Health Sciences Major (B.S.)
https://chhs.unh.edu/kinesiology/program/bs/health-sciences-major
The Health Sciences program is for those students who are concerned with the health and well-being of others, possess a strong science aptitude, and plan to pursue a career in healthcare. As healthcare has evolved in the U.S., degree programs in the allied health professions (physical therapy, physician assistant, etc.) have moved to post-baccalaureate education. Individuals with career interests in allied health professions must first attain prerequisite knowledge to be prepared to study in these advanced degree programs. This rigorous academic program provides the foundational life science coursework and advanced elective course offerings to prepare students for graduate programs in the allied health sciences.
Admission to graduate study in medical or allied health professions is very competitive and requires applicants to demonstrate exemplary academic performance for admission.
Degree Requirements
All Major, Option and Elective Requirements as indicated.
*Major GPA requirements as indicated.
Major Requirements
Students are required to have earned a minimum, cumulative, GPA of 2.85 by the end of their Sophomore/2nd Year in the Health Sciences Major. Students are also required to achieve a C- or better in all required courses in the major. Students with a GPA below 2.85 will be excluded (removed) from the Health Sciences Major.
Core courses required of all Health Sciences concentrations are:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| BIOL 411 | Introductory Biology: Molecular and Cellular | 4 |
| BIOL 412 | Introductory Biology: Evolution, Biodiversity and Ecology | 4 |
| BMS 507 | Human Anatomy and Physiology I | 4 |
| BMS 508 | Human Anatomy and Physiology II | 4 |
| CHEM 403 | General Chemistry I | 4 |
| CHEM 404 | General Chemistry II | 4 |
| HS 501 | Medical Terminology | 2 |
| HS 605 | Exploration of Allied Health Professions | 2 |
| HS 656 | Musculoskeletal Pathologies for Health Professions | 4 |
| HS 657 | Musculoskeletal Pathologies for Health Professions Lab | 1 |
| HS 717 | Cultural Considerations in Health Care | 4 |
| HS 767 | Pharmacology for Health Professions | 4 |
| EXSC 620 | Physiology of Exercise | 4 |
| KIN 585 | Emergency Medical Responder | 4 |
| KIN 652 | Clinical Kinesiology | 4 |
| NUTR 400 | Nutrition in Health and Well Being | 4 |
| PHYS 401 | Introduction to Physics I | 4 |
| PHYS 402 | Introduction to Physics II | 4 |
| PSYC 401 | Introduction to Psychology | 4 |
| PSYC 402 | Statistics in Psychology 1 | 4 |
| or SOC 402 | Statistics | |
| or HHS 540 | Statistics for Health and Human Service Professionals | |
- 1
Any UNH statistics course satisfies the requirement with adviser approval.
Required University Courses
Candidates for a degree must satisfy all of the University Discovery requirements in addition to satisfying the requirements of the Health Sciences curriculum and any pre-requisite coursework needed to apply to the graduate programs they plan to pursue.
Recommended Electives
A student’s plan of elective courses should align with post-baccalaureate pursuits, and be approved by a Health Sciences advisor.
Recommended electives for future health professionals that are external to the Health Sciences courses may include course work in Communication Sciences & Disorders, Human Development & Family Studies, Health & Human Services, Health Management & Policy, Kinesiology, Nursing, Occupational Therapy, Recreation Management & Policy, Social Work, and other coursework in the life sciences and health and human services.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| BMCB 658/659W | General Biochemistry | 3 |
| BMS 503/504 | General Microbiology | 3 |
| CHEM 545/546 | Organic Chemistry | 3 |
| GEN 604 | Principles of Genetics | 4 |
| KIN 684/685 | Emergency Medical Care: Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) | 3 |
| HS 696W | Independent Study | 2-4 |
| HS 770 | General Medical Conditions for Health Professions | 4 |
| KIN 706 | Neurology | 4 |
| PSYC 561 | Abnormal Behavior | 4 |
| PSYC 581 | Child Development | 4 |
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | |
| BMS 507 | Human Anatomy and Physiology I | 4 |
| BIOL 411 | Introductory Biology: Molecular and Cellular | 4 |
| ENGL 401 | First-Year Writing | 4 |
| Discovery/Elective (HU) | 4 | |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Spring | ||
| BMS 508 | Human Anatomy and Physiology II | 4 |
| BIOL 412 | Introductory Biology: Evolution, Biodiversity and Ecology | 4 |
| HS 501 | Medical Terminology | 2 |
| PSYC 401 | Introduction to Psychology | 4 |
| Discovery/Elective (FPA) | 4 | |
| Credits | 18 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| HS 605 | Exploration of Allied Health Professions (fall or spring) | 2 |
| CHEM 403 | General Chemistry I | 4 |
| EXSC 620 | Physiology of Exercise | 4 |
| KIN 585 | Emergency Medical Responder | 4 |
| Discovery/Elective (ETS) | 4 | |
| Credits | 18 | |
| Spring | ||
| CHEM 404 | General Chemistry II | 4 |
| NUTR 400 | Nutrition in Health and Well Being | 4 |
| PSYC 402 | Statistics in Psychology 1 | 4 |
| Discovery Elective (WC) | 4 | |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Third Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| PHYS 401 | Introduction to Physics I | 4 |
| HS 767 | Pharmacology for Health Professions | 4 |
| Discovery Elective (HP) | 4 | |
| Discovery Elective (see recommended electives under requirements) | 4 | |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Spring | ||
| PHYS 402 | Introduction to Physics II | 4 |
| HS 656 | Musculoskeletal Pathologies for Health Professions | 4 |
| HS 657 | Musculoskeletal Pathologies for Health Professions Lab | 1 |
| KIN 652 | Clinical Kinesiology | 4 |
| Discovery Elective (see recommended electives under requirements) | 4 | |
| Credits | 17 | |
| Fourth Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| Discovery Elective (see recommended electives under requirements) | 4 | |
| Discovery Elective (see recommended electives under requirements) | 4 | |
| Discovery Elective (see recommended electives under requirements) | 4 | |
| Discovery Elective (see recommended electives under requirements) | ||
| Credits | 12 | |
| Spring | ||
| HS 717 | Cultural Considerations in Health Care | 4 |
| Discovery Elective (see recommended electives under requirements) | 4 | |
| Discovery Elective (see recommended electives under requirements) | ||
| Discovery Elective (see recommended electives under requirements) | 4 | |
| Credits | 12 | |
| Total Credits | 125 | |
- Demonstrate understanding of core principles of biology, chemistry, physics, anatomy and physiology, psychology, and kinesiology.
- Demonstrate comprehension of musculoskeletal evaluation and assessment techniques.
- Demonstrate responsiveness to cultural considerations in healthcare. a.) Understand influence of age, race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, spirituality, socioeconomic status, and other aspects of diversity on individual healthcare needs and health-related quality of life.
- Demonstrate an understanding of scientific research and writing. a.) Ability to identify and analyze scholarly literature. b.) Ability to synthesize and articulate research findings through writing.
- Demonstrate knowledge of behaviors, scopes of practice, and legal and ethical standards for health professions.
- Understand concepts of evidence-based practice and patient-centered care for health professions.