380.755.81
Population Dynamics and Public Health
Location
Internet
Term
1st Term
Department
Population, Family and Reproductive Health
Credit(s)
2
Academic Year
2023 - 2024
Instruction Method
Asynchronous Online with Some Synchronous Online
Auditors Allowed
No
Available to Undergraduate
Yes
Grading Restriction
Letter Grade or Pass/Fail
Course Instructor(s)
Contact Name
Frequency Schedule
Every Year
Resources
Prerequisite
None
“Protecting Health, Saving Lives – Millions at a Time” The BSPH motto reflects a defining feature of public health – a focus on the health of populations, rather than individuals. An understanding of population dynamics, the processes by which populations change, is thus an essential foundation for public health. This course is designed to introduce MPH students to population dynamics, current patterns & trends in global populations, and population data and indicators. This knowledge provides a critical backdrop for students' subsequent coursework and, more importantly, for their future work protecting health and saving lives, millions at a time.
Provides an introduction to population dynamics, the processes by which populations change, as a foundation for understanding population health. Demonstrates how births, deaths, and migrations determine the size, growth, age-sex structure, and geographic location of populations. Reviews the proximate and indirect causes of population change. Covers the calculation and interpretation of basic measures used to describe population dynamics and the major sources of demographic data.
Learning Objectives
Upon successfully completing this course, students will be able to:
- Explain the concept of a population, the meaning of population dynamics, and the components of population change
- Calculate and interpret indicators used to describe populations and measure population dynamics
- Explain how population composition affects demographic rates and other population measures
- Describe global and nation-specific trends in population size, age-sex structure, and geographic distribution
- Describe the proximate determinants of fertility and how they explain global patterns and trends in fertility
- Describe patterns and trends in international migration and the challenges of collecting data about migration
- Explain how changes in fertility, mortality, and migration determine population growth and age-sex structure
- Use population projections to project a population's future health and health needs
Methods of Assessment
This course is evaluated as follows:
- 72% Quizzes
- 28% Final Exam
Enrollment Restriction
None