Bachelors of Science in Public Health
The need for public health professionals to provide guidance and expertise to communities has proven to be more critical than ever. As the pandemic surged, clear challenges were presented that required experts with the unique skills vital to address emerging health concerns.
With our Bachelor of Science in Public Health degree, students will gain knowledge related to the interactions and interdependencies of health behavior at local, state, national, and international levels, and will develop the skills needed to protect communities ahead of a health crisis.
The program is designed to help prepare entry-level public health professionals to begin careers in a variety of health agencies: governmental health agencies, voluntary health agencies, community-based/non-governmental agencies, medical care services, education agencies, and business and industry. Graduates of the program will be eligible to apply for the Certified Health Education Specialists (CHES) exam through the National Commission on Health Education Credentialing Inc.
Preparation for the Major
COH 100 Personal Health – 4.50
Designed to assist individuals to establish health behaviors for optimal physical, emotional, and sexual health and maintain a healthy environment.
PSYC 100 Introduction to Psychology – 4.50
A survey of the field of psychology that provides an overview of the scientific principles and theories in psychology. Topics include: biological psychology, abnormal behavior, motivation, emotion, sexuality and gender, and personality theory.
SOC 100 Principles of Sociology – 4.50
Prerequisite: ENG 102
Critical introduction to basic sociology concepts. Examination of major theoretical perspectives and research methods. Topics include: economic stratification, race, gender, family, deviance, complex organizations.
BIO 201 Human Anatomy and Physiol I – 4.50
Corequisite: BIO 191A, or BIO 201A; Recommended: Prior completion of: BIO 100; BIO 100A; CHE 101; CHE 101A
Areas of study include cells, tissues, organ systems (integumentary, skeletal, muscular and nervous), and their functional relation to each other. Topics also include the aging process and diseases in these systems, as well as the effects of genetics, diet, lifestyle, and the environment.
Choose one of the following 2 courses
BIO 191A Online Hum Anat and Phys I Lab – 1.50
Corequisite: BIO 201; Recommended: Prior completion of: BIO 100; BIO 100A; CHE 101; CHE 101A
This course uses virtual labs and online resources to explore human anatomy and physiology. This first lab course in the series covers body plan, microscopes, cells, tissues, skin, bone, muscle, nervous system, and special senses. Students should verify that this course will transfer to their desired program.
BIO 201A Human Anatomy and Physiol LabI – 1.50
Corequisite: BIO 201; Recommended: Prior completion of: BIO 100; BIO 100A; CHE 101; CHE 101A or equivalent courses.
This laboratory course examines organ systems (skeletal, muscular and nervous). Students conduct cat/fetal pig dissections to identify and learn how skeletal muscles are organized according to body region. Sheep brain is used as a model to study human brain.
BIO 202 Human Anatomy and Physiol II – 4.50
Corequisite: BIO 202A; Prerequisite: BIO 201 and BIO 201A
Organ systems (endocrine, cardiovascular, lymphatic, respiratory, digestive, urinary and reproductive), and their functional relation to each other. Topics also include the aging process and diseases in these systems, as well as the effects of genetics, diet, lifestyle, and the environment.
Choose one of the following 2 courses
BIO 192A Online Anat and Phys II Lab – 1.50
Corequisite: BIO 202; Prerequisite: BIO 191A with a minimum grade of C-. Passing grade required; BIO 201 with a minimum grade of C-. Passing grade required
This course uses virtual labs and online resources to explore human anatomy and physiology. This second lab course in the series covers autonomic nervous, endocrine, cardiovascular, immune, respiratory, digestive, urinary, and reproductive systems, along with clinical lab tests. Students should verify that this course will transfer to their desired program.
BIO 202A Human Anatomy and Physiol LabII – 1.50
Corequisite: BIO 202; Prerequisite: BIO 201; BIO 201A
This laboratory course examines homeostasis in the heart, lungs, liver and kidneys, along with digestive, and urinary systems. Chromosomes, mitosis, meiosis, development and different types of inheritance through the testing of vision, hearing and taste and smell. Cat/fetal pig is used to study the internal organs.
BIO 203 Introductory Microbiology – 4.50
Corequisite: BIO 203A Students should take both lecture and lab courses concurrently and with the same instructor to ensure a consistent learning experience. Students who are retaking one of the two courses or present special circumstances should petition for exception to this requisite.; Recommended: Prior completion of: BIO 100 and BIO 100A; CHE 101 and CHE 101A or equivalent courses; BIO 201 and BIO 201A; BIO 202 and BIO 202A
Biology of pathogenic and nonpathogenic microbes, including bacteria, fungi, protozoans, and viruses. The epidemiology of disease-causing agents is studied, along with the fundamentals of the human immune response. Students should take both lecture and lab courses concurrently and with the same instructor to ensure a consistent learning experience. Students who are retaking one of the two courses or present special circumstances should petition for exception to this requisite.
Choose one of the following 2 courses
BIO 193A Online Microbiology Lab – 1.50
Corequisite: BIO 203; Recommended: Prior completion of: BIO 191A; BIO 201; CHE 101; CHE 101A
This course uses virtual labs and online resources to instruct students about biosafety procedures, as well as methods of isolation, quantification, and identification of microorganisms. Students will become familiar with light microscopy, preparation and analysis of stained slides. Students should verify that this course will transfer to their desired program.
BIO 203A Introductory Microbiology Lab – 1.50
Corequisite: BIO 203; Recommended: Prior completion of: BIO 100; BIO 100A; CHE 101; CHE 101A; BIO 201 and BIO 201A; BIO 202 and BIO 202A
This laboratory course introduced students to procedures for handling microbes, methods of identification of microorganisms (microscopic and by diagnostic media), preparation of stained slides and wet mounts, aseptic techniques, isolation of a single colony, preparation of a pure culture, inoculation and interpretation of select diagnostic tests. This two-month course is a combination of lecture and laboratory activities. Students should take both lecture and lab courses concurrently and with the same instructor to ensure a consistent learning experience. Students who are retaking one of the two courses or present special circumstances should petition for exception to this requisite.
HTM 310 Health Informatics – 4.50
Innovative and best practice technology applications to support human health by individuals, professionals, care delivery organizations, and communities. Internet-based health resources, smart phone/mHealth applications, telehealth, and health-related social networks. Systems, standards, and policies to connect people and technologies securely across healthcare ecosystems.
BST 322 Intro to Biomedical Statistics – 4.50
An introduction to concepts, procedures and software used in the statistical analysis of data in the health professions.
COH 317 Public Health Nutrition – 4.50
Prerequisite: ENG 102; Recommended Preparation: COH 100
Human nutrition is examined in the context of physical and emotional health across the lifespan. The cultural, economic and political context of nutrition in contemporary society is considered. Students develop a personal nutrition plan. Interventions designed to influence better eating habits in communities are examined.
COH 318 Drug Use and Abuse – 4.50
Prerequisite: ENG 102; Recommended Preparation: COH 100
Social, psychological, behavioral and physiological impacts of psychoactive drug use and abuse explored. Impacts of specific drugs on health status examined. Educational programs, public policy and treatment of addiction considered.
COH 319 Human Sexuality – 4.50
Prerequisite: ENG 102; Recommended Preparation: COH 100
An exploration of the biological, psychological and sociological aspects of human sexuality. Development of a personal sexual philosophy, informed personal choice, awareness, tolerance and respect for sexual diversity. Critical analysis of research, information and public policy regarding sexuality.
Core Requirements
COH 310 Culture and Health – 4.50
Prerequisite: ILR 260
Focus is on the influence of culture on illness, health, and rehabilitation. The relationship that culture plays in the health and wellness of both individuals and the community in which they live will be explored.
COH 315 Introduction to Epidemiology – 4.50
Prerequisite: BST 322; ILR 260
Presents concepts and processes of this core public health discipline. Occurrence, distribution, effects, and control of diseases and conditions examined from a broad perspective. Applications of epidemiological methods included.
COH 320 Chronic & Communicable Disease – 4.50
Prerequisite: ILR 260
Introduction to concepts of pathological process from a public health viewpoint. Consideration of historical and contemporary disease patterns based on an understanding of pathogenic, behavioral, and environmental dimensions.
COH 321 Health Behavior – 4.50
Prerequisite: ILR 260
Considers the significant influence that individual and collective behavior exerts on health status. Relationships of behavior and social variables are examined, including natural and built environments, economics, and public policy.
Requirements for the Major
COH 300 The Ecology of Public Health – 4.50
Prerequisite: COH 100; PSY 100; SOC 100; BIO 203A
Consideration of the interrelationships and interdependencies between individuals, families, groups, organizations, communities, and societies and their effects on health status. High level wellness, health, and disease are distinguished. Concepts are developed based on the evolution of public health in civilizations as well as contemporary influences.
COH 380 HP Program Planning & Eval – 4.50
Prerequisite: COH 300; COH 315; HTM 310
Knowledge and skills essential to assessing needs, developing goals and objectives, and planning activities for health promotion programs presented. Developing program plans incorporating evaluation standards included. Program implementation explored.
COH 400 Environmental Health – 4.50
Focus is on the foundations of environmental science and environmental issues. Global climate change, agriculture, biodiversity, resource management, environmental toxins, waste management, and other topics will be explored.
COH 401 Health Promotion Concepts – 4.50
Prerequisite: COH 300; COH 315; COH 400 and HTM 310
Designed for entry-level professionals, covers the evolving profession of health promotion. Principles and practice of health promotion included. Essential core knowledge and skills considered. Health promotion’s link to other health and human service endeavors reviewed. Challenges to health promotion included.
COH 416 PH & Physical Activity – 4.50
Challenges to establishing and maintaining a physically active lifestyle in society examined. Physical, psychological, and social benefits of habitual physical activities considered. Public health impacts of sedentary living presented. Interventions to improve physical activity assessed.
COH 422 Global Health Promotion – 4.50
Prerequisite: COH 401
Behavioral, environmental, and public policy factors affecting populations. Transportation, emigration, and immigration patterns affect health status. Substantial differences in health status among world’s population examined. Course presents a broad understanding of the global aspects of health promotion.
COH 430 HP Strategies & Tactics – 4.50
Prerequisite: COH 401
Methodologies to implement health promotion programs emphasized. Levels of intervention, from individual to society, are shown. Criteria for selecting methodologies presented.
COH 435 PH Communications & Advocacy – 4.50
Prerequisite: COH 430
Means for influencing social environments and public policy affecting public well being. Reaching identified target audiences through a variety of strategies examined. Successful communications and advocacy campaigns reviewed.
COH 440 Preparedness & Disaster Mgmt – 4.50
Prerequisite: COH 401
Introductory study of the public health response to disasters at all levels of county, state and federal government. Emergency planning and management relative to human made and natural disasters will be explored. Students complete risk analysis, manage disaster preparation efforts, identify and analyze potential disasters, provide corrective action, plan, organize and implement contingency and recovery programs.
COH 499 Public Health Field Practicum – 4.50
Prerequisite: COH 100; COH 300; COH 310; COH 315; COH 317; COH 318; COH 319; COH 320; COH 321; COH 380; COH 400; COH 401; COH 416; COH 422; COH 430; COH 435; COH 440
The public health field practicum is a culminating experience to demonstrate public health competencies through practical application of knowledge and skills. The 8-week (4.5 unit) course has several requirements including official documentation of at least 20 hours of approved public health experience, an electronic portfolio, a capstone paper and a presentation. Documentation of approved hours can begin up to 9 months in advance after participating in orientation and receiving written approval from Lead Faculty (For more information email
Degree and Course Requirements
To receive a Bachelor of Science in Public Health, students must complete at least 180 quarter units as articulated below, including a minimum 70.5 units of the University General Education requirements, 45 quarter units of which must be completed in residence at Berkshire, 76.5 quarter units of which must be completed at the upper-division level. In the absence of transfer credit, additional general electives may be necessary to satisfy total units for the degree.
Program Learning Outcomes
Explain the core principles of public health and their relationship to the health status of groups, communities, and populations at the local, state, national, and international levels.
Describe behavioral and non-behavioral variables contributing to morbidity and mortality.
Describe the contributions of health disparities to morbidity and mortality among specific groups and communities.
Assess the need for health promotion programs in response to the characteristics of diverse communities of interest using primary and secondary data.
Choose appropriate strategies and tactics to influence behavioral, environmental, and public policy change to address the health needs in a given community.
Evaluate the progress and outcomes of prevention programs in meeting stated goals, objectives and standards.
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