BS in Public Health (55–60 hours*)

The Discipline

Public health professionals work to create conditions that ensure the health and safety of individuals, families, and communities. Public health students are trained to inform, educate, and empower people about health issues; mobilize communities to take ownership for their own health; monitor health status and diagnose and investigate health problems and health hazards; develop policies and laws to protect health and ensure safety; and link people to needed health services. The public health mission is carried out through organized, interdisciplinary efforts that address the physical, mental, and environmental health concerns of communities and populations at risk for disease and injury.

Four of several disciplines within public health are represented as tracks within the major: (1) environmental/occupational health identifies and controls factors in the environment (air, water, food, toxins, etc.) or conditions at the workplace which affect health; (2) epidemiology investigates and discovers what causes disease and disability and how diseases are spread or distributed across populations; (3) health promotion facilitates behavior change among individuals and improves population health through policy, advocacy, education, and communication; and (4) health science trains students interested in working in public health after earning an advanced degree in a medical, dental, or other allied health area.

Career Opportunities

There has never been a better time to pursue a career in public health. It is an exciting and growing field of study and a diverse and dynamic profession. It is filled with rewards associated with the pursuit of serving others. The development and delivery of population-based prevention programs will be the key to major advances in health improvement in the 21st century. Public health will continue to be called upon to monitor and assess health problems, prevent and control diseases and injuries, and protect the health of communities and worksites from various environmental and occupational risks associated with man-made and natural disasters and emergencies.

Public health graduates are qualified to work in governmental health agencies on the local, state, federal, and international levels. Private-sector employment can be found in a variety of businesses, community health agencies, managed care organizations, hospitals, clinics, research institutes, voluntary health agencies, and non-governmental organizations. Opportunities for employment in public health are readily available. But recruiters will not typically come to campus to hire graduates. This means graduates must be organized and proactive in their career planning. Students can increase the likelihood of obtaining a position by balancing classroom activities with voluntary or paid service to public health agencies. Obtaining certifications related to specific tracks within the major and careful development of a professional portfolio enhance employment opportunities.

While there are many specialties or disciplines in public health, most career opportunities are found in the tracks associated with the major. Entry-level salaries with a bachelor's degree in public health will range from approximately $35,000–$60,000 but will vary significantly depending upon the specific discipline, type of organization, and geographic location.

Program Requirements

1. Complete the following department courses:
   HLTH 100
   HLTH 100
   
              : Introduction to Public Health.
   
   
   HLTH 310
   HLTH 310
   
              : Chronic Diseases: Prevention and Control.
   
   
   HLTH 311
   HLTH 311
   
              : Infectious Diseases: Prevention and Control.
   
   
   HLTH 322
   HLTH 322
   
              : Environmental Health.
   
   
   HLTH 330
   HLTH 330
   
              : Principles and Practices of Health Promotion.
   
   
   HLTH 345
   HLTH 345
   
              : Principles of Epidemiology.
   
   
2. Complete one of the following tracks:

   • Environmental/Occupational Health Track    |    View MAP

     1. Complete the following:
        CHEM 105
        CHEM 105
        
                   : General College Chemistry.
        
        
        CHEM 106
        CHEM 106
        
                   : General College Chemistry.
        
        
        CHEM 107
        CHEM 107
        
                   : General College Chemistry Laboratory.
        
        
        HLTH 420
        HLTH 420
        
                   : Injury and Violence Prevention.
        
        
        HLTH 422
        HLTH 422
        
                   : Disaster Response and Emergency Preparedness.
        
        
        HLTH 424
        HLTH 424
        
                   : Occupational Health and Safety.
        
        
        MATH 110
        MATH 110
        
                   : College Algebra.
        
        
        MMBIO 221 : General Microbiology. (3:3:0)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
        
        MMBIO 221 : General Microbiology. (3:3:0)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
        
        OFFERED:	F, W, Sp, Su
        PREREQUISITE:	Any chemistry course and any biology course.
        DESCRIPTION:	Microbial world, emphasizing communicable diseases, their causes, and control.
        NOTE:	Recommended for students seeking a liberal education in microbiology who do not have the prerequisites to take the more advanced courses.
        
        
        
        MMBIO 222
        MMBIO 222
        
                    : General Microbiology Laboratory.
        
        
     2. Complete 15 hours from the following:
        CHEM 223
        CHEM 223
        
                   : Quantitative and Qualitative Analysis.
        
        
        CHEM 285
        CHEM 285
        
                   : Introductory Bio-organic Chemistry.
        
        
        CH EN 411
        CH EN 411
        
                    : Air Pollution Control.
        
        
        GEOG 101
        GEOG 101
        
                   : Global Environment: Understanding Physical Geography.
        
        
        GEOG 212
        GEOG 212
        
                   : Introduction to Geographic Information Systems.
        
        
        GEOG 303
        GEOG 303
        
                   : Biogeography.
        
        
        HLTH 496R
        HLTH 496R
        
                    : Academic Internship.
        
        
        MMBIO 361
        MMBIO 361
        
                    : Infection and Immunity.
        
        
        MMBIO 417
        MMBIO 417
        
                    : Medical Parasitology.
        
        
        MMBIO 465
        MMBIO 465
        
                    : Virology.
        
        
        NDFS 361
        NDFS 361
        
                   : Food Microbiology.
        
        
        PDBIO 305
        PDBIO 305
        
                    : Human Physiology (with lab).
        
        
        Prerequisite: Chem 101 or equivalent.
        PWS 150
        PWS 150
        
                  : Environmental Biology.
        
        

     
     
   • Epidemiology Track    |    View MAP

     1. Complete the following:
        HLTH 439
        HLTH 439
        
                   : Program Planning and Evaluation.
        
        
        HLTH 440
        HLTH 440
        
                   : Computer Applications in Epidemiology.
        
        
        HLTH 441
        HLTH 441
        
                   : Clinical Trials.
        
        
        HLTH 442
        HLTH 442
        
                   : Special Topics in Epidemiology.
        
        
        HLTH 443
        HLTH 443
        
                   : Field Epidemiology.
        
        
        PDBIO 205
        PDBIO 205
        
                    : Human Biology.
        
        
        STAT 221 : Principles of Statistics. (3:3:2)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
        
        STAT 221 : Principles of Statistics. (3:3:2)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
        
        OFFERED:	F, W, Sp, Su
        PREREQUISITE:	Math 110 or equivalent.
        DESCRIPTION:	Stemplots, boxplots, histograms, scatterplots; central tendency, variability; confidence intervals and hypothesis testing involving one and two means and proportions; contingency tables, regression; computer package.
        NOTE:	Honors and Independent Study also.
        
        
        
     2. Complete one of the following courses:
        MATH 112 : Calculus 1. (4:5:0)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
        
        MATH 112 : Calculus 1. (4:5:0)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
        
        OFFERED:	F, W, Sp, Su
        PREREQUISITE:	Math 110 and 111 or equivalent.
        DESCRIPTION:	Differential and integral calculus: limits; continuity; the derivative and applications; extrema; the definite integral; fundamental theorem of calculus; L'Hopital's rule.
        NOTE:	Honors also.
        
        
        
        MATH 119
        MATH 119
        
                   : Introduction to Calculus.
        
        
     3. Complete 14 hours from the following:
        C S 100
        C S 100
        
                  : Fundamentals of Computing and Information.
        
        
        C S 142
        C S 142
        
                  : Introduction to Computer Programming.
        
        
        GEOG 212
        GEOG 212
        
                   : Introduction to Geographic Information Systems.
        
        
        HLTH 420
        HLTH 420
        
                   : Injury and Violence Prevention.
        
        
        HLTH 424
        HLTH 424
        
                   : Occupational Health and Safety.
        
        
        HLTH 480
        HLTH 480
        
                   : International Health.
        
        
        HLTH 491R
        HLTH 491R
        
                    : Mentored Research.
        
        
        PDBIO 120 : Science of Biology. (2:2:1)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
        
        PDBIO 120 : Science of Biology. (2:2:1)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
        
        OFFERED:	F, W, Sp, Su; Honors also.
        DESCRIPTION:	General biology course designed for biological science majors, emphasizing the scientific method, cell theory, biochemical unity, the Central Dogma, bioenergetics, reproduction, and evolutionary theory.
        
        
        
        PDBIO 362
        PDBIO 362
        
                    : Advanced Physiology.
        
        
        PDBIO 365
        PDBIO 365
        
                    : Pathophysiology.
        
        
        PWS 340
        PWS 340
        
                  : Genetics.
        
        
        SOC 300
        SOC 300
        
                  : Methods of Research in Sociology.
        
        
        STAT 224
        STAT 224
        
                   : Statistical Computing 1.
        
        
        STAT 334
        STAT 334
        
                   : Methods of Survey Sampling.
        
        
        STAT 336
        STAT 336
        
                   : Statistical Methods 1.
        
        
        STAT 337
        STAT 337
        
                   : Statistical Methods 2.
        
        
        STAT 424
        STAT 424
        
                   : Statistical Computing 2.
        
        

        Note 1: Prerequisites for PDBio 362:

        MMBIO 240
        MMBIO 240
        
                    : Molecular Biology.
        
        
        PHSCS 106
        PHSCS 106
        
                    : Introductory Applied Physics.
        
        
        Or
        PHSCS 220
        PHSCS 220
        
                    : Principles of Physics 3.
        
        

        Note 2: Prerequisites for PDBio 365:

        PDBIO 305
        PDBIO 305
        
                    : Human Physiology (with lab).
        
        
        Or:
        PDBIO 362
        PDBIO 362
        
                    : Advanced Physiology.
        
        

        Note 3: Prerequisites for PWS 340:

        PDBIO 120 : Science of Biology. (2:2:1)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
        
        PDBIO 120 : Science of Biology. (2:2:1)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
        
        OFFERED:	F, W, Sp, Su; Honors also.
        DESCRIPTION:	General biology course designed for biological science majors, emphasizing the scientific method, cell theory, biochemical unity, the Central Dogma, bioenergetics, reproduction, and evolutionary theory.
        
        
        
        MMBIO 240
        MMBIO 240
        
                    : Molecular Biology.
        
        

     
     
   • Health Promotion Track    |    View MAP

     1. Complete the following courses:
        HLTH 332
        HLTH 332
        
                   : Technology in Health Promotion.
        
        
        HLTH 335
        HLTH 335
        
                   : Health Behavior Change.
        
        
        HLTH 437
        HLTH 437
        
                   : Methods in Health Promotion.
        
        
        HLTH 438
        HLTH 438
        
                   : Social Marketing.
        
        
        HLTH 439
        HLTH 439
        
                   : Program Planning and Evaluation.
        
        
        HLTH 496R
        HLTH 496R
        
                    : Academic Internship.
        
        
        (6 hours required)
        HLTH 498
        HLTH 498
        
                   : Career Preparation in Health Promotion.
        
        
     2. Complete 16 hours from the following (a minimum of six hours must be taken from departmental courses):
        BUS M 340
        BUS M 340
        
                    : Marketing Management.
        
        
        COMMS 235
        COMMS 235
        
                    : Introduction to Public Relations.
        
        
        EXSC 387
        EXSC 387
        
                   : Lifestyle and Chronic Disease Prevention.
        
        
        GEOG 212
        GEOG 212
        
                   : Introduction to Geographic Information Systems.
        
        
        HLTH 370
        HLTH 370
        
                   : Consumer Health.
        
        
        HLTH 383
        HLTH 383
        
                   : Mind/Body Health.
        
        
        HLTH 403R
        HLTH 403R
        
                    : Health Problems Workshop.
        
        
        HLTH 420
        HLTH 420
        
                   : Injury and Violence Prevention.
        
        
        HLTH 422
        HLTH 422
        
                   : Disaster Response and Emergency Preparedness.
        
        
        HLTH 443
        HLTH 443
        
                   : Field Epidemiology.
        
        
        HLTH 450
        HLTH 450
        
                   : Women's Health Issues.
        
        
        HLTH 460
        HLTH 460
        
                   : Substance Abuse and Addictive Behavior.
        
        
        HLTH 466
        HLTH 466
        
                   : Health and the Aging Process.
        
        
        HLTH 480
        HLTH 480
        
                   : International Health.
        
        
        HLTH 491R
        HLTH 491R
        
                    : Mentored Research.
        
        
        (Up to three hours)
        NDFS 100
        NDFS 100
        
                   : Essentials of Human Nutrition.
        
        
        NDFS 201
        NDFS 201
        
                   : Nutrition and Prevention of Chronic Disease.
        
        
        SOC 113
        SOC 113
        
                  : Multicultural America.
        
        

        Note: Prerequisite for NDFS 201:

        NDFS 100
        NDFS 100
        
                   : Essentials of Human Nutrition.
        
        

     
     
   • Health Science Track    |    View MAP

     1. Complete one of the following courses:
        HLTH 420
        HLTH 420
        
                   : Injury and Violence Prevention.
        
        
        HLTH 422
        HLTH 422
        
                   : Disaster Response and Emergency Preparedness.
        
        
        HLTH 424
        HLTH 424
        
                   : Occupational Health and Safety.
        
        
     2. Complete one of the following courses:
        HLTH 440
        HLTH 440
        
                   : Computer Applications in Epidemiology.
        
        
        HLTH 441
        HLTH 441
        
                   : Clinical Trials.
        
        
        HLTH 442
        HLTH 442
        
                   : Special Topics in Epidemiology.
        
        
        HLTH 443
        HLTH 443
        
                   : Field Epidemiology.
        
        
     3. Complete one of the following courses:
        HLTH 335
        HLTH 335
        
                   : Health Behavior Change.
        
        
        HLTH 437
        HLTH 437
        
                   : Methods in Health Promotion.
        
        
        HLTH 438
        HLTH 438
        
                   : Social Marketing.
        
        
        HLTH 439
        HLTH 439
        
                   : Program Planning and Evaluation.
        
        
     4. Complete the following courses:
        CHEM 105
        CHEM 105
        
                   : General College Chemistry.
        
        
        CHEM 106
        CHEM 106
        
                   : General College Chemistry.
        
        
        CHEM 107
        CHEM 107
        
                   : General College Chemistry Laboratory.
        
        
        CHEM 351
        CHEM 351
        
                   : Organic Chemistry.
        
        
        CHEM 352
        CHEM 352
        
                   : Organic Chemistry.
        
        
        CHEM 353
        CHEM 353
        
                   : Organic Chemistry Laboratory--Nonmajors.
        
        
        MMBIO 240
        MMBIO 240
        
                    : Molecular Biology.
        
        
        PDBIO 120 : Science of Biology. (2:2:1)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
        
        PDBIO 120 : Science of Biology. (2:2:1)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
        
        OFFERED:	F, W, Sp, Su; Honors also.
        DESCRIPTION:	General biology course designed for biological science majors, emphasizing the scientific method, cell theory, biochemical unity, the Central Dogma, bioenergetics, reproduction, and evolutionary theory.
        
        
        
        PWS 340
        PWS 340
        
                  : Genetics.
        
        

        Note: Chemistry 111, 112, and 113 (as a block of classes) may substitute for Chem 105, 106, and 107.

     5. Complete one of the following options:
        Either
        PDBIO 305
        PDBIO 305
        
                    : Human Physiology (with lab).
        
        
        Or
        PDBIO 362
        PDBIO 362
        
                    : Advanced Physiology.
        
        
        PDBIO 363
        PDBIO 363
        
                    : Advanced Physiology Laboratory.
        
        
     6. Complete one of the following courses:
        PHSCS 105
        PHSCS 105
        
                    : Introductory Applied Physics.
        
        
        PHSCS 121
        PHSCS 121
        
                    : Principles of Physics 1.
        
        
     7. Complete the following:
        PHSCS 106
        PHSCS 106
        
                    : Introductory Applied Physics.
        
        
        PHSCS 107
        PHSCS 107
        
                    : Introductory Applied Physics Laboratory.
        
        
        PHSCS 108
        PHSCS 108
        
                    : Introductory Applied Physics Laboratory.
        
        

        Note: Phscs 106 should be taken before or concurrently with Phscs 108.





Recommended GE Courses:

ENGL 315 : Writing in the Social Sciences. (3:3:0)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)

ENGL 315 : Writing in the Social Sciences. (3:3:0)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)

OFFERED:	F, W, Sp, Su; Honors also.
PREREQUISITE:	Engl 150 or equivalent; junior or senior status.
DESCRIPTION:	Writing characteristic of disciplines that inquire into human behavior and institutions; correspondence, proposals, library paper, empirical research, and reviews.
NOTE:	Carries GE Advanced Written and Oral Communication credit.



Or
ENGL 316 : Technical Communication. (3:3:0)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)

ENGL 316 : Technical Communication. (3:3:0)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)

OFFERED:	F, W, Sp, Su; Honors also.
PREREQUISITE:	Engl 150 or equivalent; junior or senior status.
DESCRIPTION:	Effective processes of written, oral, and visual technical communication, including collaborative processes. Writing for academic and professional audiences.
NOTE:	Carries GE Advanced Written and Oral Communication credit.



STAT 221 : Principles of Statistics. (3:3:2)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)

STAT 221 : Principles of Statistics. (3:3:2)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)

OFFERED:	F, W, Sp, Su
PREREQUISITE:	Math 110 or equivalent.
DESCRIPTION:	Stemplots, boxplots, histograms, scatterplots; central tendency, variability; confidence intervals and hypothesis testing involving one and two means and proportions; contingency tables, regression; computer package.
NOTE:	Honors and Independent Study also.







*Hours include courses that may fulfill university core requirements.





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