Public Health Science Minor

Faculty Contact:

Dr. Cynthia Trawick

Program overview:

The overall health of Americans has improved dramatically in this century due to advances in treatment and technology. Yet, the health of underrepresented minorities differs significantly from the majority population in this nation. As health disparities continue to increase, there is a growing need for more health scientists to address these issues. The minor in public health is intended to help students better understand the health disparities within their communities to better serve them.

To broaden the options for students interested in the health sciences at Morehouse College, the Public Health Sciences Institute offers a minor in Public Health which is housed under Biology in the Division of Life Sciences, but open to all students in the Atlanta University Consortium (AUC). The interdisciplinary nature of the minor program allows all eligible AUC students to register for public health courses.

Student learning outcomes:

Students who complete the minor in public health will demonstrate:

• Knowledge of the key content regarding epidemiology, major health conditions and health disparities, including the rates and distributions of disease, the meaning of causation, and the evaluation of the effectiveness of intervention.
• Summarize critical ideas and concepts in the field of public health such as core functions and goals, the history of public health, population health, and key areas of inquiry.
• Application of entry-level biostatistical skills to define and address needs and concerns of vulnerable populations.
• Ability to evaluate how social class, race, ethnicity, gender, age, geography, political and economic structures, and other burdens affect disease burdens, health disparity, and health equity.
• An understanding of the burden of disease, social determinants of health, approaches to global cooperation to monitor and promote health, and international organizations that respond to and fund global health initiatives.
• How current U.S. public health and health care delivery systems and principles can be used to evaluate the historical and future directions.

Department policies and/or General Education modifications:

• A grade of C or higher is required in all Public Health courses for the minor to be considered satisfactorily complete.
• Students may choose courses offered at the different AUC institutions that satisfy the elective requirements. A faculty member in the PHSI must approve all elective courses. An updated list of elective courses is generated each semester to ensure breadth of study and to exercise quality control.