Health Sciences

This course explores the societal context of health, illness, and the health care system in American Society. Determinants and measurement of health and disease are examined and the study of epidemiology and public health is evaluated.

This course introduces health sciences students to ethical and bioethical issues confronting health care professionals and practitioners within the practice setting. We will explore the fundamental principles and nature of moral responsibility with the focus on facilitating students towards gaining a critical understanding of their own ethical opinions. Concepts of autonomy, duty, justice, truth, rights and equality are analyzed through lectures and other delivery methods, giving particular attention to their practice implications for health care practitioners.

This course explores the relationship and impact of the environment to health and illness in human populations. An exploration of man-made and natural environmental hazards will be discussed. Environmental health and risk assessment will be discussed as well as interventions. Environmental policy and practices will be viewed from the public health perspective and include the study of energy, waste, environmental justice and regulation.

This course reviews and compares traditional medicine to complementary or alternative health measures. Examination of current trends will focus on the business practices and practitioners involved in these alternative healing therapies. Various types of Alternative and Complementary medicine will be evaluated based on scientific research, including Systematized Practices, such as traditional Chinese and Ayurveda medicine; Botanical Healing, such as herbs, nutritional supplements and homeopathy; Manual Healing Methods, including chiropractic, massage, and pressure point therapies; and Mind-Body Techniques, such as yoga, meditation, hypnotherapy, and biofeedback.

This course reviews the major issues and trends impacting the behavioral health industry and discusses the business and clinical environment of various types of behavioral health organizations including accreditation standards, reimbursement and patient care issues.

This course details the history of medical information and biomedical communication. Participants will study information resources and services related to the transfer of information in the health sciences and integral computer applications to health sciences libraries including the organizational structure of medical knowledge. The course will familiarize students with the concept of information management and the application of information technology to health care. Participants will analyze current issues in the health care field and the relationship to health sciences libraries and information centers.

This course reviews current issues facing the elderly as they relate to physical changes, health concerns, social adjustments, economic pressures and public policy for this growing segment of the US population. Discussion will also include comparison of these issues within the international community and research in the field of gerontology.

This course introduces the history and development of epidemiology in healthcare with a focus on disease identification and control. A special section is devoted to the detection and response to bioterrorism and pandemics.

This course introduces basic concepts, strategies and methods of health promotion and disease prevention. It reviews the major issues and trends impacting the field of health promotion and wellness within the context of public health, and provides a broad overview of policy formation planning, implementation and evaluation.

This course explores the health problems and issues unique to women and minorities, including access to healthcare resources and the delivery of quality healthcare services.

This course explores the organization and delivery of emergency and disaster management services, from local first responders, to hospital emergency rooms to state and federal emergency and disaster relief.

This course explores the unique working environment, professional culture and job requirements of physicians, nurses, and physician extenders and offers tools for effectively working with and managing these professionals.