Syllabus
COURSE TITLE/NUMBER
PHC 4101: Introduction to Public Health
COURSE OVERVIEW
The course is a part of the Bachelor of Science Health Sciences degree program, Allied Health
concentration. The primary purpose of this course is to learn the basic terms and definitions of public
health and understand the factors leading to disease causation as well as disease prevention.
Programs and policies that effect healthcare in a positive manner apply basic principles of scientific
reasoning as well as a concise use of available data and information. The topics introduced in this
course serve as a basis for enhancing the participants’ ability to critically evaluate current trends in
healthcare, as well as develop programs and policies in an analytical manner.
INSTRUCTORS
Enid Sisskin, PhD.
Bethany Lohmiller, M.P.H.
CONTACT INFORMATION
Email: ESisskin@uwf.edu
Phone : (850) 474-7473
School of Allied Health and Life Sciences
University of West Florida
Email: BLohmiller@uwf.edu
Phone: (850) 512-4894
School of Allied Health and Life Sciences
University of West Florida
PREREQUISITES OR CO-REQUISITES
None. Those interested in the Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences program should contact Dr.
Angela Hahn at 850-474-3166 or ahahn@uwf.edu and those interested in the Master of Public
Health should contact Dr. Enid Sisskin at 850-474-7473 or esisskin@uwf.edu.
COURSE DESCRIPTION
This course introduces students to the history of public health, the structure of the public health
system and the various sectors of public health practice, in order to gain an understanding of the
complex factors that determine the health status of a community. Lectures will draw from the public
health field, but also related disciplines such as behavioral sciences, health care management,
medical ethics, and social work. National, state, and local level practices will be analyzed, as well as
the role that law and government play in the public’s health. The course is also intended to simulate
student interest in other public health course and program offerings.
STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES (Objectives)
Specifically, upon completion of this course the student should be able to:
Define health and be able to show a relationship between the determinants of health and
health outcomes
Briefly discuss the history of public health and cite significant historical events achievements in
the 20th century, as well as public health responses to current problems
Define and explain the core functions of public health
Explain the public health system infrastructure and competencies for public health employees
Define public health, components of the public health system, and the relationship between the
public health and health care systems
Explain the historical development, functions and structure of federal, state and local health
agencies and the role of government
Define epidemiology and recognize types of epidemiological studies
Recognize the factors relating to zoonotic and vector-borne diseases and food safety
Describe sources of environmental hazards and injuries and how epidemiological methods can
be used to reduce them
Demonstrate the principles of effective risk communication
Define and describe “family health”
Recognize the importance of emergency preparedness and consider the future of public health
The course meets the following core goals for the B.S. in Health Sciences degree program:

Content and Critical Thinking
o Students will be able to apply critical thinking and decision making skills in analyzing or
developing public health program or policy options.
o Students will identify and use appropriate concepts, theories, and principles in regards
to the prevention of disease, disability, and dependency in a community.
o Students will understand the interrelation between health and the rest of a region’s
economy.
o Students will understand how basic tools of public health are used is assessing the
health of a community and how to examine and control infectious or non-infectious
threats to health.

Communication
o Students will be able to communicate in a knowledgeable and well-versed manner with
others in their field, regarding public health.
o Students will be able to discuss issues of public health in a clear, concise, and easily
understandable manner with the general public, mass media outlets, and government
officials.
Fulfillment of these goals will be assessed through three exams, five one to three page essay
assignments, and threaded discussions:



The exams will consist of randomly generated short answer questions - multiple choice,
true/false, matching, fill-in-the-blank, and short (50 words or fewer) essays. No two students
will have the same exam. There will be six written assignments. Each assignment will require
a succinct, concise, and complete analysis of the issue at hand. The requirements for each
assignment will be listed in the directions.
You will also take part in threaded discussions. Consider each a brief paper and you will
need to supply at least one reference, cited correctly. Keep discussion posts on subject. Do
not quote the entire text. Make sure your posted replies are substantive. Do not just agree or
disagree with your fellow classmates - give us some new insight or information that shows why
you agree or disagree. Be prepared to defend your position. However, you MUST be polite
and respectful in your postings no matter how much you might disagree. Responses when
required will be worth 25% of your discussion grade. You must use proper grammar, spelling,
punctuation, and formatting in formal discussion postings, see the discussion rubric.
The discussion thread where you can all spell as badly as you want is the Campus
Lounge. Anything goes there (to a point), and I hope that you will use the Lounge to get to
know each other, to talk about course material and assignments, and feel free to use it as you
will. I hope that we can have a lot of fun there.
Characteristics of Submitted Student Work and Assignments:
SKILL MASTERY
LEVEL
Very GoodExcellent
Satisfactory
CONTEXT/CRITICAL THINKING
Student has clear
understanding of, and an
ability to identify how health
and public health is defined.
Students will be able to apply
critical thinking and decision
making skills in analyzing or
developing public health
program or policy options.
Students will identify and use
appropriate concepts,
theories, and principles in
regards to the prevention of
disease, disability, and
dependency in a community.
Students will understand the
interrelation between health
and the rest of a region’s
economy. Students will
understand how basic tools of
public health are used is
assessing the health of a
community and how to
examine and control infectious
or non-infectious threats to
health.
Student has a basic
understanding of, and an
ability to identify how health
COMMUNICATION
Student shows clear expression of
ideas in writing with proper spelling,
grammar and technical ability to
articulate and integrate Students
will be able to use written language
professionally and effectively.
Students will be able to
communicate in a knowledgeable
and well-versed manner with others
in their field, regarding public
health.
Students will be able to discuss
issues of public health in a clear,
concise, and easily understandable
manner with the general public,
mass media outlets, and
government officials.
Student shows the basic skills
expression of ideas in writing with
proper spelling, grammar and
and public health is defined.
and Students will be able to
apply critical thinking and
decision making skills in
analyzing or developing public
health program or policy
options. Students will identify
and use appropriate concepts,
theories, and principles in
regards to the prevention of
disease, disability, and
dependency in a community.
Students will understand the
interrelation between health
and the rest of a region’s
economy. Students will
understand how basic tools of
public health are used is
assessing the health of a
community and how to
examine and control infectious
or non-infectious threats to
health.
Student has a critical inability
to grasp and apply the
principles of epidemiological
methods, including design,
sampling techniques and
Unsatisfactory
appropriate statistical methods
expected at the graduate
level.
technical ability to articulate and
Students will be able to use written
language professionally and
effectively.
Students will be able to
communicate in a knowledgeable
and well-versed manner with others
in their field, regarding public
health.
Students will be able to discuss
issues of public health in a clear,
concise, and easily understandable
manner with the general public,
mass media outlets, and
government officials.
Student has a lack of
understanding of the appropriate
strategies for specific infectious
diseases, exhibits deficiencies in
technical writing style and skills,
uses expression of ideas in writing
with proper spelling, grammar and
technical ability to articulate and
integrate best practice and effective
strategies for the prevention
LECTURE TOPICS COVERED
Topic
1.
2.
Approximate coverage
4 hours
4 hours
3.
4.
Health Defined, an Introduction to Public Health
History, Goals and Organization of Public Health
including the Core Functions of Public
Health.
The Role of Government in Public Health
Public Health and the Health Care System
5.
Epidemiology and Public Health
4 hours
6.
Infectious and Chronic Diseases
4 hours
4 hours
4 hours
4 hours
8.
9.
Agents of Environmental Disease – Vector-borne
and Zoonotic Diseases
Agents of Environmental Disease and Injuries
Public Health Threats: Tobacco and Obesity
10.
11.
Family Health
Effective Risk Communication
4 hours
4 hours
12
Future Challenges and Emergency Preparedness
4 hours
Total instructional hours
48 hours
7.
4 hours
4 hours
REQUIRED TEXTS
Schneider, Mary-Jane. Introduction to Public Health. Third Edition. Jones and Bartlett. 2010.
REFERENCES/BIBLIOGRAPHY
Other required readings will be announced in class and made available online.
Additional Texts Used:
Turnock, B. Public Health: What it is and How it Works. Jones and Bartlett.
Friis, R. Environmental Health. Jones and Bartlett.
Riegelman, R. Public Health 101. Jones and Bartlett.
SPECIAL TECHNOLOGY UTILIZED BY STUDENTS
Beyond baseline requirements of e-mail and word processing, students must be able to conduct
Internet research. Students are encouraged to complete this course utilizing the equivalent of a cablespeed modem. Completing the course modules via a telephone dial-up connection will require
significant download times for larger audio-visual content.
GRADING/EVALUATION
Due to the distance learning nature of this course, all requirements must be completed within the time
scheduled, unless prior arrangements are made with the instructors. Participation in online forum
discussions will be graded using the Discussion Forum Grading Rubric. Your final grade will be
determined by the points you accumulate within each category, divided by the total points available
within that category. These scores will then be weighted based upon the percentages indicated below
to determine your final grade. On-line facilities will be provided so students can monitor their own
progress.
Undergraduate Students
Examination 1
19%
Examination 2
19%
Examination 3
19%
Discussions
19%
Essays/Activities
19%
Chapter Quizzes
5%
The following grading scale will be used to determine final grades:
Grade
Description
Grade
Points
Point Spread
A
Outstanding
4.0
93 - 100
A-
Outstanding
3.7
90 - 92.9
B+
Above average
3.3
87 - 89.9
B
Above average
3.0
83 - 86.9
B-
Above average
2.7
80 - 82.9
C+
Average
2.3
77 - 79.9
C
Average
2.0
73 - 76.9
C-
Average
1.7
70 - 72.9
D+
Below average
1.3
67 - 69.9
D
Below average
1.0
60 - 66.9
F
Failure
0.0
59.9 and below
U
Unsatisfactory
0.0
WR
Withdrawal with partial refund of fees
*
Wr
itte
TR
Withdrawal with full refund
*
n
As
W
Withdrawn
*
sig
WF
Withdrawn/failing
0.0
nm
ent
X
Audit
*
s:
Ea
I
Incomplete
*
ch
I*
Late Grade
*
stu
de
G
Deferred (Graduate Incomplete)
*
nt
will
P
Pass
*
be
S
Satisfactory
*
req
uir
ed to submit 6 writing assignments on a variety of public health topics and participating in threaded
discussions. If you need writing assistance, as an online student, you do have access to the online
services and tutorials of the UWF Writing Lab. Please review their services and tutorials now, located
here. You can also call the Grammar Hotline at: (850) 474-2129. I also suggest the online tutorials of
the UWF Library, located here.
Examinations: There will be three major examinations and weekly chapter quizzes.
EXPECTATIONS FOR ACADEMIC CONDUCT/PLAGIARISM POLICY



Academic Conduct Policy
Plagiarism Policy
Student Handbook
It is the philosophy of the University of West Florida that academic dishonesty is a completely
unacceptable mode of conduct and will not be tolerated in any form. All persons involved in
academic dishonesty will be disciplined in accordance with University regulations and procedures.
Discipline may include suspension or expulsion from the University. Scholastic dishonesty includes
but is not limited to cheating, plagiarism, collusion, the submission for credit of any work or materials
that are attributable in whole or in part to another person, taking an examination for another person,
any act designed to give unfair advantage to a student, or the attempt to commit such acts.
In addition, any behavior that interferes with the conduct of a class is classified as disruptive behavior
and will not be tolerated.
Since we take Academic Integrity very seriously, you will need to submit a statement before each
Exam that the work you are submitting is your own and that you did not give not receive any
unauthorized aid and you are following the rules of the Exam.
You are required to take the UWF Library Plagiarism Tutorial and receive a 100% on the Plagiarism
Quiz (continue to take the quiz until you receive a 100%) and forward the confirmation of that to me.
The consequences of plagiarism are usually suspension and a permanent mark on your academic
record which will haunt you for the rest of your academic and professional life.
You will also need to take and score 100% in the Academic Integrity Quiz (in the Quiz section of the
course) before you will get access to the second module. Information is given in the Important
Information section.
ASSISTANCE
Students with special needs who require specific examination-related or other course-related
accommodations should contact Disabled Student Services (DSS), dss@uwf.edu, 850-474-2387.
DSS will provide the student with a letter for the instructor that will specify any recommended
accommodations.
Every effort will be made to accommodate the special needs of disabled students. Please inform the
instructor privately during the first week of class to indicate your particular needs. All such
accommodations are officially arranged through the Office for Disabled Student Services and a letter
from this office must accompany your request.
QUALITY ASSURANCE
This course is reviewed during the semester and in an ongoing basis for quality by assessment
personnel within the School of Allied Health and Life Sciences (SAHLS) to meet national standards
established by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, the Council on Education for Public
Health, and/or to address quality enhancement initiatives of SAHLS. Student feedback is also vital to
this process. When reviewing our programs, our accrediting partners expect to see 100%
participation in the State-of-Florida mandated SUSSAI (State University System Student Assessment
of Instruction) evaluations. Thus, at the end of the semester, we need to hear from the folks that
enjoyed the class and from the folks that have suggestions for improvement. BUT, we do need to
hear from each and every student in this class, and we value your input.
When SUSSAI evaluations are ready for you to complete, you will see a News posting in the course.
Please take a few minutes to complete this anonymous, brief web-based evaluation on this course,
using these directions:




Step 1: Log in to Argus (http://argus.uwf.edu).
Step 2: Click on the "My Info" tab.
Step 3: Click the link under the category "Personal Student Record Access" that says
"Instruction Assessment (Distance Learning)."
Need help? Contact Connie Works at (850) 474-3080 or cworks@uwf.edu
Please be assured that all evaluations that are completed online are of a confidential matter. Your
name, social security number, and e-mail address will not be revealed to your instructor, department,
or college. Only one evaluation per course per student can be submitted. Please do not delay
completing the evaluation when the time approaches. Due to the significance of this information, I
will not be able to pre-release grades in eLearning if we are not close to the 100% participation
goal before finals week. Thank you!
ONLINE TEST TAKING GUIDELINES
If you experience any other technical problems or errors during any timed exam that does not overlap
with the eLearning maintenance window, you are required to notify the Helpdesk immediately at
helpdesk@uwf.edu or (850) 474-2075. Failure to contact the HelpDesk to report the problem will
result in a grade of 0 automatically being assigned. If you are unable to get immediate assistance
from the HelpDesk during the exam, but have documented the problem in an email or voice mail, you
may attempt to restart the exam using the same browser, or attempt to re-enter the exam with
another browser. If you are still unable to restart the exam and continue with saving, please note
that for your final submitted score to be recorded, you MUST still prove that you documented the
original technical problem with the HelpDesk via helpdesk@uwf.edu or (850) 474-2075. Failure to do
so will result in an automatic grade of 0 being assigned.