Minor in Public Health

Public health is a growing and dynamic field that addresses the most pressing and challenging health issues in local communities, the region and the world. Combining both science and art, the goal is to advance the health of individuals, families, communities and populations.

Public health is the science and art of preventing disease, prolonging life, and promoting health through the organized efforts and informed choices of society, organizations, public and private communities, and individuals.

— Charles-Edward Amory Winslow (1877–1957)

Aside from genetics and the individual factors that influence a person’s health, environmental factors also play a significant role. In fact, public health is connected to everything we do. The way we eat, live, learn, work and play — anything that affects your health and well-being is part of public health.

A Minor programme is a coherent course of study in an additional area outside of the Major, and contributes to the breadth of learning envisaged for undergraduate education.

We offer students the opportunity to discover if public health is the right fit for them. The Minor allows students to appreciate the multidisciplinary role of public health in preventing disease and improving the health of communities.

We welcome all NUS undergraduates who want to develop the knowledge, skills and approaches needed to understand and address today’s public health issues in Singapore and the region. More often than not, students will find that the minor programme complements their NUS majors.

The Minor may offer insights to students who are interested in exploring careers in the public, private or non-profit sectors, in areas such as community health and health surveillance, urban space planning, environmental health, epidemiology, nutrition, biostatistics, healthcare data analytics, and health policy and planning.