What Courses Will I Take?
As an interdisciplinary program of study, the health science major includes courses from a variety of disciplines in addition to courses specific to the major. These courses will incorporate and build upon the liberal arts core with a focus on their application to health science. The study of health sciences incorporates the biological, behavioral, social, political, and economic sciences as they apply to overall healthcare. A sample selection of courses that highlight the uniqueness of the major can be seen below.
Currently, two specialization tracks are proposed: general studies in health science and radiography. For specific requirements of each track, see “Curriculum.”
In addition to traditional coursework, the General Studies track of the program also includes a credited internship through CEEL for students to gain experience in settings from research facilities to community health centers and healthcare facilities.
Following three years of traditional course work at Saint Peter’s University to fulfill the core and major health science requirements, the Radiography track requires two years of study with clinical experiences, including summers, at Englewood Hospital School of Radiography.
This program is not intended for students interested in post-baccalaureate health professions programs, such as medical school, dental school, and physician assistant or physical therapy programs; the biology or chemistry program of study is more applicable to such programs due to the prerequisites and standardized testing components associated with acceptance to those programs.
Courses
HL-180. Foundations of Health Science. 3 Credits
An introductory course to the health sciences, will explore the perspectives of diverse but interrelated health professions of public health, individual health, and healthcare delivery. The course will address health maintenance, employability skills, teamwork, and safety practices to ensure effective patient-centered outcomes between healthcare professionals, patients and caregivers. Students will learn the technical skills for measuring and recording vital signs, including CPR and OSHA certification. Prerequisites: BI-171
LW-156. Legal Aspects of Health Care. 3 Credits.
Analysis of the legal aspects of health care, including general contracts, confidentiality of records, insurance liability, and malpractice.
MA-210. Mathematics for Health Sciences. 3 Credits
As students in this course master foundational mathematics, they will identify the application of mathematics to various professions in the health sciences and allied fields. The concepts they study include but are not limited to the fundamentals of mathematical computation; metric, household, apothecary and other measurement systems; scientific notation, exponents, and logarithms; ratios, proportions, direct and inverse variations, and percentages; formulas and literal equations; medical dosage calculations; and problem-solving strategies pertinent to applications in the health sciences embedded within real-life scenarios. Course Type(s): Core curriculum course.
HM-210. Health Care Issues and Organization. 3 Credits.
An introduction to current health care issues including telemedicine as well as political and pluralistic factors impacting healthcare are explored. Overview of types of healthcare systems and organizations including non-profit and proprietary institutions is addressed.
BI-220. Concepts of Human Health & Disease. 3 Credits
A survey of the mechanisms of disease, their expression in major organ systems, the factors that cause disruption of healthy body functions, leading to disease, and disease prevention. The goal is to use scientific reasoning to make informed decisions about matters related to human biology and health. Prerequisites: BI-171 and BI-172
BI-271. Concepts of Public Health. 3 Credits.
Introduction to Public Health Issues – public health laws, policy cycle, demographics, and epidemiological concepts and applications.
BI-303. Medical Terminology. 3 Credits.
This course is designed to provide the student with a basic understanding of the unique language needed to communicate effectively as a health care professional. A major focus is to develop skill sin word analysis. The basic structure of medical terms and the rules for word building and word deconstruction will be discussed in the context of how the body works in health and disease. Prerequisites: BI-215 OR BI-172
HL-320. Healthcare Leadership & Communication. 3 Credits.
An introduction to healthcare management, including concepts, theories, and applications of strategic leadership and management practices for increasing the effectiveness of healthcare organizations and overall patient outcomes. Focus also on communication skills to deliver health information to a wide range of audiences such as patients, families, caregivers, healthcare providers, and communities, through interpersonal and organizational channels. Prerequisites: HM-210
BI-330. Environmental Health. 3 Credits
Topics include pollution, including environmental endocrine disruptors/ plasticizers, plastic micro particles ; food safety; natural resources and their conservation, natural medicinal products, positive effects of nature; emerging infectious diseases; climate change and health; malnutrition; the diabesity epidemic; environmental causes of birth defects and cancer. Prerequisites: BI-172 or BI-215
SO-368. Health and Inequalities: Race, Class and Gender. 3 Credits.
This course critically examines the relationship between health status and social inequalities along the lines of race and ethnicity, social class and gender. We begin with an overview of epidemiology and the idea of studying health from a sociological perspective. We then consider the complex relationship between socio-economic status (class) and health statuses, followed by an examination of specific health issues for major racial/ethnic minorities and gender groups. We will try to understand how low socioeconomic status leads to poor health, how conscious, unconscious, and institutionalized racial/gender bias affects medical care and health outcomes, and address ideas for reducing health disparities among all groups. Prerequisites: SO-121; Course Type(s): Pluralism, Core curriculum course.
HL-485. Current Issues and Trends: Interprofessional Health Science. 4 Credits.
Research based Capstone course for the health science major; Students will analyze and evaluate professional/ scientific literature and materials regarding public health challenges to support decision making related to healthcare issues from various viewpoints and strategies. Includes a community service project. Prerequisites: HL-320