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School of Public Health

Course Descriptions

Undergraduate
  • PBHL-B 275 PROBABILITY WITHOUT TEARS AND WITHOUT CALCULUS (3 cr.) This is a course teaching fundamental concepts in biostatistics through computer simulation. While this is a self-contained course, working knowledge of R or another computer language is desirable.
  • PBHL-B 280 BIOSTATISTICS FOR HEALTH DATA SCIENTISTIS A COMPUTATIONAL APPROACH (3 cr.) This course introduces students to the fundamental concepts of biostatistics through computational methods. Topics such as exploratory analysis of health data, probability and probability distributions, and the basics of inference from both the frequentist and Bayesian perspective will be presented.
  • PBHL-B 285 CLASSICAL BIOSTATISTICAL REGRESSION METHODS (3 cr.) This is the first course in a two-semester sequence teaching fundamental concepts of classical regression methods in biostatistics, both linear (i.e., least squares) and non-linear (e.g., logistic, Poisson, etc.). While this is a self-contained course, working knowledge of the R statistical environment is desirable.
  • PBHL-B 300 INTRODUCTION TO BIOSTATISTICS (3 cr.) This is an introductory survey of statistical reasoning and analysis.
  • PBHL-B 385 CONTEMPORARY BIOSTATISTICAL REGRESSION METHODS (3 cr.) This is the second course in a two-semester sequence teaching fundamental concepts of contemporary regression methods in biostatistics, linear and non-linear. Advanced topics like shrinkage methods (principal components, ridge regression, Lasso, etc.), random effects and repeated measures, ,non-parametric regression (smoothing) and additive models will be presented. Pre-requisites are PBHL B-285 (Classical biostatistical regression methods) or permission of instructor. While this is a self-contained course, working knowledge of the R statistical environment is desirable.
  • PBHL-B 420 INTRODUCTION TO STATISTICAL LEARNING (3 cr.) This is a course teaching fundamental concepts of statistical learning, a broad set of methods which refers to making sense of complex data. Such methods include, but are not limited to, the sparse regression (e.g. LASSO), classification and regression trees (CART) and support vector machines. This course is intended for students starting out in this area who perhaps lack the mathematical training to absorb a very technical treatment of these topics. For this reason, this course focuses on the application with less focus on the mathematical details.
  • PBHL-B 481 INTRODUCTION TO BIOSTATISTICAL COMPUTING (3 cr.) This is a course teaching fundamental concepts of biostatistical computing, a broad set of skills required for data acquisition, processing and visualization. At the end of the course the student will be able to analyze and manage statistical data, use reproducible reporting functionality, write their own functions, apply string and document processing techniques, have an understanding of object oriented programming in R, use non-standard evaluation (NSE) techniques within the R language, and create reproducible software in package form for the R language.
  • PBHL-B 490 ADVANCED BIOSTATISTICAL COMPUTING (3 cr.) This is a second course in biostatistical computing covering advanced concepts including understanding the basics of statistical algorithms and creating data products. At the end of the course the student will understand object oriented systems available in the R programming language.
  • PBHL-E 330 EVIDENCE-BASED PUBLIC HEALTH (3 cr.) This course will introduce methods for generating, locating, assessing, adapting, and evaluating evidence for public health programs. In addition to establishing a framework for selecting evidence-based interventions, the course will include focus on principles of scientific writing necessary for public health professionals to convey messages to stakeholders.
  • PBHL-H 101 INFLUENCING THE PUBLIC’S HEALTH (3 cr.) This course exposes students to the role of policy in influencing the health of human populations in our work, civil society and our own lives.  Students from all disciplines will benefit from exploring empirical patterns and historical contexts that influence health policy decisions for our country's complex healthcare and public health systems.
  • PBHL-H 120 HEALTH CARE DELIVERY IN THE US (1-3 cr.) An overview of the health care delivery system in the US from the lens of health care managers, this course will introduce the history of US health care, management in the health care delivery context, the role of government and policy in health care delivery, and the interconnectedness of health care delivery and public health. Health care administration career pathways will also be explored.
  • PBHL-H 200 HEALTH CARE ACCOUNTING (3 cr.) Health Care Accounting will provide the students with a foundation in health care accounting form long-term to acute care.  Topics will include balance sheet of financial position, income statement of revenues and expenses, journals, ledgers, trial balances and discrimination of formatting financial statements between acute care and long-term care organizations.
  • PBHL-H 245 PROFESSIONALISM IN THE HEALTHCARE WORKPLACE (3 cr.) This course provides an overview of healthcare organizational structures, professional self-presentation, business etiquette, and strategies for professional success in a healthcare workplace. An emphasis will be placed on each student's development and application of professional skills and behaviors required in healthcare administration and other sectors of the healthcare industry.
  • PBHL-H 303 TOPICS IN PUBLIC HEALTH (1-6 cr.) This course has a variable title and can be offered for variable credits.  Similar to topics courses offered in other IUPUI programs, this course offers an introduction to a variety of public health topics and current issues will be covered in this course.
  • PBHL-H 305 MEDICAL GROUP MANAGEMENT (3 cr.) Medical Group Management is a survey course that will provide students with a foundation in understanding the fundamental skills needed to manage medical group practices. The course will mainly examine the management of physician practices, including primary care, and physician specialty service lines.
  • PBHL-H 310 LEAN METHODOLOGY IN HEALTHCARE ORGANIZATIONS (3 cr.) Using a combination of experiential (learn by doing) and lectures, students will be introduced to: the history of Lean and its rise in healthcare, identification and quantification of the value of waste removal in process oriented work systems, Lean thinking, facilitation, tools and leadership.  Students will work independently and in small groups.
  • PBHL-H 315 HIGH RISK HEALTH BEHAVIOR AND HARM REDUCTION (3 cr.) In this course, we will look at high-risk health behaviors through a public health lens. The term "high-risk" can refer to both behaviors and groups. High-risk behaviors are activities people engage in that make them more vulnerable to contracting specific health problems, while high-risk groups are collections of individuals prone to engage in high-risk behaviors. The effects of high-risk health behaviors extend beyond the individual who engage in them. This is a writing intensive course.
  • PBHL-H 320 HEALTH SYSTEMS ADMINISTRATION (3 cr.) This course will introduce healthcare management and the functional areas associated with the field. Additionally, the course will explore the organization and structure of public and private healthcare systems, and the issues involved in management of health services organizations. Healthcare management career pathways will also be explored.
  • PBHL-H 325 HEALTH INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY MANAGEMENT AND POLICY (3 cr.) This course will familiarize students with current issues associated with health information technology (IT) and their impact on the U.S. healthcare system. Health IT applications are playing an increasingly important role in assuring high quality care and have the potential to transform the nature of healthcare delivery. This course will review the evidence on the impact of Health IT from the perspectives of hospitals, physicians, patients, payers, and society.
  • PBHL-H 330 GLOBAL PUBLIC HEALTH (3 cr.) All public health is global in today's world. This 3 credit hour course will explore the key global public health issues that face countries throughout the world, ranging from malnutrition to the use of new technologies to improve health.  The course will focus on the ways in which health policy of both developed and developing countries, impacts public health strategies, specific interventions, and outcomes.
  • PBHL-H 345 OPERATIONS MANAGEMENT AND QUALITY IMPROVEMENT IN HEALTHCARE (3 cr.) This course provides an overview of the healthcare operations management (OM), with emphasis on quality improvement. You will apply OM principles to develop more effective operational processes, mitigate risks, and improve quality. Discussions, case studies and assignments will focus on strategies and techniques of quality improvement processes, project management and others.
  • PBHL-H 346 ORGANIZATIONAL BEHAVIOR & HUMAN RESOURCES FOR HEALTHCARE (3 cr.) This course introduces disciplines of organizational behavior and human resources management (HRM) and their application to the management of healthcare organizations. The course examines how to effectively manage individuals, teams and systems in the dynamic legal, social, and economic healthcare environment.
  • PBHL-H 352 HEALTH FINANCE AND BUDGETING (3 cr.) P: BUS-A 200 or BUS-A 201 Health Finance and Budgeting is the study of the financial management of healthcare facilities based on generally accepted business practices. The topics will include: provider payment systems, healthcare financial statements, presentation and analysis, principles and practices in healthcare accounting, working capital management, budgeting and variance analysis.
  • PBHL-H 353 ADV HEALTH FINANCE & BUDGETING (3 cr.) P: PBHL-H 352 Advanced Health Finance and Budgeting builds on the elements learned in H352. The topics will include capital expenditure decisions, financing capital expenditures, defining cost information, time value analysis, and cost allocation strategies.
  • PBHL-H 354 HEALTH ECONOMICS (3 cr.) This course applies economics to the study of administrative and policy issues in the health care sector. Economic concepts are used to explain the system of health care financing and the organization of health care delivery in the U.S. The economic evaluation of health care programs is also discussed.
  • PBHL-H 375 MANAGEMENT OF HEALTH SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS (3 cr.) This course explores the discipline of management and its major components relating to health service organizations. This course will provide students with a foundation of basic fundamentals, principles and techniques of management which have particular relevance and application in healthcare. Students will learn about management theory and its practical application in healthcare in fundamental areas such as planning, organizing, leading, and controlling. Other key elements of management such as communication, decision making, delegation, participatory management, leadership style, managing staff, teamwork, and change and innovation will be explored. Successful completion of this course will help provide students with a general foundation of knowledge about management and its application in health service organizations.  Instructional methods used will include lectures, interactive discussions, readings, in-class exercises and individual and group homework assignments using a wide range of management terms, concepts, fundamentals, theories, methods, techniques, and practices used in managing health service organizations. Special emphasis will be given to the role and application of leadership in the management of a diverse healthcare workforce, in a variety of health service settings. This course is designed to help create a foundation of knowledge and understanding of management that students will use in other courses in the public health undergraduate programs.
  • PBHL-H 379 CAREER PREPARATION IN HEALTH SERVICES MANAGEMENT (3 cr.) This course will emphasize career planning and professional development in health services management. Students will be led through the internship search process in preparation for their practical experience in health administration. Health care workplace culture will also be explored.
  • PBHL-H 380 HEALTH SERVICES MANAGEMENT INTERNSHIP (1-6 cr.) P: Permission of Instructor The Internship Course is designed to provide students with work experience that compliment their classroom preparation.  The internship program is a self-directed program in which eligible students are responsible for identifying internship opportunities. Students are expected to identify potential opportunities and work with their faculty advisor to ensure these opportunities are appropriate to the student's knowledge and skills and suitable for the student's goals. It is offered from 1 to 6 credits with 80 hour increments of an internship experience equivalent to 1 credit hour.
  • PBHL-H 420 HEALTH POLICY (3 cr.) P: PBHL-H320 This course will provide the opportunity to examine and analyze the financing, organization and delivery of health care in the U.S. and how these core elements are shaped and influenced by health care policy and decision-making. Additionally, we will examine the landmark health care reform currently being implemented vis-a-vis the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) of 2010, also known as Obama Care.
  • PBHL-H 432 HEALTH POLICY (3 cr.) A practical study of marketing in health care institutions, health service organizations, and health insurers. A basic foundation in marketing principles, new methods in marketing products and services, and inexpensive marketing techniques will be examined.
  • PBHL-H 441 LEGAL ASPECTS OF HLTH CARE ADM (3 cr.) This course will familiarize students with, and introduce students to, the legal and regulatory terrain unique to health care facilities by providing an overview of the legal liabilities and obligations of health care providers as well as the potential legal recourses available.
  • PBHL-H 455 TOPICS IN PUBLIC HEALTH (1-3 cr.) Extensive discussion of selected topics in public health. The topic may change from semester to semester, based on resource availability and student demand. May be repeated for credit.
  • PBHL-H 474 HEALTH ADMINISTRATION ETHICS SEMINAR (3 cr.) P: PBHL-H320 and Senior Standing. This course will follow an interactive, theory-based approach to examine ethical decision-making challenges from health care provider, managerial, and public health perspectives. It will examine ethical dilemmas in the context of health services delivery to facilitate discussion about the broader implications of decisions made. Students must exhibit the ability to think critically about society and culture, social determinants that influence health outcomes, and the duties and responsibilities of health care actors at the individual, organizational, and societal levels to improve health care delivery as well as outcomes. Lastly, students are expected to demonstrate the ability to apply theories and principles to address complex ethical issues related to health care delivery and administration.
  • PBHL-H 475 HEALTH SERVICES MANAGEMENT CAPSTONE (3 cr.) P: PBHL-H379 and PBHL-H474 and Department Permission In this course students will gain professional experience through a capstone internship experience, reflect on and evaluate their personal and professional growth, and build on their internship experiences to prepare themselves for the transition to professional life in a health care setting.
  • PBHL-P 109 INTRODUCTION TO PUBLIC HEALTH (3 cr.) Introduction to public health using Indianapolis as case study.  Well-being, illness, injury, education, violence, housing, work, cultural and neighborhood variability will be examined to demonstrate the public health perspective on any situation and to see how the state of health in our city connects to the nation and the world.
  • PBHL-P 450 STUDY ABROAD:  LONDON (3 cr.) This course provides an in-depth introduction to a global model for health services delivery and provides students with the opportunity to compare and contrast systems in England and the United States. Participants will spend substantial time out in the field visiting London-area health facilities, historical sites, and universities.
  • PBHL-S 120 INTRODUCTION TO COMMUNITY HEALTH (3 cr.) This course offers students a basic introduction to community health. The class will present health issues with a focus on a community, not individual perspective; as a result, students will learn about public health approaches to health assessment, health promotion and disease prevention.
  • PBHL-S 220 NAVIGATING THE MAZE OF HEALTHY LIVING (3 cr.) This course provides students with knowledge and understanding of factors influencing personal health, health behaviors, health promotion, and disease prevention.  The course emphasizes lifestyles and personal decision making as a consumer of health and health care services.
  • PBHL-S 222 THIS STRESS IS KILLING ME: STRESS AND ITS EFFECTS ON YOU (3 cr.) This course will teach you all about stress and its effect on your body and mind.  You will learn the biology of stress, factors that protect you from stress or make you more vulnerable to it and the experience of stress in various settings, such as work, family and community.  You will also learn how to manage stress
  • PBHL-S 240 PEER HEALTH EDUCATION AND LEADERSHIP (3 cr.) Peer Health Education and Leadership will consist of classroom and online components.  Students will be engaged with in-classroom workshops facilitated by the Office of Health and Wellness Promotion Staff and campus partners, focused on content education and skills training.  Students will also learn, discuss, and reflect with their peers in an online environment, building a foundational understanding of health and wellness topics and aspects of leadership development.
  • PBHL-S 250 SOCIAL AND BEHAVIORAL DIMENSIONS OF PUBLIC HEALTH (3 cr.) This course introduces students to the social and behavioral science principles that provide the foundation for how public health engages with people and communities to prevent disease and promote health. Students will explore topics that promote a broad understanding of determinants of health and the multiple factors contributing to health and illness.
  • PBHL-S 305 CAREERS IN PUBLIC HEALTH (3 cr.) This undergraduate course will expose students to a variety of public health careers.  Students will hear from public health professionals who hold a variety of positions in epidemiology, environmental and occupational health, social and behavioral sciences, public health preparedness, biostatistics, maternal-child-family health, chronic and infectious disease prevention, and health policy and management.
  • PBHL-S 315 COMMUNITY ORGANIZING FOR HEALTH PROMOTION (3 cr.) Through this course, students will learn processes for community assessment, organizing, and advocacy. The course will address methods for strengthening communities to prevent and solve community health problems while building students' civic identity, leadership, and management skills.
  • PBHL-S 325 URBAN ANGST SUBURBAN BLUES: PUBLIC MENTAL HEALTH (3 cr.) This online course will examine how the mental health of communities is influenced by geopolitical influences, SES, neighborhood, safety, culture, environment, community and other elements external to the individual. Using textbooks, case study readings, and multimedia we will analyze causes of mental (dis)ease in the general public and develop a stronger understanding of how the outside world can impact the health of the mind.
  • PBHL-S 330 THEORETICAL FOUNDATIONS OF COMMUNITY HEALTH (3 cr.) This course will explore the theories of health behavior change that are used to develop health interventions for individuals and communities. Students will learn the different theories, how to put them into practice, and how useful and practical they are for various populations.
  • PBHL-S 337 HEALTH EQUITY AND SOCIAL DETERMINANTS OF HEALTH (3 cr.) This course introduces students to an ecological perspective of health, going beyond biology and individual factors to investigate the influence on health of the social systems in which individuals live, work, learn, and play. Through the lens of social justice, students will examine how contemporary social issues influence populational differences in health (health disparities).
  • PBHL-S 340 CULTURAL CONSIDERATIONS IN THE PROMOTION OF HEALTH (3 cr.) In this course we will examine what is meant by culture, the ways in which culture intersects with health issues, and how public health efforts (domestic and global) can benefit by understanding and working with cultural processes.
  • PBHL-S 349 RESEARCH METHODS IN COMMUNITY HEALTH (3 cr.) This course helps students develop an appreciation and understanding of the fundamental research methods used in community health and how to apply those methods to inform their work to improve the health of the community. The focus is on understanding how community - and personal - level data are collected and interpreted in scientifically valid ways. Students will become proficient consumers and users of published research and will be able to identify the strengths and limitations of the designs used, along with possible confounding factors and biases.
  • PBHL-S 360 ASSESSMENT AND PLANNING FOR COMMUNITY HEALTH PROMOTION (3 cr.) This course applies theory-based concepts and methods of health promotion focusing on needs assessment and intervention planning for individual and community health programs.
  • PBHL-S 361 IMPLEMENTATION AND EVALUATION FOR COMMUNITY HEALTH PROMOTION (3 cr.) This course applies theory-based concepts and methods of health promotion focusing on program funding, implementation, and evaluation for individual and community health programs.
  • PBHL-S 416 HEALTH PROMOTION APPLICATION (3 cr.) This course provides students with opportunities to apply and practice key methods in community health promotion. Emphasis is on utilizing simulations, workshops, and training programs to acquire professional skills and certifications to expand the resume and professional portfolio.
  • PBHL-S 422 COACHING FOR HEALTH BEHAVIOR CHANGE (3 cr.) This course is designed to teach students how to coach individuals and groups attempting to improve their health behaviors. Theory, evidence-based practices, and different types of communication and interviewing styles will be explored through hands-on activities.
  • PBHL-S 460 BIOSOCIAL APPROACH TO GLOBAL HEALTH (3 cr.) The course will provide students with an opportunity to examine key global health issues using a biosocial justice perspective. Students will participate in authentic global health work as they will partner with MPH students from a university global partner to develop a strategic plan to address a global health issue. The course will require students to engage in analytical reading and discussions, and produce and deliver impactful written and oral communications.
  • PBHL-S 469 PRACTICUM IN COMMUNITY HEALTH (3 cr.) The course integrates academic elements and on-site work objectives in a 180-hour experience in an approved community health setting.  The practicum provides students with observation and experience in a minimum of three of the responsibility areas outlined in the national Responsibilities and Competencies for Entry-Level Health Education/Promotion Specialists (NCHEC).
  • PBHL-S 499 CAPSTONE EXPERIENCE BSPH COMMUNITY HEALTH (3 cr.) This course integrates public health theory and practice in an applied practice setting.  The capstone experience is tailored to students' expected post-baccalaureate goals. A variety of public health experiences are available, including an internship, a service- learning project, a portfolio project, a research paper, and an honors thesis.
  • PBHL-S 479 INTERNSHIP IN COMMUNITY HEALTH (6 cr.) The course integrates academic elements and on-site work objectives in a 360-hour experience in an approved community health setting. The internship provides students with observation and experience in a minimum of four of the responsibility areas outlined in the national Responsibilities and Competencies for Entry-Level Health Education/Promotion Specialists (NCHEC).

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