Dec 03, 2024  
2024-2025 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2024-2025 Undergraduate Catalog

Public Health - Major (BS)


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Department Chair: Mary Dahl Maher, Ph.D., M.P.H., C.N.M., R.N.; Professors: Mary Dahl Maher, Ph.D., M.P.H., C.N.M., R.N., Otieno Kisiara, Ph.D., M.P.H.; Clinical Adjunct Professors: Brenden Bedard, M.P.H., Michael Chen Ph.D., Elizabeth Greener, Ph.D., Christy Richards, M.S., M.P.H., Jennifer Rodriguez, M.S. M.P.H.

A Bachelor’s degree with a major in public health prepares students for an entry level career in a public health area, a Master’s of Public Health (MPH), or an advanced degree in another profession.  In addition, the core major courses in public health contribute significantly to the liberal education of students, helping them become global citizens who can intelligently respond with knowledge, practical skills and leadership to societal issues such as the social determinants of health, the need for health care, good nutrition, decent housing and a sustainable environment.

The B.S. is appropriate for students who are preparing for advanced education in health science or science-focused graduate and professional programs such as biostatistics, dentistry, epidemiology, environmental and occupational health sciences, medicine, nutritional sciences, pathobiology, pharmacy, and public health nursing. BS students may also have an interest in working in laboratory settings as their primary capacity.

Students who declare their intent as Public Health Majors will meet with the director of the program to explore their interests in order to identify an academic concentration to design the trajectory of their coursework. This student-directed concentration will be informed by the students’ interests, course availability, and the relevance of those courses selected for an internship, which represents a professional area of interest to them. The students will choose at least three pertinent courses in order to prepare them for a 3-credit internship relevant to their concentration. 


Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the public health major, individuals will meet the LEAP Essential Learning Outcomes, demonstrating through the application of knowledge, skills and responsibilities:

  • The history and philosophy of public health as well as its core values, concepts and functions across the globe and in society the basic concepts, methods and tools of public health data collection, use and analysis and why evidence-based approaches are an essential part of public health practice;
  • The concepts of population health, and the basic processes, approaches and interventions that identify and address the major health-related needs and concerns of populations;
  • The underlying science of human health and disease including opportunities for promoting and protecting health across the life course;
  • The socioeconomic, behavioral, biological, environmental and other factors that impact human health and contribute to health disparities;
  • The fundamental concepts and features of project implementation, including planning, assessment and evaluation;
  • The fundamental characteristics and organizational structures of the US health system as well as the differences in systems in other countries;
  • Basic concepts of legal, ethical, economic and regulatory dimensions of health care and public health policy and the roles, influences and responsibilities of the different agencies and branches of government;
  • Basic concepts of public health-specific communication, including technical and professional writing and the use of mass media and electronic technology and be able to apply knowledge in a basic research oriented project.
 

Core Curriculum Requirements


All Nazareth students complete Core Curriculum coursework as part of their degree requirements. The Core provides a foundation in the liberal arts and sciences while guiding students to pose and explore their own intellectual questions. See Academic Policies and Procedures  for specific core curriculum requirements. 

Concentration Electives


  • Nine credit hours
    • Students choose at least three pertinent courses, with advisor approval, in order to prepare them for a 3-credit internship relevant to their concentration.
    • This student-directed concentration will be informed by the students’ interests, course availability, and relevance to the intended internship.

Science Sequence


Students must complete one of the following science sequences. The selected sequence may be adapted in consultation with advisor and program director.

Human Sciences

Toxicology

Environmental Sciences

B.S. Public Health Sample Program


B.S. in PUBLIC HEALTH SAMPLE PROGRAM
Fall, Freshman Year Spring, Freshman Year
ENGW 101 Exposition    3 ENGW 102 Argument and Research   3
FYS PEQ (1) Math 3 Science Sequence 4
ACS 101 Academic and College Success   1 Science Sequence 4
PEQ (2) Science with lab 4 PBH 202 Global Health   3
PBH 101 Introduction to Public Health          3 Health & Wellness 0
Total Semester Credits 14 Total Semester Credits 14
 
Fall, Sophomore Year Spring, Sophomore Year
PSY.Q 110 Introduction to Psychological Science   PEQ (3) 3 RES.Q 101 Exploring the World’s Religions  PEQ (5) 3
PHL.Q 101 Philosophical Inquiry  PEQ (4) 3 PEQ (6) History 3
MTH 208 Statistics for Scientists   3 Integrative Studies (IS) course - 1 3
Science Sequence with lab 4 Science Sequence with lab 4
PBH 103 Epidemiology   3 PBH 201 Public Health Colloquium I   1
EL Pathway 0 DEIB designated course 3
Total Semester Credits 16 Total Semester Credits 17
 
Fall, Junior Year Spring, Junior Year
Integrative Studies (IS) course - 2 3 Integrative Studies (IS) course - 3 3
PBH 302 Public Health Education Methods   3 PSC 341 Healthcare Politics: U.S. Policy in Comparative Perspective  or NSG 436G Health Care Policy and Delivery in a Global Society   3
Concentration Course (1) 3 PBH 301 Public Health Colloquium II   1
RES 391 Biomedical Ethics  or PHL 391 Biomedical Ethics   3 Concentration Course (#2) 3
Research Methods Course 3 PEQ (7) English 3
    Concentration Course (#3) 3
Total Semester Credits 15 Total Semester Credits 16
 
Fall, Senior Year Spring, Senior Year
PBH 483 Public Health Internship I   3 PBH 480 Public Health Senior Capstone   3
Electives (Liberal Arts) 6 PBH 499 Senior Comprehensive Examination   0
PEQ (8) Visual & Performing Arts 3 Electives (Liberal Arts) 9
Foreign Language with Lab 4 Foreign Language with Lab 4
CME 050 Core Milestone Experience   0    
Total Semester Credits 16 Total Semester Credits 16
*Note - students enrolled in Bachelor of Science programs must earn a minimum of 60 liberal arts credits.

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