Health Science BS, (Medical Science Specialization)

College of Health Sciences and Education
Program Director: George Godlewski, PhD

The BS in Health Science has seven specialization areas: medical science, occupational therapy, speech-language pathology, exercise science, patient navigation, respiratory therapy, and surgical technology. The specializations in exercise science  and patient navigation  are four-year degrees. The specializations in respiratory therapy  and surgical technology  are completion programs for individuals with current or pending board certification and associate level degrees in the respective disciplines. The specialization in speech-language pathology  is a dual degree program that leads directly to the master’s program in Speech-Language Pathology upon the completion and conferral of the BS degree. The non-specialized BS in Health Science may be completed by students previously enrolled in in one of the following programs: BS in Diagnostic Medical Sonography; BS in Health Science (Occupational Therapy specialization); BS in Health Science (Speech Language Pathology specialization); BS in Medical Imaging; BSN in Nursing.

The Bachelor of Science in Health Science; Medical Science Specialization is designed as a program to 1). Develop a broad understanding of the sciences associated with health and healthcare, 2). Foster an appreciation of health care and wellness, and 3). enhance critical thinking and understanding of current health care trends and issues confronting health science professionals in a diverse society.  Students engage in learning processes and activities to create foundational knowledge associated with healthcare professions upon which students can build a health care career of their choice.

Statement of Program Assessment for BS in Health Science

Program courses are evaluated each semester via both University faculty evaluations and individual department course evaluations.

Program Goals

The Health Science Medical Science Specialization is a 4-year program resulting in a bachelor degree in Health Science. Students completing the Medical Science specialization will:

1. Develop a basic scientific foundation for learning to organize, integrate, interpret, and present clinical data.
2. Demonstrate critical reasoning skills in the patient care process by conducting a client assessment, identifying functional problems, and developing an appropriate intervention plan.
3. Interact and communicate professionally and courteously with clients while demonstrating the necessary clinical competencies required within their respective health care discipline.
4. Develop critical thinking and evaluation skills.
5. Develop a basic scientific approach to understanding normal human health and development.
6. Develop effective communication and teamwork skills.
7. Promote cross-cultural and socioeconomic sensitivity and emphasize the fundamental importance of ethical behavior in basic scientific and medical practice including an appreciation of diversity and social justice.
8. Develop knowledge of basic scientific concepts to facilitate understanding of the medical sciences.
9. Develop introductory knowledge of the medical professions.
10. Develop a basic scientific foundation as a precursor to learning to perform a complete human physical examination in graduate healthcare education programs.

Outcomes

Completion of the Medical Science specialization is expected to yield the following student learning outcomes:

1. Recognize the pathology of human disease by system and specialty.

2.  Demonstrate attainment of scientific knowledge that will act as a foundation for learning to perform a complete human physical examination, once accepted into graduate medical education programs.

3. Demonstrate pharmacologic and therapeutic skills appropriate to introductory level medical science studies.

4. Display a working knowledge of major anatomical regions and structures of the human body.

5. With regard to human physiology and pathophysiology, explain interrelationships of function and dysfunction at the molecular, cellular, tissue, organ, and systemic levels.

6. Recognize the role of genetic factors in health and disease.

7. Analyze the socio-behavioral aspects of medical practice.

8. Examine ethical concepts as they relate to practical decision-making and problem-solving in medical practice.

9. Demonstrate “beginning professional” behaviors reflecting respect for diversity, cultural sensitivity, civility, collaboration, etc.