Global Health Major

Required Components (10 courses)

  • 4 courses in Global Health Core (16 credits)
  • 3 Global Health Electives (12 credits)
  • 3 Thematic Electives (12 credits)
  • GH 050 - Experiential Learning Requirement ( 0 credits, described below)

Global Health Core

GH 100Introduction to Global Health
GH 202Epidemiology (prerequisite GH 100)
GH 210Global Health Research Methods (prerequisite GH 202 )
GH 400Global Health Capstone (prerequisites GH 210 & GH 202)
or GH 452 Advanced Senior Research
Students in GH 452 and GH 400 are required to participate in Global Health senior research presentations in the spring.

Global Health Electives

Complete 3 Global Health Electives (taught by Global Health instructors). Electives differ semester by semester and typically two are offered each semester. Examples shown below:

GH 352Planetary Health
Global Health Challenges: Tackling Infectious Diseases and Epidemics
Social Determinants of Health: A Global Perspective
Global Health and Nutrition: From Burden to Prevention Across the Life
Lifespan Development in a Global World: A Biopsychosocial Approach to Health and Wellbeing
Global Maternal and Child Health

Thematic Electives
Students complete 3 Thematic Electives selecting courses from three thematic arenas described below. These courses provide added depth and breadth in areas of interest and meaning for Global Health students. 

Students may take up to two courses within a single theme but no more than two courses from a single department or program. Course choices vary semester-by-semester and the Global Health Program provides an updated list of options for the Thematic Electives each semester.

  • Science & Data:  Science serves as a foundational element in understanding global health issues, from the biology of pathogens and the physiology and anatomy of the human body to the environmental changes on our planet that impact population health.  In addition, the field of Global Health is inherently data-driven, with the most effective policies and interventions being informed by robust data collection, visualization, analysis, and interpretation. These courses enhance students' analytical skills and equips them with the necessary tools to apply scientific methods to complex health challenges. Example courses shown below.
BIOL 110Biology and Politics of Women's Health
BIOL 210Molecular Biology and Unicellular Life
BIOL 220Multicellular Life
BIOL 230Ecology and Evolution
BIOL 330Biostatistics
BIOL 341Immunology
CS 109Discovering Computer Science
or CS 111 Discovering Computer Science: Scientific Data and Dynamics
or CS 112 Discovering Computer Science: Markets, Polls, and Social Networks
or CS 114 Discovering Computer Science: Computing for the Social Good
DA 101Introduction to Data Analytics
DA/MATH 220Applied Statistics
DPR 101Data Visualization for Political Research
ECON 307Introductory Econometrics
EESC 111Planet Earth
EESC/SES 222Geographic Information Systems I
EESC/SES 223Geographic Information Systems II
HESS 202Applied Anatomy
MATH 120Elements of Statistics
PSYC 100Introduction to Psychology
PSYC 210Development in Infancy and Childhood
PSYC 245Adolescence
PSYC 265Cultural Psychology
PSYC 270Health Psychology
  • Humanity, Society, & Governance: 

    Courses under this theme help students understand the social-political-economic dimensions of population health, fostering a nuanced understanding of global health governance and ethics. Courses in this theme enable students to explore the intersection of population health with ethical, social, and governance issues by providing a critical understanding of how societal factors influence health policies and practices. Additionally, many critical problems in global health (e.g., HIV, air pollution, droughts, COVID-19) require a broad understanding of human societies and governance systems to manage and solve.  Students learn to better understand the problems, challenges, and solutions in Global Health by expanding their knowledge of humanity, society, and governance. Example courses shown below. 

ANTH 220Medical Anthropology
ECON 204Income Inequality
ECON 412Economics of the Developing World
ECON 425Race and Ethnicity and the U.S. Economy
ECON 462Health Economics
HIST 292History of Reproductive Justice in the United States
MENA/HIST 122The Making of the Modern Middle East
PHIL 285Biomedical Ethics
PHIL 294Topics in Ethics (Food Ethics)
PPA 122Introduction to Global Governance
PPA 345/INTL 265Human Rights in Global Perspectives
PPA 359Topics in the Study of International Policies (War, Water, Waste)
REL 302/WGST 321Ethics of Peace and War
SES 217Sustainable Development Goals
SES 276Environmental Justice
SES 334Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems
  • Contemporary Languages, Histories, & Cultures: Global Health focuses on today’s issues, which are influenced by the contemporary histories, cultures, and languages of today’s populations of people. Understanding the contemporary and historical contexts that shape health outcomes is vital for creating effective global health interventions. This theme focuses on the cultural, historical, and linguistic factors that may influence health practices and policies globally and locally.  Exposure to contemporary languages and cultural studies enhances students’ ability to work effectively in diverse settings, crucial for global health professionals.  Exposure to contemporary languages, histories, and cultures enhances students’ understanding of recent historical and cultural factors shaping health outcomes globally and locally, and enhances students’ ability to communicate and work in diverse cultural settings both globally and domestically. Choices in this theme include courses in Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Japanese, Portuguese, and Spanish that students do not use to fulfill their language requirement for General Education. Additional example courses shown below.
BLST 237Global Health and Local Wellbeing
HIST/MENA 122The Making of the Modern Middle East
INTL 100Introduction to International Studies: The Making of the Modern World
LACS 101Introduction to Latin American Caribbean Studies
WGST 276Gender, War and Conflict
Or language courses (ARAB, CHIN, FREN, GERM, JAPN, PORT, SPAN) that do not fulfill the K requirement, see language section for more information.

Languages:

Students may select courses from contemporary languages (i.e., ARAB, CHIN, FREN, GERM, JAPN, PORT, SPAN) that are not used to meet the "K" requirement.  These courses may be either language-focused or culture-focused, providing flexibility and depth to the student’s educational experience. Eligible courses also include introductory courses in a language different from a student's primary language and from their "K" requirement language, as well as linguistic and culture courses conducted in English by faculty teaching in contemporary languages (i.e., ARAB, CHIN, FREN, GERM, JAPN, PORT, SPAN).  Global Health majors are encouraged to pursue language courses at levels above 211, but also have the option of shifting to a new language if their global or language interests are better supported by a new language tradition.  

Experiential Learning Requirement

The 0 credit GH 050 - Experiential Learning  component of the Global Health major involves student engagement in a volunteer position, internship, job, research position, or off-campus study experience connected to the field of Global Health. Students work with the Director of Global Health to determine the suitability of a particular experience and to receive approval for this requirement.

Global Health Minor

Required Components (6 courses)

Global Health Core

GH 100Introduction to Global Health
GH 202Epidemiology (prerequisite GH 100)
GH 210Global Health Research Methods (prerequisite GH 202 )
  • 2 Global Health Electives (8 credits) 
  • 1 Thematic Elective (4 credits)

Additional Notes:

  • GH 452: Advanced Senior Research may be substituted for GH 400: Senior Capstone. GH 451: Senior Research is a prerequisite for GH 452.
  • Students may transfer one Global Health Elective and one Thematic Elective towards fulfilling the requirements of the major or minor.
  • Any curricular exceptions must be approved by the GH Director.