B.S. Global + Public Health Sciences

A woman walks down street at farmers market

Degree requirements

Global and Public Health Sciences (GPHS) is offered through the College of Human Ecology (CHE) or the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS). The major requirements are the same across colleges, but the distribution requirements — or the general education courses and electives — vary based on the mission and goals of each college.

Core courses

GPHS is recognized as a public health program because it requires a foundation in the life and physical sciences, complemented by coursework in epidemiology and biostatistics.

NS 1600 Introduction to Public Health
NS 2060 Preparation for Engaged Learning in Global and Public Health Sciences
NS 2600 Introduction to Global Health
NS 3600 Epidemiology
NS 4600 Explorations in Global and Public Health (capstone)

In addition to completing the core courses in public health, global health and epidemiology, you will take a minimum of one advanced course in each of the following areas:

Social and behavioral health
Biological aspects of public health
Environmental health
Health policy and management

As a CHE student you will also complete coursework in the social sciences, humanities, writing and math.

Experiential learning opportunity

All GPHS students are required to complete an experiential component in a research or community setting. See more info below.

Curriculum sheets

Curriculum sheets give an overview of all course requirements to help chart your path to completing your degree. View the sheet for the year you entered the program.

View all CHE curriculum sheets

Courses you could take

two college students examine items on a deli shelf

Nutrition and Health Equity (NS 4510)

Learn about the structural and social determinants (e.g., socioeconomic position, access to healthcare) that shape nutrition and health inequities in the U.S.

two college students stand with local medical professionals outside in Ghana

Nutrition and Global Health (NS 3060)

Explore the epidemiological, biological, demographic and social factors that affect nutrition status around the globe. You'll learn to think critically about the challenges to improving nutrition.

student stands next to a large research poster at an event

Epidemiology (NS3600)

Explore epidemiologic research, including disease occurrence, measures of association, quantitative casual inference, and applications of epidemiologic methods to global and public health research.

A medical student engages in community health on the streets of NY

Career paths

Opportunities in public health are growing given an anticipated gap in public health professionals. Career tracks include health education, international health, infectious disease, environmental health, health policy management, epidemiology and biostatistics.

In addition, students can pursue public service, research, social entrepreneurship, and other health-related careers domestically and globally. The major is particularly appropriate for those interested in leadership positions in governmental or nongovernmental organizations that deal directly with current and emerging health concerns both in the U.S. and abroad.

Graduate/professional school

Our graduates have the tools to pursue graduate education in medicine, public health, allied health sciences (e.g., dentistry, nursing), law, and business. Some graduates pursue Master’s programs in Biomedical Sciences or Public Health.

You may also apply to the Brooks School of Public Policy's Sloan Program in Health Administration for a five-year BS/MHA degree.

Sample career paths

Analyst, ClearView Healthcare Partners
Clinical research analyst, Northwell Health
Implementation project manager, Epic
Intake coordinator, America Works of New York
Program coordinator, Mt. Sinai Health System
Public health fellow, Skorton Center for Health Initiatives at Cornell Health
Research fellow, National Cancer Institute
Strategy analyst, Deloitte

Experiential learning

All GPHS students are required to complete an experiential component (ELO) in a research or community setting. You can select from a variety of opportunities. Many students independently source an appropriate experience, approved by DNS, in the local community, an academic/research setting, or an international setting. Or you can choose a program like Cornell in Washington or the Cornell Global Health Summer Program in India, or do research with a DNS faculty member.

Internship examples

Americares/CDC Vaccinate with Confidence Nutrition and Education intern, Cornell Cooperative Extension
Intern, Partnership for a Healthier America
Research assistant, Odoms-Young Nutrition Liberation, Food Sovereignty, and Justice Lab at Cornell
Research fellow, Food and Drug Administration

DNS experiential learning

student wearing blue gloves pipetting blue liquid into a lab container

Research

Develop, implement and analyze research inquiries as part of a faculty research team or through independent research projects. Or grow your research skills through the DNS Honors Program.