Bachelor of Science in Public Health

This course outlines basic study and research techniques, the use of libraries, and the importance of research methodology and analysis for the social sciences. It is a writing intensive course that requires a sound understanding of written communication. Students enrolling in this course should be familiar with proper citations and documentation, grammar and syntax, organizing their writing, and parts of a paper. (Prerequisite: ENGL101 or ENGL102).

Pre Reqs: Proficiency in Writing(ENGL101),Effectiveness in Writing(ENGL102)

This course examines Health Service Administration, primarily The Structuring Policies of Federal, State, and Local Organizations. PBHE112 reveals the framework of the United States Healthcare System; the organization and administration of health services; the roles of international, federal, state, and local health organizations; and the barriers to health services delivery.

This course introduces students to the wellness concept, which builds the foundation for health literacy and an appreciation for life-long health and physical fitness. The components of wellness will be studied in this class, including physical, intellectual, emotional, social, spiritual, environmental, and occupational, with the goal of promoting and advocating for self-responsibility, health literacy, and a life-long commitment to wellness.

This course is a study of the public health system in America, to include national, state, and local public health policies, implementation, providers, and structures. The course addresses the system’s strengths and weaknesses, and it looks out into the future to address looming issues in the first quarter of the 21st Century.

This course is designed to provide the student with tools used to express the financial and economic components of the health care industry. The student will develop a vocabulary in addition to gaining knowledge in the use of graphs, charts, tables and reports. The student will utilize these tools to assess past and present analysis as well as projecting future developments.

This course is an examination of moral issues and dilemmas within the health care profession based on associated ethical theories and principles. The course puts special emphasis on patient's rights, social justice of health care, and evolving health care technologies.

This course is a study of the theoretical, historical, and contemporary issues associated with quarantine as a public health and safety measure. Students will learn quarantine strategy, implementation, effectiveness, and debate. The course topics will include the consideration of quarantine as a health and safety measure in modern homeland security strategy.

This course provides an introduction to epidemiologic concepts and approaches to population problems in public health. It covers a wide spectrum of topics, to include outbreak investigation, test properties, and study design. The course will provide understanding of disease and disease transmission, rates and proportions associated with different forms of outbreak, and epidemiological risk management methods and measures.

Analyzes the formulation and execution of public policy in America. Includes study of decision-making theory, bureaucratic politics and other models that seek to explain how policy is made. Issues explored include social, environmental, economic, homeland security, defense, and foreign policy. Additional issue areas may be covered depending on contemporary significance.

This course introduces students to the biological systems within their associated environments. The course furnishes an understanding of biological principles and the properties of life. Topics covered in this course include the structure and function of plants and animals, cell biology principles, genetics, reproduction, development and growth, biological diversity, principles of evolution, and interactions among organisms and with their environment. Online laboratory experiences are incorporated, which are designed to correspond to, complement, and reinforce the concepts presented in the assigned reading material. The lab involves study through interactive simulations, videos, and animations, which will be provided to the student in the form of exercises provided throughout the semester.

This course introduces students to the principles of basic chemistry, the terminology, methodology, and world view of chemistry; and the practical application to everyday living. Students will attain knowledge of chemical concepts, the environment and atmosphere, material and energy resources, and environmental pollution (including air, water, and soil). The Chemistry lab is designed for students in the sciences to learn how to make qualitative and quantitative observations about physical and chemical phenomena, to make calculations, and to test out their own reasoning. Students will acquire skills in laboratory techniques and study through interactive simulation laboratories designed to help reinforce and build upon the concepts presented in the lecture portion of the class.

Effective emergency planning is the key to surviving natural and man-made disasters. Risk analysis and the formulation of a comprehensive plan, followed by a vigorous and continuing testing program, are essential elements to surviving an emergency. Topics covered include threat assessment, risk analysis, formulating the plan, staffing the emergency operations center (EOC), coordinating with supporting agencies, the importance of continuing liaison, managing an actual incident, and conducting an effective follow-up analysis. Various actual case studies are discussed.

This course is a study of the theory and practice of incident command, the various methods of incident command, and specific focus on the Incident Command System (ICS) used in crises, disasters, and emergency management response systems. Cases are studied in order to assist students in understanding the management and leadership complexity associated with modern emergencies and disasters.

This course addresses the potential results from nuclear, biological, and chemical incidents or uses. Topics include public health consequences of such incidents, emergency planning and response measures in place among U.S. agencies, and emerging detection and management technologies. Existing vulnerabilities to these types of incidents and attacks will also be discussed. Objectives of the course include identification of the historical development and use of chemical and biological weapons; definition of the types of chemical and biological weapons and their impacts; analysis of case studies related to the development and use of chemical and biological weapons, and research on chemical and biological warfare.

This course examines media management during local/national disasters and/or events. It will also address the media and all levels of governmental response. The focus will be on actual operations and on-site issues.

This course for the non-scientist, is a study of chemical, biological, and radiological science involved in the different forms of weapons of mass destruction. The course covers topics of basic science, treatment, short- and long- term effects, among other issues central to understanding hostile WMD agents.

This course is a study of the Incident Command System (ICS) as it applies to a WMD response. Students will be provided with knowledge of the ICS and case scenarios of its use in a variety of settings. The course includes a scenario-driven exercise in which students must “respond” through the ICS command and staffing process to a national event.

This course presents information and insight that identifies the challenging and overarching issues surrounding Heath Care Administration. It carefully examines the broad functions, operations and tools of the field and emphasizes the need for excellence in the management of health services. This course will assist students as they prepare for health services management careers and provides an ongoing program of professional development for those already employed in health professions. The course is divided into three parts: Managing in Health Services Environments, Managerial Tools and Techniques, and Managing Relationships.

This course is designed to provide the students with the basic essentials of the providers of the U.S. health care system. These will include the people, the institutions (hospitals, managed-care plans, and medical practices), the money, the government, the insurers (third-party payors), and even the patients. Special emphasis will be on identifying who is, and is not, getting access to health care; the costs incurred by the primary delivery systems; how health care delivery quality is measured; and, finally, the directions of change that are occurring.

This course deals with the specialized issues associated with emergency medical services—those issues that are not commonplace or part of everyday procedure. Topics include emergency medical services in mass casualty, biological, chemical and radiological incidents. The course also covers unique topics in emergency medical services, to include the employment of services in complex contingencies, such as those faced when fire, police, terrorist, and other emergencies co-exist with the need to provide medical services on-scene and post-disaster.

This course examines several countries’ public health systems to uncover similarities and differences between and among them. Addressed in this pursuit are the political, economic, service, expense, and other major issues associated with the many different forms that public health takes around the world. Inherent in this course is the discussion of the various public health tradeoffs that are made in all societies based on limited resources and competitive priorities.

This course examines historical and contemporary theories of addiction-related disease processes, the impact of addiction on individuals, families and communities, and effective methods of intervention. Physical, emotional, and legal consequences of substance abuse and addictions will be addressed.

This course surveys syndromes of psychopathology, by reviewing etiology, symptomatology, and treatment. Psychological, neurobiological, and genetic approaches to understanding mental disorders are considered. Topics also include depression, anxiety, schizophrenia, personality disorders, memory disorders, and childhood disorders.

Pre Reqs: Introduction to Psychology(PSYC101)

This course focuses on the psychological and physiological human response to natural and man-made disasters. Using clinical research and case histories, students will examine normal and abnormal psychological reactions, the recovery process and principles of mental health care for victims of mass disasters. Differences between natural and man-made disasters are examined and factors that mitigate post-traumatic effects are reviewed. Psychological aspects of Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) disasters are also considered.

This course is designed to provide a solid foundation for undergraduate study in the online environment. Students will be introduced to learning theory, the tools available in the online classroom and campus, and online research. Identification of personal learning style allows students to improve their study/learning techniques and prepares them to succeed in college level courses. Students will be introduced to formatting and citation styles. APUS policy and procedure is addressed. There is an emphasis on written communication to assist students in the transition to the online environment.

This senior capstone course allows students majoring in public health to analyze specific program related issues and problems using the knowledge and understanding gained by completing the required courses in the program and a significant number of the major courses. This is a capstone course to be taken after all other Public Health courses have been satisfactorily completed. Student must have SENIOR standing to register.