Scientific Inquiry prepares students to lead through research
At the intersection of curiosity, data and discovery lies Scientific Inquiry, a signature course offered through the College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences’ (CPHS) Department of Public Health, for Public Health majors. Designed to foster the foundational skills of research and critical thinking, this course is more than an academic requirement — it’s a launchpad for interdisciplinary research and provides students with an opportunity for exploration and professional growth.
Scientific Inquiry introduces students to the full spectrum of the research process: from crafting a research question and conducting a literature review to developing a study design, collecting data and disseminating findings. And it’s not just theoretical — students walk away with a fully developed research proposal and often a conference-ready presentation.
“This course is a great opportunity to road test skills that students will utilize in the future, regardless of where they land after graduation,” said Dr. Christian Williams, who teaches the course alongside Dr. Gonzalez. “Conducting a literature review, identifying validated survey tools, learning descriptive statistics in Excel and developing a conference poster—these are all transferrable skills that students carry into graduate school and the workplace.”
One of the course’s standout features is its interdisciplinary approach. Students investigate real-world issues like food insecurity, social isolation and access to health care — challenges that transcend academic departments and reflect the complex landscape of public health today. By surveying Belmont’s student population, learners engage in meaningful data collection within their own campus community, offering an intimate lens into broader societal problems.
For public health senior Alex Hamm, the course marked a turning point in her academic journey. “From the very beginning, we’re encouraged to identify a topic that genuinely matters to us, which makes the experience both personal and meaningful,” Hamm shared. “The environment is intentionally low-stakes, which fosters a sense of experimentation and growth. Mistakes are not only expected but welcomed.”
Hamm’s passion project — exploring student understanding of campus sustainability initiatives — has earned her a spot at the upcoming Tennessee Public Health Association (TPHA) annual conference, where she will present both an oral presentation and a research poster. “Presenting at SPARKS this year was incredibly rewarding. I learned how to distill a 30+ page paper into a compelling poster and explain my research in a clear, impactful way,” she said.
Dr. Williams notes that many students take their work beyond Belmont, a testament to the course’s impact. “In 2023, alumna Aly Powers won Best Poster at Tennessee Public Health Association (TPHA) for her study on social determinants of health and reproductive service use among female undergraduates,” she recalled. “Seeing students succeed at regional and state conferences proves how transformative this course can be.”
That transformation isn’t just academic — it’s deeply personal. “When I first entered the course, I never imagined I’d produce work that could extend beyond the classroom,” said Hamm. “Now, I not only have the opportunity to present to my peers, but to public health professionals I admire. This experience has boosted my confidence in ways I didn’t expect.”
More than just teaching how to design a study, Scientific Inquiry equips students with the mindset to lead with evidence and empathy. “This course lays the foundation for evidence-based practice,” Dr. Williams emphasized. “It prepares students to ask meaningful questions, analyze data critically and apply insights ethically — all essential skills for the next generation of public health professionals and researchers.”
In a world increasingly driven by data and complexity, courses like Scientific Inquiry remind us of the power of interdisciplinary research to illuminate challenges, inspire solutions and shape students into agents of change.