Public Health Program

Director: Craig M. Stephens

Dean's Executive Professor: H. Westley Clark

Assistant Professors: Jamie Chang, Sonja Mackenzie

The Public Health Program in the College of Arts and Sciences offers the bachelor of science degree in public health science. The program also offers a minor degree in public health, and manages the Global Health Pathway of the University Core.

The public health science (PHS) major is an interdisciplinary degree focused on the health of human populations and individuals. Students will gain a solid foundation in biology and chemistry to understand the functioning of the human body in health and disease. The major further explores the influences of environmental and social factors on human health through required and elective public health courses, as well as relevant courses in the social sciences and humanities. Through the senior capstone and mandatory internship, PHS majors engage in health-focused service and research projects that apply their education to real-world public health problems, and integrate learning across disciplines. Students are encouraged to study abroad to gain perspective on global health issues.

Public health science majors will be well-prepared for careers, graduate education, or professional training in public health or health-related professions, including medicine and nursing. There are many career options in the field of public health, including healthcare administration, planning, and public policy; epidemiology and disease surveillance; clinical research and clinical trials management; health-related education and social work; health and science communication; and basic research.

Students intending to pursue a medical degree, or postgraduate training in other health-related professions, should contact the University pre-health advisor to discuss prerequisites for admission to such programs. Many require a full year of physics coursework (e.g., PHYS 11-13 or 31-33) and completion of the organic chemistry series (CHEM 33) in addition to the requirements for the public health science major.

Requirements for the Major

In addition to fulfilling the Undergraduate Core Curriculum requirements for the bachelor of science degree, public health science majors must complete the following courses:

  • PHSC 1, 2, 100, 139, 150, 190

  • BIOL 1A, 1B, 1C

  • CHEM 11, 12, 13, 31, 32

  • Two introductory social science courses chosen from ANTH 1, ANTH 3, ANTH 50, ECON 1, ENVS 50, POLI 1, POLI 2, POLI 50, PSYC 1, PSYC 2, SOCI 1, SOCI 33

  • MATH 35, 36 (recommended) or MATH 11, 12

  • One statistics course chosen from MATH 8, ANTH 112, BIOL 160, COMM 110, ENVS 110, OMIS 40, PSYC 40, SOCI 120

  • One public health elective: Any PHSC course other than the required courses listed above

  • Two biomedical, electives, at least one with a lab component, chosen from BIOL 105, BIOL 106/PHSC 124, 110 (lab), 113 (lab), 114 (lab), 114AW (non-lab), 115 (lab), 116 (lab), 119, 124 (lab), 145, 160 (lab), BIOL 179, CHEM 141

  • Two social science or humanities electives chosen from ANTH 112, ANTH 133, ANTH 134, ANTH 135, ANTH 137, ANTH 140, ANTH 150, ANTH 170, COMM 164A, COMM 176A, ECON 101, ECON 129, ECON 135, ECON 160, ENVS 116, ENVS 146, ENVS 147, ENVS 149, HIST 123, POLI 140, POLI 146, POLI 158, POLI 167, PSYC 114, PSYC 115 or 115EL, PSYC 117 or 117EL, PSYC 150, PSYC 167, PSYC 172, PSYC 185 or 185EL, PSYC 196, SOCI 132, SOCI 138, SOCI 157, SOCI 165, SOCI 172/PHSC 124, TESP 157, RSOC 170

Internship Requirement

The PHS major requires students to complete at least 100 hours of public health-related internship work. Internships must be approved in advance by each student's academic advisor in the Public Health Program. Internships can be done on a part-time or full-time basis, during the academic year or summer. Students may receive course credit for volunteer internships. For guidance on internships, contact one of the Public Health Program faculty.

Requirements for the Minor

The interdisciplinary public health minor provides an introduction to the field of public health and is particularly useful for students interested in careers related to medicine, health care, community health, social work, education, or public policy. The minor establishes a sound scientific foundation to understand the functioning of the human body in health and disease and to appreciate the mechanisms by which diseases arise and spread in populations. Students also develop a foundation in the social sciences and statistical methods. Upper-division courses address the influences of biological, environmental, cultural, economic, and historical factors on human health. Students are encouraged to study abroad, if possible, to gain perspective on global health issues. The Public Health Program is evolving and students are encouraged to petition the Director of the Public Health Program to consider new relevant courses developed at Santa Clara and partner institutions abroad in addition to the electives described below.

Public Health Courses

  • PHSC 1, 2, 150, and at least one additional PHSC course

  • One statistics course chosen from MATH 8, ANTH 112, BIOL 160, COMM 110, ENVS 110, OMIS 40, PSYC 40, SOCI 120

Natural Science Courses

  • BIOL 1A

  • CHEM 11

Upper-Division Elective Courses

  • At least three courses from the following list, including courses from at least two departments: ANTH 112, ANTH 133, ANTH 134, ANTH 135, ANTH 137, ANTH 140, ANTH 150, ANTH 170, BIOL 106 (PHSC 124), BIOL 110, BIOL 113, BIOL 114, BIOL 115, BIOL 116, BIOL 119, BIOL 124, BIOL 145, BIOL 160, BIOL 179, COMM 164A, COMM 176A, ECON 101, ECON 129, ECON 135, ECON 160, ENVS 116, ENVS 146, ENVS 147, ENVS 149, HIST 123, POLI 140, POLI 146, POLI 158, POLI 167, PSYC 114, PSYC 115 or 115EL, PSYC 117 or 117EL, PSYC 150, PSYC 167, PSYC 172, PSYC 185 or 185EL, PSYC 196, SOCI 132, SOCI 138, SOCI 157, SOCI 165, SOCI 172, TESP 157, RSOC 170

Lower-Division Courses

1. Human Health and Disease

Examination of human health and disease. Topics include common infectious and chronic diseases, how diseases arise in individuals and populations, how diseases are studied, and how health is promoted at the individual and community levels. (4 units)

2. The American Health System

This course examines the fundamental aspects of the U.S. health system including organization, delivery, financing, cost, access, and quality. The focus will be on the current system, but significant attention will be given to its historical roots and to alternative approaches implemented in other developed countries. Potential policy reforms and the interface of the health care system with public health will also be discussed. (4 units)

7. Public Health and Ethics

Examination of the ethical and conceptual foundations of public health. Topics studied may include ethical theory and ethical justifications of public health interventions, genetic screening of newborns conducted by the State, prenatal genetic diagnosis, genomic medicine, mandatory vaccinations for children and others, parental responsibility for their children's health and welfare, public policy and law regarding the use of tobacco, alcohol, and other drugs, the allocation of vital organs for transplantation, health disparities related to race and other social categories, the legal and administrative regulation of pain management, harm reduction (such as needle exchange), health promotion and behavior modification, and defensive medicine. Also listed as PHIL 27. (4 units)

11. Women's Health

This course examines how women's health over the life course is influenced by biological, psychological, social, and cultural experiences. Topics include menarche and pubertal development, reproductive health and rights, menopausal transition, mental health, and violence. Current, historical, and cross-cultural examples are discussed. (4 units)

21. Health and Aging

Analysis of the human aging process, and the biological, medical, social, and ethical issues associated with aging. Topics include theories of aging, diseases and various health care issues associated with aging, and end-of-life issues. (4 units)

28. Human Sexuality

Integrates the biological foundations of human sexuality with psychological and social aspects of sexuality. Topics include the anatomy, physiology, and neurobiology of sex, gender and sexual orientation, sexually transmitted diseases, conception and pregnancy, contraception and abortion, and sexual dysfunctions. Also listed as WGST

  1. (4 units)

Upper-Division Courses

100. Epidemiology

This course provides an introductory overview of epidemiological principles and methods. The course examines patterns of distribution and determinants of health and morbidity in human populations, and application of epidemiologic study designs and analytical methods, focusing on topics of public health importance and questions of health equity. Laboratory 30 hours. The laboratory (computer lab) will provide students with hands-on experience with epidemiologic methods, study design, and data analysis using statistical software. Also listed as BIOL 117. Prerequisite: BIOL 24 or 1C. (5 units)

101. Nutrition and Public Health

This course concentrates on the nutrition status of communities and populations, and actions that public health professionals may take to improve it. Students will learn about the connections between social justice, policy, and nutrition programs and how they relate to food access, nutrition status, and health outcomes for specific populations both domestically and internationally. Students will see how public health theories and research are applied in the nutrition context. This course also considers culture and intercultural interactions, and how they influence nutrition. (5 units)

103. Advanced Global Health

Interdisciplinary investigation of topics in public health in a global context, with particular attention to major issues in low and middle-income countries, and the relationships between health status, education, and poverty. Prerequisite: PHSC 1. PHSC 100 or 150 recommended. (5 units)

111. Health Education and Promotion

This course examines fundamental concepts of health education and promotion in a variety of public health contexts. Major theoretical approaches and models related to behavior change, social influence, communication strategies, and community-based change are discussed, as well as multifactorial determinants of health and health-related behaviors. An overview of different research methodologies for health program design, implementation, and evaluation is provided. (5 units)

124. Health Consequences of a Western Lifestyle

This course explores the impact of living in a developed country on human health. Topics such as diabetes, obesity, heart disease, hypertension, and cancer will be discussed at the molecular, cellular, physiological, and population levels. Also listed as BIOL 106. Prerequisite: BIOL 1C. (5 units)

125. Race, Class, Gender and Public Health

This course introduces students to key theories for studying social difference and health, and examines the ways that categories of social difference---including but not limited to race, class, and gender---are socially constructed and serve as key determinants of health and health inequities. Students will consider how privilege and oppression are patterned by race, class, and gender and study contemporary and historical debates of health inequities perpetuated in institutional and interpersonal contexts, including the state, the labor force, neighborhood, the family, and the criminal justice system. Also listed as WGST 131. (5 units)

131. Community Health

This course examines key health indicators and patterns seen in individuals, families, neighborhoods, schools, and communities. Students will explore social, environmental, political, cultural, and behavioral factors that contribute to health disparities linked to racial, ethnic, socioeconomic, and geographic differences. The course will also examine the design, implementation, and evaluation of social and behavioral interventions and health policies to improve community health. (5 units)

135. Human Development and Sexuality

Examination of evolutionary, biocultural aspects of human growth, development, and sexuality throughout the life cycle. Special emphasis on how various cultural, economic, and political factors influence norms of sexual behavior in different societies. Fulfills the Science, Technology & Society requirement. Also listed as ANTH 135. (5 units)

139. Experiential Learning in Public Health

This course will examine work in diverse areas of public health through discussion and reflection, with particular attention on vocational discernment and personal and professional development. Enrollment should precede or accompany the required internship for the PHS major. Prerequisites: PHSC 1; enrollment by permission of instructor. P/NP grading. (2 units)

142. Environment and Health

This course will help students gain a better understanding of environmental factors that affect human health. Topics covered include population growth and urbanization, human ecology, pesticides and environmental toxins, air and water pollution, waste generation and management, and climate change. Particular emphasis will be placed on how these issues affect the global poor. (5 units)

150. Evidence-Based Public Health

This course focuses on the application of scientific reasoning and epidemiological analysis to public health research and program planning. On the research side, strategies for formulating appropriate research questions, designing studies, collecting and analyzing data, and interpreting and communicating results will be emphasized. Approaches for converting evidence into action will also be covered, including needs assessments, program development and implementation, and evaluation strategies. Students will gain hands-on experience in collecting, analyzing and interpreting, and acting upon empirical evidence in public health. An overview of major theoretical approaches and models related to behavior change, social influence, communication strategies, and community-based change will also be covered. Prerequisite: PHSC 1. (5 units)

156. Health Policy

This course will examine the development, implementation, and analysis of policies impacting public health, with particular attention to competing ethics, values, and power. Students will learn to critically appraise historical, contemporary, and possible future health policies and strategies. Prerequisite: PHSC 2. (5 units)

160. Substance Abuse and Addiction

This course explores the nature and consequences of alcohol and drug addiction from biological, psychological, and public health perspectives. Students will study common drugs of addiction, the underlying causes of addiction, and treatment strategies. Societal impacts and responses to substance abuse and addiction will be examined in depth. Also listed as PSYC 163. (5 units)

172. Management of Health Care Organizations

Explores the sociological and practical issues of operations, financing, and management in organizations providing services for people with health problems (organizations such as nursing homes and hospitals) or people with infirmities (organizations such as senior care centers and assisted living facilities). Also listed as SOCI 172. (5 units)

190. Public Health Science Capstone

Integrative course organized around a different public health theme each quarter. Includes lectures, readings, guest speakers, and discussion, culminating in student research projects and presentations. The course is intentionally interdisciplinary, demanding that students address public health issues from diverse scientific and cultural perspectives, and employ a variety of analytical tools. Prerequisite: PHSC 1. Pre- or co-requisite: PHSC 100 or 150, or permission of instructor. (5 units)

191. Violence Prevention Educators

In this class, students will be trained extensively on topics related to sexual assault outreach and prevention and will learn how to facilitate interactive presentations to peers in classrooms and residence halls. Through multiple avenues of instruction, students will have the opportunity to be leaders who push the dialogue of gender based violence into mainstream campus life. Enrollment is by permission of the instructor. (2 units)

193. Engineering World Health

This course is intended for students with an interest in public health and medicine. The focus will be on health issues in low-resource contexts globally. Students will work in teams on guided research projects oriented toward identifying health problems for which engineering teams could potentially develop useful solutions that could be effective in low-resource environments. (2 units)

195. Undergraduate Research

Research project supervised by Public Health Program faculty. Five hours of research per week is expected per unit. Can be repeated for credit, with a maximum of 5 units per academic year. Must be taken P/NP. Prerequisite: Consent of instructors. (1--5 units)

196. Peer Health Education

Provides students with current information on a variety of health topics, including general wellness, alcohol and substance abuse, nutrition, eating disorders, stress, mental health, sexual health, and sexual assault. Basic listening, counseling, group facilitation, public speaking, and presentation skills are developed and nurtured. Students are challenged to grow as leaders, peer counselors, and educators. Upon completion of this course, students are eligible to become a member of the Peer Health Education (PHE) Program. Enrollment by permission of instructor. (2 units)

197. Public Health Internship

Under the guidance of a qualified public health professional, students will complete a directed off-campus internship in public-health related activities or research. Open to public health science majors with permission of faculty advisor or the director of the Public Health Program. Prerequisite: PHSC 1. May be repeated for a limit of no more than 5 units. P/NP grading. (1--5 units)

198. Peer Health Educator Practicum

This course is for students who have already completed training as peer health educators through PHSC 196 and who will be actively involved in the Peer Health Education Program during the enrolled quarter. Enrollment by permission of instructor. (1 unit)

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