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Read the full noticeSchool of Allied Health Sciences
B.Sc. Public Health
Programme Overview
The Public Health programme at the University of Agriculture, Science and Technology, Ihugh (UAST) consists of a comprehensive undergraduate education in the protection and improvement of population health through disease prevention, health promotion, environmental stewardship, health systems strengthening, and innovative technology-driven interventions. For students in the programme, a core learning objective is building and demonstrating foundational competencies in public health science, epidemiology, health systems, One Health, digital public health, artificial intelligence, climate resilience, precision public health, health policy, and systems innovation through the successful completion of rigorous coursework, community-based learning, field investigations, professional internships, and a capstone innovation project. Students are also eligible for accelerated professional pathways, including postgraduate research, health leadership, international development, humanitarian response, and entrepreneurial ventures in public health.
Programme Distinctiveness
A Curriculum Benchmark Internationally
The UAST Public Health curriculum is benchmarked against leading public health programmes at institutions including Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, University of Oxford, National University of Singapore, Wageningen University & Research, and The University of Tokyo, while addressing health challenges, health systems strengthening, and sustainable development priorities specific to Nigeria and Africa.
A Programme Rooted in National Priorities
While maintaining international standards, the programme equips graduates to address Nigeria's most pressing public health challenges: infectious disease surveillance and outbreak response, non-communicable disease prevention, maternal and child health, nutrition and food security, environmental health and climate resilience, health systems strengthening and universal health coverage, digital health and health informatics, and humanitarian health and emergency preparedness.
Integrated with National Academic Standards
The programme is structured around the National Universities Commission (NUC) Core Curriculum and Minimum Academic Standards (CCMAS), with a distinctive 30% UAST proprietary component that substantially strengthens competencies in public health innovation, digital literacy and artificial intelligence, agriculture and One Health, One Health systems and zoonotic disease ecology, health communication and behavioural insights, geographic information systems and spatial intelligence, innovation and design thinking, digital public health and health informatics, artificial intelligence and predictive analytics, climate change and planetary health, precision public health and population health analytics, global health and health diplomacy, public health leadership and governance, humanitarian health and disaster risk management, health policy analysis and economics, public health innovation laboratory, emerging technologies, public health consultancy and grant writing, and capstone innovation.
The UAST Advantage: Professional Competencies
Graduates of this programme acquire competencies in:
- Public Health Science
- Epidemiology and Biostatistics
- One Health and Zoonotic Disease Ecology
- Environmental Health and Climate Resilience
- Health Systems and Policy
- Digital Public Health and Health Informatics
- Artificial Intelligence and Predictive Analytics
- Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
- Health Communication and Behavioural Science
- Precision Public Health
- Global Health and Health Diplomacy
- Humanitarian Health and Emergency Preparedness
- Public Health Leadership and Governance
- Public Health Innovation and Entrepreneurship
- Public Health Consultancy and Project Management
Programme Structure
The programme is delivered over five academic years (100–500 Levels) and comprises UAST proprietary courses complementing the NUC 70% core curriculum.
Year One: Foundations
- Introduction to Public Health Innovation
- Digital Literacy, Artificial Intelligence and Information Management for Public Health
- Agriculture, Environment and One Health
Year Two: Core Systems and Methods
- One Health Systems and Zoonotic Disease Ecology
- Health Communication, Behavioural Insights and Social Marketing
- Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Spatial Intelligence for Public Health
- Innovation, Design Thinking and Entrepreneurship in Public Health
Year Three: Advanced Technologies and Global Perspectives
- Digital Public Health and Health Informatics
- Artificial Intelligence and Predictive Analytics in Public Health
- Climate Change, Planetary Health and Environmental Resilience
- Precision Public Health and Population Health Analytics
- Global Health, Health Diplomacy and International Development
Year Four: Leadership and Professional Integration
- Public Health Leadership, Governance and Strategic Management
- Humanitarian Health, Disaster Risk Management and Emergency Preparedness
- Health Policy Analysis, Economics and Systems Reform
- Public Health Innovation Laboratory and Technology Commercialisation
Year Five: Capstone and Professional Practice
- Advanced Emerging Technologies in Public Health
- Public Health Consultancy, Project Development and Grant Writing
- Advanced Professional Internship and Reflective Practice
- Grand Challenges in African Public Health
- Capstone Project in Public Health Systems Innovation
Career Pathways
UAST Public Health graduates are prepared for careers in:
Government Health Ministries and Agencies
Public health officers, epidemiologists, health planners, and policy advisors
International Health Organisations
WHO, UNICEF, UNDP, World Bank, and regional health bodies
Non-Governmental Organisations
Health programme managers, community health coordinators, and advocacy specialists
Healthcare Institutions
Hospital public health units, infection prevention, and quality improvement
Environmental and Occupational Health
Environmental health officers, occupational health specialists, and climate health advisors
Digital Health and Health Informatics
Health informaticians, digital health specialists, and telehealth coordinators
Humanitarian and Emergency Health
Disaster response coordinators, emergency health officers, and humanitarian programme managers
Research and Academia
Public health researchers, epidemiologists, and postgraduate students
Health Communication and Advocacy
Health communicators, behavioural change specialists, and media advisors
Public Health Consulting
Health systems consultants, project evaluators, and technical advisors
Health Entrepreneurship
Health tech founders, social enterprise leaders, and health innovation managers
Fast-Track and Professional Pathways
Qualified students are eligible for accelerated pathways, including:
Professional Internships
- Supervised placements in health ministries, international organisations, NGOs, and healthcare institutions
Professional Certifications
- Preparation for certifications in public health, epidemiology, health informatics, and project management
Research Pathways
- Supervised undergraduate research and progression to postgraduate studies
Entrepreneurship Incubation
- Access to health innovation labs, prototyping support, and health technology commercialisation services
Industry Collaboration
- Partnerships with health ministries, international organisations, NGOs, and digital health companies