Public Health
Our public health major is an interdisciplinary curriculum preparing the student for diverse careers and graduate studies in public health.
In your four years of study, you'll be exposed to concepts such as advocacy, community dynamics, critical thinking, cultural context, ethical decision-making, networking, organizational dynamics, professionalism, teamwork, research methods, education, and policy development within your liberal arts education.
Our completely relatable curriculum focuses on real and current public health issues, so you'll be prepared to handle these issues right after graduation. Along with your education, you'll have the opportunity to network and apply your knowledge with practicing public health professionals.
Public Health Major
Students majoring in public health can pursue a Bachelor of Arts in Public Health (BAPH) or a Bachelor of Science in Public Health (BSPH).
In both the BAPH and BSPH tracks will students will gain skills in 9 core courses that cover the key elements of the discipline. Additionally, all students majoring in public health will complete a minimum of 1 unit of experiential coursework as well as 1 additional course unit elective in the area of Health.
The BA and BS degrees are distinguished by the multidisciplinary electives chosen by students. Students majoring in the BS in Public Health (BSPH) select 5 units from specified courses in Biology, Chemistry, Earth Science, Environmental Science, Mathematics, and/or Physics. Students majoring in the BA in Public Health (BAPH) focus on 5 specified course units in Accounting, Economics, History, Management, Philosophy, Political Science, Psychology, Sociology, and/or Spanish.
Bachelor of Science in Public Health (BSPH) |
Bachelor of Arts Public Health (BAPH) |
| Public Health Core Courses (9 units) | Public Health Core Courses (9 units) |
| HLTP 110 Introduction to Public Health (M4)* | HLTP 110 Introduction to Public Health (M4)* |
| HLTP 218 Writing About Health (writing intensive) or an equivalent HLTP writing intensive course | HLTP 218 Writing About Health (writing intensive) or an equivalent HLTP writing intensive course |
| HLTP 230 Epidemiology | HLTP 230 Epidemiology |
| HLTP 240 Essentials of Health Behaviors | HLTP 240 Essentials of Health Behaviors |
| HLTP 189/190 Biostatistics (F2)* | HLTP 189/190 Biostatistics (F2)* |
| HLTP 289/291 Social Determinants of Health | HLTP 289/291 Social Determinants of Health |
| HLTP 315 Health Policy | HLTP 315 Health Policy |
| HLTP 321 Global Health (M5)* or HLTH 322 Populations at High Risk for Health Problems (M5) | HLTP 321 Global Health (M5)* or HLTH 322 Populations at High Risk for Health Problems (M5) |
| HLTP 330 Environmental Health | HLTP 330 Environmental Health |
| Experiential/Service Courses (1 unit): Public Health majors will complete 1 unit from the following options. | Experiential/Service Courses (1 unit): Public Health majors will complete 1 unit from the following options. |
| HLTP 185 Service in Public Health | HLTP 185 Service in Public Health |
| HLTP 386/387 Internship in Public Health | HLTP 386/387 Internship in Public Health |
| Health Elective (1 unit): Public Health majors will complete a HLTP elective beyond the units applying to the Core or Experiential/Service unit requirements. | Health Elective (1 unit): Public Health majors will complete a HLTP elective beyond the units applying to the Core or Experiential/Service unit requirements. |
| HLTP course elective 200 level or above (examples: HLTP 231 Nutrition, HLTP 310 Health Research Methods, HLTP 311 Professionalism in Public Health, and HLTP 340 Program Planning and Evaluation) | HLTP course elective 200 level or above (examples: HLTP 231 Nutrition, HLTP 310 Health Research Methods, HLTP 311 Professionalism in Public Health, and HLTP 340 Program Planning and Evaluation) |
|
Interdisciplinary Elective (5 units) BIOL 103, 104 (or 310, 350), 112, 205, 206, 209, 210, 235, 263, 310, 327, 328, (37X approved by director) CHEM 108, 113, 114, 205, 211, 212, 314 (or equivalents) EASC 210 ENVR 112 MATH 171, 231, 332 (or any MATH other MATH at the 200 or 300 assuming no restrictions) PHYS 109, 110, 111, 112 Other BIOL, CHEM, EASC, ENVS, MATH, PHYS courses by approval of public health program director |
Interdisciplinary Elective (5 units) ACCT 157 ECON 152, 211 HIST 220, 260, 270, 299ST (or equivalent) MGMT 223, 227, 250, 251, 253, 310, 311 PHIL 250, 255, 257, 259, 275, 279 POSC 110, 115, 120, 237, 240 PSYC 120, 207, 218, 340,** 362** SOCI 113, 115, 165 (also IDIS 165), 210, 251, 256, 258, 260, 293, 392, 395 SPAN 111, 120/125 Other ACCT (BUSN), ECON, HIST, MGMT (BUSN), PHIL, POSC, PSYC, SOCI, or SPAN courses by approval of public health program director |
| TOTAL (16 units) | TOTAL (16 units) |
*Learning in Common approved. **Note that HLTR/HLTP 310 (Health Research Methods) or Biostatistics and Epidemiology need to be completed prior to course enrollment.
Old Public Health Major Requirements
As prerequisites to the program, students must complete the following courses preferably by the end of sophomore year
- BIOL 103 Human Anatomy and Physiology I
- BIOL 104 Human Anatomy and Physiology II
- Math 107 Elementary Statistics OR Econ 156 Economics and Business Statistics
- ECON 152 Principles of Economics (M4)
- PSYC 207 Lifespan Development
Major Requirements (former)
Core Courses: 10 Unites
- HLTP 110 Public Health
- HLTP 230 Epidemiology
- ECON 211/HLTP 211 The Economics of Health and Health Care (U1)
- HLTP 321 Global Health or NURS/HLTP 322 Nursing of Populations at High Risk for Health Problems
- HLTP 218/NURS 218 Writing about Health (writing intensive)
Students will select one course unit from each of the following determinants of health categories:
Social Factors
- ENVR110 Introduction to Environmental Studies (M5)
- MGMT/IDIS 250 Moral Marketing (U2)
- HIST 260 Environmental History (U1)
- IDIS 165 Life Walk of Justice (M3) (same as REL 165, SOC 165)
- IDIS 213 Impact of Technology on Diet and Disease (U1)
- IDIS 216 Intersection of Culture and Healthcare (M5) (same as NURS216)
- PHIL 257 Bio-ethics and Social Justice (U2)
- PHIL 267 West African Philosophy: Akan Ethics (M5)
- POSC 127 East Asia and the Future (M5)
- Or a Bioethics Course
Biological Factors
- BIOL 205 Pathophysiology
- BIOL 206 Microbiology for Health Sciences
- BIOL 210 Genetics
- ENVR 112 Environmental Science (F4)
Students will select two course units as electives
- HLTP 231 Nutrition
- HLTP 240 Health Behavior
- HLTP 315 Health Policy
- HLTP 330 Environmental Health
- HLTP 340 Program and Evaluation
All students must complete two ½ unit public health internships (HLTP 386.2 and HLTP 387.2) during the senior year
Public Health Minor
Required Public Health Courses of All Public Health Minors (2 units)
- HLTP 110 Introduction to Public Health (M4*)
- HLTP 230 Epidemiology
Elective Public Health Courses for Public Health Minors (choose 3 units)
- HLTP 218 Writing About Health (writing intensive)
- HLTP 231 Nutrition
- HLTP 240 Essentials of Health Behaviors
- HLTP 189/190 Biostatistics (F2*)
- HLTP 289/291 Social Determinants of Health
- HLTP 315 Health Policy
- HLTP 311 Professionalism in Public Health
- HLTP 321 Global Health (M5*) or HLTH 322 Populations at High Risk for Health Problems (M5)
- HLTP 330 Environmental Health
- HLTP 185 Service in Public Health HLTP 340 Program Planning and Evaluation
- Other HLTP classes as approved by the public health program director
