This course introduces basic concepts of wellness including ways of achieving optimum health. Topics will include stress management; psychosocial health; components of physical fitness; nutrition; weight management; relationships and sexual health; cancer, diabetes, and heart disease; substance abuse and addictive behavior; infectious diseases, including sexually transmitted infections; preventing violence and abuse; and environmental health.

This course introduces basic concepts of wellness, including ways of achieving optimum health. Topics will include history of women's healthcare; concepts of health and wellness; stress management; psychosocial health; physical fitness; nutrition; weight management; relationships and sexual health; reproduction; cancer, diabetes and heart disease; substance abuse and addictive behavior; infectious diseases, including sexually transmitted infections; preventing violence against women; occupational health; consumerism; spirituality; and environmental health.

This course is a study of the human body's adaptation to exercise and the role of nutrition in health, athletic performance, and disease prevention. Topics will include: current principles and concepts related to body composition; cardiovascular adaptations to exercise; theory of flexibility, muscle strength and endurance training; nutrition for health and athletic performance, diet analysis, weight management; eating disorders; stress; and, prevention of diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

This course introduces basic concepts of wellness for men, including ways for men to achieve optimum health and reduce the longevity gap that exists between men and women in the United States. Topics will include concepts of health; the seven dimensions of wellness; stress management; psychosocial health; physical fitness; nutrition; weight management; relationships and sexual health; reproduction; cancer, diabetes and heart disease; substance abuse and addictive behavior; infectious diseases, including sexually transmitted infections; preventing violence; and environmental health.

This course provides an introduction to the discipline of public health. Students will gain an understanding of the basic concepts, terminologies, and history of public health. An overview of the functions of various public health professions and institutions, and an in-depth examination of the core public health disciplines is covered. Topics include epidemiology of infectious and chronic disease; prevention and control of diseases in the community including the analysis of the social determinants of health and strategies for eliminating disease, illness and health disparities among various populations; community organizing and health promotion programming; environmental health and safety; global health; and healthcare policy and management.

This course provides an introduction to the health inequities in the United States which stem from unequal living conditions. Students will explore how education, socioeconomic status, racism, and gender shape health epidemics and policy development. The basic skills necessary for advocating for health and social justice will be theoretically demonstrated.

This course provides an overview of the epidemiology and toxicology of substance abuse and its relevance to personal and public health. Students will be introduced to the concept of substance abuse and dependence, the definition of licit and illicit drugs, and the pharmacologic, neurologic, and physiologic effects of selected substances on the human brain. Political, social, and economic factors involved in the supply and demand for drugs will be discussed. Epidemiologic data on the prevalence, incidence, and trends of smoking, alcohol, prescription, and other drug dependencies in the U.S. will be covered, as well as risk factors associated with the use and abuse of these substances. Current options for recovery and a survey of local resources will be reviewed.

This is an introductory course covering the principles of nutrition and food preparation. Topics include food science principles, terminology, weights and measures, food techniques, ingredient functions and interactions, sanitation, safety, equipment, storage standards, menu planning, nutrient composition, and retention.

This course will allow students to explore, in depth, the impact of the spiritual dimension of health within their own individual state of wellness, and to explore different ways to build a spiritual life. Topics include the difference between spirituality and religiosity; spiritual practices throughout the world; breath work; exploring the soul and the spirit; shadow work; components of spiritual health; review of current mind-body research; self-directed neuroplasticity; connecting; building and strengthening one's spiritual life; opening one's heart; meditation; contemplation; mindfulness; imagery; and the dying process and grief. Students will practice techniques in mindfulness, visual imagery, breath work, and meditation.

This course introduces students to various alternative medicine modalities and health practices. Topics include: history of medicine, Reiki, Traditional Chinese Medicine, herbal medicine, hypnosis, nutrition therapy, chiropractic, massage therapy, bio-feedback, homeopathy, ayuredic medicine, detoxification, naturopathy, body/mind healing and bio-energy. Students will learn to analyze and evaluate the efficacy of the alternative medicine practices and discuss how they can be integrated with allopathic medicine.

Students will explore and examine global, cultural, ecological, scientific, spiritual, and historical influences and practices of health and healing. A comparison of holistic traditions and therapeutic modalities will be analyzed and discussed. Topics will include: healing philosophies; homeopathic and allopathic approaches; healing sources and systems; and the power of intention. Holistic healing processes involving the interconnectedness of mind, body, and spirit and the dimensions of health will be emphasized.

This course introduces the student to the physiology of the stress response and the return to homeostasis. Topics include the symptoms of stress overload and burnout; psychoneuroimmunology, technostress, the effects of stress on the cardiovascular, immune, and digestive systems; and the effects of chronic stress on a person's psychological health, including problems of sleep, concentration, aging, and memory. Coping strategies, including downshifting, time management, assertiveness techniques, communication skills, overcoming procrastination, accessing campus and community support resource agencies, and developing a social support system and a code of ethics will be introduced. Stress reduction techniques, including breathing exercises, mind-body movement techniques, music therapy, visual imagery, physical activity, autogenics, mindfulness, progressive muscle relaxation, the relaxation response, and meditation will be explored.

Human nutrition will be studied through a critical examination of the principles of nutrition science as they relate to health. Topics will include health and food choices, nutrient needs and dietary analysis, energy nutrients and energy balance, vitamins, minerals, sports nutrition, supplements, food safety, diet and disease, fad diets, genetically modified foods, and global nutrition.

This course offers specialized study opportunities for students who wish to pursue projects not included in the regular curriculum. Students are accepted only by a written project proposal approved by the discipline prior to enrollment.