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

^{(Effective Fall 2024 - for all students who entered UCSD in FA24-SP26)}

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.

Please see plans.ucsd.edu for a sample academic plan.

Entry to the Major

Every Public Health Major has their own Major Entry Criteria. Please see Public Health Major Entry Requirement on our website for more details.

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

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.