Biology, B.S. to Public Health, M.P.H. Accelerated Program

This accelerated program will provide students majoring in biology a pathway to pursue training in population health. 

Biology majors will apply for acceptance into the accelerated program with the M.P.H. in the fall of their fifth semester of collegiate study. Students can choose any of the following concentrations offered by the M.P.H. program, and take up to 15 credits of coursework, a mix of undergraduate and graduate credits, each semester of senior year. A maximum of 15 credit hours of M.P.H. coursework can be taken during senior year. Students will fully matriculate in the M.P.H. program as graduate students after the conferral of their undergraduate degree. 

For additional information, see the catalog entries for the following programs:

Biology, B.S.

Behavioral Science and Health Equity, M.P.H.

Biosecurity and Disaster Preparedness, M.P.H.

Biostatistics, M.P.H.

Epidemiology, M.P.H.

Global Health, M.P.H.

Health Management and Policy, M.P.H.

Maternal and Child Health, M.P.H.

Public Health Practice. M.P.H.

To apply, students must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.40, be in their fifth semester of collegiate study, have completed 90 credits toward their undergraduate degree by the end of their sixth semester of study, and must be able to complete their senior year with no more than 15 credits (mix of graduate and undergraduate coursework) in each fall and spring semesters. 

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Students must maintain a 3.4 cumulative GPA each semester of senior year and meet all undergraduate requirements for graduation by the end of their 8th semester of collegiate study. The M.P.H. GPA in year 4 will be monitored by the Undergraduate Public Health Director, and progression toward completion of the undergraduate degree requirements will be monitored by students' Biology Faculty Mentor per normal semester processes.

Upon graduation with the B.A./B.S. in Biology, transcripts will be reviewed by the M.P.H. Program for progression into year 5 of the accelerated program and matriculation as a full graduate student. In year 4, students must earn minimum grades in M.P.H. courses that are consistent with M.P.H. program requirements ("B-" in M.P.H. core courses, "B'' in M.P.H. concentration courses, "C" in M.P.H. electives) in year 4; if a sub-threshold grade is earned, the student will repeat the course per M.P.H. program expectations. If students earn a GPA of less than 3.0 in M.P.H. courses in year 4 (the minimum GPA required to be in good academic standing in the M.P.H. program), then they will be placed on academic probation when they fully matriculate into the M.P.H. program after graduation with the B.S./B.A. in Biology. As with traditional M.P.H. students, these students will be offered support by the M.P.H. program with resources and course planning to help support them in regaining good academic standing.

Note: Per University policies, students remain an undergraduate until the B.A./B.S. in Biology is conferred, and as such, students are not eligible for graduate assistantships or graduate scholarships until they full matriculate as a graduate student in year 5.

Roadmaps are recommended semester-by-semester plans of study for programs and assume full-time enrollment unless otherwise noted.  

Courses and milestones designated as critical (marked with !) must be completed in the semester listed to ensure a timely graduation. Transfer credit may change the roadmap.

This roadmap should not be used in the place of regular academic advising appointments. All students are encouraged to meet with their advisor/mentor each semester. Requirements, course availability and sequencing are subject to change.

Biology and Laboratory electives can be found on the B.S. Biology curriculum plan.