Undergraduate Public Health Courses

PBHL 1310. Health and Society: An Introduction to Public Health. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

An introduction to the structure of the United States health care system and major issues in the delivery of quality health care. The course focus is upon the interaction of individual, societal, and policy aspects of health care in a changing health care delivery system.

PBHL 2310. Introduction to Epidemiology. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

This course is designed to introduce the public health student to the methodology used to study incidence, prevalence and risk factors associated with human disease. Students will develop practical skills used in public health to design and interpret epidemiologic studies and an understanding of the application of evidence-based medicine to increase quality of medical care.

PBHL 2320. Medical Ethics. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

This course provides a foundation of ethical issues in both medical practice and public health administration. A foundation consisting of concepts from philosophy and political science will be provided in the context of both historical and current events.

PBHL 3310. Principles of Health Promotion and Education. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

An overview of the types of programs in the field of health education and health promotion and techniques utilized in a variety of community settings. Discussion includes social behavior in individual health decisions and the role of the educator to provide motivational tools that lead to healthy lifestyles. Ethical issues and measures of success in health interventions are also considered.

PBHL 3320. Statistics for Health Care. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 2 Hours, Lab: 3 Hours).

Practical applications of general principles of descriptive and inferential statistics used in health care research. Topics include statistical principles, descriptive statistics, regression analysis, study design, vital statistics and reportable diseases or conditions. Mastery of basic methods in statistical analysis will be enhanced by the utilization of statistical software. Prerequisite: PBHL 2310.

PBHL 4085. Seminar and Internship in Public Health. 1-4 Credit Hours (Lecture: 1-4 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

Comprehensive and integrated application of knowledge and skills acquired in the Public Health program in a practical setting. Success will depend upon the ability to demonstrate professional competence in public health practice. The 3 credit hour course is available for Public health Concentrations I and III and the 4 credit hour course is available for Concentration II only. The 2 hour course is available for Concentration IV only. Prerequisite: Approval of Program Director or major in Public Health.

PBHL 4285. Seminar in Nutrition Science. 2 Credit Hours (Lecture: 2 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

Comprehensive and integrated application of knowledge and skills acquired in the food and nutrition program in a practical setting. Designed to provide students with skills of synthesizing and presenting the results of lower-division work.

PBHL 4305. Issues and Trends in Health Care. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours). [WI]

This course is designed to explore and discuss concepts and issues that are pertinent to allied health care professionals including legal and regulatory issues, health service reform and cost containment, workforce development, and quality assurance practices. Credit for both HPTC 4305 and PBHL 4305 will not be awarded.

PBHL 4310. Introduction to Health Management and Policy. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours). [WI]

Examines the structure of health care systems and policies that impact health programs and financing of health services. Emphasis is placed upon planning and management issues in various health care delivery organizations.

PBHL 4320. Public Health Policy. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

Introduction to laws and regulations governing health care professionals and medical institutions. Class discussions examine the balance between individual rights and health care providers’ activities with public health powers and community health needs. The course includes bioethical principles underlying public health and health care practice.

PBHL 4350. Pathophysiology for the Health Professionals. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

This course will focus on presentation of interrelationships between normal body functioning and the physiologic changes that participate in disease production, and occur as a result of disease. Emphasis on major disorders and other selected disorders provides a concise, easy-to-understand introduction to the fundamentals.

PBHL 4385. Seminar in Community Health Education. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

Comprehensive and integrated application of knowledge and skills acquired in the Public Health program in a practical setting. Success will depend upon the ability to demonstrate professional competence in public health practice. Prerequisite: Approval of Program Director or major in Public Health.

PBHL 4485. Seminar in Pre-Graduate Public Health. 4 Credit Hours (Lecture: 4 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

Comprehensive and integrated application of knowledge and skills acquired in the Public Health program in a practical setting. Success will depend upon the ability to demonstrate professional competence in public health practice. Prerequisite: Approval of Program Director or major in Public Health.