Public Health, B.S.

Mission

The mission of the Bachelor of Science in Public Health program is to prepare Christian men and women to be public health agents of change: dedicated to improving population health, promoting disease prevention, and advocating health equality, through community health assessment, education, promotion, and policy development.

Degree Program 

The Public Health major provides rigorous academic and practical experiences based on Biblical principles to prepare students for careers in various aspects of public health, including health care systems, health care policy and administration, occupational and environmental health, health promotion, and global health. The curriculum is designed with a foundation of core public health concepts, basic sciences, and behavioral health, focusing on public health principles and practice. In addition, there are three concentrations within the Public Health major that allow students to (1) have an emphasis on Global Health, (2) prepare for Pre-Health Professional graduate programs, or (3) complete both a B.S. then an M.P.H. on an accelerated track. The major includes quantitative and qualitative coursework that equips undergraduates with a broad understanding of the discipline, preparing them for careers in government health agencies, healthcare systems, and non-profit organizations, as well as graduate degree programs including the M.P.H., M.D., D.V.M., Pharm.D. or Ph.D. in health disciplines.

Program Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the Bachelor of Science in Public Health, students will be able to:

1. Identify and summarize information relevant to assessing and improving population health (ULO 1).

2. Identify data collection, analysis, and interpretation methods used in public health practice (ULO 1, 2).

3. Explain how biological, behavioral, cultural, and environmental factors impact the health of individuals and communities (ULO 1, 2).

4. Use the science of human health and disease to provide opportunities for promoting health and wellness. (ULO 3).

5. Explain how biblical principles relate to health, cultural competence, and community service (ULO 3).

Each Program Learning Outcome (PLO) listed above references at least one of the University Learning Outcomes (ULO 1, 2, 3), which may be found in the General Information section of this catalog.

GPA Requirements

All major requirements must be completed with a C- or better grade.

Curriculum Requirements

The number of credits required to graduate with a Public Health, B.S is the university minimum of 120, and the degree offers two concentrations, Global Health or Pre-Health Professions, as well as a track to the MPH, all of which are detailed below.

Concentrations

Global Health

Public Health majors meet the Core Curriculum requirement of 9 credits in behavioral science, science, and mathematics within the major. The foreign language requirement is met by two years of high school study in the same language or four credits of college foreign language. PHIL 215 is the recommended Philosophy Core Curriculum course.
Concentration Core Courses
KNES 200Public Health Principles and Practice3
KNES 300Health Education and Health Promotion3
KNES 310Community and Global Health3
KNES 330Global Health Leadership3
KNES 340Health Policy and Ethics3
KNES 355Health Care Systems3
KNES 475Public Health Capstone Practicum3
Concentration Elective Courses (select 6 credits)6
Introduction to Development
Intercultural Communication
Intercultural Communication
Seminar: Topics in Intercultural Health Care 1
Principles of Epidemiology
Measurement and Evaluation in Kinesiology
Principles of Biostatistics
Health Behavior and Health Promotion
Applied Public Health Research Methods
Current Issues in Global Health
Global Health Ethics and Human Rights
Global Communicable Disease Control
Topics in Kinesiology and Public Health
Internship
Introduction to Psychopathology
Cross-Cultural/Ethnic Issues in Psychology
Developmental Psychology: Lifespan
Biology Requirements
BIOS 236Principles of Human Anatomy and Physiology4
or BIOS 254 Human Anatomy
or BIOS 281 Physiology
BIOS 305Global Development and Ecological Sustainability3
or BIOS 353 Environmental Ethics
KNES 325Environmental Health3
Math Requirement 2
MATH 318Biostatistics3
or MATH 210 Introduction to Probability and Statistics
Psychology Requirement
PSYC 200Introduction to Psychology 33
Concentration Course Requirements: 43 credits
Core Curriculum Requirements 454-58
General Electives 519-23
Total Credits120
1

Select from the following topics: Global Health Perspectives, Global Health Priorities, Global Health Begins with Personal Health, Communication in the Context of Culture.

2

Either course fulfills the Mathematics Core Curriculum requirement.

3

Fulfills the Behavioral Science Core Curriculum requirement.

4

See Core Curriculum Program section for details.

5

May be taken as additional Concentration Elective courses. May also be counted as prerequisites required for Concentration Elective courses.

Pre-Health Professions

The Pre-Health Professions concentration helps prepare students for seven different Health Profession graduate/professional programs: (1) Pre-Medicine, (2) Pre-Veterinary Medicine, (3) Pre-Dental, (4)  Pre-Optometry, (5) Pre-Pharmacy, (6) Pre-Physician Assistant, and (7) Pre-Podiatry. Each Health Profession graduate/professional program has slightly different prerequisite courses that students in the Pre-Health Professions concentration may take. Students are guided toward graduate/professional requirements during individual academic advising with their faculty advisor.

Public Health majors meet the Core Curriculum requirement of 9 credits in behavioral science, science, and mathematics within the major. The foreign language requirement is met by two years of high school study in the same language or four credits of college foreign language. PHIL 215 is the recommended Philosophy Core Curriculum course.
Concentration Core Courses
KNES 200Public Health Principles and Practice3
KNES 300Health Education and Health Promotion3
KNES 340Health Policy and Ethics3
or KNES 355 Health Care Systems
KNES 475Public Health Capstone Practicum3
Concentration Elective Courses (select 3 credits) 13
Microbiology
Nutrition and Metabolism
Genetics
General Biochemistry I
General Biochemistry I
General Biochemistry II
General Biochemistry II
Principles of Epidemiology
Measurement and Evaluation in Kinesiology
Community and Global Health
Principles of Biostatistics
Health Behavior and Health Promotion
Environmental Health
Applied Public Health Research Methods
Global Communicable Disease Control
Current Issues in Epidemiology
Molecular Epidemiology
Epidemiology of Chronic Disease
Outbreak and Emergency Preparedness
Cancer Epidemiology
Public Health Policy and Practice
Topics in Kinesiology and Public Health
Internship
Introduction to Psychopathology
Developmental Psychology: Lifespan
Chemistry Requirements
CHEM 107Introduction to Chemistry 23
CHEM 105General Chemistry I3
CHEM 115General Chemistry I Lab1
CHEM 106General Chemistry II3
CHEM 116General Chemistry II Lab1
CHEM 301Organic Chemistry I3
CHEM 311Laboratory in Organic Chemistry I1
CHEM 302Organic Chemistry II3
CHEM 312Laboratory in Organic Chemistry II1
Physics Requirements 3
PHSC 111Physics I 43
or PHSC 100 Physics I with Foundations
PHSC 117Physics I Laboratory1
PHSC 112Physics II3
PHSC 118Physics II Laboratory1
Biology Requirements
BIOS 111Fundamentals of Cellular and Molecular Biology3
BIOS 113Fundamentals of Cellular and Molecular Biology Laboratory1
BIOS 112Fundamentals of Organismal Biology3
BIOS 114Fundamentals of Organismal Biology Laboratory1
BIOS 236Principles of Human Anatomy and Physiology4
or BIOS 254 Human Anatomy
or BIOS 281 Physiology
BIOS 312Cell and Molecular Biology3
Math Requirement 5
MATH 318Biostatistics3
or MATH 150 Calculus I
or MATH 210 Introduction to Probability and Statistics
Psychology Requirement
PSYC 200Introduction to Psychology 63
Concentration Course Requirements: 60-63 credits
Core Curriculum Requirements 754-58
General Electives 82-6
Total Credits120-121
1

Approved transfer coursework may also fulfill this requirement.

2

CHEM 107 is waived for students who meet the qualifications to enter CHEM 105. See the current Placement Options for CHEM 105 for more information.

3

The recommended Physics sequence is PHSC 111 or 100/117 and PHSC 112/118, but it can be substituted with the PHSC 132/134 and PHSC 233/237 course sequence.

4

All students who do not meet one of the Physics 111 Placement Options must enroll in PHSC 100.

5

Fulfills the Mathematics Core Curriculum requirement.

6

Fulfills the Behavioral Science Core Curriculum requirement.

7

See Core Curriculum Program section for details.

8

May be taken as additional Concentration Elective courses. Not required for students who take CHEM 107.

MPH Grad Track

Students will earn a Public Health, B.S. and advance to the Master of Public Health in one of two specializations offered by completing a minimum of 150 credits for both degrees.

The mission of the Master of Public Health (MPH) program is to provide rigorous academic and practical experiences to equip public health agents of change: dedicated to improving population health, establishing preventative measures, and promoting health equality, with careers in government health agencies, healthcare systems, and non-profit organizations.

The MPH program at Biola University is focused on preparing public health professionals who are ethical leaders equipped to serve local and global communities. Our MPH program allows students to focus on one of two public health specializations:

1. Master of Public Health in Global Health
2. Master of Public Health in Epidemiology

The Program Learning Outcomes (PLOs) for the Undergraduate portion of the MPH Grad Track are located on the tab of this program page. The PLOs and Admission/Graduation Requirements for the Graduate (MPH) degree can be found on the program pages for the Master of Public Health in Global Health and the Master of Public Health in Epidemiology.

CEPH Accreditation Status

The MPH program at Biola University is a pre-candidate for accreditation by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH). Biola University is working with CEPH towards obtaining Public Health Program (PHP) CEPH accreditation.

Undergraduate Level Requirements
Public Health majors meet the Core Curriculum requirement of 9 credits in behavioral science, science, and mathematics within the major. The foreign language requirement is met by two years of high school study in the same language or four credits of college foreign language. PHIL 215 is the recommended Philosophy Core Curriculum course.
Public Health Requirements
KNES 200Public Health Principles and Practice3
KNES 300Health Education and Health Promotion3
KNES 340Health Policy and Ethics3
KNES 355Health Care Systems3
Concentration Elective Courses (Select 9 credits)9
Introduction to Development
Intercultural Communication
Intercultural Communication
Seminar: Topics in Intercultural Health Care 1
Measurement and Evaluation in Kinesiology
Applied Public Health Research Methods
Topics in Kinesiology and Public Health
Internship
Introduction to Psychopathology
Cross-Cultural/Ethnic Issues in Psychology
Developmental Psychology: Lifespan
Biology Requirements
BIOS 236Principles of Human Anatomy and Physiology4
or BIOS 254 Human Anatomy
or BIOS 281 Physiology
BIOS 305Global Development and Ecological Sustainability3
or BIOS 353 Environmental Ethics
Math Requirement 2
MATH 210Introduction to Probability and Statistics3
or MATH 318 Biostatistics
Psychology Requirement
PSYC 200Introduction to Psychology 33
Graduate Level MPH Requirements
PHLT 505Principles of Epidemiology3
PHLT 510Community and Global Health3
PHLT 515Principles of Biostatistics3
PHLT 535Public Health Policy and Practice3
Concentration Course Requirements: 46 credits
Core Curriculum Requirements 454-58
General Electives 516-20
Total Credits120
1

Select from the following topics: Global Health Perspectives, Global Health Priorities, Global Health Begins with Personal Health, Communication in the Context of Culture.

2

Fulfills the Mathematics Core Curriculum requirement.

3

Fulfills the Behavioral Science Core Curriculum requirement.

4

See Core Curriculum Program section for details.

5

May be taken as additional Concentration Elective courses. May also be counted as prerequisites required for Public Health Elective courses.

Graduate Level (MPH) Requirements

Public Health BS/MPH Advancement Requirements

In order to advance from the Public Health, B.S. to the MPH degree, students need to fulfill the following requirements prior to starting graduate coursework (by the beginning of their last year).

  • Complete Biola University’s Graduate Education application
  • Interview with an MPH graduate faculty
  • Have a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA on a 4.0 scale
  • Students with a 2.8 cumulative GPA or higher will be considered but the decision is highly weighted on their graduate faculty interview
  • Write a statement of purpose and objectives

MPH, Global Health Specialization

Below are the detailed requirements for the MPH, Global Health specialization. Four 500-level PHLT courses are taken in the MPH Grad Track students’ last undergraduate year.

Global Health Core Requirements
Principles of Epidemiology 1
Community and Global Health 1
Principles of Biostatistics 1
PHLT 520Health Behavior and Health Promotion3
PHLT 525Environmental Health3
PHLT 530Global Health Leadership3
Public Health Policy and Practice 1
PHLT 605Research Methods3
PHLT 610Public Health Integrative Experience2
PHLT 615Graduate Project4
PHLT 620Public Health Practicum3
Global Health Elective courses (select 9 credits from the following)9
Current Issues in Global Health
Global Health Ethics and Human Rights
Grant Writing
Integration of Global Health and Missions
International Program Design
Global Communicable Disease Control
Community Health Assessment, Planning and Evaluation
Total Credits30
1

Graduate MPH course taken in students' last undergraduate year.

MPH, Epidemiology Specialization

Below are the detailed requirements for the MPH, Epidemiology specialization. Four 500-level PHLT courses are taken in the MPH Grad Track students’ last undergraduate year.

Epidemiology Core Requirements
Principles of Epidemiology 1
Community and Global Health 1
Principles of Biostatistics 1
PHLT 520Health Behavior and Health Promotion3
PHLT 525Environmental Health3
PHLT 530Global Health Leadership3
Public Health Policy and Practice 1
PHLT 605Research Methods3
PHLT 610Public Health Integrative Experience2
PHLT 615Graduate Project4
PHLT 620Public Health Practicum3
Epidemiology Elective courses (select 9 credits from the following)9
Global Communicable Disease Control
Current Issues in Epidemiology
Molecular Epidemiology
Epidemiology of Chronic Disease
Outbreak and Emergency Preparedness
Cancer Epidemiology
Applied Methods in Epidemiology
Total Credits30
1

Graduate MPH course taken in students' last undergraduate year.

NOTE: The course sequence table is designed by the major department and is one way that the classes will work out properly in sequence for your major. However, there are alternative or flexible ways to rotate some of the classes within the same year/level and sometimes between year levels. Please contact your major department advisor to discuss flexible alternatives in scheduling the sequence of your classes.

Taking coursework during the summer session may also be an option to accelerate your degree path.

See Core Curriculum Program section for a list of approved Core Curriculum courses.

Public Health, B.S. Global Health (PBGH) 

First Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
BBST 103 or 1653BBST 103 or 1653
ENGL 100 or 1123BBST 209 or 2103
GNST 1021PHIL 215 (recommended Philosophy Core Curriculum course)3
PSYC 200 (fulfills Behavioral Science Core Curriculum requirement)3History (see Core Curriculum)3
Communication (see Core Curriculum)3Literature (see Core Curriculum)3
General Elective1 
 14 15
Second Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
BBST 209 or 2103BBST 2513
BIOS 236, 254, or 2814BIOS 305 or 3533
KNES 1071KNES 2003
KNES 3003MATH 318 or 210 (fulfills Mathematics Core Curriculum requirement)3
Concentration Elective3General Elective3
 14 15
Third Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
BBST 300/400 Bible Elective3BBST 300/400 Bible Elective3
ENGL 3133BBST 3653
KNES 3403KNES 3553
Fine Arts (see Core Curriculum)3KNES Activity (see Core Curriculum)1
Concentration Elective3General Elective3
 General Elective3
 Writing Competency Requirement
 Graduation Application due in Registrar's Office
 15 16
Fourth Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
BBST 3543BBST 4653
KNES 3103KNES 3253
Foreign Language (see Core Curriculum) or General Elective14KNES 3303
General Elective3KNES 4753
General Elective3General Elective3
 16 15
Total Credits 120
1

If you have taken 2 years of the same language in high school, you have fulfilled your foreign language requirement. Otherwise, contact the Modern Languages Department for placement test instructions.

Public Health, B.S. Pre-Health Professions (PBPH)

First Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
BBST 103 or 1653BBST 103 or 1653
CHEM 105
CHEM 115 (or CHEM 107 if needed per Department)
4BBST 209 or 2103
ENGL 100 or 1123CHEM 106
CHEM 116
4
GNST 1021PHIL 215 (recommended Philosophy Core Curriculum course)3
PSYC 200 (fulfills Behavioral Science Core Curriculum requirement)3History (see Core Curriculum)3
 14 16
Second Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
BBST 209 or 2103BBST 2513
BIOS 111
BIOS 113
4BIOS 112
BIOS 114
4
BIOS 236, 254, or 2814CHEM 302
CHEM 312
4
CHEM 301
CHEM 311
4KNES 2003
 Literature (see Core Curriculum)3
 15 17
Third Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
ENGL 3133BBST 300/400 Bible Elective3
KNES 3003BIOS 3123
MATH 318, 150, or 210 (fulfills Mathematics Core Curriculum requirement)3KNES 1071
PHSC 111
PHSC 117 (or PHSC 100 & PHSC 117)
4KNES 340 or 3553
Communication (see Core Curriculum)3PHSC 112
PHSC 118
4
KNES Activity (see Core Curriculum)1Writing Competency Requirement
 Graduation Application due in Registrar's Office
 17 14
Fourth Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
BBST 3543BBST 3653
BBST 300/400 Bible Elective3BBST 4653
Foreign Language (see Core Curriculum) or General Elective14KNES 4753
Concentration Elective 3Fine Arts (see Core Curriculum)3
 General Elective2
 13 14
Total Credits 120
1

If you have taken 2 years of the same language in high school, you have fulfilled your foreign language requirement. Otherwise, contact the Modern Languages Department for placement test instructions.

MPH Grad Track (PBMP)

First Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
BBST 103 or 1653BBST 165 or 1033
ENGL 100 or 1123BBST 2093
GNST 1021PHIL 215 (recommended Philosophy Core Curriculum course)3
PSYC 200 (fulfills Behavioral Science Core Curriculum requirement)3History (see Core Curriculum)3
Communication (see Core Curriculum)3Literature (see Core Curriculum)3
Fine Arts (see Core Curriculum)3General Elective3
KNES Activity (see Core Curriculum)1 
 17 18
Second Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
BBST 2103BBST 2513
BIOS 236, 254, or 2814BBST 3653
KNES 1071BBST 300/400 Bible Elective3
KNES 3003BIOS 305 or 3533
MATH 318 or 210 (fulfills Mathematics Core Curriculum requirement)3KNES 2003
Foreign Language (see Core Curriculum) or General Elective14Concentration Elective3
 18 18
Third Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
BBST 3543BBST 300/400 Bible Elective3
ENGL 3133BBST 4653
KNES 3403KNES 3553
Concentration Elective3General Elective3
General Elective3General Elective4
General Elective3Graduation Application due in Registrar's Office
 See Department for advice on Public Health BS/MPH advancement steps
 18 16
Fourth Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
PHLT 5053Graduate student status if undergraduate requirements and Public Health BS/MPH advancement requirements are completed
PHLT 5103PHLT 5203
PHLT 5153PHLT 5253
PHLT 5353PHLT 5303
Concentration Elective3 
 15 9
Fifth Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
PHLT 6053PHLT 6154
PHLT 6102Specialization Specific Elective3
PHLT 6203Specialization Specific Elective3
Specialization Specific Elective3 
 11 10
Total Credits 150
1

If you have taken 2 years of the same language in high school, you have fulfilled your foreign language requirement. Otherwise, contact the Modern Languages Department for placement test instructions.

NOTE: The course sequence table is designed by the major department and is one way that the classes will work out properly in sequence for your major. However, there are alternative or flexible ways to rotate some of the classes within the same year/level and sometimes between year levels. Please contact your major department advisor to discuss flexible alternatives in scheduling the sequence of your classes.

Taking coursework during the summer session may also be an option to accelerate your degree path.

See Core Curriculum Program section for a list of approved Core Curriculum courses.

Public Health, B.S. Global Health (PBGH) 

First Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
HNRS 1014HNRS 1054
HNRS 1024HNRS 1064
GNST 1021BIOS 305 or 3533
PSYC 2003KNES 2003
Foreign Language (see Core Curriculum) or General Elective14KNES Activity (see Core Curriculum)1
 16 15
Second Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
HNRS 2104HNRS 2304
HNRS 2154HNRS 2314
BIOS 236, 254, or 2814KNES 1071
MATH 318 or 210 (fulfills Mathematics Core Curriculum requirement)3KNES 3253
 General Elective3
 15 15
Third Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
HNRS 3244HNRS 3374
HNRS 3262HNRS 3392
KNES 3003KNES 3403
KNES 3303KNES 3553
 General Elective3
 12 15
Fourth Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
HNRS 4434HNRS 4584
ENGL 3133BBST 4653
KNES 3103KNES 4753
Concentration Elective3Concentration Elective3
General Elective3General Elective3
 16 16
Total Credits 120
1

If you have taken 2 years of the same language in high school, you have fulfilled your foreign language requirement. Otherwise, contact the Modern Languages Department for placement test instructions.

Public Health, B.S. Pre-Health Professions (PBPH)

First Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
HNRS 1014HNRS 1054
HNRS 1024HNRS 1064
CHEM 105
CHEM 115 (or CHEM 107 if needed per Department)
4CHEM 106
CHEM 116
4
GNST 1021KNES 2003
PSYC 2003 
 16 15
Second Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
HNRS 2104HNRS 2304
HNRS 2154HNRS 2314
BIOS 111
BIOS 113
4BIOS 112
BIOS 114
4
CHEM 301
CHEM 311
4CHEM 302
CHEM 312
4
 16 16
Third Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
HNRS 3244HNRS 3374
HNRS 3262HNRS 3392
KNES 3003KNES 1071
KNES 340 or 3553MATH 318, 150, or 210 (fulfills Mathematics Core Curriculum requirement)3
PHSC 111
PHSC 117 (or PHSC 100 & PHSC 117)
4PHSC 112
PHSC 118
4
 16 14
Fourth Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
HNRS 4434HNRS 4584
BIOS 236, 254, or 2814BBST 4653
BIOS 3123KNES 4753
ENGL 3133Concentration Elective3
KNES Activity (see Core Curriculum)1Foreign Language (see Core Curriculum) or General Elective14
 15 17
Total Credits 125
1

If you have taken 2 years of the same language in high school, you have fulfilled your foreign language requirement. Otherwise, contact the Modern Languages Department for placement test instructions.

MPH Grad Track (PBMP)

First Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
HNRS 1014HNRS 1054
HNRS 1024HNRS 1064
GNST 1021BIOS 305 or 3533
KNES 3003KNES 2003
PSYC 2003Foreign Language (see Core Curriculum) or General Elective14
General Elective3 
 18 18
Second Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
HNRS 2104HNRS 2304
HNRS 2154HNRS 2314
BIOS 236, 254, or 2814MATH 318 or 210 (fulfills Mathematics Core Curriculum requirement)3
Concentration Elective3Concentration Elective3
General Elective3General Elective3
 18 17
Third Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
HNRS 3244HNRS 3374
HNRS 3262HNRS 3392
HNRS 4434HNRS 4584
ENGL 3133KNES 1071
KNES 3403KNES 3553
KNES Activity (see Core Curriculum)1Concentration Elective3
 17 17
Fourth Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
BBST 4653Graduate student status if undergraduate requirements and Public Health BS/MPH advancement requirements are completed
PHLT 5053PHLT 5203
PHLT 5103PHLT 5253
PHLT 5153PHLT 5303
PHLT 5353 
 15 9
Fifth Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
PHLT 6053PHLT 6154
PHLT 6102Graduate Elective3
PHLT 6203Graduate Elective3
Graduate Elective3 
 11 10
Total Credits 150
1

If you have taken 2 years of the same language in high school, you have fulfilled your foreign language requirement. Otherwise, contact the Modern Languages Department for placement test instructions.