“The study of public health offers students a dimension beyond traditional science classes,” said Scotch, who is also a professor of public policy and political economy. “If we have people who are really interested in health-related disparities or women’s health or epidemiology, we can offer that.”Galen Dickey, assistant professor of instruction in sociology and public health, said there are numerous career opportunities for those with a bachelor’s degree in public health. Other career paths include emergency-response planners, disease-prevention specialists and public health advocates at nonprofits and at local, state and federal levels. “Students who seek careers as public health professionals will need to go on to graduate study in any case, typically for a master’s of public health,” he said. With an eye toward becoming a doctor, the National Merit Scholar enrolled in a public health and society class during his first year at UTD.