Public Health

major

The Bachelor of Public Health (BPH) program prepares students for advanced education in public health or related fields. It also provides students with foundational public health skills to succeed in the dynamic public health workforce.

About this Program

To graduate with this major, students must complete all university, college, and major requirements.

Department Information


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1225 Center Drive
HPNP BUILDING
GAINESVILLE FL 32610
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 Curriculum

Related Programs 

A primary goal of the Bachelor of Public Health degree program is to prepare students for advanced master’s training in public health and the health professions. Students interested in a specific area of public health have the opportunity to organize some of their electives around a cohesive Public Health topic. Additionally, interested students can explore a combination-degree program in public health.

Upon successful completion of the public health program, students receive the Bachelor of Public Health degree. While most students pursue graduate or professional training in public health or a related field, some students seek employment in various organizations, including not-for-profit and for-profit agencies or related community health organizations, after completing the BPH.

Course Sequence

The Public Health program is designed primarily for students who want to pursue advanced degree work in Public Health or a related field. It is also appropriate for those who want to acquire foundational Public Health knowledge before continuing to graduate or professional school or who will work in a healthcare setting after graduation. In order to be on track for public health, students must meet the critical tracking criteria listed below, beginning with their first Fall or Spring term.

Admission Requirements

Requirements to enter the program:

  • Complete these critical-tracking courses
    BSC 2005Biological Sciences3
    or BSC 2010 Integrated Principles of Biology 1
    STA 2023Introduction to Statistics 13
    PSY 2012General Psychology3
    ENC 3254Professional Writing in the Discipline (Public Health)3
  • 3.0 overall GPA and 3.0 critical tracking GPA
  • AA degree or 60 transferable college level credits

AP, IB, or AICE credit is accepted for any prerequisite course. Students must earn a minimum of C in all BPH critical tracking courses if not satisfied by AP/IB/AICE credit.

NOTE: While students can use AP/IB/AICE credit to satisfy BPH critical tracking, students should be aware that graduate/professional programs may not accept AP/IB/AICE credits in lieu of letter grades for their respective prerequisites. Students should consult a college advisor if they need assistance or have questions about a specific course schedule.

Equivalent critical-tracking courses as determined by the State of Florida Common Course Prerequisites may be used for transfer students.

Equivalent critical-tracking courses as determined by the State of Florida Common Course Prerequisites may be used for transfer students.

SEMESTER 1

  • Complete PSY 2012 with a minimum grade of C
  • 3.0 GPA required for all critical tracking courses
  • 2.3 UF GPA overall

SEMESTER 2

  • Complete STA 2023 with a minimum grade of B
  • 3.0 GPA required for all critical tracking courses
  • 2.7 UF GPA overall

SEMESTER 3

  • Complete BSC 2005 or BSC 2010 with minimum grade of C
  • 3.0 GPA required for all critical-tracking courses, based on all attempts
  • 3.0 cumulative GPA on work from all institutions

SEMESTER 4

  • Complete ENC 3254 or a substitution approved by a PHHP advisor
  • 3.0 critical tracking GPA and minimum grades of C on all critical tracking courses, based on all attempts.
  • 3.0 cumulative GPA on work from all institutions

All General Education requirements, including State Core and International and Diversity, must be completed prior to taking PHC 4943.

SEMESTER 5

  • Complete PHC 4101 with a minimum grade of C
  • Complete PHC 3603 with a minimum grade of C
  • Complete HSA 3111 with a minimum grade of C
  • Complete 1 of the following core courses with a minimum grade of C: PHC 4418 or PHC 4XXX Public Health Messaging & Dissemination
  • 3.0 GPA required for all critical-tracking courses, based on all attempts
  • 3.0 cumulative GPA on work from all institutions

SEMESTER 6

  • Complete HSC 3057 with a minimum grade of C
  • Complete PHC 4094 with a minimum grade of C
  • Complete 1 of the following core courses with a minimum grade of C: PHC 3440, PHC 4117, PHC 4418, or PHC 4XXX Public Health Messaging & Dissemination
  • 3.0 GPA required for all critical-tracking courses, based on all attempts
  • 3.0 cumulative GPA on work from all institutions

SEMESTER 7

  • Complete PHC 4024 with a minimum grade of C
  • Complete PHC 4320 with a minimum grade of C
  • Complete 1 of the following core courses with a minimum grade of C: PHC 3440, PHC 4117, PHC 4418, or PHC 4XXX Public Health Messaging & Dissemination
  • Complete a minimum of 3 college approved elective credits
  • 3.0 GPA required for all critical-tracking courses, based on all attempts
  • 3.0 cumulative GPA on work from all institutions

SEMESTER 8

  • Complete PHC 4943 with a minimum grade of C
  • Complete all remaining core critical tracking courses
  • Complete a minimum of 6 college approved elective credits
  • 3.0 GPA required for all critical tracking courses, based on all attempts
  • 3.0 cumulative GPA on work from all institutions

To remain on track, students must complete the appropriate critical-tracking courses, which appear in bold. These courses must be completed by the terms as listed above in the Critical Tracking criteria.

This semester plan represents an example progression through the major. Actual courses and course order may be different depending on the student's academic record and scheduling availability of courses. Prerequisites still apply.

Plan of Study Grid
Semester OneCredits
Quest 1 (Gen Ed Humanities) 3
PSY 2012 General Psychology (Critical Tracking; State Core Gen Ed Social and Behavioral Sciences) 1 3
State Core Gen Ed Composition; Writing Requirement 3
Gen Ed Biological Sciences or Physical Sciences (Critical Tracking) 1 3
Gen Ed Mathematics (Critical Tracking) 1 3
 Credits15
Semester Two
STA 2023 Introduction to Statistics 1 (Critical Tracking; State Core Gen Ed Mathematics) 1 3
State Core Gen Ed Humanities with Diversity (Critical Tracking) 1 3
Gen Ed Composition; Writing Requirement 3
Electives (PHC 2100 recommended) 6
 Credits15
Semester Three
Quest 2 (Gen Ed Social and Behavioral Sciences) 3
Select one: 3
Biological Sciences (Critical Tracking; State Core Gen Ed Biological Sciences) 1
Integrated Principles of Biology 1 (Critical Tracking; State Core Gen Ed Biological Sciences)
Elective (Writing Requirement; 6000 words) 3
Electives 6
 Credits15
Semester Four
ENC 3254 Professional Writing in the Discipline (Critical Tracking, Writing Requirement) 1 3
HSA 3111 US Health Care System (Critical Tracking, must complete by end of Semester 5) 1 3
PHC 4101 Public Health Concepts (Critical Tracking; must complete by end of Semester 5) 1 3
Gen Ed Biological Sciences or Physical Sciences 3
Gen Ed Social and Behavioral Sciences 3
 Credits15
Semester Five
PHC 3603 Critical Issues in Public Health (Critical Tracking) 1 3
PHC 4418 Social, Economic, and Environmental Drivers of Health (Critical Tracking) 1 3
Approved College Elective 3
Electives (complete Writing Requirement) 6
 Credits15
Semester Six
HSC 3057 Research Methods and Issues in Health Science 3
PHC 3440 Global Public Health (Critical Tracking) 3
PHC 4094 Introduction to Biostatistics for Health Science and Public Health (Critical Tracking) 1 3
Approved college elective 3
Elective 3
 Credits15
Semester Seven
PHC 4024 Applied Epidemiology (Critical Tracking) 1 3
PHC 4320 Environmental Concepts in Public Health (Critical Tracking) 1 3
PHC 4XXXPublic Health Messaging & Dissemination (Critical Tracking) 1 3
Electives 6
 Credits15
Semester Eight
PHC 4117 Public Health Management Leadership (Critical Tracking) 1 3
PHC 4943 Service Learning Practicum (Critical Tracking) 1 3
Electives 9
 Credits15
 Total Credits120
1

Minimum grade of C required for all critical tracking courses. 

For semesters 5-8, students must enroll in all semesters and take all core courses in the term and order indicated.


Students graduating with a Bachelor of Public Health will be prepared for careers in health organizations or systems addressing the unique health and social service needs of communities and populations. They will gain foundational knowledge and skills necessary to enter post baccalaureate academic programs in public health or complementary fields and succeed in the dynamic public health workforce.

Before Graduating Students Must

  • Earn minimum grades of C in all public health core courses.
  • Pass a BPH capstone exam and service learning experience.
  • Complete requirements for the post baccalaureate degree, as determined by the faculty and the university.

Students in the Major Will Learn to

Student Learning Outcomes | SLOs

Content

  1. Explain the five major areas of public health (biostatistics, environmental health, epidemiology, health policy and management, and social and behavioral science), and each area’s contribution to public health.
  2. Examine the socio-economic, behavioral, biological, environmental, and other factors that impact human health and contribute to health disparities.

Critical Thinking

  1. Identify, critically evaluate and interpret, and propose strategies, solutions, and interventions to address public health challenges.

Communication

  1. Communicate public health information in oral and written forms using various media.

Curriculum Map

I = Introduced; R = Reinforced; A = Assessed

Courses SLO 1 SLO 2 SLO 3 SLO 4
HSA 3111 I, R R I, R R
HSC 3057 I, R
PHC XXXX (SEED) R, A R, A R, A
PHC XXXX (Public Health Communication) R R, A
PHC 3440 I, R I, R R, A R, A
PHC 3603 I, R I, R I, R
PHC 4024 I, R R
PHC 4094 I R
PHC 4101 I, A I, A I, A I, A
PHC 4117 I I, R I, A R, A
PHC 4320 I I, R R
PHC 4943 Service Learning Practicum R, A R, A R, A
Capstone Exam A

Assessment Types

  • Assignment
  • The Bachelor of Public Health Service Learning Practicum
  • The degree candidate's exit survey