5 courses with the subject PHS, each shown exactly as we captured it from the college's catalog, with every element we hold. Where the wording looks broken, that is our reading of the catalog, not the college's text.
PHS 150Introduction to Public Health
This introductory course provides students a broad overview of public health focusing on concepts relating to health promotion, disease prevention and epidemiology. Additionally, students learn about the core public health values, functions, population health assessment and intervention and the socio-economic, behavioral, biological and environmental determinants of health. Students engage in oral and written communication to critically think and analyze public health issues. Offered during fall and January terms. OLE Core Requirement: Natural Science.
There are vaccines to prevent more than 20 life-threatening diseases, helping people to live longer, healthier lives. Despite controversy, vaccines remain a necessary tool to continue to protect and improve the health of populations. This course explores the basics of vaccinology, how vaccines are licensed and recommended, the vaccine safety system in the U.S., how vaccines are used to prevent and control disease, the factors influencing vaccine hesitancy, and strategies to strengthen vaccine confidence. Offered periodically in January term. OLE Core Requirement: Social Science.
Epidemiology is the science of applying information about populations with the goal of improving health. This course will focus on multiple epidemiological research strategies in scientific, social and ethical context. By examining the range of health problems and diseases affecting diverse cultures, races, and ethnic groups, students gain understanding of epidemiology as the science of public health. Offered periodically to all St Olaf students in the fall semester. Prerequisites: PHS 150 preferred. OLE Core Requirement: Natural Science.
PHS 260Comparative Health and Wellness - Germany & Switzerland (study abroad)
In the United States "health" constitutes seeing doctors, taking medicines, and getting in 5000 daily steps. In Germany, wellness is fundamental to lifestyle. While traveling in Germany and Switzerland, students compare health practices to examine the factors that contribute to health promotion. How do place, time, money, power, luck and compassion contribute to health in Germany and the U.S.? What personal health practices can we sustain to promote our own wellbeing? OLE Core Requirement: Social Science.
Students explore public health challenges from multiple lenses through literature and case studies designed to integrate and enhance individual skills and vocational interests. Working in interdisciplinary teams, students articulate questions and develop research and response proposals based on literature, data at hand and the skills acquired from prior courses including the OLE Core. Integrating viewpoints, assessment modalities and communication within the team and with external audiences are emphasized. Local and global issues are included. Counts toward public health studies concentration. Prerequisites: Junior or senior status, declared public health studies concentration, or permission of instructor.
