Public Health B.A.

Print Degree Planner (opens a new window) |

Public health is an interdisciplinary field of study dedicated to improving human health and the health of a community by integrating scientific, social, political, economic, and other approaches and ways of thinking. Public health professionals often use statistical analyses of population level data and require a knowledge of ethics to help evaluate possible solutions. To give students the tools they need to understand issues in the field, the major is comprised of a set of required courses to give students a grounding in social science, science, ethics, and data analysis. Students are also required to complete an internship and a research methods course, and many will complete a thesis. To broaden their skills and allow for specialization within the major, students can choose from a variety of elective courses that span the fields important to the study of public health.

Social Sciences

Science

Ethics

Data Analysis

Research Methods

Be aware that some of these courses may have prerequisites that need to be taken before enrolling in the course

Internship

Choose one:
ISC 203 - Exploring Healthcare Through Community
Other internship

Senior Writing

PBH-400, or a senior seminar, or 2 term thesis or 3 term thesis

*With approval, other seminars may fulfill this requirement
BIO 489 - Senior Writing Seminar: Topics in Cellular and Molecular Biology
PBH 400 - Seminar in Public Health
PBH 487 - PBH 3 Term Thesis 1
PBH 488 - PBH 3 Term Thesis 2
PBH 489 - PBH 3 Term Thesis 3
PBH 498 - PBH 2 Term Thesis 1
PBH 499 - PBH 2 Term Thesis 2
PSY 411 - Seminar in Clinical Neuropsychology
PSY 440 - Seminar in Human Development
PSY 450 - Seminar in Clinical Psychology

Electives Take 5 in total. At least 3 from Category 1, and at least 2 at the 300 and 400 level

Be aware that some of these courses may have prerequisites that need to be taken before enrolling in the course

Course Selection Guidelines:

A student must meet with his or her Public Health academic advisor prior to registration. It should be noted that some courses require prerequisites, so a student needs to make plans early in his or her studies to complete these introductory courses early to be able to take these upper-level courses.

Requirements for Honors in Public Health

Students eligible for honors in Public Health must fulfill the following criteria:

Have achieved a cumulative index of 3.3 or better
Have an index of 3.3 or better in courses taken in the major (this does not include grades associated with senior thesis (PBH 491, PBH 492 and PBH 493). At least three of the courses used to calculate the major GPA must have a grade of A- or better
Students eligible for honors in Public Health must satisfactorily complete a thesis, traditionally based on the results of original research on which a grade of not lower than A- has been earned.