Combined Degrees: Biology B.S./Public Health M.P.H.

The College of Arts & Sciences and the College of Health & Wellness offer students an opportunity to earn both their undergraduate and graduate degrees through its Combined Degrees: Biology B.S./Public Health M.P.H. program. This program enables qualified students to earn, in a continuous plan of study, both a B.S. degree in Biology and a Master of Public Health degree in as little as five years.

Qualified students are able to complete five core Master of Public Health graduate courses that will count toward their undergraduate Biology degree. Visit the Biology B.S. degree and Master of Public Health degree program pages for program descriptions and outcomes.

Requirements

Eligible undergraduate students who would like to pursue the Combined Degrees: Biology B.S./Public Health M.P.H. program should apply directly for the program by the end of their first year to take maximum advantage of this accelerated option. Qualified students who elect the Combined Degrees: Biology B.S./Public Health M.P.H. program as an undergraduate student must fulfill all admissions requirements for entrance into the intended graduate program and complete a graduate program application. 

Biology

A four-year program leading to the bachelor of science degree

Credits
Major Courses
BIO1022General Biology - Organismal3
BIO1026General Biology Laboratory - Organismal1
BIO2001Genetics3
BIO3040Molecular Biology3
BIO3046Molecular Biology Laboratory1
BIO3100Coastal Ecology3
BIO3106Coastal Ecology Laboratory1
BIO4020Integrative Biology3
BIO4026Integrative Biology Laboratory1
BIO4100Senior Seminar in Biology3
Major Electives or Specialization
Choose 16-22 credits of the following (at least two courses must be at 3000 level or higher)* or Specialization listed below: 16-22
Human Anatomy and Physiology I
and Human Anatomy and Physiology I Laboratory
Human Anatomy and Physiology II
and Human Anatomy and Physiology II Laboratory
Human Physiology
and Human Physiology Laboratory
General Microbiology
and General Microbiology Laboratory
Plant Cultivation I: Soil, Soil Substitutes, and Disease Management
and Plant Cultivation I: Soil, Soil Substitutes, and Disease Management Laboratory
Evolution
Epigenetics
Fundamentals of Pharmacology
Plant Cultivation II: Hydroponics, Aquaponics, Tissue Culture, Genetics and Extraction
and Plant Cultivation II: Hydroponics, Aquaponics, Tissue Culture, Genetics and Extraction Laboratory
Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy
and Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy Laboratory
Advanced Anatomy
Functional Histology
and Functional Histology Laboratory
Fundamentals of Immunology
Applications of Plants & Fungi
and Applications of Plants & Fungi Laboratory
Biochemistry
and Biochemistry Laboratory
Analytical Chemistry
Sustainability Policy and Planning
Food Sustainability
The Business of Sustainability
Research Seminar in Sustainability
Applied/Experiential Learning
Choose 6 credits from the following: 6
College of Arts & Sciences Internship Ic
Directed Experiential Education D
Undergraduate Laboratory and Field Research
Undergraduate Research Experience
Honors Directed Academic Experience
Study Abroad Sa
Related Professional Studies
CAR0010Career Management1
CHM1011General Chemistry I3
CHM1016General Chemistry I Laboratory1
CHM1022General Chemistry II3
CHM1026General Chemistry II Laboratory1
CHM2011Organic Chemistry I3
CHM2016Organic Chemistry I Laboratory1
CHM2022Organic Chemistry II3
CHM2026Organic Chemistry II Laboratory1
FYS1020First-Year Seminar1
A&S Core Experience
Communications Foundation Courses9
Rhetoric & Composition I
Rhetoric & Composition II
Communication Skills
Integrative Learning 6
Two ILS courses, one at the 2000 level, one at the 4000 level
Arts and Humanities 6
Ethics: A Global Perspective
One course from ART, HIST, HUM, LIT or REL
Mathematics6
Calculus I (or higher, based on student's placement) **
Introduction to Biostatistics
Science4
General Biology - Cellular
and General Biology Laboratory - Cellular
Social Sciences 6
Introductory Psychology
One course from ANTH, ECON, GEND, LEAD, PSCI, RES or SOC
A&S Electives8
General Physics I
Physics I
General Physics I Laboratory
Physics I Laboratory
General Physics II
Physics II
General Physics II Laboratory
Physics II Laboratory
Graduate Courses ***
HSC5020Foundations of Public Health3
HSC5080Health and Healthcare ****3
HSC5120Health Trends3
HSC5150Chronic Disease Prevention and Control3
HSC5220Insights into Vulnerable Populations3
Total Credits122.0-128.0
*

Students are responsible for meeting prerequisites.

**

Students that do not place in MATH1040 Calculus I, will need to take an extra course(s), MATH1020 Fundamentals of Algebra, and/or MATH1030 Precalculus, as prerequisite(s).  

***

Students use 15 credits from free electives for graduate-level courses in the Public Health M.P.H. during their fourth year.

****

Course may only be available online. Students should consult with their academic advisor regarding course availability and for planning purposes.

Credits
†Specialization in Biomedical Science
22
Human Anatomy and Physiology I
and Human Anatomy and Physiology I Laboratory
Human Anatomy and Physiology II
and Human Anatomy and Physiology II Laboratory
General Microbiology
and General Microbiology Laboratory
Functional Histology
and Functional Histology Laboratory
Fundamentals of Immunology
Biochemistry
Credits
†Specialization in Environmental Studies
22
General Microbiology
and General Microbiology Laboratory
Evolution
Sustainability Policy and Planning
Food Sustainability
The Business of Sustainability
Research Seminar in Sustainability
Environmental Sociology
‡Students must use social science elective to take SOC1001 to satisfy SOC3200 prerequisite
Credits
†Specialization in Plant Science
16
General Microbiology
and General Microbiology Laboratory
Plant Cultivation I: Soil, Soil Substitutes, and Disease Management
and Plant Cultivation I: Soil, Soil Substitutes, and Disease Management Laboratory
Plant Cultivation II: Hydroponics, Aquaponics, Tissue Culture, Genetics and Extraction
and Plant Cultivation II: Hydroponics, Aquaponics, Tissue Culture, Genetics and Extraction Laboratory
Applications of Plants & Fungi
and Applications of Plants & Fungi Laboratory

IcTypically, internships require a minimum of six credits. Students interested in a 9 or 12-credit internship can apply additional experiential learning and free elective credits, if available. Students are strongly encouraged to contact a faculty advisor before scheduling internship and free elective credits.

D Directed Experiential Education (DEE) opportunities are based on project availability with community partners and student eligibility. For more information, visit Experiential Education & Career Services (EE&CS). 

SaTo be eligible to count toward Applied/ Experiential Learning, a Study Abroad offering must meet certain requirements. Contact JWU Global to discuss eligible Study Abroad options for this degree program.

Public Health 

Master of Public Health (MPH)

Credits
Core Courses
HSC5020Foundations of Public Health 3
HSC5080Health and Healthcare †‡3
HSC5100Healthy Planet3
HSC5120Health Trends 3
HSC5150Chronic Disease Prevention and Control 3
HSC5180Discrimination and Health3
HSC5220Insights into Vulnerable Populations 3
HSC5260Advocating for Healthier Diets 3
HSC5290Combatting Infectious Disease3
HSC5320Cultural Competency to Improve Health3
HSC5350Diversity, Equity and Inclusion 3
HSC5380Policy of Addiction3
HSC5420Community Organizing3
HSC6120Improving Community Health3
HSC6920Public Health Capstone3
Total Credits45.0

These graduate courses fulfill the bachelor of science requirements in the fourth year. Please note: The bachelor of science is not awarded until all graduate-level courses applying to the undergraduate degree have been successfully completed. 

Courses may only be available online. Students should consult with their academic advisor regarding course availability and for planning purposes.

Note: Students must pass MATH0010 Pre-Algebra or have equivalent placement scores to enroll in required math courses.

Note: Students must pass ENG0001 Writing Workshop or have equivalent placement scores to enroll in ILS 2000-level courses.

In collaboration with academic colleges across all JWU campuses, JWU Global Study Abroad programs offer a variety of international, domestic, and digital options for major, minor, free electives, experiential learning, and transferable courses. There are many affordable options for students during a semester, winter session, spring and/or summer breaks.  Faculty-led, exchange, affiliate, and direct-enroll programs range in duration from one week to a full semester or full year. Financial aid may be applied, and some partners offer external scholarships.  Premiere programs do not qualify for JWU scholarships or grants; however federal aid is available.  Visit the study abroad website for information, program descriptions and online applications. Where will you go? Wherever you decide, make the best of your educational journey!