Health Sciences, B.S. Program (120 units)
Program Description
Health Sciences is an interdisciplinary field that focuses on the application of physical, biological, and social sciences to understand and to improve health in human beings. It is an applied science that focuses on knowledge necessary to practice in both clinical and population health settings.
Our program helps students to understand health at the individual level, the community level and the population level. In addition to the biomedical model of health, we ask students to think critically and to explore health from a variety of perspectives and to understand the role that culture has in constructing health.
The program also emphasizes problem-based learning. Our goal is to help students develop strong critical thinking skills, team work, and strong problem-solving skills rooted in a population perspective.
Our program emphasizes the environmental factors that impact human health. The effects of climate change have an immediate and long-term effect on human health and the communities of California. Our program focuses on helping students develop the skills to face some of these health challenges.
The BS in Health Sciences without a concentration is designed to prepare students to enter directly into careers in health care or to enter into post-graduate professional programs such as medicine, physician assistant, occupational therapy, nursing, radiation technician, and other clinical fields.
The program also offers concentrations in Health Policy and in Public Health.
Career Opportunities
The health care field is the second largest industry in the United States and employs millions of workers. The demand for highly trained health care workers is high.
There are a number of career opportunities working in health sciences. There is a high demand for workers in clinical fields such as medicine, nursing, occupational therapy, physical therapy, laboratory technology, and other clinical fields.
In addition to clinical fields, there are opportunities in research, technology, administration, finance, pharmaceuticals, and environmental protection and sanitation. There are many career opportunities in fields such as public health and health policy as well.
Program Learning Outcomes
Students graduating with a BS in Health Sciences will be able to:
- Use knowledge and skills to provide effective, necessary, and appropriate health services and public health interventions in diverse and multicultural communities.
- Work effectively on a team in health and health care.
- Act ethically and responsibly.
- Use critical thinking, knowledge, and expertise to address complex challenges in health and health care.
- Apply population perspectives in the health professions
- Apply knowledge of the role of the environment and of climate change in human health in ways that improve population health and sustainability
Degree Requirements Unit-Outline
- A baccalaureate of arts degree requires a total of 120 units:
- The major requirements consists of 76-79 units;
- General Education & Graduation Requirements consists of 57 units (up to 9 units may be double-counted - see your advisor to determine which, if any, GE/GR units can be double-counted for your program plan);
- Free Electives that remain = 0 units (actual # of free elective units may depend on GE units).
Health Policy Concentration
Public policy is increasingly central to society’s efforts to promote and protect human health, both at the individual level and at the population level. As the regulations, statutes, and court rulings that affect public health, the environment, and health care systems become more and more complex, the need for health policy professionals has never been higher.
The Concentration in Health Policy in the Bachelor of Science Degree Program is designed to provide students with a solid grounding in policy theory, policy development, the policymaking process, policy enforcement and policy evaluation. Students are trained in policy processes that occur at all jurisdictional levels, ranging from local communities, to the state, national, and international levels, and will become familiar with the range of stakeholders and institutions influencing health policy.
The program emphasizes teamwork, critical thinking, and problem solving skills. Upon successful completion of the Concentration requirements, graduates will be competent as professionals to recommend evidence-based solutions to problems related to public programs, policies and procedures related to health.
