Public health seeks to improve human health through the development and application of knowledge that prevents disease, protects the public from harm, and promotes health throughout the state, the nation, and the world.
Under the public health major, undergraduates will develop and apply knowledge from multiple disciplines for the promotion and protection of the health of the human population, giving due consideration to principles of human rights and cultural perspectives that abound in our multicultural country and world.
The undergraduate major in public health is offered through the College of Letters and Science. Because of the major's popularity, the College has designated it as "capped," which means that students cannot declare after they have earned 80 units, either here at UC Berkeley or in community college after high school. AP units and community college courses during high school can be excluded from this 80 unit cap limit.
NOTE: To qualify for the Public Health major, students must first have received a B- minimum grade in Bio 1B. However, all students interested in the major or the field of Public Health in general are encouraged to consult with Academic Adviser Tony Soyka concerning possible entry into this very popular program, including alternatives.
Declaring Your Major
Major declaration forms are available from the undergraduate adviser, Tony Soyka, in 285 University Hall. Students should declare their major in public health after completion of lower division requirements (mathematics, biology, and social sciences), generally at the end of their sophmore year.