Health Science

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Degree: Bachelor of Science (B.S.) with a major in Health Science

(120 credit hours) Requirements are subject to change.

The Health Science major is designed to provide an introduction to contemporary issues in health care, explore the needs of clients who receive health care services, provide introductory skills in the organization and analysis of health care information, and facilitate the student’s exploration of specific areas of interest and career goals. The program provides a flexible course of study and interdisciplinary educational experiences to help the student explore these interests and gain educational preparation for career opportunities after college or to support preparation for professional education at the graduate level. Program advisement, student choice of upper division practicum and health science courses, and substantial free elective credits allow the student to tailor the program to their needs and interests. The curriculum prepares students for a variety of career and employment opportunities in health care with entry at the bachelor’s degree level. As the demands for health care services continue to increase, career opportunities continue to grow in private and public hospitals and clinical facilities, health care and human service agencies, and various sectors of the health care industry.

For more information about this major, contact Dr. Joseph Stano, Coordinator of the Health Science major at (413) 748-3375 or the Admissions Office at (800) 343-1257.

Download a Health Science Program Checksheet

CURRICULAR REQUIREMENTS

I. General Education Program (40 - 46 credits)

The General Education program at Springfield College is informed by its century-old Humanics tradition of educating the whole person in spirit, mind, and body, for leadership in service to humanity. These requirements have the goal of developing literate, thoughtful, socially responsible students, and instilling in them a spirit of inquiry into the nature of humankind and the universe. Towards those ends, the requirements emphasize and encourage: the acquisition of knowledge, understanding, and competency essential for the improvement of the human condition in a diverse society; a search for personal and spiritual values; and the development of an understanding and appreciation of physical well-being. For specific requirements, see the General Education Program (40 - 46 credits) section or the Sequencing Guide for this major.

II Major Requirements

A. Core requirements (42 credits)

HSRS 101 - Introduction to Health Care and Rehabilitation Credits: 3
HSRS 130 - Introduction to Public Health Credits: 3
HSRS 201 - Introduction to Health Care Ethics Credits: 3
HSRS 310 - Genetics, Health and Behavior Credits: 3
HSRS 325 - Biostatistics Credits: 3
HSRS 410 - Health and Health Care Disparities Credits: 3
HSRS 420 - Evidence-Based Health Care Credits: 3
RHDS 230 - Psychology of Disability and Illness Credits: 3
RHDS 260 - Human Disease and Chronic Illness Credits: 3
RHDS 320 - Concepts of Assessment and Intervention in Health Care Credits: 3
RHDS 370 - Interviewing and Case Study Methods Credits: 3
RHDS 411 - Cultural Competency for Rehabilitation and Health Professions Credits: 3
RHDS 470 - Needs of the Aging Credits: 3
RHDS 482 - Senior Seminar Credits: 3

B. Related requirements (14 credits)

PSYC 101 - Introduction to Psychology Credits: 3
One of the following:
MATH 115 - College Algebra Credits: 3
MATH 125 - Precalculus Mathematics Credits: 3
MATH 131 - Introduction to Calculus with Applications Credits: 3
MATH 140 - Calculus I Credits: 3
8 credits of foundation science courses
either all of:
BIOL 130 - Anatomy and Physiology Concepts I Credits: 3
BIOL 131 - Anatomy and Physiology Concepts II Credits: 3
BIOL 132 - Anatomy and Physiology Concepts I Lab Credits: 1
BIOL 133 - Anatomy and Physiology Concepts II Lab Credits: 1
or all of:
BIOL 121 - Bioscience I Credits: 3
BIOL 122 - Bioscience II Credits: 3
BIOL 123 - Bioscience I Laboratory Credits: 1
BIOL 124 - Bioscience II Laboratory Credits: 1

III. Choose from one of the following required concentrations:

A. Public Health (12 credits)

Four of the courses below are chosen in consultation with your advisor. The requirements listed below may be used to satisfy all of the prerequisites for application to graduate programs in various professions. Work closely with the departmental advisor to insure that all prerequisites for your specific career choice are met.

HSRS 440 - Principles of Epidemiology Credits: 3
HSRS 460 - Health Law Credits: 3
HSRS 470 - Global Health Credits: 3
HSRS 475 - Maternal and Child Health Credits: 3

B. Health Professions (12-13 credits)

HSRS 450 - Behaviorial Neuroscience Credits: 3
PSYC 109 - Human Development Credits: 3
PSYC 221 - Abnormal Psychology Credits: 3
or
NUSC 261 - Introduction to Nutrition Credits: 3
RHDS 475 - Integrated Medicine Credits: 3
or
BIOL 315 - General Microbiology Credits: 3
BIOL 317 - General Microbiology Laboratory Credits: 1

C. Clinical Medicine (16 credits)

Four of the courses below and their labs are chosen in consultation with your advisor. The requirements listed below may be used to satisfy all of the prerequisites for application to graduate programs in various professions. Work closely with the departmental advisor to insure that all prerequisites for your specific career choice are met.

Note: If the BIOL 121/123, 122/124 sequence is used to fulfill part of the Related Requirements in in section B, they may not be used to satisfy the Clinical Medicine Professions requirements.

BIOL 121 - Bioscience I Credits: 3
and
BIOL 123 - Bioscience I Laboratory Credits: 1
BIOL 122 - Bioscience II Credits: 3
and
BIOL 124 - Bioscience II Laboratory Credits: 1
BIOL 250 - Human Anatomy and Physiology I Credits: 3
and
BIOL 252 - Human Anatomy and Physiology I Laboratory Credits: 1
BIOL 251 - Human Anatomy and Physiology II Credits: 3
and
BIOL 253 - Human Anatomy and Physiology II Laboratory Credits: 1
BIOL 315 - General Microbiology Credits: 3
and
BIOL 317 - General Microbiology Laboratory Credits: 1
CHEM 121 - General Chemistry I Credits: 3
and
CHEM 123 - General Chemistry I Laboratory Credits: 1
CHEM 122 - General Chemistry II Credits: 3
and
CHEM 124 - General Chemistry II Laboratory Credits: 1
CHEM 221 - Organic Chemistry I Credits: 3
and
CHEM 223 - Organic Chemistry I Laboratory Credits: 1
CHEM 222 - Organic Chemistry II Credits: 3
and
CHEM 224 - Organic Chemistry II Laboratory Credits: 1
PHYS 210 - General Physics I Credits: 4
PHYS 211 - General Physics II Credits: 4

IV. Electives (to complete a minimum of 120 credits)