Health Sciences
Major: Health Sciences
Degree Awarded: Bachelor of Science (BS)
Calendar Type: Quarter
Total Credit Hours: 180.5
Co-op Options: One Co-op (Four years)
Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) code: 51.1199
Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) code: 11-9111
About the Program
The Bachelor’s degree program in Health Sciences at Drexel University exposes students to a wide variety of careers in health care and related professions. Our emphasis on interdisciplinary study, coupled with expert faculty, gives students the opportunity to explore different facets of health-related professions before matriculating to specialized graduate programs or entering the workplace. Whether you are on the fast track to a career in health professions or still finding your path, our Health Sciences Program offers a multitude of options for completing your degree.
What you will learn
The Health Sciences Program offers a rigorous four-year curriculum for students interested in pursuing careers in health-related professions. Courses in health and clinical sciences, research methods, statistics, and healthcare ethics are combined with a core curriculum of mathematics, humanities, and social sciences to provide a fully integrated and comprehensive curriculum.
Career Opportunities
Health care professions are one of the fastest growing job sectors in the United States. There is tremendous demand for trained health care providers at all levels. In the Health Sciences Program, our multidisciplinary approach, flexible curriculum, and co-op experience provide students with a highly competitive edge in the market place and in the pursuit of graduate program admission. Some of the fields Health Sciences graduates can expect to pursue post-graduation include:
- Rehabilitation Professions
- Physical therapy
- Occupational therapy
- Speech and language pathology
- Cardiac rehabilitation
- Physician Assistant Studies
- Medicine and Dentistry
- Optometry
- Audiology
- Clinical Research
- Public Health and Health Advocacy
- Nursing
- Exercise Physiology
- Nutrition Sciences
- Bioethics
- Health Psychology
Co-op Experience
Drexel University has long been known for its cooperative education programs. As part of the Health Sciences curriculum, students incorporate a six-month co-op experience into their plan of study. This allows students to learn from healthcare leaders at renowned facilities nationwide. By building career-related employment into undergraduate study, students gain work experience, network with healthcare professionals, and hone their clinical and research skills. Some local co-op employers of Health Sciences students include Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Magee Rehabilitation Hospital, Bryn Mawr Rehabilitation Hospital, Hahnemann University Hospital, Good Shepherd Penn Partners, NovaCare, and many other health care facilities in the region.
Accelerated Options
The Health Sciences program offers accelerated academic tracks for high achieving students to pursue degrees in the Physician Assistant Studies program and the Doctor of Physical Therapy program within the College of Nursing and Health Professions.
Articulation Agreement Options
Drexel’s Health Sciences Department and Salus University’s Occupational Therapy Department have partnered to offer a BS/MSOT sequential degree program. In the BS/MSOT Option, students first complete a Bachelor of Science (BS) degree in Health Sciences at Drexel University, then enroll into the 2-year Master of Science in Occupational Therapy (MSOT) program at Salus University.
Optional Concentration in Exercise Science
Drexel Graduate Options in Biomedical Sciences
Graduates of the Health Sciences program may also continue their education in the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences and Professional Studies which offers over 40 doctoral, master's and professional development programs. These academic programs emphasize real-world experience and help guide students to make career decisions that best fit their abilities and evolving needs.
For more information, visit the Health Sciences Program page at the College of Nursing and Health Professions web site.
Degree Requirements
| General Requirements | ||
| CIVC 101 | Introduction to Civic Engagement | 1.0 |
| COOP 101 | Career Management and Professional Development | 0.0 |
| UNIV NH101 | The Drexel Experience | 1.0 |
| English Sequence | ||
| ENGL 101 | Composition and Rhetoric I: Inquiry and Exploratory Research | 3.0 |
| ENGL 102 | Composition and Rhetoric II: Advanced Research and Evidence-Based Writing | 3.0 |
| ENGL 103 | Composition and Rhetoric III: Themes and Genres | 3.0 |
| Biology Sequence | ||
| BIO 122 | Cells and Genetics | 4.5 |
| BIO 124 | Evolution & Organismal Diversity | 4.5 |
| BIO 126 | Physiology and Ecology | 4.5 |
| BIO 226 | Microbiology for Health Professionals | 5.0 |
| Chemistry Sequence | ||
| CHEM 101 | General Chemistry I | 3.5 |
| CHEM 102 | General Chemistry II | 4.5 |
| CHEM 103 | General Chemistry III | 5.0 |
| Mathematics Sequence | ||
| MATH 101 | Introduction to Analysis I | 4.0 |
| MATH 102 | Introduction to Analysis II | 4.0 |
| Communications | ||
| COM 320 [WI] | Science Writing | 3.0 |
| Health Systems | ||
| ECON 240 | Economics of Health Care Systems | 4.0 |
| HSAD 210 | Health-Care Ethics I | 3.0 |
| Complete 1 of the following courses: | 3.0 | |
| Advanced Health-Care Ethics | ||
| Introduction to Health-Systems Administration | ||
| Ethics in Health Care Management | ||
| Psychology | ||
| PSY 101 | General Psychology I | 3.0 |
| Two Psychology (PSY) and/or Behavioral Health Counseling (BACS) courses (minimum 6.0 credits) | 6.0 | |
| Sociology | ||
| SOC 101 | Introduction to Sociology | 3.0 |
| Two Sociology (SOC) courses (minimum 6.0 credits) | 8.0 | |
| Humanities | ||
| Three Humanities (HUM, HIST, ANTH, PHIL or language electives) (minimum 9.0 credits) | 9.0 | |
| Public Health | ||
| PBHL 101 | Public Health 101 | 3.0 |
| One Public Health (PBHL) course (minimum 3.0 credits) | 3.0 | |
| Anatomy & Physiology Courses | ||
| ANAT 101 | Anatomy & Physiology I | 5.0 |
| ANAT 102 | Anatomy & Physiology II | 5.0 |
| ANAT 103 | Anatomy & Physiology III | 5.0 |
| Research Courses | ||
| HSCI 310 | Introduction to Research Methods | 4.0 |
| HSCI 315 | Current Issues in Health Sciences | 4.0 |
| Statistics and Assessment | ||
| HSCI 201 | Health Assessment through the Lifespan | 4.0 |
| STS 345 | Statistics for the Health Sciences | 4.0 |
| Health Sciences electives (HSCI, PHGY, ANAT, NEUR, NFS) * | 32.0 | |
| Free electives | 19.0 | |
| Total Credits | 180.5 | |
| * | Health Sciences electives include any HSCI, ANAT, PHGY, NEUR or NFS course. Up to two BIO courses may be used as Health Sciences electives with advisor permission. All 100-level freshman course requirements in BIO, CHEM, ENGL, and MATH must be complete by the time a student reaches 135.0 credits. |
Optional Concentration in Exercise Science
The concentration in Exercise Science helps prepare students for graduate studies in Exercise Physiology. In addition, the concentration provides foundational knowledge and skills for a variety of fitness certifications from the American College of Sports Medicine, National Strength and Conditioning Association, and others. These certifications are often required of graduates interested in seeking employment in the fitness industry.
Students wishing to complete the concentration in Exercise Science must complete the courses listed below as 17.0 of their elective credits.
| Required courses: | ||
| HSCI 325 | Exercise Physiology | 4.0 |
| HSCI 326 | Applied Anatomy and Kinesiology | 4.0 |
| Complete 9.0 credits from the following list: | ||
| Musculoskeletal Pathophysiology | ||
| Senior Research Project | ||
| Special Topics in Health Sciences | ||
| Nutrition, Foods, and Health and Introduction to Nutrition & Food | ||
| Nutrition & Exercise Physiology | ||
Writing-Intensive Course Requirements
In order to graduate, all students must pass three writing-intensive courses after their freshman year. Two writing-intensive courses must be in a student's major. The third can be in any discipline. Students are advised to take one writing-intensive class each year, beginning with the sophomore year, and to avoid “clustering” these courses near the end of their matriculation. Transfer students need to meet with an academic advisor to review the number of writing-intensive courses required to graduate.
A "WI" next to a course in this catalog may indicate that this course can fulfill a writing-intensive requirement. For the most up-to-date list of writing-intensive courses being offered, students should check the Writing Intensive Course List at the University Writing Program. Students scheduling their courses can also conduct a search for courses with the attribute "WI" to bring up a list of all writing-intensive courses available that term.
Sample Plans of Study
BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN HEALTH SCIENCES - 12 TERMS
2 terms of COOP occur after Term 7.
| Term 1 | Credits | |
|---|---|---|
| BIO 122 | Cells and Genetics | 4.5 |
| CHEM 101 | General Chemistry I | 3.5 |
| ENGL 101 | Composition and Rhetoric I: Inquiry and Exploratory Research | 3.0 |
| UNIV NH101 | The Drexel Experience | 1.0 |
| Free elective | 3.0 | |
| Term Credits | 15.0 | |
| Term 2 | ||
| BIO 124 | Evolution & Organismal Diversity | 4.5 |
| CHEM 102 | General Chemistry II | 4.5 |
| CIVC 101 | Introduction to Civic Engagement | 1.0 |
| ENGL 102 | Composition and Rhetoric II: Advanced Research and Evidence-Based Writing | 3.0 |
| MATH 101 | Introduction to Analysis I | 4.0 |
| Term Credits | 17.0 | |
| Term 3 | ||
| BIO 126 | Physiology and Ecology | 4.5 |
| CHEM 103 | General Chemistry III | 5.0 |
| ENGL 103 | Composition and Rhetoric III: Themes and Genres | 3.0 |
| MATH 102 | Introduction to Analysis II | 4.0 |
| Term Credits | 16.5 | |
| Term 4 | ||
| ANAT 101 | Anatomy & Physiology I | 5.0 |
| BIO 226 | Microbiology for Health Professionals | 5.0 |
| STS 345 | Statistics for the Health Sciences | 4.0 |
| Free elective | 3.0 | |
| Term Credits | 17.0 | |
| Term 5 | ||
| ANAT 102 | Anatomy & Physiology II | 5.0 |
| COOP 101 | Career Management and Professional Development | 0.0 |
| PSY 101 | General Psychology I | 3.0 |
| Free elective | 3.0 | |
| Health Sciences elective* | 4.0 | |
| Term Credits | 15.0 | |
| Term 6 | ||
| ANAT 103 | Anatomy & Physiology III | 5.0 |
| COM 320 [WI] | Science Writing | 3.0 |
| HSAD 210 | Health-Care Ethics I | 3.0 |
| HSCI 310 | Introduction to Research Methods | 4.0 |
| Term Credits | 15.0 | |
| Term 7 | ||
| SOC 101 | Introduction to Sociology | 3.0 |
| One of the following: | 3.0 | |
| Advanced Health-Care Ethics | ||
| Introduction to Health-Systems Administration | ||
| Ethics in Health Care Management | ||
| PSY elective | 3.0 | |
| Free elective | 3.0 | |
| Term Credits | 12.0 | |
| Term 8 | ||
| PBHL 101 | Public Health 101 | 3.0 |
| HSCI 315 | Current Issues in Health Sciences | 4.0 |
| Health Sciences electives* | 6.0 | |
| Term Credits | 13.0 | |
| Term 9 | ||
| HSCI 201 | Health Assessment through the Lifespan | 4.0 |
| Health Sciences electives* | 4.0 | |
| Sociology elective | 4.0 | |
| Free elective | 3.0 | |
| Term Credits | 15.0 | |
| Term 10 | ||
| ECON 240 | Economics of Health Care Systems | 4.0 |
| Health Sciences electives* | 7.0 | |
| Free elective | 3.0 | |
| Term Credits | 14.0 | |
| Term 11 | ||
| Health Sciences elective* | 3.0 | |
| Humanities/Social Science electives | 6.0 | |
| Sociology elective | 4.0 | |
| Free elective* | 3.0 | |
| Term Credits | 16.0 | |
| Term 12 | ||
| Health Sciences electives* | 6.0 | |
| Humanities/Social Science elective | 3.0 | |
| PBHL elective | 3.0 | |
| PSY elective | 3.0 | |
| Term Credits | 15.0 | |
| Total Credit: 180.5 | ||
| * | See degree requirements. |
Accelerated BS in Health Sciences - 10 terms
| Term 1 | Credits | |
|---|---|---|
| BIO 122 | Cells and Genetics | 4.5 |
| CHEM 101 | General Chemistry I | 3.5 |
| ENGL 101 | Composition and Rhetoric I: Inquiry and Exploratory Research | 3.0 |
| UNIV NH101 | The Drexel Experience | 1.0 |
| Humanities elective | 3.0 | |
| Free elective | 3.0 | |
| Term Credits | 18.0 | |
| Term 2 | ||
| BIO 124 | Evolution & Organismal Diversity | 4.5 |
| CHEM 102 | General Chemistry II | 4.5 |
| CIVC 101 | Introduction to Civic Engagement | 1.0 |
| ENGL 102 | Composition and Rhetoric II: Advanced Research and Evidence-Based Writing | 3.0 |
| MATH 101 | Introduction to Analysis I | 4.0 |
| Term Credits | 17.0 | |
| Term 3 | ||
| BIO 126 | Physiology and Ecology | 4.5 |
| CHEM 103 | General Chemistry III | 5.0 |
| ENGL 103 | Composition and Rhetoric III: Themes and Genres | 3.0 |
| MATH 102 | Introduction to Analysis II | 4.0 |
| Free elective | 3.0 | |
| Term Credits | 19.5 | |
| Term 4 | ||
| PSY 101 | General Psychology I | 3.0 |
| SOC 101 | Introduction to Sociology | 3.0 |
| Health Science electives | 6.0 | |
| Humanities elective | 3.0 | |
| Free elective | 3.0 | |
| Term Credits | 18.0 | |
| Term 5 | ||
| ANAT 101 | Anatomy & Physiology I | 5.0 |
| BIO 226 | Microbiology for Health Professionals | 5.0 |
| STS 345 | Statistics for the Health Sciences | 4.0 |
| Humanities elective | 3.0 | |
| Free elective | 3.0 | |
| Term Credits | 20.0 | |
| Term 6 | ||
| ANAT 102 | Anatomy & Physiology II | 5.0 |
| HSCI 310 | Introduction to Research Methods | 4.0 |
| Psychology elective | 3.0 | |
| Health Sciences elective | 7.0 | |
| Term Credits | 19.0 | |
| Term 7 | ||
| ANAT 103 | Anatomy & Physiology III | 5.0 |
| COM 320 [WI] | Science Writing | 3.0 |
| HSAD 210 | Health-Care Ethics I | 3.0 |
| Health Sciences elective | 4.0 | |
| Free elective | 3.0 | |
| Term Credits | 18.0 | |
| Term 8 | ||
| One of the following: | 3.0 | |
| Advanced Health-Care Ethics | ||
| Introduction to Health-Systems Administration | ||
| Ethics in Health Care Management | ||
| PBHL 101 | Public Health 101 | 3.0 |
| Health Sciences elective | 3.0 | |
| Psychology elective | 3.0 | |
| Sociology elective | 4.0 | |
| Free elective | 3.0 | |
| Term Credits | 19.0 | |
| Term 9 | ||
| ECON 240 | Economics of Health Care Systems | 4.0 |
| HSCI 315 | Current Issues in Health Sciences | 4.0 |
| Health Sciences elective | 4.0 | |
| Public Health elective | 3.0 | |
| Term Credits | 15.0 | |
| Term 10 | ||
| HSCI 201 | Health Assessment through the Lifespan | 4.0 |
| Health Sciences electives | 6.0 | |
| Sociology elective | 4.0 | |
| Free elective | 3.0 | |
| Term Credits | 17.0 | |
| Total Credit: 180.5 | ||
Facilities
The College of Nursing and Health Professions is located on Drexel University’s Center City Campus, adjacent to Hahnemann University Hospital. The proximity of this major medical center provides a rich environment for students to study and experience the health sciences. Students have access to the Center for Interdisciplinary Clinical Simulation and Practice (CICSP) which utilizes patient actors and automated simulation manikins to mimic real-life human physiology. The CICSP provides undergraduate Health Sciences students the opportunity to learn assessment and communication skills in a controlled setting. The College of Nursing and Health Professions also maintains the Stephen and Sandra Sheller 11th Street Family Health Services of Drexel University, a comprehensive, community-based health center, where students have unique opportunities to observe and participate in health care delivery.
