Global and Public Health Sciences (GPHS) is offered through the College of Human Ecology or the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. Enrolling in this major is especially appropriate if you wish to pursue advanced study to prepare for leadership positions in governmental or nongovernmental organizations, working directly with current and emerging health concerns in the U.S. or internationally.

Learn more about the GPHS major

What is Global and Public Health Sciences?

Public health is the prevention of illness and promotion of wellness in communities both large and small. The Global and Public Health Sciences (GPHS) major teaches the tools of public health research and action and their application to population health issues in the U.S. and globally.

The work of public health professionals is distinct from the work of clinical professionals, who typically treat individuals after they have become sick or injured. Public health actions often involve educational and/or governmental approaches that influence many people simultaneously, for example, to address issues such as obesity and diabetes, food security, HIV/AIDS and other infectious diseases, quality of food, water and air, and access to health care. Sustained improvement of the health of populations often requires a multidisciplinary approach involving the biomedical, behavioral, social, political and environmental sciences, and careful consideration of the importance of cultural and ethical contexts.

The GPHS major is intended for students who are interested in:

  • Health problems of communities as small as a village and as large as a country, and the actions that will protect or improve the lives of large numbers of individuals within communities
  • Advanced study leading leadership positions in governmental or non-governmental organizations that deal directly with current and emerging health concerns in the U.S. or internationally
What courses and experiences are part of the GPHS major?

Public health actions often address such issues as obesity and diabetes, food security, HIV/AIDS and other infectious diseases; quality of food, water and air; and health care access.

GPHS majors develop a strong background in biology, general chemistry, organic chemistry, biochemistry, and physiology. These courses provide a foundation with which to understand the biomedical basis of public health issues. GPHS students also complete several core courses, a supervised Experiential Learning Opportunity, and a range of upper-level selectives, described in more detail below.

Core Courses

  • NS 1600 Introduction to Public Health
  • NS 2600 Introduction to Global Health
  • NS 2060 Preparation for Engaged Learning in GPHS (NOTE: For GPHS majors, please note that NS 2060 must be completed prior to pursuing an ELO to fulfill the major requirement.)
  • NS 3600 Epidemiology
  • NS 4600 Explorations in Global and Public Health

NS 1600 and NS 2600 introduce students to the principles of public health practice and research in the U.S. and internationally. Using case studies, students learn about achievements, challenges, and controversies in the field of public health and a range of career opportunities. NS 2060 helps to prepare GPHS majors for their Experiential Learning Opportunity (described below). NS 3600 introduces students to epidemiology, often referred to as the cornerstone of public health. Epidemiology and biostatistics (preferably STSCI 2150 Introductory Statistics for Biology) should be completed within the first five semesters. Upon completion of the Experiential Learning Opportunity, seniors enroll in NS 4600 Explorations in Global and Public Health, the capstone course in the major. This course includes a reflective document and presentation connecting the experiential component with the core principles of public health as presented in core coursework.

Given the interdisciplinary nature of population health problems, students are required to take one advanced course in each of the following three areas: Social and Behavioral Health, Biological Aspects of Public Health, Environmental Health, and Health Policy & Practice. Students choose from a list of courses in each area according to their interests and course schedule. Topics include public health microbiology, public health nutrition, nutrition and disease, nutrition and global health, social inequalities in physical and mental health, the U.S. healthcare system, reproductive health, and risk analysis and management.

GPHS Learning Outcomes
  • Integrate knowledge from the biological and social sciences and experiential learning to address public health problems facing populations
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the complex and evolving nature of scientific knowledge in the promotion of health and the etiology and prevention of disease
  • Demonstrate the ability to use epidemiological principles to evaluate critically scientific information from the primary research literature investigating influences on human health and disease
  • Develop positions on public health issues. Communicate positions on public health issues to colleagues and lay/target audiences
  • Demonstrate knowledge of ethical principles, considerations and dilemmas relevant to the research and practice of public health
Where might a degree in Global and Public Health Sciences lead me?

Opportunities in public health are numerous and growing. The GPHS major provides an excellent foundation for a wide variety of careers in public health, public service, research, social entrepreneurship, medicine and other health careers both domestically and globally:

  • Public health fields such as epidemiology, biostatistics, health education and behavior, international health, health policy and management, environmental health, and many more
  • Medicine and other health careers such as physical therapist, physician’s assistant, nurse practitioner, or clinical pharmacy
  • Research including careers that use biochemical, physiological, genomic, clinical, and social science methods to improve human health and well-being domestically and globally

In many cases, these career paths will require appropriate graduate or professional training, such as a Master’s in Public Health. Students are encouraged to meet with advisors and career counselors to ensure appropriate undergraduate preparation, as specific requirements differ among the various fields.

Can I transfer into or add the Global and Public Health Sciences major?

Transferring into the GPHS major

Cornell first-year and sophomores (not juniors or seniors) are eligible to submit an application to transfer into the GPHS major after completing either NS 1600 or NS 2600 with a grade of B (NOT B-) or higher, one required chemistry course with a grade of C (NOT C-) or higher, and one required biology course with a grade of C (NOT C-) or higher.

There are two different pathways for transferring into the GPHS major:

  1. Major Change: Students who are currently enrolled in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) and want to remain in CALS, but change their major to GPHS; as well as students who are currently in the College of Human Ecology (CHE) and want to remain in CHE, but change their major to GPHS.
  2. Internal Transfer: Students who are enrolled in another Cornell College or School other than CALS or CHE, OR CALS or CHE students who wish to change Colleges along with changing majors (a CALS student who wants to internally transfer to CHE/the GPHS major or a CHE student who wants to internally transfer to CALS/the GPHS major). Must complete the Cornell Internal Transfer application.

All students who are interested in transferring into the GPHS major, regardless of whether this is through the CALS or CHE major change pathway or the Internal Transfer pathway, must complete the required GPHS major application. This includes a draft undergraduate plan demonstrating the ability to complete the GPHS major on time and with the required sequence, regardless of starting major/College or School.

Students interested in transferring to the GPHS major should contact dnsstudentservices@cornell.edu for advising questions, and submit the required application.

Additional Information for Internal Transfer Students

Students who are pursuing Internal Transfer to CALS/the GPHS major or CHE/the GPHS major must first successfully complete the GPHS application process before applying for Internal Transfer. Internal Transfer candidates should also learn about the process and requirements, as well as contact the Admissions office of their target College (CALS or CHE).

Adding GPHS as a second major

Students in the GPHS major may double-major with department approval ONLY in the College of Agricultural Life Sciences. Students in the College of Human Ecology may NOT double-major; an alternative to consider is the Global Health minor, which may be combined with any non-GPHS major in any college.

Requirements for GPHS majors

Requirements for GPHS majors in CHE

See current GPHS Curriculum Sheets here

Requirements for GPHS majors in CALS

The requirements listed below pertain to all students matriculating in August 2023 and January 2024. Please see the corresponding edition of the Cornell University Courses of Study for previous requirements.

All of the following sections (1-19) are required to be completed to graduate.

Overall Credits (REQUIRED):

  • Total: 120 credits
  • Agriculture and Life Sciences: 55 credits
  • 9 credits from outside the major (anything but NS courses)
  • Please note: Courses in areas 1-15 must be taken for a Letter Grade.
  • Please note: DNS students may not use courses to fulfill more than one requirement among areas 1-15, even though DUST indicates otherwise for CALS students.

1.​ Global & Public Health Core Courses (14 credits)

2. Supervised Experiential Learning in Global & Public Health (variable credit)
Approval required. May be completed anytime from spring semester sophomore year onward. Must be largely completed before the fall semester of senior year.  This experience may be obtained through one of several options, including (but not limited to):

  • Global Health Summer Programs 
  • Cornell in Washington (NS 4997)
  • Public Health Research and Internship (NS 4060) 
  • Cornell Cooperative Extension (Tompkins County and others) (NS 4060)
  • Weill Cornell Clinical & Translational Science Center (NS 4060)
  • Study abroad programs with a public health focus/internship (NS 4060)

3. Social & Behavioral Health Selective (3-4 credits)
Course should cover some aspect of public health (including nutrition) from a social and/or behavioral health perspective. More than half of the course content must be devoted to consideration of issues of public health from a social science perspective (e.g. sociology, anthropology, psychology, economics, communication, and other social science disciplines). Courses used to fulfill this requirement must be at the 2000-level or above. 

Choose one course from the following options:

4. Biological Aspects of Public Health Selective (3-4 credits)
Courses should cover some aspect of public health (including nutrition) from a biological perspective. More than half of the course content must be devoted to consideration of issues of public health from a biological perspective (e.g. biochemistry, molecular biology, physiology, neuroscience, and other biological sciences disciplines). Courses used to fulfill this requirement must be at the 2000-level or above. 

Choose one course from the following options:

5. Environmental Health Selective (3-4 credits)
Courses should cover some aspect of public health (including nutrition) from an environmental perspective. More than half of the course content must be devoted to consideration of issues of public health from an environmental perspective (e.g. entomology, design and environmental analysis, microbiology, and other related disciplines). Courses used to fulfill this requirement must be at the 2000-level or above.

Choose one course from the following options:

6. Health Policy & Practice Selective (3-4 credits)
Choose one course from the following options:

7. Introductory Chemistry (4-8 credits)
Choose one of the following:

8. Introductory Biology (8 credits)
Choose one of the following labs:

AND choose two out of the three lecture options1:

9. Organic Chemistry Lecture (3-8 credits)1
Choose one of the following:

  • (a) CHEM 1570 - Introduction to Organic and Biological Chemistry (3 cr, not for pre-health) OR
  • (b) CHEM 3530 - [Principles of Organic Chemistry] (4 cr, not for pre-health) OR
  • (c) CHEM 3570 Organic Chemistry for the Life Sciences I AND CHEM 3580  Organic Chemistry for the Life Sciences II (3 cr each) OR
  • ​(d)CHEM 3570  Organic Chemistry for the Life Sciences I 
  • (e) CHEM 3590  Honors Organic Chemistry I (4cr) CHEM 3600 Honors Organic Chemistry II (4 cr) , must take both, CHEM 3590 alone will not fulfill the requirement)

    1Students interested in pre-health tracks should take a two-course sequence of organic chemistry lectures (option c or e above), in addition to an organic chemistry lab.

    2Students who select option E must take both courses in sequence; one course alone will not fulfill the requirement.

10. Physiology (3-4 credits)
Choose one of the following:

11. Biochemistry (4-6 credits)
Choose one of the following1:

12. First Year Writing Seminars (6 credits)
Note: The 2 required first year writing seminar courses must be completed during the first two semesters at Cornell.

13. Communications (9 credits)
Complete 9 credits of courses in written and oral expression, at least 6 of which must be written expression. Select courses from First-year Writing Seminars and COMM or ENGL classes as per CALS distribution requirements. Note: Potential courses to fulfill this and any CALS distribution requirement may be found in “DUST.”

14. Social Sciences and Humanities (12 credits)
Complete 12 credits, including four courses of at least 3 cr each:

  • The four chosen courses must include at least 3 different categories from the following list: Cultural Analysis (CA), Human Diversity (D), Foreign Language (FL), Historical Analysis (HA), Knowledge, Cognition, and Moral Reasoning (KCM), Literature and the Arts (LA), and Social and Behavioral Analysis (SBA).
  • At least one course must be in Human Diversity (D).

15. Statistics (3-4 credits)*
STSCI 2150 - Introductory Statistics for Biology (4 cr)

*Must be taken at Cornell; AP Statistics is not accepted.

16. Additional Requirements (10-12 credits)
Any course with the Course Distribution PBS, SBA, KCM, MQR, LA, CA, or HA. Language courses may count here.

For example, students interested in pre-health tracks (e.g. medicine or physical therapy) could fulfill this requirement by taking required pre-health courses such as CHEM 2080 - General Chemistry II, organic chemistry lab, and two-course sequences in organic chemistry and physics. 

17. Electives (Variable)
Any courses that are not taken in Areas 1-16 above, count as Electives.

18. Physical Education Requirement (2 courses)
Physical Education must be completed in order to graduate. However, physical education does not count toward college and university minimum credit requirements for full-time status, nor does it count towards the 120 credits required for graduation.

19. Swim Test Requirement
A successful swim test must be completed in order to graduate.

Contact us at dnsstudentservices@cornell.edu

Nicole Cunningham '20, discusses the wonderful research opportunities that she enjoyed during her time in the Division of Nutritional Sciences, Global & Public Health Sciences program