Texas A&M University Graduate Catalog

• Academic Calendar
• Board of Regents
  & System Adminstrative
  Officers
• TAMU Administrative
  Officers
• Office of
  Graduate Studies
• General Information
• Degree Information
• Admission
• Registration & Academic Status
• Tuition, Fees &
  Other Financial Information
• Housing
• Orientation
• Resources for Students
• Texas A&M University at Galveston
• Course Descriptions
• School of
  Rural Public Health
• Faculty
• Appendices

Texas A&M University System Health Science Center

Department of Social and Behavioral Health
(PHSB)

603. Social and Behavioral Determinants of Health. Credit 3.

An overview of theories and principles focusing on social and behavioral determinants of health, the social-ecological approach to the examination of health and health behaviors, social patterns of health behavior, and an introduction to health promotion and public health interventions. Intended for non-majors.

604. Social Ecology and Health Behavior. Credit 3.

Social determinants of health behavior, social organization and stressors on human health, social-ecological approach to the examination of health behaviors, social patterning of disease and health behavior, basic theories of health behavior and communication, public health program diffusion and implementation. Intended for majors only; permission of instructor required for non-majors.

605. Social and Behavioral Research Methods. Credit 3.

Overview of quantitative and qualitative methods used by public health professionals, advantages and limitations of different methods, mechanisms for gathering data in a community setting, techniques for managing and analyzing data, and strategies for presenting information to community members. Prerequisite: PHEB 602 or equivalent, or permission of instructor.

610. Community Organization and Assessment. Credit 3.

The nature of both formal and informal organizations and their strategic place in community organization. The nature of community; communities as systems and nonsystems; relationships between health, community and healthy communities. Analysis and application of assessment models. Field-based community and/or organizational analysis required. Prerequisites: PHSB 603 or 604, or permission of instructor.

611. Program Planning. Credit 3.

Use of theory and evidence in planning public health interventions, appropriate objective development, integration of levels of intervention, consolidation of intervention strategies into coherent program design, program implementation, diffusion and institutionalization. Prerequisite: PHSB 604 or permission of the instructor.

612. Public Health Interventions. Credit 3.

Examination of the conceptualization and theoretical foundation, design, implementation, and effectiveness of specific public health interventions at the individual, interpersonal, organizational, community, and policy levels for addressing particular chronic or infectious diseases (specific focus may vary by semester). Prerequisite: Either PHSB 603 or 604, or permission of the instructor.

613. Program Evaluation. Credit 3.

Study of program evaluation techniques. The course focuses on issues relevant to the assessment and evaluation of health promotion interventions, and examines the social context of program evaluation and a variety of epistemological orientations. Prerequisite: Either PHSB 603 or 604; PHSB 605; PHSB 611 (or concurrent).

618. Social Anthropology and Public Health. Credit 3.

Study of the cultural influences on personal and community health. Application of cultural factors and their impact on program development and implementation also is explored.

635. Community Health Development. Credit 3.

The nature of community development and comparative study of community development models in diverse communities. Analysis of how to create systematic and sustainable community change related to health and healthy communities, with attention to varieties of community organizing approaches. Prerequisite: Either PHSB 603 or 604; PHSB 610; or permission of instructor.

636. Health Communication Strategies. Credit 3.

Overview and application of theories related to attitude and behavior change, message design, and principles of mass media and interpersonal channel selection for health messages. Students gain experience in developing communication plans for a community agency. Prerequisite: Either PHSB 603 or 604, or permission of instructor.

637. Principles of Health Program Management. Credit 3.

This course prepares the student with knowledge and skills to assume a role in the management of health promotion programs. The course covers management theory, leadership, organizational assessment, planning, decision-making, organizational structure, budgeting, marketing, and human resource management.

638. Seminar on Alcohol, Tobacco and other Drugs. Credit 2-3.

In-depth study of public health issues and concerns related to alcohol, tobacco, and other drug use. Includes overview of contributing causative and mediating factors of drug use and theory-based prevention and intervention strategies and programs. Prerequisite: PHSB 604 or permission of the instructor.

670. Doctoral Seminar I. Credit 3.

This seminar is the first of a two-course sequence examining the historical and conceptual bases of public health and health education; ideological and ethical implications for public health research, policy, and programs; theoretical basis for public health interventions; and models of practice. Prerequisites: enrollment is limited to students in the Department of Social and Behavioral Health doctoral program or by permission of instructor.

671. Doctoral Seminar II. Credit 3.

This seminar is the second of a two-course sequence examining the historical and conceptual bases of public health; implications for public health research, policy, and programs; theoretical basis for public health interventions; and models of practice. Prerequisites: PHSB 670 or permission of instructor.

684. Practicum. Credit 3-6.

Field placement experience where students work closely with a departmental faculty member and appropriate field professional(s) applying skills and techniques acquired through coursework. Prerequisite: Approval by student’s academic advisor. Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory grade option only.

685. Directed Study. Credit 1-3.

Student investigation of a topic not covered by other formal courses. Prerequisite: Approval by student’s academic advisor. May be repeated for a maximum of six credits. Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory grading option or standard grading option to be determined by the instructor and applied to all students registered for the course. Grading option will be determined prior to the first class day and outlined in the course syllabus and not be altered once the course has begun.

686. Directed Research. Credit 1-3.

Student research initiative not within the scope of a thesis or dissertation. Prerequisite: Approval by student’s academic advisor. May be repeated for a maximum of six credits. Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory grade option only. Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory grading option or standard grading option to be determined by the instructor and applied to all students registered for the course. Grading option will be determined prior to the first class day and outlined in the course syllabus and not be altered once the course has begun.

689. Special Topics in Social and Behavioral Health. Credit 1-4.

Revolving topics seminar in an area of specialization within the department. May be repeated for credit. Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory grading option or standard grading option to be determined by the instructor and applied to all students registered for the course. Grading option will be determined prior to the first class day and outlined in the course syllabus and not be altered once the course has begun.