An overview of the goals, functions, and methods of public health. After an introduction to the core concepts and tools used in public health research and practice, applications of these methodologies are considered in the context of current controversies/problems in public health. Students work together to develop strategies for prevention and control that take into consideration different points of view, outside research, and impacts on individuals and communities.

Students will identify and analyze policy solutions to public health problems and determine advocacy strategies to encourage policy makers to implement the recommendations. Lectures, class discussions, group work and mock advocacy exercises will integrate the principles and practice of public health advocacy. Guest lecturers from a variety of settings will give students a broad range of perspectives and advocacy experiences.

Broad overview of the impact of food and food policy on public health. Course covers topics such as access to food, food systems, influence of food policies on the individual, the cost of food, influences on food selection, food safety risks and responses, nutrition-related health challenges, and a comparison of US food/nutrition issues with those of other nations.

Presents the basic scientific and biomedical concepts of modern public health problems and explores in depth mechanisms and models of the major categories of disease. The biologic principles presented are foundations to public health disease prevention, control, or management programs.

An exploration of immunology and vaccines through a public health lens. We will examine the cells, systems, and molecules that comprise the human immune system and defend your body against disease. In addition, we will discuss the strategies used during vaccine development including the history and future of vaccination and how increased understanding of the immune system has allowed scientists to improve and refine the process. Finally we will examine the current social and political situation surrounding vaccination and the roles and responsibility of public health practitioners.

Engages students in conceptual thinking about the relationship between public health and nutritional health. Students will analyze and interpret "A Framework for Public Health Nutrition." Students will identify determinants of nutritional health, assess nutritional health in individuals and populations, develop strategies to mitigate these issues, and analyze and evaluate public health nutrition policies.

A focus on addressing social and structural inequities within race, gender, disability, and class through various perspectives in the field of public health. Students explore the causes, challenges, consequences, and extent these injustices have on health disparities from local, national, and global perspectives. Students view these inequities through the lens of the affected populations, and work interactively and collaboratively to interpret, design, and evaluate public health interventions and approaches to address key health disparities within specific communities. The aim of this course is to help students define appropriate research and address structural inequities with innovative approaches through the professional practice of public health.

The capstone course is the culminating experience for Public Health Science students and must be taken only in the final semester of study. The Public Health Science capstone course is designed to challenge students to integrate the five core areas of public health in investigating, researching and addressing public health issues. Throughout the semester, students will be required to evaluate, analyze and synthesize scholarly works as they research and propose solutions to a variety of public health issues. By the conclusion of this research based course, students will understand how the various public health perspectives can combine in addressing and informing public health practices.