Curriculum

Core Curriculum

All majors in the Department of Public Health are required to complete a core curriculum. The chart below outlines these courses and their prerequisites. While the chart is designed for incoming freshmen, transfer students may be able to take many of the core courses in the first two semesters of their major within the Department of Public Health at AV狼. This chart does not include GE prerequisites if any and may not include non-HSC prerequisites. Check the catalog for the exact prerequisites for each course.

Core Curriculum Schematic

Problem-Based Learning

The core courses HSC315, HSC400, and HSC499 are problem-based learning (PBL) courses. PBL is a teaching method in which complex real-world problems are used as the vehicle to promote student learning of concepts and principles as opposed to direct presentation of facts and concepts.


The Department of Public Health built its curriculum on a PBL model and we are committed to ensuring our students are prepared to grapple with and to solve complex real-world problems that they will encounter in the public health and health policy field.

Problem-based learning will require students to:

1. Work in teams frequently
2. Work with community partners
3. Closely collaborate with classmates and communities
4. Meet on campus and potentially site visits with community partners
5. Maintain professionalism in all aspects of work

Majors

An undergraduate degree in Public Health provides students with foundational competencies in public health concepts, theories, and practical experience. Students will develop and apply knowledge from multiple disciplines to improve and promote health in populations.

In addition to the Public Health major, students can choose the Health Sciences major with either a concentration in general health sciences or health policy 






Students who choose the general health sciences (no Concentration) for their degree must complete 25 units of electives to meet major requirements. You will need to meet with your advisor to to choose your classes.

 

**Note: Pre-approved electives are lower-division courses and while they may help you meet Public Health major requirements, AV狼 requires a set number of upper-division units to meet university graduation requirements – see a General Education advisor or Major Advisor for more information

Any concentration chosen within the Department of Public Health will meet our Program Learning Objectives (PLOs) which describe what students will learn, what skills they develop, what experiences they will have (or likely have) as a result of completing the requirements for the Bachelor’s degree from the Department of Public Health


Public Health – Program Learning Objectives

  1. Use knowledge and skills to provide effective, necessary, and appropriate health services and public health interventions in diverse and multicultural communities.
  2. Work effectively on a team in health and health care.
  3. Act ethically and responsibly.
  4. Use critical thinking, knowledge, and expertise to address complex challenges in health and health care.
  5. Apply population perspectives in the health professions.
  6. Apply knowledge of the role of the environment and of climate change in human health in ways that improve population health and sustainability.