Public Health Minor
Office: W395 Thompson Hall
(716) 673-3469
Randolph Hohle, Coordinator
Email: publichealth.minor@fredonia.edu
Website: http://home.fredonia.edu/interdisciplinary
Public health incorporates nearly every aspect of health and perhaps is best defined by its mission: "Maximum health for all, via the prevention of disease, disability and unhealthful environmental conditions." The focus of public health is on health conditions of people in social, geographic, economic or other types of communities, both local and global. In contrast, medicine focuses on the health conditions of the individual. Public health emphasizes prevention; in medicine, the emphasis is on treatment.
The Interdisciplinary Studies minor in Public Health offers students the opportunity to acquire knowledge and skills in the broad field of public health, incorporating emergent issues (e.g., new public health topics such as bioterrorism and emerging infectious diseases) along with more traditional topics such as: communicable and chronic diseases; maternal and child health; injuries; psychosocial issues and tobacco; mental health, substance abuse and social violence; and air, water and solid hazardous waste. The Public Health minor will facilitate private or public sector careers addressing physical, mental and/or environmental health concerns of communities and populations at risk for disease/injury, and graduate study in public health.
Requirements for the minor in Public Health
The minor requires successful completion of 19 credit hours.
Six (6) elective credit hours must be from 300-400 level courses.
Only six (6) credit hours may be taken in a student’s major.
SOC 215 should be completed early, preferably during the sophomore year, and as soon as possible after declaring the minor. Enrolling in SOC 415 requires completion of 15 credit hours of public health courses, including SOC 215.
Required courses (10 credit hours):
Electives (9 credit hours required):
At least 3 credit hours from the Biosciences and at least 3 credit hours from the Social and Behavioral Science. Six (6) elective credit hours must be at the 300 or higher level.
1. Biosciences (at least 3 credit hours required)
2. Social and Behavioral Sciences (at least 3 credit hours required)
Total Credit Hours: 19