Skip to main content

header-courses

Please note the following are tentative and may be changed or revised at any time without notice. Check with the UC San Diego Department offering the course for the most accurate information.

Students are encouraged to complete the lower and upper division core courses early in their program, as these courses will provide a foundation to enhance subsequent course work. Global Health majors should complete the upper division core courses, GLBH 181, GLBH 148 and if possible, MGT 173 prior to senior year.

All courses must be taken for a letter grade of C- or better for the major and minor. Not all courses are offered every year.

Upcoming Tentative Course Offerings

2024 - 2025 Annual Schedule 

Fall 2024

             Winter 2025         

Major (BA)

Major (BS)

Major (BA) 

Major (BS)

Major (BA)

Major (BS)

Minor Minor Minor

Upcoming Tentative Core Course Offerings
*courses are subject to change, please check back frequently
Fall 2024 Winter 2025 Spring 2025
Lower Div Global Health Core

GLBH 20 (El Wardani)

GLBH 20 (Walkover)

GLBH 20 (El Wardani)

Upper Division Core

GLBH/ANSC 148  (Walkover)

MGT 173 (Hayes) 

GLBH 181 (Burgos) 

GLBH/ANSC 148 (Schonberg)

MGT 173 (Hayes)

GLBH 181 (Burgos)

GLBH 160 (Mackey)

GLBH/ANSC 148 (Schonberg)

MGT 173 (Hayes)

GLBH 181 (Burgos)

Global Health electives

GLBH 100. Special Topics in Global Health:

  • "NGO's" (El Wardani)
  • "Planetary Health" (Arafah)
  • "Ethnographic Field Methods in GH" (Jeff Schonberg)

GLBH 104. Humanities, Ethics, and Professionalism: Engaging Moral Imaginaries for Exploring Health and the Human Condition (Wilson)

GLBH 111. HFIT (Burgos)

GLBH 114. Latin American Health & Healing (Olivas-Hernandez)

GLBH 116. Infectious Disease (Villarino)

GLBH 129. Meaning & Healing (Csordas)

 

 

 

GLBH 100. Special Topics in Global Health:

  • "Unlocking Global Health Equity: Focus on Africa" (Miller)
  • "Global Health and Film" (Schonberg)

GLBH 109. Decolonizing Global Health (Olivas-Hernandez)

GLBH 111. HFIT (Burgos) 

GLBH 113. Women's Health in Global Perspective (Wilson)

ANSC/GLBH 139. Native American Health and Healing (Csordas)

GLBH 141. Clinical Perspectives in Global Health (Sanghvi)

ANSC/GLBH 146A. A Global Health Perspective on HIV (Kang)

GLBH 150A. Horizons Honors Thesis Seminar I (Kaiser)

ANSC/GLBH 150. Culture and Mental Health (Sloane)

GLBH 171R. Global Mental Health (*online*) (Jenkins) 

GLBH 100. Special Topics in Global Health 

  • "Building Psychosocial and Planetary Resilience" (Mishra-hybrid)
  • "Learning to Care for Underserved Populations" (Villarino)

GLBH/ANSC 101. Aging: Culture & Health/Hum Dev (Sloane)

GLBH 107. Refugee Health in Local and Global Contexts (Wilson) 

GLBH 108. Hispanic and Latinx Issues in Global Health (Olivas-Hernandez)

GLBH 111. HFIT (Burgos)

COMM/GLBH 114W. Global Health Communication (Walkover)

GLBH 117. Global Health and Non-Communicable Diseases (Villarino)

GLBH 130Global Health & Climate Change (Schonberg) - pending approval

ANSC/GLBH 147. Global Health and the Environment (Stewart)

GLBH 150B. Horizons Honors Thesis Seminar II (Kaiser)

GLBH 190. Careers in Global Health (Bhavsar) *pending approval

Grad Courses

GLBH 200. Global Health MA Core Seminar (Jeff Schonberg)

GLBH 248. Intro to Global Health Research (Kaiser)

Elective:

GLBH 111. HFIT

GLBH 100. Special Topics in Global Health:

  • "NGO's" (El Wardani)
  • "Planetary Health" (Arafah)

GLBH 114. Latin American Health & Healing (Olivas-Hernandez)

GLBH 116. Infectious Disease (Villarino)

 

 

 

 

GLBH 214. Global Health & Program Management (Bhavsar) 

GLBH 249. Social Epidemiology (Villarino)

Elective:

GLBH 241. Clinical Perspectives in Global Health (Sanghvi) 

 GLBH 111. HFIT

 

GLBH 260. Global Health Policy (El Wardani)

GLBH 215. Community Health Workers (Walkover) 

Elective:

GLBH 111. HFIT

GLBH 299. Independent Research

Additional elective options:

 
Fall 2024 GLBH 100 Course Descriptions:
  • "Global Health & NGO's" (El Wardani)

This course provides an overview of non-governmental organizations (NGOs); how they are created, managed, grown, funded & publicized. The course will give an overview of local community-specific & country-specific NGO activities as well as international NGOs that work at the country-level, regional-level & internationally. The course will provide a broad understanding of how NGOs work in concert with governments and ministries of health to address the needs of populations throughout the world.

  • "Planetary Health" (Arafah)

Planetary health is an emerging discipline that seeks to integrate global health, public health, ecology, earth systems science (including climate science), wildlife/veterinary medicine, and indigenous knowledge among other fields in order to better understand the interconnected nature of health on a planetary scale. This course serves as an introduction to planetary health concepts and an opportunity to explore the processes of community building needed to make this essential transition.

  • "Ethnographic Field Methods in GH" (Staff)
Ethnographic Field Methods and Global Health explores research and writing through the analytical and practical study of “fieldwork” and “ethnography,”  It provides a broad-ranging examination of key issues in the epistemology, genealogy, practice, ethics, and politics of ethnography, particularly within the context of health and healing. At the same time, this class will engage in the practice of “doing” ethnography with a hands-on approach to its fundamental techniques such as entering the field, writing fieldnotes, conducting various types of interviews, participant-observation methodologies, visual ethnographic methodologies and the production of an ethnography that includes the analysis of the field data.

Ethnographic fieldwork is contingent by nature and therefore a fundamental goal of this class is to engage this praxis in order to explore and reflect upon its nuances. The design of this course, therefore, includes formal lectures, student centered peer-to-peer activities, as well as a workshop format—conducting both classroom based and homework assigned exercises; as well as discussing, examining and critiquing personal and individual experiences in the field. 

 

Winter 2025 GLBH 100 Course Descriptions:
  • "Unlocking Global Health Equity: Focus on Africa" (Miller)

Sub-Saharan Africa, home to nearly 1.2 billion people, bears a significant portion of the global burden of disease, accounting for approximately 24%. Limited resources, including trained medical professionals and healthcare funding, contribute to these challenges, posing barriers to the enhancement of health systems. However, through evidence-based interventions and contextually tailored policies, this burden can be alleviated, leading to improved health outcomes and overall well-being. This course will explore key health challenges in sub-Saharan Africa, emphasizing health equity and employing a solutions-oriented approach. Topics covered will include pressing health issues pertinent to the region, offering insights into effective strategies for addressing them.

  • "Global Health and Film" (Schonberg)
 
Spring 2025 GLBH 100 Course Descriptions:
  • "Building Psychosocial and Planetary Resilience" (Mishra-hybrid)

Learn from global thought leaders and scientists at the helm of the climate movement. We live in a rapidly changing world with the climate crisis and interrelated global crises (“the polycrisis”). In this course, students will gain invaluable resilience skills, including mindfulness meditation, to navigate and build a meaningful future. The class aims to fill a critical gap in climate education and well-being, building on the science of personal and social resilience and climate change action, building a sense of belonging, and motivating empowerment and self-efficacy via actionable projects. The course design is led by Drs. Jyoti Mishra of UCSD and Elissa Epel of UCSF, two leaders at the intersection of climate change and mental health, co-leaders of the UC-wide Center for Climate, Health, and Equity (CCHE) Mental Health Initiative. Dr. Philippe Goldin, an expert in mindfulness and meditative practice and research as well as sustainability education, also serves as a Course Co-Director. We have world leaders delivering online mini-lectures, expert UC professors as lecturers and facilitators, contemplative education advisors, and mindfulness-trained teachers for co-leading in-person experiential sessions at each UC campus. Join this exciting movement!

  • "Learning to Care for Underserved Populations" (Villarino)

This course presents a biosocial perspective for developing and implementing practical global health policies and treatment and diagnostic practices. The course consists of lectures from UCSD's global health consortium and public health experts in the US and the world with discussing standing systematic inequalities that create disparities in health care.  This course prepares students to be committed to practicing collaborative and equitable health interventions.

Course Pre-Authorization & Late Add Request

Students with lower division standing who would like to take an upper division course, please submit a course pre-authorization request here.

Tips for Searching the Schedule of Classes

When searching for classes in the schedule, look for your classes by "CODE".If you look at the first search page of the schedule, "By Code(s)" is the third tab under "find courses." Select this tab.In this section, you can then just type in the exact courses you are interested in searching for (ANSC 148, HILD 30, ANSC 101) and press search.

search

On the next page, scroll down and a long list of all the courses you’re searching for will appear in one search.

Previous Course Offerings

2023-24 Course Offerings:

2022-23 Offerings:

2021-22 Offerings:

2020-21 Offerings:

2019-2020 Offerings:


2018-19 Offerings:

2017-18 Offerings:

2016-17 Offerings:

2015-16 Offerings:

 

*Regarding courses accepted by petition

If you are taking a course that is offered “by petition” it will not automatically show up on your degree audit.

You will need to do one of the following:

Submit Online Petition Request or

Send a message in the Virtual Advising Center asking for the following:

"Please accept _____________, a Global Health Pre-Approved Course, towards _______________ requirements for my Global Health ___________ (Major/Minor)."

Course Descriptions

Global Health Core Courses

GLBH 148. Global Health and Cultural Diversity (cross-listed with ANSC 148)

Introduction to global health from the perspective of medical anthropology on disease and illness, cultural conceptions of health, doctor-patient interaction, illness experience, medical science and technology, mental health, infectious disease, and health-care inequalities by ethnicity, gender, and socioeconomic status.

GLBH 181. Essentials of Global Health

This course will provide an overview of global health as a field of research and practice, with an emphasis on use of surveillance methods to understand health and determinants of health, evidence-based program development and evaluation of programs in the field, and engagement with governments and advocacy groups to elicit evidence-based policy change. Topics of focus will prioritize infectious diseases, maternal child health, substance use and gender-based violence, as case examples of global health research and programmatic approaches. By the end of this course students should have acquired an understanding of the global burden of major diseases and population health concerns, how to understand and intervene upon the determinants of disease and other health concerns, and how to develop and implement monitoring and outcome evaluations for use in low resource settings.

MGT 173. Project Management in Health Services

This course covers efficient techniques for managing health services projects including both the technical aspects of project management as well as the human capital management issues associated with blending administrative and technical staff with healthcare professionals. Topics include: scheduling methods, milestone setting, governmental regulations, resource allocation, interpersonal skills, and performing research and development projects - all with a health services focus.

Lower Division Courses

All Majors and Minors must complete:

HILD 30. History of Public Health: Explores the history of public health, from the plague hospitals of Renaissance Italy to the current and future prospects for global health initiatives, emphasizing the complex biological, cultural, and social dimensions of health, sickness, and medicine across time and space. 

OR

GLBH 20. Introduction to Global Health: Provides a foundational interdisciplinary understanding of complex global health issues and introduces major concepts and principles in global health. The course surveys the range of problems contributing to the global burden of disease and disability including infectious disease, mental illness, refugee and immigrant health, natural disasters, climate change, and food insecurity.


For Majors Only:

Choose One:

SOCI 30. Science, Technology, and Society: A series of case studies of the relations between society and modern science, technology, and medicine. Global warming, reproductive medicine, AIDS, and other topical cases prompt students to view science-society interactions as problematic and complex. 

SOCI 40. Sociology of Health-Care Issues: Designed as a broad introduction to medicine as a social institution and its relationship to other institutions as well as its relation to society. It will make use of both micro and macro sociological work in this area and introduce students to sociological perspectives of contemporary health-care issues. 

SOCI 70. General Sociology for Premedical Students: This introductory course is specifically designed for premedical students and will provide them with a broad introduction to sociological concepts and research, particularly as applied to medicine.

PHIL 26. Science, Society, and Values: An exploration of the interaction between scientific theory and practice on the one hand, and society and values on the other. Topics can include the relationship between science and religion, global climate change, DNA, medicine, and ethics. 

 

Statistics Course (Choose one):

PSYCH 60. Introduction to Statistics: This course provides an introduction to both descriptive and inferential statistics, core tools in the process of scientific discovery and the interpretation of research. Recommended to complete during a student's 2nd year. 

POLI 30. Political Inquiry: Introduction to the logic of inference in social science and to quantitative analysis in political science and public policy including research design, data collection, data description and computer graphics, and the logic of statistical inference (including linear regression). Poli Sci 30 is Lecture only, and Poli Sci 30D is Lecture plus Discussion section. These courses are equivalents of each other in regards to major requirements, and students may not receive credit for both 30 and 30D. 

MATH 11/11L. Calculus-Based Introductory Probability and Statistic + Lab: Events and probabilities, conditional probability, Bayes’ formula. Discrete random variables: mean, variance; binomial, Poisson distributions. Continuous random variables: densities, mean, variance; normal, uniform, exponential distributions, central limit theorem. Sample statistics, confidence intervals, hypothesis testing, regression. Applications. Intended for biology and social science majors. Prerequisites: AP Calculus BC score of 3, 4, or 5, or Math 10B or Math 20B, and concurrent enrollment in Math 11L.

COGS 14B. Introduction to Statistical Analysis: Introduction to descriptive and inferential statistics. Tables, graphs, measures of central tendency and variability. Distributions, Z-scores, correlation, regression. Probability, sampling, logic of inferential statistics, hypothesis testing, decision theory. T-test, one and two-way Anova, nonparametric tests (Chi-square). Prerequisites: COGS 14A.

Policy Analysis Courses (Majors only)

Choose one:

ECON 130. Public Policy: (pre-reqs: ECON 1A-B. or ECON 2. or ECON 100A) Course uses basic microeconomic tools to discuss a wide variety of public issues, including the war on drugs, global warming, natural resources, health care and safety regulation. Appropriate for majors who have not completed Econ 100A-B-C and students from other departments. Prerequisites: Econ 2 or 100A.

ENVR 110. Environmental Law: Explores environmental policy in the United States and the ways in which it is reflected in law. The social and political issues addressed include environmental justice and environmental racism, as well as the role of government in implementing environmental law. Prerequisites:upper-division standing or consent of instructor.

GLBH 160. Global Health Policy: Students will learn fundamental principles and concepts of global health policy, law, and governance. The course will focus on identifying critical global health policy challenges and solving them using a multidisciplinary approach that takes into account the perspectives of various stakeholders. 

HISC 180. Science and Public Policy: This course will explore the evolution of the institutions, ideologies, procedures, standards, and expertise that modern democratic societies have used in applying science to generate and legitimate public policy.

POLI 160AA. Introduction to Policy Analysis: (Same as USP 101) This course will explore the process by which the preferences of individuals are converted into public policy. Also included will be an examination of the complexity of policy problems, methods for designing better policies, and a review of tools used by analysts and policy makers. (Prerequisites: Poli Sci 10 or 11)

SOCI 152/USP 133. Social Inequality and Public Policy: (Same as USP 133.) Primary focus on understanding and analyzing poverty and public policy. Analysis of how current debates and public policy initiatives mesh with alternative social scientific explorations of poverty. Prerequisites: upper-division standing. Will not receive credit for SOCI 152 and SOCC 152.

USP 147. Case Studies in Health Care Programs/Poor and Underserved Populations: The purpose of this course is to identify the special health needs of low income and underserved populations and to review their status of care, factors influencing the incidence of disease and health problems, and political and legislative measures related to access and the provision of care. Selected current programs and policies that address the health care needs of selected underserved populations such as working poor, inner city populations, recent immigrants, and persons with severe disabling mental illnesses will be studied. Offered in alternate years. Prerequisite: upper-division standing or consent of instructor.

USP 171. Sustainable Development: Sustainable development is a concept invoked by an increasingly wide range of scholars, activists, and organizations dedicated to promoting environmentally sound approaches to economic development. This course critically examines the diverse, often contradictory, interests in sustainability. It provides a transdisciplinary overview of emergent theories and practices. Prerequisites: upper-division standing.

Global Health Horizons Honors Thesis Seminar (GLBH 150A & B)

thesis
During the Spring quarter of a student's junior year, Global Health majors may apply to be a part of the two-quarter Horizons Honors Thesis Seminar, open only to Global Health majors in the BA and BS. This seminar will provide an opportunity to expand, deepen, and share the insights of your Global Health Field Experience or a topic of interest in the field of global health, with members of your cohort.
  • Winter Quarter: GLBH 150A. Global Health Capstone Seminar I will consist of intensive reading and discussion in fields related to each student’s primary interest and building on your field experience. 
  • Spring Quarter: GLBH 150B. Global Health Capstone Seminar II will be a workshop with critical input from all participants focused on preparing a senior thesis that will provide an important credential for students in the next stage of their careers and as they prepare applications for graduate academic or professional training.

Students will develop a research poster based on their senior thesis, which will be presented at the Horizons of Global Health Conference during the spring quarter. See part participant abstracts here. See Senior Thesis Resources here.

***Students must complete their Global Health Field Experience Requirement before enrollment. 

GLBH 195. Instructional Apprenticeship in Global Health

This course gives students experience in teaching global health courses for academic credit (P/NP).

Students, under direction of instructor, lead discussion sections, attend lectures, review course readings, and meet regularly to prepare course materials and to evaluate examinations and papers. This course does not fulfill any Global Health major or minor requirements. Students may enroll up to two times.

Requirements:

  1. Junior or Senior standing.
  2. Minimum of a 3.0 GPA.
  3. Must have taken the course and received an "A" in the course you wish to apply for.
  4. Student most contact the instructor to see if the instructor is interested in having an instructional apprentice.
  5. If the instructor approves, you may apply online
  6. Once you apply please email ghpadvising@ucsd.edu to notify us of your application. 
  7. Final approval required by department and academic senate. Please submit your request early (prior to the quarter you plan to enroll).

Special Studies Courses

More details on enrolling can be found here.

GLBH 197. Global Health Academic Internship Program (4): Offers Global Health students the opportunity to intern and gain credit for their Global Health Field Experience requirement. Students will intern and work with a faculty advisor to elaborate on the intellectual analysis and critique of the field experience.

GLBH 198. Directed Group Study (4): Directed group study for students to delve deeper into Global Health topics or elaborate the intellectual analysis and critique of their field experience for students enrolled in the Global Health major/minor. May be taken for credit two times. Prerequisites: departmental approval required. 

GLBH 199. Independent Study (4): Independent study opportunity for students to work with Global Health Affiliated Faculty on relevant research or to elaborate the intellectual analysis and critique of their Global Health Field Experience for students enrolled in the Global Health major/minor. May be taken for credit two times. Prerequisites: departmental approval required.

Elective Course Descriptions