Health Science - Community Health Option, B.S.

Major Advising Sheet (opens a new window) |

Bachelor of Science Requirements

The Health Science Bachelor of Science curriculum consists of a core of five courses providing a foundation of knowledge and skills critical to the theory and practice of the health professional. In addition, students complete a specialized cluster of courses in an option that provides the depth and breadth for the area. A variety of combinations between and within options is possible to meet professional goals. However, university policy allows only one option to appear on the transcript and diploma.

To complete the health science major for the B.S., students must complete General Education requirements (48 units), a health science core specific to an option (15 units), one of three options (21-27 units), and any additional requirements to the option selected (11-33 units), the upper-division writing skills requirement, Multicultural and International (M/I), and additional electives. Students are encouraged to complete the additional requirements prior to the major courses as the courses may meet General Education requirements, and they provide a foundation for the courses in health science. Elective units also may be used toward earning a certificate.

Health science students are advised to obtain an advising roadmap from the department office. The roadmap includes the list of required courses. It is strongly recommended that students follow the coursework shown in the roadmap. Students need to consult with their advisers for decisions regarding major and minor courses. All substitutions must be approved by the department chair. Classes offered in the Health Science Department may require field assignments.

Due to the increasing number of opportunities in the area of health, we have structured courses in epidemiology, community and environmental health to complement basic courses in health behavior, health education methods, contemporary health issues, disease, drugs, and human sexuality. The curriculum is designed to prepare individuals not only to be competent instructors in the health areas, but to be health educators in many segments of our society. Upon completion of the degree, students would be eligible to take the certified test to become a Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES).

Industry, business, labor, and the military all seek knowledgeable individuals to plan and direct health delivery and information services. Advanced study in health systems and evaluation techniques of health systems is available to qualified undergraduate and graduate students.

Major Requirements (42 units)

Health Science Core for Community Health Option (15 units)

PH 92 - Public Health Statistics Units: 3
PH 100 - Community Health Units: 3
PH 109 - Epidemiology of Disease Units: 3
PH 161 - Environment and Human Health Units: 3
PH 163 - Public Health Administration Units: 3

Requirements (27 units)

Option Requirements: (21 units)

PH 90 - Contemporary Health Issues Units: 3 (Area E)
PH 91 - Human Sexuality Units: 3
PH 110 - Drugs, Society, and Health Units: 3
PH 114 - Health Behavior Units: 3
PH 131 - Principles of Health Education Units: 3
PH 133 - Health Education Methods Units: 3
PH 135 - Introduction to Human Disease Units: 3

Option Elective Requirements (select from): (6 units)

PH 48 - First Responder and Emergency Care Units: 3
PH 104 - Global and Cultural Issues in Health Units: 3
PH 105 - Risk Assessment and Analysis Units: 3
PH 111 - Alcohol and Alcoholism Units: 3
PH 112 - Consumer Health Units: 3
PH 115 - Health Issues of Aging Units: 3
PH 127 - Female Sexuality Units: 3
PH 129 - Rural Health Units: 3
PH 130 - Women’s Health Units: 3
PH 152T - Topics in Health Units: 1-3
PH 182 - Computers for the Health Professions Units: 3
NUTR 53 - Nutrition and Health: Realities and Controversies Units: 3

Additional Requirements (15 units)

BIOL 10 - Life Science Units: 3 (Area B2)
OR
BIOL 110 - Human Ecology Units: 3
CHEM 3A - Introductory General Chemistry Units: 4 (Area B1)
CHEM 3B - Introductory Organic and Biochemistry Units: 3
BIOL 33 - Introductory Human Anatomy and Physiology Units: 5

Other Degree Requirements

In addition to the major program requirements, every student must also complete the University’s baccalaureate degree requirements such as:

American Government and Institutions (PLSI 2 )
General Education Requirements (48 units)
Multicultural and International (MI)
Upper-division Writing
Sufficient Elective Units to Meet Required Total Units (varies); it is recommended that units in this area be utilized to complete a second major or minor.

A full description of the University’s graduation requirements can be found in the Baccalaureate Degree Requirements .

Total Units: 120*

*General Education, MI, and Upper-division Writing courses can be double counted with major requirements. These courses include BIOL 10 (Area B2), CHEM 3A (Area B1), and PH 90 (Area E). See advisor for details.

Advising Notes

A minimum GPA of 2.75 is required for acceptance into the Community Health Option.
A minimum grade of C is required in all Health Science core courses (PH 92 , PH 100 , PH 109 , PH 161 , PH 163 ) and core option courses (PH 90 , PH 91 , PH 110 , PH 114 , PH 131 , PH 133 , PH 135 ).
Health science majors may not apply CR/NC grading toward major requirements for a baccalaureate degree, except for PH 175I , PH 185I , and PH 188I , which are mandatory CR/NC courses.