Courses BS in Public Health

Learners in this course examine the social factors contributing to health and health care disparities on a local, regional, national, and global basis, calculating their impact on overall health status and health service use. Learners also develop community-based intervention strategies to address identified disparities.

This course surveys the major issues related to environmental and occupational health and health hazards. Learners identify the sources of biological, chemical, and physical agents found in the environment and analyze their effects on water, food, and land resources in community and occupational settings. Learners also examine concepts about climate change, as well as the legal framework, policies, and practices associated with controlling environmental and occupational hazards.

Learners in this course explore social and behavioral science theories and concepts applied to population health. Learners identify and increase their understanding of the biological, social, economic, behavioral, and environmental factors that influence the health of individuals, populations, and subgroups. Learners also examine the resources needed to develop social and behavioral policies and public health evidenced-based programs to reduce disparities and improve health.

Learners in this course begin to build and strengthen the knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to succeed in a bachelor of science degree program and the workplace. Learners develop and demonstrate business thinking and, in particular, evaluate case studies to acquire and broaden their knowledge of the creation of an organization. In addition, learners expand organizational, information literacy, critical-thinking, and problem-solving skills and apply an understanding of ethics, team behaviors, and effective business writing. BS in Business learners who are determined to need additional support developing academic and professional writing and reading skills based on academic assessment must take ACS1003 during their first quarter. Cannot be fulfilled by transfer or credit for prior learning.

In this course, learners examine health care research methodologies to assess access, quality, and cost as well as related marketing research and planning. In particular, learners strengthen their knowledge of quantitative, qualitative, and mixed-methods research designs in order to better understand the needs, expectations, and social norms involved within the health care delivery system.

Learners in this course gain awareness of their personal leadership style and develop communication approaches appropriate for a diverse set of stakeholders. Learners also build their knowledge and skills in cultural competence, effective teamwork, coaching, cross-functionality, and collaboration through the use of authentic, real-world scenarios.

In this course, learners investigate epidemiology and its patterns, causes, and effects relative to health and disease conditions across identified populations. Learners identify evidence-based approaches to promote wellness, disease management, and evolving financial reimbursement strategies. In addition, learners gain an understanding of critical factors associated with accountable care organizations and formulate applied research strategies focused on patient engagement.

Learners in this course gain a better understanding of the ethical issues associated with the health care profession and the conceptual framework health care professionals use to make ethical decisions. Learners examine current and emerging ethical health care issues related to the various stages of the lifecycle and the quality of life. Learners also explore ethical issues associated with patient care from the perspectives of various health care professionals, including physicians, nurses, and administrators through the use of authentic, real-world examples.

This course provides learners with an overview of core public health concepts as well as the contributions and roles of public health institutions. Learners use historical perspectives and current trends to address determinants of health from an environmental, social, and behavioral perspective. Learners also become familiar with organizational structure and gauge its impact on health care delivery and barriers to access from a population perspective.

Learners in this course gain fundamental knowledge of the theories of social and behavioral change that guide public health professionals in understanding health behaviors in the contexts in which they occur. Learners analyze the theories that influence health behaviors and public engagement activities as well as gain perspectives of why and how people behave the way they do. In addition, learners examine the structural and social barriers to better health and determine the ways in which they can design comprehensive solutions to eliminate those barriers.

In this course, learners are introduced to the social and economic determinants of health and wellness in the United States. In particular, learners gain an understanding of what those determinants are and how they can be changed.

This course introduces learners to fundamental statistical data analysis for individual and community health. Throughout the course, learners examine basic statistics and how they are applied in public health. Learners also develop and demonstrate an awareness of the statistical software tools used for analysis and explore the major methodologies used in public health to determine policy and practice.

In this course, learners examine core principles of epidemiology, including the prevention of chronic diseases, how disease spreads across populations, and how public health interventions can help control or reduce that spread. In addition, learners gain an understanding of patterns, causes, and effects of health and disease conditions; statistical evaluation, analysis, and interpretation; and the impact of health and disease social determinants on the health of individuals and the community. Learners also explore epidemiology as a social science by reviewing the social causes and consequences of health.

Learners in this course assess evidence-based practice and how it affects public health planning and evaluation. In particular, learners examine the ways in which they can use a collaborative community approach and the best evidence available to promote prevention through the planning and evaluation of public health programs and policies.

In this course, learners build and demonstrate a broad understanding of how public health and policy intersect in the United States and how public health services, programs, and policies are developed, managed, and funded. Throughout the course, learners analyze the key drivers of policies and legislation that impact public and private health care systems, individuals, and the overall population.

Learners in this course investigate the relationships between people and their environment, and the promotion of environmentally healthy and safe communities. Learners also examine the effects of climate change on public health and how to identify and prevent hazardous agents in air, water, soil, and food and in occupations from adversely affecting human health on a short or long term basis. Prerequisite(s): PUBH4009 and PUBH4012.

In this course, learners examine how health promotion, education, and advocacy have been employed in the United States and worldwide. Learners also investigate the expanding world of social media as well as more traditional public health promotion, education, and advocacy efforts.

The capstone project is the culmination of the BS in Public Health degree program. Learners demonstrate the technical and applied public health knowledge and the critical thinking and communication skills needed to effectively address determinants of health from an environmental, social, and behavioral perspective; understand health behaviors and the contexts in which they occur; and examine the structural and social barriers to better health so that they may determine the ways in which comprehensive solutions can be designed to eliminate those barriers. For BS in Public Health learners only. Must be taken during the learner’s final quarter. Cannot be fulfilled by transfer or credit for prior learning.

This is the first course in the honors pathway. Learners apply critical thinking skills to develop a professionally relevant question in their discipline or program of study to investigate throughout the honors pathway. Learners gain the knowledge and skills necessary to ask questions and solve problems from multiple perspectives. Learners analyze their question from multiple perspectives and engage in enriching discussions with faculty and peers.  For honors pathway learners only. Cannot be fulfilled by transfer.

In this course, learners apply communication skills, information literacy, and first-hand research to complete a final professional presentation and share their findings with their instructor and peers.  For honors pathway learners only. Prerequisite(s): SOC-H3005. Cannot be fulfilled by transfer.

Learners in this course take a sociological approach to professional growth in the workplace. This course provides learners with the opportunity to complete a professional project that addresses an organizational need or solves a problem. Learners explore questions and develop their project with faculty and peers through engaging discussions and assignments. Throughout the course, learners use a sociological perspective to further develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills to address interdisciplinary issues.  For honors pathway learners only.  Prerequisite(s): PHI-H2005. Cannot be fulfilled by transfer.​