Public Health
Apply NowPublic Health at Skyline College
Our Public Health program equips Skyline College students with the knowledge, skills and modes of critical inquiry necessary to fulfill a lifetime of optimal health and wellbeing for themselves, their families, and their communities.
Future careers could be in nonprofit, government, community, medical, or education settings. Public Health professionals can contribute to advocacy, education, research, and policy in a variety of fields.
Career Outlook
Courses in Public Health and Health Science prepare students for careers and advanced coursework in healthcare, allied health and public health as well as providing the skyline community with foundational instruction in personal and community health. Students will be able to establish critical frameworks for interrogating and understanding factors influencing personal, community and environmental health.
Courses in Public Health can build toward a degree that can support a wide variety of careers both within healthcare and the sciences.
The State of California Employment Development Department provides an online Occupational Guide that provides helpful job descriptions, job outlooks and wages, and qualification requirements for a wide variety of careers. Use this guide to find more information about a career that may interest you.
Looking for a list of classes offered this semester?
Check out the current class schedule.All Courses
HSCI 100 Foundations of Community Health and Wellness (3 units)
A broad and comprehensive survey of factors that influence individual and community health. Examines the interaction between personal health choices & behaviors, social determinants of health and environmental influences in community and personal health. Topics include chronic diseases and prevention, health disparities, mental health, substance use/abuse, stress management, sexuality, sexual health, relationships, nutrition, exercise, weight management, body image, healthcare systems & services, alternative medicine, grief & loss, and environmental health.
HSCI 122 Health and Social Justice (3 units)
An introduction to the health inequities in the United States that stem from unequal living conditions. Students will explore how education, socioeconomic status, racism, and gender shape health epidemics and policy development. Fundamental theories to advocate for health and social justice will be explored, and community organizing approaches will be analyzed.
HSCI 135 Introduction to Public Health (3 units)
Provides an introduction to the disciplines of Community and Public Health. Students will gain an understanding of the basic concepts, advocacy/movements, accomplishments and functions of public health. Topics include the epidemiology of infectious and chronic disease; study, prevention and control of diseases in the community; social determinants of health; health equity and disparities; community organizing and health promotion; environmental health and safety; global health; and healthcare policy and management in the United States.
HSCI 180 Gateway to Health Careers (3 units)
Introduction of skills, attributes and basic knowledge required for entry into various health care professions. Includes basic assessment, CPR, and math calculations used in health care. Emphasis on providing a foundation for future health career classes.
HSCI 484 Medical Terminology (3 units)
Designed to give students a basic background in medical terminology as used by medical transcriptionists, court reporters, law related occupations, and allied health occupations. The prefixes, roots, and suffixes of commonly used medical words are presented. Proper names of anatomical structures and their relationship to each other are covered by body system.
Upon completion of the program, students will be able to:
- Identify factors influencing human health including factors related to public policy, socioeconomics, and the environment that contribute to health disparities and leading causes of morbidity and mortality.
- Develop strategies for initiating and/or maintaining activities that promote health through individual behavior, civic/community engagement, and/or environmental stewardship
- Perform the duties expected of specific roles in the health care workforce with proficiency commensurate with training.
- Critically evaluate popular and scientific literature and other media for its significance and impact on individual and public health.
Location: Building 7
Email: ranades@smccd.edu
Primary Contact
Department Faculty
