Health Science (Major)

The degree consists of 41-43 credit hours in interdisciplinary courses, including courses specifically created for the program.  Twenty-nine credit hours (9 courses) will comprise the core of classes. There is one elective course (3-4 credits) from a list of 3 science courses, and three elective courses (9 credits) selected from an approved list of interdisciplinary courses.  Students will work with their advisor to select the elective courses best suited for their career goal.  The current modality of the program is face-to-face, and we plan to continue this primary modality, with the option of hybrid or occasional online sections if required to serve the student body.

Program Objectives

1. Apply the principles of scientific inquiry to investigate key issues in health care and public health,
2. Use pedagogy to improve health care delivery and advance knowledge in the field,  
3. Utilize advanced communication, education and research skills to act as leaders in the fields of health care,
4. Consider ethical values and principles that are fundamental to the provision of health care services and research,
5. Critically analyze health science literature and utilize information correctly, 
6. Demonstrate sensitivity to culturally diverse populations and their attitudes toward health and health care professionals,
7. Apply managerial and leadership concepts to real world business and clinical settings.

The Bachelor of Science in Health Science program builds upon a strong foundation in the sciences in order to expose students to a wide variety of careers in health care and related professions.  The program’s emphasis on interdisciplinary study, coupled with a liberal arts background, gives students the opportunity to explore different facets of health care and health-related professions before entering the work force or going on to specialized graduate programs. The multidisciplinary approach provides students with a highly competitive edge as they work with communities to make health care and medicine more understandable and accessible.  While the degree is interdisciplinary in nature, it will be housed within the department of biology.

The learning objectives for the Health Science major complement the learning objectives for the recently approved General Education program revision.  Both focus on critical thinking, study of diversity and identity, and civic responsibilities.  Students will be able to take courses in the General Education curriculum that will help prepare them for further study in these areas within this new major:

• BIO 111 Fundamentals of Biology (4 cr)
• MAT 215 Basic Statistics (3 cr)
• PSY 101 Introduction to Psychology (4 cr)
• PHL 201 Introduction to Philosophy (3 cr)
• PHL 339 Medical Ethics (3 cr)
• COM 106 Human Communication in the Digital World (3 cr)
• LCL 333 Medical Terminology (3 cr)
• LSP 150 Spanish for Health Professionals (3 cr)