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


Website

CONTACT

1225 Center Drive
HPNP BUILDING
GAINESVILLE FL 32610
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 Curriculum

Related Programs 

A primary goal of the Public Health bachelor’s degree program is to prepare students for advanced master’s training in the health professions and in public health specifically, considered the entry level degree for the field. Students interested in a specific area of public health have the opportunity to organize some of their electives around a cohesive Public Health topic. In addition, interested students have the opportunity to 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 the majority of students pursue graduate or professional training in public health or a related field, some students seek employment in 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 health-care setting after graduation. In order to be on track for pre-public health at the junior level, students must meet the critical-tracking criteria listed below, beginning with their first Fall or Spring term.

Admission Requirements

Requirements to be considered for admission at the junior level:

  • Complete these prerequisites
    BSC 2005Biological Sciences3
    or BSC 2010 Integrated Principles of Biology 1
    STA 2023Introduction to Statistics 13
    Select 6 credits of social and behavioral sciences, including the following as the state core:6
    General Psychology
    ENC 1101Expository and Argumentative Writing3
    ENC 1102Argument and Persuasion3
    ENC 2210Technical Writing3
    or ENC 3453 Writing in the Health Professions
  • 3.0 overall GPA and 3.0 prerequisite GPA
  • AA degree or 60 transferable college level credits
  • Completion of all General Education and university Writing Requirement
  • Apply formally to the college by February 1. The college application packet is available online. Transfer students must apply separately to UF and to the college so they must submit two different applications.
    More Info

Off-track UF freshmen and sophomores must speak with a college advisor before registering for the next semester and prior to applying for junior-year admission consideration.

AP, IB, or AICE credit is accepted for any prerequisite course. Students must earn a minimum of C in any BPH prerequisite course that is not satisfied by AP/IB/AICE credit. NOTE: While students can use AP/IB/AICE credit to satisfy BPH prerequisites, 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.

Students must apply by February 1 for Summer B and Fall admission. All prerequisites must be completed by the end of Summer.

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

Semester 1

  • Complete ENC 1101 or ENC 1102 with a minimum grade of C
  • Complete 9 credits of General Education courses, including ENC 1101 or higher, with minimum grades of C
  • 2.3 cumulative GPA on work from all institutions

Semester 2

  • Complete STA 2023 with a minimum grade of C
  • Complete PSY 2012 with a minimum grade of C
  • Complete 9 additional credits of General Education courses for a total of 18, and including the university Writing Requirement
  • 2.7 cumulative GPA on work from all institutions

Semester 3

  • Complete BSC 2005 or BSC 2010 with minimum grade of C
  • Complete Gen Ed Social and Behavioral Sciences with a minimum grade of C
  • Complete 9 additional credits of General Education courses for a total of 27
  • 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 all General Education courses, including a Quest 1 course, Gen Ed Biological and Physical Sciences, Gen Ed Social and Behavioral Science, and all state core courses
  • Complete the university writing requirement, which must include ENC 3453 or a substitution approved by a PHHP advisor
  • Complete Gen Ed Physical or Biological Science with a minimum grade of C
  • Complete 60 cumulative credits
  • 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

SEMESTER 5

  • Complete PHC 4101 with a minimum grade of C
  • Complete PHC 4094 with a minimum grade of C
  • Complete PHC 3603 with a minimum grade of C
  • Complete HSC 3502 with a minimum grade of C
  • Complete HSA 3111 with a 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 6

  • Complete HSC 4558 with a minimum grade of C
  • Complete HSC 3057 with a minimum grade of C
  • Complete PHC 3440 with a minimum grade of C
  • Complete 1 Approved college elective with a minimum grade of C
  • Complete 1 Specialty elective (3000/4000) with a 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 7

  • Complete PHC 4024 with a minimum grade of C
  • Complete PHC 4320 with a minimum grade of C
  • Complete 2 Approved college electives with a minimum grade of C
  • Complete 1 Specialty elective (3000/4000) with a 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 8

  • Complete PHC 4943 with a minimum grade of C
  • Complete PHC 4117 with a minimum grade of C
  • Complete 1 Specialty elective (3000/4000) with a minimum grade of C
  • Complete General electives (3000/4000) with a minimum grade of C
  • Complete a minimum of 6 college approved electives
  • Complete 60 upper-division 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
Select one: 3
Expository and Argumentative Writing (Critical Tracking; State Core Gen Ed Composition; Writing Requirement)
Argument and Persuasion (Critical Tracking; State Core Gen Ed Composition; Writing Requirement)
Gen Ed Biological Sciences or Physical Sciences (Critical Tracking) 3
Gen Ed Mathematics (Critical Tracking) 3
Elective 3
 Credits15
Semester Two
ENC 1102 Argument and Persuasion (Critical Tracking; Gen Ed Composition; Writing Requirement) 3
HSC 2000 Introduction to Health Professions 3
PSY 2012 General Psychology (Critical Tracking; State Core Gen Ed Social and Behavioral Sciences) 3
STA 2023 Introduction to Statistics 1 (Critical Tracking; State Core Gen Ed Mathematics) 3
Gen Ed Humanities with International; Writing Requirement (Critical Tracking) 3
 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)
Integrated Principles of Biology 1 (Critical Tracking; State Core Gen Ed Biological Sciences)
Elective (Writing Requirement) 3
Electives 6
 Credits15
Semester Four
ENC 3453 Writing in the Health Professions (Critical Tracking; Writing Requirement) 3
Gen Ed Biological Sciences or Physical Sciences (Critical Tracking) 3
Gen Ed Social and Behavioral Sciences and Diversity (Critical Tracking) 3
Electives (complete writing requirement) 6
 Credits15
Semester Five
HSA 3111 US Health Care System (Critical Tracking) 1 3
HSC 3502 Survey of Diseases and Disability (Critical Tracking) 1 3
PHC 3603 Critical Issues in Public Health (Critical Tracking) 1 3
PHC 4094 Introduction to Biostatistics for Health Science and Public Health (Critical Tracking) 1 3
PHC 4101 Public Health Concepts (Critical Tracking) 1 3
 Credits15
Semester Six
HSC 3057 Research Methods and Issues in Health Science (Critical Tracking) 1 3
HSC 4558 Survey of Diseases and Disabilities 2 (Critical Tracking) 1 3
PHC 3440 Global Public Health (Critical Tracking) 1 3
Approved college elective 3
Specialty elective (3000/4000 level) 3
 Credits15
Semester Seven
PHC 4024 Applied Epidemiology (Critical Tracking) 1 3
PHC 4320 Environmental Concepts in Public Health (Critical Tracking) 1 3
Approved college elective 3
Specialty elective (3000/4000 level) 3
Elective (3000/4000 level) 3
 Credits15
Semester Eight
PHC 4117 Public Health Management Leadership (Critical Tracking) 1 3
PHC 4943 Service Learning Practicum (Critical Tracking) 1 3
Specialty elective (3000/4000 level) 3
Electives (3000/4000 level) 6
 Credits15
 Total Credits120
1

Minimum grade of C required. 

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 care systems or organizations addressing the health or more general human service needs of communities and populations. They will learn the foundational skills necessary to enter post baccalaureate academic programs in public health or complementary fields and success 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 services, epidemiology, health services administration, and social behavioral science), and each area’s contribution to public health.
  2. Identify, describe, and explain the ways that social determinants of health affect disability, disease, and illness in populations.

Critical Thinking

  1. Identify, critically evaluate, and propose solutions to public health challenges.

Communication

  1. Communicate in oral and written forms public health concepts and their relationship to policy, communities, organizations, interpersonal dynamics, and individual perspectives.

Curriculum Map

I = Introduced; R = Reinforced; A = Assessed

Courses SLO 1 SLO 2 SLO 3 SLO 4
HSA 3111 I, R
HSC 3057 I, R I, R
HSC 3502 I, R
HSC 4558 I, R
PHC 3440 I, R I, R I, R
PHC 3603 I I, R I, R I, R
PHC 4024 I, R R
PHC 4094 I R
PHC 4101 I I, R I, R R
PHC 4117 I I, R I, R R
PHC 4320 I I, R R
PHC 4943 Capstone Experience I, R I, R R, A
Capstone Exam A A A A

Assessment Types

  • Assignment
  • The Bachelor of Health Science capstone exam
  • The degree candidate's exit survey