Health Communication 73
GENV 643 Principles of Environmental Science and Engineering 3 credits Prerequisites: graduate standing. This course applies the basic principles of physics, chemistry, and biology as tools to understand and describe environmental systems and to solve environmental problems using quantitative methods. The course focuses on intra- and intersystem transport processes and transformation phenomena within and/or among hydrosphere (lakes and streams), lithosphere (soil), atmosphere, and biosphere. Topics covered will include basic concepts and mechanisms of the behavior of natural particles, transport in porous media, mass balance models, reactor models, interfacial mass transfer (gas/ liquid), biological principles governing ecosystems, chemical thermodynamics, kinetics of chemical reactions, and redox reactions Offered: Spring semester GENV 645 Human Health Risk Assessment 3 credits This course will cover the principles and application of risk assessment to determine the risk of human health effects from environmental hazards. Methods for evaluating potential environmental exposures will be examined coupled with the principles and concepts of toxicology as covered in GENV 542. Specific topics to be covered include the application of various risk assessment paradigms; the EPA risk assessment guidelines; and the use of risk assessment in environmental/occupational standard setting. Offered: varies GENV 656 Air Quality Modeling and Measurement 3 credits Prerequisites: GENV 643 Air quality modeling and measurement of point, line and area sources. Considerations of micro-meteorological and transport mechanisms in order to assess impact of proposed air pollution sources. Use of the computer simulation models for pollution impact prediction. Use of model calibration and validation procedures with measured ambient air quality levels and stack emissions. Offered: varies GENV 680 Graduate Environmental Internship 1-4 credits GENV 692-693 Special Topics 1-3 credits GENV 694 Graduate Thesis 6-9 credits GENV 695 Research Paper or Project 3 credits
Health Communication Director: Brent C. Sleasman, Ph.D.
INTRODUCTION The Master of Arts in Health Communication prepares students for careers in professional communication settings such as communitybased agencies, hospitals, nonprofit organizations and government. The curriculum combines a theoretical foundation with a focus on the public sphere and advanced healthcare topics. With the increased focus on healthcare in the United States, health communication employment is expected to grow by 21% through 2022 with the number of jobs exceeding 21,400*. *Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2014-15 Edition, Health Educators and Community Health Workers, on the Internet at http://www.bls.gov/ ooh/community-and-social-service/health-educators.htm
WHAT YOU WILL LEARN
At the completion of this 30-credit program students will be able to: 1. Understand the cultural and political issues impacting the study of human communication, with specific focus on health communication. 2. Understand the dynamic nature of interpersonal communication, with specific focus on the patient-provider relationship. 3. Apply theoretical principles of human communication theory and communication ethics in interpersonal, small group, team, and organizational contexts, with specific focus on health communication contexts. 4. Analyze the role that ethical persuasion plays within the marketplace, specifically within the area of health communication. 5. Evaluate existing research in order to examine a contemporary issue within the field of human communication, with specific focus on issues found within the study of health communication. 6. Critique existing professional practices and academic research to improve interaction between persons of varying religious, professional, and socio-economic backgrounds, specifically those exchanges within a health communication context.
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
Applicants interested in the Master of Arts in Health Communication must hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university. The undergraduate degree does not have to be in a communication-related field, but applicants are required to demonstrate a basic understanding and awareness of communication.