Course Descriptions

3 Credits, Fall Semester

Prerequisite: None

Designed to provide you with a graduate‐level overview of the role of the social and behavioral sciences in understanding and addressing public health problems. Three general topics are covered. First, we examine how psychological, social, and environmental factors influence people’s health and wellbeing. Second, we explore factors that influence health behavior, including individual, social, and environmental/community influences. Third, we explore how understanding behavior and social/environmental influences on health informs public health approaches to improving health and preventing disease. The course prepares public health students to satisfy MPH competencies in social and behavioral sciences.

Format: Seated and Online

3 Credits, Spring Semester

Prerequisite: None

Health Behavior Change is an overview of the health behaviors contributing most dramatically to increased morbidity and mortality in the United States. The course emphasizes public health interventions and strategies to promote healthy behaviors and discourage unhealthy behaviors. The course examines consequences, patterns, risk factors, and change/interventions for each behavior or problem. Behaviors are examined from multiples perspectives (e.g., individual, social, environmental) and with a systems perspective in mind, illuminating the interconnecting influences on behaviors. Health behaviors and behavior change interventions are presented in the context of current research and theory. The course also examines the role of health disparities, public health policy, current debate, health behavior theory and emerging research.

Format: Seated

3 Credits, Spring Semester

Prerequisite: STA 527

This graduate level course is designed to provide an introduction to the application of statistics to public health research questions. The course will also cover principles of data management and data verification. It will not provide instruction regarding statistics (STA 527 is a prerequisite), rather, we will build upon an individual’s statistical training to provide instruction in the use of common statistical packages to answer statistical questions. The course will have both in-class meetings as well as remote computer laboratory sessions (students will not be required to be in a classroom setting or online for the laboratory sessions, rather, students will complete these laboratory sessions at a location and time of their choice).

Format: Hybrid (some seated and some online components)

2 Credits, Spring Semester

Prerequisite: None

This course provides students with the foundations needed for public health professionals to work with other health professionals, along with key qualitative analysis and cultural competence skills. This course will also provide students with communication and conflict resolution skills.

This course satisfies some of the requirements for IPCP Digital Badges #1 and #2.

Format: Online

3 Credits, Fall Semester

Prerequisite: None

Models and principles of program planning and evaluation are presented and contrasted. Data gathering techniques, design considerations and implementation strategies are covered. Other topics include systems theory applications, strategic planning methods, proposal development and report writing.

This course can be used to satisfy some of the requirements for the Strategies in Eliminating Health Inequities Micro-Credential.

Format: Seated and Online

3 Credits, Fall Semester

Health Equity is designed to give students an in-depth understanding of the social determinants of health and how their ills and benefits are unequally distributed across society. We will cover differences in health status associated with race, ethnicity, immigrant status, education, income, disability, geographic location, gender, sexual orientation and gender identity. We will examine the multiple pathways through which these inequities produced and reinforced, including structural and interpersonal discrimination and stigma. We will also discuss methods for conducting research and intervening in disadvantaged communities. The course will provide historical and theoretical perspectives on the problem, provide a critical examination of empirical support for various explanatory pathways, and will cover approaches to studying and reducing health disparities.

Format: Online

1-3 Credits, Fall/Spring/Summer Semesters

Prerequisite: Permission of instructor

Allows students to synthesize the knowledge and skills developed during the academic portion of their program in a practical application setting. Field training experiences will be of various types depending upon the student’s interest and concentration area.

This course satisfies some of the requirements for IPCP Digital Badge #3.

Learn more about MPH Field Training.

3 Credits, Fall/Spring/Summer Semesters

Prerequisite: Permission of instructor

The purpose of the culminating project is for MPH students to integrate core public health knowledge and skills. It will take the form of a paper prepared during the concluding semester of the student’s program.

Learn more about the MPH Culminating Project.

Prerequisite: None

This course is intended to provide a basic introduction to principles and methods of epidemiology. The course emphasizes the conceptual aspects of epidemiologic investigation and application of these concepts in public health and related professions. Topics include overview of the epidemiologic approach to studying disease; the natural history of disease; measures of disease occurrence, association and risk; epidemiologic study designs; disease surveillance; population screening; interpreting epidemiologic associations; causal inference using epidemiologic information; and application of these basic concepts in the context of selected major diseases and risk factors. Please note that this course cannot be used for degrees that require EEH 501 unless pre-approved by the program director, or as a prerequisite for courses that require EEH 501.

Format: Online

Prerequisite: None

Introduces students to the historical development, structure, operation, and current and future directions of the major components of the American health care delivery and public health systems. It examines the ways in which health care services are organized and delivered, the influences that impact health care public policy decisions, factors that determine priorities in financing health care services and the relationship of health care costs to measurable benefits. The course enables students to assess the role of organized efforts to influence health policy formulation, and the contributions of medical technology, research findings, and societal values to the evolving U.S. health care delivery system. Class time is also devoted to exploring emerging policy, ethical and legal dilemmas resulting from medical and technological advances.

Format: seated and online

Prerequisite: None

Introductory course that explores the role of environmental factors in health with an emphasis on characterization, assessment, and control of environmental hazards. Topics include application of toxicologic and epidemiologic methods in assessing risk and setting exposure limits; the nature of and control of hazards associated with food, water, air, solid and liquid waste, occupation, and radiation; risk communication and management, environmental justice; and environmental laws. The course concludes by examining the impact of human activity, such as energy use and pollution, on the environment and how human-induced environmental change, in turn, impacts public health and that of the planet as a whole.

Format: seated and online

Prerequisite: None

This course introduces students to public health issues from a practice-based perspective. Through presentations by public health leaders and practitioners, readings, group discussion and class activities, students practice integrating public concepts to better understand issues, and develop responses. Course content focuses on public health issues from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), American Public Health Association (APHA), World Health Organization (WHO), local and state health departments or other organizations.

This course partially satisfies the requirements for IPCP Digital Badge #1.

Format: online

Corequisite: Students must enroll in STA 527 LEC and STA 527 REC in the same term.

This course is designed for students concerned with medical data. The material covered includes: the design of clinical trials and epidemiological studies; data collection; summarizing and presenting data; probability; standard error; confidence intervals and significance tests; techniques of data analysis including multifactorial methods and the choice of statistical methods; problems of medical measurement and diagnosis; and vital statistics and calculation of sample size. The design and analysis of medical research studies will be illustrated. MINITAB is used to perform some data analysis. Descriptive statistics, probability distributions, estimation, tests of hypothesis, categorical data, regression model, analysis of variance, nonparametric methods, and others will be discussed as time permits.

Instructor: Kuhlmann

Format: seated and online

3 credits, Spring Semester 

Prerequisite: None

Harm reduction is a set of practical strategies and ideas aimed at reducing negative consequences associated with drug use and other health-risk behaviors. Harm Reduction is also a movement for social justice built on a belief in, and respect for, the rights of people who engage in these behaviors. Harm reduction helps meet people where they are and respect the individuals’ choices. In Public Health, the strategies of harm reduction have been used for a variety of substances and other addictive or risky behaviors. This course will explore the history and the creation of the principles of harm reduction and apply those to various public health problems. In looking at these health challenges, the course will focus on the application of harm reduction in various populations while also keeping in mind the community, state, national, and international application, and evaluation of these principles.

Format: Seated

3 Credits, Fall Semester

Prerequisite: None

In the last two centuries, the global community has experienced several changes and trends (urbanization, climate change, travel, trade) which can boost the risk of disease outbreaks, epidemics, and pandemics.  The public health knowledge base on these and other health hazards are continually developing. This course will guide students through an exploration of various health-related topics with an understanding of public health preparedness and response.

Format: Remote

3 Credits, Summer Semester

Prerequisite: None

This course provides you with a survey of topics related to aging and health in contemporary society. We cover how interactions of biological, psychological, emotional, spiritual, socioeconomic and environmental factors effect older adults. Readings and discussion include a review of the epidemiology and demographic trends of aging, theoretical and developmental models in aging, health policies, intergenerational relationships, retirement preparation and support resources related to illness and end of life. The course also presents an overview of health behaviors and morbidities related to aging in U.S. society.

This course completes some of the requirements for the Strategies in Eliminating Health Inequities Micro-Credential.

Format: Online

3 Credits, Spring Semester

Prerequisite: None

This course is an introduction into the field of health communications, with an emphasis on the production of health education digital media. As defined by Healthy People 2020 (p. 11-20), health communication is the "art and technique of informing, influencing, and motivating individual, institutional, and public audiences about important health issues." The course emphasizes the development of strategies to advocate and promote healthy behaviors, public health policies, and social norms by planning, producing, and creating various media content for these purposes. This course offers a hands-on approach. Students will create their own media products, utilizing video production equipment and computer editing software.

Format: Online

3 Credits, Fall Semester

Health Equity is designed to give students an in-depth understanding of the social determinants of health and how their ills and benefits are unequally distributed across society. We will cover differences in health status associated with race, ethnicity, immigrant status, education, income, disability, geographic location, gender, sexual orientation and gender identity. We will examine the multiple pathways through which these inequities produced and reinforced, including structural and interpersonal discrimination and stigma. We will also discuss methods for conducting research and intervening in disadvantaged communities. The course will provide historical and theoretical perspectives on the problem, provide a critical examination of empirical support for various explanatory pathways, and will cover approaches to studying and reducing health disparities.

Format: Online

3 Credits, Fall Semester

Health promotion is examined from a public health perspective, a community and corporate perspective and in terms of individual behavior change.

3 Credits, Spring Semester, Odd years

Prerequisite: None

Designed to prepare students to confront the practical problems of controlling tobacco use through local, state, and national public health agencies. In addition to providing core knowledge on tobacco-related issues, the course will include skills-based training that may be useful in future employment.

Format: Online

3 Credits, Spring Semester

Prerequisite: None

Are you curious about the short and long-term benefits and harms of marijuana use? Do you want to the separate the fact from fiction regarding the health claims for THC and CBD?

In this course, Drs. Collins and Bednarczyk will share their knowledge and expertise, developed over decades of research and experience in public health, to provide information on a range of interesting and provocative topics related to cannabis. The course will include basic information about the cannabis plant and its pharmacologic components, the bodily systems involved in the action and metabolism of cannabinoids, and the history of cannabis policy in the U.S. The course will explore the evolving status of cannabis use, the health claims and health effects of cannabis use (including effects of THC and CBD), and the evolving changes in medicinal and adult-use cannabis policies across the U.S. Students will be expected to attend lectures and to participate in class discussions as well as provide commentary on the assigned reading materials. A final paper, on a topic chosen by the student, will be required.

Format: Seated

3 Credits, Spring Semester

Prerequisite: None

Indigenous populations experience lower life expectancy, lower quality of life, and a higher prevalence of several chronic and infectious diseases in comparison to other populations within their respective regions, counties, states and countries. Using an evidence-based approach, this course will provide an overview of the many health issues impacting Indigenous populations today and into the future. This course is designed to embrace the concepts of the social determinants of health, intergenerational trauma, health equity, and racism and health. Students will examine the real histories of Indigenous peoples, cultural norms and adaptations, traditional healing and the impacts of colonization at the advancement of westernization. This course is intended to raise awareness and support future public health leaders who become experts in promoting better health worldwide.

This course can be used to satisfy some of the requirements for the Strategies in Eliminating Health Inequities Micro-Credential.

Format: Hybrid; in-person and remote offering

3 Credits, Spring Semester

Prerequisite: None

This course identifies elements in a community responsible for modifying the health behavior of the individual. Provides the needed information for designing plans to improve the health status of the community and its members. The course will help to identify quantitative and qualitative methods to conduct community health assessment, evaluation of community intervention programs, and the utilization of public health surveillance data to understand community health profiles. Case-studies and a practical experience will provide the students with training on how to work as a group with members of the community.

Format: Seated

3 Credits, Fall/Spring/Summer Semesters

Prerequisite or Corequisite: CHB 544; Permission of instructor also required

This course is a field training experience that serves as an elective course, and must be taken concurrently or after a student takes the required CHB 544 field training course. This experience allows students to synthesize the knowledge and skills developed during the academic portion of their program in a practical application setting. Field training experiences will be of various types depending upon the student’s interest and concentration area.

3 Credits, Fall Semester

This course is designed to provide a comprehensive, doctoral-level overview of principles and theoretical perspectives on the determinants of health behavior and community health. Using a biopsychosocial perspective we will examine biological influences, psychological, social, and policy determinants of health behavior and health. 

Format: Seated

3 Credits, Spring Semester

This course is a designed to give students an in-depth understanding of the state of the science in health behavior and community health interventions, including individual, family, community, and policy interventions. Students will be prepared to critically assess and apply strategies for individual and community health promotion. 

Format: Seated

Prerequisite: None

Introduction to the basic principles, methods, and uses of epidemiology. This course is a master’s/doctoral level course designed to introduce epidemiology, its methods and its role in public health. A major portion of the course will be devoted to an overview of fundamental epidemiologic methods used in public health research and practice. The student will be familiarized with basic measures used in describing disease frequency in populations. Descriptive and analytic approaches to the study of disease will be explored, and a perspective on the role of epidemiologic methods in health services planning and evaluation will be provided. Problem solving exercises will be used to provide students with an opportunity to tabulate data and apply subject matter developed during lectures and in reading assignments. At the end of the course students should have a general understanding of the uses and limitations of epidemiologic inquiry. This understanding should provide the basis for applying epidemiologic concepts in work-related settings and in other courses in the public health curriculum.

Format: seated

Prerequisite: None

An explanation of basic principles and methods of measurement and their application in public health-related research. These include development and use of different types of instruments and scales for measuring behavioral and social constructs and biological characteristics; effects of measurement error; traditional and innovative methods of data collection; validity and reliability of measurement; response rates; misuse and misinterpretation of results. Students will apply the course content to a construct or characteristic chosen at the beginning of the course.

Prerequisite: None

Intended for students with little or no background in the biological sciences and health professions. The course provides a broad overview of public health topics related to human health and disease focusing on disease etiology with particular emphasis on parasitic and microbial infections plus a review of the anatomy, physiology, and pathology of selected major organ systems and associated diseases of public health importance.

Format: seated

Prerequisite: None

Provides an overview of compelling public health problems among the world’s poor. Topics addressed will include infectious diseases such as malaria, HIV/AIDS, and tuberculosis; the rise of tobacco-related disease; the role of water, hygiene, and sanitation in the prevention of disease; maternal and neonatal mortality; surveillance; and disaster response in the resource-poor setting. Students will gain practical experience in developing and presenting strategies for the implementation and evaluation of public health programs in the resource-poor setting.