Public Health Major
Bachelor of Science Degree in Public Health
The Public Health B.S. degree is recommended for students planning to pursue a career or continue graduate education in Public Health or related fields. This major is comprised of 26-27 core course credits, 4 communication course credits, 4 information literacy credits and a 15 credit track in which the student focuses one of the following areas:
- Bachelor of Science in Public Health-Natural Science, Disease, and the Environment Track
- Bachelor of Science in Public Health-Social Science, Health, and Behavior Track
- Bachelor of Science in Public Health-Organizations, Business, and Health Policy Track Specialized Tracks (each is 15 credits)
Core Curriculum
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| PBH 101 | Introduction to Public Health | 4 |
| PBH 201 | Global Health | 4 |
| PBH 301 | Epidemiology | 4 |
| MATH 112 | Elementary Statistics | 4 |
| Total Credits | 16 | |
In addition to the core curriculum, specific tracks within the public health major provide students with opportunities to specialize in one of three areas of public health. No more than 12 credit hours in any one discipline will count toward the completion of the track. Three courses must be 200-400 level. The courses in these tracks may count toward a minor or a second, disciplinary major: Natural Science, Disease, and the Environment Social Science, Health, and Behavior Organizations, Business, and Health Policy.
- Natural Science, Disease, and the Environment Track
- Social Science, Health, and Behavior Track
- Organizations, Business, and Health Policy Track
Natural Science, Disease, and the Environment Track
Covers the underlying science of human health and disease, including opportunities for promoting and protecting health over a lifetime. Students in this track will focus on material relevant to biological and environmental determinants of disease in populations.
Electives (minimum of 15 credits)
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Environmental Science | ||
| Molecular Cell Biology | ||
| Microbiology | ||
| Human Anatomy and Physiology I | ||
| Human Anatomy and Physiology II | ||
| Psychobiology (PSY 340) | ||
| Biochemistry (CHEM 434) | ||
| General Ecology | ||
| Genetics | ||
| Chemical Principles I | ||
| Chemical Principles II | ||
| Organic Chemistry I | ||
| Organic Chemistry II | ||
| Environment and Society | ||
| Geology and the Environment | ||
| Hydrology | ||
| Environmental Pollution | ||
| Science, Sex and Nature | ||
| Introduction to Physics for the Life Sciences I | ||
| Introduction to Physics for the Life Sciences II | ||
| Classical and Modern Physics I | ||
| Classical and Modern Physics II | ||
| College Physics I | ||
| College Physics II | ||
| Classical and Modern Physics III | ||
| Introduction to Exercise and Sport Sciences | ||
| Health and Wellness Promotion | ||
| Perspectives in Sport and Exercise Nutrition |
Social Science, Health, and Behavior Track
Covers the study of social, behavioral, structural, and institutional factors that influence public health outcomes, with a focus on health disparities.
Electives (minimum of 15 credits)
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Microeconomic Principles: Public Policy | ||
| Environmental and Resource Economics | ||
| Health Economics | ||
| Understanding Eating Disorder | ||
| Human Sexuality | ||
| Science, Sex and Nature | ||
| Community Problem Solving | ||
| Reclaiming Democracy | ||
| Understanding Oppressive Systems | ||
| Family Violence | ||
| Multicultural Communication | ||
| Philosophy and Sexuality | ||
| Philosophy and Gender | ||
| Ethics In a Digital World | ||
| Environmental Ethics | ||
| Philosophy and Race | ||
| Public Policy and Administration | ||
| Politics of Gender | ||
| Modern Environmental Problems | ||
| Politics of State & Local Govt | ||
| Introduction to Psychology | ||
| Developmental Psychology | ||
| Psychology of African Americans | ||
| Psychobiology (Biol 340) | ||
| Environmental Psychology | ||
| Psychology of Parenthood | ||
| Multiculturalism and Psychology | ||
| Psychology and Gender | ||
| Social Psychology | ||
| Introduction to Sociology | ||
| Cultural Anthropology | ||
| Sociology of Sex and Gender | ||
| Gender Health and Illness | ||
| Gender and Sociology of the Body | ||
| Health and Wellness Promotion | ||
| Health,Culture & Sustainablty | ||
| Introduction to Women's Gender Sexuality Studies |
Organizations, Business, and Health Policy Track
Covers basic concepts of legal, ethical, economic and regulatory dimensions of health care and public health policy and the roles, influences and responsibilities of the various agencies and branches of government. Students in this track will focus on material relevant to health policy and management, and the promotion of diversity and cultural competency.
Electives (minimum of 15 credits)
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Business Law and Legal Environment | ||
| Principles of Management | ||
| Policy Formulation and Strategy | ||
| Microeconomic Principles: Public Policy | ||
| Economic and Social Development: “‘Beneath’ the United States.” | ||
| Poverty, Power and Policy | ||
| Environmental and Resource Economics | ||
| Health Economics | ||
| Immigration & a Multicultural Europe, 1800-Present | ||
| Community Problem Solving | ||
| Community Building and Organizing | ||
| Group Dynamics and Leadership | ||
| Policy in Action | ||
| Diversity at Work | ||
| Reclaiming Democracy | ||
| Understanding Oppressive Systems | ||
| Conflict Transformation for Peacebuilding and Justice (JPS 236) | ||
| Human Rights | ||
| Globalization: Economics & Social Justice | ||
| Culture, Conflict, Negotiation | ||
| Ethics In a Digital World | ||
| Environmental Ethics | ||
| The American Political System | ||
| Comparative Politics | ||
| Public Policy and Administration | ||
| Politics of Gender | ||
| Modern Environmental Problems | ||
| Wealth and Inequality in US | ||
| Global Power and Wealth | ||
| Race, Ethnicity and Politics | ||
| Politics of State & Local Govt | ||
| Industrial and Organizational Psychology | ||
| Comparative Religious Ethics | ||
| Food and Agriculture Law and Policy | ||
| Health and Wellness Promotion |
Total credit hours required for B.S. degree in Public Health is a minimum of 47 credits