Course Syllabus

Introduction to Public Health Syllabus

---Note: This course code has changed from HS 240 to PUBH 240. You may occasionally see references to the old course code or title.

We are excited to have you here and hope that you enjoy your time as you expand and apply new knowledge. In scheduling your time, reserve 6–8 hours each week to be successful in this two-credit course.

Course Description

This course is an introduction to agencies, facilities, and programs which play a role in the prevention of disease, and the promotion of health in a community. Special emphasis is placed on the competencies needed for community health professionals, and health educators to function in a variety of community and teaching settings. This course includes required synchronous meetings.

Course Outcomes

By successfully completing this course you will be able to:

  • Identify public health employment opportunities 
  • Explain the recent history of public health.
  • Compare the five core areas of public health
  • Differentiate the eight areas of responsibility for the Health Education profession
  • Examine community resources to improve health and well-being
  • Formulate a plan to improve health and wellness in the general population

Prerequisites

Although there are no prerequisites for this course, it is highly recommended to take this course prior to other Public Health/Applied Health courses. The skills and knowledge you will need in other Applied Health courses are introduced in PUBH 240. Taking PUBH 240 after or concurrently with other PUBH courses may create a challenging learning situation for you as you take more advanced courses.

Course Materials

There is not a physical textbook for this course; all content is contained in the course.

How to Navigate this Course

Begin each week by reading the “Introduction” and any announcements from the instructor to learn important information about the week. Complete the activities in order as listed in each model.

Important: If a week includes a discussion board, it often means that you will have an initial post due midweek with response posts due at the end of the week. However, only the midweek due date will appear on your calendar with an event reminder for the response posts. It is your responsibility to submit your work on time, including the midweek discussion board posts.

Refer to the calendar for exact due dates and times.

Late Work

You are preparing for a career as a health professional. Submitting work after the deadline has passed is not a professional practice. To help you learn to meet your deadlines in a professional manner, you are expected to submit all work on time. If you fail to meet a stated deadline, your score for that particular activity will be reduced by 50%. You will not receive any credit for work submitted more than one day late. If you have any questions about late work, contact your instructor.

Grading

Your grade will be determined by dividing the number of points you earn out of the total possible points for the course and multiplying that by 100. That percentage will determine your final letter grade using the grading scale listed below.

Letter Grade Final Total Percentage
A 93% and up
A- 90% – 92.9%
B+ 87% – 89.99%
B 83% – 86.99%
B- 80% – 82.99%
C+ 77% – 79.99%
C 73% – 76.99%
C- 70% – 72.99%
D+ 67% – 69.99%
D 63% – 66.99%
D- 60% – 62.99%
F 59.99% and below

Note: Don't expect your final grade to be rounded up. You have all semester to earn your grade; therefore, do not email your instructor at the end of the semester asking to round up your grade.

Proctored Exams and Assessments

This course may use an online proctoring software called Proctorio. This makes it possible for students to take assessments and exams without a human proctor present. Proctored exams can be accessed like any other exam, once the software has been installed. Exams will be recorded by Proctorio and reviewed by the BYUI Testing Center. Any questionable exams will be forwarded to the instructor for further review.

For step-by-step instructions on Proctorio installation, please refer to this help guide article (Links to an external site.).

University Policies

Students with Disabilities

Brigham Young University-Idaho is committed to providing a working and learning atmosphere that accommodates qualified persons with disabilities. If you have a disability and require accommodations, please contact the Disability Services Office at (208) 496-9210 or visit their website and follow the Steps for Receiving Accommodations. Reasonable academic accommodations are reviewed for all students who have qualified documented disabilities. Services are coordinated with students and instructors by the Disability Services Office.

This course may require synchronous meetings. If you are currently registered with the Disability Services Office and need an interpreter or transcriber for these meetings, please contact the deaf and hard of hearing coordinator at (208) 496-9219.

Other University Policies

Student Honor and Other Policies

The materials in this course are also intellectual property and taking any materials from the course and posting them outside of this course in any manner (such as posting on Course Hero) will be construed as theft. If you post course materials without authorization, the instructor has the right to impose an appropriate academic sanction (e.g., give you a failing grade for the assignment and/or fail you from the course).

Please read through the document called University Policies. It gives important information about the following topics:

  • Student Honor
    • Academic Honesty
    • Student Conduct
      • Sexual Harassment
  • Student with Disabilities
  • Complaints and Grievances
  • Copyright Notice

Go to the Student Resources module to review further resources and information.

Disclaimer

The instructor reserves the right to change any part of this syllabus at any time during the semester in order to adapt to changing course needs. You will be notified prior to any changes that may take place.

Course Summary:

Date Details Due