Health Sciences (HTH)

Emphasizes lifestyle behaviors contributing to health promotion and disease prevention. General areas affecting health status are identified. Suggestions are made as to how health-related behaviors, self-care and individual decisions contribute to health and influence dimensions of wellness. May be used for general education credit.

This course orients students in the major to foundational expectations and requirements for successful completion of the Health Science major and Health Studies concentration. The course introduces conceptual ideas such as a wide array of health careers, importance of gaining early and regular field experiences, and writing and research basics.

A survey of various dimensions of the legal aspects of emergency care, cardiorespiratory emergencies, hemorrhage control, wounds, shock, heat injuries and other health emergencies. Selected American Red Cross and American Heart Association certifications available.

Study of terms that relate to body systems, anatomical structures, medical processes and procedures, and a variety of diseases/disorders that afflict human organisms.

Many factors combine together to affect the health of individuals and communities. In an effort to advance public health, health professionals must be cognizant not only of behaviors which may compromise or promote health, but also the interaction of social and physical factors which impact health outcomes.

An overview of the incidence, prevalence, causation, and prevention of the major infectious diseases which are currently of concern in the twenty-first century. Major signs and symptoms of the diseases as well as treatment will be reviewed. The course will also cover the body's defense system and the principles of disease occurrence.

An overview of the incidence, prevalence, causation and prevention of chronic diseases and disabilities across the lifespan. Major signs and symptoms of the diseases and disabilities as well as treatment will be reviewed.

Students study, observe and participate in interprofessional assessment, planning and delivery of community-based primary health care in partnership with residents and agencies of a host rural county. Learning activities will emphasize rural culture, rural health care and interprofessional practice.

Undergraduate students are provided a leadership opportunity to serve as a peer leader for a selected class. Teaching and learning occur under faculty mentorship. The student and faculty member collaborate to ensure proper levels of rigor and support, identify specific goals, discuss reflections of experiences, and make connections to future professions. Serving as a peer leader allows students to see college teaching from a new perspective. Course may be repeated for a maximum of 4 credits.

This course reviews statistical concepts and techniques with special reference to health science applications and issues. It also reinforces the logic of statistical decision making for health and medical research concerns.

This course will identify individual and group characteristics that influence health behaviors and the features of programs designed to change behavior that makes them more or less effective. Students will develop the skills necessary to formulate health-modification programs.

An investigation of environmental factors and their effects on the health of the individual, community and society.

The course provides an overview of the U.S. health care system by examining the organization, financing, and delivery of health services. The class will include current issues in health care policy, the future of health care systems in America, and a comparative global analysis of health care systems.

Discussion includes theories of origins, statistics and characteristics of the causative pathogen, incubation, illness patterns, transmission, prevention and treatment of HIV/AIDS and other STDs. HIV/AIDS and other STDs in relation to prisons, children, schools, global concerns, health care systems and legal factors will be considered.

This course provides students with an opportunity to critically explore and examine a wide range of social, economic, cultural and demographic themes in global health. Focus is given to the various ways health and health conditions (possibly including the ecology and etiology of major infections and chronic diseases, and the social and economic consequences of changes in mortality and health) are conceptualized, valued, prevented and treated in different contexts around the world.

This course will discuss the CDC priority health risk categories and the Healthy People Objectives for the Nation as they relate to child and adolescent health. In addition, the CDC model for Coordinated School Health Programs will be explored to determine specific strategies for health improvement.

An in-depth study of sexuality across the lifespan. Emphasis is placed on the development of sexuality with attention given to the psychological, physiological, ethical and socio-cultural implications.

A study of the use and pharmacological properties of popular legal and illegal drugs and their effects on the health of individuals and society.

The course will provide an introduction to health communication theory, research and practice. Students will learn how to design, communicate and evaluate effective health promotion messages.

Selected practicum experiences which provide students with supervised practicum experiences.

An independent study for students to pursue individual projects or research related to a selected topic of current importance to the Health Science field. Students will be under the supervision of a faculty member. Course may be repeated if the topic varies for a maximum of 4 credits.

The courses offered under this title are designed to allow exploration of current topics in health science not covered elsewhere in the curriculum. Course content will vary by term and instructor. Course may be repeated for credit when course content changes.

This course will present an overview of research methods within public health, emphasizing the steps involved in the research process. Methodological issues covered will include the ethics of health studies research, qualitative and quantitative research designs, operationalization of concepts, measurement of variables, and techniques of sampling, data collection and analysis.

An international and human rights approach providing an overview of health issues within the context of a woman's life cycle. Attention will be given to critical issues of women's health such as access to health care and gender-based violence. Such issues as sexuality, nutrition, diseases affecting women, violence, harmful traditional practices, and sex trafficking will be discussed.

This course will study drug policy from a public health perspective. Students will examine global alcohol and other drug policies assessing their impact at the regional, state, national and international levels. Emphasis will be given to the contemporary phases of alcohol and other drug policies and the war on drugs.

This course will provide a framework for understanding and analyzing a range of health policy issues such as accessibility, cost and quality of healthcare; disaster preparedness; the safety of our food, water, environment and medications; and the right to make individual decisions about our personal health. The course will explore the U.S. policy-making system, civic engagement, the essential issues in health policy and how health polices impact the work of health professionals.

This course explores ethical issues facing the public health and healthcare systems in the United States. Key ethical frameworks are used to analyze contemporary public health and healthcare issues and the overlap and distinctions between them. The course will review fundamental and emerging topics (individual rights vs. the common good, genetics, health promotion and disease prevention) and challenge students to think critically about them. Student will play an active role in presenting and evaluating ethical concepts and conflicts to facilitate class discussion.

This course is designed to introduce the student to a variety of biomechanical concepts and applications as related to the health professions. Specific attention will be given to the biomechanical aspects of the musculoskeletal system.

A study of the causation and prevention of the major diseases that affect the quality of an individual's life. Practical skills utilized by practicing epidemiologists are emphasized.

Increasingly, social service and health providers are required to have grant writing skills and/or be responsible for obtaining external funds to support their positions, fuel projects or promote programs. This course will provide the overview of grantsmanship skills. These skills include locating funding sources, improving collaboration skills, understanding program development and preparing grant proposals.

This lecture and laboratory course introduces students to principles and techniques employed to plan, implement and evaluate health promotion programs. Students will conduct a campus or community event and compile a formal report.

Promotion of health in the aged; physiological aspects of the aging process; community, state and federal health programs and services for the aged.

An advanced opportunity to conduct research where the student will apply their knowledge of Health Science to a specific research project or area. Students will be under the supervision of a faculty member. Course may be repeated if the topic varies for a maximum of six credits.

Full-time directed field experience in a health organization. Opportunity provided to work in an appropriate setting. Student furnishes off-campus living and traveling expenses.

The purpose of the first semester honors capstone project is to develop a project outline, select an advisor and two readers, and submit the proposal with the completed signature page to the Honors College by the deadline.

The purpose of the second semester honors capstone project is to complete an introduction to the research topic; complete a thorough literature review and a methodology section of a research paper; complete IRB training; complete an IRB application; and begin data collection.

The third semester of the honors capstone project is designed for students to complete their projects. They should conduct data analyses if appropriate, and write summary, conclusions and recommendations (the equivalent of Chapters 5 and 6). In addition, students will prepare a research poster for the honors symposium.

Selected practicum experiences for students in the various health sciences graduate programs.

Directed reading in designated areas of specialized interest. Investigating, researching and reporting. Course may be repeated for credit, with permission of the department head, when content changes.

Practical experience in applying health theory to problems encountered in a professional setting. Specific assignments will be determined by the needs of the student. (Amount of credit will be based on amount of experience acquired. No more than six hours can be counted toward a degree program.)

Continued preparation in anticipation of the comprehensive examination. Course may be repeated as needed.