Public Health Core Courses

PHCO 0501 Health Systems and Policy (3) This course introduces the history, organization, financing, and regulation of medical and public health services in the United States. Special emphasis is placed on the social and behavioral factors that shape health and inequities in health and health services, including the need for health care organizations to adapt to a changing economic environment and the basic public health principles of access, equity, quality care, health promotion, and prevention. This course is offered every semester.

PHCO 0502 Principles and Methods of Epidemiology (3) This course introduces students to the study of health through patterns of disease occurrence in human populations. It discusses epidemiological approaches to describe human populations, estimate the burden of disease, and making inferences about cause of disease. Primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention strategies are presented. This course is offered every semester.

PHCO 0503 Introduction to Environmental Health (3) This course explores the ways in which environments can and do affect health. It examines how ecosystems provide goods and services that support life and health, and how natural and human activity can lead to harm from biological, chemical, physical, and radiological agents in air, water, soil, food, homes, and workplaces. It applies multidisciplinary concepts and analysis from ecology, toxicology, epidemiology, and behavioral science. It reviews policies intended to improve public health by altering or maintaining environments. This course is offered every semester.

PHCO 0504 Introduction to Biostatistics (3) This introductory course covers foundational biostatistical concepts and methods essential for public health professionals. Students also engage in computer-based exercises, culminating in a comprehensive data analysis project. Prerequisite: Quantitative Skill Assessment Test. This course is offered every semester.

PHCO 0505 Social and Behavioral Health Sciences in Public Health (3) This course provides students with an overview of the concepts, principles, and methods of health education and behavioral science. The course reviews behavioral determinants of health and considers these determinants in the context of behavior change theories. In addition, the course provides students with an applied overview of needs assessment as well as program planning and evaluation methods, which are critical to implementing and sustaining effective public health programs.
This course is offered every semester.

PHCO 0512 Public Health Foundations (3)

This course provides M.S. and Ph.D. students with a foundation in the core principles, theories, and practices of public health. Students explore the history and functions of public health, strategies and methods used in public health research, and the key determinants of health.

Prerequisite: Student must be in the M.S. in biostatistics or Ph.D. program of study. This course is offered every spring semester.

PHCO 0513 Leadership and Management Essentials for Public Health (3)

This course introduces students to general leadership and management principles, theories, and practices. Students also explore budget and resource management, cultural competence and interprofessional practice, as well as develop basic negotiation and mediation skills.

This course is offered every semester.

PHCO 0514 Public Health Foundations for MS-HOPE (1) This course introduces MS-HOPE students to the core functions of public health, globalization, and its effects on disease, as well as the biological, genetic, environmental, behavioral, and psychological factors that affect a population's health. Students also gain an ecological perspective on the connections among human health, animal health, and ecosystem health (e.g., One Health). Prerequisite: Student must be in the M.S.-HOPE program of study. This course is offered every fall semester.

PHCO 0515 Understanding the Intersection of Biology, Social Determinants, and Public Health (3) This course explores the biological basis of key public health issues, including communicable and non-communicable diseases, immunizations, aging, nutrition, genetic diseases, cancer, and environmental health, emphasizing social determinants of health. Students gain foundational knowledge in cellular biology, immunology, genetics, and physiology to understand how biological factors intersect with individual, social, environmental, and community-level influences.