Department

Public Health

Kara Zografos, Chair
McLane Hall, Room 184
559.278.4014
www.fresnostate.edu/publichealth

Degrees and Programs Offered

BS in Health Science - Community Health Option, B.S.
BS in Health Science - Health Administration Option, B.S.
BS in Health Science - Environmental/Occupational Health & Safety Option, B.S.
MN in Public Health, Minor
MPH in Public Health - Health Promotion Option, M.P.H.

Health Science

The Bachelor of Science in Health Science and the Master of Public Health (MPH) are designed to prepare students for careers with official and voluntary health agencies at the federal, state, or local levels of government as well as the private sector. The Master of Public Health degree is designed for individuals seeking a professional degree in public health. This degree is recognized throughout the world and is fully accredited by the Council of Education for Public Health (CEPH).

Bachelor of Science Degree

The Department of Public Health offers curricula based on principles of public health practices leading to a Bachelor of Science degree, including a major and minor in health science with options in community health, environmental/occupational health and safety, and health administration.

Master's Program

The mission of the program is to prepare public health professionals for leadership roles in the field of health promotion so that they may contribute to the process of improving the health of communities located within the San Joaquin Valley, California, and the southwest. This mission is fulfilled by attaining several program goals which address the health needs of the ethnically and socioeconomically diverse populations living in the San Joaquin Valley and the southwest. Coursework for the Master of Public Health (MPH) is varied and designed to provide the maximum opportunity for problem-solving approaches to the complex issues in the operation, environment, and human factors confronting the health care systems.

Courses

Public Health

CI 161. Mth Mtl H S

Units: 3, Repeatable up to 999 units

HS 302. Environmental and Ecological Perspective in Rural Suburban Minority Community

The course reflects both environmental and ecological perspective of waste dumping within the minority community. The course will give students an opportunity to analyze, compare and contrast differenct environmental issues facing the community and suggest methods and ways of evaluating these problems.

Units: 1, Repeatable up to 99 units

PH 48. First Responder and Emergency Care

National Safety Council First Responder and Emergency Care course. Priorities of care, injuries, medical emergencies, crisis intervention, and casualty incidents. Includes bleeding, shock, fractures, poisoning, emergency childbirth, CPR Certification for meeting requirements. (2 lecture, 2 lab hours)

Units: 3
Course Typically Offered: Fall, Spring

PH 49. Emergency Medical Technician Training

Prepares individuals to render pre-hospital basic life support during transport or within a hospital. Upon completion, students will receive a certificate allowing them to take the National Registry test. Upon passing the test, EMT certification is granted.

Units: 3
Course Typically Offered: Spring

PH 90. Contemporary Health Issues

Significance of basic health problems applicable to the young adult and to society. G.E. Breadth E1.

Units: 3
Course Typically Offered: Fall, Spring
GE Area: E1

PH 91. Human Sexuality

Physiological, psychological, social, cultural, and developmental considerations for lifelong understanding related to sexuality. G.E. Breadth E1. (Formerly H S 124)

Units: 3
Course Typically Offered: Fall, Spring
GE Area: E1

PH 92. Public Health Statistics

Prerequisites: Students must take the ELM exam; students who do not pass the exam must record a grade of C or better in a college-taught intermediate algebra course. Introduction to descriptive and inferential statistics as applied to evaluation and research in allied health. Central tendency and dispersion; central limit theorem; hypothesis testing; ANOVA; correlation, nonparametric methods. Interpretations of public health statistics. (3 lecturer hours)

Units: 3
Course Typically Offered: Fall, Spring

PH 100. Community Health

Public health services as they affect the community; investigation and analysis of community health problems.

Units: 3
Course Typically Offered: Fall, Spring

PH 104. Global and Cultural Issues in Health

Prerequisite: G.E. Foundation and Area D. Prerequisite: PH 90. Influence of culture on health and disease; relevant health issues of cultural and ethnic groups; alternative healing and holistic health; role of international health organizations; health problems on a world scale. History and evaluation of programs of international health organizations; health problems on a world scale. G.E. Multicultural/International MI.

Units: 3
Course Typically Offered: Fall, Spring
GE Area: M/I

PH 105. Risk Assessment and Analysis

Human and environmental risks as they relate to injuries and illnesses; includes incident causation analysis and assessment. Areas of study encompass occupational safety, consumer products, human factors, environmental health, and human and property costs.

Units: 3
Course Typically Offered: Fall

PH 109. Epidemiology of Disease

Prerequisite: PH 92 or equivalent. Modern concepts and principles of epidemiology; interaction of all agents, host, and environmental factors of communicable and noncommunicable diseases.

Units: 3
Course Typically Offered: Fall, Spring

PH 110. Drugs, Society, and Health

Examination of physical, neurological, emotional, social, and political factors affecting the use, misuse, and abuse of licit and illicit substances in contemporary American society. Applies models of addiction and compulsive behaviors to gambling, food consumption, and sexual behavior. G.E. Breadth E1.

Units: 3
Course Typically Offered: Fall, Spring
GE Area: E1

PH 111. Alcohol and Alcoholism

Physical, mental, and social factors related to the consumption of alcoholic beverages; the development of alcohol dependence.

Units: 3
Course Typically Offered: Fall, Spring

PH 112. Consumer Health

Consumer health as it relates to selection of health care products and services; how to differentiate fact from fiction in health matters.

Units: 3

PH 114. Health Behavior

An introduction to the theory and practice of health behavior change. Covers individual behavior change methodologies and the effects of public and environmental change on individual health.

Units: 3
Course Typically Offered: Fall, Spring

PH 115. Health Issues of Aging

(PH 115 same as GERON 115.) Basic principles and concepts of the aging process; includes the physical, social, emotional and mental components of health. Benefits of health promotion and preventive action for the aging are also explored.

Units: 3
Course Typically Offered: Fall, Spring

PH 127. Female Sexuality

(PH 127 same as WS 127.) Studies on female sexuality which include past and present sexual roles, female sexual response patterns, and discussion of common problems encountered by women functioning as sexual beings.

Units: 3
Course Typically Offered: Spring

PH 128S. Holistic Health and Alternative Medicine

Explores concepts related to holistic health and alternative medicine within a cross-cultural framework. Includes a description of the physical and psychosocial effects of alternative healing; addresses the benefits and risks associated with these therapies.

Units: 3
GE Area: M/I

PH 129. Rural Health

Health problems of rural areas including community medical services, medical facilities, federal, state, and local legislation and administrative problems.

Units: 3
Course Typically Offered: Spring

PH 130. Women's Health

(PH 130 same as WS 130.) Examines current crises/ controversies in women's health care. Includes conventional/ alternatives approaches to treatment, management, and prevention with emphasis on self-care and promotion of optimum health.

Units: 3
Course Typically Offered: Fall

PH 131. Principles of Health Education

Study of the foundations, theories, systems, and principles of health education. Includes an analysis of social, medical, and environmental factors on health-related behaviors.

Units: 3
Course Typically Offered: Fall, Spring

PH 133. Health Education Methods

It is strongly recommended that students complete PH 114 and PH 131 prior to enrollment in PH 133. Health education program planning, implementation, and evaluation. Provides needs assessment, health education curriculum development, and presenting and evaluating a health education intervention with a client group.

Units: 3
Course Typically Offered: Fall, Spring

PH 135. Introduction to Human Disease

Concepts and principles of disease and dysfunction of the human body. Detection, diagnosis, treatment, etiology, pathogenesis, and prevention.

Units: 3
Course Typically Offered: Fall, Spring

PH 141. Applied Ergonomics

Studies the science of ergonomics as it relates to injury/illness prevention and the promotion of a quality work environment. Ergonomics is the evaluation of people and their tools, materials, and equipment in a work setting. (Formerly H S 166T)

Units: 3
Course Typically Offered: Fall

PH 143. Occupational and Industrial Safety

Application of safety and accident prevention measures that provide a basis for insight into the hazards of occupational and industrial situations.

Units: 3

PH 145. Occupational Safety and Environmental Health Management

Concepts and principles dealing with the problems, processes, evaluation, and solutions in the development, implementation, and management of an effective environmental health and occupational safety program.

Units: 3

PH 151. Health Law and Legislation

The theory and practice of managing inspection-based enforcement programs in health care and environmental health areas, with emphasis on legislation, procedure, and cases relating to public health.

Units: 3
Course Typically Offered: Fall

PH 154. Health Care Administration

Organizational design and managerial principles as they apply to the private sector of health care.

Units: 3
Course Typically Offered: Spring

PH 155. Utilization of Health Care Resources

Prerequisite: ECON 40. This course provides understanding of how healthcare systems operate in terms of financing and reimbursement using economic rationales. It introduces students to fundamental principles in health economics that serve as the foundation of the US healthcare system. (Formerly PH 152T)

Units: 3

PH 160. Principles of Toxicology

Basic principles and concepts of toxicology with a particular emphasis on the regulation of environmental and industrial toxicants for man/woman.

Units: 3
Course Typically Offered: Spring

PH 161. Environment and Human Health

General principles of environmental health with a particular emphasis on the interaction between man/woman and the environment. Environmental epidemiology, water, wastewater, air, solid waste, ionizing radiation, and noise. Focuses on prevention and control disease and injury caused by chemicals, food protection, air/ water quality radiation, hazardous waste, et cetera.

Units: 3
Course Typically Offered: Fall, Spring
GE Area: IB

PH 162A. Environmental Health Concepts

Prerequisite: PH 161. Basic principles and concepts of environmental health with a particular emphasis on health hazards, communicable disease control, contamination control, food protection, rodent control, managing special environments, planned environments, and environmental health organizations. (Formerly HS 162)

Units: 3
Course Typically Offered: Fall

PH 162B. Environmental Health Application

Prerequisites: PH 162A or concurrent. Problems of environmental health studied through field trips, observations, demonstrations, and seminars. (2 lecture, 2 lab hours) (Formerly HS 165)

Units: 3
Course Typically Offered: Spring

PH 163. Public Health Administration

Principles of public health administration, fundamentals of organization, and administration in public health.

Units: 3
Course Typically Offered: Fall, Spring

PH 164. Vector Control

Role vectors of disease play in human health. Basic principles and concepts of vector control. Particular emphasis is given to diseases vectored by arthropods and rodents.

Units: 3

PH 166T. REHS Exam Preparation

To prepare students in taking REHS exam that will allow students to work to improve the quality of life and health through environmental education, consultation, and enforcement. Some areas include food protection, land use, recreational swimming, onsite sewage disposal, drinking water, housing, vector control, disaster sanitation, and solid waste and hazardous materials management.

Units: 1, Repeatable up to 2 units

PH 166T. Water Quality and Health

Burgeoning human population and urbanization is creating increased demands on fresh water resources and generating larger and more concentrated waste streams. This course will investigate, discuss, and debate major emerging water quality issues which threaten our water sustainability and the regulatory paradigms to address these challenges and waterborne diseases associated with it.

Units: 3

PH 166T. Food Protection

PH 166T will focus on recognizing activities of safe food handling to prevent food-borne illnesses. The course will cover the receipt, handling, temperature management, and sanitation requirements within the consumer industry. A special project will track and identify a trend of recent reported food-borne illnesses.

Units: 3, Repeatable up to 6 units

PH 167. Public Health Laboratory Techniques

Designed to provide training in the use of laboratory procedures and techniques of adjusting and operating monitoring equipment used in water quality, air pollution, noise pollution, food sanitation, radiological health, and toxic substances. (2 lecture, 2 lab hours) ( Lab fee, $25)

Units: 3

PH 168A. Occupational Health Concepts

Concepts of occupational health as they pertain to appraising and controlling environmental health hazards; occupational diseases, chemical, biological, and physical agents that produce organic or systemic damage. Problems in toxicology, measurement instruments, and evaluating health hazards. (Formerly HS 168)

Units: 3
Course Typically Offered: Fall

PH 168B. Occupational Health Evaluation

Prerequisite: PH 168A. General principles of investigation for chemical and physical hazards commonly encountered in the occupational environment. Sampling strategies, quantitative analysis, combustible gases, organic vapors, and nonionizing radiation. (2 lecture, 2 lab hours) (Formerly HS 147)

Units: 3
Course Typically Offered: Spring

PH 170. Air Pollution and Health

A descriptive analysis of air pollutants encountered in the indoor and outdoor environments with an emphasis on assessment of risk, human health effects, and a review of federal and state regulations that apply.

Units: 3

PH 175. Environmental Internship

Prerequisites: completion of 21 units of the health science major (Core and Environmental Option courses). Provides practical experience in environmental health. Requires a 3.0 GPA in Health Science coursework, or permission of the instructor. Permission numbers required. CR/NC grading only. (CSU liability insurance fee, $8)

Units: 1-4, Repeatable up to 6 units
Course Typically Offered: Fall, Spring

PH 182. Computers for the Health Professions

Introduction to the basic use and practical application of personal and mainframe computers in health-related professions. Laboratory use of computers covers word processing, SPSS, data entry, data management, principles of programming, and use of on-line databases. (2 lecture, 2 lab hours)

Units: 3

PH 185F. Fieldwork in Health

Repeatable to 3 units in any one area, maximum total 6. Prerequisite: completion of 24 units of the health science major (Core and Administration Option courses). Provides practical experience in a community work setting. Requires a 3.0 GPA in Health Science coursework, or permission of the instructor. Permission numbers required. CR/NC grading only. (CSU liability insurance fee, $8)

Units: 1-3, Repeatable up to 6 units
Course Typically Offered: Fall, Spring

PH 188. Health Education Internship

Prerequisite: completion of 24 units of the health science major (Core and Community Health option courses). Provides practical experiences in a community work setting. Requires a 3.0 GPA in Health Science coursework, or permission of instructor. Permission numbers required. CR/NC grading only. (CSU liability insurance fee, $8)

Units: 1-3, Repeatable up to 6 units
Course Typically Offered: Fall, Spring

PH 190. Independent Study

See Academic Placement -- [-LINK-]. Approved for RP grading.

Units: 1-3, Repeatable up to 6 units
Course Typically Offered: Fall, Spring

PH 202. Advanced Public Health Statistics

Prerequisite: PH 92 or equivalent. Theories and limitations of parametric testing: ANOVA, MANOVA, and regression. Focus on nonparametric testing and small samples including Kruskal Wallis, Median and Fischer tests. Preparation of data for computer analysis and interpretation of results. Resource issues related to data collection.

Units: 3

PH 203. Seminar in Community Health Organization

Prerequisite: PH 100. Individual research, analysis, and evaluation in relation to educational aspects of community health programs; group procedures; community organizations; selection, development, and use of media. Field assignments are required. (Formerly HS 203)

Units: 3

PH 208. Health Promotion

Focuses on behavioral change techniques derived from many areas of applied research including behavior modification and social interaction theory. Information emphasizes the health relevant principles in each domain and shows how they can be used to understand or change public health problems.

Units: 3

PH 209. Advanced Concepts in Epidemiology

Prerequisites: PH 92, PH 109 or equivalents; computer statistics program competency. Advanced principles and methods of epidemiology. Includes methods of organizing surveillance data, defining cases, testing hypotheses, analyzing effectiveness of methods, summarizing studies. Advanced statistical methods will be utilized with emphasis on interpretation of results.

Units: 3

PH 210. Introduction to Health Policy

Prerequisite: PH 163 or equivalent. In-depth analysis of public health programs and policies with emphasis on skill development in health policy analysis. Group work will be required.

Units: 3

PH 213. Health Planning and Program Evaluation

In-depth analysis of the principles and practices in comprehensive health planning and program evaluation. Field assignments are required. (Formerly H S 213)

Units: 3

PH 223. Health Promotion and Policy Advocacy

Introduction to the fundamentals of the legislative process. Visits to and from local and state officials will be included. Information about the political process related to health promotion and policy will be the major focus of the course. Fieldwork assignments and travel may be required.

Units: 1

PH 225A. Foundation in Health Promotion

Prerequisite: PH 208. History and philosophy of health education. Psychological, sociological, economic, and political theories relevant to the mission and process of health education with special reference to schools and colleges.

Units: 3

PH 225B. Foundation in Health Promotion Part 2

Prerequisite: PH 208 and PH 225A. Application of theories, practices, and technology to health promotion programs.

Units: 3

PH 250. Social Factors in Public Health

Prerequisites: PH 202, PH 209 or equivalent. Advanced principles and methods of social epidemiology. Includes methods of describing how a range of social factors influence health outcomes, utilization and disparities. Expectation is that students will apply epidemiologic methods to study designs for policy analyses and research.

Units: 3

PH 251. Health Care Economics

Prerequisites: ECON 162 or equivalent. Topics include demand and supply in health services sector; implications of public and private financing alternatives; constraints on manpower training and entry; equity and distribution competition and regulation; issues of productivity measurments and utilization; and political economy of health care.

Units: 3

PH 252. Health Policy Development: Analysis and Process

Prerequisite: PH 210. Individual research, analysis and evaluation of health policy issues utilizing skills in evidence-based policy analysis. Special emphasis on assessing the efficacy and effectiveness of health program proposals, understanding the policy development process and developing strategies to influence policy outcomes.

Units: 3

PH 253. Management of Health Services

Prerequisites: PH 210. Focuses on the application of relevant management theory to diverse health care settings, with special emphasis on refining management skills. Course will be taught as a seminar using case methods to illustrate and practice critical management theories and skills.

Units: 3

PH 280. Seminar in Techniques of Health Research

Research methodology, identification of health research problems, use of library resources, data gathering, and processing; writing a research report. (Formerly H S 280)

Units: 3

PH 285. Internship in Public Health

Planning, implementation, participation, and evaluation in selected areas: safety, school health, community health, physical handicaps, occupational health, and environmental health. Approved for RP grading. CR/NC grading only.

Units: 1-4, Repeatable up to 10 units

PH 290. Independent Study

See Academic Placement -- [-LINK-]. Approved for RP grading. (Formerly H S 290)

Units: 1-3, Repeatable up to 6 units

PH 298. Project

Prerequisite: advancement to candidacy for MPH degree in Health Science. See [-LINK-]. A significant endeavor in health science that may include an educational booklet, audio visual presentation, evaluation of a health agency, or the development of an experimental device or piece of equipment. A narrative component is required which will follow a formal format adn shall include a written abstract. Approved for RP grading. (Formerly HS 298)

Units: 2-4

PH 298C. Project Continuation

Pre-requisite: Project PH 298. For continuous enrollment while completing the project. May enroll twice with department approval. Additional enrollments must be approved by the Dean of Graduate Studies.

Units: 0

PH 299. Thesis

Prerequisite: See [-LINK-]. Preparation, completion, and submission of an acceptable thesis for the master's degree. Approved for RP grading. (Formerly H S 299)

Units: 2-4

PH 299C. Thesis Cont

Pre-requisite: Thesis PH 298. For continuous enrollment while completing the thesis. May enroll twice with department approval. Additional enrollments must be approved by the Dean of Graduate Studies.

Units: 0

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Requirements

Bachelor of Science Requirements

Health Science Major

The Health Science Bachelor of Science curriculum consists of a core of five courses providing a foundation of knowledge and skills critical to the theory and practice of the health professional. In addition, students complete a specialized cluster of courses in an option that provides the depth and breadth for the area. A variety of combinations between and within options is possible to meet professional goals. However, university policy allows only one option to appear on the transcript and diploma.

To complete the health science major for the B.S., students must complete General Education requirements (51 units), the health science core (15 units), one of three options (21-27 units), and any additional requirements to the option selected (11-33 units), the upper-division writing skills requirement, and additional electives. Students are encouraged to complete the additional requirements prior to the major courses as the courses may meet General Education requirements, and they provide a foundation for the courses in health science. Elective units also may be used toward earning a certificate.

Health science students are advised to obtain the advising booklet from the department office. The booklet includes the list of required courses. It is strongly recommended that students follow the coursework shown in the booklet. Students need to consult with their advisers for decisions regarding major and minor courses. All substitutions must be approved by the department chair. Classes offered in the Health Science Department may require field assignments.

Health Science Major

Health Science Core for Community Health and Health Administration Options (15 units)
PH 92, 100, 109, 161, 163

or

Health Science Core for Environmental/Occupational Health and Safety Option (15 units)
PH 92, 135, 109, 161, 163

Options (42-63 units)
See option below.

General Education requirements (51 units)

Electives (0-12 units)

Total (120 units)*

The curriculum is designed to permit admission to master's and doctoral degree programs in health science and public health at major universities throughout the country.

* This total indicates that 9 units for BIOL 1A, CHEM 1A/1AL or PHYS 2A, and DS 71 are used to satisfy the G.E. requirement in the Environmental/Occupational Health and Safety Option.

Environmental/Occupational Health and Safety Option

This degree program provides a balanced approach between the theoretical concepts and applied principles of environmental health, occupational health, and safety. The curriculum builds on a scientific base (biology, chemistry, physics) and includes core courses in health science, foundation courses in environmental and occupational health, and elective courses that allow for specialization. Students are academically prepared to make significant contributions to society by anticipating, evaluating, and controlling environmental and occupational health hazards. Career opportunities abound in government agencies, private industry, consulting, and research organizations. The program also provides preparation for graduate studies and acceptance into professional schools (medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, optometry, veterinary medicine).

The option is approved by the California Department of Health Services. Students in the major are eligible for the following:

1. paid internships with federal agencies such as the U.S. Public Health Service,
2. national and state scholarships, and
3. entrance to the Registered Environmental Health Specialist (REHS) exam immediately following graduation (without having to serve an 18-month traineeship).

Requirements (21 units)
Option requirements: PH 160, 143, 162A, 168A (12 units)
Option elective requirements (select minimum of three courses):
PH 105, 135, 141, 143, 145, 151, 162B, 166T, 168B, 170 (9 units)

Additional requirements (38-42 units)
Basic Sciences: BIOL 1A and 1B, 1BL (or BIOL 33 or 65); CHEM 1A/1AL, 1B/1BL, and CHEM 8 (or 128A); MATH 6 or 70 or 75 or DS 71, 71L; BIOL 20 (or 140); PHYS 2A, 2B (34-38 units)
Internship: PH 175 (4 units)

Total for option (59-63 units)

Advising Note

Health science majors may not apply CR/NC grading toward major requirements for a baccalaureate degree, except for PH 175, PH 185F, and PH 188, which are mandatory CR/NC courses.

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Faculty

For faculty phone numbers and e-mail, see the campus directory.

For more on the faculty, see the faculty pages.
The faculty pages are updated by the department or program.

Roadmap

B.S. in Health Science - Environmental/Occupational Health & Safety Option

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Careers

The Department of Public Health offers two degrees, a Bachelor of Science or Master of Public Health. These degrees are designed to prepare students for careers with official and voluntary health agencies at the federal, state, county and private sector.

The options at the bachelor's level are designed for careers in environmental health, industrial hygiene, community health, health education, occupational safety, public health, occupational health and allied health professions. Individuals may be employed by voluntary health agencies, hospitals, public health agencies, and in the private sector including industry and insurance companies.

What You Can Earn

Health and Safety Manager
$107,534 (in our region)

Industrial Hygienist
$74,536 (in our region)

Health Educator
$54,096 (in our region)

Source: HR Reported data as of December 2012

Interesting Classes You Might Take

• PH 91 - Introduction to Human Sexuality
• PH 104 - Global and Cultural Health Issues
• PH 161 - Environment & Human Health
  
  

What You Can Learn

• The Community Health curriculum in the Department of Public Health is designed to prepare individuals to enter the workforce as competent health educators in the private or public arenas. Students in this option are encouraged to seek the CHES certification following graduation.
• The health administration option provides a broad based program to prepare the student for administrative positions within the health care system.
• The EOHS option provides a balanced approach between the theoretical concepts and applied principles of environmental health, occupational health, and safety. The curriculum builds on a scientific base (biology, chemistry, physics) and includes core courses in Public Health, foundation courses in environmental and occupational health, and elective courses that allow for specialization.
  
  

About the College

The College of Health and Human Services offers a broad range of fully accredited post-secondary and graduate educational programs to more than 2100 students each year. The College includes the Departments of Communicative Disorders and Deaf Studies, Gerontology, Kinesiology, Nursing, Physical Therapy, Public Health, Recreation Administration, and Social Work Education.

Residents and communities in the Central California region continue to face serious issues within the health and human service environment that will require continuing generations of well-prepared health and human service professionals.

College Contact Information

2345 E. San Ramon
M/S MH26
Fresno CA 93740-8031

Phone: (559) 278-4004

FAX: (559) 278-4437

Department Contact Information

Mailing Address:

Department of Public Health

2345 E. San Ramon Ave M/S MH30 
Fresno CA 93740-8031

Office Location: McLane Hall Room 184 

Phone: (559) 278-4014 
FAX: (559) 278-4179

Email