The BSc Public Health offers an integrated learning experience in an interdisciplinary environment, to produce graduates who are passionate about public health.  

Year 1 Modules:

Core Modules
Students take 50 credits as follows:

EH1004 Epidemiology I (10 credits)

EH1007 Introduction to Health Information Systems (HIS) (5 Credits)

EH1008 Biology for Public Health (10 credits)

EH1009 Determinants of Health (5 credits)

EH1010 Introduction to Public Health (5 credits)

EV2002 The Environment and Human Health (5 credits)

SC1011 Sociology of Health, Public Health and Health Promotion (5 credits)

ST1002 Introduction to Health Statistics (5 credits)

and modules to the value of 10 credits from the following:

Elective Modules

GV1217 Introduction to political Science (5 credits)
FE1006 Povert and Development (5 credits)*
FE1013 Introduction to Development Studies (5 credits)*
BC1001 Introduction to Biochemistry and the Biological Basis of Disease (5 credits)**
MB1003 Microbiology in Society (5 credits)
FR1105 Threshold French (5 credits)***
FR1107 French for Reading Purposes (5 credits)***
GE0005 German Language (Intermediate Level B1, Pt1) (5 credits)#
GE0008 German Language (Intermediate Level B1 Pt 2) (5 credits)#
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 (5 credits)
MX1007 Special Study Module - Advanced Irish Studies (5 credits)

*Students may take either FE1006 or FE1013 but not both
**BC1001 must be taken if planning to take BC modules in Second Year
*** Both FR1105 and FR1107 must be taken together if planning to take FR modules in Second Year. Otherwise either FR1105 or FR1107 can be taken. FR1105 or FR1107 can be taken
#GE0005 and GE0008 must be taken together
##HS0028 must be taken if planning to take HS0128 in Second Year
###HS1009 must be taken if planning to take HS2101 in Second Year

Year 2 Modules:

Principles of Social Research; Epidemiology II; Health Information Systems II; 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; Fundamentals of Nutrition Part 2; Sociology of Health, Illness and the Body; Critical Perspectives on Irish Health Policy; Social Research and Survey Methods

Year 3 Modules:

Epidemiology III; Work Placement; Public Health Practice; Data Management for Public Health; Medical Microbiology; Transmission and Epidemiology of Infectious Diseases; Nutrition in Growth, Development and Ageing; Sociology of Health and Illness: New Directions and Current Debates; The Politics of Health and Medicine

Year 4 Modules:

Health Economics; Health Protection; Health Services; Research Project; Public Health Advocacy; Primary Health Care; The Politics of Public Health Management; Science, Technology and Public Controversy; Advanced Applied Epidemiology; Introduction to Promoting Health with Communities; Global Health and Development; Nutrition and Public Health

See the College Calendar for more detailed information on the programme and the Book of Modules for a more detailed description of programme modules.

Leaving Certificate entry requirements: 

H5 in two subjects, and O6/H7 in four other subjects in the Leaving Certificate from Irish, English, another language, Mathematics, one Laboratory Science subject (i.e. Chemistry, Physics, Biology, Physics with Chemistry (joint) or Agricultural Science) and one other subject recognised for entry purposes.  

Special Entry Requirements: H4 in either a Laboratory Science subject or Mathematics or Applied Mathematics.  Students presenting with a 2016 (or previous) Leaving Certificate must present with a HC2 in either a Laboratory Science subject or Mathematics or Applied Mathematics.

Mature students: Applicants should apply directly to the CAO, include a statement of interest and may be called for interview. Applicants are required to have previously studied Mathematics and a laboratory science subject. The normal closing date for receipt of completed applications is the 1st February of the year of entry.  Approximately five places are available on this course for mature students. 

International Students should visit the International Education website.

FETAC Requirements.

Student Garda Vetting

All students on this programme will come into contact with the public and assume positions of trust through educational and training opportunities. To ensure the protection of the public, and to justify public trust and confidence, UCC is committed to ensuring that only suitable candidates are allowed to undertake this programme.

Garda vetting is carried out by the Admissions Office in UCC once a student has accepted their place on the programme. It involves a police check to establish whether the individual being vetted has had criminal convictions in the past or whether any criminal proceedings are pending. The Garda Síochána provide this information for students who have resided in Ireland for a period of six months or more (including permanent residence).

All students who have resided outside Ireland for a period of six months or more must furnish a Police Clearance Certificate from their country or countries of residence. This certificate should state that the student has had no convictions recorded against them while residing there.

EU Applicants: Application to Year 1 of the degree programme is made directly through the Central Applications Office (CAO). Applicants should apply online at www.cao.ie. The normal closing date for receipt of completed applications is 1st February of the year of entry.

Non-EU Applicants.

Mature Applicants:  Application is made through the CAO and the closing date for receipt of completed applications is 1st February of the year of proposed entry.

Expected lecture/lab/practical hours: Teaching is delivered from Monday to Friday, with approximately 16 hours of scheduled lectures, tutorials and practical sessions per week. Students must undertake a compulsory 12-week work placement in Year 3, outside the university.

Field trips: Field trips are included within the scheduled teaching time. 

Other practicalities: Garda vetting is carried out by the Admissions Office in UCC once a student has accepted their place on this progamme.

Garda Vetting and Infectious Diseases Policy

Written exams will take place before Christmas and in May.  Not all modules will have written examinations.  Many modules use other type of assessment.

The BSc Public Health is a multidisciplinary degree led by the Department of Epidemiology and Public Health in the School of Medicine. In addition to core teaching from staff in their home department, students will also benefit from the range of expertise relevant to Public Health which is available in the university as a whole.