Public Health (CPH)

CPH 1301. Introduction to Public Health. 3 Semester Hours.

This course focuses on health problems and issues of public health from the social sciences perspective. The course will enable students to describe one or two core theoretical perspectives from social science disciplines and cover the major social and behavioral science models used in health promotion and disease prevention. The course will also cover existing social inequalities in health status related to race, social class, and gender, and the critical intersection between social risk factors, behavioral risk factors, and the development and implementation of public health interventions.

CPH 2301. Environmental Health. 3 Semester Hours.

This course develops a general awareness of how the human-made environment and natural ecosystem interact to affect health and the quality of life. A review of relevant principles from the natural sciences, and discussions of issues influencing the solutions to environmental health problems included.

CPH 2303. Introduction to Community Health.. 3 Semester Hours.

This course explores community health as a practice-focused area within the broader field of population health and public health. Students learn contemporary definitions of community and population health and their core functions. The course emphasizes assessing population and community health needs; applying evidence-based public health strategies; engaging communities through culturally responsive, multi-sector collaboration; and planning, implementing, and evaluating prevention-focused interventions. Topics may include epidemiology, community organizing, program planning and evaluation, minority and mental health, environmental and occupational health, substance use, and injury prevention, with a focus on health equity, social determinants of health, and improving population health outcomes.

CPH 3300. Special Topics in Public Health.. 3 Semester Hours.

This course covers the study of selected or emerging issues in public health not covered in depth in the regular curriculum. Topics vary by semester and focus on contemporary issues in public health research, practice, or policy. Example topics may include disaster management and emergency preparedness, climate change and health, maternal child health, emerging infectious diseases, rural health, or social media and health communication. May be repeated for credit when topics vary. Prerequisite: CPH 1301.

CPH 3301. Fundamentals of Epidemiology. 3 Semester Hours.

This course introduces students to principles and concepts in epidemiology, methods of epidemiologic investigation, and the design, interpretation, and evaluation of epidemiologic research. Students are introduced to the strategies adopted by public health professionals to study distribution and identification of important biological, social, and environmental determinants of diseases and health-related states in specific populations. Prerequisites: 1 course with statistics emphasis (CJ 3332, CR 3332, MT 2303, PO 2311, PS 3381, or SC 3381).

CPH 3303. Global Health and Wellbeing. 3 Semester Hours.

This course examines global health challenges and strategies through an interdisciplinary public health lens. Students analyze how social, economic, political, environmental, cultural, and biological factors shape health outcomes and inequities across populations worldwide. Topics include global disease burdens, determinants of health, health systems and policies, infectious and chronic diseases, maternal and child health, nutrition, environmental health threats, and emerging global health issues. Using case studies and real-world examples, students develop critical thinking and communication skills to evaluate global health problems and design evidence-based solutions at the community, national, and international levels. Prerequisite: CPH 1301 or CPH 2301.

CPH 3357. Intro to Health Informatics. 3 Semester Hours.

This course provides an overview of health informatics for emerging healthcare, public health, and population health professionals. Students will develop expertise in the use of data, information, and knowledge to advance individual health, healthcare delivery, public health practice, and health-related research. The course defines health informatics and public health informatics and examines the knowledge, infrastructure, functions, and tools of the field; explores technology, planning, management, and applications in healthcare and public health; and compares the roles, needs, and solutions of major stakeholders in national and commercial health informatics communities. Special emphasis is placed on data and AI ethics, including privacy, security, governance, algorithmic bias, transparency, accountability, and the responsible use of AI and machine learning in healthcare and public health. Students will apply informatics concepts and skills to address healthcare and public health problems through data analysis, data visualization, and information retrieval using clinical and public health data. Prerequisites:one research methods course (SC 3306, SC 4383, or equivalent).

CPH 3367. Consumer Health Informatics. 3 Semester Hours.

Consumer health informatics (CHI) is a rapidly expanding area of informatics practice, with career opportunities emerging in the public, non-profit, and private sectors. Broadly, the field aims to give individual health care consumers, as well as their families and communities, the information and tools that they need to help them become more involved in their health and health care. In this course, students will become familiar with a range of CHI applications, including the needs/problems that the applications address, their theoretical bases and designs, and relevant evaluation results. The course will cover an overview of health behavior theories that are relevant to health behavior change and health information behavior and explore how they might be applied to promote changes in health behavior and/or explain health consumers’ behaviors. The course will also introduce key issues such and health literacy, patient-centered communication, patient empowerment, patient-generated data, participation, and privacy with a special focus on the application of CHI in areas of public health, including surveillance, prevention, preparedness, and health promotion. At the end of the course, students will have an ability to evaluate existing applications, and to generate theory-informed design and implementation strategies for CHI applications for potential users with a particular focus on groups that experience health care and information access disparities. Prerequisites: one course with statistics emphasis (CJ 3332, CR 3332, MT 2303, PO 2311, PS 3381, or SC 3381) or one research methods course (SC 3306, SC 4383, or equivalent).

CPH 3372. Health Promotion in Public Hea. 3 Semester Hours.

Health Promotion in Public Health is ideal for students interested in managing public health programs that address health behavior, disease prevention, and health equity. Students will learn about commonly used theories and models, community engagement, health equity, needs assessment, and program design, implementation, and evaluation. Throughout the semester, students will improve communication skills while applying newly acquired knowledge related to public health problems. (3 credits). Prerequisite: CPH1301 Introduction to Public Health.

CPH 3377. Electronic Health Records. 3 Semester Hours.

The course is aimed at exposing students to Electronic Health Record (EHR) systems and coding, with a strong emphasis on the role of EHR systems in health care operations and patient care as called for in recent US government regulation. The course includes: common coding systems or language and functions and an overview of EHR software programs, legal and regulatory issues, the role of EHR in quality of care and evidence-based practice, and applications of EHR systems and healthcare data in patient care. Students will gain hands-on experience with a virtual EHR and examine the impact of EHRs on healthcare particularly in terms of ensuring quality of patient care and evidence-based practice, adhering to standards set by accreditation bodies and government organizations, and promoting ongoing public health surveillance and for assessing outbreaks of community-wide diseases and other threats to public health. Prerequisites: CS 1300 or CS 3300.

CPH 3387. Healthcare Project Management. 3 Semester Hours.

Much of the work in healthcare and public health is project based, whether it is training healthcare workers implementing an intervention, adopting a health information system, or evaluating a practice for quality improvement. Good project management is crucial for the success of these endeavors. Students will be introduced to the theory and concepts of project management and the tools to manage projects with a specific focus on healthcare and public health. At the end of this course, students should be able to develop, execute, and control a basic project plan that is capable of supporting organizational objectives linked to measures of success for a single project as it applies to healthcare and/or public health.

CPH 3392. Public Health Ecology and the Human Environment. 3 Semester Hours.

This course provides an overview of the basic principles underpinning public health ecology and environmental health. Students are provided with foundational knowledge in public health ecology, principles of environmental health, and an introduction to environmental policies & controls including the forces that influence the development of environmental health policy. Applications of this knowledge will be applied to an environmental case study, wherein students will use a systems thinking approach to identify the key elements of the problem, develop solutions, and articulate a dissemination plan. In addition, inter-professional engagement simulations will be used to provide students with skills for engaging stakeholders, including community members, policymakers/enforcers, and other healthcare professionals. (3 credits). Prerequisite: CPH 1301 Introduction to Public Health and CPH 2301 Environmental Health.

CPH 3397. Data Visualization. 3 Semester Hours.

This hands-on course introduces students to the principles and techniques of data visualization in social and health sciences. Students learn to construct clear and effective visual representations of qualitative, quantitative, and mixed-methods data using contemporary tools and software, including charts, graphs, and dashboards. The course covers key concepts such as visual perception, design principles, data and AI ethics, and interpretation of results. Students apply these skills to real-world datasets through individual and group projects, gaining practical experience in communicating research findings visually. Prerequisites: SC3381 or equivalent OR one research methods course (SC 3306, SC 4383, or equivalent).

CPH 4301. US Healthcare System. 3 Semester Hours.

The course is designed to assist the student in understanding and preparing for the unique challenges presented to managers in a health services administration career. History and current environment of U.S. health care are considered, as well as the ever-changing infrastructure of the health-services industry including the organization, structure, and operation of the nation’s health care system.

CPH 4302. Advanced Epidemiology. 3 Semester Hours.

This course provides a strong foundation in concepts, principles, and methods specific to advanced epidemiology. By the end of this course, students should be able to apply these skills to (a) assess the health of a population; (b) describe the natural history, distribution, and determinants of health-related states and events; and (c) evaluate programs designed to improve public health. To accomplish this, the course considers epidemiology in the context of core public health functions and services. Pre-Requisite: CPH 3301. Introduction to the Fundamentals of Epidemiology.

CPH 4304. Management and Policy Concepts in Public Health. 3 Semester Hours.

This course provides an overview of theory and practice in the management and policy sciences applied to the field of public health. Topics include public health in the U.S. health system/legal bases of public health, public policy institutions, planning and management to promote health, emergency preparedness, public sector institutions, management, and decision-making. Students will gain skills in oral and written communication with individual and group projects. This course will introduce students to the public health system, public health policy development, and fundamental management concepts for managing public health organizations. Topics covered include organization, financing, and history of public health, public health policy-making, advocacy, and basic principles of finance and human resource management in public health organizations. (3 credits). Prerequisites: CPH 1301 Introduction to Public Health and CPH 4301 US Healthcare Systems.

CPH 4305. Health Economics. 3 Semester Hours.

This course introduces key economic principles relevant to public health and healthcare systems, programs, and policies, with a focus on practical application rather than formal economic theory. Students learn to evaluate population health interventions, analyze cost-effectiveness, and make evidence-based decisions considering equity and ethical implications. The course emphasizes micro-level concepts such as market function, provider behavior, and cost-effectiveness, as well as macro-level considerations such as health system financing, policy, and population outcomes. Applied case studies, real-world data, and policy exercises prepare students for careers in public health practice and research. Prerequisite: CPH 4301.

CPH 4390. ProSem and Internship. 3 Semester Hours.

This is a three-credit high impact learning experience course. This course is designed to provide resources and experiential learning for the college-to-career pipeline for Public Health majors. It is an introduction to the professional field of public health and the related employment industries and will serve as a guide to skills required to succeed in graduate school and professional careers. Topics and activities will include, for example: professional development, assessment of cultural humility skills, and refining professional portfolio materials and experiences. At the completion of the course, students will have professional college-to-career pipeline resources and an applied intern experience that should increase confidence about multiple public health career options in their postbaccalaureate lives. All students will complete 20 hours per week at an approved healthcare and/or public health site. Program director approval required. Prerequisites: Junior standing.

CPH 4482. Introduction to Biostatistics in Public Health. 4 Semester Hours.

This course is designed as the first biostatistics course for students who have not previously taken a course in biostatistics; it is a designated core course for MPH students. Students will learn how to analyze quantitative data using appropriate biostatistical methods and software and interpret analysis results for This course is designed as the first biostatistics course for students who have not previously taken a course in biostatistics; it is a designated core course for MPH students. Students will learn how to analyze quantitative data using appropriate biostatistical methods and software and interpret analysis results for a given public health context. (4 credits). Prerequisite: any approved statistics courses and CPH1301 Introduction to Public Health.