University of Utah

What you'll study

The programme teaches core public health disciplines—epidemiology, biostatistics, environmental health and health policy—through a lens focused on zoonotic and animal-associated disease. You will study how pathogens move between animals and people, how to design and analyse surveillance systems, and how environmental and social factors influence disease emergence.

• Introductory Epidemiology and Biostatistics – principles of study design, measures of disease frequency, hypothesis testing and basic statistical methods used in surveillance and outbreak investigation.
• One Health and Zoonoses – cross-sectoral approaches to prevention and control of diseases shared by animals and humans, including case studies of foodborne, vector-borne and emerging infections.
• Infectious Disease Ecology – ecological drivers of transmission, reservoir hosts, pathogen spillover and the role of biodiversity and land use change.
• Environmental and Occupational Health – pathways of exposure, risk assessment and interventions in settings where human and animal health intersect.
• Laboratory Methods and Diagnostic Principles – overview of diagnostic testing, sampling strategies and interpretation of laboratory results relevant to surveillance (theory and demonstrations rather than clinical lab certification).
• Research Methods and Data Management – qualitative and quantitative methods, study ethics, GIS and database handling for spatial analysis of disease events.
• Practicum and Capstone Project – supervised field placement or research project with a public health agency, animal health service or research group, culminating in a written and/or oral capstone.

Elective options typically allow deeper focus on subjects such as veterinary public health policy, food safety, outbreak response, or global health. The programme emphasises applied skills in surveillance, outbreak investigation and communication to diverse stakeholders.

Entry requirements

Applicants are expected to have completed secondary education equivalent to a high-school diploma with strong performance in science and mathematics. Typical preparation includes biology, chemistry and higher-level mathematics (algebra and statistics are useful). Admissions considers overall academic record, personal statement and extracurricular experience relevant to public or animal health.

• Academic qualifications – competitive high-school grades with emphasis on STEM subjects.
• Recommended preparation – coursework in biology, chemistry and mathematics; experience with laboratory work, volunteering or work in animal care, public health, research or community health is advantageous.
• English language – non-native speakers will need to meet the university's English proficiency requirements through accepted tests or prior study in English-medium schools.
• Additional materials – personal statement outlining interest in veterinary epidemiology/One Health, and any relevant references or experience; some applicants may be invited to interview.

Prospective students should check the university's undergraduate admissions pages for specific application procedures and any programme-specific advising.

Career prospects

Graduates are prepared for roles that bridge human and animal health. Career paths include positions in public health departments, animal health agencies, diagnostic and surveillance laboratories, non-governmental organisations and private-sector companies focused on food safety, biosecurity or epidemiological consultancy.

• Disease surveillance and outbreak investigation officer for local or state health departments.
• Field epidemiology technician supporting zoonotic disease monitoring and response.
• Laboratory support roles in diagnostic or public-health laboratories (with scope depending on further training and certification).
• One Health programme coordinator for NGOs, international organisations or governmental agencies.
• Food safety and production risk analyst working in industry or regulatory bodies.
• Research assistant or technician in academic or applied research groups studying infectious disease dynamics.
• Pathway to further study – graduate degrees in epidemiology, public health, infectious disease ecology or professional training such as veterinary medicine or public health practice.

The degree combines practical and analytical skills that are applicable across sectors concerned with preventing and managing zoonotic threats.

Why study at University of Utah

The University of Utah offers an interdisciplinary public health education embedded in a research-active campus and a regional public-health ecosystem. Students benefit from faculty with expertise in epidemiology, population health and environmental drivers of disease, and have opportunities for applied placements with local and state health organisations.

• Interdisciplinary environment – collaboration across health sciences, biology, environmental studies and data science supports One Health training.
• Applied learning – practicum and capstone projects link classroom learning to real-world surveillance, outbreak response and community health initiatives.
• Research and field opportunities – students can engage with faculty-led research on infectious disease, environmental exposures and zoonoses, and use regional field sites for hands-on learning.
• Location advantages – proximity to public health agencies, diagnostic labs and diverse ecological zones enables varied practicum experiences in urban and rural settings.
• Support for progression – advising and faculty mentorship support career planning, graduate-school preparation and applications to professional programmes such as veterinary medicine.

Together, these features make the University of Utah a strong choice for undergraduates aiming to work at the interface of human, animal and environmental health.