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.
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 Courses
PubHlth 1
Principles in 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
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.
CHEM 1A
General Chemistry
4 UNITS
General chemistry with applications to life sciences, physical sciences, and engineering. Atomic structure; general properties of the elements; covalent, ionic, and metallic bonding; mass relationships.
CHEM 1B
General Chemistry
4 UNITS
General chemistry with applications to life sciences, physical sciences, and engineering. Properties of gases, liquids, solids; intermolecular forces; changes of state; properties of solutions; stoichiometry; thermochemistry; and thermodynamics. Course may be offered online.
CHEM 1C
General Chemistry
4 UNITS
General chemistry with applications to life sciences, physical sciences, and engineering. Equilibria, aqueous acid-base equilibria, solubility equilibria, oxidation reduction reactions, electrochemistry; kinetics; special topics.
CHEM 1LC
General Chemistry Laboratory
3 UNITS
Training and experience in basic laboratory techniques. Chemical practice and principles illustrated through experiments related to lecture topics of CHEM 1A-B-C. Materials fee.
CHEM 1LD
General Chemistry Laboratory
3 UNITS
Training and experience in basic laboratory techniques. Chemical practice and principles illustrated through experiments related to lecture topics in CHEM 1A-B-C. Materials fee.
CHEM 51A
Organic Chemistry
4 UNITS
Fundamental concepts relating to carbon compounds with emphasis on structural theory and the nature of chemical bonding, stereochemistry, reaction mechanisms, and stereoscopic, physical, and chemical properties of the principal classes of carbon compounds.
CHEM 51B
Organic Chemistry
4 UNITS
Fundamental concepts relating to carbon compounds with emphasis on structural theory and the nature of chemical bonding, stereochemistry, reaction mechanisms, and stereoscopic, physical, and chemical properties of the principal classes of carbon compounds.
CHEM 51C
Organic Chemistry
4 UNITS
Fundamental concepts relating to carbon compounds with emphasis on structural theory and the nature of chemical bonding, stereochemistry, reaction mechanisms, and stereoscopic, physical, and chemical properties of the principal classes of carbon compounds.
CHEM 51LB
Organic Chemistry Laboratory
3 UNITS
Modern techniques of organic chemistry, using selected experiments to illustrate topics introduced in CHEM 51A-CHEM 51B-CHEM 51C. Materials fee.
CHEM 51LC
Organic Chemistry Laboratory
3 UNITS
Modern techniques of organic chemistry, using selected experiments to illustrate topics introduced in CHEM 51A-B-C. Materials fee.
BIO SCI 93
From DNA to Organisms
4 UNITS
Cell biology, biochemistry, genetics, and the biology of organ systems. Covers concepts of building blocks (nucleotides, amino acids, and cells) and of information flow (DNA to proteins, receptors to nuclei, the blood to distant organs, and DNA to offspring).
Bio Sci 94
From Organisms to Ecosystems
4 UNITS
Patterns of diversity, ecology, and evolutionary biology. Emphasis is on the Tree of Life and how its members are distributed and interact.
Bio Sci 97
Genetics
4 UNITS
Introduction to genetics. Basic features of replication and expression of DNA, cell division, and gene transmission. Recombination and mutation in diploid organisms.
Bio Sci 98
Biochemistry
4 UNITS
Structure and properties of proteins; major biochemical pathways and mechanisms for their control.
Bio Sci 99
Molecular Biology
4 UNITS
Biochemistry and replication of nucleic acids; molecular genetics; protein biosynthesis; genetic code; regulation of expression of genetic information; biochemical evolution.
Select either:
Math 2A
Single-Variable Calculus
4 UNITS
Introduction to derivatives, calculation of derivatives of algebraic and trigonometric functions; applications including curve sketching, related rates, and optimization. Exponential and logarithm functions.
Math 2B
Single-Variable Calculus
4 UNITS
Definite integrals; the fundamental theorem of calculus. Applications of integration including finding areas and volumes. Techniques of integration. Infinite sequences and series.
Or…
Math 5A
Calculus for Life Sciences
4 UNITS
Differential calculus with applications to life sciences. Exponential, logarithmic, and trigonometric functions. Limits, differentiation techniques, optimization and difference equations.
Math 5B
Calculus for Life Sciences
4 UNITS
Integral calculus and multivariable calculus with applications to life sciences. Integration techniques, applications of the integral, phase plane methods and basic modeling, basic multivariable methods.
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.
Select two of the following:
Bio Sci D103
Cell Biology
4 UNITS
Analysis of the basic structure and function of animal cells, with an emphasis on the regulation of cellular processes. The basic features of membranes, cellular compartmentalization, protein trafficking, vesicular transport, cytoskeleton, adhesion, signal transduction, and cell cycle are covered.
Bio Sci D104
Developmental Biology
4 UNITS
Cellular and molecular analysis of how a fertilized egg develops into an organism consisting of complex structures such as the eye, arms, and brain. Emphasis is on the key concepts of developmental processes underlying pattern formation, growth, and regeneration.
Bio Sci E109
Human Physiology
4 UNITS
Functional features of the major organ systems in the human body. Emphasis on homeostasis and the interactions of organ systems in health and disease.
Bio Sci N110
Neurobiology & Behavior
4 UNITS
Consideration of the evolution of behavior, including ethological and psychological aspects and analysis of neuroanatomical, neurochemical, neurophysiological, and neuroendocrine systems underlying basic behavioral processes.
Select five courses with at least one from each of the three topic areas:
Epidemiology, Genetics, & Health Informatics:
Bio Sci D137
Eukaryotic & Human Genetics
4 UNITS
Structure and function of genes in eukaryotes with emphasis on special problems of genetic studies in humans. Molecular methods of genetic analysis and gene transfer are discussed. Practical applications and ethical and social issues raised by genetic studies are addressed.
Bio Sci D148
Development & Disease
4 UNITS
Development of animal embryos from a fertilized egg to a functioning organism. Topics include reproduction, body-axis formation, growth and differentiation of embryonic cells, and organogenesis, with an emphasis on congenital birth defects and diseases that disrupt these processes.
Bio Sci E106
Processes in Ecology & Evolution
4 UNITS
An in-depth study of the mechanisms that drive evolution and ecology including: natural selection, mutation, genetic drift, speciation, extinction, life history patterns, population dynamics, ecosystem and community structure, predator-prey and host pathogen interactions, and social behavior.
Bio Sci M123
Introduction to Computational Biology
4 UNITS
The use of theories and methods based on computer science, mathematics, and physics in molecular biology and biochemistry. Basics in biomolecular modeling. Analysis of sequence and structural data of biomolecules. Analysis of biomolecular functions.
Bio Sci M137
Microbial Genetics
4 UNITS
Basic principles of microbial genetics are presented as lectures for the first half of the course. The second half is devoted to applications of these principles and requires reading review and original research papers and interactions with guest lecturers.
CompSci 183
Introduction to Computational Biology
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 102 – PubHlth 119
4 UNITS
Students can elect to take any course that falls in the range of PubHlth 102 – PubHlth 119
Environmental & Global Health Sciences:
Anthro 125B
Ecological Anthropology
4 UNITS
Studies relationships between human communities and their natural environments. The role of environment in shaping culture; effects of extreme environments on human biology and social organization; anthropologist’s role in studying global environmental problems, e.g., African famine, tropical rain forests destruction.
Anthro 128B
Race, Gender, & Science
4 UNITS
Perfect for pre-health, science and social science majors wanting to appreciate how science and society interact. Race and gender as biological and socio-cultural constructs are examined. Questions explored: What is disease? What is science? What are social and biological differences.
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.
Bio Sci D124
Biology of Integrative Medicine
4 UNITS
Presentation of biological principles and the latest clinical and basic research on complementary and alternative therapies (e.g., mind-body medicine, energy medicine, herbal medicine, acupuncture, manipulative therapies) and their integration with Western medicine. Lectures supplemented by demonstrations and hands-on learning sessions.
Bio Sci E179
Limnology & Freshwater Biology
4 UNITS
Biology of freshwater environments: lakes, ponds, rivers, their biota, and the factors which influence distribution of organisms.
Bio Sci E179L
Field Freshwater Ecology
4 UNITS
Analytical techniques for common water-quality variables of lakes, streams, and rivers. Benthic fauna, vertebrates and invertebrates, algae, and aquatic plants. Emphasis on field methods with an experimental approach; laboratory exercises. Field trips to marshes, vernal pools, rivers, and streams. Materials fee.
Bio Sci E189
Environmental Ethics
4 UNITS
History of evolution of environmental ethics in America. Management problems in national parks, wilderness areas, wild and scenic rivers, national forests. Contemporary and historical aspects/contributors to the field. Mitigation, endangered species, habitat restoration, biodiversity, and environmental activism. Field trips required.
CHEM 125
Advanced Organic Chemistry
4 UNITS
Rapid-paced comprehensive treatment of organic chemistry. Focuses on molecular structure, reactivity, stability, scope and mechanisms of organic reactions. Topics include: structure and bonding; theoretical organic chemistry; acidity and basicity; reactive intermediates; pericyclic reactions; stereochemistry; organic synthesis; natural products; organic photochemistry.
CHC/LAT 176
Race, Gender, & Science
4 UNITS
Perfect for pre-health, science and social science majors wanting to appreciate how science and society interact. Race and gender as biological and socio-cultural constructs are examined. Questions explored: What is disease? What is science? What are social and biological differences.
PubHlth 126
Public Health Law: Fundamentals in Action
4 UNITS
Addresses the relationship of U.S. public health law to health systems at the individual and population levels. Examines legislative and judicial concepts and how they are applied to disease prevention strategies, health services, management, and policy.
PubHlth 127
Public Health Programs for the Corporate World
4 UNITS
International perspective on workplace health promotion. Strategies for developing programs to improve employee health and to decrease risks of chronic degenerative diseases. Case studies include assessment of employee health, program design, implementation, and evaluation. Emphasis on disease prevention.
PubHlth 160 – PubHlth 179
4 UNITS
Students can elect to take any course that falls in the range of PubHlth 160 – PubHlth 179
PubHlth 190
Geographic Information Systems
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.
Infectious & Chronic Diseases:
Bio Sci D111L
Developmental & Cell Biology Laboratory
4 UNITS
DescriptionCovers the division of cells, isolate cellular organelles (chloroplasts, mitochondria, nuclei), and follows changes in cells undergoing programmed cell death. Development is demonstrated in experiments showing cooperation of individual cells in forming a multicellular organism. Materials fee.
Bio Sci E112L
Physiology Laboratory
4 UNITS
DescriptionLaboratory with a focus on the whole organism and its organ systems. Examples of structure-function relationships are drawn from both animal and human physiology. Cellular and molecular aspects are introduced as required. Materials fee.
Bio Sci E124
Infectious Disease Dynamics
4 UNITS
Learn how the immune system interacts with infectious diseases, in particular with viral infections. An introduction to basic virology and immunology, it concentrates on the way in which the immune system is critical to the prevention of infections.
Bio Sci E136
The Physiology of Human Nutrition
4 UNITS
Examines the biochemical basis of energy metabolism, physiological processes in digestion and uptake, and the biochemical transformation of carbohydrates, fats, and proteins in the human body. The emphasis is on expanding the students’ understanding of physiology.
Bio Sci M114
Advanced Biochemistry
4 UNITS
Physical-chemical properties of macromolecules. Structure-function relationships in nucleic acids, protein, carbohydrates, and lipids. Integration and regulation of metabolism. Biochemistry of organs and biochemistry of diseases.
Bio Sci M114L
Biochemistry Laboratory
5 UNITS
Properties of enzymes and the culture and isolation of mutants of microorganisms. Materials fee.
Bio Sci M116
Advanced Molecular Biology
4 UNITS
Mechanisms of gene expression; special emphasis on regulatory events that occur in Eukaryotic organisms other than initiation of transcription. Chromatin structure and rearrangement, RNA polymerases, cis- and trans-acting elements, RNA processing, transport and stability, protein synthesis, trafficking, and turnover.
Bio Sci M116L
Molecular Biology Laboratory
4 UNITS
Students perform experiments which illustrate the chemical and biological properties of nucleic acids. Emphasis is placed on recent techniques in recombinant DNA technology including gene isolation and characterization. Materials fee.
Bio Sci M118L
Experimental Biology Laboratory
5 UNITS
Introductory general microbiology designed for preprofessional biology majors. Includes microscopy, cultivation of bacteria, morphological and biochemical characterization of bacteria, microbial metabolism, growth and genetics, microorganisms and human disease, and interactions of microorganisms with the environment. Materials fee.
Bio Sci M121
Immunology with Hematology
4 UNITS
Antibodies, antigens, antigen-antibody reactions, cells and tissues of lymphoreticular and hematopoietic systems, and individual and collective components of cell-mediated and humoral immune response.
Bio Sci M121L
Advanced Immunology Laboratory
4 UNITS
Emphasis is placed on learning modern techniques in immunology such as ELISAs, western blotting, and immunofluorescent staining assays. Materials fee.
Bio Sci M122
General Microbiology
4 UNITS
Comparative metabolism of small molecules and cell structure and relationship to microbial classification. Macromolecule synthesis and regulation, sporulation, cell division, growth, and effect of antibiotics.
Bio Sci M125
Molecular Biology of Cancer
4 UNITS
Molecular mechanisms of carcinogenesis. Consideration of transformation by DNA tumor viruses, RNA tumor viruses, and chemical carcinogens.
Bio Sci M143
Human Parasitology
4 UNITS
Introduction to human animal-parasitic diseases including worms and protozoan infections.
PHRMSCI 170A
Molecular Pharmacology I
4 UNITS
Molecular basis of drug-receptor action at the molecular and cellular levels. Structure-function of drug targets emphasizing enzymes, ion channels, and membrane transport proteins. Understanding how the drugs’ mechanisms of action contribute to the development of more efficacious and safer drugs.
PHRMSCI 170B
Molecular Pharmacology II
4 UNITS
Introductory survey covering the molecular mechanisms of drugs that target the nervous system, such as anxiolytics, antidepressants, antipsychotics, hypnotics, muscle relaxants, and recreational drugs; drugs related to the immune system, including antibiotics, antihistamines, and immunosuppressants; drugs used to treat cancer.
PubHlth 150
Public Health & Wellness
4 UNITS
Presents information about wellness from both science and policy perspectives in order to demonstrate the role of wellness in public health. Emphasizes the conditions that create wellness in the individual, the community, the nation, and the world.
PubHlth 180 – PubHlth 189
4 UNITS
Courses within the 180-189 number range would be considered a suitable course for this category.
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.
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.
