Global Public Health and Science (BS)

Program Description

The highly selective, demanding undergraduate co-majors in Global Public Health (GPH) allow CAS students to choose a course of study that is a combination of public health and an academic discipline housed in the College (GPH is not a stand-alone major), and also provide them with instructors and courses drawn from the entire university. This unique structure responds to the ever-increasing demand for interdisciplinary public health practitioners both in the U.S. and abroad. The coursework is integrated with experiential learning and study away requirements to ensure that students are broadly trained and uniquely prepared for a variety of careers.

The programs’ global public health courses are offered by the NYU School of Global Public Health (GPH). GPH delivers truly interdisciplinary public health education at the undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral level. It builds on the global reach of NYU’s unique Global Network University, draws strength from the entrepreneurial spirit of NYU’s many talented faculty and students, and serves as a conduit for groundbreaking research and education that advances and promotes equitable health for all.

Students interested in this major will choose one of the following concentrations:

Concentrations

Global Public Health and Biology

Students pursuing a major in Biology and co-major in Global Public Health complete a concentration in Biology that emphasizes one of the following areas: genetics and genomics, infectious diseases, or environmental health. This plan of study provides a unique opportunity for students to explore cutting-edge life science and how recent advances can help address some of the world’s most complex health challenges. Graduates are well-prepared to pursue professional studies in medicine, dentistry, public health, and nutrition, as well as academic and research positions.

Departmental advising is absolutely crucial for students pursuing this demanding major and co-major. Students must satisfy all requirements of the College Core Curriculum (the First-Year Seminar, foreign language, expository writing, and Foundations of Contemporary Culture). Careful planning is necessary to ensure that all major, prehealth, and College Core Curriculum requirements can be completed in four years.

Students in this plan of study must consult with the DUS or other departmental adviser to work out a course plan, especially as students are required to study away for one semester.

Honors in Global Public Health and Biology

To earn joint honors in Global Public Health and Biology, a student must complete an independent research project, present the project in the form of a written thesis and oral defense, and have a GPA of at least 3.65 overall and in the major.

Honors students must take research for credit, either the 4-credit Independent Laboratory Research (NYU Biology) or the 4-credit Independent Laboratory Research (External Institution). This course can be used to fulfill the lab skills requirement of the Biology major or a major elective in the joint Global Public Health and Biology major.

We strongly recommend that students complete these credits before the end of their junior year to gather data in advance of the fall honors course below. If necessary, it is possible to register for research credits as a corequisite in fall of senior year.

Students must also complete two additional honors courses in the senior year. In the fall they take Becoming a Scientist (BIOL-UA 995) (4 credits), followed by Undergraduate Research Thesis (BIOL-UA 999) (2 credits) in the spring. Students may apply for BIOL-UA 999 using this form. The honors courses do not count as electives in the Biology or Global Public Health and Biology major.

Global Public Health and Chemistry

Students pursuing this combined program will concentrate in chemistry—the central natural science that bridges physics and mathematics with the life sciences.

Departmental advising is absolutely crucial for students pursuing this demanding major and co-major. As with all majors and minors offered by the Department of Chemistry, BIOL-UA 11 Principles of Biology IBIOL-UA 12 Principles of Biology II, are not required for this major; however, prehealth students must take this sequence in addition to the major requirements outlined below. In addition, students must satisfy all requirements of the College Core Curriculum (the First-Year Seminar, foreign language, Expository Writing, and Foundations of Contemporary Culture). Careful planning is necessary to ensure that all major, prehealth, and College Core Curriculum requirements can be completed in four years.

Students in this plan of study must consult with the DUS or other departmental adviser to work out a course plan, especially as students are required to study away for one semester.

Honors in Global Public Health and Chemistry

Students seeking joint honors in Global Public Health and Chemistry must complete an honors thesis based on independent experimental or theoretical research. To pursue an honors degree, students are required to enroll in CHEM-UA 995 Senior Honors in Chemistry and CHEM-UA 996 Senior Honors Chemistry during their senior year.

Admission to the honors program requires approval from the director of undergraduate studies before the end of their junior year. Students must also maintain a minimum GPA of 3.65, both overall and within the major.

The final component of the honors work is a senior thesis, which must be approved by the faculty adviser and presented in a seminar during the spring semester of the senior year. Because of the rigor of the GPH/Science concentration, students interested in pursuing honors are strongly encouraged to consult with the Department of Chemistry as early as possible to ensure they can meet all requirements.

Admissions

New York University's Office of Undergraduate Admissions supports the application process for all undergraduate programs at NYU. For additional information about undergraduate admissions, including application requirements, see How to Apply