Health and Exercise Science

The broad-based curriculum in health science offers a range of educational experiences that can be tailored to support a student’s personal goals and interests or preparation for a post-baccalaureate degree program in related healthcare disciplines (i.e. AT, PT, OT).  The purpose of the program is to offer an opportunity for students to gain foundational scientific and practical knowledge that enhance health and wellness across the lifespan and to serve as the academic foundation for the allied health professions.

Upon satisfactory completion of the Health Sciences Program, Graduates should be able to:

Apply Knowledge of and Analyze Healthcare Systems

• Utilize knowledge of the principles and processes of the basic sciences and the scientific method in their completion of basic science courses, and other experiential learning.
• Describe and assess basic components of the U.S. healthcare system, including care delivery, financing, quality and management challenges.
• Apply this knowledge to issues of healthcare access, quality and health disparities.
• Describe the roles and responsibilities of stakeholders in health, including health care professionals, the community and policy makers.

Apply Knowledge of Biological Sciences & Behavioral Sciences

• Identify the basic structure-function relationships of the human body and the skeletomuscular system.
• Describe the relationships between the skeletal and muscular system and movement.
• Discuss the structure and functional changes in tissue and organs of the body, which cause or are caused by disease processes and mechanisms.
• Describe normal processes of growth and development across the life span.
• Identify the principles of human behavior.
• Discuss the pathologies of abnormal functioning.

Construct Evidence Based Practice Methods and Analytic Strategies

• Apply independent decision making grounded in evidence-based practice/best practices.
• Describe and assess the evidence-based practice model of health information utilization and paradigm approaches.
• Apply this knowledge to analyze, critically appraise external and internal evidence and interrupt publications.  

Define and Explain Faith and Learning

• Successfully utilize expressive and receptive skills to effectively demonstrate faith and values with peers, educators and the community at large.

Develop Knowledge and Analyze Cultural Competency and Healthcare Ethics

• Discuss a conscious effort to view people in terms of their individual characteristics rather than group membership.
• Knowledge of reducing stereotyping and stigmatization.
• Knowledge of interventions that address physical barriers to access healthcare.

Identify and Communicate Health Information Effectively

• Knowledge of shared decision-making between patients and providers.
• Build social support networks.
• Knowledge of how to deliver accurate, accessible and actionable health information.
• Identify the meanings of medical terms in the context of the structure and function of the human body in health and disease.  
• Demonstrate, through the use of correct/appropriate language, the ability to effectively communicate with a prospective patient.