Health Science

The School of Science offers an interdisciplinary major in health science. This program provides a strong foundation in natural science and human biology. The Health Science major prepares students to pursue graduate programs in physical therapy, physician assistant, nursing, occupational therapy, public health, and other health careers that require a science background and have a service orientation (listed below). The student must meet with the Health Science Advisor on admission to the College to design a course of study that will meet their individual needs and interests.

The Health Science major is consistent with the mission of the College to offer students a diverse liberal arts curriculum that is enhanced by an area of study-in this case the biological, biochemical, chemical, psychological, and physical sciences. The courses that fulfill the Health Science major allow students to acquire scientific knowledge, integrate that knowledge among different fields of science, and apply it in the professional environment. Finally, the Health Science major facilitates education of a community of students with common goals to enhance the health and well-being of their communities through a variety of health service-oriented professions.

Learning Outcomes

1. DEMONSTRATE competence in the scientific principles of human health in all four major areas of Health Science: biology, chemistry, psychology, and kinesiology including knowledge of human anatomy and physiology and its relevance to human health;
2. UNDERSTAND and practice scientific inquiry through observation and/or experimentation including logic of experimentation, data analysis and ethical implications;
3. ANALYZE, interpret, integrate and evaluate scientific literature with the ability to communicate findings in a written format;
4. GAIN exposure to professional environments where philosophical and theoretical principles are applied while demonstrating an understanding and respect for the value of individuals, communities, and perspectives of difference.

Career Paths

See career paths below and electives need to complete prerequisites for various degree programs:

• Physical Therapy (take PHYSI 010  & PHYSI 011   and PSYCH 140 , PSYCH 152 , & PSYCH 160 )

• Occupational Therapy (take PSYCH 140 , PSYCH 152 , & PSYCH 160 )

• Physician Assistant (take PHYSI 010  & PHYSI 011 , CHEM 104  & CHEM 106 , BIOL 105 , BIOL 130 , and Anthropology/Sociology)

• Nursing (take HS 131 , BIOL 105 , BIOL 130 , and COMM 112  - also note that a 1-year Accelerated Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing Degree is required after SMC graduation)

• Optometry (take PHYSI 010  & PHYSI 011 , CHEM 104  & CHEM 106 , BIOL 105 , BIOL 130 , BIOL 135 , BIOL 139 )

• Pharmacy (take PHYSI 010  & PHYSI 011 , CHEM 104  & CHEM 106 , BIOL 105 , BIOL 130 , BIOL 135 ) 

• Medical and Clinical Lab Tech (take PHYSI 010  & PHYSI 011  and CHEM 104  & CHEM 106 )

• Sonography (take PHYSI 010  & PHYSI 011 )

• Nutrition (take PHYSI 010  & PHYSI 011  and CHEM 104  & CHEM 106 )

• Dietetics (take CHEM 104  & CHEM 106 , BIOL 105 , BIOL 130 , BIOL 135  , HS 131 )

• Genetic Counseling (take CHEM 104  & CHEM 106 )

• Radiologic Technology (take COMM 112 ​, PHYSI 010  & PHYSI 011 , and Medical Terminology off campus)

• Nuclear Medicine (take COMM 112 ​, PHYSI 010  & PHYSI 011 , and Medical Terminology off campus)

• Medical Assisting (take PHYSI 010  & PHYSI 011  and CHEM 104  & CHEM 106 )

• Public Health

• Health Administration

Major Requirements 

The Health Science major comprises 16 lower- and upper-division courses, many with corresponding laboratories, detailed below. To officially declare an Health Science major, students must have completed CHEM 008  & CHEM 009  with a C- or better. In order to finish a Health Science major within four years, it is essential that students complete CHEM 010  & CHEM 011  prior to the beginning of their sophomore year.

Programs

• Health Science, BS