HHPH 1304 - Introduction to Personal and Community Health
Hours: 3
This introductory course will acquaint students with basic principles of public health. Studies include community health problems, programs, agencies, and public health careers. Attention will also be given to disparities in health in and between communities through the lens of the social determinants of health.
HHPH 1364 - Substance Use & Abuse
Hours: 3
This course examines the physiological, psychological, and social effects of drugs and other harmful substances. Legal, ethical and social implications are considered.
HHPH 210 - ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH
Hours: 3
Environment is approached as one of the determinants of health for individuals and human populations. This course focuses on the need to control factors that are harmful to human life, the requisites of life, water, air, food, space and shelter. Examination methods include controlling agents that cause disease, communicable disease control, wastewater treatment, solid waste management, insect and rodent control, radiation control and environmental management.
HHPH 220 - Foundation of Mental Health Promotion
Hours: 3
This course provides an introduction to the field of mental health promotion, emphasizing approaches at both individual and population levels for addressing mental health concerns. This course examines medical, epidemiological, behavioral, sociological, historical, developmental and cultural perspectives in the field of mental health.
HHPH 250 - CONSUMER HEALTH
Hours: 3
Consumer Health. Three semester hours. Attention will be given to current health problems and issues dealing with consumerism. The course will involve students establishing concepts of self-protection in sales promotion of health products and services.
HHPH 301 - Foundations of Public Health Practice and Professionalism
Hours: 3
This course introduces key public health competencies and prepares students for their senior-year advanced practicum, where these skills will be applied in real-world settings. Emphasis is placed on the NCHEC Areas of Responsibility, including locating and citing peer-reviewed literature (APA style), applying health communication models, and developing professional materials such as resumes, cover letters, and portfolios. Students will also engage in mock interviews, personal branding, and internship preparation to support their growth as emerging public health professionals. Prerequisites: HHPH 1304 Introduction to Personal and Community Health.
HHPH 360 - Health Psychology and Behavioral Strategies
Hours: 3
This course covers the effects of physical activity and exercise on psychology, mood, and mental health within the broader contexts of cognitive, social, and environmental influences, as well as theories of behavior change for exercise adoption and adherence. Prerequisites: GPA 2.5 or higher.
HHPH 362 - Survey of Human Diseases
Hours: 3
A study of communicable and non-communicable diseases. Emphasis is placed on causative factors of various diseases, means of transmission, and prevention. Prerequisites: Junior standing or senior standing. 2.5 GPA.
HHPH 382 - Health in Society
Hours: 3
This course explores how health is influenced by broader social, economic, and environmental factors. Students will examine the role of public health systems, policies, and community-level conditions in shaping health outcomes across populations. Through the use of case studies, data analysis, and applied frameworks, students will develop practical skills for understanding and addressing health-related challenges across communities. Emphasis is placed on critical thinking, systems-level analysis, and evidence-based strategies used in public health practice. Pre-requisites: Junior standing or senior standing. 2.5 GPA.
HHPH 385 - Current Issues in Health
Hours: 3
This course will examine emerging issues and trends relevant to health and the application of health decisions. Epidemiological, historical and cultural factors will also be considered. Prerequisites: junior or senior standing. 2.5 GPA.
HHPH 401 - Research Methods & Ethical Considerations in Health Science
Hours: 3
This seminar focuses on the qualitative and quantitative research methods specific to the field of health science, as well as the ethical considerations for conducting research with human participants. Prerequisites: Senior Standing and Instructor Approval.
HHPH 410 - Program Planning in Public Health
Hours: 3
This course involves program planning in the health promotion field, including needs assessment, missions, goals, and field objective of health promotion programs. Emphasis on the community needs assessment process and how to collect, interpret, synthesize, and report community health data, U.S. health data, county health reports, sources of health information and ecological and sociological factors impacting health. Health education theory is addressed and practiced using the PRECEDE-PROCEED Model. Prerequisites: HHPH 1304, junior or senior standing. 2.5 GPA.
HHPH 415 - Global Foods
Hours: 3
Students will examine the issues and conditions that affect the availability and quality of food in the global market. This course also reviews the landscape of both food and farming, in both rich and underdeveloped countries. Nutrition circumstances differ as well, as persistent hunger is still a deadly challenge in many tropical countries, while in rich countries, particularly the United States, excessive food consumption and obesity are now a more prominent diet linked challenge to health Prerequisites: 2.5 GPA.
HHPH 416 - Epidemiology
Hours: 3
This course covers the basic principles of Epidemiology, with applications to investigations of chronic and infectious diseases. Explores various study designs appropriate for disease surveillance and studies of etiology and prevention. Prerequisites: HHPH 1304. HHPH 362.
HHPH 417 - Health Behavior
Hours: 3
This course introduces behavioral and social theories that are relevant to health promotion and disease prevention efforts. Emphasis is placed on how health behavior theory can explain health behavior and assist in program design.
HHPH 420 - Program Implementation and Evaluation in Public Health
Hours: 3
This course builds on the foundations of program planning, shifting the focus towards stages of program implementation and evaluation in the field of public health. Through a combination of theoretical insights and practical applications, students will gain the skills and knowledge necessary to effectively execute and assess public health interventions Prerequisites: HHPH 410. 2.5 GPA.
HHPH 430 - Health and Healthcare Disparities
Hours: 3
This course provides an interdisciplinary perspective on key challenges and proposed solutions to health disparities that impact health and wellbeing. The course covers the relevance of politics, economics, health systems, culture and society, and the health beliefs and practices that global health disparities. Prerequisites: junior or senior standing. 2.5 GPA.
HHPH 431 - Advanced Nutrition I – Macronutrients
Hours: 3
This course expands on understanding the regulation and tissue-specific utilization of the macronutrients, e.g., carbohydrates, proteins and lipids. Macronutrient digestion, absorption, transport, and homeostatic mechanisms will be covered. Additionally, physiological and biochemical pathways of metabolism in health and disease will be emphasized. Prerequisites: HHPH 331; HHPH 336.
HHPH 432 - Advanced Nutrition II - Micronutrients
Hours: 3
This course expands on understanding vitamins and minerals are essential for health throughout the life span. This course explores the metabolism of vitamins and minerals in human development from infancy, childhood, adolescence, adulthood, reproduction, and through to aging. Additionally, the course explores understanding the role of vitamins and minerals in disease prevention and pathogenesis. Prerequisites: HHPH 331- Nutrition and HHPH 336 - Nutritional Physiology.
HHPH 472 - Stress Management
Hours: 3
This course includes a study of the nature and psychology of stress with particular emphasis placed on coping strategies and relaxation techniques. Conflict resolution and interpersonal relationships will also be discussed. Prerequisites: 2.5 GPA.
HHPH 489 - INDEPENDENT STUDY
Hours: 1-4
Independent Study. One to four semester hours. Individualized instruction/research at an advanced level in a specialized content area under the direction of a faculty member. May be repeated when the topic varies. Prerequisite: Consent of department head.
HHPH 490 - H Honor Thesis
Hours: 3
H Honors Thesis Hours: 6 Individualized instruction/research at an advanced level in a specialized content area under the direction of a faculty member. Prerequisite Consent of head. Note May be repeated when the topic varies.
HHPH 491 - H IND HONORS READINGS
Hours: 3
H Ind Honors Readings Hours: 3 Individualized instruction/research at an advanced level in a specialized content area under the direction of a faculty member. Prerequisite Consent of head. Note May be repeated when the topic varies.
HHPH 492 - Health Policy
Hours: 3
This course presents an introduction to health policy and how government plays a role in health and in the provision of health care. Health policies can have a profound effect on quality of life. It introduces the policy-making and legal system of the United States, offers brief comparisons to health policies in certain other countries, provides knowledge about the organization of the health care system in the U.S., and highlights issues in health policy. Prerequisites: HHPH 1304, Junior or Senior Standing, 2.5 GPA.
HHPH 495 - Applied Practice Experience
Hours: 3
The Applied Practicum Experience (APEx) is completed during the senior year and offers students an opportunity to apply theoretical knowledge in real-world public health settings. This fosters the development of essential skills and competencies as students engage in community-driven initiatives, actively collaborating with public health professionals to address pressing public health challenges and contribute meaningfully to community well-being. Note senior standing. Prerequisites: 2.5 GPA, senior standing, & instructor approval.
HHPH 497 - Special Topics
Hours: 0-4
Special Topics
