The Bachelor of Science in Public Health

Total Course Requirements for the Bachelor's Degree: 120 units

See Bachelor's Degree Requirements in the University Catalog for complete details on general degree requirements. A minimum of 39 units, including those required for the major, must be upper division.

A suggested Major Academic Plan (MAP) has been prepared to help students meet all graduation requirements within four years. You can view MAPs on the Degree MAPs page in the University Catalog or you can request a plan from your major advisor.

General Education Pathway Requirements: 48 units

See General Education in the University Catalog and the Class Schedule for the most current information on General Education Pathway Requirements and course offerings.

Diversity Course Requirements: 6 units

See Diversity Requirements in the University Catalog. Most courses taken to satisfy these requirements may also apply to General Education .

Upper-Division Writing Requirement:

Writing Across the Curriculum (Executive Memorandum 17-009) is a graduation requirement and may be demonstrated through satisfactory completion of four Writing (W) courses, two of which are designated by the major department. See Mathematics/Quantitative Reasoning and Writing Requirements in the University Catalog for more details on the four courses.  The first of the major designated Writing (W) courses is listed below.

The second major-designated Writing course is the Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement (GW) (Executive Order 665). Students must earn a C- or higher to receive GW credit. The GE Written Communication (A2) requirement must be completed before a student is permitted to register for a GW course.

Grading Requirement:

All courses taken to fulfill major course requirements must be taken for a letter grade except those courses specified by the department as Credit/No Credit grading only.

The BS in Public Health signifies readiness for an entry-level career in specific health-related fields. Most courses have been designated as competency courses and are vital to what a professional in this field should know and be able to do. Students who earn below a C- in those courses are required to repeat the course and earn a C- or higher for the course to count in the major. This includes all courses required for the major.

Course Requirements for the Major: 67 units

Completion of the following courses, or their approved transfer equivalents, is required of all candidates for this degree.

Note: A maximum of 15 units of internship (courses numbered 189, 289, 389, 489) may be applied to a bachelor's degree at CSU, Chico.

17 courses required:

SUBJ NUM	Title	Sustainable	Units	Semester Offered	Course Flags
BIOL 104	Human Physiology		4.0	FS	GE
Basic functioning of the organ systems of the human body, including the brain and nervous system; vision and hearing; heart and circulation; blood and immunity; respiration, digestion and metabolism; muscles; excretory, endocrine, and reproductive systems. 3 hours lecture, 2 hours activity. This is an approved General Education course. (001114)
MATH 105	Statistics		3.0	FS	GE
Prerequisite: GE Mathematics/Quantitative Reasoning Ready. Summary of numerical data, elementary probability, distributions, and introduction to statistical inference. 1.5 hours lecture, 1.5 hours discussion. This is an approved General Education course. (005501)
NFSC 303	Nutrition and Physical Fitness		3.0	FS	GE
Prerequisites: One lower-division course in biological sciences. Analyzes and evaluates current practices and theories regarding nutrition and its relationship to athletics, weight control, and physical exercise. 3 hours lecture. This is an approved General Education course. (004288)
PHHA 211W	Foundations of Health Education (W)		3.0	FS	W
Provides students with the skills and tools necessary to be successful as they pursue their degree and future careers as Health Educators. Topics include personal and career exploration, tools for a successful academic and future professional career, communication, presentation, and networking. This is an approved Writing Course. (021560)
PHHA 320	Chronic and Communicable Diseases		3.0	FS
Prerequisites: BIOL 104 is strongly recommended. Examines the major chronic and communicable diseases, including cause, prevention, and treatment strategies. Behaviors that promote health and reduce premature death and disease are also addressed. 3 hours lecture. (001574)
PHHA 321	Community Health		3.0	FS
Analyzes fundamental principles upon which school, community, and population health are based. The contributions of federal, state, and local organizations to national goals for health promotion and disease prevention are examined. Explores fundamental social, political, organizational, and behavioral aspects of public health in school, community, and worksite settings. 3 hours lecture. (001575)
PHHA 328	Multicultural Health		3.0	FS	USD
This course is also offered as MCGS 328. Ethnic groups in the U.S. face many health problems. This course focuses on those problems which affect the four largest ethnic groups in the U.S.: African Americans, Hispanic Americans, American Indians, and Asian Americans. The effects of history, health beliefs and practices, and socioeconomic status on the health of these ethnic populations are addressed. Current and potential strategies to improve health care delivery to these groups are explored. 3 hours discussion. This is an approved US Diversity course. (004448)
PHHA 348	Public Health Policy and Systems		3.0	FS
Prerequisite: PHHA 321. This course examines the process of creating health policy including the examination of historical and current policies related to public health, stakeholders in health policy making, and advocacy. Critical policy issues including cost, access, and quality of care are studied. An overview of the US health system including public health and government programs from historical, organizational, financial, and administrative perspectives is provided. 3 hours lecture. (021944)
PHHA 360	Public Health Administration		3.0	FS
Prerequisite: PHHA 211W. This course provides a survey of administrative functions within public health and health education programs. Major approaches to motivation, leadership, conflict management, supervision, and budgeting are presented. Concepts of marketing, public policy, administrative law and public health disaster response are addressed. 3 hours lecture. (020438)
PHHA 362S	Environmental Health		3.0	FS
An overview of the relationship of people and nature; the impact of environmental conditions, such as water and air pollution, solid wastes, food contamination, vectors, radiation, noise, light, which cause deleterious effects on people's physical, mental, and social well-being. Individual and collective consumer intervention in environmental health problems. 3 hours discussion. (001606)
PHHA 369S	Health Education Techniques		3.0	FS
This course introduces health education theory, curricula, resources, and marketing techniques for use in school and community settings. Students plan, develop, implement, and evaluate effective health education and promotion programs. Students practice professional health education techniques while working with a local organization to implement a community health education. 3 hours lecture. (001613)
PHHA 425W	Research and Evaluation in Health (W)		3.0	FS	GW  W
Prerequisites: Completion of GE Written Communication (A2) requirement, PHHA 211W, MATH 105. The course introduces students to research methodology and program evaluation techniques in the health field. Students develop skills for critically reading professional literature and writing a research or program evaluation proposal. 3 hours discussion. This is an approved Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement course; a grade of C- or higher certifies writing proficiency for majors. This is an approved Writing Course. (001614)
PHHA 463	Epidemiology		3.0	FS
Prerequisites: MATH 105; PHHA 211W,PHHA 321 for Health Education majors only. Recommended: PHHA 320. Study of the patterns of the major chronic and infectious diseases. Both individual- and population-based approaches to prevention and control will be examined. 3 hours discussion. (001607)
PHHA 467	Mental and Emotional Health		3.0	FS
Examination of nature and factors affecting mental health and positive and negative responses to problems in daily living. Discussion of types of mental disorders and public health strategies to deal with these problems. 3 hours discussion. (001611)
PHHA 471S	Health Education Planning: Theory and Practice		3.0	FS
Prerequisites: PHHA 321, PHHA 369S, or faculty permission. Examines theory and methods to facilitate individual and group behavior change to promote health and reduce risks of premature morbidity and mortality. Concepts in the behavioral sciences affecting health behavior, motivation, decision-making, and risk-taking are explored. Students will develop program planning and evaluation skills. 3 hours discussion. (001615)
PHHA 489	Internship		3.0 -9.0	FS
Prerequisites: Senior standing, minimum 2.0 GPA in the major, Internship Advisor permission. For Public Health majors: PHHA 328, PHHA 471S. Field practicum designed to integrate theory and practice in a community setting. Supervised by an agency representative and faculty member. Minimum internship requirement for Health Science majors is 6.0 units. 9 hours independent study. You may take this course more than once for a maximum of 9.0 units. Credit/no credit grading. (004467)

Note: A minimum of 6 units of PHHA 489 is required for all options.

2 courses selected from:

2 courses selected from:

(at least 1 must be upper division)

SUBJ NUM	Title	Sustainable	Units	Semester Offered	Course Flags
ANTH 435	Medical Anthropology		3.0	SP
Surveys the relationships among disease, curing, culture, and environment. Topics include problems of adapting modern medicines to diverse cultures; explication of the social and cultural correlates of physical and mental health and disease; nutritional implications of culture change; anthropology contributions to health-policy decisions and makers in non-Western countries. 3 hours seminar. (000579)
CHLD 252	Child Development		3.0	FS	GE  USD
A study of the physical, cognitive, social and emotional development of children from conception through adolescence. The course examines genetic, biological, and environmental influences including cross-cultural issues. Scheduled observations are included. 3 hours lecture. This is an approved General Education course. This is an approved US Diversity course. (001442)
CHLD 255	Marriage and Family Relationships		3.0	FS	GE
This is an introductory course to marriage and family, including psychological, physiological, and social aspects of close personal relationships. The topics include dating, courtship, marriage, family life, dual career marriages, single parenting, and other contemporary issues. 3 hours discussion. This is an approved General Education course. (001443)
CHLD 321	Risk and Resilience in Development		3.0	SP
The goal of this online course is to explore typical development related to healthy children with healthy relationships and to put that in the context of children with risk (i.e., adverse experiences) and children who overcome that risk (i.e., resilient). This understanding is viewed through the lens of neurobiology (e.g., regulation and dysregulation understood through brain functioning). Additionally, working with youth experiencing either adverse trauma or relational poverty is emphasized. 3 hours lecture. (021761)
GEOG 211	Introduction to Geographical Information Systems		3.0	FS
This course provides an introduction to topics and technology in Geographic Information Systems (GIS). The course will combine a conceptual discussion of topics with practical exercises. Both the theory and practice of GIS analysis will be presented. 3 hours lecture. (021439)
KINE 314	Psychology of Coaching		3.0	FS
This course provides prospective coaches with knowledge about the psychological factors and principles used in coaching, team dynamics, and the enhancement of athletic performance. 3 hours lecture. (006990)
KINE 315S	Introduction to Adapted Physical Activity		3.0	FS
A study of common disabilities found across the lifespan. Discussions are held about the historical and philosophical basis for adapted physical activity, and the impact of state and federal legislation. Analysis of the roles and responsibilities of the adapted physical education specialist and the inclusive educational environment also are examined. This course is applicable to all disciplines dealing with the disabled. 3 hours seminar. (015911)
PSYC 323	Health Psychology		3.0	FS
This course provides an introduction to the field of health psychology which is the field within psychology devoted to understanding psychological influences on how people stay healthy, why they become ill, and how they respond when they do get ill. Topics include a study of health psychology as a profession, the bio-psychosocial model of health, health belief models and human behavior, health-compromising and health-enhancing behaviors, cognitive-behavioral approaches to behavior change, stress and coping, personality and health, and psychological issues in heart disease, cancer, AIDS, and other diseases. 3 hours discussion. (007975)
SOCI 370	Population and Migration		3.0	FA	GE  GC
A study of the demographic patterns of mortality, fertility, migration, and refugees. Considered are influences such as inequality, economic development, environmental changes, and war on global populations. 3 hours lecture. This is an approved General Education course. This is an approved Global Cultures course. (008957)
SOCI 484	Youth, Crime, and Delinquency		3.0	SP
Prerequisites: SOCI 384 recommended. This course examines marginalized, deviant, and criminally active youth. Students consider how teen experiences and behaviors are labeled and treated differently throughout society. Social, historical, and legal perspectives are used to understand the impact of the juvenile justice system, policies, and trends on the lives of American youth. 3 hours lecture. (009018)
SPED 343	Overview of Special Education		3.0	FS
This is a survey course recommended for students interested in all types of exceptional learners and a prerequisite to professional preparation programs in the Department of Professional Studies in Education. Content includes (1) an overview of the characteristics, identification, and educational needs of special populations, (2) social, familial, biological, historical, cultural, economic, political, and legal contexts in which special education occurs, and (3) characteristics of effective programs. Includes a service learning experience. 3 hours lecture. (003010)

Electives Requirement:

To complete the total units required for the bachelor's degree, select additional elective courses from the total University offerings. You should consult with an advisor regarding the selection of courses which will provide breadth to your University experience and possibly apply to a supportive second major or minor.

Advising Requirement:

Advising is mandatory for all majors in this degree program. Consult your undergraduate advisor for specific information.

Honors in the Major:

Honors in the Major is a program of independent work in your major. It requires 6 units of honors course work completed over two semesters.

The Honors in the Major program allows you to work closely with a faculty mentor in your area of interest on an original performance or research project. This year-long collaboration allows you to work in your field at a professional level and culminates in a public presentation of your work. Students sometimes take their projects beyond the University for submission in professional journals, presentation at conferences, or academic competition. Such experience is valuable for graduate school and professional life. Your honors work will be recognized at your graduation, on your permanent transcripts, and on your diploma. It is often accompanied by letters of commendation from your mentor in the department or the department chair.

Some common features of Honors in the Major program are:

• You must take 6 units of Honors in the Major course work. All 6 units are honors classes (marked by a suffix of H), and at least 3 of these units are independent study (399H, 499H, 599H) as specified by your department. You must complete each class with a minimum grade of B.
• You must have completed 9 units of upper-division course work or 21 overall units in your major before you can be admitted to Honors in the Major. Check the requirements for your major carefully, as there may be specific courses that must be included in these units.
• Your cumulative GPA should be at least 3.5 or within the top 5% of majors in your department.
• Your GPA in your major should be at least 3.5 or within the top 5% of majors in your department.
• Most students apply for or are invited to participate in Honors in the Major during the second semester of their junior year. Then they complete the 6 units of course work over the two semesters of their senior year.
• Your honors work culminates with a public presentation of your honors project.

While Honors in the Major is part of the Honors Program, each department administers its own program. Please contact your major department or major advisor to apply.