Health Science - Environmental/Occupational Health & Safety 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 advisors 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.

Major Requirements (36 units)

Core (15 units)

PH 92 - Public Health Statistics Units: 3
PH 135 - Introduction to Human Disease Units: 3
PH 109 - Epidemiology of Disease Units: 3
PH 161 - Environment and Human Health Units: 3
PH 163 - Public Health Administration Units: 3

Environmental/Occupational Health and Safety Option

This degree program provides a balanced approach between the theoretical concepts and applied principles of environmental health, occupational health, and safety. The curriculum builds on a scientific base (biology, chemistry, physics) and includes core courses in health science, foundation courses in environmental and occupational health, and elective courses that allow for specialization. Students are academically prepared to make significant contributions to society by anticipating, evaluating, and controlling environmental and occupational health hazards. The program also provides preparation for graduate studies and acceptance into professional schools (medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, optometry, veterinary medicine, etc).

The option is approved by the California Department of Health Services. Students in the major are eligible for the following:

paid internships with federal agencies such as the U.S. Public Health Service,
national and state scholarships, and
entrance to the Registered Environmental Health Specialist (REHS) exam immediately following graduation (without having to serve an 18-month traineeship).

Requirements (21 units)

PH 143 - Occupational Safety Units: 3
PH 160 - Principles of Toxicology Units: 3
PH 162 - Environmental Health Concepts Units: 3
PH 168A - Occupational Health Concepts Units: 3

Option Elective Requirements (select minimum of three courses):

PH 105 - Risk Assessment and Analysis Units: 3
PH 145 - Occupational and Environmental Systems Management Units: 3
PH 151 - Health Law and Legislation Units: 3
PH 164 - Vector Control Units: 3
PH 166T - Topics in Environmental Health Units: 1-3
PH 167 - Public Health Laboratory Techniques Units: 3
PH 168B - Occupational Health Evaluation Units: 3
PH 170 - Air Pollution and Health Units: 3

Additional Requirements (38-42 units)

Basic Sciences:

BIOL 1A - Introductory Biology Units: 4 (Area B2)
AND
BIOL 1B - Introductory Biology Units: 3
BIOL 1BL - Introductory Biology Laboratory Units: 1
OR
BIOL 33 - Introductory Human Anatomy and Physiology Units: 5
CHEM 1A - General Chemistry 1A Units: 3 (Area B1)
CHEM 1AL - General Chemistry Laboratory 1A Units: 2 (Area B1)
CHEM 1B - General Chemistry 1B Units: 3
CHEM 1BL - General Chemistry Laboratory 1B Units: 2
AND
CHEM 8 - Elementary Organic Chemistry Units: 3
OR
CHEM 128A - Organic Chemistry Units: 3
MATH 70 - Calculus for Life Sciences Units: 4
OR
(Area B4)
MATH 75 - Calculus I Units: 4 (Area B4)
BIOL 20 - Introductory Microbiology Units: 4
OR
BIOL 140 - Plant Anatomy Units: 3
PHYS 2A - General Physics Units: 4 (Area B1)
PHYS 2B - General Physics Units: 4

Internship:

PH 175I - Environmental Internship Units: 1-4

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 1A (Area B2), CHEM 1A /CHEM 1AL or PHYS 2A (Area B1), and MATH 70 or MATH 75 (Area B4). See advisor for details.

The curriculum is designed to permit admission to master’s and doctoral degree programs in health science and public health at major universities throughout the country.

Advising Note

A minimum grade of C is required in all courses for the major.
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.