a double minor in biology

& chemistry)

4 credit

hours _{analytical techniques such as gravimetric, volumetric,}This course is the study of different quantitative and and selective precipitation methods of analysis.

Laboratory work is included. Lab fee required. Prerequisites: Grade C or better in CHM 23200 and MTH

24100.

Communities & Aggregates Emphasis Area Courses

PHS 31000 Introduction to the U.S. Health Care

System

This course examines the organization, financing, and delivery of preventive, acute and tertiary health care in

the U.S. The effects of market competition and government regulation on healthcare will be explored.

Reimbursement mechanisms for medical providers, hospitals, and the pharmaceutical industry are examined as well as the major issues currently facing

these groups. The effects of health care reform on healthcare spending, quality of care, and access to care

will be discussed. PHS 31500 Introduction to Community Structure & Organization 3 credit hours

This course provides an introduction to community organization and structure as a basis for assessing and

building community capacity. Strategies, models, and techniques to assess community structure, strengths and areas of need are introduced. Approaches and

methods to build community capacity to address systemic problems or change public policy will be

explored. PHS 35000 Historical

Context of Public Health Disease Prevention &

Health Promotion

Over the last century, life expectancy in the U.S. increased by about 30 years. Five of those years were due to improvements in curative medicine and health care. The remaining 25 years were due to improvements

in public health and preventive medicine.This course

provides an overview of the most significant public health interventions throughout the last 100 years and

uses these interventions to develop strategies for current public health practice.

PHS 41000 Population Health Assessment &

Diagnosis

This course is the first in a series of three courses to prepare the student to assess, implement, and evaluate

community intervention programs.This course

introduces students to the formal process of community-based health assessment and diagnosis. The course includes community assessment concepts such as statistics on health status as well as tools and

methods for the systematic collection, assembly, analysis, and interpretation of data related to the characteristics, resources, and health of the community. PHS 43000 Program

Planning for Health

This course is the second in a series of three courses to prepare the student to assess, implement, and evaluate

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Promotion and Prevention

community intervention programs. The course explores the concepts, theories, models and applications of program planning and evidence-bases community level

interventions. Models of community health program planning, implementation evaluation will be explored. PHS 45000 Program

Evaluation in Public Health

This course is the third in a series of three courses to prepare the student to assess, implement, and evaluate community intervention programs. The course explores

models and procedures for evaluating community health programs. The theoretical foundations, design, implementation, efficacy, and effectiveness of selected

public health interventions are examined. Practitioner competencies related to community health program

evaluation are identified and explored. PHS 35300 Health

Communication

Description in PH Elective Above PHS 37000 Health

Promotion

Description in PH Elective Above PHS 35500 Introduction

to Health Literacy

Description in PH Elective Above PHS 33000 Eliminating

Health Disparities

Description in PH Elective Above

Policy, Systems & Administration Emphasis Area Courses

PHS 31000 Introduction to the U.S. Health Care

System

See Description Above in Communities and Aggregates Emphasis Area

ECON 23030: Principles of Macroeconomics

This course introduces students to economic concepts, relationships, and institutions related to individual and firm decision-making. Supply, demand, and opportunity

cost are used to analyze the actions of individuals and firms in a market framework. Topics covered include marginal analysis, production possibilities, elasticity, household and consumer choice, firm production and costs, profit maximization, input markets, and market structures. This course must be taken by all business majors to fulfill one GE Social Science requirement (ECON 23010 may not be substituted). Lab fee may be

required. Prerequisite: a C or better in MTH 14100 or MTH 14200 or higher.

PHS 32600 Health Care Economics

This course focuses on microeconomics theory specific to health care. Concepts include: demand and supply of health services, hospital and physician service markets,

the role of the public sector, comparative health systems and cost effectiveness analysis. PS 32000: Public

Finance

This course focuses on public financial issues at the national, state, and local levels of government. Topics to

be covered include taxation at all three levels of government, the role of the Federal Reserve Board, the

impact of recession and economic recovery on public finances, and the financing of public programs. PS 33500: Public

Administration

This course focuses on governmental operations, particularly focusing on federalism, regulatory

policy-making and rule-policy-making. In addition, governmental reforms (historical and contemporary) will be examined.

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15500. PHS 34600 Public Health Administration, Planning and Finance 3 credit hours

This course focuses addresses the organizational skills and basic principles, theories, and practices of administering health programs in voluntary and governmental agencies. Concepts include: leadership,

motivation, small group process, problem solving, conflict resolution, inter-organizational relationship,

organizational change, strategic and long range planning and organizational budget and finance. PHS 43000 Program

Planning for Health Promotion and

Prevention

See Description Above in Communities and Aggregates Emphasis Area PHS 45000 Program Evaluation in Public Health 3 credit hours

See Description Above in Communities and Aggregates Emphasis Area

PHS 42000 Global Health Supply, Organization &

Finance

This course provides an overview of the socio-cultural and economic influences on global health with a focus on population-level variation in health and illness. The role of key organizations shaping international health will be examined. The structure and function of health care systems in developing and developed nations will

be explored. PHS 44000 Comparative

Health Systems

This course examines the structure of health care systems in three different countries, focusing on financing, pricing and reimbursement, delivery systems

and adoption of new technologies. The relative roles of private and public sector insurance and providers, and the effect of system design on cost, quality, efficiency