"While not designed primarily as workplace preparation, the new major will serve as a good foundation for students who wish to enter the public health work force," said School of Public Health Dean Philip Nasca. "The current workforce is aging, so there will be a huge job market for people with skills in the public health field."

In the major, students will explore scientific methods used by public health professionals to determine the causes of various infectious and chronic diseases, and the methods used to develop effective disease prevention programs. Students will also be exposed to disciplines that contribute to public health research and practice including epidemiology, biostatistics, environmental and biomedical health sciences, health policy analysis, and behavioral studies.

The University will continue to offer a minor in Public Health, which began last year, as well as graduate level programs.

Through its partnership with the New York State Dept. of Health, UAlbany's School of Public Health offers students immediate access to internships at the Health Department, Albany Medical College and variety of other public and private health institutions throughout New York State. Students have unique access to study the most profound health issues facing us today: the threat of bioterrorism; the spread of HIV/AIDS and other emerging diseases; the lack of affordable and accessible healthcare for individuals and families; environmental hazards; substance abuse and social violence; maternal mortality in developing countries; the promises and threats of genetic engineering; protecting food and water supplies.