Health Sciences, B.S. Program (120 units)
Program Description
Degree programs within the Department are some of the fastest growing programs at Cal State East Bay. Students majoring in Health Sciences are driven to improve the health of their communities and California. They are preparing for careers in fields such as nursing, medicine, law, policy, and public health.
The Department’s programs focus on understanding human health from a population perspective with a strong emphasis on health equity, social justice, and the health effects of climate change. It asks 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 which is core to its approach. The Department’s goal is to help students develop strong critical thinking skills, team work, and strong problem-solving skill.
Another emphasis is placed on 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. The Department focuses on helping students develop the skills to face some of these health challenges and to see them as an opportunity to design a sustainable future.
The general BS in Health Sciences is designed to be flexible for students who may wish to pursue a career in professional fields (such as medicine, law, nursing, physician assistant or other allied health fields); who want to explore human health more generally; or who want to design a program of study with their advisor.
The program also offers concentrations in Health Policy and in Public Health. The concentration in public health prepares students for careers that focus on population health and the health of communities. The Health Policy concentration focuses on evidence-based solutions to problems related to public programs, policies and procedures related to health.
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.
Program Roadmaps
These program roadmaps represent recommended pathways through the program. Please see an advisor to create an education plan that is customized to meet your needs.
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4-Year Freshmen Roadmaps
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2-Year ADT Roadmaps
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Career Opportunities
Public health and healthcare are among the largest industries in the United States and employs millions of workers. The demand for skilled public health and healthcare professionals is high.
There are a number of career opportunities in the health field. 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.
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).
Note: It may be possible to double-count units within the graduation requirements or that a course may satisfy both a graduation requirement and a major requirement. Students should contact their program and AACE advisors for information.
Health Sciences Major Requirements (76-79 units)
Note: All courses for degree credit with a HSC prefix must be completed with a C- or better.
Lower Division Core
The following lower-division interdisciplinary coursework for 25 units are required:
Upper Division Core
The following 18 units of Health Science coursework is required:
Concentrations
Students may choose one of the following concentrations for 33 units to complete their program plan. Students not selecting to complete a concentration must take an additional 30 units of electives.
Capstone Requirement
The following capstone is required.
Public Health Concentration
Public health promotes and protects the health of people and the communities where they live, learn, work and play. Public health works to track disease outbreaks, prevent injuries, and shed light on why some populations and communities are more likely to suffer from poor health than others. Public health professions work collaboratively and across disciplines to assure the conditions in which people can be healthy.
The Concentration in Public Health in the Bachelor of Science Degree Program aims to prepare qualified, diverse, and committed graduates qualified to understand and address complex public health challenges, locally, nationally, and globally. Upon successful completion of Concentration requirements, graduates will be able to:
- Define public health and related roles and responsibilities of government, non-government agencies, and private organizations.
- Evaluate the source and quality of health information, research, data, or public health interventions, which assess and/or address the well-being of a population, as they relate to individual and community health.
- Analyze the magnitude of health concerns faced by vulnerable and at-risk communities accounting for the role of gender, race, ethnicity, social determinants, and other dynamic influences affecting population health.
- Assess the role of community engagement in promoting population health and social justice by discussing public health interventions and the values and perspectives of diverse individuals, communities, and cultures and their influence on health behaviors and practices.
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