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When I entered UC Davis as a freshman, I had a very broad idea about what I wanted to study. Originally, I was a biological sciences major, but I knew I eventually wanted to switch to something more specialized. Thankfully, UC Davis has tons of biology-related majors to choose from.

I realized it was difficult to neatly narrow down the scope of my interests into categories such as “human biology” or “genetics and genomics.” I knew I was drawn to preventative health, especially how organisms, environments and social structures affect our lives and health outcomes.

After plenty of research and conversations with friends and classmates, the global disease biology major piqued my interest because of its senior practicum requirement, ability to specialize within restricted electives and overall interdisciplinary approach to the study of health. Once I took the first prerequisite course for the major, “Disease and Society,” I knew I had found the right fit.

What is global disease biology?

Global disease biology is the study of health and disease in humans, animals and the environment on a global scale. It is based on the One Health approach, which argues that large-scale improvements in human, animal or environmental health outcomes can only be achieved if we consider how the three interrelate.

Is global disease biology the same as epidemiology?

Epidemiology studies the causes and spread of diseases in a population to control and prevent them. Similar to global disease biology, epidemiology is a key branch of public health that asks how and why diseases, such as malaria, may move through populations over time. Epidemiologists use data and statistical models to track and predict the spread of diseases.

On the other hand, global disease biology is much more broad. While GDB students can certainly have a focus in epidemiology, they may also choose to study disciplines such as veterinary medicine, plant pathology or environmental science in their coursework and research. GDB majors at UC Davis are required to take an upper-division epidemiology course, which allows them to gain a deeper understanding of how the two relate to each other.

What can you do with a global disease biology degree?

The great thing about a global disease biology degree is that you can apply it to any industry — whether you want to go into scientific research, agriculture, law, medicine, veterinary medicine, education, public health, science writing, etc.

The degree teaches you how to think like a researcher, as every student must complete a research practicum alongside a faculty member prior to graduation. However, you are not limited to conducting research at the lab bench. Social science research in areas such as political science, communication, geography and sociology has plenty of applications to global disease biology. So, a career in the social sciences is yet another route for students to consider.

Many GDB students go on to pursue graduate degrees in their desired fields. However, if graduate school is not your goal, the major still sets you up for successful careers relating to healthcare, environmental conservation, health policy, nutrition and more.

Diana Davis, professor of history and geography, teaches undergraduate courses popular among GDB majors, such as “Environmental Change, Disease and Public Health” and “Geographies of (One) Health.”

“I have had GDB students continue on to study medicine, public health, medical geography and more,” Davis said. “Some have joined state agencies or nonprofit organizations, and they’ve all been so successful and have done great things for our society and our world.”

What do global disease biologists do?

Not all global disease biology graduates choose to pursue a career in research or work as “biologists” in the traditional sense. However, for those who do, the options are abundant.

The work of a global disease biologist is informed by the One Health approach, meaning that understanding a disease requires not only knowledge of its biology, but also its interactions with people, animals and the environment.

Global disease biologists must also know the epidemiologic triangle, a basic model for understanding how a disease is caused and spread. The model offers three factors to consider when studying a disease: the host, environment and agent.

For example, a global disease biologist may be studying human hosts in an urban setting who are infected with COVID-19. But often, a more complete picture would include factors like:

• How the environment facilitates transmission of the virus
• The role of animal spillover events
• Which demographics are most vulnerable to severe infection
• The challenges to delivering treatment and vaccines to infected humans and animals

To investigate diseases, global disease biologists may serve as epidemiologists, ecologists, veterinarians, public health officials or policymakers. Tackling major global disease biology issues requires rigorous research, followed by actionable steps such as policy changes, education and resource distribution. Global disease biologists may find themselves at any stage of this process, depending on their professional roles. Collaboration between stakeholders from many fields is essential to a comprehensive One Health approach.

How do you become a global disease biologist?

Since global disease biology can take many forms, there are different ways to become a global disease biologist. However, the most traditional route to becoming a global health researcher or leader requires graduate school.

View our Health/Medicine/Veterinary degree page for a full list of graduate programs related to global disease biology.

There are many roles available to GDB graduates that do not require a graduate degree. Working in agriculture, education, consulting, science writing, healthcare and even research does not always require additional education.

Is global disease biology hard?

Global disease biology is a Bachelor of Science degree and can be a challenging but rewarding major. Undergraduates begin by taking lower-division biology, chemistry, calculus, statistics and physics courses. Both the “Introduction to Global Disease Biology” and “Disease and Society” classes at UC Davis provide a wide overview of what the major aims to instill in students.

In the upper division, students take unique courses such as “Disease Ecology” and “Disease Intervention and Policy.” In addition, they are required to take at least 25 units of restricted electives that allow them to specialize in the areas of health and disease that they are most interested in, which can include the humanities and social sciences. Finally, the practicum component allows students to demonstrate their capacity to conduct research in an area of global disease biology.

With such an interdisciplinary major, everyone is going to have their own subjects that they find particularly tough. Personally, classes that were heavy in chemistry and physics were the most difficult for me. However,, office hours and support from my peers helped me persevere and learn to appreciate the more quantitative aspects of my science education.

Ultimately, the major is very comprehensive and customizable. It is best suited for students who are dedicated to studying the life sciences while remaining interested in the bigger picture of health.

Where do global disease biologists work?

As the name implies, global disease biologists can work anywhere in the world. is highly encouraged for GDB majors for its ability to provide a culturally diverse educational experience. I cherish the summer I spent studying abroad in Cork, Ireland while taking a lower-division biology course.

As a GDB graduate, you can work in public health agencies, research laboratories, consulting firms, universities, non-governmental organizations, healthcare facilities, environmental agencies or the private sector (such as biotechnology or pharmaceutical companies). The skills and knowledge you gain through a global disease biology education will make you an asset in any of these settings.

How much do global disease biologists make?

With so many roles to choose from, there is no single salary range for global disease biologists. However, here are the expected salaries for a few common career paths chosen by GDB majors (based on data from May 2023):

Salaries can vary significantly based on geographical location, years of experience and educational background. Achieving higher leadership positions within each profession will also generally yield higher pay.

Is global disease biology a good career?

Global disease biology degrees are more valuable than ever, especially with their close ties to public health. In fact, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a and a between 2023-2033. These are both significantly higher than the average job growth rate of 4%.

“Many global disease biology graduates will be on the front lines when we need to tackle the next pandemic, such as highly pathogenic avian influenza, which is currently knocking at our door,” Davis said.

Infectious diseases, food insecurity, climate change, antimicrobial resistance, threats to essential healthcare access and decreasing biodiversity are just a few of the major global health issues that we face in the 21st century. Such challenges require collaboration from experts in every professional field, from scientists to policymakers to educators.

Beyond the stability it offers, a career in global disease biology will be fulfilling for those committed to improving the health of humans, animals and the environment alike.

There is no better time than now to apply your skills and passions toward achieving equitable health outcomes by pursuing a degree in global disease biology.

Berit Oxley (she/her) is a fourth-year global disease biology major and communication minor at UC Davis. She is a science social media intern in UC Davis’ Office of Strategic Communications and a research assistant in the Communication in Health and Technology Research (CHATR) lab. She aims to pursue a career in public health communication, either as a researcher or in a public-facing role. In her free time, she enjoys listening to music, visiting new coffee shops and relaxing in the Arboretum.