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 students with a broad understanding of current issues in health care, and emphasizes skills and concepts that are valuable for anyone pursuing a career in the health care field. Students learn the principles of clinical decision-making, evidence-based practice, and health research, as well as topics related to the health system as a whole including legal, ethical, and policy-related issues.

The Health Science major teaches students about the roles of different professionals in the health care field and facilitates students’ exploration of career goals and specific areas of interest. The major provides a flexible course of study, and students work closely with their faculty advisors in the program to choose courses that allow them to explore their interests and gain educational preparation for career opportunities after college or to support preparation for professional education at the graduate level.

Students in the Health Science major have opportunities to gain practical experience in health-related settings, and are encouraged to engage in guided research experiences to address health research questions.

For more information about this major, contact Dr. Sofija Zagarins, Coordinator of the Health Science major at (413) 748-3482 szagarins@springfieldcollege.edu or the Admissions Office at (800) 343-1257.

Download a Health Science Program Checksheet

CURRICULAR REQUIREMENTS

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 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 - Behavioral 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

Academic Catalog