BI-520 : Introduction to Public Health

Course, prefix, number, & title: BI-520 Introduction to Public Health

Hours (Class, recitation, Laboratory, studio): 3 class hours 3 laboratory hours (including field observations)

Credits: 4

Pre-requisites (if any): Students must complete any developmental requirements in English (see Proficiency in Math and English) prior to taking this course.

Course Description in college catalog:

Academic programs for which this course serves as a requirement or an elective:

A.A.S. Medical Assistant

A.S. Public Health

Certificate Program in Health Care Office Administration: Managing, Coding, and Billing­

General Education Outcomes: Below is a listing of General Education Outcome(s) that this course supports.

1. Communicate effectively in various forms

2. Use analytical reasoning to identify issues or problems and evaluate evidence in order to make informed decisions

3. Reason quantitatively as required in various fields of interest and in everyday life

4. Apply information management and digital technology skills useful for academic research and lifelong learning

Course-specific student learning outcomes:

1. Define and discuss the key components and functions of the public health system;

2. Understand and describe the interrelationships among the system’s  segments, using appropriate concepts and vocabulary;

3. Demonstrate the ability to apply knowledge and understanding to important public health issues and problems;

4. Identify and analyze public health and prevention strategies within the current interventions used in the health sector;

5. Describe the role of government in promoting and protecting the health of the public and in identifying specific agencies responsible at all levels in the community;

6. Explain the health disparities which exist between different populations within the community based on culture, race, ethnicity, age, and gender;

7. Think independently and critically about public health issues

Program-specific outcomes

1. Analyze public health theory and practice in the following areas: social and behavioral sciences, epidemiology, environmental health, health communication, health care systems and policy.

2. Apply and synthesize basic quantitative and qualitative data, professional and scholarly literature.

3. Analyze and evaluate the biological principles associated with the distribution of infectious and non-infectious diseases of public health importance

4. Examine the current research related to public health problems and formulate methods for the prevention and control of diseases.

5. Communicate, promote and advocate for improvements in the health of the public.

Methods by which student learning will be assessed and evaluated; describe the types of methods to be employed; note whether certain methods are required for all sections:

There will be five equally weighted lecture exams comprising 60% of the total course grade. There will be five equally weighted lab quizzes comprising 40% of the total lab grade.

Academic Integrity policy (department or College):
Academic honesty is expected of all students. Any violation of academic integrity is taken extremely seriously. All assignments and projects must be the original work of the student or teammates. Plagiarism will not be tolerated. Any questions regarding academic integrity should be brought to the attention of the instructor. The following is the Queensborough Community College Policy on Academic Integrity: "It is the official policy of the College that all acts or attempted acts that are violations of Academic Integrity be reported to the Office of Student Affairs. At the faculty member's discretion and with the concurrence of the student or students involved, some cases though reported to the Office of Student Affairs may be resolved within the confines of the course and department. The instructor has the authority to adjust the offender's grade as deemed appropriate, including assigning an F to the assignment or exercise or, in more serious cases, an F to the student for the entire course." Read the University's policy on Academic Integrity opens in a new window.

Disabilities
Any student who feels that he or she may need an accommodation based upon the impact of a disability should contact the Office of Accessibility Services in Science Building, Room S-132, 718-631-6257, to coordinate reasonable accommodations for students with documented disabilities. You can visit the Office of Accessibility Services website.