Exploratory Courses

If you’re considering a career in direct patient care, consider Biology and/or Chemistry depending on your placement in those courses.

Visit our Pre-Health Advising page on Coursework for more on program prerequisites.

If you’re considering a career in health, but not sure exactly what or where, consider Health Studies or Health Elective courses.

EPI 360/G H 360 – Exploring the HIV/AIDS Pandemic

Who gets HIV and how?  How can HIV infection be prevented?  How is HIV/AIDS treated?  What can be done to end the epidemic?  In this course, you will:

• Explore the historical, public health, clinical, and social aspects of HIV infection.
• Examine the epidemiology of the US and global HIV/AIDS epidemic.
• Lay the foundation for pursuing a degree and career in public health, epidemiology, global health, infectious diseases, health/medicine, or social justice/advocacy.

No prerequisites.  All majors are encouraged to enroll.  This is a great course for students preparing for careers in a health related field.  A basic understanding of biology is recommended, but not required.  Areas of Knowledge: I&S, NW, & QSR.

EPI 360A SLN = 14362 (or G H 360A SLN = 14797); 5 credits; Lecture meets: MW 3:30-4:50pm; Quiz meets: F, 9:30-10:20am or 2:30-3:20pm; Instructor: Arjee Restar (restar@uw.edu)

Additional details about the course can be found here.  Direct questions to epcourse@uw.edu.

Cross-campus enrollment at UW Seattle required.

EPI 330 – Analyzing Epidemiologic Data: Basic Methods

Have you ever wondered HOW epidemiologists actually conduct their analyses?  Do we really do everything as a 2×2 table on paper?  In this course, you will:                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   

• Learn to apply epidemiologic concepts to real data using basic epidemiologic analysis methods
• Gain hands-on experience with statistical software
• Learn the basics in data management techniques
• Conduct an epidemiologic analysis from start to finish

Prerequisites: EPI 320 and any introductory biostatistics or statistics course or AP statistics (grade of 3.0 or above).  Areas of Knowledge: I&S, QSR

SLN = 14361; 4 credits; Lecture meets: T/Th 2:30-4:20 p.m.; Instructor: Simon Sandh (ss11641@uw.edu)

Additional details about the course can be found here.  Direct questions to epcourse@uw.edu.

Cross-campus enrollment at UW Seattle required.

ENV H 405 Toxics and Human Health
Prerequisite: a minimum grade of 2.0 in BIOL 220; and a minimum grade of 2.0 in either CHEM 220, CHEM 224, CHEM 238, or CHEM 336. 
 
In ENV H 405, you’ll explore the intricate world of toxicology, gaining a deep understanding of how chemicals impact human and environmental health. From fundamental principles like dose-response relationships to pressing topics such as cancer, birth defects, and occupational hazards, you’ll explore the real-world implications of toxic exposure. Through engaging lectures and assignments, you’ll equip yourself with the knowledge and tools to advocate for a healthier future for all. This course is open to students in all majors, and is one of the core requirements for the Environmental Public Health major. 

Cross-campus enrollment at UW Seattle required.

ENV H 490 A / 590 B Special Topics

Data for Action: Data Science in Public Health

Taught by Edmund Seto

This course will cover emerging topics and provide hands-on skills in Data Science, with an emphasis on Public Health data applications. Students will be taught to think critically about hypothesis generation, study design and data collection and analysis in the context of Big Data in Public Health. 

The course will explore common Data Science methods which include 

• (1) data cleaning and data feature design and selection, 
• (2) data dimensionality reduction, 
• (3) data visualization approaches, 
• (4) machine learning and Artificial Intelligence, and 
• (5) computational strategies for working efficiently with large dataset. 

The exploration of these methods will be complemented with training in analytical transparency and reproducibility, developing basic proficiency in R programming, and learning good practices for data processing, management, and data/code versioning and sharing. The course will cover important organizational concepts of data structures, “tidy data” and data documentation. Also, data privacy and data ethics will be discussed in this course. The course will also cover topics related to science communication and dissemination and translation of data science findings to public health action.

Cross-campus enrollment at UW Seattle required.

General Studies 297, Undergraduate Seminar, Section G (SLN 14856)

Tuesdays from 10:30-11:20 in BAG 331A

Be REAL (REsilient Attitudes & Living) is an evidence based  mental health and well-being program developed right here at the University of Washington by the Center for Child and Family Well-Being.  Be REAL is a mindfulness based emotion-coping program for college students which aims to build resilience in four areas:

• Reducing Stress
• Navigating Challenging Situations
• Managing Emotions
• Strengthening Compassion

Feel free to check out the Be REAL website to learn more

• PHG 303 – Direct-to-Consumer Genetic Testing: Uses and Issues
  • T/Th 11:30am-12:50pm; Friday Quiz sections. By the end of this year, more than 100 million people will have taken genetic tests without ever consulting a doctor. Family secrets are exposed, anonymity in adoption and gamete donation is destroyed, decades-old cold cases are solved, disease risks are found, racial identities are shaken, reproductive decisions are altered…and a lot of dodgy supplements are sold. This 5 credit course covers the current state of the direct-to-consumer genetic testing market with lectures, debates and case studies. No prerequisites, some prior exposure to basic genetics is helpful, but not required.
• PHG 511 – Genetic Epidemiology
  • M/W 11:30am-12:50pm. This course focuses on the fundamental research methods and applications in the dynamic field of genetic epidemiology. By the end of the course, students will be familiar with key genetic concepts, be able to describe current genomic technologies used in genetic epidemiology, understand various study designs in genetic epidemiology and have some experience using relevant software and web-based data resources.
• PHG 536 – Bioinformatics and Gene Sequence Analysis
  • M/W 10:00am-11:20am. This class will introduce students to a set of bioinformatics tools they can use to further their future research. We will introduce the basics of python, and common python libraries for data handling, analysis, and presentation. We will then focus on tools for analyzing RNAseq data and various ways of describing data using networks. The last classes will cover bioinformatics approaches to dealing with the added complexity of proteins. We will wrap up the class with a self-guided project, where students use the tools from this class to solve a *reasonable* problem of interest to them or their lab. Students need to bring laptops with them to every class.

Urban Health and Wellbeing

URBAN 498 E, 5 credits

Lectures Mon & Wed, 3:30 – 4:50pm, Location: PAA A118

Discussion sections Friday, 1:30 – 2:50pm or 3:00 – 4:20pm

Instructor: Helen Pineo, hspineo@uw.edu

Short description: Examines the complex ways that cities affect health and wellbeing. Challenges traditional biomedical models of health, focusing instead on structures, systems and policies that create inequitable access to healthy environments. In simple terms, where we live has a much bigger physical and mental impact than most people think. Students will gain insights to promote health in a broad range of non-health fields. Covers local and global examples to expand thinking about approaches for improving physical and mental health in cities.

May interest undergraduate and graduate students in the following fields: Built environment, public health, environmental health, global health, social work, political science, anthropology, gender studies, international studies, psychology, civil and environmental engineering, Science, Technology and Society Studies, public policy, health services, and others. 

Prerequisites: None. 

Learning objectives:

• Develop an understanding of diverse models of health and wellbeing and the major influences of urban environments and policies.
• Explore historical and present urban development models, with critical evaluation of whose health and wellbeing is supported or disadvantaged across such models.
• Examine urban policies that support the social and environmental determinants of health and wellbeing across multiple sectors, with international examples. 
• Develop skills and knowledge to evaluate the potential health and wellbeing impacts of urban policy and the ability to effectively communicate policy approaches to non-health audiences.

Cross-campus enrollment at UW Seattle required.

• The Science of Drugs – MEDCH 327/PHRMSC 312 – 3 credits NSc MWF 1:30 – 2:20 PM ; This is an undergraduate course that will introduce students to medicinal chemistry and pharmaceutical sciences. Instructor: Dr. Libin Xu with other faculty members from Medicinal Chemistry 
• Drug Discovery, Development and Beyond: Careers and Controversies PCEUT 201 – 3 credits NSc MWF 2:30 – 3:20 PM ; Introduces students to drug development from discovery to drug approval with an emphasis on careers and the scientific and ethical issues at each stage. Instructors: Dr. Yvonne Lin, Dr. Ed Kelly, and Dr. Joanne Wang 
• Principles of Pharmacology – PHARM 401 – 2 credits NSc Tuesdays 2:30 – 4:20 PM ; Students will learn basic principles of how drugs work in the body, therapeutic classes of medications, aspects of medication preparation, formulation, and dosage calculations plus emerging trends in pharmaceutical discovery. Instructor: Dr. Michelle Guignet 
• Drugs, Diseases & the Quest for Better Health Outcomes – PHRMSC 311/PHARM 311 – 3 credits NSc (Previously PHARM 301) MWF 3:30 – 4:20 PM ; Learn how medications produce their effects, are developed, reach the market, and the landscape of pharmacy practice in the U.S. Designed for students in careers in pharmaceutical sciences, health care practice & management, especially in pharmacy. Instructors: Dr. H Steve White,Dr. Karan Dawson, Jessica Shattuck (TA)

Hserv 490/590 Indigenous Determinants of Health is a new 2 credit course for undergrads and graduate students on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 230 to 320 pm.  The course is led by Dr. Derek Jennings, Dr Christina Ore and Dr Maya Magarati.  The purpose of this course is to share the breadth, depth, and diversity of American Indian and Alaska Native and other Indigenous peoples’ health and the health systems that serve them along the resilience continuum (survival to thrivance).  The topics covered will center determinants of health and wellness within tribal nations and Indigenous communities.

Hserv 473/573 Topics in Indigenous Health is a 2 or 3 credit course also for undergraduates and graduate students on Wednesdays from 3 to 520 pm. The 3 credit option includes volunteering in an indigenous serving organization or event for 20 hours over the course of the quarter.  Topics include Indigenous health frameworks, strengths-based perspectives centered in Native communities, and federal health policy pertaining to American Indians and Alaska Natives.  This course is team taught by Dr. Myra Parker, Dr Christina Ore and Dr Victoria Gardner.

Visit the Community Engaged Learning & Research website for information on these courses.

If you’re considering a career in direct patient care, consider Biology and/or Chemistry depending on your placement in those courses.

Visit our Pre-Health Advising page on Coursework for more on program prerequisites.

If you’re considering a career in health, but not sure exactly what or where, consider Health Studies or Health Elective courses.

Visit the Community Engaged Learning & Research website for information on these courses.