Courses - Spring 2027
PHSC
Public Health Science
Open Seats as of
10/22/2026 at 07:30 PM
PHSC388H
Special Topics in Public Health Science; Foundations of Clinical Practice: For Health Care Careers and Systems
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg
Must have completed a minimum of 45 credits. Pre-requisite: Must have completed BSCI160 and BSCI161 with a C- or higher.
This course will provide an overview of clinical skills essential to car eers in the health professions. Students will gain hands-on experience i n learning the processes for taking blood pressure, pulse, temperature, respiratory rate, pulse ox, orthostatic vital signs, peak flow reading, visual acuity screening, donning/doffing of PPE (clinical hygiene and in fectious disease), and other clinically relevant testing. Beyond these t echnical skills, students will also receive an introduction to the compl exity of healthcare systems and best practices for patient care and comp liance.
This course is recommended for students interested in careers in the hea lth professions. However, this course DOES NOT fulfill or meet the requi rements for any certification or licensure.
This course will provide an overview of clinical skills essential to car eers in the health professions. Students will gain hands-on experience i n learning the processes for taking blood pressure, pulse, temperature, respiratory rate, pulse ox, orthostatic vital signs, peak flow reading, visual acuity screening, donning/doffing of PPE (clinical hygiene and in fectious disease), and other clinically relevant testing. Beyond these t echnical skills, students will also receive an introduction to the compl exity of healthcare systems and best practices for patient care and comp liance.
This course is recommended for students interested in careers in the hea lth professions. However, this course DOES NOT fulfill or meet the requi rements for any certification or licensure.
PHSC389
Independent Research Study in Public Health Science
Credits:
1 - 6
Grad Meth:
Reg, P-F
Please note that there is a pre-approval process required in order to register for this course, which must be completed prior to the start of the semester. Contact the department or instructor for details.
PHSC399
Public Health Science Internship
Credits:
1 - 6
Grad Meth:
Reg, P-F
Please note that there is a pre-approval process required in order to register for this course, which must be completed prior to the start of the semester. Contact the department or instructor for details.
PHSC415
Essentials of Public Health Biology: The Cell, The Individual, and Disease
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, P-F
Prerequisite: Minimum grade of C- in BSCI202.
Recommended: BSCI223.
Restriction: Must be in Public Health Science program; and junior standing or higher.
Credit only granted for: PHSC415, SPHL415 or SPHL498J.
Formerly: SPHL415 and SPHL498J.
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.
PHSC425
Genetics, Genomics, and Public Health
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, P-F
Prerequisite: Must have completed BSCI170 and 171 with a C- or higher.
Recommended: BSCI222 and BSCI223.
Restriction: Must have earned a minimum of 60 credits; and must be in Public Health Science program.
Credit only granted for: SPHL498X OR PHSC425.
Formerly: SPHL498X.
Recent advances in genomic science and biomedical technologies have increased our understanding of the genetic basis of disease and the interplay between genetics and environmental and behavioral factors. This course will provide a solid background in basic genetics and genomic science and highlight the role of public health professionals in translating breakthroughs in this rapidly transforming field into the clinical setting, program planning, and policy. Topics covered will include the molecular basis for genetic variation, fetal and newborn screening, genetic risk factors for cancer, pharmacogenetics, the role of pathogen genomics in outbreak investigation, and applications of genetic engineering in solving public health issues.
PHSC440
Public Health Nutrition
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg
Prerequisite: A minimum of C- in BSCI170, (BSCI180 or BSCI171), CHEM131, CHEM132 and EPIB301.
Restriction: Must be in Public Health Science program.
Credit only granted for: PHSC440 or NFSC498L.
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.
PHSC450
Addressing Social and Structural Inequities Through Public Health
Prerequisite: Minimum grade of C- in MIEH300; and 1 course with a minimum grade of C- from either SPHL100 or PHSC300.
Restriction: Restricted to students in the Public Health Science Major.
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.
PHSC490
Public Health in Action: Applied Health Solutions
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, P-F, Aud
Prerequisite: Minimum grade of C- or in SPHL100 and HLTH366.
Restriction: Must be a Public Health Science major; and must have a minimum of 60 credits.
Credit only granted for: PHSC388G or PHSC490.
Formerly: PHSC388G.
Engage in hands-on public health problem-solving by partnering with organizations tackling real-world health challenges. Students will collaborate to design culturally responsive, evidence-based interventions. Gain valuable skills in health consulting, communication, and teamwork while making a measurable impact on public health.
PHSC497
Public Health Science Capstone
Prerequisite: Must have completed the professional writing requirement with a C- or higher; and minimum grade of C- in PHSC450.
Restriction: Must have earned a minimum of 100 credits; and must be in Public Health Science program; and must be in the final semester of undergraduate study.
Credit only granted for: SPHL498F or PHSC497.
Formerly: SPHL498F.
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.
Flagship Institution of the University System of Maryland
University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742, USA
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301.405.1000
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