Public Health (PBHL)
Courses
PBHL 158 Public Health Principles Credits: 3
This course will introduce the student to the core functions of public health, the ten essential services, core public health competencies, and the difference between population-based and individual health services. Through case studies and practice-related exercises, students will exam current health trends and issues applying a public health perspective. Students will be exposed to culturally diverse, community-based participatory research and public health practice that highlight health inequity and social determinants of health.
PBHL 245 Qualitative Research Methods for Public Health Credits: 3
This course explores the basics of qualitative research within public health and the community. The course will examine the definitions and methods of qualitative research. Research questions asked by qualitative researchers will be explored. The course will also introduce basics of qualitative research design, data collection, and qualitative analysis in public health. The relationship between qualitative and quantitative research, as well as mixed methods research, will be discussed.
Prerequisites: PBHL 158.
PBHL 335 Historical and Contemporary Issues in Public Health Credits: 3
This course examines the historical and present day roles and responsibilities of public health policy, practice, and professionals. Students will review and discuss successes and failures of public health practitioners and their impact on community health outcomes. Topics such as chronic, infectious and communicable diseases, urban crowding, environmental changes, immunizations, food production methods, increased global mobility, the persistence of poverty, mental health, and violence and injury prevention will be discussed.
Prerequisites: PBHL 158.
PBHL 358 Environmental Public Health Credits: 3
In this course, students will explore environmental factors affecting public health. Students will be introduced to public health and the food industry, vector control and disease, chemical and biological hazards found in the environment, and their impact on population health. During the course students will learn how environmental health policy decisions have the potential to impact the health of the population.
Prerequisites: PBHL 158.
PBHL 445 Core Competencies in Health Education Credits: 3
This course is designed to enforce the core areas of responsibility required to become a professional health educator. Course content will include the skills required to assess needs, assets and capacity for health education, plan, implement, and evaluate health programs, administer and manage health education programs, serve as a resource person, and communicate and advocate for health and health education. Students will begin preparing for the certification exam offered through the National Commission for Health Education.
Prerequisites: PBHL 158 (PBHL Major and Minor Students); HLSC 430 (PBHL Major Students).
PBHL 458 Communicable Disease Investigation Credits: 3
This course will introduce students to communicable disease control and investigation. Throughout the course, students will learn how to identify outbreaks, explore disease investigation tools, and identify disease causes. Students will investigate the spread of disease among humans, animals, and the environment. The history of disease containment, evolution of disease control, and specific interventions developed to protect the public will be explored.
PBHL 490 Special Topics Credits: 1-9
A course of study in a special area of interest in public health sciences under individual faculty direction.
PBHL 496 Evidence-Based Public Health Capstone & Seminar Credits: 6
This course provides an experience-based capstone project for the senior student. Within the context of public health, the student will complete an evidence-based service learning, research, or problem-based project under the guidance of a site supervisor within the agency or organization, and a BSPH faculty member. The capstone will include a seminar session where students and faculty share learning, information, and understanding of their experience in a public health.
Prerequisites: Departmental consent.