Public Health Undergraduate Programs
Leadership
Lauren D. Arnold, Ph.D., M.P.H., C.P.H.
Director, Biostatistics, Health Management, and Public Health
Accreditation
Saint Louis University's College for Public Health and Social Justice is fully accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH). To see our most recent accreditation documentation, please visit the College for Public Health and Social Justice website.
SangNam Ahn, Ph.D.
Lauren D. Arnold, Ph.D.
Kelly Ayres, Ph.D.
Elizabeth Baker, Ph.D.
Ellen K. Barnidge, Ph.D.
Sam Biver
Jen Jen Chang, Ph.D.
Darleesa Doss, Ph.D.
Michael Elliott, Ph.D.
Kimberly R. Enard, Ph.D.
Mark Gaynor, Ph.D.
Kathleen Gillespie, Ph.D.
Juliet Iwelunmor, Ph.D.
Echu Liu, Ph.D.
Xiaoyu Liu, Ph.D.
Travis Loux, Ph.D.
Zhengmin "Min" Qian, M.D., Ph.D.
Cheryl Rathert, Ph.D.
Jake Redden, Ph.D.
Steven Rigdon, Ph.D.
Michael Rozier, S.J., Ph.D.
Anne K. Sebert Kuhlmann, Ph.D.
Katherine Stamatakis, Ph.D.
Kevin M. Syberg, Dr.P.H.
Marcea Walter
Nancy L. Weaver, Ph.D.
Hong Xian, Ph.D.
BST 3000 - Intro to Statistical Computing
3 Credits
The purpose of this course is to teach students statistical programming and data management skills in SAS and R to aid their careers post-graduation. To this end, they will learn how to use SAS and R to organize and structure data in order to compute epidemiologic measures, descriptive statistics, measures of association and other statistical tests through homework assignments, projects and in-class exercises. They will organize, prepare, interpret, and present statistical test results derived from SAS and R output to the class and through assignments. (Offered in Spring)
Attributes: Public Health Major Elective
BST 3100 - Applied Biostatistics I
3 Credits
This course covers the basic tools of applied statistics for describing categorical and numerical data and making inference to populations, including chi-square and t tests, one-way ANOVA, and simple linear regression procedures. Probability is introduced to the extent it is needed to understand statistical applications. Statistical software is used throughout the course. (Offered Fall and Spring)
Prerequisite(s): (0 Course from MATH 1510-4999, MATH 1400 with a grade of C- or higher, or SLU Math Placement with a minimum score of 1510)
Attributes: Public Health Minor Elective
BST 3200 - Applied Biostatistics II
3 Credits
Linear regression (parameter estimation and tests, confounding, interaction, model building and assessment of fit, diagnostics and remedial measures,); Design of experimental and observational studies (CRD, RCBD, repeated measures, matched pairs, ANOVA, ANOCVA, Contrasts and multiple comparisons, ANCOVA), Logistic Regression (binomial distribution, multinomial distribution, Poisson distribution, and Chi-square test, CMH test, odds, odds ration, relative risk, maximum likelihood, likelihood ratio test, model building and assessment of fit, diagnostics, McNemar's test, conditional likelihood, score test). (Offered in Spring)
BST 3910 - Internship
1-3 Credits (Repeatable up to 6 credits)
Prerequisite(s): (CORE 1000 or UUC Ignite Seminar Waiver with a minimum score of S); CORE 1500*
* Concurrent enrollment allowed.
Attributes: UUC:Reflection-in-Action
BST 3930 - Special Topics
3 Credits (Repeatable for credit)
BST 3980 - Independent Study
1 or 3 Credits (Repeatable for credit)
BST 4100 - Theory of Biostatistics I
3 Credits
Introduction to the principles of probability, statistical distributions, and the extension of these concepts to multiple random variables. Transformations of random variables, moment-generating function technique and central limit theorem. (Offered in Fall)
Prerequisite(s): MATH 2530
BST 4200 - Theory of Biostatistics II
3 Credits
Point estimation, maximum likelihood, regression, sufficient statistics, Bayesian estimation. Interval estimation. Hypothesis testing for one and two samples. Power, likelihood ratio tests. Goodness-of-fit tests, contingency tables. Analysis of variance. (Offered in Spring)
Prerequisite(s): BST 4100
BST 4400 - Introduction to Applied Data Management
3 Credits
This course is a survey of important data management topics and techniques. Topics include: data programming and manipulation, data storage and security, data cleaning, relational database theory and legal and ethical issues of data management. Software tools covered in the course include SPSS, SAS, R, Excel, MySQL, GIT/GitHub, Hadoop, MapReduce, and Python. A number of guest lecturers will present case studies of real-world data management. A key aspect of the course will be weekly labs by in-class working groups. (Offered in Fall)
BST 4930 - Special Topics
3 Credits (Repeatable for credit)
BST 4980 - Advanced Independent Study in Biostatistics
1 or 3 Credits (Repeatable for credit)
EPI 4000 - Intro Epidemiology: Foundations & Practice
3 Credits
Epidemiology forms the scientific rationale for public health assessment, assurance, and program/policy development. This course introduces students to foundational principles of epidemiology, including outcome measures, surveillance, and study design. Historical and current examples are used to demonstrate the applications of epidemiology in public health practice. (Offered Fall and Spring)
Prerequisite(s): (MATH 1400 with a grade of C- or higher, SLU Math Placement with a minimum score of 1510, or 1 Course from MATH 1510-4999)
Attributes: Public Health Minor Elective
EPI 4930 - Special Topics
3 Credits (Repeatable for credit)
EPI 4980 - Advanced Independent Study in Epidemiology
1 or 3 Credits (Repeatable for credit)
HMP 1300 - Contemporary Challenges in Health Care
3 Credits
This course is an introduction to the US health care system and its many challenges. Students will gain a basic understanding of private insurance operations, public financing for health care including Medicare and Medicaid, the operations of hospitals and clinics, as well as health care professionals’ roles in the health care system. Students will be encouraged to discover creative solutions to these challenges both from domestic programs and other countries’ health care systems. (Offered every Fall and Spring)
Attributes: Public Health Minor Elective
HMP 1930 - Special Topics
1-3 Credits (Repeatable for credit)
Special topics offered occasionally.
HMP 2300 - Population Health Management
3 Credits
The course will cover the following topics: 1) Population health, strategies to assure the health of your catchment area and how social determinants of health are related to health care delivery, management, organizational structures and leadership; 2) An overview of value-based care (VBC) strategies and the IHI quadruple aim; 3) Patient engagement/measuring patient reported outcomes; 4) How to evaluate population health management programs; 5) Risk Adjustment and Audience Segmentation techniques as used in Population Health Management including machine learning and the use of risk stratification methods through which care providers can improve both clinical and financial outcomes. (Offered every Fall and Spring)
Prerequisite(s): HMP 1300
HMP 2500 - Management of Health Care Organizations
3 Credits
This course provides students with an introductory overview of the major functional areas of health care management and shows their relevance to the delivery of health care services in a turbulent and very complex environment. Health care organizations are broadly clustered into: strategy and marketing, financial management, human resources management and data and systems. (Offered Fall and Spring)
Prerequisite(s): HMP 1300*
* Concurrent enrollment allowed.
HMP 2930 - Special Topics
3 Credits (Repeatable for credit)
HMP 2980 - Independent Study
1 or 3 Credits (Repeatable for credit)
HMP 3200 - Health Care Economics & Policy
3 Credits
The main purpose of this course is to enable students to apply economic theory and analysis to health issues and problems, by emphasizing how markets work and why they fail in the production of health and delivery of health care services. Topics covered include an overview of the US health economy; the production of health and the demand for health care; market structure; the market for health insurance, managed care, and hospital services; and the role of public policy in producing healthy populations. (Offered Fall and Spring)
Prerequisite(s): ECON 1900* with a grade of C- or higher and HMP 1300*
* Concurrent enrollment allowed.
HMP 3400 - Health Care Marketing
3 Credits
The purpose of this course is to train future health services management professionals marketing and management of health services. The course is intended to present concepts and tools used in developing, implementing, and managing successful marketing strategy. The marketing processes, consumer behavior, marketing mix, controlling and monitoring marketing processes are studies relative to the unique and changing aspects of the health services industry. (Offered Fall and Spring)
Prerequisite(s): HMP 1300*
* Concurrent enrollment allowed.
HMP 3500 - Health Care Human Resources Management
3 Credits
The focus of this course is on functions and concepts required for managing human resources in health care organizations. It integrates traditional human resource management (HRM) with ideas from other organizational behavior. Course content includes recruitment, training and development, compensation, performance appraisal, motivation, union activity, and conflict resolution. (Offered Fall and Spring)
Prerequisite(s): HMP 1300*
* Concurrent enrollment allowed.
HMP 3910 - Internship
1-3 Credits (Repeatable up to 6 credits)
Prerequisite(s): (CORE 1000 or UUC Ignite Seminar Waiver with a minimum score of S); CORE 1500*
* Concurrent enrollment allowed.
Attributes: UUC:Reflection-in-Action
HMP 3930 - Special Topics
3 Credits (Repeatable for credit)
HMP 3980 - Independent Study
1 or 3 Credits (Repeatable for credit)
HMP 4200 - Health Care Financial Management
3 Credits
Corporate finance concepts and techniques are applied to health care organization decision making using relevant case studies. In addition to basic finance concepts, topics include capital acquisition, cost of capitol, capital investment decisions, tools of risk analysis, and financial and operating analysis. Analyses are applied to for-profit and not-for-profit health care organizations. The course employs extensive use of spreadsheets. (Offered Fall and Spring)
Prerequisite(s): HMP 3200* and ACCT 2200 with a grade of C- or higher
* Concurrent enrollment allowed.
HMP 4500 - Health Operations Management
3 Credits
Course examines operational issues in health care management. Topics include systems analysis, continuous quality improvement and re-engineering, demand forecasting, facility location and design models, decision analysis techniques, linear programming, queuing and waiting models, inventory control models, and statistical quality control. The goal is to instill an understanding of the language, applications, and limitations of quantitative models with regard to decision-making and problem solving in health service organizations. (Offered Fall and Spring)
Prerequisite(s): (MATH 1300, OPM 2070, DSCI 2070, STAT 1300, PSY 2050, or BST 3100); HMP 1300
HMP 4600 - Strategic Management in Health Care
3 Credits
This is the capstone course in the health administration undergraduate curriculum and is open to advanced BSHM students or others with the permission of the instructor. The purpose of this course is to assist the student in integrating strategic thinking and strategic management of health care organizations. Integration is facilitated by individual and team analysis of complex cases, including simulations. (Offered Fall and Spring)
Prerequisite(s): ACCT 2200 with a grade of C- or higher, HMP 2500, and HMP 3200
Restrictions:
Enrollment is limited to students with a major in Health Management.
HMP 4930 - Special Topics
1-3 Credits (Repeatable for credit)
Topics course, content varies.
HMP 4970 - Advanced Independent Research in Health Management
3-6 Credits (Repeatable for credit)
The course provides students with an opportunity to work closely with faculty on research in health management.
HMP 4971 - Directed Research in Health Management
3-6 Credits (Repeatable for credit)
The course provides students with an opportunity to work closely with faculty on research in health management.
HMP 4980 - Advanced Independent Study in Health Management and Policy
1 or 3 Credits (Repeatable for credit)
PUBH 2100 - Introduction to Global Health
3 Credits
This course introduces students to the concepts of public health by tracing its historical evolution. By using classic public problems and their resolutions, the philosophy, values and mission of public health are examined. The trends in global health such as epidemic responses, disease-specific programs, funding mechanisms, and capacity-building are discussed. (Offered Fall and Spring)
Attributes: Global Citizenship (CAS), Global Local Justice-Global, International Studies, International Studies-Health, Service Learning, Urban Poverty - Health Care
PUBH 2300 - Contemporary Issues in Global Health
3 Credits
This course explores biological, environmental, social, and political factors impacting the health of populations across the globe. Topics covered will change depending on current events, but will likely include: environmental degradation, climate change, biosecurity, health education in diverse populations, and chronic and infectious diseases. (Offered Fall and Spring)
Prerequisite(s): PUBH 2100
Attributes: Global Local Justice-Global, International Studies, International Studies-Health, Public Health Minor Elective, Service Learning, Urban Poverty - Health Care, Urban Poverty - Immigration
PUBH 2700 - Public Health Issues in Emergency Management
3 Credits
This course will review the role and capacity of public health and health care systems in disaster preparedness and response to all disasters. Students will examine the growing threat and public health consequences of disasters. The course will cover theory and practice in emergency management and consider implications for policy makers. (Offered in Fall)
Attributes: Public Health Major Elective, Public Health Minor Elective
PUBH 2930 - Special Topics
3 Credits (Repeatable for credit)
PUBH 2980 - Independent Study
1 or 3 Credits (Repeatable for credit)
PUBH 3100 - Public Health & Social Justice
3 Credits
Health has special moral importance for the well being of individuals and populations. We will discuss ethical issues associated with economic measures, resource allocation, priority setting, and human rights. The course is designed to evoke thoughts on personal and institutional responses to the questions of social justice and health.
Prerequisite(s): Minimum Earned Credits of 45
Attributes: UUC:Dignity, Ethics & Just Soc, Diversity in the US (A&S)
PUBH 3200 - Evidence Based Public Health
3 Credits
This course introduces students to approaches for developing and selecting public health interventions and evaluating their efficacy from a scientific perspective. With examples taken from health systems around the world, students learn how to access and interpret data systems and analytical methods and apply public health evidence to public policy making. This course will address the challenges of translating and disseminating research discoveries into communities. (Offered Fall and Spring)
Prerequisite(s): PUBH 2100
PUBH 3500 - Art & Public Health: Creating Relationships for Social Change
3 Credits
The course will provide students with the opportunity to engage with practitioners of art and public health in discussions of current practices at the intersection of these two fields. This dialogue will provide students with the opportunity to further their understanding of key factors that influence this work. The students will actively engage in collaborative exploration of these issues. To do so the course will provide specific skills for mindfulness, listening, communication, and difficult conversations/ conflict management.
Attributes: Public Health Major Elective, Public Health Minor Elective
PUBH 3910 - Internship
1-3 Credits (Repeatable up to 6 credits)
Prerequisite(s): (CORE 1000 or UUC Ignite Seminar Waiver with a minimum score of S); CORE 1500*
* Concurrent enrollment allowed.
Attributes: UUC:Reflection-in-Action
PUBH 3930 - Special Topics
1-3 Credits (Repeatable for credit)
Attributes: Public Health Major Elective, Public Health Minor Elective
PUBH 3980 - Independent Study
1 or 3 Credits (Repeatable for credit)
PUBH 4000 - Politics and Public Health Advocacy
3 Credits
Public health is inherently a political discipline. Practitioners require an understanding of the way public opinion and legislation on matters of public health are shaped. This course exposes students to the basics of public health policy, coalition-building, written and verbal advocacy tools, and includes several real-world experiences of advocacy work. (Offered Fall and Spring)
Prerequisite(s): Minimum Earned Credits of 60
Attributes: BHS-Professional, Global Local Justice-Elective, Public Health Minor Elective, Urban Poverty - Health Care
PUBH 4100 - Biological Basis of Public Health
3 Credits
A basic understanding of public health biology is the cornerstone upon which rest the five core disciplines. A unique characteristic that differentiates public health from other social movements or social action is its grounding in science. The biological aspects of humans, microorganisms, and other factors such as physical environment will provide insight into this important relationship. (Offered Fall and Spring)
Prerequisite(s): Minimum Earned Credits of 60
Attributes: Public Health Minor Elective, UUC:Natural & Applied Science
PUBH 4930 - Special Topics
3 Credits (Repeatable for credit)
Attributes: Public Health Minor Elective
PUBH 4960 - Capstone in Public Health
3 Credits
This course enables students to demonstrate achievement of the Bachelor of Science in Public Health program learning outcomes through individual and group projects. Students will also synthesize public health experiences with other undergraduate coursework and experiences and engage in professional development. (Offered Fall and Spring)
Prerequisite(s): HMP 1300; PUBH 2300; PUBH 3200; PUBH 4000*; PUBH 4100*; BST 3100*; EPI 4000*; (HCE 3100 or PUBH 3100)
* Concurrent enrollment allowed.
Restrictions:
Enrollment is limited to students with a major in Public Health.
PUBH 4970 - Advanced Independent Research in Public Health
3-6 Credits (Repeatable for credit)
The course provides students with an opportunity to work closely with faculty on research in public health.
PUBH 4980 - Advanced Independent Study in Public Health
1-3 Credits (Repeatable for credit)