Public Health, BS

Program Description

The Bachelor of Science in Public Health is an interdisciplinary degree designed for students interested in the population health sciences of epidemiology, environmental health, emergency preparedness, and medicine. The degree also prepares students to pursue a graduate degree in public health and other health professions. Students interested in pre-medicine and who complete the B.S. are eligible for the Medical Scholars Program.

The program provides coursework in public health, biology, data analytics, epidemiology, and environmental health. Students will have a strong foundation in the natural sciences and can pursue specialty certificates. In addition, collaborations with local public health agencies and healthcare organizations provide students with numerous opportunities to engage with public health professionals. All students complete a research or internship capstone project that demonstrates the culmination of career-focused skills.

Admission Requirements

Once the student has satisfied the following criteria, the student can be admitted into the Public Health degree program: completed at least 12 semester hours with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.25.

Program Learning Objectives

Students will learn:

How to communicate public health information, in both oral and written forms, and through a variety of media, to diverse audiences.
How to locate, use, evaluate and synthesize public health information.
How to analyze the range of biological, behavioral, environmental and social factors that influence patterns in population health outcomes.
How to explain the basic biology, transmission, and natural history of human infectious and chronic diseases.
How to apply analytical skills and methodologies to study the causes and impact of infectious and chronic diseases.
How to present data in formats that educate various audiences, including decision makers.

Program Learning Outcomes

As a result of their program learning experiences, students who complete the program can:

Communicate public health information, in both oral and written forms, and through a variety of media, to diverse audiences.
Locate, use, evaluate and synthesize public health information.
Analyze the range of biological, behavioral, environmental and social factors that influence patterns in population health outcomes.
Explain the basic biology, transmission, and natural history of human infectious and chronic diseases.
Apply analytical skills and methodologies to study the causes and impact of infectious and chronic diseases.
Present data in formats that educate various audiences, including decision makers.

For More Information

Program Requirements

I. Wright State Core: 44 Hours

Element 1: Communication: 6 Hours

ENG 1100 - Academic Writing and Reading Credit Hour(s): 3
ENG 2120 - Research Writing and Argumentation: Health Sciences Credit Hour(s): 3
or
ENG 2100 - Research Writing and Argumentation Credit Hour(s): 3

Element 2: Mathematics: 4 Hours

STT 2640 - Elementary Statistics Credit Hour(s): 4 or
STT 1600 - Statistical Concepts Credit Hour(s): 4

Element 3: Global Traditions: 6 Hours

PPH 2000 - Global Health Credit Hour(s): 3
Element 3: Global Traditions elective

Element 4: Arts and Humanities: 3 Hours

II. Public Health Foundations Requirements: 27 Hours

PPH 1080 - Introduction to Public Health Credit Hour(s): 3
PPH 2100 - Climate Change and Health Credit Hour(s): 3 or
EES 3250 - Climate Change Credit Hour(s): 3
PPH 2200 - Disease Detectives Credit Hour(s): 3
COM 3250 - Health Communication Credit Hour(s): 3
PPH 3200 -Data Management & Visualization Credits / Units: 3
PPH 3300 - Community Health Improvement Credit Hour(s): 3
PPH 4100 - Behavior Change Interventions Credit Hour(s): 3
PPH 4200 Health Organizations and Policy Credits / Units: 3
PPH 4980 - Public Health Capstone Credit Hour(s): 3

III. Related Requirements: 28 Hours

BIO 2120 - Cell Biology Credit Hour(s): 3
BIO 2310 - Evolution and Ecology Credit Hour(s): 4
BIO 2310L - Evolution and Ecology Laboratory Credit Hour(s): 0
PPH 4310 - Environmental Health Credit Hour(s): 3
PPH 4770 - Epidemiology and Community Health Credit Hour(s): 3
Students then select 15 credit hours from 2000, 3000, and 4000 courses with the following prefix: ANT, BMB, BIO, CHM, MTH, MI, NEU, PHY, PPH, PSY, STT.

IV. Communication and Analytical Skills Electives: 12 Hours

Students take at least 3 hours from List A (communications) and 3 hours from List B (analytical). Students then choose from either List A or B or with approved department substitution to earn a total 12 hours.