Health Sciences

Health Science

Associate Professor: Leila S. Jabbour,

Assistant Professors: Thomas E. Bennett, Tongyu Ma, Lindsay Vago

A Bachelor of Science degree is offered in Health Sciences to traditional students.

The mission of the Health Sciences major is to prepare students for entry into graduate programs including Physical Therapy, Nursing, Occupational Therapy, Physician Assistant, Medical School, Dental School, Veterinary School and others. The wide variety of course offerings will also allow students to explore careers in public health agencies, research, healthcare management, science writing, elder services, health education, wellness services, human services, health insurance, and pharmaceutical sales.

The curriculum develops critical thinking skills, the ability to use the medical and basic scientific primary literature, a broad biomedical knowledge base, and a clear understanding of the requirements necessary to succeed in the application to graduate schools in healthcare related fields. Students interested in careers and graduate programs in healthcare are encouraged to meet with a member of the Health Sciences Advising Committee early in their program.  Faculty members of this committee will assist the student in self-assessment, development of career goals, and construction of a realistic plan for the student’s successful attainment of their goals. 

Accelerated Bachelor of Science degree in Health Science
Franklin Pierce offers motivated students the opportunity to complete their undergraduate Health Science degrees in just three years. Students completing their undergraduate degrees through the Accelerated Program save a year’s tuition and fees and enter the job market earlier or can choose to apply to our graduate program a year earlier. Several accelerated options are available to new and continuing students who have a record of strong academic achievement and a desire to advance their education. 

Personalized schedules are available to student athletes and those with work or volunteer commitments so students can take advantage of all that Franklin Pierce has to offer. The following options are available: 

3-year Accelerated Health Science degree 
Complete your undergraduate Health Science degree in three years. 

3+2.5 Accelerated Health Science degree + Doctor of Physical Therapy 
Complete your undergraduate Health Science degree in three years and the Doctor of Physical Therapy degree in 2.5 years.

4+2.5 Traditional Health Science degree + Doctor of Physical Therapy
Complete your undergraduate Health Science degree in four years and the Doctor of Physical Therapy degree in 2.5 years.

3+2 Accelerated Health Science degree + Master of Physician Assistant Studies
Complete your undergraduate Health Science degree in three years and the Master of Physician Assistant Studies in 2 years.

4+2 Traditional Health Science degree + Master of Physician Assistant Studies
Complete your undergraduate Health Science degree in four years and the Master of Physician Assistant Studies in 2 years.

3+1.5 Accelerated Health Science degree + Master’s Entry to Practice Nursing 
Complete your undergraduate Health Science degree in three years and the Master’s Entry to Practice Nursing in 1.5 years.

4+1.5 Traditional Health Science degree + Master’s Entry to Practice Nursing
Complete your undergraduate Health Science degree in four years and the Master’s Entry to Practice Nursing in 1.5 years.

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Major Reqirements

Applying to the Accelerated Health Science Programs 
• Minimum cumulative grade point average (CGPA), in academic courses only, of a 3.0 on a 4.0 scale (84/100) 
• Equivalent of four years of math with a final grade of B+ (87/100) or higher in each class 
• Equivalent of four years of science with a final grade of B+ (87/100) or higher in each class 
• Demonstrated leadership through community and school activities; related healthcare experience is highly desirable. 

Accelerated Health Science Requirements 
To be eligible for a Health Science degree, students must fulfill the major and GLE requirements. In addition, the following are the program requirements for students admitted into the accelerated programs: 
• Maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.2.
• Obtain no less than a “B” in all of the Health Science major requirements. 

In the event that students do not meet these requirements they will be transitioned into our standard Health Science program.

Health Science Curriculum 
The curriculum for the accelerated and traditional Health Science program is the same, the difference being that the accelerated program requires course work to be completed over the summer terms.  
The Health Science program is able to accommodate prerequisites for the DPT, MPAS, and MEPN program.  You do not need to determine the specific graduate program you wish to pursue until the spring semester of your junior year, this is where the program prerequisites diverge. Since the Health Science program incorporates elective courses in their curriculum, we have suggested courses which will directly benefit that chosen graduate profession. 
 
All Health Sciences majors take the following major requirements (40 credits): 
In addition to all graduation requirements, the following courses must be completed successfully: 

BI101-102     Biology I and II (laboratory) 8 credits
BI215            Biology and Health Sciences Seminar 3 credits
BI235            Human Health and Nutrition 3 credits
BI260            Human Anatomy & Physiology I 4 credits
BI261            Human Anatomy & Physiology II 4 credits
BI370            Medical Terminology and Health Systems 3 credits
BI400            Kinesiology (laboratory) 4 credits or
BI402            Exercise Physiology (laboratory) 4 credits
BI460            Internship in Biology or 
BI480            Senior Seminar in Biology/Health Sciences or
BI481            Invited Senior Research 3 credits
CH101-102   General Chemistry I & II (laboratory) 8 credits
 
Health Sciences Electives
In addition to the major requirements, students must choose 20 elective credits with a minimum of 6 credits above the 300-level from the list below:

AN325 Medical Anthropology 
BI261 Anatomy & Physiology II (laboratory) 
BI302 Food Production 
BI310 Research Methods

BI325 Microbiology (laboratory) 
BI326 Parasitology 
BI327 Principles of Immunology 
BI329 Special Topics 
BI337 Advanced Nutrition 
BI351 Endocrinology 
BI353 Introduction to Pharmacology 
BI400 Kinesiology/Biomechanics (laboratory) 
BI402 Physiology of Exercise (laboratory) 
BI403 Assessment and Prescription of Fitness 
BI404 Strength and Conditioning Science 
CH211 Organic Chemistry 1 
CH212 Organic Chemistry 2 
CH321 Biochemistry (laboratory) 
ES305 Health, Human Rights, and Environmental Justice 
HCA315 Epidemiology 
HCA340 Healthcare Finance 
HCA350 Healthcare Systems Management and Quality Improvement 
HCA360 Healthcare Ethics, Policy, and Law 
HCA390 Internship 
HCA450 Leadership and Management in Healthcare Organizations
PH101 Physics 1 
PH102 Physics 2 
PS304 Introduction to Neuroscience (laboratory) 
PS430  Introduction to Psychopharmacology 
PUBH303 Biostatistics 
PUBH310 Foundations of Environmental Health Sciences 
PUBH313 Psychological, Behavioral, and Social Issues in Public Health 

Recommended Curriculum Guide - Health Sciences

Accelerated 3 Year Health Science Curriculum

 

Program Courses