Requirements

Department of Public Health

Bachelor of Science Requirements
Health Science Major - Environmental/Occupational Health and Safety Option

The Health Science Bachelor of Science curriculum consists of a core of five courses providing a foundation of knowledge and skills critical to the theory and practice of the health professional. In addition, students complete a specialized cluster of courses in an option that provides the depth and breadth for the area. A variety of combinations between and within options is possible to meet professional goals. However, university policy allows only one option to appear on the transcript and diploma.

To complete the health science major for the B.S., students must complete General Education requirements (48 units), a health science core specific to an option (15 units), one of three options (21-27 units), and any additional requirements to the option selected (11-33 units), the upper-division writing skills requirement, Multicultural and International (M/I), and additional electives. Students are encouraged to complete the additional requirements prior to the major courses as the courses may meet General Education requirements, and they provide a foundation for the courses in health science. Elective units also may be used toward earning a certificate.

Health science students are advised to obtain an advising roadmap from the department office. The roadmap includes the list of required courses. It is strongly recommended that students follow the coursework shown in the roadmap. Students need to consult with their advisors for decisions regarding major and minor courses. All substitutions must be approved by the department chair. Classes offered in the Health Science Department may require field assignments.

1. Major requirements (74-78 units)
Core (15 units)
PH 92, PH 135, PH 109, PH 161, PH 163

Environmental/Occupational Health and Safety Option (59-63 units)
See option below.

2. General Education requirements (48 units)

3. Other requirements (9 units)
American Government and Institutions (PLSI 2), Multicultural and International (MI), and Upper-division writing

4. Sufficient elective units to meet required total units (varies)

5. Total units (120)*

* This total indicates that 9 units for BIOL 1A, CHEM 1A/1AL or PHYS 2A, and DS 71 are used to satisfy the G.E. requirement in the Environmental/Occupational Health and Safety Option. See advisor for details.

The curriculum is designed to permit admission to master's and doctoral degree programs in health science and public health at major universities throughout the country.

Environmental/Occupational Health and Safety Option
This degree program provides a balanced approach between the theoretical concepts and applied principles of environmental health, occupational health, and safety. The curriculum builds on a scientific base (biology, chemistry, physics) and includes core courses in health science, foundation courses in environmental and occupational health, and elective courses that allow for specialization. Students are academically prepared to make significant contributions to society by anticipating, evaluating, and controlling environmental and occupational health hazards. The program also provides preparation for graduate studies and acceptance into professional schools (medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, optometry, veterinary medicine, etc).

The option is approved by the California Department of Health Services. Students in the major are eligible for the following:

1. paid internships with federal agencies such as the U.S. Public Health Service,
2. national and state scholarships, and
3. entrance to the Registered Environmental Health Specialist (REHS) exam immediately following graduation (without having to serve an 18-month traineeship).

Requirements (21 units)
Option requirements: PH 160, PH 143, PH 162, PH 168A (12 units)
Option elective requirements (select minimum of three courses):
PH 105, PH 145, PH 151, PH 164, PH 166T, PH 167, PH 168B, PH 170 (9 units)

Additional requirements (38-42 units)
Basic Sciences: BIOL 1A and BIOL 1B, BIOL 1BL (or BIOL 33 or BIOL 65); CHEM 1A/CHEM 1AL, CHEM 1B/CHEM 1BL, and CHEM 8 (or CHEM 128A), MATH 70 or MATH 75, BIOL 20 (or BIOL 140); PHYS 2A, PHYS 2B (34-38 units)
Internship: PH 175I (4 units)

Total for option (59-63 units)

Advising Note

1. A minimum grade of C is required in all courses for the major.
2. Health science majors may not apply CR/NC grading toward major requirements for a baccalaureate degree, except for PH 175I, PH 185FI, and PH 188I, which are mandatory CR/NC courses.

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Faculty

For faculty phone numbers and e-mail, see the campus directory.

For more on the faculty, see the faculty pages.
The faculty pages are updated by the department or program.

Roadmap

B.S. in Health Science - Environmental/Occupational Health & Safety Option

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Careers

Environmental health professionals are responsible for protecting the public’s health from environmental hazards.  This degree program provides a balanced approach between the theoretical concepts and applied principles of environmental health, occupational health, and safety.  The curriculum builds on a scientific base (biology, chemistry, math, and physics) and includes core courses in Public Health, foundation courses in environmental and occupational health, and elective courses that allow for specialization, such as food protection, hazardous waste management, and water and wastewater.

Students are academically prepared to make significant contributions to society by anticipating, evaluating, and controlling environmental and occupational health hazards.  Career opportunities exist in government agencies, private industry, consulting, and research organizations.  The program also provides preparation for graduate studies and acceptance into professional schools, including medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, optometry, veterinary medicine, and law.  The option is also approved as an Option V program by the California Department of Health Services.  As a result, students are eligible for paid internships with federal agencies, such as the U.S. Public Health Service, national and state scholarships, and entrance to the Registered Environmental Health Specialist (REHS) exam immediately following graduation. 

What You Can Earn

Environmental Scientists and Specialists
$71,360 (in our region)

Occupational Health and Safety Specialists 
$70,480 (in our region)

Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2020

About the College

The College of Health and Human Services offers a broad range of fully accredited post-secondary and graduate educational programs to more than 4,000 students each year. The College includes the Departments of Communicative Disorders and Deaf Studies, Gerontology, Kinesiology, Nursing, Physical Therapy, Public Health, Recreation Administration, and Social Work Education.

Residents and communities in the Central California region continue to face serious issues within the health and human service environment that will require continuing generations of well-prepared health and human service professionals.

College Contact Information

2345 E. San Ramon
M/S MH26
Fresno CA 93740-8031

Phone: (559) 278-4004

FAX: (559) 278-4437

Department Contact Information

Mailing Address:

Department of Public Health

2345 E. San Ramon Ave M/S MH30 
Fresno CA 93740-8031

Office Location: McLane Hall Room 184 

Phone: (559) 278-4014 
FAX: (559) 278-4179

Email