Introduction to Public Health

Instructor Information

• Instructor: Dr. Colette Duval (Assistant Professor of Public Health)
• Email: cduval@university.alkimi.ai
• Office: Calder Health Sciences Building 312
• Office Hours:
  • Monday & Thursday: 9:00–10:30 a.m. (In person, Calder Health Sciences Building 312)
  • Friday: 9:00–10:00 a.m. (Virtual via Zoom; link posted in Canvas)
  • Also available by appointment.

Course Description

History, core functions, and essential services of public health; determinants of health; and the ways public health tackles infectious disease, chronic disease, injury, and health inequities. PUBH 101 provides an introduction to the concepts, institutions, and population-based methodologies that protect and improve the health of communities. Tracing the evolution of public health from sanitary reforms to modern epidemiology, students examine the three core functions (assessment, policy development, and assurance) and the 10 Essential Public Health Services. The course explores the social and ecological determinants of health, epidemiological surveillance, infectious and chronic disease control, environmental health hazards, and systemic strategies to achieve health equity.

Prerequisites

None.

Measurable Student Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of PUBH 101, students will be able to:

1. Define Core Functions and Essential Services: Explain the historical evolution, philosophical frameworks, core functions, and 10 Essential Public Health Services that guide public health infrastructure.
2. Analyze Social Determinants and Health Disparities: Examine how structural, economic, environmental, and behavioral determinants shape health inequities across diverse demographic populations.
3. Examine Infectious and Chronic Disease Epidemiology: Describe the mechanisms of communicable disease transmission, outbreak investigation, chronic disease prevention, and injury prevention models.
4. Evaluate Public Health Interventions and Policies: Assess the efficacy of health communication campaigns, community health worker initiatives, regulatory policies, and evidence-based interventions.
5. Communicate Public Health Issues to Stakeholders: Synthesize epidemiological evidence and community data into a concise, actionable policy brief advocating for health equity.

Required Course Materials & Approximate Costs

1. Riegelman, Richard, and Brenda Kirkwood. Public Health 101: Improving Community Health. 3rd ed., Jones & Bartlett Learning, 2019. Approx. $85 print, $50 digital rental.
2. Schneider, Mary-Jane. Introduction to Public Health. 6th ed., Jones & Bartlett Learning, 2021. Approx. $90 print or digital.
3. Total estimated cost: $90 to $135.

Generative AI Policy (AI Level 2: AI Permitted with Disclosure for Specified Tasks)

In accordance with Alkimi University Academic Policies (Student Handbook §5.8), PUBH 101 operates under AI Level 2.

• What is permitted: You may use generative AI tools to explore historical timelines of public health milestones, brainstorm potential community stakeholders for local health initiatives, and check the grammar, organization, and clarity of your drafted assignments.
• What is prohibited: You may not use generative AI to write your community health policy brief, generate synthesized stakeholder arguments, complete weekly quizzes, or answer examination questions. Submitting text composed by an AI tool as your own analysis violates academic integrity.
• Disclosure: All submitted project reports and policy briefs must contain an AI disclosure statement stating which generative AI tools were consulted and how they were applied. If no AI tools were used, state: 'No generative AI tools were used in preparing this work.'

Grading Components and Weights

• Midterm Examination 1: 15% (In class, Thursday, October 1)
• Midterm Examination 2: 15% (In class, Thursday, November 12)
• Community Health Problem Analysis & Policy Brief: 20% (Due Friday, October 23 at 11:59 p.m.)
• Public Health Campaign Design Project: 15% (Due Friday, November 20 at 11:59 p.m.)
• Weekly Reading & Case Discussion Canvas Quizzes: 15% (Due Mondays at 11:59 p.m. in Canvas; lowest quiz score dropped)
• Final Examination: 20% (Wednesday, December 16, 2026, 1:30–3:30 p.m.)

Grading Scale (Alkimi University Standard)

• A: 93–100% | A-: 90–92%
• B+: 87–89% | B: 83–86% | B-: 80–82%
• C+: 77–79% | C: 73–76% | C-: 70–72%
• D+: 67–69% | D: 60–66% | F: Below 60%
• Extra credit: No individual extra credit assignments are offered in this course.

Course Schedule (Fall 2026)

Course Policies

Attendance Policy

Class attendance and thoughtful engagement in case discussions are essential. Public health is an inherently collaborative field where solving population dilemmas requires active dialogue and diverse perspectives. If illness or emergency causes an absence, please email Dr. Duval. Missing more than three unexcused classes will negatively impact your participation standing. Students who miss the first two class meetings without notifying the instructor may be dropped. Students may miss class for religious observance without penalty if they notify the instructor in writing within the first two weeks of the semester (by Wednesday, September 9, 2026). Absences for university-sponsored activities (athletics, performances, conferences) are excused with a letter from the sponsoring office at least one week in advance.

Late Work Policy

Assignments submitted after the deadline will be penalized 10% per calendar day up to a maximum of three days. Work submitted more than 72 hours late cannot be accepted. Weekly Canvas quizzes must be completed before the deadline and cannot be submitted late.

Public Health Major Progression Policy

Students majoring in Public Health must earn a minimum grade of C in PUBH 101 to advance to upper-division public health coursework. A grade lower than C requires repeating the course.

Final Exam Policy

The final examination (Wednesday, December 16, 2026, 1:30–3:30 p.m.) is scheduled by the University Registrar and can't be moved without the Dean's written approval (Faculty Handbook §5.5). A student with three or more final exams on the same calendar day may reschedule one of them. Requests go to the instructor of the middle exam by the last day of classes. For this term, send the request by Wednesday, December 9, 2026 (Student Handbook §6.4).