PUBH 1101 Public Health and Social Justice    3 Credits

Attributes: DEIE Diversity, Equality, and Inclusion Elective, PAPH Public Administration Public Health

This course introduces students to the history, core functions, and essential services of public health and serves as a foundation for further study in the discipline. During this course, students will gain an understanding of the social, ecological, and environmental determinants of health; recognize the roles of public policy and cultural values in maintaining health inequities in the U.S. and globally; and develop the ability to advocate for solutions to public health problems using a social justice approach. Previously PB 0101.

PUBH 1105 Biological Foundations of Public Health    3 Credits

In this course, students will learn the basic biological concepts of human health and disease, with particular emphasis on diseases that are of most public health relevance. Students will gain a foundational understanding of infectious, non-communicable, and genetic diseases and their prevention and treatment strategies.

PUBH 2201 Public Health, Disease, and Injury    3 Credits

Attributes: PADE Public Administration Disaster and Emergency Management, PAPH Public Administration Public Health

Prerequisite: PUBH 1101.

Public Health requires familiarity with the epidemiology, pathology, prevention, and treatment of a wide range of infectious, non-communicable, mental, reproductive, and nutritional conditions, as well as violence and unintentional injuries. This course offers a population-focused survey of human health with an emphasis on leading global causes of morbidity and mortality, key risk factors, and broader social determinants of health, specifically highlighting the influence of race, ethnicity, gender and class as it relates to health outcomes. The student will gain an understanding of principles of endemic disease and injury control and will establish the foundation for more advanced courses in the major. Students will also have the opportunity to integrate their experience in a local community context with relevant social determinants of health, to analyze one’s social identity, cultural values and privilege in the context of health inequity. I invite you to participate with me in this important work as a collective group working towards anti-racism and equitable public health policies, practices, and community norms.

PUBH 2205 Fundamentals of Nutrition    3 Credits

This course will introduce students to the fundamental concepts of human nutrition. Students will develop an understanding of the digestion, absorption, and function of nutrients in the body and the relationship between diet and health. Course topics will also include macronutrients, micronutrients, metabolism, weight management, and fitness.

PUBH 2216 Introductory Principles of Epidemiology    3 Credits

Prerequisite: MATH 1016 or higher, PUBH 1101.

Epidemiology is the foundation for public health research, with applications in several other disciplines. This course is designed to introduce students to the core principles of epidemiology and familiarize students with the applications of biostatistics in health research. During the course, students will learn about the historical origins of the field of epidemiology, as well as concepts of study design and data interpretation. Previously PB 0216.

PUBH 2217 Biostatistics for Health Research    3 Credits

Attributes: HSST Health Studies: Science and Technology

Prerequisites: MATH 1017 or higher; PUBH 2216.

Biostatistics is the foundation for many forms of health research with applications in several other disciplines. This course is designed to introduce students to the core principles of statistical practices used in the Public Health research setting and familiarize students with the applications of biostatistics in health research. During the course, students will practice applied biostatistics by using SPSS to complete data analysis of a public health dataset. Previously PB 0217.

PUBH 2240 Introduction to Global Public Health    3 Credits

Attributes: HACA Humanitarian Action Minor Context Course, HSTE Health Studies: Traditions, Delivery, and Ethics, LCEL LACS Minor: Elective, PADE Public Administration Disaster and Emergency Management, PAPH Public Administration Public Health

This course examines the social, economic, and cultural factors impacting the health of societies worldwide and identifies key global health conditions. Principles of disease prevention, risk reduction, and health promotion are applied to diverse populations. Students will analyze current and emerging global health priorities, including emerging communicable and non-communicable diseases, poverty, inequities, and conflicts and crises. Global issues related to the impact of social policies on healthcare equity and needs of vulnerable populations are also examined. Previously PB 0240.

PUBH 2250 Community Nutrition    3 Credits

This course will introduce students to the fundamental applications of nutrition in a public health setting. Students will learn the theory behind health behavior change, community assessment, intervention planning, and program management. Students will also have an opportunity to practice the skills necessary to carry out these activities through assignments. During the course, students will create a nutrition brochure and produce a video Public Service Announcement. By the end of this course, students will have a deeper understanding of how public health professionals identify nutritional risk in the community, and design programs to prevent the development of disease. Previously PB 0250.

PUBH 3303 Public Health Program Planning and Evaluation    3 Credits

Attributes: PAPH Public Administration Public Health

Prerequisites: PUBH 2201, PUBH 2216, PUBH 2217.

This course provides the foundation for developing culturally competent community-based health interventions. Students learn the process of public health programming, including assessment, design, planning, implementation, and evaluation. This course integrates theory to examine interventions at various levels (individual, community, policy). Previously PB 0303.

PUBH 3980 Public Health Internship    1-5 Credits

Prerequisites: Senior Standing.

This public health internship may be completed with a regional public health partner. The internship experience exposes students to the elements of the core functions of public health and the application of these core functions in public health settings. While not all internships will allow for extensive exposure to all of the essential services, students are expected to discuss how the agency addresses those services. Students will work to connect field experiences to future public health career goals. Previously PB 0315.

PUBH 3990 Independent Study    1-6 Credits

Through individually designed projects or activities, students work with a faculty member to study a specific area in depth. Enrollment by permission only.

PUBH 4301 Leadership for Interdisciplinary Health Professionals    3 Credits

Prerequisite: Junior or Senior Standing.

This course is designed to expose students in the fields of public health and social work to conceptual frameworks through which to view leadership. Students will explore the key values and personal attributes that guide the leadership process. Students will engage in dynamic exercises and collaborative work to better understand leadership principles and work to apply these concepts to communities in their fields of study. Students will have the opportunity to reflect on leadership qualities relevant to their profession as well as personal leadership qualities that guide the relationship with vulnerable populations. Previously PB 0301.

PUBH 4305 Public Health Seminar    3 Credits

Prerequisite: Senior Standing.

This course allows students to think strategically about their career in public health. The course comprehensively covers the responsibilities, obligations, roles, and professional activities of various public health roles in the community. Students will prepare for their senior internship experience, including resume development and interview practice, and for their capstone experience through research critiques and citation review. Various forms for professional communications will be practiced and critiqued. Previously PB 0305.

PUBH 4999 Public Health Capstone    3 Credits

Prerequisite: Senior Standing.

This capstone course provides an opportunity for students to integrate and apply the knowledge and skills they've gained throughout the program by completing an independent scholarly or applied project. With guidance from a faculty member, students will develop and evaluate a public health intervention or design and carry out an original research project. The capstone will culminate with a written paper, poster, and oral presentation. Previously PB 0310.

PUBH 5101 Foundations of Public Health    3 Credits

This course is designed to introduce graduate students without a baccalaureate degree in Public Health to the profession and sciences of Public Health. This course will provide an overview of the history and philosophy of Public Health, its core functions and essential services, and its role in understanding and promoting human health.

PUBH 5201 Environmental Health    3 Credits

This course introduces students to both fundamental and technical concepts in the field of environmental health. Environmental health supports clean water, sewage, food, and waste disposal. The course will help students understand the impact of environmental factors on health outcomes, the measures taken to minimize negative effects, and where to access additional information to make a difference at the individual and community levels. The course will also delve into interdisciplinary public health issues such as physical and chemical exposures; environmental justice; environmental policy, regulations, and ethics; risk assessment and management, and climate change.

PUBH 5303 Program Planning and Evaluation    3 Credits

Prerequisite: NURS 7611.

This course prepares students to develop, implement, and evaluate Public Health programs and interventions. Students will learn to conduct a community health needs assessment; prioritize health needs; select appropriate intervention strategies; and develop program goals, objectives, and evaluation plans.

PUBH 6601 Epidemiology and Biostatistics    3 Credits

This course presents epidemiologic principles and biostatistical methods for the presentation and analysis of health-related data. Data from a variety of sources will be used to draw inferences about the health status of populations. Biostatistical techniques are used to examine relationships among contributing factors for population health in order to plan and evaluate health services and programs. Epidemiological methods for conducting studies will be discussed in detail, with an emphasis on group and population methods. Ethical issues related to the application of biostatistics and data privacy, such as IRB requirements, genomics, population genetics, clinical trials, and public health epidemiological studies are addressed.

PUBH 6951 Public Health Fieldwork Experience and Leadership/Professional Development Seminar    6 Credits

The fieldwork experience provides each student the opportunity to demonstrate attainment of key program competencies by completing training and practice with a partner agency in their local area. Students will participate in a semester-long public health leadership and professional development seminar while completing their fieldwork experience. This course will fulfill the applied practice experience requirement of the MPH program.

PUBH 6961 Public Health Capstone I    3 Credits

Prerequisites: NURS 7601, PUBH 7602, PUBH 5303.

The capstone provides an opportunity for students to integrate and apply the knowledge and skills they’ve gained throughout the program by developing an independent scholarly or applied project. With guidance from a faculty member, students will create and evaluate a public health intervention or design and carry out an original research project. In Public Health Capstone I, students develop a detailed plan and written proposal for their project. This course will fulfill the integrative learning experience requirement of the MPH program.

PUBH 6962 Public Health Capstone II    3 Credits

Prerequisite: PUBH 6961.

This course is a continuation of Public Health Capstone I. In this course, students complete their capstone projects, by implementing and evaluating the program they created or by collecting and analyzing data to answer an original research question. Students will produce a final paper and presentation for their project. This course will fulfill the integrative learning experience requirement of the MPH program.

PUBH 6990 Independent Study    3 Credits

Through individually designed projects or activities, students work with a faculty member to study a specific area in depth. Enrollment by permission only.

PUBH 7602 Advanced Epidemiology and Biostatistics    3 Credits

Prerequisite: NURS 7601.

This course provides an introduction to statistical reasoning and procedures used in Public Health research. Probability theory, descriptive and inferential statistics, and regression and correlation methods will be covered, with applications using statistical software.

PUBH 7990 Independent Study in Public Health    3 Credits

Through individually designed projects or activities, students work with a faculty member to study a specific area in depth. Enrollment by permission only.