Public Health (PBHL)

PBHL 11003. Personal Health and Safety. 3 Hours.

Health and safety problems with emphasis on the promotion of individual health and safety. (Typically offered: Fall and Spring)

PBHL 12003. Prevention of Drug Abuse. 3 Hours.

Provides an overview of drugs of use and abuse in society. Also assists the student in evaluating drug abuse prevention approaches for public, private, or community settings. (Typically offered: Fall and Spring)

PBHL 13003. Introduction to Human Sexuality. 3 Hours.

An examination of human sexuality with a critical analysis of male and female attitudes and values affecting self-understanding and gender identity. (Typically offered: Fall and Spring)

PBHL 21001. Special Topics. 1 Hour.

Examination and application of health promotion concepts based on individualized health hazard appraisal. (Not to replace content courses leading to teacher certification in health education). (Typically offered: Fall and Spring) May be repeated for up to 5 hours of degree credit.

PBHL 26603. Terminology for the Health Professions. 3 Hours.

Emphasis is on word roots and combined forms of words describing various facets of health and disease. Descriptive definitions with application of practical significance included for the health professional. (Typically offered: Spring)

PBHL 30401. Undergraduate Pre-Internship. 1 Hour.

This course offers students the opportunity to learn professional skills that they will utilize in internship as well as in the workforce. It also offers students the opportunity to learn about and explore public health internship opportunities to better prepare them for PBHL 40403. This course is the prerequisite for PBHL 40403. (Typically offered: Fall and Spring)

PBHL 3100V. Seminar in Public Health. 1-3 Hour.

Synthesis and critical analysis of current literature in the area of community health promotion. Prerequisite: PBHL majors only. (Typically offered: Irregular) May be repeated for up to 12 hours of degree credit.

PBHL 32002. Health Care and Public Health Policy. 2 Hours.

This course provides an introduction to health care services, inclusive of the characteristics and structure of the U.S. health care delivery system and comparison to other health systems. Aspects of public health policy, laws, ethics, and economics will be examined. Upon completion of the course, students are expected to demonstrate an understanding of the key elements of the health care industry as it pertains to medical care and public health, including an understanding of the roles of health care providers, public and private payers, the role of government, and challenges facing health care systems. Pre- or Corequisite: PBHL 11003 and PBHL 34403. Prerequisite: Public Health Bachelor of Science (PBHLBS) major required. (Typically offered: Fall and Spring)

PBHL 320H2. Honors Health Care and Public Health Policy. 2 Hours.

This course provides an introduction to health care services, inclusive of the characteristics and structure of the U.S. health care delivery system and comparison to other health systems. Aspects of public health policy, laws, ethics, and economics will be examined. Upon completion of the course, students are expected to demonstrate an understanding of the key elements of the health care industry as it pertains to medical care and public health, including an understanding of the roles of health care providers, public and private payers, the role of government, and challenges facing health care systems. Prerequisite: Public Health Bachelor of Science (PBHLBS) major and honors standing required. (Typically offered: Fall and Spring)

PBHL 3330V. Research in Public Health. 1-3 Hour.

This course is intended for undergraduate students who wish to gain research experience under the direction of a faculty mentor. Students will work independently and collaborate with faculty member(s) and fellow students to conduct research in a specified area of interest. The purpose of the course is for the student to develop knowledge in her/his own domain, strengthen her/his research skills, and work collaboratively on research projects. The directed research course places more emphasis on the students' role as a researcher in an academic setting. Prerequisite: Instructor consent. (Typically offered: Fall and Spring) May be repeated for up to 9 hours of degree credit.

PBHL 333HV. Honors Research in Public Health. 1-3 Hour.

This course is intended for undergraduate students who wish to gain research experience under the direction of a faculty mentor. Students will work independently and collaborate with faculty member(s) and fellow students to conduct research in a specified area of interest. The purpose of the course is for the student to develop knowledge in her/his own domain, strengthen her/his research skills, and work collaboratively on research projects. The directed research course places more emphasis on the students' role as a researcher in an academic setting. Prerequisite: Instructor consent. (Typically offered: Fall and Spring) May be repeated for up to 9 hours of degree credit.
This course is equivalent to PBHL 3330V.

PBHL 34403. Introduction to Public Health. 3 Hours.

This course is intended for undergraduate students and will focus on the foundations of public health as a profession and its future outlook. Public health concepts and practice. Topics include philosophy, purpose, history, organization, functions, tools, activities and results at national, state, and community levels. (Typically offered: Fall and Spring)

PBHL 36303. First Responder-First Aid. 3 Hours.

Prepares persons to administer cardiopulmonary resuscitation and emergency aid to victims of serious bleeding, poisoning, shock, fracture, and other forms of injury until emergency medical services personnel arrive at the scene. (Typically offered: Irregular)

PBHL 36403. Public Health Program Planning and Evaluation. 3 Hours.

Emphasis on community analysis; defining and verifying community health problems; establishing program goals; defining and assessing health behaviors; formulating educational goals, objectives, methods, and activities; promoting programs; and designing program evaluation. Prerequisite: Public Health Bachelor of Science (PBHLBS) major. (Typically offered: Spring)

PBHL 364H3. Honors Public Health Program Planning and Evaluation. 3 Hours.

Emphasis on community analysis; defining and verifying community health problems; establishing program goals; defining and assessing health behaviors; formulating educational goals, objectives, methods, and activities; promoting programs; and designing program evaluation. Prerequisite: Public Health Bachelor of Science (PBHLBS) major and honors standing. (Typically offered: Fall and Spring)

PBHL 372H3. Honors Research Methods in Public Health. 3 Hours.

This course will provide an overview of research methods for experimental research designs in public health. The students will learn facets of research including: developing a research idea, getting funding for research, obtaining IRB/IACUC approval, data collection, data input, statistical analyses, and preparing manuscripts for publication. Designed for public health honor students in spring of their junior year or the summer prior to their senior year to prepare them for their honor's thesis. Prerequisite: Honors Standing. (Typically offered: Spring)

PBHL 390H1. Honors Public Health Thesis Tutorial. 1 Hour.

Designed to provide the foundation for the Honors Thesis/Project. Students and faculty tutors work "one-on-one" exploring a specific topic which has been agreed upon by the student and the professor. Prerequisite: Honors candidacy and PBHLBS major. (Typically offered: Fall, Spring and Summer)

PBHL 3910V. Special Topics in PBHL. 1-3 Hour.

Designed to cover specialized topics not presented in public health coursework. (Typically offered: Irregular) May be repeated for up to 9 hours of degree credit.

PBHL 40403. Internship in Public Health. 3 Hours.

Designed to provide the student with an extended work experience in a selected community/public health program. The student works under college supervision with a professional in the health care delivery field. Pre- or Corequisite: PBHL 36403 and PBHL 46003. Prerequisite: Successful completion of PBHL 11003, PBHL 30401, Senior standing, and Public Health Bachelor of Science (PBHLBS) major required. (Typically offered: Fall and Spring) May be repeated for up to 6 hours of degree credit.

PBHL 4100V. Global Health: Issues, Concepts and Perspectives. 3-6 Hour.

Emphasis placed on needs assessment, development, implementation, evaluation, and sustainability of public health initiatives designed to improve the health and well-being of community members at all levels of the health continuum; topics of focus will include determinants of health, mental health, environmental health, nutrition, maternal and child health, sexual health, injuries and chronic and infectious diseases. Prerequisite: Approval from Study Abroad to participate in the Community Development Service Learning Program. (Typically offered: Summer)

PBHL 410HV. Honors Global Health: Issues, Concepts and Perspectives. 3-6 Hour.

Emphasis placed on needs assessment, development, implementation, evaluation, and sustainability of public health initiatives designed to improve the health and well-being of community members at all levels of the health continuum; topics of focus will include determinants of health, mental health, environmental health, nutrition, maternal and child health, sexual health, injuries and chronic and infectious diseases. Prerequisite: Approval from Study Abroad to participate in the Community Development Service Learning Program. (Typically offered: Summer)
This course is equivalent to PBHL 4100V.

PBHL 46003. Health Behavior: Theories and Application. 3 Hours.

Understanding the reasons for health behavior is vital for the health education professional. It is necessary to assist in the development of services and programs that are likely to move an individual from an unhealthy behavior to one that is more appropriate for a healthy lifestyle. This course surveys the major health behavior theories used in health education and applications of the theories will be used in the class. Prerequisite: PBHL 34403 and Public Health Bachelor of Science (PBHLBS) major required. (Typically offered: Fall and Spring)

PBHL 460H3. Honors Health Behavior: Theories and Application. 3 Hours.

Understanding the reasons for health behavior is vital for the health education professional. It is necessary to assist in the development of services and programs that are likely to move an individual from an unhealthy behavior to one that is more appropriate for a healthy lifestyle. This course surveys the major health behavior theories used in health education and applications of the theories will be used in the class. Prerequisite: Must be a honors student, PBHL 34403 and Public Health Bachelor of Science (PBHLBS) major required. (Typically offered: Fall and Spring)

PBHL 46103. Principles of Epidemiology. 3 Hours.

Distribution and patterns of disease or physiological conditions within populations; an examination of the nature of epidemiological research. (Typically offered: Fall and Spring)

PBHL 461H3. Honors Principles of Epidemiology. 3 Hours.

Distribution and patterns of disease or physiological conditions within populations; an examination of the nature of epidemiological research. Prerequisite: Honors standing. (Typically offered: Fall and Spring)

PBHL 46203. Human Diseases. 3 Hours.

An examination of the variety, behavior, distribution, and management of both infectious and noninfectious diseases in human populations. Prerequisite: BIOL 10503 (or BIOL 10103 and BIOL 10101). (Typically offered: Irregular)

PBHL 46403. Multicultural Health. 3 Hours.

Through lecture, discussion, simulations, and case studies, students will develop an appreciation for the cultural traditions and practices of different groups. The importance and implications of these traditions on health outcomes and health status will be examined. Students will also develop skills of cultural competence that are essential for public health practitioners today. Prerequisite: Public Health Bachelor of Science (PBHLBS) major required. (Typically offered: Fall and Spring)

PBHL 464H3. Honors Multicultural Health. 3 Hours.

Through lecture, discussion, simulations, and case studies, students will develop an appreciation for the cultural traditions and practices of different groups. The importance and implications of these traditions on health outcomes and health status will be examined. Students will also develop skills of cultural competence that are essential for public health practitioners today. Prerequisite: Public Health Bachelor of Science (PBHLBS) major and honors standing required. (Typically offered: Fall and Spring)

PBHL 498HV. Honors Public Health Thesis/Project. 1-3 Hour.

Designed to provide facilitation of the Honors Thesis/Project. Students and faculty work "one-on-one" to complete the honors thesis/project. Prerequisite: Honors candidacy, PBHLBS major, and PBHL 390H1 or PBHL 372H3. (Typically offered: Fall, Spring and Summer) May be repeated for up to 3 hours of degree credit.

PBHL 51703. Social Media Data Analysis for Public Health. 3 Hours.

In this applied course, students will develop qualitative, quantitative, and mixed method data analysis skills using social media data to answer specific conceptually grounded research questions. Course assignments will focus on organizing and interpreting data, as well as preparing and presenting data for diverse audiences. (Typically offered: Fall)

PBHL 53103. Evaluation of Public Health Programs. 3 Hours.

This seminar style course provides students with exposure to different types of program evaluation including needs assessment, formative evaluation, summative, process evaluation, and impact and outcome evaluation. Using theoretical frameworks, students will learn about supporting evaluation, ethics in evaluation, methods for data collection, reporting evaluation findings, and strength and limitations of conducting program evaluation. By learning about the core knowledge and skills necessary to design and implement a program evaluation, students will engage in course activities that will give them the tools and hands-on experience with effective program evaluation. (Typically offered: Fall)

PBHL 55303. Theories of Social and Behavioral Determinants of Health. 3 Hours.

This course will provide a basic foundation in the social and behavioral sciences relevant to public health. Students will learn the role of social and behavioral determinants in the health of individuals and of populations. Then, students will learn models and theories of health behavior, both generally and specifically. Generally, the student will learn how to identify, analyze, and use theoretical constructs and principles with particular attention to the use of theory in professional public health practice. Specifically, the student will learn the constructs and principles of several theories commonly used in public health behavior research and intervention design. The course will cover the four major individual that focus on intrapersonal factors (i.e., Health Belief Model, Transtheoretical Model, Theory of Reasoned Action/Planned Behavior, and Social Cognitive Theory) as well as several social, organizational, and community theories that are beyond the individual level. (Typically offered: Fall)

PBHL 55503. Substance Use, Society, and Health. 3 Hours.

This course will employ social science and public health literature to examine substance use, related health and social problems, and policies. Topics reviewed in this course include a brief history of substance use in the U.S., theoretical explanations, substance use cultures, vulnerable populations, intervention, treatment, legal issues and drug policies. In addition, students will research a special topic of interest, grounded in public health literature. This course will require students to read, engage in critical thinking, and participate in discussions. (Typically offered: Fall)

PBHL 55603. Public Health: Practices and Planning. 3 Hours.

Acquaints the student with the structure, functions, and current problems in public health and with the role of education in public health. Prevention and control practices and planning will be emphasized. (Typically offered: Spring)

PBHL 55703. Foundations of Public Health. 3 Hours.

This is a required survey course that will ensure that all public health students, within their first full year of study, are exposed to the fundamental concepts and theories that provide the basis for the body of knowledge in the field of public health. Students will be introduced to fundamental principles, concepts and tools used in public health to understand and promote the health of populations. (Typically offered: Fall)

PBHL 56103. Epidemiology for Public Health Practice. 3 Hours.

This course will present principles and practices related to the prevention and control of health-related conditions in the human population. Emphasis will be placed on understanding the principle concepts of epidemiology, including aspects of disease distribution, epidemiologic methods, risk of disease and injury, descriptive and analytic epidemiologic methods and study designs, and application of epidemiologic data to the prevention and control of disease and injury. Format for every class will include lecture and small group seminars. (Typically offered: Fall)

PBHL 56303. Health Administration, Organizations, and Systems. 3 Hours.

This course provides an overview of management processes for public health professionals; basic principles of resource management; comparison of organization, structure, and function of health care, public health, and regulatory systems; and the application of systems thinking tools to public health issues. (Typically offered: Irregular)

PBHL 56403. Multicultural Health. 3 Hours.

Through lecture, discussion, simulations, and case studies, students will develop an appreciation for the cultural traditions and practices of different groups. The importance and implications of these traditions on health outcomes and health status will be examined. Particular attention will be paid to the role of the public health educator in mediating the impact of health disparities, including advocacy. Students will develop skills of cultural competence that are essential for public health practitioners today. Prerequisite: Graduate standing or consent. (Typically offered: Spring Even Years)

PBHL 56503. Social Determinants of Health. 3 Hours.

This course will provide a foundational perspective to systematically analyze health topics. Students will use the socioecological approach to comprehensively interpret social determinants of health and summarize their meaning in the context of public and global health promotion efforts. (Typically offered: Fall)

PBHL 5660V. Integrative Learning Experience. 1-3 Hour.

The MPH Learning Experience (ILE) requires the student to integrate the knowledge gained and demonstrate the skills acquired through their course work and practical experience into a capstone project. Through this project, the student will apply public health theories and principles to a specific aspect of public health practice. The Integrative Learning Experience demonstrates synthesis of foundational and concentration competencies in a product that should be appropriate for the student's educational and professional objectives. Each student's integrative learning experience is overseen by a faculty member(s). (Typically offered: Fall and Spring) May be repeated for up to 3 hours of degree credit.

PBHL 5840V. Applied Practice Experience. 1-3 Hour.

Practical experience in using the knowledge and skills gained through classroom studies in the Master of Public Health program. (Typically offered: Fall and Spring) May be repeated for up to 3 hours of degree credit.

PBHL 5890V. Independent Research. 1-6 Hour.

Development, implementation, and completion of graduate research project. Prerequisite: M.S. degree in Community Health Promotion and HHPR 53503 and ESRM 53903. (Typically offered: Fall, Spring and Summer)

PBHL 6000V. Master's Thesis. 1-6 Hour.

Thesis in health behavior and health promotion. (Typically offered: Fall, Spring and Summer) May be repeated for degree credit.

PBHL 60103. Advanced Directed Research. 3 Hours.

This course is intended for doctoral students who wish to pursue research under the direction of a faculty member. In this course, doctoral students will work independently and collaborate with faculty member(s) and fellow students to conduct research in a specified area of interest. The purpose of the course is for the student to develop knowledge in her/his own domain, strengthen her/his research skills, and work collaboratively on research projects. The course will aim for students to present research findings at conferences and/or publish research findings in peer reviewed journals. The directed research course places more emphasis on the students' role as a researcher in an academic setting. Prerequisite: Admission to the Ph.D. program: HSESPH-HLBV : Health, Sport & Exercise Science: Health Behavior and Health Promotion Concentration. (Typically offered: Fall and Spring) May be repeated for up to 9 hours of degree credit.

PBHL 6050V. Independent Study. 1-6 Hour.

Provides students with an opportunity to pursue special study of education problems. (Typically offered: Fall, Spring and Summer) May be repeated for up to 6 hours of degree credit.

PBHL 68003. Health Communication Theory, Research and Practice. 3 Hours.

This course is designed to acquaint you with the role of communication in health education and with basic principles and practices in interpersonal, group, and mass communication. Health communication theory will be discussed in the first part of the semester, followed by important research in the area of health communication, and finally putting to practice the material will be the terminal experience for the course. (Typically offered: Spring Odd Years)

PBHL 68303. Principles of Epidemiology II. 3 Hours.

Provides students with knowledge and skills necessary to design, conduct, and interpret observational epidemiological concepts, sources of data, prospective cohort studies, retrospective cohort studies, case-control studies, cross-sectional studies, methods of sampling, estimating sample size, questionnaire design, and effects of measurement error. (Typically offered: Spring and Summer)

PBHL 6990V. Seminar. 1-6 Hour.

Discussion of selected topics and review of current literature in community health promotion. Prerequisite: Advanced graduate standing. (Typically offered: Irregular) May be repeated for up to 12 hours of degree credit.