Hardest courses in Population Health Sciences

Plan ahead for courses where students have earned lower grades.

Lowest historical GPA first. At least 100 letter grades over the five years through the selected term. Grades reflect past outcomes, not workload or a guaranteed result.

Find your fit

4 courses

Ranked courses have at least 100 recorded letter grades.

#1 ·ECON/POPHLTH/PUBAFFR 548

The Economics of Health Care

3–4 credits

Analysis of the health care industry, covering markets for hospitals, physicians' care, health manpower, and the role of health insurance.

Offering recorded · Spring 2027 · Sources

Past student reviews · Korinna Hansen

The class involved a large group project and lots of readings, with students expecting a lot of work overall. One reviewer described the grading as arbitrary, while another noted the course was very difficult and advised against taking it for an easy A.

Korinna Hansen

historical GPA · grades

Fall 2022–Spring 2026

#2 ·ENVIRST/POPHLTH 471

Introduction to Environmental Health

3 credits

Introduction to Environmental Health covers the impact of environmental problems on human health, including biological hazards from air and water pollution, radiation, pesticides, noise, and workplace factors.

Offering recorded · Spring 2027 · Sources

Past student reviews · Vijay Limaye

Vijay Limaye was a tough grader who used quizzes and exams to trick students with specific, unemphasized details. The class relied on only a few assignments and exams.

Vijay Limaye

historical GPA · grades

Spring 2023–Spring 2026

#3 ·C&ESOC/POPHLTH 370

Introduction to Public Health

3 credits

Introductory course covering public health principles, epidemiology, evidence-based practice, and major subject domains like infectious disease and health care systems.

Offering recorded · Spring 2027 · Sources

Past student reviews · Malia Jones

Lectures were notably long and accompanied by a significant amount of reading.

Malia Jones

historical GPA · grades

Spring 2023–Spring 2026

#4 ·POPHLTH 709

Translational and Outcomes Research in Health and Health Care

3 credits

Reviews the conceptualization of translational and outcomes research in health and health care, illustrating basic research methods applied to current issues and diverse organizational and community perspectives.

Offering recorded · Spring 2027 · Sources

Andrew Quanbeck

historical GPA · grades

Fall 2022–Spring 2026