380.755.01
Population Dynamics and Public Health

Location
East Baltimore
Term
Summer Term
Department
Population, Family and Reproductive Health
Credit(s)
2
Academic Year
2024 - 2025
Instruction Method
In-person
Class Time(s)
All students will meet on the first Thursday of the term from 1:30-3:20. In weeks 2-7, students will meet on Thursday in their assigned lab sections. Sections 1-3 meet from 1:30 to 3:00 PM; Sections 4-6 meet from 3:30 to 5:00 PM
Thursday, 1:30 - 3:20pm
Lab Times
Thursday, 1:30 - 3:00pm (01)
Thursday, 1:30 - 3:00pm (02)
Thursday, 1:30 - 3:00pm (03)
Thursday, 3:30 - 5:00pm (04)
Thursday, 3:30 - 5:00pm (05)
Auditors Allowed
No
Available to Undergraduate
No
Grading Restriction
Letter Grade or Pass/Fail
Course Instructor(s)
Mary Elizabeth Hughes
Carolina Cardona Cabrera
Contact Name
Mary Elizabeth Hughes
Frequency Schedule
Every Year
Prerequisite

None

Description
“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:
  1. Explain the concept of a population, the meaning of population dynamics, and the components of population change
  2. Calculate and interpret indicators used to describe populations and measure population dynamics
  3. Explain how population composition affects demographic rates and other population measures
  4. Describe global and nation-specific trends in population size, age-sex structure, and geographic distribution
  5. Describe the proximate determinants of fertility and how they explain global patterns and trends in fertility
  6. Describe patterns and trends in international migration and the challenges of collecting data about migration
  7. Explain how changes in fertility, mortality, and migration determine population growth and age-sex structure
  8. Use population projections to project a population's future health and health needs
Methods of Assessment
This course is evaluated as follows:
  • 65% Quizzes
  • 35% Final Exam
Enrollment Restriction
Full-time MPH Students Only
Instructor Consent
No consent required
Special Comments

All students meet together on the first Thursday of the term from 1:30-3:20. In weeks 2-7, students will meet on Thursday in their assigned lab sections. Sections 1-3 meet from 1:30 to 3:00 PM; Sections 4-6 meet from 3:30 to 5:00 PM.