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Undergraduate Catalog

2012 - 2013

BS in Public Health: Health Science Emphasis
(59-60 hours*)

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The Discipline

Public health professionals work to create conditions that ensure the health and safety of individuals, families, and communities. Public health students are trained to inform, educate, and empower people about health issues; mobilize communities to take ownership for their own health; monitor health status and diagnose and investigate health problems and health hazards; develop policies and laws to protect health and ensure safety; and link people to needed health services. The public health mission is carried out through organized, interdisciplinary efforts that address the physical, mental, and environmental health concerns of communities and populations at risk for disease and injury.

Four of several disciplines within public health are represented as tracks within the major: (1) environmental/occupational health identifies and controls factors in the environment (air, water, food, toxins, etc.) or conditions at the workplace which affect health; (2) epidemiology investigates and discovers what causes disease and disability and how diseases are spread or distributed across populations; (3) health promotion facilitates behavior change among individuals and improves population health through policy, advocacy, education, and communication; and (4) health science trains students interested in working in public health after earning an advanced degree in a medical, dental, or other allied health area.

Career Opportunities

There has never been a better time to pursue a career in public health. It is an exciting and growing field of study and a diverse and dynamic profession. It is filled with rewards associated with the pursuit of serving others. The development and delivery of population-based prevention programs will be the key to major advances in health improvement in the 21st century. Public health will continue to be called upon to monitor and assess health problems, prevent and control diseases and injuries, and protect the health of communities and worksites from various environmental and occupational risks associated with man-made and natural disasters and emergencies.

Public health graduates are qualified to work in governmental health agencies on the local, state, federal, and international levels. Private-sector employment can be found in a variety of businesses, community health agencies, managed care organizations, hospitals, clinics, research institutes, voluntary health agencies, and non-governmental organizations. Opportunities for employment in public health are readily available. But recruiters will not typically come to campus to hire graduates. This means graduates must be organized and proactive in their career planning. Students can increase the likelihood of obtaining a position by balancing classroom activities with voluntary or paid service to public health agencies. Obtaining certifications related to specific tracks within the major and careful development of a professional portfolio enhance employment opportunities.

While there are many specialties or disciplines in public health, most career opportunities are found in the tracks associated with the major. Entry-level salaries with a bachelor's degree in public health will range from approximately $35,000–$60,000 but will vary significantly depending upon the specific discipline, type of organization, and geographic location.

Program Requirements    |    View MAP

  1. Complete the following courses:

    2. Note: Phscs 106 should be taken before or concurrently with Phscs 108.

  2. Complete one of the following options:
      Either
        CHEM 105 : General College Chemistry. (4:5:0)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
        CHEM 105 : General College Chemistry. (4:5:0)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
        WHEN TAUGHT:Fall; Winter; Spring; Summer
        PREREQUISITE: Math 110 (or equivalent) or concurrent enrollment.
        DESCRIPTION: Atomic and molecular structure including bonding and periodic properties of the elements; reaction energetics, electrochemistry, acids and bases, inorganic and organic chemistry.
        NOTE: Primarily for students in engineering and biological sciences. Three lectures and two recitation sections per week.

        Course Outcomes


        CHEM 106 : General College Chemistry. (3:4:0)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
        CHEM 106 : General College Chemistry. (3:4:0)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
        WHEN TAUGHT:Fall; Winter; Summer
        PREREQUISITE: CHEM 105; or CHEM 111
        DESCRIPTION: Continuation of Chem 105 but covering most of the topics in a more quantitative way. Detailed treatment of thermodynamics and equilibria.
        NOTE: Three lectures and one recitation section per week.

        Course Outcomes


        and
        CHEM 107 : General College Chemistry Laboratory. (1:0:3)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
        CHEM 107 : General College Chemistry Laboratory. (1:0:3)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
        WHEN TAUGHT:Fall; Winter; Spring; Summer
        PREREQUISITE: Chem 106 or Chem 112 or concurrent enrollment.
        DESCRIPTION: Chemical properties, chemical reactions, collection and interpretation of data, preparation of reports.
        NOTE: Required for most students needing one year of general chemistry.

        Course Outcomes


      Or

  3. Complete one of the following courses:

  4. Complete the following courses:

  5. Complete one of the following courses:

  6. Complete one of the following courses:
      HLTH 440 : Computer Applications in Epidemiology. (3:3:0)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
      HLTH 440 : Computer Applications in Epidemiology. (3:3:0)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
      WHEN TAUGHT:Fall
      RECOMMENDED: Hlth 345, Stat 121.
      DESCRIPTION: Introduction to the basics of SAS and EXCEL focusing on the set of commands useful for data-reporting, data-management, formatting and graphics, and data-analysis. Topics include tables and regression models for epidemiologists (cumulative-incidence, case-control, and incidence rate data).

      Course Outcomes


      HLTH 441 : Clinical Trials. (3:3:0)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
      WHEN TAUGHT:Winter
      RECOMMENDED: Hlth 345, Stat 121.
      DESCRIPTION: Introduction to methods used in the design, interim monitoring, and analysis of clinical trials, including the impact of patient exclusions and other causes of incomplete data. Concepts and principles emphasized. Main focus on randomized Phase III (comparative) trials.

      Course Outcomes


      HLTH 442 : Special Topics in Epidemiology. (3:3:0)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
      HLTH 442 : Special Topics in Epidemiology. (3:3:0)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
      WHEN TAUGHT:Winter
      RECOMMENDED: Hlth 345, Stat 121.
      DESCRIPTION: Topics include environmental epidemiology, statistical methods in epidemiology, social epidemiology, genetic epidemiology, categorical data analysis, applied longitudinal analysis, survival analysis, and life table methods.

      Course Outcomes


      HLTH 443 : Field Epidemiology. (3:3:0)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
      HLTH 443 : Field Epidemiology. (3:3:0)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
      WHEN TAUGHT:Fall
      RECOMMENDED: Hlth 345, Stat 121.
      DESCRIPTION: Applying epidemiologic methods, including outbreak investigation; surveillance systems and methods; and infectious disease epidemiology to unexpected health problems when a rapid on-site investigation is necessary for timely intervention.

      Course Outcomes


  7. Complete one of the following courses:
      HLTH 335 : Health Behavior Change. (3:3:0)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
      HLTH 335 : Health Behavior Change. (3:3:0)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
      WHEN TAUGHT:Fall; Winter; Spring
      RECOMMENDED: Hlth 330.
      DESCRIPTION: Understanding health behavior change theories for individuals and populations. Practical application of related models and theories.

      Course Outcomes


      HLTH 432 : Methods in Health Promotion. (3:3:0)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
      HLTH 432 : Methods in Health Promotion. (3:3:0)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
      WHEN TAUGHT:Fall; Winter; Spring
      RECOMMENDED: Hlth 330, 332.
      DESCRIPTION: Health promotion methods, interventions, and strategies that influence behaviors and advance public health practices within communities.

      Course Outcomes


      HLTH 434 : Research and Evaluation Methods. (3:3:0)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
      HLTH 434 : Research and Evaluation Methods. (3:3:0)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
      WHEN TAUGHT:Fall; Winter; Spring
      RECOMMENDED: Hlth 330, 332, 432.
      DESCRIPTION: Design and carry out an evaluation plan that will measure the impact of public health programs at changing behaviors, knowledge, attitudes, and health status. Quantitative and qualitative methods will be discussed.
      NOTE: This course should be completed after taking Hlth 432--Methods in Health Promotion, and prior to taking Health 439--Program Planning.

      Course Outcomes


      HLTH 439 : Program Planning and Evaluation. (3:3:0)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
      HLTH 439 : Program Planning and Evaluation. (3:3:0)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
      WHEN TAUGHT:Fall; Winter; Spring
      RECOMMENDED: Hlth 330, 322, 437, 438.
      DESCRIPTION: Introduction to needs assessment, program development, implementation, and evaluation in health promotion and public health.

      Course Outcomes


  8. Complete one of the following options:
      Either
        PDBIO 305 : Human Physiology (with lab). (4:4:2)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
        PDBIO 305 : Human Physiology (with lab). (4:4:2)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
        WHEN TAUGHT:Fall; Winter; Spring
        PREREQUISITE: Chem 101 or equivalent.
        RECOMMENDED: A general biology course.
        DESCRIPTION: Function of body organ systems.
        NOTE: Not acceptable for physiology and developmental biology, biophysics, or neuroscience majors. Designed for students with basic chemistry / no molecular biology. Students with chemistry/molecular biology should take PDBio 362.

        Course Outcomes


      Or
        PDBIO 362 : Advanced Physiology. (3:3:1)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
        PDBIO 362 : Advanced Physiology. (3:3:1)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
        WHEN TAUGHT:Fall; Winter; Spring
        PREREQUISITE: MMBIO 240 & PHSCS 106; or MMBIO 240 & PHSCS 220
        DESCRIPTION: Integrated approach to organ system and cellular physiology. Problem solving/calculations.
        NOTE: Requires background in chemistry and molecular biology. Students without this background should take PDBio 305.

        Course Outcomes


        PDBIO 363 : Advanced Physiology Laboratory. (1:.5:1.5)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
        PDBIO 363 : Advanced Physiology Laboratory. (1:.5:1.5)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
        WHEN TAUGHT:Fall; Winter; Spring
        PREREQUISITE: PDBio 362 or concurrent enrollment; or instructor's consent.
        DESCRIPTION: Experiments and exercises in advanced physiology emphasizing human physiology. Computer simulations of muscle function, endocrine disease, and human physiology. Emphasizes problem solving and calculations.

        Course Outcomes


Note: If the student wishes to complete an internship, he must first meet with an advisor/internship coordinator. Certain courses in the program must be taken prior to completion of an internship.



Recommended GE Courses:

    ENGL 315 : Writing in the Social Sciences. (3:3:0)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
    ENGL 315 : Writing in the Social Sciences. (3:3:0)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
    OFFERED: Honors also.
    WHEN TAUGHT:Fall; Winter; Spring; Summer
    PREREQUISITE: Junior or senior status.
    DESCRIPTION: Writing characteristic of disciplines that inquire into human behavior and institutions; correspondence, proposals, library paper, empirical research, and reviews.
    NOTE: Carries GE Advanced Written and Oral Communication credit.

    Course Outcomes


      Or
      ENGL 316 : Technical Communication. (3:3:0)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
      ENGL 316 : Technical Communication. (3:3:0)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
      OFFERED: Honors also.
      WHEN TAUGHT:Fall; Winter; Spring; Summer
      PREREQUISITE: Junior or senior status.
      DESCRIPTION: Effective processes of written, oral, and visual technical communication, including collaborative processes. Writing for academic and professional audiences.
      NOTE: Carries GE Advanced Written and Oral Communication credit.

      Course Outcomes


    STAT 121 : Principles of Statistics. (3:3:1)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
    STAT 121 : Principles of Statistics. (3:3:1)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
    OFFERED: Independent Study also; Honors also.
    WHEN TAUGHT:Fall; Winter; Spring; Summer
    RECOMMENDED: MATH 110 or equivalent.
    DESCRIPTION:  Stemplots, boxplots, histograms, scatterplots; central tendency, variability; confidence intervals and hypothesis testing involving one and two means and proportions; contingency tables, simple linear regression.

              : Honors Principles of Statistics.

    Course Outcomes




*Hours include courses that may fulfill university core requirements.



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