Program Overview

Public Health Sciences

The BSc Public Health Sciences programme offers an integrated learning experience in an interdisciplinary setting. It provides training in the range of skills involved in keeping people healthy and preventing disease.

Course Outline

The programme content includes:

• Assessing the health and well-being of populations
• Investigating complex public health problems
• Assessing the health impact of policy at local, national, and global levels
• Communicating effectively with colleagues in public health and the wider health system

Programme Content

The course is divided into four years, with the following modules:

• Year 1 Modules (60 credits total)
  • Core Modules (50 credits)
    • EH1004 Epidemiology I (10 credits)
    • EH1006 Perspectives on Public Health
    • EH1007 Introduction to Health Information Systems (HIS)
    • EH1009 Determinants of Health
    • EH1010 Introduction to Public Health
    • EV2002 The Environment and Human Health
    • MB1003 Microbiology in Society
    • SC1011 Sociology of Health, Public Health and Health Promotion
    • ST1002 Introduction to Health Statistics
  • Elective Modules (choose 10 credits)
    • BC1001 Introduction to Biochemistry and the Biological Basis of Disease
    • FE1013 Introduction to Development Studies I
    • FR1105 Threshold French
    • FR1107 French for Reading Purposes I
    • GE0005 German Language (CEFR-Level A2.1)
    • GE0008 German Language (CEFR-Level A2.2)
    • GV1218 International Politics
    • HS0028 Spanish Language (Beginner Level) (10 credits)
    • HS1009 Spanish Language (Post Leaving Cert) (10 credits)
    • MX1004 Introducing Medical Students to Irish as a Spoken Language
    • MX1007 Special Study Module Advanced Irish Language
    • PL1025 Fundamentals of Physiology
• Year 2 Modules
  • Principles of Social Research
  • Epidemiology II
  • Public Health Research Report
  • Introduction to Theories and Practices of Health Promotion
  • Public Health Issues
  • Introduction to Food and Industrial Microbiology
  • Management and Planning of Public Health Systems
  • Fundamentals of Nutrition Part 1
  • Critical Perspectives on Irish Health Policy
  • Social Research and Survey Methods
  • Cities of Diversity
  • Sociology of the Body, Health and Illness
• Year 3 Modules (plus 12-week work placement)
  • Epidemiology III
  • Work Placement
  • Public Health Practice
  • Data Analysis for Public Health Research
  • Medical Microbiology
  • Transmission and Epidemiology of Infectious Diseases
  • Nutrition in Growth, Development, and Ageing
  • Professional Ethics
  • Health and Scientific Deviance
  • Global Urbanism
  • Medical Microbiology
• Year 4 Modules
  • Health Economics
  • Health Protection
  • Health Services
  • Final Year Project
  • Public Health Advocacy
  • Primary Health Care
  • Science, Technology and Public Controversy
  • Advanced Applied Epidemiology
  • Gender and Development
  • Global Health Issues and Perspectives
  • Humanitarian Action in Development

Course Practicalities

• Expected lecture/lab/practical hours: approximately 16 hours of scheduled lectures, tutorials, and practical sessions per week
• Field trips: included within the scheduled teaching time
• Student Garda Vetting: carried out by the Admissions Office in UCC once a student has accepted their place on the programme

Why Choose This Course

The BSc Public Health Sciences undergraduate course is one of the few available in Ireland. This timely programme engages students across the spectrum of health-related disciplines; it opens up a wide range of career opportunities or the possibility of further study on graduation.

Placement or Study Abroad Information

Students undertake a 12-week work placement at the end of Year 3, providing them with the opportunity to experience the working world and apply theory to practice. A limited number of students may be permitted to undertake Year 3 of their BSc Public Health Sciences studies abroad at an approved institution.

Skills and Careers Information

Public Health is a rapidly expanding and timely field both at home and internationally. This degree will open up a range of career opportunities, and graduates have found employment in a diverse range of public health roles, at home and abroad, in areas including:

• Public Health Research
• Media and Public Relations
• Health Promotion
• Health and Safety
• Health and Nutrition
• Community Work

Requirements

• Leaving Certificate Entry Requirements: at least six subjects must be presented, with minimum grades of H4 in one subject, H5 in one subject, and O6/H7 in four other subjects
• EU/EFTA/UK Qualifications: equivalent school-leaving qualification, with review of equivalent grades and English language proficiency
• Mature Students: apply via the CAO by 1 February, with a statement of interest and possible interview
• QQI FET Entry: apply via the CAO, with required level of distinctions in specified subjects
• Student Garda Vetting: carried out by the Admissions Office in UCC once a student has accepted their place on the programme

Fees and Costs

• Whether you are an EU or Non-EU student will affect the course fees applicable to you
• The State will pay the tuition fees for EU students who are eligible under the Free Fees Scheme
• Annual student contribution and capitation fees are payable by the student
• Check the Fee Schedule for course fee information
• Explore scholarships that may be available to you

How To Apply

• Irish and European (EU/EFTA/UK) Applicants: apply via the CAO
• Mature Applicants: apply via the CAO by 1 February
• QQI/FET Applicants: apply via the CAO
• Non-EU Applicants: apply online via the UCC Apply portal