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SMS Core for students in the Heilbrunn Department of Population and Family Health
At times, students in the Heilbrunn Department of Population and Family Health arrive with substantial academic background related to Sociomedical sciences (e.g. three or more full-semester courses in anthropology or sociology; or one full-semester course in public health or global health that clearly address the social and behavioral theories, concepts, and models used in public health practice). For those students, the Department offers the option to substitute P6503 (Introduction to Health Economics) or P6508 (Health Policy and the Political System) for P6700.
During fall semesters, no Sociomedical Science (SMS) core course substitutions are available to students in HDPFH. During the spring terms, the SMS core course is not offered, but the substitute course(s) are available for open enrollment across the School.
If you wish to substitute P6503 or P6508 for Introduction to Sociomedical Sciences, please send your request to Robin Mangini rfm2117@columbia.edu. In it, annotate the prior related coursework in which you earned a grade of B+ or better, and describe your background as it relates to Sociomedical sciences. Also, explain how the substitute course that you are requesting aligns with your academic objectives. Requests are approved by faculty.
HDPFH students in the 2010 cohort must submit requests by June 30, 2011 at 5 PM (to ensure time for review prior to preregistration).
HDPFH students in the 2011 cohort must submit requests by September 13, 2011, at 5 PM (to ensure time for review prior to the end of the add/drop period).
The Department of Sociomedical Sciences has designed its core course (P6700) to address all of the Association of Schools of Public Health’s discipline-specific competencies for the social and behavioral sciences. These competencies provide the basis for the questions on the National Board of Public Health Examiners (NBPHE) Certification in Public Health exam. In general, the theoretical and conceptual knowledge obtained in Introduction to SMS is a core element of public health professional education, and the vast majority of HDPFH students take this course.
