Foundations of Health Science

This program is primarily designed for students contemplating work in healthcare, including nursing, physical therapy, midwifery, athletic training, nutrition and others. The program is appropriate for students who want to learn more about chemical and biological functions on both a macroscopic and microscopic level and those who are interested in studying science in an integrated and thematic context related to human health. This course is also appropriate for students interested in public health or public policy who want a solid foundation in biology and chemistry or students who wish to study rigorous science as part of a liberal arts education.

This is a year-long, laboratory-based program exploring introductory concepts of biology and chemistry with a focus on health and medicine. Over the course of three quarters, we will study portions of general chemistry, organic chemistry, biochemistry, general biology, microbiology, immunology, anatomy and physiology, genetics and nutrition.

In our explorations, we will incorporate laboratory work, lectures, group projects, seminars, textbook homework assignments, workshops and field trips. Students will learn to describe their work through scientific writing and public presentations. During spring quarter, students will conduct an independent or small-group scientific investigation designed in collaboration with the program faculty, the results of which they will present in talks and papers at the end of the quarter.

Completion of this program will give students some of the prerequisites they need for careers in the allied health fields and public health, as well as preparation for further upper division science study. Students anticipating future enrollment in Molecule to Organism may need supplementary chemistry courses. Overall, we expect students to end the program in the spring with a working knowledge of scientific principles relating to human health, the ability to apply these principles to solve problems, and hands-on experience in natural science.