Department of Sociology
Certificate in Social Research in Health and Medicine
Students on Summer 2018, Fall 2018, or Spring 2019 requirements SOCRHMACRT
Requirements
The certificate requires at least 24 credit hours, including the requirements listed below.
- Basic Social Science. Two (2) courses:
- SOC-S 100 Introduction to Sociology
- SOC-S 101 Social Problems and Policies (Approved topics: "MED IN AMERICA:GENES-G CULTURE" (TPC 13); "MEDICINE IN AMERICA - SOCIAL PROBLEMS AND POLICIES" (TPC 23); "MEDICINE IN AMERICA: PHYSICIANS/PATIENTS-PROBLEMS" (TPC 4))
- ANTH-E 260 Culture, Health, and Illness
- PSY-P 101 Introductory Psychology I
SOC-S 100 Introduction to Sociology
- Credits
- 3
- Prerequisites
- None
- Description
- Introduction to the concepts and methods of sociology with an emphasis on understanding of contemporary American society.
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SOC-S 101 Social Problems and Policies
- Credits
- 3
- Prerequisites
- None
- Description
- Introduces sociology through in-depth study of a major social problem; examines research on the problem; and explores alternative policies. Problems treated vary by section. Examples include the environment; women, men, and work; medicine in America; the sociology of sport; alcohol and drug use.
- Repeatability
- May be repeated with different topics for a maximum of 15 credit hours. May be counted only once in the major toward departmental requirements.
- Summer 2025CASE SHcourseSpring 2025CASE SHcourseFall 2024CASE SHcourse
ANTH-E 260 Culture, Health, and Illness
- Credits
- 3
- Prerequisites
- None
- Description
- Across the world, ideas about and experiences of health, "disease," and medicine are profoundly shaped by culture. Introduction to cross-cultural approaches to understanding health and illness, covering topics such as ethnomedicine, ritual healing, gender and health, and international development and global health.
- Summer 2025CASE SHcourseSpring 2025CASE SHcourseFall 2024CASE SHcourse
PSY-P 101 Introductory Psychology I
- Credits
- 3
- Prerequisites
- None
- Description
- Introduction to psychology; its methods, data, and theoretical interpretations in areas of learning, sensory psychology, and psychophysiology.
- Repeatability
- Credit given for only one of PSY-P 101, PSY-B 105, PSY-P 106, PSY-P 151, or PSY-P 155.
- Summer 2025CASE NMcourseSpring 2025CASE NMcourseFall 2024CASE NMcourse
- Research Methods in Sociology. One (1) course:
- SOC-S 370 Research Methods in Sociology
SOC-S 370 Research Methods in Sociology
- Credits
- 3
- Prerequisites
- None
- Description
- The logic of scientific work in sociology; theory construction; major research designs, including experiments, sample surveys, and ethnographic field studies. Methods of sampling; measurement of variables; and descriptive statistics. Commonly used rates and indices in social research; using software to produce graphical displays and descriptive statistics.
- Summer 2025CASE SHcourseSpring 2025CASE SHcourseFall 2024CASE SHcourse
- Statistics. One (1) course:
- SOC-S 110 Charts, Graphs, and Tables
- SOC-S 371 Statistics in Sociology
- ECON-E 370 Statistical Analysis for Business and Economics
- ECON-S 370 Statistical Analysis for Business and Economics: Honors
- PSY-K 300 Statistical Techniques
- STAT-K 310 Statistical Techniques
SOC-S 110 Charts, Graphs, and Tables
- Credits
- 3
- Prerequisites
- None
- Description
- Develops students' skills as consumers and producers of charts, graphs, and tables. Students learn to use data to depict social trends; assess political programs; and test social science theories. Students learn how to find, read, interpret, and evaluate graphical information, and how to present results in engaging formats.
- Summer 2025CASE NMcourseSpring 2025CASE NMcourseFall 2024CASE NMcourse
SOC-S 371 Statistics in Sociology
- Credits
- 3
- Prerequisites
- None
- Description
- Introduces the logic of statistical inference. Students will learn how to use sample data to reach conclusions about a population of interest by calculating confidence intervals and significance tests. Estimating the effects of multiple independent variables using cross-tabulations and/or regression.
- Repeatability
- Credit given for only one of ANTH-A 306, CJUS-K 300, ECON-E 370, ECON-S 370, MATH-K 300, MATH-K 310, POLS-Y 395, PSY-K 300, PSY-K 310, SOC-S 371, SPEA-K 300, SPH-Q 381, STAT-K 310, STAT-S 300, STAT-S 301, or STAT-S 303.
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ECON-E 370 Statistical Analysis for Business and Economics
- Credits
- 3
- Prerequisites
- MATH-M 118, MATH-S 118, or MATH-V 118
- Notes
- R: ECON-E 252 or ECON-B 252 and MATH-M 119
- Description
- Lectures emphasize the use of basic probability concepts and statistical theory in the estimation and testing of single parameter and multivariate relationships. In computer labs, using Microsoft Excel, each student calculates descriptive statistics, probabilities, and least squares regression coefficients in situations based on current business and economic events.
- Repeatability
- Credit given for only one of ANTH-A 306, CJUS-K 300, ECON-E 370, ECON-S 370, MATH-K 300, MATH-K 310, POLS-Y 395, PSY-K 300, PSY-K 310, SOC-S 371, SPEA-K 300, SPH-Q 381, STAT-K 310, STAT-S 300, STAT-S 301, or STAT-S 303.
- Summer 2025CASE NMcourseSpring 2025CASE NMcourseFall 2024CASE NMcourse
ECON-S 370 Statistical Analysis for Business and Economics: Honors
- Credits
- 3
- Prerequisites
- MATH-M 118, MATH-S 118, or MATH-V 118; and Hutton Honors student
- Notes
- R: MATH-M 119 and ECON-E 252 or ECON-B 252
- Description
- Honors course. Designed for students of superior ability. Covers same core material as ECON-E 370.
- Repeatability
- Credit given for only one of ANTH-A 306, CJUS-K 300, ECON-E 370, ECON-S 370, MATH-K 300, MATH-K 310, POLS-Y 395, PSY-K 300, PSY-K 310, SOC-S 371, SPEA-K 300, SPH-Q 381, STAT-K 310, STAT-S 300, STAT-S 301, or STAT-S 303.
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PSY-K 300 Statistical Techniques
- Credits
- 3
- Prerequisites
- One of MATH-M 106, MATH-M 118, MATH-M 119, MATH-M 211, MATH-M 212, MATH-S 211, MATH-S 212, MATH-V 118, or, MATH-V 119
- Description
- Introduction to statistics; nature of statistical data; ordering and manipulation of data; measures of central tendency and dispersion; elementary probability. Concepts of statistical inference and decision: estimation and hypothesis testing. Special topics include regression and correlation, analysis of variance, non-parametric methods.
- Repeatability
- Credit given for only one of ANTH-A 306, CJUS-K 300, ECON-E 370, ECON-S 370, MATH-K 300, MATH-K 310, POLS-Y 395, PSY-K 300, PSY-K 310, SOC-S 371, SPEA-K 300, SPH-Q 381, STAT-K 310, STAT-S 300, STAT-S 301, or STAT-S 303.
- Summer 2025CASE NMcourseSpring 2025CASE NMcourseFall 2024CASE NMcourse
STAT-K 310 Statistical Techniques
- Credits
- 3
- Prerequisites
- MATH-M 119 or equivalent
- Description
- Introduction to probability and statistics. Elementary probability theory, conditional probability, independence, random variables, discrete and continuous probability distributions, measures of central tendency and dispersion. Concepts of statistical inference and decision: estimation, hypothesis testing, Bayesian inference, statistical decision theory. Special topics discussed may include regression and correlation, time series, analysis of variance, nonparametric methods.
- Repeatability
- Credit given for only one of ANTH-A 306, CJUS-K 300, ECON-E 370, ECON-S 370, MATH-K 300, MATH-K 310, POLS-Y 395, PSY-K 300, PSY-K 310, SOC-S 371, SPEA-K 300, SPH-Q 381, STAT-K 310, STAT-S 300, STAT-S 301, or STAT-S 303.
- Summer 2025CASE NMcourseSpring 2025CASE NMcourseFall 2024CASE NMcourse
- Advanced. Three (3) courses:
- ANTH-B 260 Biocultural Medical Anthropology
- ANTH-B 312 Evolutionary Medicine
- ANTH-B 340 Hormones and Human Behavior
- ANTH-B 480 Human Growth and Development
- PSY-P 303 Health Psychology
- PSY-P 315 Developmental Psychology
- PSY-P 324 Abnormal Psychology
- SOC-S 305 Population
- SOC-S 324 Sociology of Mental Illness
- SOC-S 358 Social Inequalities in Health and Health Care
- SOC-S 365 Health and Society: Sociology for Health Professionals
- SPEA-H 322 Principles of Epidemiology
- SPEA-H 324 Health Policy
- SPEA-H 354 Health Economics
- SPEA-H 411 Chronic and Long-Term Care Administration
- SPH-B 310 Public Health in Diverse Communities
- SPH-E 311 Introduction to Epidemiology
ANTH-B 260 Biocultural Medical Anthropology
- Credits
- 3
- Prerequisites
- None
- Description
- A survey of health and disease from a biocultural perspective, which incorporates the evolutionary, ecological, and sociocultural context of health and disease to answer such questions as why we get sick and why there is population variation in the risk of becoming sick. Topics include reproductive, infectious, and chronic diseases.
- Summer 2025CASE NMcourseSpring 2025CASE NMcourseFall 2024CASE NMcourse
ANTH-B 312 Evolutionary Medicine
- Credits
- 3
- Prerequisites
- ANTH-B 200; or consent of instructor
- Description
- Incorporates principles from evolutionary theory into our understanding of various infectious and chronic diseases common to human populations both past and present. Although proximate mechanisms involving physiology and behavior will be discussed, the focus will be to determine why such mechanisms have evolved in the first place.
- Summer 2025CASE NMcourseSpring 2025CASE NMcourseFall 2024CASE NMcourse
ANTH-B 340 Hormones and Human Behavior
- Credits
- 3
- Prerequisites
- At least junior standing; or consent of instructor
- Notes
- R: College-level introductory biology course or ANTH-B 200
- Description
- Reviews the roles of hormones in the evolution and expression of human and nonhuman animal behaviors. Emphasis placed on behaviors associated with aggression, stress, mating, and parenting. Particularly relevant for students interested in human health and the environment.
- Summer 2025CASE NMcourseSpring 2025CASE NMcourseFall 2024CASE NMcourse
ANTH-B 480 Human Growth and Development
- Credits
- 3
- Prerequisites
- ANTH-B 200 or ANTH-B 301
- Description
- Characteristics of human growth and development from birth to maturity, establishment of adult form and aging. Investigation of the causes of variation in growth and development across human populations, and methods for assessing growth and development.
PSY-P 303 Health Psychology
- Credits
- 3
- Prerequisites
- PSY-P 101 and PSY-P 102; or PSY-P 155
- Description
- Focuses on the role of psychological factors in health and illness. Through readings, lecture, and discussion, students will become better consumers of research on behavior-health interactions and develop a broad base of knowledge concerning how behaviors and other psychological factors can affect health both positively and negatively.
- Summer 2025CASE NMcourseSpring 2025CASE NMcourseFall 2024CASE NMcourse
PSY-P 315 Developmental Psychology
- Credits
- 3
- Prerequisites
- PSY-P 101 and PSY-P 102; or PSY-P 155
- Description
- An introduction to how and why behavior changes over time. The theories and methods used to study behavioral change in both human and nonhuman models. Topics include development in perception, movement, language, cognition, and social/emotional behavior.
- Summer 2025CASE SHcourseSpring 2025CASE SHcourseFall 2024CASE SHcourse
PSY-P 324 Abnormal Psychology
- Credits
- 3
- Prerequisites
- PSY-P 101 and PSY-P 102; or PSY-P 155
- Description
- A first course in abnormal psychology with emphasis on forms of abnormal behavior, etiology, development, interpretation, and final manifestations.
- Summer 2025CASE SHcourseSpring 2025CASE SHcourseFall 2024CASE SHcourse
SOC-S 305 Population
- Credits
- 3
- Prerequisites
- None
- Description
- Population composition, fertility, mortality, natural increase, migration; historical growth and change of populations; population theories and policies; techniques in manipulation and use of population data; and the spatial organization of populations.
- Summer 2025CASE SHcourseSpring 2025CASE SHcourseFall 2024CASE SHcourse
SOC-S 324 Sociology of Mental Illness
- Credits
- 3
- Prerequisites
- None
- Description
- Social factors in mental illness: incidence and prevalence by social and cultural categories; variations in societal reaction; social organization of treatment institutions.
- Summer 2025CASE SHcourseSpring 2025CASE SHcourseFall 2024CASE SHcourse
SOC-S 358 Social Inequalities in Health and Health Care
- Credits
- 3
- Prerequisites
- None
- Description
- Examines the sociological aspects of health, illness, patienthood, medical professionals, and health care systems. What factors create inequalities in health and in medical treatment? Expands understanding of health and illness and of conventional medical and insurance practices, and explores ways to improve health care in America.
- Summer 2025CASE DUScourseSpring 2025CASE DUScourseFall 2024CASE DUScourse
- Summer 2025CASE SHcourseSpring 2025CASE SHcourseFall 2024CASE SHcourse
SOC-S 365 Health and Society: Sociology for Health Professionals
- Credits
- 3
- Prerequisites
- None
- Description
- Designed for all students, this course is particularly relevant for those planning a career in health care. Explores current events and social problems, such as the re-emergence of childhood infectious diseases. Uses these examples to discuss sociological topics on the new Medical College Admission Test (MCAT).
- Summer 2025CASE SHcourseSpring 2025CASE SHcourseFall 2024CASE SHcourse
SPEA-H 322 Principles of Epidemiology
- Description
- A basic overview of epidemiologic methodology and techniques. Both communicable and chronic disease risk factors will be discussed, along with data acquisition, analysis techniques, and current published epidemiological studies.
- Additional information
- Credit hour, prerequisite, and other information cannot be displayed for this course. If this is a course outside of the College of Arts and Sciences, please see the appropriate school's bulletin for additional information.
SPEA-H 324 Health Policy
- Description
- This course will focus on current health policy issues within the context of the United States health care system. The course will familiarize students with the political environment of public policy, introduce major health care policy perspectives, and apply those analytical models to a series of health policy issues.
- Additional information
- Credit hour, prerequisite, and other information cannot be displayed for this course. If this is a course outside of the College of Arts and Sciences, please see the appropriate school's bulletin for additional information.
SPEA-H 354 Health Economics
- Description
- Health economics studies the behavior of individuals, private and public employers, health care providers, and the government in decisions made within the health sphere. It applies microeconomics tools (including data analysis) to understand personal health behaviors, health care markets, health insurance systems, and health policies.
- Additional information
- Credit hour, prerequisite, and other information cannot be displayed for this course. If this is a course outside of the College of Arts and Sciences, please see the appropriate school's bulletin for additional information.
SPEA-H 411 Chronic and Long-Term Care Administration
- Description
- Administering programs across the continuum of care including nursing homes, hospice, home health, and assisted living; Medicare and Medicaid financing; quality improvement: care management; and needs of special populations, particularly, vulnerable elders.
- Additional information
- Credit hour, prerequisite, and other information cannot be displayed for this course. If this is a course outside of the College of Arts and Sciences, please see the appropriate school's bulletin for additional information.
SPH-B 310 Public Health in Diverse Communities
- Description
- Provides the analytical tools to understand different health outcomes across diverse communities in the US. Explores how issues of culture, race, gender, and class influence health status and health behaviors. Uses case studies to examine the cultural, social, and economic aspects of health inequalities in the United States.
- Additional information
- Credit hour, prerequisite, and other information cannot be displayed for this course. If this is a course outside of the College of Arts and Sciences, please see the appropriate school's bulletin for additional information.
SPH-E 311 Introduction to Epidemiology
- Description
- Epidemiology concepts, measures, and methods are introduced and applied to explain major health problems, their risks factors, processes, and changes in specific populations. Application of epidemiological methods to identification, surveillance, prevention, and disease control in individuals, families, and communities are addressed.
- Additional information
- Credit hour, prerequisite, and other information cannot be displayed for this course. If this is a course outside of the College of Arts and Sciences, please see the appropriate school's bulletin for additional information.
- Capstone. One (1) course:
- SOC-S 410 Topics in Social Organization (approved topics only; see academic advisor)
- SOC-S 431 Topics in Social Psychology (approved topics only; see academic advisor)
- SOC-S 498 Honors Thesis Seminar I
- SOC-S 499 Honors Thesis Seminar II
SOC-S 410 Topics in Social Organization
- Credits
- 3
- Prerequisites
- At least junior standing
- Description
- Specific topics announced each semester, e.g., social stratification, formal organizations, urban social organization, education, religion, politics, demography, social power, social conflict, social change, comparative social systems.
- Repeatability
- May be repeated three times for credit with a different topic.
- Summer 2025CASE SHcourseSpring 2025CASE SHcourseFall 2024CASE SHcourse
SOC-S 431 Topics in Social Psychology
- Credits
- 3
- Prerequisites
- At least junior standing
- Description
- Specific topics announced each semester; e.g., socialization, personality development, small-group structures and processes, interpersonal relations, language and human behavior, attitude formation and change, collective behavior, public opinion.
- Repeatability
- May be repeated three times for credit with a different topic.
- Summer 2025CASE SHcourseSpring 2025CASE SHcourseFall 2024CASE SHcourse
SOC-S 498 Honors Thesis Seminar I
- Credits
- 1–12 credit hours
- Prerequisites
- Consent of honors thesis seminar instructor
- Description
- Research and preparation of senior honors thesis.
SOC-S 499 Honors Thesis Seminar II
- Credits
- 3
- Prerequisites
- SOC-S 370 and SOC-S 498; and consent of director of undergraduate studies
- Description
- Senior Honors thesis research developed under the supervision of a mentor.
- Certificate GPA, Hours, and Minimum Grade Requirements.
- At least 9 credit hours in the certificate must be completed in courses taken through the Indiana University Bloomington campus or an IU-administered or IU co-sponsored Overseas Study program.
- At least 9 credit hours in the certificate must be completed at the 300–499 level.
- Except for the GPA requirement, a grade of C- or higher is required for a course to count toward a requirement in the certificate.
- A GPA of at least 2.000 for all courses taken in the certificate—including those where a grade lower than C- is earned—is required.
- Exceptions to certificate requirements may be made with the approval of the department's Director of Undergraduate Studies, subject to final approval by the College of Arts and Sciences.