An introduction to the interrelationships of living things to each other and their environment. Students learn about plant and animal identification and behaviors as these relate to the important ecological concepts of habitat, ecosystem, biological communities, and dynamic balance. The roles of natural resources and impact of human activity are also considered.

This course is designed to develop conceptual understanding, problem-solving, decision-making, and analytic skills dealing with quantities and their magnitudes and interrelationships, using calculators and personal computers as tools. The course will include the representation and analysis of data through statistical measures such as central tendency, dispersion, normal and chi-square distributions, correlation and regression, and hypothesis testing. Students will also learn to use logical statements and arguments in a real-world context, such as estimating, approximating, and judging the reasonableness of answers. Graphing and use of polynomial functions and systems of equations as well as inequalities in the interpretation and solutions of problems will be developed. This knowledge will be developed with the focus on using appropriate approaches and tools to formulate and solve real-world problems.

This course focuses on mathematical reasoning and the solving of real-life problems, rather than on routine skills. The mathematical topics discussed in this course will be logic/set theory, graph theory, and mathematical modeling. Calculators and computers are used to model practical problem solving techniques.

Mathematical reasoning and the solving of real-life problems are examined in this course. Topics include: descriptive methods, basic probability theory, probability distributions, statistical inference, correlation and regression, and F-test and analysis of variance.

The course begins by exploring the evolution of science since the scientific revolution of the 16th and 17th centuries. Emphasis is placed on the development of the scientific method and its role in influencing the course of scientific discovery and perspectives on the world. Students become familiar with the fundamental nature of scientific reasoning and its importance in understanding and shaping contemporary life.

This course introduces the history, principles, concepts and elements of public health as a science and a practice. It provides an overview of the public health foundations in the following areas: health and illness; diseases and conditions; epidemiology in bio-surveillance, chronic diseases, environmental health, communicable diseases, prevention and evaluation; healthy living/behaviors; emergency preparedness and response; public health law; migration and global health; injury; and violence and safety. Students link public health science with practice at the individual and community level, health care delivery systems, employers and business, media, academia and governmental public health infrastructure. They identify the social, cultural and behavioral factors that influence public health performance at the local, state, federal and international levels. Students learn how public health can be held responsible and accountable for specific health outcomes.

This course provides an overview of the principles and concepts in the science of epidemiology. Students learn the causal contributions, distributions, patterns, and determinants in disease, disabilities and death in human populations. They utilize the characteristics and dynamics of individual and community conditions to predict and analyze risk management and best practice solutions. Students learn to apply epidemiologic approaches to program evaluation and emergency preparedness.

In this introductory course, students develop and apply statistical and ethnographic reasoning and methods in addressing, analyzing and solving problems in public health, healthcare, biomedical, clinical and population based research. They use data and information in analyzing the impact of changes and trends across health systems, and address implications of these factors on individual, family and community health.

This course provides an overview of environmental factors including biological, chemical, physical, occupational, and human elements that create optimal and adverse health conditions. Students learn federal and state regulations, guidelines, mandates, and authorities that control environmental and emergency preparedness issues and operations. Students address genetic, physiological, cultural, psychosocial and safety factors to prevent and control environmental hazards to protect the public. They will utilize a lean management approach for rapid process improvements to promote safety and quality. Students plan, coordinate and prepare a community to effectively respond to disasters and deploy appropriate risk management and risk communication approaches.

This course focuses on the understanding and development of management skills for continued effectiveness. Topics include applied organization theory, organization design, applications of management theory, conceptual models, inter-organizational networks/coalitions, quality management strategies, change management and innovation, human resource policies, training management and communication skills, conflict management, dispute resolution techniques, and a review of behavioral science research that relates to organizational behavior.

This course provides an overview of how social, cultural and behavioral factors relate to individual, family, community, and population health. Students learn the syndemics of these factors including economic, educational and demographic issues on health. Students are prepared to use relevant theories, concepts, models and evidence based approaches in advancing public health policies, practices, and health outcomes. They will be able to apply this knowledge in the workplace in developing responsive programs, policies, performance, and evaluation methods.

This course provides an overview of public heath policies, recent legislative developments, federal health reforms, state health plans, the regulatory processes, political forces and community advocacy in health policy. Students develop skills in policy formation, analysis and implementation. Methods and strategies for influencing responsive policy are also addressed including how to use data and performance improvements to promote health policy and demonstrate desired outcomes.

This course provides an overview of health education, health promotion, community mobilization and communication strategies to address risky behavior and to promote healthy lifestyles. Students learn to market the value of public health, and present health information to different audiences using effective and appropriate channels and technology. Students examine how individuals, community/society, organizations, politics, culture, technology, and media impact risky behaviors and healthy lifestyles, and consider these factors in developing and marketing effective and responsive health education and promotion for healthy living.

This course provides an overview of performance measurement, including assessment, planning, and development of goals, objectives, strategies, targets, performance measures, evaluation, and quality improvements/assurance. Students learn how to set effective performance measures, distinguish among various measures of input, process, output and outcomes. Students apply the accountability methods, in public health systems and replicate best practices to improve public health performance and overall health status.

This course provides an overview of various change management theories that are appropriate for public health systems. Students learn how properties of a system are impacted by change and identify internal and external change interactions at all levels of public health systems. Students identify predictive variables of change and integrate elements and interactions to achieve common goals. They learn to manage the influencing and causal factors of change in order to improve health outcomes and the well being of people and the community.

This course provides accounting methods and traditional financial management concepts of risk, value, return, cost of capital and cash flow for both for- profit and non-profit organizations. Topics include: analysis of cost reports, payment capitation, corporate structure and taxation implications, governmental requirements, utilization management, case mix/payer mix, severity of illness assignment, basic tools of capital budgeting, risk analysis, tactical alterative analysis and forecasting, and an examination of how ethics in healthcare finance has affected the healthcare marketplace. Challenges include balancing cost effectiveness with patient care.

This course examines public health informatics, data collection, management, linkage, and information exchange that comprise a health information system. Students learn how the disciplines of information science and computer science are merged to public health practice, research, and learning. They use informatics methods and strategies and apply them in promoting planning, decision making, quality assurance, evaluation, and performance improvements. Students use informatics approach and technology to protect, access, evaluate, interpret, and standardize health information systems. Students apply appropriate public health informatics strategies, standards, tools and training to maximize health impacts at local, state, and national levels by deploying information technology solutions that provide accurate, timely, and secure information to guide public health action.

This course examines the public health leadership role in promoting access to care, advancing health equity, improving the quality of health services, and improving health outcomes in the 21st century. Students learn how factors such as demography, environment, the economy, globalization, bioterrorism, migration, syndemics, technology, health care and pharmaceutical industries, heightened accountability, and changing priorities have impacted public health operations, its viability and success in the 21st century.

Students work on a summative project exploring connections among health-related problems, considers those connections when developing health policies, and aligns with other avenues of social change to assure the conditions in which all people can be healthy.

Students apply the concepts of public health through a supervised practicum experience in local and state public health agencies, and are evaluated on the application of skills acquired during the course work.

This is a continuation of Practicum I: Leadership in Public Health. Students are evaluated on the application of skills acquired during the coursework.