Health Science
Why choose health science at North Central College?
The Health Science major offers students an avenue to enter the world of health, health care or allied health fields. With an undergraduate degree, you will be prepared to enter the world of wellness, health care, or allied health fields. This program can also serve as the foundational major for preparing you to enter graduate programs in public health or clinical professions such as becoming a nurse, occupational therapist, physical therapist, or physician assistant. In addition, our health science program can provide guidance for students who are interested in a career in health sciences but have not chosen a specific field. As an interdisciplinary program, the Health Science major offers a strong general education foundation in the liberal arts and sciences to develop communication and critical-thinking skills, so graduates are productive members and leaders of health care facilities and teams. Health Science majors will integrate all aspects of the curriculum by completing a Senior Seminar Experience related to their career interests.
If you're considering a health science program, you will be dedicating yourself to a rewarding career that involves improving lives and the community. With a health science degree, you will have learned about health promotion, nutrition, and disease in the human body. Our health science program provides a strong foundational knowledge of the core concepts in most medical-related jobs and prepares students to further their higher education, or pursue medical school.
You can also:
- Learn from an experienced faculty with vast and varied professional backgrounds.
- Attend local, state, regional and national conferences.
- Participate in undergraduate research with faculty.
- Join the Pre-Health Organization for cocurricular enrichment.
- Gain experience as a Peer Health Educator by working with Dyson Wellness Center professionals to improve the wellness of your peers.
- Prepare for professional roles in health care though interprofessional education, which brings together students from varied areas of health care to learn together.
Dual admission bachelor's/master of occupational therapy degree
Health Science, B.A.
The Health Science Major (B.A.) offers students an interdisciplinary program to study the health sciences and enter the world of health care. The curriculum is built on a strong liberal arts and sciences, multidisciplinary, core foundation including courses in anatomy and physiology, sociology, ethics and communication that are central to the discipline. Students may also choose to complete prerequisite courses (e.g., pre-physical therapy, pre-occupational therapy, pre-nursing, pre-physician assistant, pre-athletic training, health education and promotion), allowing them to design their own academic road map to fit their career interests. Students will integrate all aspects of the curriculum by completing a capstone internship related to their intended field of study.
Students will be prepared to practice in today's rapidly-evolving world of healthcare fields (e.g., public or community health, community or government agencies, the insurance industry or hospitals) or to pursue graduate programs in public health or a clinical profession (e.g., nursing, occupational therapy, physical therapy, athletic training or physician assistant). Development of strong communication, problem solving and critical thinking skills are emphasized with the goal of students being prepared to practice as evidence-based, culturally competent and patient/client centered professionals.
For additional programs and courses in this department, see Health Sciences.
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HTSC 155 - Introduction to the Health Sciences
HTSC 155 - Introduction to the Health Sciences
2.00 credit hours
An introduction to the health professions and health science fields serving as a gateway for the Health Sciences major, providing an overview of the wide variety of careers in the health sciences. Speakers will be invited to discuss their role in the health care system, education and professional requirements, practice settings, and professional organizations. Attention given to a student's individualized interests and an introduction to inter-professional practice in health care.
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HTSC 156 - Medical Terminology
HTSC 156 - Medical Terminology
2.00 credit hours
An introduction of basic medical language with a body system's approach. Required competencies to increase the student's abilities to examine medical literature and to communicate with health care professionals are developed. This course is taught in an online format.
-
HTSC 210 - Evidence-Based Practice in Health Care
HTSC 210 - Evidence-Based Practice in Health Care
2.00 credit hours
An introduction to the fundamental practice of applying medical evidence to clinical practice across the health professions. Students learn the basic concepts of evidence based practice as it applies to health care and the interpretation of research enabling the students to discuss these findings with patients and peers in order to make collaborative, patient/client-centered health care decisions.
-
HTSC 230 - Community Health
HTSC 230 - Community Health
4.00 credit hours
Critical analysis of cultural and economic factors on the health of society. Emphasis on the facilitation of how diverse health care practices have a systemic influence on the social determinants of health. The organization and administration of school, community, health care facility, and workplace health promotion programs are introduced.
-
HTSC 310 - Principles of Epidemiology for the Health Sciences
HTSC 310 - Principles of Epidemiology for the Health Sciences
4.00 credit hours
An introduction to the principles and methods of epidemiology and their application to research in the health sciences. Attention given to the development of fundamental skills necessary to interpret and critically evaluate relevant literature in the health sciences and the utilization of an epidemiological approach to disease and intervention.
-
HTSC 315 - Research Methods in the Health Sciences
HTSC 315 - Research Methods in the Health Sciences
4.00 credit hours
A bridge between evidence-based practice and health care research methods presenting a systematic approach in conducting research which can be applied to several specialties in the health sciences. A practice approach to both quantitative and qualitative will be addressed, including development of a question, conducting comprehensive literature reviews, development of a hypothesis, identification of variables and drafting research proposals.
-
HTSC 370 - Literacy and Cultural Competency in Health Care
HTSC 370 - Literacy and Cultural Competency in Health Care
4.00 credit hours
An interdisciplinary approach to understanding functional health literacy and how the public's literacy skills affect interactions within health and human service professions. Attention given to recent philosophies and processes related to diversity management and culturally competent care delivery as seen through the lens of current health care policy and practice.
-
HTSC 415 - Health Care Systems and Informatics
HTSC 415 - Health Care Systems and Informatics
4.00 credit hours
An exploration of the structure and function of the U.S. Health Care System. A multidisciplinary examination of the delivery, quality, and cost of health care including a broad, fundamental overview of the health care industry, as well as the application of health care informatics on care delivery. Attention is given to the integration of health, computer, and information sciences in managing information and using information systems relevant to health care.
-
HTSC 482 - Leadership in Inter-Professional Health Care
HTSC 482 - Leadership in Inter-Professional Health Care
2.00 credit hours
Exploration of the theories and models of leadership within an inter-professional health care context. Students identify leaders and leadership situations that are examples of various theories and styles and, through reflective practice, develop a personal philosophy of their own leadership style. Attention is placed on exploration of the ethical theories and concepts applied to leadership challenges in real health care situations.
-
HTSC 494 - Senior Seminar Experience
HTSC 494 - Senior Seminar Experience
4.00 credit hours
A dynamic and interactive course serving as the capstone for the Health Science major. Participation in an intensive professional practice learning experience. The seminar allows students to review, assess and apply concepts learned throughout the major course sequence and allows for the development of inter-professional health care skills.
-
BIOL 201 - Anatomy and Physiology I
BIOL 201 - Anatomy and Physiology I
4.00 credit hours
Anatomy and Physiology is about how the body maintains life. Anatomy looks at the structure and organization of body parts; physiology explains their functions. Integration of structure and function allows understanding of what systems do and how. Beginning with cells and the grouping of cells into tissues and organs, groups of organs that function together form organ systems which maintain stable internal conditions. This course examines the integumentary, skeletal, muscle and digestive systems. Laboratory required; activities connect course concepts with experiential learning, using basic chemistry, tissue slides, human and cat skeletons, and cat dissection for muscle identification and function.
-
BIOL 202 - Anatomy and Physiology II
BIOL 202 - Anatomy and Physiology II
4.00 credit hours
Anatomy and Physiology is about how the body maintains life. Anatomy looks at the structure and organization of body parts; physiology explains their functions. Integration of structure and function allows understanding of what systems do and how. This course continues the study of organ systems with nervous, endocrine, cardiovascular, respiratory, renal and reproductive systems. Laboratory required; activities connect anatomical and physiological concepts with experiential learning by continuing cat dissection for the nervous, digestive, circulatory, respiratory, urinary and reproductive systems. All students will experience alteration of some physiological systems and homeostatic mechanisms designed to maintain a stable internal environment.
-
PHIL 213 - Health Care Ethics
PHIL 213 - Health Care Ethics
4.00 credit hours
Considers fundamental ethical questions concerning health care and applies ethics to contemporary debates such as abortion.
-
PSYC 250 - Statistics
PSYC 250 - Statistics
4.00 credit hours
The methods, concepts and logic underlying the statistical evaluation of research data with an emphasis on "why" as well as "when" to use various statistical methods. Content includes descriptive and inferential statistics, estimation and hypothesis testing. Analyses include z and t tests, one-way and factorial ANOVA, correlation, regression and Chi square. Assignments focus on problem solving, technical writing and use of computer statistical packages (SPSS). Only one of
One of the following:
-
PSYC 385 - Health Psychology
PSYC 385 - Health Psychology
4.00 credit hours
An examination of how biological, psychological, and social factors influence health and illness. Specific topics include behavior change, stress, patient-provider communication, substance abuse, weight control, and coping with chronic illness.
-
SOCI 343 - Health, Illness and Care
SOCI 343 - Health, Illness and Care
4.00 credit hours
This course covers the theoretical orientations that guide sociological and anthropological insights into health, illness, treatment seeking and the organization of medical care and the current state of empirical knowledge in the field. Topics include the social origins of illness; lay beliefs about disease; sociodemographic variations in health care utilization; the profession of medicine; the structure of the American health care system and cross-national disparities in health and longevity. This course challenges our assumptions about the social foundations of health disparities, the sovereignty of medical providers and the administration of health care.
Students must demonstrate elementary competence in a foreign language. For more information, see the
Health Science, B.S.
Health Science Major (B.S.) offers students an interdisciplinary program to study the health sciences and enter the world of health care. The curriculum is built on a strong liberal arts and sciences, multidisciplinary, core foundation including courses in anatomy and physiology, sociology, ethics and communication that are central to the discipline. Students may also choose to complete prerequisite courses (e.g., pre-physical therapy, pre-occupational therapy, pre-nursing, pre-physician assistant, pre-athletic training, health education and promotion), allowing them to design their own academic roadmap to fit their career interests. Students integrate all aspects of the curriculum by completing a capstone internship related to their intended field of study.
Students will be prepared to practice in today's rapidly-evolving world of healthcare fields (e.g., public or community health, community or government agencies, the insurance industry or hospitals) or to pursue graduate programs in public health or a clinical profession (e.g., nursing, occupational therapy, physical therapy, athletic training or physician assistant). Development of strong communication, problem solving, and critical thinking skills are emphasized with the goal of students being prepared to practice as evidence-based, culturally competent and patient/client centered professionals.
For additional programs and courses in this department, see Health Sciences.
-
HTSC 155 - Introduction to the Health Sciences
HTSC 155 - Introduction to the Health Sciences
2.00 credit hours
An introduction to the health professions and health science fields serving as a gateway for the Health Sciences major, providing an overview of the wide variety of careers in the health sciences. Speakers will be invited to discuss their role in the health care system, education and professional requirements, practice settings, and professional organizations. Attention given to a student's individualized interests and an introduction to inter-professional practice in health care.
-
HTSC 156 - Medical Terminology
HTSC 156 - Medical Terminology
2.00 credit hours
An introduction of basic medical language with a body system's approach. Required competencies to increase the student's abilities to examine medical literature and to communicate with health care professionals are developed. This course is taught in an online format.
-
HTSC 210 - Evidence-Based Practice in Health Care
HTSC 210 - Evidence-Based Practice in Health Care
2.00 credit hours
An introduction to the fundamental practice of applying medical evidence to clinical practice across the health professions. Students learn the basic concepts of evidence based practice as it applies to health care and the interpretation of research enabling the students to discuss these findings with patients and peers in order to make collaborative, patient/client-centered health care decisions.
-
HTSC 230 - Community Health
HTSC 230 - Community Health
4.00 credit hours
Critical analysis of cultural and economic factors on the health of society. Emphasis on the facilitation of how diverse health care practices have a systemic influence on the social determinants of health. The organization and administration of school, community, health care facility, and workplace health promotion programs are introduced.
-
HTSC 310 - Principles of Epidemiology for the Health Sciences
HTSC 310 - Principles of Epidemiology for the Health Sciences
4.00 credit hours
An introduction to the principles and methods of epidemiology and their application to research in the health sciences. Attention given to the development of fundamental skills necessary to interpret and critically evaluate relevant literature in the health sciences and the utilization of an epidemiological approach to disease and intervention.
-
HTSC 315 - Research Methods in the Health Sciences
HTSC 315 - Research Methods in the Health Sciences
4.00 credit hours
A bridge between evidence-based practice and health care research methods presenting a systematic approach in conducting research which can be applied to several specialties in the health sciences. A practice approach to both quantitative and qualitative will be addressed, including development of a question, conducting comprehensive literature reviews, development of a hypothesis, identification of variables and drafting research proposals.
-
HTSC 370 - Literacy and Cultural Competency in Health Care
HTSC 370 - Literacy and Cultural Competency in Health Care
4.00 credit hours
An interdisciplinary approach to understanding functional health literacy and how the public's literacy skills affect interactions within health and human service professions. Attention given to recent philosophies and processes related to diversity management and culturally competent care delivery as seen through the lens of current health care policy and practice.
-
HTSC 415 - Health Care Systems and Informatics
HTSC 415 - Health Care Systems and Informatics
4.00 credit hours
An exploration of the structure and function of the U.S. Health Care System. A multidisciplinary examination of the delivery, quality, and cost of health care including a broad, fundamental overview of the health care industry, as well as the application of health care informatics on care delivery. Attention is given to the integration of health, computer, and information sciences in managing information and using information systems relevant to health care.
-
HTSC 482 - Leadership in Inter-Professional Health Care
HTSC 482 - Leadership in Inter-Professional Health Care
2.00 credit hours
Exploration of the theories and models of leadership within an inter-professional health care context. Students identify leaders and leadership situations that are examples of various theories and styles and, through reflective practice, develop a personal philosophy of their own leadership style. Attention is placed on exploration of the ethical theories and concepts applied to leadership challenges in real health care situations.
-
HTSC 494 - Senior Seminar Experience
HTSC 494 - Senior Seminar Experience
4.00 credit hours
A dynamic and interactive course serving as the capstone for the Health Science major. Participation in an intensive professional practice learning experience. The seminar allows students to review, assess and apply concepts learned throughout the major course sequence and allows for the development of inter-professional health care skills.
-
BIOL 201 - Anatomy and Physiology I
BIOL 201 - Anatomy and Physiology I
4.00 credit hours
Anatomy and Physiology is about how the body maintains life. Anatomy looks at the structure and organization of body parts; physiology explains their functions. Integration of structure and function allows understanding of what systems do and how. Beginning with cells and the grouping of cells into tissues and organs, groups of organs that function together form organ systems which maintain stable internal conditions. This course examines the integumentary, skeletal, muscle and digestive systems. Laboratory required; activities connect course concepts with experiential learning, using basic chemistry, tissue slides, human and cat skeletons, and cat dissection for muscle identification and function.
-
BIOL 202 - Anatomy and Physiology II
BIOL 202 - Anatomy and Physiology II
4.00 credit hours
Anatomy and Physiology is about how the body maintains life. Anatomy looks at the structure and organization of body parts; physiology explains their functions. Integration of structure and function allows understanding of what systems do and how. This course continues the study of organ systems with nervous, endocrine, cardiovascular, respiratory, renal and reproductive systems. Laboratory required; activities connect anatomical and physiological concepts with experiential learning by continuing cat dissection for the nervous, digestive, circulatory, respiratory, urinary and reproductive systems. All students will experience alteration of some physiological systems and homeostatic mechanisms designed to maintain a stable internal environment.
-
PHIL 213 - Health Care Ethics
PHIL 213 - Health Care Ethics
4.00 credit hours
Considers fundamental ethical questions concerning health care and applies ethics to contemporary debates such as abortion.
-
PSYC 250 - Statistics
PSYC 250 - Statistics
4.00 credit hours
The methods, concepts and logic underlying the statistical evaluation of research data with an emphasis on "why" as well as "when" to use various statistical methods. Content includes descriptive and inferential statistics, estimation and hypothesis testing. Analyses include z and t tests, one-way and factorial ANOVA, correlation, regression and Chi square. Assignments focus on problem solving, technical writing and use of computer statistical packages (SPSS). Only one of
One of the following:
-
PSYC 385 - Health Psychology
PSYC 385 - Health Psychology
4.00 credit hours
An examination of how biological, psychological, and social factors influence health and illness. Specific topics include behavior change, stress, patient-provider communication, substance abuse, weight control, and coping with chronic illness.
-
SOCI 343 - Health, Illness and Care
SOCI 343 - Health, Illness and Care
4.00 credit hours
This course covers the theoretical orientations that guide sociological and anthropological insights into health, illness, treatment seeking and the organization of medical care and the current state of empirical knowledge in the field. Topics include the social origins of illness; lay beliefs about disease; sociodemographic variations in health care utilization; the profession of medicine; the structure of the American health care system and cross-national disparities in health and longevity. This course challenges our assumptions about the social foundations of health disparities, the sovereignty of medical providers and the administration of health care.
-
KINE 247 - Functional Anatomy
KINE 247 - Functional Anatomy
4.00 credit hours
An exploration of the structure and function of the musculoskeletal system and its relationship to human movement. Laboratory required.
-
KINE 280 - Human Pathophysiology
KINE 280 - Human Pathophysiology
2.00 credit hours
Pathophysiological conditions associated with human organ systems are studied. The role of physical activity, nutrition and lifestyle in the progression and treatment of pathologies are covered where appropriate.
- A minimum of six credit hours of additional mathematics, life science or physical science course(s), beyond the courses used to fulfill general education requirements, and that count towards a major in a science discipline
Health Science Internships and Jobs
A North Central education integrates career preparation with rich academic study. Our faculty encourages you to refine and apply your knowledge in an interconnected world. Here you'll learn to think independently and work globally to solve problems and lead.
Career opportunities for Health Science Majors include:
- Graduate programs in health or healthcare fields
- Community and public health agencies
- Non-profit organizations (such as American Red Cross and the American Cancer Society)
- Health insurance agencies
- Pharmaceutical sales
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The first step to becoming a North Central student is reading the application instructions specific to you. Find out everything you need to know about applying by selecting the group you belong to below.
Health Science Student Profile
Corey Gustafik '24
As a student-veteran at North Central College, Corey Gustafik aspires to become a dietitian, driven by his experiences both abroad and at home. From aiding his father in managing diabetes to witnessing diverse nutrition practices during his military service, Gustafik is motivated to make a difference in people's lives through dietary guidance. Join him on his mission to serve others through the science of nutrition.
