B.Sc. in Public Health
Public health has never been more critical—especially across West Africa, where communities continue to face evolving health challenges ranging from infectious diseases to environmental and lifestyle-related risks. The Bachelor of Science in Public Health (B.Sc. Public Health), established in 2023 at the American University of Nigeria, prepares a new generation of professionals to respond to these urgent needs. Rooted in the science and practice of disease prevention, health promotion, and community protection, the program equips students to make a meaningful impact both locally and globally.
Through a rigorous four-year curriculum, student gain the knowledge and practical skills needed to improve population health—combining research, data analysis, and community engagement to prevent disease, promote healthy lifestyles, and strengthen health systems. Graduates emerge ready to lead in diverse settings, from local communities to international organizations, addressing today’s public health challenges with competence, innovation, and a strong commitment to service.
This curriculum has been developed guided by the National Universities Commission’s (NUC) Core Curriculum and Minimum Academic Standards (CCMAS) for the Nigerian University System and AUN’s requirement for General Education (GENED). The latter ensures training of not just Public Health experts, but knowledgeable and versatile global citizens.
The program builds a solid foundation in the basic and social sciences from the 100 level alongside other students. These are followed by courses in the life and basic medical sciences from the second year. Public Health courses are introduced from the second year and continue systematically with core courses.
Professional courses are accompanied by practicum skills exposure to enable learners to acquire competence. Practicum courses require field exposure to industries, government agencies, and communities, where students collect data for analysis and interpretation to support informed decision-making.
Overall Total Credit HoursGeneral Education (GENED + CORE/GENED): 50 Credit Hours
Public Health Core (CORE): 93 Credit Hours
Total: 143 Credit Hours
Duration of the ProgramThe B.Sc. Public Health program runs for four (4) years (8 consecutive semesters) for UTME candidates and three (3) years (6 consecutive semesters) for Direct Entry candidates, as determined by the department.
Sample Four-Year Plan 100-Level (First Year)- AUN 101 First-Year Experience (1 credit hour, GENED)
- BIO 120 Introduction to Biology I (4 credit hours, Core/GENED)
- CHE 120 General Chemistry I (4 credit hours, Core)
- MAT 110 University Algebra (3 credit hours, GENED)
- PHY 131 College Physics I (4 credit hours, Core)
- WRI 101 Composition I (3 credit hours, GENED)
Total: 19 credit hours
- BIO 121 Introduction to Biology II (4 credit hours, Core/GENED)
- CHE 121 General Chemistry II (4 credit hours, Core)
- CIE 111 Introduction to Computers & Computing (3 credit hours, GENED)
- GEN 102 Nigerian Peoples & Cultures (3 credit hours, GENED)
- PHY 132 College Physics II (4 credit hours, Core)
- WRI 102 Composition II (3 credit hours, GENED)
Total: 21 credit hours
200-Level (Second Year)- BCH 201 General Biochemistry (3 credit hours, Core)
- BIO 320 Human Anatomy & Physiology (4 credit hours, Core)
- ENT 101 Venture Creation (3 credit hours, GENED)
- GEN 103 History & Philosophy of Science (3 credit hours, GENED)
- PHS 201 Introduction to Public Health (3 credit hours, Core)
- PSY 101 Introduction to Psychology (3 credit hours, Core)
Total: 19 credit hours
- CDV 211 Law & Justice in Development (3 credit hours, GENED)
- PHS 202 Public Health Nutrition (3 credit hours, Core)
- PHS 204 Demography & Social Statistics in Public Health (3 credit hours, Core)
- PHS 206 Principles of Epidemiology (3 credit hours, Core)
- STA 305 Biostatistics (3 credit hours, Core/GENED)
Total: 15 credit hours
300-Level (Third Year)- ICP 229 Introduction to Peace & Conflict Studies (3 credit hours, GENED)
- PHI 300 Ethics & Leadership (3 credit hours, GENED)
- PHS 301 Public Health Microbiology & Parasitology (3 credit hours, Core)
- PHS 303 Environmental Health & Public Health Laws (3 credit hours, Core)
- PHS 305 Family & Reproductive Health (3 credit hours, Core)
- PHS 309 Public Health Practicum I (3 credit hours, Core)
Total: 18 credit hours
- ENT 325 Social Entrepreneurship (3 credit hours, GENED)
- PHS 302 Health Program Planning & Evaluation (3 credit hours, Core)
- PHS 304 Occupational Health & Disaster Management (3 credit hours, Core)
- PHS 306 Health Education & Promotion (3 credit hours, Core)
- PHS 308 Applied Epidemiology (3 credit hours, Core)
- PHS 310 Research Methods in Public Health (3 credit hours, Core)
Total: 18 credit hours
400-Level (Fourth Year)- AUN 300 Critical Thinking & Problem Solving (3 credit hours, GENED)
- PHS 401 Health Policy & Finance (3 credit hours, Core)
- PHS 403 Principles of Pharmacology, Therapeutics & Substance Abuse (3 credit hours, Core)
- PHS 405 Public Health Practicum II (3 credit hours, Core)
- PHS 409 International & Global Health (3 credit hours, Core)
- PHS 490 Senior Research Project I (3 credit hours, Core)
Total: 18 credit hours
- BIO 420 Human Genetics (3 credit hours, Core/GENED)
- PHS 402 Health System Planning, Management & Administration (3 credit hours, Core)
- PHS 404 Primary Healthcare (3 credit hours, Core)
- PHS 408 Health Sociology (3 credit hours, Core)
- PHS 491 Senior Research Project II (3 credit hours, Core)
Total: 15 credit hours
To be eligible for the award of the B.Sc. (Hons.) degree in Public Health, the student must have completed and passed the prescribed courses totaling 143 credit hours for students admitted through UTME, and a minimum of 110 credit hours for Direct Entry students, as determined by the department.
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