Global Public Health (BS, BA)

Program Overview

Binghamton University’s Global Public Health (GPH) program provides transdisciplinary training for students interested in health and disease prevention. Students will learn the complex causes of disease and health disparities and will be able to use the multidisciplinary content of the program to produce meaningful research.

The program combines two closely related fields — global health and public health — into a single major: Public health is the science of understanding what causes disease, how to prevent disease and how to improve individual health. Global health is the art and science of implementing public health on a global scale in low- and high-income nations alike, with special attention to disadvantaged groups.

Degrees Offered

• BS in Global Public Health
• BS in Global Public Health (Future Healthcare Providers)
• BA in Global Public Health

Internships, Research Opportunities and More

Incoming students should consider the Community and Global Public Health First-year Research Immersion (FRI) Stream. FRI programs provide high-achieving first-year students with hands-on research experience. Students can also apply up to 8 credits of study abroad, internship, independent study/research or service learning to their degree's elective requirements.

Coursework

Some courses to consider in your first year:

• PHIL 148 - Medical Ethics

  This introductory course on medical ethics surveys issues at the intersection of normative ethics and medicine. We spend a significant time addressing issues such as (assisted) reproduction, abortion, enhancement (through drugs or genetically), problems connected to medical experimentation, as well as broader questions such as the just distribution of healthcare resources and global health. We also address topics such as confidentiality and truth-telling, informed consent and patient autonomy. This course deals primarily with the normative issues at stake. It does not aim to provide immediately practical advice for healthcare practitioners. 4 credits. Levels: Undergraduate

• AFST 101 - Intro to Africana Studies

  A broad survey of some of the major themes in African, African American and other African diasporic experiences over a period of several hundred years. It centers on systems, movements and ideas that have transcended national, continental and oceanic boundaries - including slavery and emancipation, politics and religion, culture and identity, colonialism and nationalism. Overall, the course is an introduction to the making of the modern world, from the standpoint of black experiences globally. This course is offered in the fall. 4 credits Levels: Undergraduate

• AFST 212 - African Intellectual Traditns

  Introduction to key ideas in African intellectual and philosophical traditions, centered on conceptions of person, society, community, knowledge, art, gender relations and spirituality. Readings will vary from year to year at the discretion of instructor and are determined in advance. This course is offered in the fall. 4 credits Levels: Undergraduate

• ANTH 166 - Intro to Sociocultural Anth

  Surveys anthropological approaches to culture and society. Explores the different theories anthropologists use to understand how peoples' lives are shaped through social relations that vary historically, geographically, and cross-culturally. Key topics covered include political economy, history, colonialism, kinship, gender, expressive culture, material culture, politics, economics, and globalization. Emphasis on ethnographic case studies that clarify anthropology's distinctive methodology of participant observation and long-term fieldwork. Sociocultural anthro foundations course. 4 credits. Offered every semester. Levels: Undergraduate

After You Graduate

Graduates from the Global Public Health program will be well-positioned for employment in public health, health advocacy, hospital administration, international development, and non-profit or other service organization leadership, as well as further study in public health, medicine and allied health professions.

For more information, visit the Global Public Health website.