Public Health, Public Health (PHPH)

Subject-area course lists indicate courses currently active for offering at the University of Louisville. Not all courses are scheduled in any given academic term. For class offerings in a specific semester, refer to the Schedule of Classes.

500-level courses generally are included in both the undergraduate- and graduate-level course listings; however, specific course/section offerings may vary between semesters. Students are responsible for ensuring that they enroll in courses that are applicable to their particular academic programs.

Course Fees

Some courses may carry fees beyond the standard tuition costs to cover additional support or materials. Program-, subject- and course-specific fee information can be found on the Office of the Bursar website.


PHPH 100. Majoring in Public Health1 Unit

Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring

Prerequisite(s): Enrollment in the School of Public Health and Information Sciences.

Description: An introduction into the BS/BA Program in Public Health, this course includes topics of general education requirements, curriculum advising, and orientation and career options related to the program.

For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes

PHPH 101. Introduction to Public Health - SB3 Units

Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring

Description: Just look around and you'll find examples of public health - global pandemics, natural disasters and the threats of climate change, the systems in place to ensure safe foods and clean drinking water. Public health addresses these and so much more. In this course, we introduce you to the broad and impactful discipline of public health, discussing its history, its practice, the science of epidemiology, determinates of health and disease, social justice, and health equity. Critical thinking is an essential part of this exploration, which is used in both instructional techniques and evaluation throughout the course.

For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes

PHPH 150. Special Topics in Public Health Sciences1-3 Units

Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer

Prerequisite(s): Enrollment in the School of Public Health and Information Sciences and permission of Instructor.

Description: An in-depth exploration of special topics in public health sciences to advance students' knowledge in an familiarity with aspects of public health and sciences not covered or not covered at same depth in existing courses.

For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes

PHPH 200. Public Health: The Sophomore Experience1 Unit

Term Typically Offered: Spring Only

Prerequisite(s): Must be a public health major and have a minimum of 24 credit hours.

Description: Public Health: The Sophomore Experience provides students the opportunity to explore their personal and academic goals, campus/community involvement and career planning.

For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes

PHPH 250. Special Topics in Public Health Sciences1-3 Units

Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer

Prerequisite(s): Enrollment in the School of Public Health and Information Sciences and permission of Instructor.

Description: An in-depth exploration of special topics in public health sciences to advance student's knowledge in and familiarity with aspects of public health sciences not covered or not covered at same depth in existing courses.

For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes

PHPH 303. Public Health Career Readiness1 Unit

Term Typically Offered: Spring Only

Prerequisite(s): Must be a public health major and have a minimum of 75 credit hours.

Description: This course is a pre-requisite for PHPH-491. This course is intended for students seeking to learn how to develop an appropriate and meaningful career in the field of public health. Students will learn skills applicable to their practice experience and post-graduation employment. These include: evaluating VIPS and strengths, identifying job/practice experience opportunities, developing a professional network, interviewing skills, developing effective documents including a resume/CV and cover letter and identifying professional goals. Public health students will complete the course with the tools needed to secure an appropriate practice experience and enter the job market.

For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes

PHPH 350. Special Topics in Public Health Sciences1-3 Units

Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer

Prerequisite(s): Enrollment in the School of Public Health and Information Sciences and permission of Instructor.

Description: An in-depth exploration of special topics in public health sciences to advance students' knowledge in an familiarity with aspects of public health and sciences not covered or not covered at same depth in existing courses.

For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes

PHPH 401. Public Health and Health Policy3 Units

Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring

Description: This course will introduce students to the basic terms, concepts and best practices in applying policy solutions to a range of public health problems. In addition to the principles, there will be a wide-ranging review of specific public health policy examples, and how advocates negotiate and navigate through the contrasting community positions on policy applications.

For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes

PHPH 420. Practice of Public Health3 Units

Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring

Description: The course is an introduction to public health practice and is organized around the core functions and essential services of public health.

For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes

PHPH 431. Contemporary Issues in Public Health I3 Units

Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring

Description: Student teams explore and present current public health issues in the context of Healthy People 2020 and the essential services of public health.

For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes

PHPH 450. Special Topics in Public Health Sciences1-3 Units

Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer

Prerequisite(s): Enrollment in the School of Public Health and Information Sciences and permission of Instructor.

Description: An in-depth exploration of special topics in public health sciences to advance students' knowledge in an familiarity with aspects of public health and sciences not covered or not covered at same depth in existing courses.

For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes

PHPH 455. Independent Study in Public Health Sciences1-6 Units

Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer

Prerequisite(s): Enrollment in the School of Public Health and Information Sciences and permission of Instructor.

Description: Course allows students to pursue advanced study with faculty guidance on a topic related to public health.

For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes

PHPH 491. Senior Capstone 1 - CUE3 Units

Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring

Prerequisite(s): Must be a Public Health major and have a minimum of 90 credit hours.

Description: The purpose of this course is to allow students to explore and select their experiential public health site. Upon selection of the site, students will be required to determine learning objectives in collaboration with the selected site.

Course Attribute(s): CUE - This course fulfills the Culminating Undergraduate Experience (CUE) requirement for certain degree programs. CUE courses are advanced-level courses intended for majors with at least 90 earned credits/senior-level status.

For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes

PHPH 492. Senior Capstone 2 - CUE3 Units

Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring

Prerequisite(s): PHPH 491.

Description: The purpose of this course is to allow students the opportunity to integrate, synthesize and apply knowledge of theory and practice through experiential public health activities conducted at a local, state or federal site.

Course Attribute(s): CUE - This course fulfills the Culminating Undergraduate Experience (CUE) requirement for certain degree programs. CUE courses are advanced-level courses intended for majors with at least 90 earned credits/senior-level status., CBL - This course includes Community-Based Learning (CBL). Students will engage in a community experience or project with an external partner in order to enhance understanding and application of academic content.

For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes

PHPH 523. Public Health in the United States3 Units

Grading Basis: Pass/Fail

Term Typically Offered: Fall Only

Prerequisite(s): Admission to a graduate program in the School of Public Health and Information Sciences, other than the MPH.

Description: This course is designed to introduce new students in academic public health programs (MS and PhD) to the field of Public Health in the United States. It provides a broad overview of the field of public health, a focused look at the core areas of epidemiology and biostatistics, health promotion, environmental health, and health care administration.

For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes

PHPH 550. Special Topics in Public Health Sciences1-3 Units

Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer

Prerequisite(s): Enrollment in the School of Public Health and Information Sciences.

Description: In-depth exploration of public health sciences topics to advance students' knowledge in aspects of field not covered at same depth in existing courses.

For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes

PHPH 551. Public Health Study Abroad1-6 Units

Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer

Prerequisite(s): Instructor permission.

Description: Students who are interested in a global learning experience may engage in independent coursework related to their travel. Students pursue a topic of special interest that is not covered in regular course offerings under the mentorship of a faculty member.Should be listed twice in the catalog, one for undergrad credit and one for grad credit.

Note: We are offering this course both to undergrads for undergrad credit and to graduate students for graduate credit.

For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes