Courses

The listing of a course description here does not guarantee a course’s being offered in a particular term. Please refer to the published schedule of classes on the MyBU Student Portal for confirmation a class is actually being taught and for specific course meeting dates and times.

  • SAR HS 333: Queering Health
    This course is about the unique physical and mental health needs, health disparities, and resiliency within the LGBTQ+ community. Students will learn about the psychology of sexual orientation and gender diversity, intersectionality in LGBTQ+ communities, gender identity and sexual orientation development models, queer families and relationships, minority stress, hetero/cis-sexism, and other relevant topics. Students will also learn about LGBTQ+ affirming therapies, healthcare, public policy, and legislation. This course will take a constructively critical lens to medicalized/pathologizing constructions of sexual and gender diversity and examine topics within historical and modern social context. This course will explore strategies for advocacy, improving the healthcare experience of LGBTQ+ people, and addressing barriers to accessing healthcare from local, national, and global perspectives. Effective Fall 2023, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: The Individual in Community, Social Inquiry II.
    • The Individual in Community
    • Social Inquiry II
  • SAR HS 335: RESEARCH EXP
    Conducting scientific research is often a multi-faceted experience involving not only the actual scientific experimentation, but also the reading and synthesizing of research, writing, oral presentation and other skills. The BU HUB curriculum is a means for establishing and requiring such experiences, therefore HUB units will be awarded to "Registered-in-research" students based on the level of research experience of the undergraduate. Thus, as a student progresses through additional semesters of research, new learning outcomes are achieved. Effective Fall 2021, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Creativity/Innovation, Teamwork/Collaboration.
    • Creativity/Innovation
    • Teamwork/Collaboration
  • SAR HS 341: Physiology Across the Lifespan
    In this course we will explore physiological aspects of fetal development, birth, infancy, childhood, adolescence, adulthood and aging. Topics explored will include: bone and muscle development, physiology of common childhood diseases, the role of exercise and inactivity on bone, muscle and organ function, impact of stress across the lifespan, and the changes that occur during aging.
  • SAR HS 342: Exercise Physiology
    Undergraduate Prerequisites: (CASBI211 OR CASBI315) or consent of instructor. - What are the limits of human performance? Why can't we run 25 miles at the same speed we can sprint 40 yards? How do common diseases impact tolerance to physical activity? In exercise physiology we will discuss these questions and more, eventually uncovering principles that determine how our bodies respond to various forms of stress (like exercise). Through hands-on group experiments and collaborative projects in laboratory and lecture, we will also explore how scientists have come to these conclusions through the implementation of the scientific method in a research setting. Effective Fall 2019, this course fulfills a single unit in the following BU Hub areas: Scientific Inquiry II, Teamwork/Collaboration.
    • Scientific Inquiry II
    • Teamwork/Collaboration
  • SAR HS 343: Research Experience
    Conducting scientific research is often a multi-faceted experience involving not only the actual scientific experimentation, but also the reading and synthesizing of research, writing, oral presentation and other skills. The BU HUB curriculum is a means for establishing and requiring such experiences, therefore HUB units will be awarded to "Registered-in-research" students based on the level of research experience of the undergraduate. Thus, as a student progresses through additional semesters of research, new learning outcomes are achieved. Effective Fall 2021, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Creativity/Innovation, Teamwork/Collaboration.
    • Creativity/Innovation
    • Teamwork/Collaboration
  • SAR HS 345: Global Environmental Public Health
    Environmental health is associated with recognizing, assessing, understanding and controlling the impacts of people in their environment and the impacts of the environment on the public health. The complexity of the problems requires multidisciplinary approaches. This course will provide an introduction to the principles, methods, and issues related to global environmental health. This course examines health issues, scientific understanding of causes, and possible future approaches to control of the major environmental health problems internationally. Effective Fall 2020, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Ethical Reasoning, Global Citizenship and Intercultural Literacy.
    • Ethical Reasoning
    • Global Citizenship and Intercultural Literacy
  • SAR HS 346: Global Health Nutrition
    What we eat and our underlying nutritional status is inextricably linked to almost every major health outcome. Under-nutrition increases the risk of maternal and child mortality, death due to infectious diseases such as HIV/AIDS and malaria, and also has important consequences for child development, education and ultimately economic development. Over-nutrition is on the rise globally; the burden of obesity, diabetes and diet-related chronic diseases are beginning to overwhelm health systems in Low- and Middle-Income Countries. This course will provide a framework for understanding the relationship between nutrition and global health. Topics include: the epidemiology of nutrition-related risk factors for poor health worldwide; methods for measuring nutritional status in low-resource settings; interventions to improve nutrition globally; and evaluating the impact of nutrition-specific and nutrition-sensitive programs and policies.
  • SAR HS 348: Global Mental Health
    This course provides an overview of critical issues in mental health and mental illness worldwide from a public health perspective. Globally, mental and neurological conditions are the leading cause of disability, and the World Health Organization estimates depression to be the largest contributor to the global disease burden by 2030. The burden of mental disorders on low- and middle-income countries is especially great while a large treatment gap persists. The course covers the concept of mental health, conceptualization and classification of disorders, cultural context, social determinants, causes and consequences of mental health disorders, strategies for intervention, policy development and implementation, human rights, women's mental health and research priorities. Special attention will be paid to the unmet need for mental health care globally (using case studies), disparities in access and use of services, stigma and attitudes towards treatment seeking. Effective Fall 2021, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Global Citizenship and Intercultural Literacy, Social Inquiry II.
    • Global Citizenship and Intercultural Literacy
    • Social Inquiry II
  • SAR HS 349: Cultural Humility, Racial Justice, and Health
    This course is designed to provide students with the skills necessary to appreciate, interpret, and communicate across cultures in a globalized world. We will utilize class and small group conversation, literature, media, and individual writing assignments to understand, analyze, and discuss solutions to the health outcomes that are caused by structural violence, social injustices, and racial injustices.
  • SAR HS 362: Muscle Physiology
    This course will explore the physiology of skeletal, smooth, and cardiac muscle. We'll cover topics including: skeletal muscle and motor neuron structure, the mechanics of skeletal muscle contractions, motor unit recruitment, energetics related to muscular contraction, anatomical and physiological differences between the three muscle types, muscle development across the lifespan, and pathological conditions related to muscle.
  • SAR HS 369: Gross Human Anatomy
    Undergraduate Prerequisites: CAS BI105 & CAS BI106 or CAS BI107 & CAS BI108 and CAS BI211 or CAS BI 315. - Integrative approach to the musculoskeletal, peripheral nervous, and circulatory systems of the human body. Regional approach is used to present lectures with the use of projected drawings, films, slides, and demonstrations. Weekly labs reinforce the lectures by a study of osteology, dissected cadavers, and live anatomy palpations. Either semester.
  • SAR HS 370: Neuroanatomy and Neurophysiology
    Undergraduate Prerequisites: (CASBI211 OR CASBI315) SAR HS369 recommended. - Lecture and laboratory related to the detailed study of development, morphology, internal configuration, and functions, and pathological deficits of the peripheral and central nervous system in humans. Spring semester only.
  • SAR HS 371: Pulmonary Pathophysiology
    How do humans breathe? How harmful are e-cigarettes to our body? What are the differences between an obstructive vs. a restrictive pulmonary disease? In Pulmonary Pathophysiology we will discuss these questions and more, developing an understanding of the physiological mechanisms underlying the function of the pulmonary system in health and disease. Through group discussion, active learning activities, and the creation of short films in small groups, we will take an in-depth look into the current understanding of pulmonary pathophysiology. Effective Spring 2021, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Digital/Multimedia Expression, Creativity/Innovation.
    • Creativity/Innovation
    • Digital/Multimedia Expression
  • SAR HS 375: Cardiovascular Pathophysiology
    Undergraduate Prerequisites: (CASBI211 OR CASBI315) - Overview of anatomy and physiology of the cardiovascular systems during normal and pathological conditions. This course will also cover pathophysiology of exercise performance in cardiovascular diseases, as well as adaptations to physical conditioning.
  • SAR HS 384: Medical Nutrition Therapy I
    Undergraduate Prerequisites: (SARHS281) Limited to nutrition majors in the Dietetics Track. Cannot be taken fo r credit with SAR HS397. - This course covers the pathophysiology of disease as it relates to nutrition care, and the Medical Nutrition Therapy appropriate for the care and management of that disease. Nutrition screening, nutrition assessment and nutrition care plan formulation will be discussed for the person with cardiovascular disease, hypertension, diabetes, obesity and other medical conditions. Documentation and monitoring/evaluation of the nutrition care plan will be discussed as well as the translation of care to the patient's menu and therapeutic diet plan. 4 credits, 1st semester
  • SAR HS 385: Medical Nutrition Therapy II
    Undergraduate Prerequisites: (SARHS384) Course is limited to nutrition majors in the dietetics track. - This course is a continuation of SARHS384. This course focuses on medical nutrition therapy for various disease states, including gastrointestinal disease, kidney disease, cancer, AIDS, cystic fibrosis, and inborn errors of metabolism. This course also covers the metabolic response to trauma and critical illness and the importance of nutritional therapy in these states. The use of parenteral and enteral nutrition, intravenous catheters, and feeding tubes will be covered. Diet and drug interactions and nutritional genomics also will be discussed. Students will use case studies to learn to apply their knowledge of nutrition care to the treatment of patients with various diseases. 4 credits, 2nd semester
  • SAR HS 395: Food, Supplements, and Consumer Health
    Undergraduate Prerequisites: (SARHS201 OR SARHS251) - Students will conduct a detailed "aisle by aisle" review of foods available in today's marketplace with special attention to functional foods, foods for special dietary use, and foods modified through technology. Students will gain an understanding of the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act and become familiar with methods for evaluating dietary supplements with regard to product quality, safety and effectiveness. The influence of nutrition marketing on consumer purchasing patterns will be explored. Students will apply the knowledge and skills gained throughout the course by comparing the nutrient content of specific foods and dietary supplements to the nutrient needs of consumers according to the Dietary Reference Intakes.
  • SAR HS 397: Nutrition and Chronic Disease
    Undergraduate Prerequisites: (SARHS201 OR SARHS251) Cannot be taken for credit with SAR HS384/584. - In this course, students will examine relationships between nutrition/diet and chronic disease in adults on a group and/or population-level. The roles of nutrients, foods, and dietary patterns in the promotion, prevention and treatment of several chronic diseases within groups and populations will be explored. In addition, students will gain exposure to the fundamental principles of nutrition risk assessment for groups and/or populations. Chronic disease states to be discussed include but are not limited to cardiovascular disease, stroke, cancer, obesity, diabetes, and osteoporosis.
  • SAR HS 400: Gender and Healthcare
    This course focuses on strengthening students' knowledge, skills, and ability to construct a critical appraisal of all the determinants, distribution, causes, mechanisms, systems, and consequences of health inequities related to gender including how gender influences and is influenced by healthcare systems. Effective Summer 2020, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: The Individual in Community, Research and Information Literacy.
    • The Individual in Community
    • Research and Information Literacy
  • SAR HS 405: Health Science Practicum
    Undergraduate Prerequisites: Senior standing - Practical experience in health care setting (health policy, administrative, constituent advocacy) in hospital, clinic, public health setting, government or non-governmental health agency setting. 2 or 4 credits.