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

^{(Major Code: PB29 - Effective Fall 2024)}

^{*Students who entered UCSD prior to FA24 should see BSPH Concentration in Epidemiology (Admitted prior to FA24)}

Epidemiology is the study and evaluation of trends, patterns, and causes related to infectious and chronic disease in populations. Students completing the Concentration in Epidemiology acquire advanced epidemiological coursework beyond the UD epidemiology core course (PH 101) and from a variety of disciplines, such as anthropology, biology, global health, and psychology. As epidemiology can be a broad field of study, this concentration will allow students the opportunity to explore and gain insight into the different areas of epidemiologic study and prepare them well for pursuing a particular path in graduate school or in their careers. In addition, this concentration assists students in pursuing advanced epidemiology training following graduation.

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

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 (32 or 33 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

Quantitative Methods (1 course, 4 or 5 units)

Option 1: MATH 11
Option 2: PSYC 60
Option 3: COGS 14B
Option 4: HDS 60

Option 1 is recommended for students going into epidemiology, biostatistics, or other fields that value statistics and data analysis.

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

Epidemiology Electives (total of 12 units required)

ANBI 130, ANSC 148, ANSC 150, BICD 100, BICD 136, BICD 140, BIEB 152, BIMM 124, BIMM 134, GLBH 113, GLBH 146, GLBH 148, GLBH 181, HISC 116, MATH 111A, MATH 181A, MATH 181B, MATH 181C, MATH 183, PH 151, PH 171, PHIL 163, PSYC 168, PSYC 179, REV 160GS, REV 165GS, SOCI 108, USP 144

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).

Students may request through the VAC to use GLBH 141 towards their UDE area.

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 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.
PSYC 60 or HDS 60 or COGS 14B or 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.
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.
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.