PROGRAM TYPE
On Campus
Online
DEGREES
BA, BS
Health Science | BA
Program Overview
The major in Health Science combines a broad science literacy with emphasis on biology and chemistry, with knowledge of particular threats to human health from environmental, occupational, and life-style factors. This preparation builds understanding of the role in human health of communicable diseases, conditions of deprivation or excess, technological hazards, and societal stressors. The advanced student integrates this preparation with a study of individual and community strategies for protecting and enhancing human health.
Goals of the Health Science program:
- Developing academic skills ensuring competency in reading, writing, data analysis, and critical thinking.
- Providing the foundations for understanding health, disease, and disability within individual, community, and global contexts.
- Acquiring the technical skills necessary to gather, analyze, describe, and critically report on health, disease, and disability throughout the lifespan.
- Gaining an appreciation of the interplay between diversity and health and disease.
- Identifying and analyzing ethical principles and decisions predicated on ethically challenging problems.
- Being comfortable discussing scientific issues within historical and cultural contexts.
Course Of Study
Career Opportunity
CAREER
- Cardiovascular technician
- Anesthesia technician
- Dental hygienist
- Occupational therapy assistant
- Physical therapy assistant
- Respiratory therapist
- Surgical technician
- Registered health information technician
- Biomedical equipment technician
- Medical lab technician
- Cancer registrar
- EKG technologist
- Audiology technician
- Pharmacy technician
- Paramedic
- Veterinary technician
- Radiation therapist
- Medical assistant
Program Learning Outcomes
At the successful completion of the course of study in the Health Sciences major, the student will be able to:
- Understand that human health represents a complex interaction of biological and chemical processes as modified by an individual’s genetic profile and life experiences
- Demonstrate a broad basic mastery of human anatomy, physiology and genetics
- Apply introductory level knowledge of inorganic, organic and biochemistry to the discussion of the processes and issues in human health
- Discuss key threats to human health from a variety of sources: environmental, dietary, occupational, genetic, parasites, microbes, and psychological and social stressors
- Use the scientific method to investigate and analyze challenges to human health (formulate hypotheses, design an investigative model, gather and analyze data, and draw conclusions supported by the data)
- Identify, locate, and obtain reliable information in health science from electronic and print sources
- Use an active vocabulary of key scientific terminology adequate to support reading, understanding and discussion of health-related scientific literature and technical reports
- Outline the role of psychological and sociological stressors and supports in human health
- Integrate scientific, social, and ethical considerations in devising strategies for promoting human health
- Articulate the values that underpin health promotion: e.g., the valuing of human life, the right to health information and care, and the right to a healthy environment
- Work collaboratively to accomplish investigative or advocacy goals
- Demonstrate oral and written communication skills equal to the demands of an entry-level professional position in health science
- Count, measure, display and analyze a variety of data types (physical, spatial, temporal)
- Demonstrate a broad science literacy, especially in biology and chemistry, and to apply that knowledge to issues in human health
- Describe and evaluate key threats to health from a variety of factors
- Apply scientific methods to investigate issues in human health
- Integrate scientific, social, cultural, and values-based considerations in addressing human health issues ranging from the community to the global level
- Demonstrate multi-modal communication skills equal to the demands of an entry-level professional position in health science or of entry into graduate programs in the field
Pre-Pharmacy Track
Bachelor of Science in Health Science, Pre-pharmacy Track
Students who plan a career in pharmacy will require a doctoral degree from a school of pharmacy. The first step toward that goal is undergraduate study in the sciences that will prepare the student for success in graduate studies to come. Anna Maria College has an articulation agreement with the University of St. Joseph in West Hartford, CT, that allows students to complete a pre-pharmacy program in three years at Anna Maria College and then enter St. Joseph’s for completion of their doctoral degree in pharmacy. Other students may choose to take four years at Anna Maria to prepare for graduate study in pharmacy at St. Joseph or at another school of pharmacy. The Bachelor degree in Health Science, Pre-Pharmacy track, is the correct major to choose at Anna Maria if a student plans to become a pharmacist. Science faculty advisors help students make sure their course of study includes any electives a particular graduate school may require.
The Health Science major provides the courses required to prepare for graduate study in pharmacy, and combines a broad science literacy, include emphasis on biology and chemistry, with knowledge of particular threats to human health from environmental, occupational, and life-style factors. This preparation builds understanding of the role in human health of communicable diseases, conditions of deprivation or excess, technological hazards, and societal stressors. The advanced student integrates this preparation with a study of individual and community strategies for protecting and enhancing human health.
Rationale and Unique Features
One of the fastest growing employment sectors is in the field of health, including pharmacy. A career in this field requires a strong foundation in the sciences along with an understanding of the societal and individual factors that influence health. This program at Anna Maria offers students a way to accelerate their studies while working toward entry into a highly rated school of pharmacy in the region. All Health Science students are guided in their course selection by a faculty advisor selected from among the science professors.
Target Audience
This major attracts students who have a strong interest in pharmacy and have prepared well in high school for further study in science, especially biology and chemistry.
A student who wants to earn entry into the University of St. Joseph’s pharmacy program in three years must be committed to their studies and be willing to take courses during summer sessions. Students who go on to St. Joseph’s in three years will be awarded their bachelor degree in Health Science from Anna Maria after successful completion of their first year at St. Joseph’s.
Program Learning Outcomes
Students who complete the Bachelor of Science in Health Science degree will have:
- Acquired the basic science literacy needed for entry level work in health science or to prepare for graduate study
- Learned to use investigative and analytical tools central to health research
- Developed skills that allow for evaluation of the complex contexts that shape human health
- The ability to apply values, ethics, and concepts of justice to human health concerns
Self-Designed Major in Exercise Science
The Exercise Science major provides students with a strong evidence-based education in the application of physical activity, prescriptive exercise, and behavioral interventions for the prevention and treatment of chronic health conditions. Students acquire knowledge and develop practical skills from faculty and practitioners to provide primary and secondary prevention and rehabilitative strategies designed to manage health risk and enhance quality of life for apparently healthy individuals and persons with medically controlled diseases and health conditions.
Meet Our Faculty
Mark Griffon
Visiting Professor
Health Science
Sang Kim
Visiting Assistant Professor of Health Science
Academic Affairs
(508) 849-3351
Robert S. Pijewski, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Biology and Mathematics
Health Science
508-849-3483
