Public Health: Undergraduate Courses courses

BIOS 6030 Introductory Biostatistics
Introductory Biostatistics
Introduction to statistical methodology in the health field. Topics include presentation of data (graphs and tables), descriptive statistics, concepts of probability, estimation of parameters, hypothesis testing, simple linear regression, correlation, and the analysis of attribute data. It is recommended for students with any mathematical or statistical background and those needing a firm foundation in statistical methods either for their careers or preparation for further quantitative courses.
credit hours: 3
Introductory Biostatistics

BIOS 6040 Intermediate Biostatistics Methods
Intermediate Biostatistics Methods
credit hours: 3
Intermediate Biostatistics Methods

BIOS 6230 Computer Packages for Statistical Analysis I
Computer Packages for Statistical Analysis I
credit hours: 1
Computer Packages for Statistical Analysis I

BIOS 6240 Computer Packages for Statistical Analysis II
Computer Packages for Statistical Analysis II
credit hours: 1
Computer Packages for Statistical Analysis II

BIOS 6250 Computer Packages for Statistical Analysis III
Computer Packages for Statistical Analysis III
credit hours: 3
Computer Packages for Statistical Analysis III

BIOS 7080 Design of Experiments
Design of Experiments
credit hours: 3
Design of Experiments

BIOS 7150 Categorical Data Analysis
Categorical Data Analysis
credit hours: 3
Categorical Data Analysis

BIOS 7220 Nonparametric Statistics
Nonparametric Statistics
credit hours: 3
Nonparametric Statistics

BIOS 7250 Principles of Sampling
Principles of Sampling
credit hours: 3
Principles of Sampling

BIOS 7300 Statistical Methods for Survival Analysis
Statistical Methods for Survival Analysis
credit hours: 3
Statistical Methods for Survival Analysis

BIOS 7350 Statistics For Environmental Problems
Statistics For Environmental Problems
credit hours: 3
Statistics For Environmental Problems

BIOS 7400 Clinical Trials
Clinical Trials
credit hours: 3
Clinical Trials

BIOS 7420 Principles of Measurement
Principles of Measurement
credit hours: 3
Principles of Measurement

BIOS 7600 Advanced Evaluation Research
Advanced Evaluation Research
credit hours: 3
Advanced Evaluation Research

BIOS 7820 Multivariate Methods
Multivariate Methods
credit hours: 3
Multivariate Methods

BIOS 7990 Special Topics
Special Topics
credit hours: 1-3
Special Topics

BIOS 9980 Master's Research
Master's Research
credit hours: 1
Master's Research

BIOS 9990 Dissertation Research
Dissertation Research
credit hours: 2
Dissertation Research

HSMG 6030 Principles of Health Systems Administration and Management
Principles of Health Systems Administration and Management
Concepts and principles of management as they are applied in the functions of planning, organizing, staffing, leading, controlling, and evaluating in health services organizations. Includes study of managerial roles, styles, activities, and decision-making, as well as the relationship between management and organizational effectiveness. This course is most useful to students intending to work in the United States.
credit hours: 3
Principles of Health Systems Administration and Management

HSMG 6180 Administration of Mental Health Services
Administration of Mental Health Services
credit hours: 3
Administration of Mental Health Services

HSMG 6520 Financial Management
Financial Management
credit hours: 3
Financial Management

HSMG 6750 Information Systems
Information Systems
credit hours: 2
Information Systems

SPHL 6030 Social and Behavioral Aspects of Global Health(Advanced Core)
Social and Behavioral Aspects of Global Health(Advanced Core)
An overview of the contribution of the social and behavioral sciences to health behavior. The course includes examples from the intervention levels of health promotion, health protection, and disease prevention.
credit hours: 3
Social and Behavioral Aspects of Global Health(Advanced Core)

SPHL 6430 Policy Development and Implementation: Latin America, Africa and Other Developing Economies
Policy Development and Implementation: Latin America, Africa and Other Developing Economies
credit hours: 3
Policy Development and Implementation: Latin America, Africa and Other Developing Economies

SPHU 1010 Introduction to Public Health: Epidemics, Revolutions, and Response
Introduction to Public Health: Epidemics, Revolutions, and Response
Students will be introduced to the concepts and practice of public health in the US and internationally by tracing its historical evolution. Classic public health problems and their resolution will be discussed in the context of the broad contemporary social environment. The course will introduce current public health practice, including the structure and function of public health organizations in the US and abroad. The course will present health problems created by major social transformations in human history and the societal responses to those problems. As problems and responses are covered, ideas fundamental to public health will be integrated. Students will learn by reading a wide range of classic and modern texts and participation in case studies relevant to the topic.
credit hours: 3
Introduction to Public Health: Epidemics, Revolutions, and Response

SPHU 1020 The Cell, The Individual, and The Community
The Cell, The Individual, and The Community
This course provides a foundation of knowledge about the human body in health and disease. It gives an overview of important concepts on the biological mechanisms of disease at the cellular, individual, and population/community levels. The course will focus on a natural progression in the development of health and disease, moving from a discussion of the cell, to the individual, and finally, to specific infectious or chronic disease states and processes. The role of the community in public health will be emphasized. This course is designed to provide a good foundation in the mechanisms of health and disease. Furthermore, each lecture will offer insights into current public health topics and research trends. Each lecture will address the following: 1) specific mechanisms of health and disease; 2) topics of special public health importance, and 3) a scientific update on research in the news.
credit hours: 3
The Cell, The Individual, and The Community

SPHU 2016 Evolution, Microbes, and Disease Emergence
Evolution, Microbes, and Disease Emergence
This course covers the basic concepts of infectious disease, dynamics of disease transmission, and the emerging and reemerging infectious diseases from an evolutionary perspective. The course's main focus is on the dynamic nature of host-pathogen relationships and the biological phenomena behind the emergence of new microbial threats. From an initial review of some core evolutionary concepts, the students will progress into detailed discussions on how particular pathogens evolutionary strategies allow them to establish within human populations. The course encourages a wider conversation on the implications of infectious diseases in the broader context of public health, and challenges students to think creatively about solutions for prevention and control.
credit hours: 3
Evolution, Microbes, and Disease Emergence

SPHU 2050 Arthropods and Public Health
Arthropods and Public Health
This course provides a broad introduction to insects and other arthropods that transmit infectious pathogens, or cause problems to humans through infestation or other contact. The impact of arthropods on the history of human civilization and development will be explored, as will their use as food and in art. Arthropod utilization in forensic science and for medicinal purposes will be discussed. Throughout the course the myriad adoptions utilized by arthropods, allowing them to become the most speciose group of animals in existence, will be highlighted.
credit hours: 3
Arthropods and Public Health

SPHU 2150 Foundations of Environmental Health
Foundations of Environmental Health
This course is designed to provide students with an introduction to and overview of key areas in environmental health. Using the perspectives of the population and community, the course will cover factors associated with the development of environmental health problems. Students will gain an understanding of the interaction of individuals and communities with the environment, the potential impact on health of environmental agents, and specific application of concepts of environmental health. The course consists of lectures that cover principles derived from core environmental health disciplines. The sequence begins with background material and "tools of the trade" (environmental epidemiology, environmental toxicology, and environmental policy and regulation); agents of environmental deseases (e.g., microbial agents, ionizing and nonionizing radiation); and applications and domains of environmental health (e.g., water and air quality, food safety, waste disposal, and occupational health.
credit hours: 3
Foundations of Environmental Health

SPHU 2220 Concepts of Wellness
Concepts of Wellness
This course provides a foundation of knowledge about the wellness movement - personal responsibility, behavior change and risk reduction - to introduce students to the health and wellness-related information they need to thrive in today's world. The course provides a balance among the seven dimensions of wellness while at the same time emphasizing the central roles of physical fitness, nutrition, avoidance of tobacco, and stress management as keys to a healthy life. Additional fitness and wellness topics include body composition, flexibility, saftety, drugs, STDs, and chronic diseases. The course also provides scientifically based information on wellness topics, as well as assessment activities and other tools for encouraging behavioral change
credit hours: 3
Concepts of Wellness

SPHU 2333 Introduction to Global Maternal and Child Health
Introduction to Global Maternal and Child Health
The course introduces undergraduate students to the complex public health problems that affect women and children in USA and in developing countries. The course will introduce and use the socio-ecological framework and the life-course models to examine factors that determine women and children’s health and disease. The foundation of the course is a comprehensive review of common health issues that affect pregnancy, children, and teenagers worldwide. Programs and policy to address these issues will also be reviewed and discussed in the context of socio-ecological frameworks.
credit hours: 3
Introduction to Global Maternal and Child Health

SPHU 3010 Foundations of Health Care Systems
Foundations of Health Care Systems
This course introduces and examines the framework of a health care system, taking a particular look at the United States' system. The course examines the relationship between health and health care; public and private financing models; and the delivery of health care, both through public health and traditional medical care. Students will analyze issues related to the "iron triangle" of health care (i.e., cost, quality, and access) and will discuss the future of health care in the United States from management and policy prospective.
credit hours: 3
Foundations of Health Care Systems

SPHU 3015 Public Health Program Implementation and Management
Public Health Program Implementation and Management
This course develops practical skills for the design, implementation, and management of public health programs. A solid grounding in personal, financial, and organizational determinants of health and organizational effectiveness will complement the use of practical management tools and techniques such logic model development for program design and implementation. Students will apply these concepts and tools within the context of service delivery and policy-making in the field of public health.
credit hours: 3
Public Health Program Implementation and Management

SPHU 3020 Knowledge and Information in the Practice of Public Health
Knowledge and Information in the Practice of Public Health
This course provides an overview of how data, information and knowledge are acquired and applied to public health problems. The philosophy of scientific inquiry and systems approaches to problem solving are covered. The course describes the methods by which data are collected, analyzed and applied to public health planning, as well as the measures and statistical tools necessary to assess the importance of public health problems. Students learn to understand and evaluate scientific publications on public health topics.
credit hours: 3
Knowledge and Information in the Practice of Public Health

SPHU 3110 Social and Behavioral Perspectives in Public Health
Social and Behavioral Perspectives in Public Health
Students integrate their understanding of public health science in this applied problem-solving course that brings together the social science-based theories and models with techniques of seeking community input. Students go beyond the initial results of data to seek explanations for public health problems using a social ecological framework and public health behavioral theories. This course demonstrates the value of anchoring program planning in the social and behavioral sciences, which lays the groundwork for strong program implementation and evaluations.
credit hours: 3
Social and Behavioral Perspectives in Public Health

SPHU 3120 Issues and Strategies in Public Health
Issues and Strategies in Public Health
This seminar-style course is designed to provide students with basic biological and social concepts, control practices, and policies underlying the epidemiology of diseases of global importance. This course investigates how culture, society, and the environment influence disease transmission, risk factors, disease prevention, and health status. The course will be transdisciplinary, emphasizing the connections between the biologic nature of disease and the social, economic and political context that influences prevention and control practices. Examples of health topics that may be addressed are malaria, neglected tropical diseases, diabetes, and vaccine preventable disseases.
credit hours: 3
Issues and Strategies in Public Health

SPHU 3160 Biostatistics in Public Health
Biostatistics in Public Health
This course provides an overview of various statistical methods used in public health practice and research. Emphasis is on application of appropriate methods and interpretation of results. Examples and problems from public health settings will be included. Various statistical software will be used to analyze data (excel, SPSS and others), but prior computing experience is not required.  Topics covered include methods of summarizing data and estimation and hypothesis testing techniques, including the t-test, the chi-square test, the analysis of variance, correlation analysis, and linear regression. 
credit hours: 3
Biostatistics in Public Health

SPHU 3170 Foundations in Epidemiology
Foundations in Epidemiology
The undergraduate Epidemiology core course is designed to give students a general introduction to epldemiological concepts and basic tools of the field.  The historic and current contributions made through the use of epidemiology in shaping our understanding of disease in populations will be described and investigated.  The course will assist the student in establishing a foundation for the definition of and response to, public health challenges in the community as well as the global society.  The course will introduce a number of areas of specialization within the field of epidemiology: including infectious and non-infectious diseases and other health issues.
credit hours: 3
Foundations in Epidemiology

SPHU 3200 Nutrition and Chronic Disease
Nutrition and Chronic Disease
This course will provide students the opportunity to explore the complex relationships between diet, obesity and chronic disease outcomes particularly cardiovascular disease and cancer. The emphasis of the course will be through case studies and through the shared experience of experts in various areas. The course will focus on the causal pathway from diet and inactivity to obesity to negative chronic outcomes with over-nutrition being the pivotal mechanism to disease.
credit hours: 3
Nutrition and Chronic Disease

SPHU 3220 Concepts of Wellness
Concepts of Wellness
This course provides a foundation of knowledge about the wellness movement--personal responsibility, behavior change and risk reduction--to introduce students to the health- and wellness-related information they need to thrive in today's world. The course provides a balance among the seven dimensions of wellness while at the same time emphasizing the central roles of physical fitness, nutrition, avoidance of tobacco, and stress management as keys to a healthy life. Additional fitness and wellness topics include body composition, flexibility, safety, drugs, STDs, and chronic diseases. The course also provides scientifically based information on wellness topics, as well as assessment activities and other tools for encouraging behavioral change.
credit hours: 3
Concepts of Wellness

SPHU 3300 Information Management
Information Management
This course, an introduction to information management, covers the history of concepts in data, information, knowledge and wisdom, and elements of design of databases, data-entry techniques and queries of databases. Application of computers in medicine, biology and public health will include: medical records; issues of coding, storage and retrieval of medical data; systems of classification and medical nomenclature; use of census data, vital and survey data; database management systems; preparation of presentation graphics, tables and maps; imaging; computer assisted decision support; monitoring devices; evaluation of systems; standards and data security.
credit hours: 3
Information Management

SPHU 4010 Foundations and Formulation of Public Health Policy
Foundations and Formulation of Public Health Policy
Students will be introduced to the nature of health policy and the process by which it is developed. Various approaches to health policy are defined and their rationale considered. The politics of the development of health policy in democratic societies are discussed from both national and international perspectives. The ethics of public health policy are addressed. The course includes modern case studies of important public health issues (e.g., AIDS, smoking prevention, emerging infections such as West Nile Virus) to illustrate the development and application of policy to promote the public health.
credit hours: 3
Foundations and Formulation of Public Health Policy

SPHU 4200 Implementing-Evidence Based Public Health
Implementing-Evidence Based Public Health
This course introduces the student to the scientific, epidemiological, organizational and management skills needed in designing and obtaining funding for an evidence-based public health intervention within an organizational or community setting. Students become familiar with the role and operation of not-for-profit organizations, foundations, national and international government agencies, and the local community in this process. Students learn to access publicly available and electronic information provided by these agencies and organizations. The course illustrates how evidence-based public health is used by funding agencies in developing and awarding grants and by public health providers and community contractors in applying for and receiving them. Emphasis is placed on how evidence-based public health is used in writing grant proposals and students have an opportunity to write a grant proposal as part of the course.
credit hours: 3
Implementing-Evidence Based Public Health

SPHU 4210 Health and Environmental Risk Assessment
Health and Environmental Risk Assessment
This course covers the basic concepts and principles of health risk analysis. The National Academy of Sciences model framework for risk assessment (hazard identification, dose response assessment, exposure analysis, and risk characterization) is introduced focusing on chemical substances. An introduction to toxicology will be presented and the rationale for risk assessment used by the Environmental Protection Agency will be discussed. A number of case studies on current environmental pollutants will also be included in the course.
credit hours: 3
Health and Environmental Risk Assessment

SPHU 4220 Food Safety and Related Sanitary Codes
Food Safety and Related Sanitary Codes
This course addresses the complex food safety issues and deals with the recognition of their components. Diseases transmitted by contaminated food and methods of their control are discussed. The course also familiarizes students with the Sanitary Code and focuses on the section that deals with Eating and Drinking Establishments. Louisiana Sanitary Code will be used as a reference for this course.
credit hours: 3
Food Safety and Related Sanitary Codes

SPHU 4240 Epidemiology of Sexually Transmitted Infections
Epidemiology of Sexually Transmitted Infections
This course is designed to provide students with the skills to conduct epidemiologic research in HIV and other sexually acquired infections. The first part of the course, we discuss the etiology, treatment, epidemiology and common prevention methods for the most common and/or most serious STIs. In the second part of the course, we will cover the methodological issues of surveillance, study design in the context of clinical and behavioral research. Ethical aspects of conducting research in HIV/STI are also discussed. Students will have hands on practice examining methodological issues by completing four exercises. Finally, we put STIs into context by discussing social, economic and political ramifications of these infections in the world by reviewing two books and one movie that illustrate these concepts.
credit hours: 3
Epidemiology of Sexually Transmitted Infections

SPHU 4300 Public Health Communication
Public Health Communication
This course examines the intended and unintended effects of health communication, with specific focus on how the mass media and the Internet stimulate change in knowledge, attitudes, behavior, and subsequent health outcomes. Three health communication foci will be explored: Planned communication campaigns designed specifically to elicit health behavioral change; Traditional mass media's role in influencing health outcomes; And the evolving influence of the Internet on health outcomes. This course examines the linkages between communication effects and various health topics, including smoking/alcohol, sex, diet, and physical activity. By the end of the course, students will understand the theoretical and practical aspects of the linkage between communication and public health and be able to apply such to public health initiatives.
credit hours: 3
Public Health Communication

SPHU 4320 Introduction to Bioinformatics
Introduction to Bioinformatics
This course is an introduction to bioinformatics methods and tools. Students will learn the terminology, and notations used in bioinformatics and genomics; data storage and retrieval of biological data techniques; methods used to decrypt information encoded by genomes. Emphasis will be given on the foundation and applications of statistical theory, designs, and analysis as they relate to bioinformatics.
credit hours: 3
Introduction to Bioinformatics

SPHU 4330 Introduction to Disasters, Resilience and the International Humanitarian Assistance System
Introduction to Disasters, Resilience and the International Humanitarian Assistance System
This course addresses the field of disaster and international humanitarian studies, trends and recent developments in the field, and strategies to reduce disaster risk. It builds basic concepts and tools that will prepare students to understand humanitarian issues for disaster management. Students will learn to articulate concepts about disasters and the changing pattersn of disasters, disaster resilience and international humanitarian response. They will develop a broad view of the key organizations involved in and components of the international humanitarian response system. The course methodology includes case studies of major disasters including the Haiti earthquake of 2010, Hurricane Katrina, the current crisis in Syria, famines in the Horn of Africa, Sahel, Southern Africa and the 2004 Asian Tsunami. Students will gain hands-on experience in computing indicators used to determine the effects of disasters on public health. Guest lecturers from the Centers for Disease Control will participate through tele video-conferencing.
credit hours: 3
Introduction to Disasters, Resilience and the International Humanitarian Assistance System

SPHU 4400 Bioinformatics and Genomics
Bioinformatics and Genomics
This course is an introduction to basic concepts, principles, methods, and web resources of bioinformatics and genomics. Topics include: genome organization and evolution, scientific publications and archives, information retrieval, alignments and phylogenetic trees, structural bioinformatics and drug discovery, systems biology, metabolic pathways, gene expression and regulation. After taking the course, students will learn the terminology and notations used in bioinformatics and genomics, and grasp basic skills to access, retrieve, and analyze biological data.
credit hours: 3
Bioinformatics and Genomics

SPHU 4440 Social Aspects of Infectious Diseases (Summer)
Social Aspects of Infectious Diseases (Summer)
Led by Dr. Latha Rajan, the honors course offered students the opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of the social contexts of infectious diseases including the challenges posed by cultural, governmental and educational policies and practices related to curbing the epidemic of HIV/AIDS in Malaysia. Click here for more information The school reserves the right to change its rules, regulations, courses, and requirements and to make all such changes applicable to all students, whether new or continuing, when in its sole judgment such changes are deemed necessary.
credit hours: 3
Social Aspects of Infectious Diseases (Summer)

SPHU 4560 Capstone
Capstone
This credit is given to students who complete an approved public service internship, independent research with a public health faculty member, or complete an approved international study program.
Notes: Fulfills the capstone requirement.
credit hours: 3
Capstone

SPHU 4910 Independent Study
Independent Study
The student will work closely with a faculty member from the department of Environmental Health Sciences. The student and faculty member will craft a research topic together. Students should consult their advisor for assistance.
credit hours: 3
Independent Study

SPHU H4990 Honors Thesis
Honors Thesis
H4990 and H5000 fulfill the capstone requirement.
credit hours: 3
Honors Thesis

SPHU H5000 Honors Thesis
Honors Thesis
Notes: H4990 and H5000 fulfill the capstone requirement.
credit hours: 3
Honors Thesis