Public Health Sciences Minor
Public health issues have been described as early as biblical times when lepers were cast out from societies for fear of contagion. The health status of populations has been studied for hundreds of years, from early attempts at immunization against small pox by the Chinese in the Eighth Century to the subsequent eradication of the disease in the Twentieth Century. Disparities among minority populations in the areas of environmental health, nutrition, and the prevention of communicable diseases continue to be prevailing causes of concern in our communities. In an effort to broaden the academic and career options of students in the natural, behavioral, and social sciences, the Public Health Sciences Institute (PHSI), under the Department of Biology, is pleased to offer the Public Health Sciences Minor.
The overall health of the American population has improved dramatically in this century due to advances in treatment and technology. However, the health of under-represented minorities differs significantly from the majority population in the Nation. African-American infants are twice as likely as Caucasian infants to die in the first year of life, despite the decline in infant mortality over the past few years. In 1900, life expectancy at birth was 33 years for an African-American person and 47.6 years for a Caucasian person. By 1996, while life expectancy had increased to 70.2 years for African-Americans and 76.8 years for Caucasians (National Center for Health Statistics, 1998), a disparity continued to exist. As these health disparities continue, there is a growing need for more quantitative health scientists to address these issues. The minor in public health sciences is intended to help students better understand the health disparities within their own communities, while enabling them to better serve others.
Requirements for a Minor in Public Health
Students majoring in any discipline may obtain a minor in public health. The minor in public health requires the completion of 15 hours of course work. Twelve (12) credit hours in the public health science curriculum are required consisting of
- Introduction to Public Health (Bio 240)
- Introduction to Epidemiology (Bio 330)
- Biostatistics (340)
- Public Health Sciences Seminar and Practicum (Bio 450).
One (1) additional 3-hour elective course is also required and may be taken at any AUC college.
Emphasis is placed on a multi-disciplinary approach to learning. Elective courses will need to be approved by the Chair of the Department of Biology. An updated list of elective courses will be generated each semester and may be obtained from the PHSI office.
Core Curriculum
BIO 240 Introduction to Public Health (3 hours). This course is designed to give students a strong foundation in the administration and practice of public health; to provide an understanding of the technical, social and political parameters surrounding public health research and practice. The course includes a lecture series, field trips to local, state and federal agencies and services, and a research project.
BIO 330 Introduction to Epidemiology (3 hours). Epidemiology is a branch of medical science that deals with the incidence, distribution, and control of diseases in a population. This course is a study of the distributions and determinants of health-related states and events in populations with a view toward identifying the etiology ( the study of the causes and origin of diseases) of diseases. It includes fundamental strategies for epidemiological research, the framework for assessing valid statistical associations and making judgements of causality, measures of disease frequency and association, detailed discussions of the various types of study designs, analysis and interpretation of epidemiological data, and methods for the evaluation and control of chance, bias and confounding in assessing the presence of a valid statistical association. (Electives from any of the AUC schools that have a similar course description may substitute for this course)
BIO 340 Biostatistics (3 hours). This course is designed for applications of statistics in the Biomedical and Health Sciences. It introduces parametric and non-parametric statistical methodology, including descriptive measures, elementary probability, estimation and hypothesis testing, correlation, regression and single factor analysis of variance. Underlying theory is empirically demonstrated utilizing biomedical applications. Computer based statistical analysis is used throughout the course. (Electives from any of the AUC schools that have a similar course description may substitute for this course)
BIO 450 Public Health Sciences Seminary and Practicum (3 hours). This course is designed to provide students with a forum for discussion and critical analysis of contemporary health care issues while providing a practical experience in a health service agency. [Top of Page]
Electives
The following courses are examples of possible elective choices:
Morehouse
(MC) PSY 288 Public Policy and Mental Health (3)
(MC) PSY 303 Health/Medical Psychology (3)
(MC) SOC 356 Demography, Ecology and Environment (3)
(MC) BIO 497or (SP) BIO 314 Environmental Biology (4)
Morris Brown
(MBC) PNS 202 Basic Nutrition (3)
Clark Atlanta University
(CAU) AHP 113 Nutrition (3)
(CAU) AHP 242 Introduction to Disease (4)
(CAU) AHP 313 Health Care Delivery (3)
(CAU) HPE 300 Psychological and Mental Health (3)
(CAU) AHP 402 Health Care Management (3)
(CAU) AHP 431 Introduction to Mental Health (3)
(CAU) AHP 437 Health Finance (3)
(CAU) AHP 439 Quality Assurance-Risk Management
Spelman College
(SC) PSC 322 Legislative Process (4)
(SC) ES 403 Environmental Science Seminar (2)
(SC) ES 435 Research in Environmental Science (3)
