Program Overview
College of Natural and Health Sciences
Location: Ross Hall 1210
Telephone: 970-351-3082
Email: nhsadvising@unco.edu
Website: www.unco.edu/nhs/health-sciences/
Advising Information:
Students must consult with their assigned major advisor each semester prior to registering.
To find your advisor, log into ursa.unco.edu; go to 'Student' tab and click 'View Student Information' link. If no advisor is listed, contact the major program for advisor information.
The program consists of four parts:
- Liberal Arts Curriculum (LAC) Credits
- Required Major Credits
- Major Elective Credits
- University-Wide Credits
Program Description:
The Public Health concentration offers students a chance to pursue a four-year degree in a rapidly expanding field nationally and internationally. Students who complete this degree will be well-positioned to become leaders in a broad range of public health fields.
Program Admission Requirements:
Academic Good Standing
Minor Required:
No Minor required.
Program Requirements:
In accordance with University Policies, coursework earned more than 10 years prior to the date of matriculation to UNC may not be used to satisfy any major or minor requirements. Any exception to this policy is at the discretion of the academic program.
Degree Requirements — 120 Credits
1. Liberal Arts Curriculum — 31 credits
To complete the degree in 120 credits as outlined, the program recommends the below LAC courses that also count toward the 70 required major credits.
Any additional coursework completed outside of the recommended list below may extend the length of the program of study.
Written Communication — 6 credits
ENG 123 or SCI 291 is recommended to fulfill the Intermediate Writing Course requirement and will fulfill both LAC and major requirements.
See Written Communication courses
Mathematics — 3 credits
STAT 150 is recommended to fulfill the Mathematics requirement and will fulfill both LAC and major requirements.
See Mathematics courses
Arts & Humanities, History, Social & Behavioral Sciences, U.S. Multicultural Studies [MS], and International Studies [IS] — 15 credits
To complete the LAC in the minimum number of credits, be sure to choose at least one course with an IS designation and one course with an MS designation.
PHIL 250 is recommended to fulfill the Arts and Humanities: Ways of Thinking requirement and will fulfill both LAC and major requirements.
HUSR 205 and PSY 230 are recommended to fulfill the Social and Behavioral Sciences requirement and will fulfill both LAC and major requirements.
See Arts & Humanities, History, and Social & Behavioral Sciences courses
Natural & Physical Sciences — 7 credits
BIO 110 or BIO 100 and BIO 105 and, CHEM 281, CHEM 281L, are recommended to fulfill the Natural & Physical Sciences LAB requirement and will fulfill both LAC and major requirements.
FND 250 is recommended to fulfill the Natural & Physical Sciences requirement and will fulfill both LAC and major requirements.
See Natural & Physical Sciences courses
See Liberal Arts Curriculum
2. Required Major — 70 credits
| BIO 110 | Biology: Atoms to CellsLAS1LASLGT-SC1 | 4 |
| or | |
| BIO 100 | Exploring BiologyLAS1GT-SC2 | 3 |
| and | |
| BIO 105 | Exploring Biology LabLAS1LASLGT-SC1 | 1 |
| | |
| BIO 245 | Introduction to Human Anatomy and Physiology | 4 |
| BIO 246 | Advanced Human Anatomy and Physiology | 3 |
| BIO 251 | Allied Health Microbiology | 4 |
| CHEM 281 | Fundamentals of BiochemistryLAS1GT-SC1 | 3 |
| CHEM 281L | Fundamentals of Biochemistry LaboratoryLAS1LASLGT-SC1 | 1 |
| | |
| ENG 123 | Writing and Research MethodsLAW2GT-CO2 | 3 |
| or | |
| SCI 291 | Scientific WritingLAW2GT-CO2 | 3 |
| | |
| FND 250 | Principles of NutritionLAS1GT-SC2 | 3 |
| HUSR 205 | Introduction to Human ServicesLAB3GT-SS3 | 3 |
| HUSR 209 | Foundations of Health Promotion/Health Education | 3 |
| HUSR 300 | Human Services Helping Skills | 3 |
| HUSR 336 | Human Sexuality | 3 |
| HUSR 342 | Modern Concepts of Health and Disease | 3 |
| HUSR 410 | Human Services Program Planning and Evaluation | 3 |
| HUSR 350 | Introduction to Environmental Health | 3 |
| HUSR 492 | Internship in Human Services | 1-15 |
| NURS 225 | Interprofessional Collaboration in Healthcare | 3 |
| NURS 326 | Pathophysiology | 3 |
| PHIL 250 | Medical EthicsLAA3GT-AH3 | 3 |
| PSY 230 | Lifespan DevelopmentLAB3GT-SS3 | 3 |
| STAT 150 | Introduction to Statistical AnalysisLAX1GT-MA1 | 3 |
3. Major Electives — 15 credits
Take 15 credits from the following:
| ANT 292 | Culture and ConflictLAA3GT-AH3 | 3 |
| ANT 313 | Anthropology of Globalization | 3 |
| ANT 355 | Medical Anthropology | 3 |
| CH 520 | Foundations in Public Health | 2 |
| CH 530 | Strategies for Community Health Promotion | 3 |
| CH 535 | Effective Community Health Engagement | 3 |
| CH 550 | Environmental Health | 3 |
| FND 210 | Medical Terminology | 2 |
| HUSR 380 | Rehabilitation Principles and Case Management | 3 |
| HUSR 397 | Foundations of Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment | 3 |
| PSY 255 | Introduction to Mental Health | 3 |
| PSY 265 | Social PsychologyLAB3GT-SS3 | 3 |
| PSY 323 | Health Psychology | 3 |
| PSY 340 | Psychology & Culture | 3 |
| PSY 380 | Behavioral Neuroscience | 3 |
| SOC 170 | Social ProblemsLAB3GT-SS3 | 3 |
| SOC 237 | Sociology of Race, Racism, and PowerLAB3LAMSGT-SS3 | 3 |
| SOC 275 | Society & Mental Health | 3 |
| SOC 375 | Sociology of Health and Illness | 3 |
| STAT 451 | Intermediate Applied Statistics | 3 |
Some courses have pre-requisites.
4. University Electives — 4-26 credits*
Complete additional credits to achieve the minimum credits needed for any degree at UNC; for this program, that will typically be 4-26 credits.
*Note: Students who apply the recommended courses to both the liberal arts curriculum and the major requirements will have an increased number of university wide electives to apply to this degree. See your advisor for details.
Four Year Plan
This four year plan is a recommended schedule to complete this bachelor's degree in 4 years. Courses are subject to availability. Students must consult with their major advisor to receive information on any additional graduation requirements and course sequence guidance.
Year 1 – 29 credits
Fall Semester
| BIO 110 | Biology: Atoms to CellsLAS1LASLGT-SC1 | 4 |
| or | |
| BIO 100 | Exploring BiologyLAS1GT-SC2 | 3 |
| and | |
| BIO 105 | Exploring Biology LabLAS1LASLGT-SC1 | 1 |
| | |
| STAT 150 | Introduction to Statistical AnalysisLAX1GT-MA1 | 3 |
| ENG 122 | College CompositionLAW1GT-CO1 | 3 |
| | University-Wide Elective | 5 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 15 |
Spring Semester
| BIO 245 | Introduction to Human Anatomy and Physiology | 4 |
| | |
| CHEM 281 | Fundamentals of BiochemistryLAS1GT-SC1 | 3 |
| and | |
| CHEM 281L | Fundamentals of Biochemistry LaboratoryLAS1LASLGT-SC1 | 1 |
| | |
| ENG 123 | Writing and Research MethodsLAW2GT-CO2 | 3 |
| or | |
| SCI 291 | Scientific WritingLAW2GT-CO2 | 3 |
| or | |
| | LAC Advanced WritingLAW3 | 3 |
| | |
| | LAC Arts and HumanitiesLAA1LAA2LAA3LAA4 | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 14 |
LAC Arts and Humanities: Choose U.S. Multicultural Studies (MS) or International Studies (IS) course.
Year 2 – 31 credits
Fall Semester
| BIO 246 | Advanced Human Anatomy and Physiology | 3 |
| FND 250 | Principles of NutritionLAS1GT-SC2 | 3 |
| HUSR 205 | Introduction to Human ServicesLAB3GT-SS3 | 3 |
| PHIL 250 | Medical EthicsLAA3GT-AH3 | 3 |
| PSY 230 | Lifespan DevelopmentLAB3GT-SS3 | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 15 |
Spring Semester
| BIO 251 | Allied Health Microbiology | 4 |
| HUSR 209 | Foundations of Health Promotion/Health Education | 3 |
| NURS 225 | Interprofessional Collaboration in Healthcare | 3 |
| NURS 326 | Pathophysiology | 3 |
| | LAC HistoryLAH1 | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 16 |
LAC History: Choose U.S. Multicultural Studies (MS) or International Studies (IS) course.
Year 3 – 30 credits
Fall Semester
| HUSR 300 | Human Services Helping Skills | 3 |
| HUSR 336 | Human Sexuality | 3 |
| | |
| CH 520 | Foundations in Public Health | 2 |
| or | |
| | Major Elective | 2 |
| | |
| | Major Elective | 4 |
| | University-Wide Elective | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 15 |
Spring Semester
| HUSR 342 | Modern Concepts of Health and Disease | 3 |
| HUSR 350 | Introduction to Environmental Health | 3 |
| | |
| CH 550 | Environmental Health | 3 |
| or | |
| | Major Elective | 3 |
| | |
| | University-Wide Elective | 3 |
| | University-Wide Elective | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 15 |
Year 4 – 30 credits
Fall Semester
| HUSR 410 | Human Services Program Planning and Evaluation | 3 |
| | |
| CH 535 | Effective Community Health Engagement | 3 |
| or | |
| | Major Elective | 3 |
| | |
| | University-Wide Elective | 3 |
| | University-Wide Elective | 3 |
| | University-Wide Elective | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 15 |
Spring Semester
| HUSR 492 | Internship in Human Services | 1-15 |
| | |
| CH 505 | Health Communications and the Media | 3 |
| or | |
| | Major Elective | 3 |
| | |
| | University-Wide Elective | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 15 |
Advising Notes –
- Students interested in study abroad are encouraged to do so between Year 2 Spring and Year 3 Spring.
Accelerated Public Health B.S. and Public Health M.P.H.
This degree offers a combined BS/MPH Accelerated degree option where students can complete their BS in Health Sciences and their Master of Public Health (MPH) in Community Health Education degrees in approximately 5 1/2 years. This is possible by taking up to 11 credits of the MPH graduate courses as an undergraduate, and having those courses apply to both degrees.
Accelerated Master of Public Health Admissions
Before entering into the MPH, students will apply for the MPH program in Community Health Education or Global Health/Community Health Education through the SOPHAS Express online platform. Students can apply in Fall of Year 2. Requirements for applying include: undergraduate cumulative GPA >3.0, two (2) letters of recommendation, personal statement and resume; some public health related experience (paid, volunteer, or internship) is beneficial.
Accelerated Master of Public Health Timeline
In years three and four of the program, students in the Accelerated MPH Program must choose STAT 451 and 9 of the 12 CH credits listed below to complete the BS and MPH in 5 years. Only students who have been accepted into the Accelerated program are eligible to apply these courses toward the undergraduate degree.
Outline for degree completion of the Accelerated B.S. and MPH:
Fall Semester, Senior year
STAT 451 Intermediate Applied Statistics (3 credits)
One 500-level graduate MPH course (CH 520, CH 535, or CH 550) (3 credits, double-counted)
Spring Semester, Senior year
Two 500-level graduate MPH courses (CH 520, CH 530, or CH 505) (6 credits, double-counted)
Fall Semester, fifth year
CH 612 Statistical Applications in Public Health (3 credits)
CH 615 Methods in Public Health Research and Evaluation (3 credits)
CH 635 Policy, Advocacy, Leadership & Management in Community Health (3 credits)
One 500-level graduate MPH course (CH 509, CH 530, CH 535, or CH 550) (3 credits)
Spring Semester, fifth year
CH 610 Program Planning and Evaluation (3 credits)
CH 620 Epidemiology (3 credits)
One or two MPH Electives (3-6 credits)
Summer, fifth year
CH 686 MPH Masters Project (2 credits)
CH 693 MPH Practicum (2 credits)
Accelerated MPH Advising
Faculty Advising
Students who matriculate from the BS into the MPH program will be assigned a faculty advisor following the ColoradoSPH at UNC advising structure. Faculty advisors are assigned based on the student’s selected concentration.
Student Consultation and Advising
BS: Regular undergraduate advisor in the UNC NHS Advising Center.
MPH (for interested students): Campus Director of the ColoradoSPH@UNC
MPH (for admitted and active accelerated students): Assigned MPH faculty advisor