Department of Sociology
Certificate in Social Research in Health and Medicine
Students on Summer 2020, Fall 2020, or Spring 2021 requirements SOCRHMACRT
The certificate provides students with an in-depth exposure to social science approaches to health and health behavior. Students obtain basic training in social science, research methods, and statistics, and foster an interdisciplinary perspective in health that prepares them for the modern world of medicine, nursing, and health policy.
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 topic: "Medicine in America")
- 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.
- Fall 2023CASE SHcourse
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.
- Fall 2023CASE 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.
- Fall 2023CASE 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-P 106, PSY-P 151, or PSY-P 155. Equivalent to IUPUI PSY-B 105 and PSY-P 151.
- Fall 2023CASE 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.
- Fall 2023CASE SHcourse
- Statistics. One (1) course:
- SOC-S 110 Charts, Graphs, and Tables
- SOC-S 371 Statistics in Sociology
- PSY-K 300 Statistical Techniques
- ECON-E 370 Statistical Analysis for Business and Economics
- ECON-S 370 Statistical Analysis for Business and Economics: Honors
- 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.
- Fall 2023CASE 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.
- Fall 2023CASE NMcourse
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.
- Fall 2023CASE NMcourse
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.
- Fall 2023CASE 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.
- Fall 2023CASE 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.
- Fall 2023CASE 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 HLTH CARE IN DIVERSE COMMUNITIES
- SPH-H 311
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.
- Fall 2023CASE 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.
- Fall 2023CASE 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.
- Fall 2023CASE 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.
- Fall 2023CASE 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.
- Fall 2023CASE 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.
- Fall 2023CASE 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.
- Fall 2023CASE 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.
- Fall 2023CASE 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.
- Fall 2023CASE 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).
- Fall 2023CASE SHcourse
SPEA-H 322 PRINCIPLES OF EPIDEMIOLOGY
- Credits
- 3–3 credit hours
- Prerequisites
- None
- Description
- None
SPEA-H 324 HEALTH POLICY
- Credits
- 3–3 credit hours
- Prerequisites
- None
- Description
- None
SPEA-H 354 HEALTH ECONOMICS
- Credits
- 3–3 credit hours
- Prerequisites
- None
- Description
- None
SPEA-H 411 CHRONIC AND LONG-TERM CARE ADMINISTRATION
- Credits
- 3–3 credit hours
- Prerequisites
- None
- Description
- None
SPH-B 310 HLTH CARE IN DIVERSE COMMUNITIES
- Credits
- 3–3 credit hours
- Prerequisites
- None
- Description
- None
- 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.
- Fall 2023CASE 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.
- Fall 2023CASE 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
- None
- Certificate GPA, Hours, and Minimum Grade Requirements.
- Certificate GPA. 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.
- Certificate Minimum Grade. Except for the GPA requirement, a grade of C- or higher is required for a course to count toward a requirement in the certificate.
- Certificate Upper Division Credit Hours. At least 9 credit hours in the certificate must be completed at the 300–499 level.
- Certificate Residency. 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.
Certificate Area Courses
Unless otherwise noted below, the following courses are considered in the academic program and will count toward academic program requirements as appropriate:
- Any course contained on the course lists for the academic program requirements at the time the course is taken--as well as any other courses that are deemed functionally equivalent--except for those listed only under Addenda Requirements
- Any course directed to a non-Addenda requirement through an approved exception
This program of study cannot be combined with the following:
- Bachelor of Arts in African American and African Diaspora Studies and Sociology (AAADSOCBA)
- Bachelor of Arts in Sociology (SOCBA)
- Bachelor of Arts in Sociology - TSAP version (SOCTSBA)
- Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and African American and African Diaspora Studies (SOCAAADBA)
- Minor in Social Science and Medicine (SSMEDMIN)
- Minor in Sociology (SOCMIN)
- Minor in Sociology of Work and Business (SOCWKBSMIN)
Exceptions to and substitutions for certificate requirements may be made with the approval of the unit's Director of Undergraduate Studies, subject to final approval by the College of Arts and Sciences.