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  5. BSPH Concentration in Biostatistics

Bachelor of Science in Public Health (BSPH) with Concentration in Biostatistics

(Major Code: PB26 - Effective Fall 2024)  

*Students who entered UCSD prior to FA24 should see BSPH Concentration in Biostatistics (Admitted prior to FA24)

Biostatistics involves statistical processes and methods applied to the collection, analysis, and interpretation of data relating to human biology, health, and medicine. The Concentration in Biostatistics provides students the opportunity to receive foundational training in statistical methods and data analysis related to public health issues. In addition, this concentration enables students interested in pursuing a career in biostatistics to explore the field and complete courses required for admission to graduate school, including statistical analyses, computer programming, and mathematical methods.

For a sample academic plan for the B.S. in Public Health with Concentration in Biostatistics Major, please choose from the following:

Entry to the Major

Lower-Division Requirements (53 units)

Public Health Sciences (1 course, 4 units)

  • PH 40: Introduction to Public Health

Biology (3 courses, 12 units)

  • BILD 1, BILD 2, BILD 3 

Computer Programming (1 course, 4 units)

  • CSE 6, CSE 6R, CSE 8A, CSE 8B, CSE 11, CSE 180, CSE 180R, ECE 15

Formal Skills and Quantitative Methods (5 courses, 21 units)

  • MATH 11, MATH 18, MATH 20A, MATH 20B, MATH 20C

Public Health Research Methods (1 course, 4 units)

  • PH 45

Public Health Trending Topics (1 course, 4 units)

  • PH 70-85

Lower Division Public Health Elective (total of 4 units required)

  • PH 50-95, PH 98, PH 99

Upper-Division Requirements (52 or 56 units)

Public Health Core Disciplines (6 courses, 24 units)

  • PH 101: Epidemiology
  • PH 102: Biostatistics
  • PH 110: Health Behavior and Chronic Diseases
  • PH 120: Health Policies for Healthy Lifestyles
  • PH 130: Environmental and Occupational Health
  • USP 143: The US Health Care System

Upper Division Public Health Electives (total of 8 units required)

  • PH 140-191, PH 195, PH 198, PH 199

Statistical Analysis Electives (total of 12 units required)

  • MATH 102, MATH 109, MATH 111A, MATH 111B, MATH 140A, MATH 180A, MATH 180B, MATH 180C, MATH 181A, MATH 181B, MATH 181C, MATH 181E, MATH 183

    Students may petition to use AIP 197, UCCS, or a Study Abroad Experience (must be an upper-division 4-unit course and have been pre-approved by the department).

NOTE: Our MS in Biostatistics strongly recommends the following UD courses: MATH 180A, 181A, 181B.

Capstone Experience (2 courses, 8 or 12 units)

  • Option 1: PH 193/193R, PH 194/194R
  • Option 2: PH 196AH, PH 196BH

Additional Requirements

Additional Requirements

  • Students who want to declare a major in public health must first meet all Public Health Entry criteria.
  • PH 40 must be completed at UC San Diego.
  • All LD and UD major courses must be taken for a letter grade, with the exception of AIP 197, PH 95, PH 98, PH 99, PH 195, PH 198, and PH 199, which may only be taken P/NP.
  • A minimum grade of C- is required in any course to be counted towards fulfillment of LD and UD major requirements.
  • No more than 8 units of PH 91 may be used to meet lower-division major requirements. Topics must be different for each class.
  • No more than 8 units of PH 191 may be used to meet upper-division major requirements. Topics must be different for each class.
  • No more than 4 units of PH 195 may be used to meet UD major requirements.
  • No more than 4 units of AIP 197 may be used to meet UD major requirements.
  • No more than 8 units of PH 198 and PH 199 may be used to meet UD major requirements.
  • No more than 4 units of GLBH 111 may be used to meet UD major requirements.
  • No more than 6 units of COMM 102C may be used to meet UD major requirements.

Stay on Track: Time-To-Degree

Many PH courses and some UDEs for the Public Health Major have prerequisites that need to be completed prior to enrollment (Core Public Health Prerequisites). It is recommended that students meet regularly with the Public Health Advisors to ensure that they are on track with completing their Public Health Major requirements. Please see the Advising Calendar for walk-in and appointment availability.

To assist students in planning their courses, we have also provided guidelines below on when specific major courses must completed by to stay on track to graduate in their desired year. Please talk to a Public Health Advisor for any time-to-degree questions you may have.

  • PH 40 – Course MUST be completed by fall quarter of junior (3rd) year. Students need at least five quarters in the major (not including summer) to complete the Public Health Major requirements in time for the two-quarter Capstone sequence offered in the winter (PH 193) and spring quarters (PH 194) of their senior (4th) year.
  • BILD 1, BILD 2, and BILD 3 – Courses MUST be completed by fall quarter of junior (3rd) year in order to complete the Public Health Major requirements on time.
  • CHEM 6A, CHEM 6B, CHEM 6C – Courses MUST be completed by fall quarter of junior (3rd) year in order to complete the Public Health Major requirements on time.
  • MATH 11 – Course MUST be completed by fall quarter of junior (3rd) year In order to complete the Public Health Major requirements in time for the two-quarter Capstone sequence offered in the winter (PH 193) and spring quarters (PH 194) of their senior (4th) year.
  • MATH 20A, MATH 20B, MATH 20C, and MATH 18 – Courses MUST be completed by fall quarter of junior (3rd) year in order to complete the Public Health Major requirements on time.
  • PH 45 – Course MUST be completed by winter quarter of the junior (3rd) year in order to complete the Public Health Major requirements in time for the two-quarter Capstone sequence offered in the winter (PH 193) and spring quarters (PH 194) of their senior (4th) year.
  • PH 101 and PH 102 – One course MUST be completed by spring quarter of the junior (3rd) year and both courses MUST be completed by fall quarter of the senior (4th) year in order to complete the Public Health Major requirements in time for the two-quarter Capstone sequence offered in the winter (PH 193) and spring quarters (PH 194) of their senior (4th) year. Please note: It is strongly recommended that students do not complete PH 101 and PH 102 in the same quarter, and either course be taken before the other. 
  • PH 110 – Course MUST be completed by fall quarter of the senior (4th) year in order to complete the Public Health Major requirements in time for the two-quarter Capstone sequence offered in the winter quarter (PH 193) and spring quarters (PH 194) of their senior (4th) year.
  • PH 120 – Course MUST be completed by fall quarter of the senior (4th) year in order to complete the Public Health Major requirements in time for the two-quarter Capstone sequence offered in the winter quarter (PH 193) and spring quarters (PH 194) of their senior (4th) year.
  • PH 193 – Course MUST be completed by winter quarter of the senior (4th) year in order to complete the Public Health Major requirements on time.
  • USP 143 – Course MUST be completed by winter quarter of the senior (4th) year in order to complete the Public Health Major requirements on time. Please note: USP 143 is only offered in winter quarters.
  • CSE 6, CSE 6R, CSE 8A, CSE 8B, CSE 11, CSE 180, CSE 180R, or ECE 15 – Course MUST be completed by spring quarter of the senior (4th) year in order to complete the Public Health Major requirements on time.
  • PH 130 – Course MUST be completed by spring quarter of the senior (4th) year in order to complete the Public Health Major requirements on time.
  • PH 194 – Course MUST be completed by spring quarter of the senior (4th) year in order to complete the Public Health Major requirements on time.