Curriculum
Catalogue Rights policy dictates that continuing students and transfer students can choose the version of the Public Health Sciences or Public Health Policy major requirements that they would prefer in accordance with the timeframes they are enrolled at UCI or a community college.
All students must meet the University Requirements.
Campus Wide Honors and Public Health Requirements: For advising on Campuswide Honors Collegium (CHC) requirements, please reach out to a CHC Advisor at honors@uci.edu and visit their website.
Lower-Division Requirements
PubHlth 1
Principles of Public Health
4 UNITS
Introduces the major concepts and principles of public health and the determinants of health status in communities. Emphasizes the ecological model that focuses on the linkages and relationships among multiple natural and social determinants affecting health.
PubHlth 2
Case Studies in Public Health Practice
4 UNITS
Presents case studies in various themes of public health practice to demonstrate how the principles of public health were established and continue to evolve.
PubHlth 7A
Public Health Statistics I
4 UNITS
Introduces the development and application of statistical reasoning and methods in addressing, analyzing, and solving problems in public health, health care, and biomedical, clinical, and population-based research and practice.
PubHlth 7B
Public Health Statistics II
4 UNITS
Introduces the development and application of statistical reasoning and methods in addressing, analyzing, and solving problems in public health, health care, and biomedical, clinical, and population-based research and practice.
Select three of the following:
PubHlth 30
Introduction to Urban Environmental Health
4 UNITS
Study of natural and physical components of earth’s environmental problems due to human activities. Topics include global air, water, soil, biodiversity, rainforests, energy, demographics, agriculture, and urbanization. Theme is sustainability. Integrated into the science are social, legal, and economic considerations.
PubHlth 60
Environmental Quality & Health
4 UNITS
Overviews how pollution in the environment affects human health. Topics are toxicology, epidemiology, risk assessment, water, food, air, radiation, pesticides, solid and hazardous waste. Included are interdisciplinary elements of environmental regulations, education, and consumer protection.
PubHlth 80
AIDS Fundamentals
4 UNITS
Considers the biological and sociological bases of the AIDS epidemic. Topics include the history of AIDS, current medical knowledge, transmission, risk reduction, and how the community can respond.
PubHlth 90
Natural Disasters
4 UNITS
Natural disasters are natural Earth processes that adversely affect humans. Topics include tectonics, earthquakes, tsunami, volcanoes, landslides, severe weather, flooding, coastal processes, wildfire, related topics, and use of GIS for hazard and risk assessment.
Select three of the following:
PSCI 9
Introduction to Psychology
4 UNITS
Introduction to field of psychology, addressing the application of scientific methods to the study of human development, learning, memory, problem solving, perception, biological mechanisms, emotions and motivation, personality, psychopathology, and effects of diverse social and cultural contexts on human behavior.
SOCIOL 1
Introduction to Sociology
4 UNITS
Considers major sociological concepts, theories, and research findings illuminating processes of interpersonal interaction, social differentiation and stratification, integration and conflict, and change, with attention to variation in class, race/ethnic, gender, multicultural, and cross-national perspectives and experiences.
SOCIOL 2
Globalization & Transnational Sociology
4 UNITS
Examines globalization and international issues from the perspective of sociology and related fields. Issues include economic globalization and global inequality, international environmental problems, international politics, trends in global culture, and global conflict.
SOCIOL 3
Social Problems
4 UNITS
Focuses on how institutional and organizational features of societies generate problems for people. Particular attention directed at a set of problems related to political and economic inequality: poverty, racism, sexism, urban and population problems, the environment, the criminal justice system.
ECON 1
Introduction to Economics
4 UNITS
An analysis of the problems society faces in organizing itself to provide goods and services. How decisions of government, business, and the individual relate to current economic problems such as unemployment, inflation, poverty, and environmental pollution.
ECON 13
Global Economy
4 UNITS
Acquaints students with the fundamental patterns of the global economy. Emphasizes the historical roots and political implications of economic choices.
ECON 20A
Basic Economics I
4 UNITS
The fundamentals of microeconomics. The behavior of firms and consumers: markets, supply/demand, utility maximization, resource allocation, and efficiency.
ECON 20B
Basic Economics II
4 UNITS
The fundamentals of macroeconomics. Government behavior: monetary and fiscal policy, inflation, and unemployment. Effective fall 2006, the content of Economics 20B is macroeconomics. This course cannot be taken to repeat Economics 20B taken prior to fall 2006.
ANTHRO 2A
Introduction to Sociocultural Anthropology
4 UNITS
Introduction to cultural diversity and the methods used by anthropologists to account for it. Family relations, economic activities, politics, gender, and religion in a wide range of societies. Stresses the application of anthropological methods to research problems.
ANTHRO 2B
Introduction to Biological Anthropology
4 UNITS
Evolutionary theory and processes, comparative primate fossil record, human variation, and the adequacy of theory, and empirical data.
ANTHRO 2C
Introduction to Archaeology
4 UNITS
Archaeological theory and cultural processes with emphasis on the American Southwest, Mesoamerica, and Mesopotamia.
ANTHRO 2D
Introduction to Language & Culture
4 UNITS
Explores what the study of language can reveal about ourselves as bearers of culture. After introducing some basic concepts, examines how cultural knowledge is linguistically organized and how language might shape our perception of the world.
ANTHRO 41A
Global Cultures & Society
4 UNITS
Offers a general overview of the rise of global interdependence in political, economic, demographic, and cultural terms. Considers what drove people from relative isolation into intensified intercourse with one another, and investigates the consequences of this shift.
POL SCI 31A
Introduction to Political Theory
4 UNITS
Types of questions: What is politics? What are the theoretical and philosophical bases for different types of political arrangements? How do these perspectives get translated into reality? Among others, the works of Rousseau, Locke, Mill, and Marx are read.
POL SCI 51A
Introduction to Politics Around the World
4 UNITS
Introduces comparative politics. Compares political systems in a variety of countries. Includes elections, parties, parliaments, presidents, protest movements, and other aspects of national politics. Addresses how to make meaningful comparisons across countries.
UPPP 8
Introduction to Environmental Analysis & Design
4 UNITS
Overview of general concepts, theoretical principles, and analytical techniques for investigating environmental systems. Integrates tools from natural and social sciences to analyze contemporary environmental challenges such as pollution, resource acquisition, facility and ecosystem design, impact assessments, formulation of environmental policy.
INTL ST 11
Global Cultures & Society
4 UNITS
Offers a general overview of the rise of global interdependence in political, economic, demographic, and cultural terms. Considers what drove people from relative isolation into intensified intercourse with one another, and investigates the consequences of this shift.
INTL ST 13
Global Economy
4 UNITS
Acquaints students with the fundamental patterns of the global economy. Emphasizes the historical roots and political implications of economic choices.
Upper-Division Requirements
PubHlth 101
Introduction to Epidemiology
4 UNITS
The distribution of disease and injury across time, space, and populations. Covers basic concepts and methods of descriptive epidemiology including the natural history of disease, data, and indices of health.
PubHlth 122
Health Policy
4 UNITS
Considers social and economic aspects of health and disease in the United States. What are the proper roles of the individual, community, and government in improving health and health care? International comparisons will be made wherever possible.
PubHlth 144
Health Behavior Theory
4 UNITS
Introduces theoretical perspectives from the social sciences to understand health behavior from the vantage point of individuals, their interpersonal contacts, communities, and ecological contexts. Application of theory to public health problems is a central focus.
PubHlth 170
Introduction to Global Health
4 UNITS
Provides a foundational interdisciplinary understanding of global health issues and their importance to various societal goals, including poverty reduction, economic productivity, and peace promotion. Covers major communicable and non-communicable diseases and demographic patterns of disease burden.
Select one of the following:
PubHlth 139
Special Topics in Health Policy & Administration
4 UNITS
Studies in selected areas of health policy and administration. Topics addressed vary each quarter.
PubHlth 159
Special Topics in Social & Behavioral Health Science
4 UNITS
Studies in selected areas of social and behavioral health sciences. Topics addressed vary each quarter.
Select eight courses with at least two in each topic area:
Topic 1: Health Policy & Management
ECON 123A
Econometrics I
4 UNITS
Specification, estimation, and testing of econometric models. Applications in various areas of microeconomics and macroeconomics.
ECON 123B
Econometrics II
4 UNITS
Specification, estimation, and testing of econometric models. Applications in various areas of microeconomics and macroeconomics.
MGMT 101
Management Science
4 UNITS
Concepts and methods of management science, which applies mathematical modeling and analysis to management problems. Topics include linear and integer programming, project scheduling, inventory management, queuing analysis, decision analysis, and simulation.
MGMT 107
Introduction to Management Information Systems
4 UNITS
Information Technology (IT) continues to drive rapid productivity growth and structural changes in the economy. Topics include what IT is, and how companies can use IT to improve business processes, enhance customer services, and gain competitive advantage over rivals.
MGMT 165
US Healthcare Systems
4 UNITS
Providers, suppliers, payers, consumers, and the unique market dynamics among these players. Structure, organization, and financing of health care. The health care industry’s relationship to the overall economy will be explored.
MGMT 166
Business of Medicine
4 UNITS
In order to improve the quality and efficiency of health care delivery one must understand the design and management of health care operations. Opportunities for innovation and changes needed to design a simple, accessible, fair, and effective health care system.
UPPP 102
Urban Inequality
4 UNITS
Examines structural inequality and the influence that urbanization has in affecting race, ethnic, and class relations. Explores how race/ethnicity, class, urban space, housing, economic development, public education, and land policy intersect in cities, both historically and today.
UPPP 103
Comparative Approaches to Urban Regions
4 UNITS
An introduction to comparative urbanization in developing countries. Introduces students to the geography, history, and theories of urbanization, and then reviews urban planning, public policy, and governance.
UPPP 112
Foundations of Community Health
4 UNITS
A social ecological framework for understanding community health is presented. Measures of individual and community health are compared, and the influence of personal and environmental factors on individual, group, and population health is examined. Community health promotion strategies are discussed.
UPPP 166
Urban Politics & Policy
4 UNITS
Examines why and how urban policies are enacted and carried out in contemporary U.S. cities and regions. Topics include evolution and organization of city governments and policymaking over the past century; who directs public policy and controls how cities develop.
PubHlth 120-139
4 UNITS
Courses within the 120-139 number range would be considered a suitable course for this category.
PubHlth 172
Climate Change & Disaster Management
4 UNITS
Examines the social, economic, environmental, and health impacts of anthropogenic climate change through engaged learning that integrates practice and theory.
PubHlth 174
Global Health Ethics
4 UNITS
Provides a foundation for understanding and application of key issues.
PubHlth 190
Geographic Information Systems for Public Health
4 UNITS
Provides a broad introduction to the use of Geographic Information Systems software to carry out projects for visualizing and analyzing spatial data to address significant issues of health care and policy-planning.
PubHlth 193
Ethics & Responsible Conduct of Research
4 UNITS
Issues of scientific integrity and satisfies the requirements for training in public health ethics. Includes guidelines for responsible conduct of research, federal and international codes, administrative review and approval, conflict of interest, and privacy and safety of research participants.
Sociol 154
Medical Sociology
4 UNITS
Current problems in U.S. health-care system and proposals for reform. Examines financial barriers to access; problem of patient dumping; underinsurance; prenatal and perinatal care; child services; preventative care and needs of the elderly; minorities; low-income people; undocumented.
Topic 2: Social & Behavioral Health Sciences
Anthro 134A
Medical Anthropology
4 UNITS
Introduces students to cross-cultural perspectives and critical theories in anthropological studies of medicine. Special attention is given to diverse ways of understanding bodies, illnesses, and therapeutic practices in our changing world.
Anthro 134C
Medicine, Food, & Health
4 UNITS
With anthropological studies of edible things as its foundation, this course explores topics related to the relationship between medical knowledge, eating, and health from a medical anthropological perspective.
Anthro 134F
Anthropology of the Body
4 UNITS
Examines human bodies as both biological and sociocultural entities and explores the relationship among mind, body, and society cross-culturally. Topics include embodiment; race, sex, gender, and the body; somatization; control of the body; commodified bodies; and hybrid/cyborg bodies.
Anthro 134G
HIV/AIDS in a Global Context
4 UNITS
Examines issues concerning cultural conceptions of HIV infection and disease worldwide. Topics include treatment and prevention, identity and behavior, risk, ethnicity, gender, youth, sexuality, activism, drug use, illness, religion, the clinical encounter, national belonging, and the pharmaceutical industry.
PSCI 137H
Human Stress
4 UNITS
Stress as a multidisciplinary topic. Biological, psychological, and sociological approaches to adaptation-related disorders. Effects of acute and chronic stress on emotions, physiology, and behavior. Methods of stress assessment, stress reduction, and intervention.
PSCI 138H
Child Health Psychology
4 UNITS
Exploration of psychological antecedents, concomitants, and consequences of medical illnesses in children. Children’s beliefs about health, illness, and medication; the role of stress; coronary-prone behavior; therapeutic adherence and physician-patient interaction; coping with chronic illness; effects of child’s illness on family.
PubHlth 102
Social Epidemiology
4 UNITS
Overviews evidence linking environmental factors to mental and physical disorders including such variables as socioeconomic status, income inequality, work stress, job loss, social capital, location, and other demographic characteristics. Measurement and research design issues of both individual and aggregate levels.
PubHlth 140-159
4 UNITS
Courses within the 140-159 number range would be considered a suitable course for this category.
PubHlth 176
War & Public Health
4 UNITS
Explores how war impacts public health both globally and domestically in the United States. Focus on the link between war and the burden that it ultimately places on physical, mental, environmental, and societal health as well as on health systems.
Practicum Requirement
Public Health Practicum and Culminating Experience (PUBHLTH 195W) is an 8-unit required course for students majoring in Public Health Policy or Public Health Sciences. The course allows students to gain hands-on experience at an approved organization in the field of public health. Preparation for the Practicum course requires that each student interview at one of the approved Practicum sites. There is an online catalog of approved organizations that have agreed to accept, train, and supervise Public Health students in the ongoing activities of the organization. Students must choose a placement site listed in the Practicum catalog. Unlisted sites may be considered at an approved organization through an application process. All students are required to spend 100 hours (10 hours per week) at the public health organization during the quarter in which they are enrolled in PUBHLTH 195W.
Practicum is open only to upper-division Public Health students who are in good academic standing, have completed all prerequisite course work, and have submitted a graduation application. Practicum must be taken for a letter grade. PUBHLTH 195W must be completed with a minimum letter grade of C. Additional information, including Practicum enrollment procedures and prerequisites, can be found at the Public Health website.
PubHlth 195W
Public Health Practicum & Culminating Experience
8 UNITS
Provides direct opportunities for Public Health majors to observe and participate in public health activities and/or research; and to cultivate skills for verbal and written communication of contemporary public health topics for an integrative culminating experience.
