Sociomedical Sciences

The Urbanism and the Built Environment Track offers a public health perspective on cities that encompasses both applied and policy dimensions, and provides students with a comprehensive understanding of the special public health challenges of an urbanized population. An important feature of this program is its location within the Department of Sociomedical Sciences, which emphasizes the social and behavioral aspects of health. Sociomedical components of urbanism include: placing cities in the context of globalization; understanding the intersections of cultures in cities; integrating concepts of space, place, and history into patterns of health and disease; and conceptualizing the effects of spatial interventions for health and disease.

The track is designed for students who have an interest in city life and are seeking a public health perspective. This program is also relevant to a broad array of public health professionals, including those who lead community agencies, provide community level needs assessment, or work in conjunction with city agencies to plan for any and all aspects of the city’s future.

*Note for Prospective Applicants: Beginning in the Fall 2012, the School is moving to a new Certificate program. MPH students in the 2-year Columbia MPH program will identify an area of focus from more than 20 offerings including: Global Health; History, Ethics, and Law; and Social Determinants of Health. Visit the Prospective Student/Columbia MPH site for more information.