Public Health BS

Public health represents a growing and dynamic field with opportunities to address the world’s most pressing health problems. The discipline is a combination of both the science and art of advancing the health of individuals, families, communities, and populations through education, promotion of healthy behaviors, and research for disease and injury prevention. A person’s health is defined not only by genetics and personal choices, it’s also determined by the environment. Public health is all around us—where we live, work and play impact our health.

Public Health - Explain the history and philosophy of public health as well as its core values, concepts, and functions across the globe and in society.

Role and Importance of Data in Public Health - Explain and utilize the basic concepts, methods, and tools of public health data collection, use, and analysis and explain why evidence-based approaches are an essential part of public health practice.

Identify and Address Population Health Challenges - Identify and design plans to address the major health-related needs and concerns of populations using the basic processes, approaches, and interventions of population health.

Human Health - Describe how the underlying science of human health and disease is necessary to provide opportunities for promoting and protecting health across the life course.

Determinants of Health - Explain the relevance of the socioeconomic, behavioral, biological, cultural, environmental, and other factors that impact human health and contribute to health disparities and utilize those elements to explain and design plans to address public health problems.

Project Implementation - Demonstrate use of the fundamental concepts and features of project implementation, including planning, assessment, and evaluation to conduct public health interventions.

Health Systems - Explain the fundamental characteristics and organizational structures of the U.S. health system as well as the similarities and differences in systems of other countries.

Health Policy, Law, Ethics and Economics - Explain basic concepts of legal, ethical, economic, and regulatory dimensions of health care and public health policy, including applying those concepts to public health issues. Explain the roles, influences, and responsibilities of the different agencies and branches of government.

Health Communication - Demonstrate proficiency in the basic concepts of public health-specific communication, including technical and professional writing and the use of mass media and electronic technology.

Academic programs in Public Health consist of coursework both from Public Health (PUB) and from other departments across the university. The public health courses are delivered in person in a classroom setting. Our faculty use a variety of high quality, learner centered teaching techniques in their courses, including projects, in class and out of class activities, and field trips in addition to lecture. Classes range from large, introductory courses at the first and second year level to smaller, more specialized courses at the third and fourth year level.

The major in public health consists of coursework both from Public Health (PUB) and from other departments across the university. The public health courses are delivered in person in a classroom setting. Our faculty use a variety of high quality, learner centered teaching techniques in their courses, including projects, in class and out of class activities, and field trips in addition to lecture. Classes range from large, introductory courses at the first and second year level to smaller, more specialized courses at the third and fourth year level.

The core faculty for the undergraduate program in public health come from multiple departments in the School of Public Health and Health Professions. Each faculty member has training in one of the core areas of public health or in a discipline that contributes to the interdisciplinary basis of public health. All of the faculty teaching core courses in the major (PUB prefix courses) have a doctoral degree or equivalent professional degree. No PUB core courses are currently taught by adjunct faculty or teaching assistants.

Please visit the Public Health department website for more information on our faculty and their research and teaching specializations.

More information on careers in public health can be found by visiting the following recommended sites:

• This is Public Health website 
  
• American Pubic Health Association website 
  
• Association of Schools and Programs of Public Health website 
  

The Office for Academic and Student Affairs (OASA) is the centralized advisement and student services unit in the School of Public Health and Health Professions (SPHHP). We provide advisement services to undergraduate students pursuing academic programs offered in our school.

Office for Academic and Student Affairs (OASA)

Phone: (716) 829-5000

Email: sphhp-oasa@buffalo.edu

In-Person: 104A-C Kimball Tower, University at Buffalo South Campus

There are not scholarships, research/travel awards, or other financial assistance specific to the public health major. Students in the program are encouraged to explore university-wide support programs and program faculty and staff can assist students in exploring these options.