PUBLIC HEALTH, BS
School of Public Health
On This Page
- Bachelor of Science in Public Health
- Environmental Health Sciences Concentration
- Global Health Studies Concentration
- Public Health Concentration
Bachelor of Science in Public Health
The BS in Public Health offers a broad introduction to Public Health research and practice, drawing on the multiple disciplines within Public Health. Accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health, the BS in Public Health prepares students to:
- Identify key health challenges facing a community, based on evaluation and synthesis of public health information
- Recognize the importance of evidence-based strategies to address public health challenges facing a community
- Advocate for improved health in the community, both orally and in writing, to diverse audiences
Students pursuing the BS in Public Health select a concentration in Environmental Health Sciences, Global Health Studies, or Public Health (a general concentration providing flexibility to pursue coursework in multiple areas of Public Health).
Program Completion Requirements
- Credit hours required in Public Health major: 24 hours plus a 1-hour First Year Experience course
- Credit hours required in concentration: 21 hours (including at least one course designated as Experiential Learning)
- All PUH courses completed with a grade of C or higher
- Credit hours in institutional general education or core curriculum: 41 hours
- Credit hours in required or free electives: 33 hours
- Total credit hours required for completion: 120 hours
| Requirements | Hours | |
|---|---|---|
| First Year Experience (for students entering UAB w/ less than 24 credit hours earned) | ||
| PUH 101 | Transitioning to College, Exploring Public Health | 1 |
| Public Health Core Courses (24 hours) | ||
| PUH 201 | Introduction to Public Health | 3 |
| PUH 202 | Introduction to Global Health | 3 |
| PUH 204 | Social and Behavioral Determinants of Health | 3 |
| PUH 210 | Agent, Host, Environment | 3 |
| PUH 230 | Public Health Data and Methods | 3 |
| PUH 305 | Public Health Practice | 3 |
| PUH 307 | Public Health Systems | 3 |
| PUH 495 | Public Health Capstone Experience | 3 |
| Total Hours | 25 | |
Environmental Health Sciences Concentration
A concentration in Environmental Health Sciences prepares students to protect workers, communities, and the environment. Common career paths include occupational health and safety, emergency preparedness response, environmental monitoring and assessment, and a wide range of positions with Health Departments or agencies focused on protecting the environment.
| Requirements | Hours | |
|---|---|---|
| PUH 220 | Environmental Factors in Public Health | 3 |
| PUH 321 | Workplace Environment | 3 |
| PUH 322 | Environmental Justice and Ethics | 3 |
| PUH 333 | Food, Water, and Air | 3 |
| PUH 422 | Fundamentals of Toxicology | 3 |
| Concentration elective hours (select from any PUH or GHS course not already taken; 1 course may be from outside the School of Public Health with advisor permission). The concentration hours should include at least 6 hours from the 400-level in PUH or GHS and at least 1 course designated as Experiential Learning. | 6 | |
| Total Hours | 21 | |
Global Health Studies Concentration
A concentration in Global Health Studies prepares students to advocate for the health and well-being of disadvantaged populations, both globally and here in our own community. Common career paths include work with non-governmental organizations (NGOs), ministries of health, or the WHO, focusing on issues like maternal and child health, infectious disease surveillance, disaster response, and humanitarian crises.
| Requirements | Hours | |
|---|---|---|
| PUH 333 | Food, Water, and Air | 3 |
| PUH 403 | Immigrant, Migrant, and Refugee Health | 3 |
| PUH 432 | Global Health Cases | 3 |
| PUH 434 | Global Communicable Disease Challenges | 3 |
| Concentration elective hours (select from any PUH or GHS course not already taken; 1 course may be from outside the School of Public Health with advisor permission). The concentration hours should include at least 6 hours from the 400-level in PUH or GHS and at least 1 course designated as Experiential Learning. | 9 | |
| Total Hours | 21 | |
Public Health Concentration
Public Health draws on a variety of disciplines (science, math, social/behavioral science, communications, economics, etc.) to investigate a broad range of health-related topics. The general concentration in Public Health allows students the flexibility to pursue their varied interests within this constantly evolving field. This concentration is ideal for students looking to be inspired to pursue a career where they can make a difference in their community.
| Requirements | Hours | |
|---|---|---|
| Concentration elective hours (select from any PUH or GHS course; 1 course may be from outside the School of Public Health with advisor permission). The concentration hours should include at least 6 hours from the 400-level in PUH or GHS and at least 1 course designated as Experiential Learning. 1 | 21 | |
| Total Hours | 21 | |
| 1 |
Students may select one course from outside the School of Public Health from the list below (or another course approved by the advisor) to apply towards the public health concentration hours, if not already being used for the overall degree hours: ANTH 319, ANTH 330, ANTH 447, CHHS 141, CHHS 342, CHHS 402, CHHS 404, CHHS 408, CHHS 421, CHHS 491, DCS 101, DCS 250, EPR 414, GEO 109, GEO 415, GEO 491, HC 110, HC 112, HCM 305, HCM 318, HCM 402, HCM 415, HIM 415, MG 305, NTR 222, NTR 320, NUR 383, PHL 115, PHL 116, PHL 270, SOC 275, SOC 278, SOC 280, SOC 282, SOC 283, SOC 317, SOC 431, SPA 180, SW 208, SW 428 |
