Health Sciences BS
Major: Health Sciences
Degree Awarded: Bachelor of Science (BS)
Calendar Type: Quarter
Minimum Required Credits: 183.0
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 health care 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 marketplace 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 health care 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.
Bridge Program Options
The Health Sciences program offers accelerated Bridge Program options 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 in the two-year Master of Science in Occupational Therapy (MSOT) program at Salus University.
- Drexel’s Health Sciences Department and Thomas Jefferson University’s Athletic Training Department have partnered to offer a BS/Master of Science in Athletic Training sequential degree program. In the BS/MSAT option, students first complete a Bachelor of Science (BS) degree in Health Sciences at Drexel University, then enroll in the two-year Master of Science in Athletic Training (MSAT) program at Thomas Jefferson University.
- Drexel’s Health Sciences Department and Philadelphia’s University of the Sciences PharmD Department have partnered to offer a BS/PharmD sequential degree program. In the BS/PharmD option, students first complete a Bachelor of Science (BS) degree in Health Sciences at Drexel University, then enroll in the four-year PharmD program at the University of the Sciences.
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.
Additional Information
For more information, visit the Health Sciences Program page at the College of Nursing and Health Professions website.
Degree Requirements
| General Requirements | ||
| CIVC 101 | Introduction to Civic Engagement | 1.0 |
| COOP 101 | Career Management and Professional Development * | 1.0 |
| UNIV NH101 | The Drexel Experience | 1.0 |
| English Sequence | ||
| ENGL 101 | Composition and Rhetoric I: Inquiry and Exploratory Research | 3.0 |
| or ENGL 111 | English Composition I | |
| ENGL 102 | Composition and Rhetoric II: Advanced Research and Evidence-Based Writing | 3.0 |
| or ENGL 112 | English Composition II | |
| ENGL 103 | Composition and Rhetoric III: Themes and Genres | 3.0 |
| or ENGL 113 | English Composition III | |
| Biology Sequence | ||
| BIO 131 & BIO 134 | Cells and Biomolecules and Cells and Biomolecules Lab | 5.0 |
| BIO 132 & BIO 135 | Genetics and Evolution and Genetics and Evolution Lab | 5.0 |
| BIO 133 & BIO 136 | Physiology and Ecology and Anatomy and Ecology Lab | 5.0 |
| 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 | 4.5 |
| 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 one 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 100-499) and/or Behavioral Health Counseling (BACS 100-499) courses (minimum 6.0 credits) | 6.0 | |
| Sociology | ||
| SOC 101 | Introduction to Sociology | 3.0 |
| Two Sociology (SOC 100-499) courses (minimum 8.0 credits) | 8.0 | |
| Humanities ** | 9.0 | |
| Public Health | ||
| PBHL 101 | Public Health 101 | 3.0 |
| One Public Health (PBHL 300-499) course (minimum 3.0 credits) | 3.0 | |
| Anatomy & Physiology Courses | ||
| HSCI 101 | Anatomy and Physiology I | 5.0 |
| HSCI 102 | Anatomy and Physiology II | 5.0 |
| HSCI 103 | Anatomy and Physiology III | 5.0 |
| Research Courses | ||
| HSCI 310 | Introduction to Research Methods | 4.0 |
| HSCI 315 | Current Issues in Health Sciences | 4.0 |
| or HSCI 450 | Undergraduate Research Experience | |
| Statistics and Assessment | ||
| HSCI 201 | Health Assessment through the Lifespan | 4.0 |
| HSCI 345 | Statistics for Health Sciences | 4.5 |
| Health Sciences Electives *** | 30.0 | |
| Free electives | 21.0 | |
| Total Credits | 183.0 | |
- *
Co-op cycles may vary. Students are assigned a co-op cycle (fall/winter, spring/summer, summer-only) based on their co-op program (4-year, 5-year) and major.
COOP 101 registration is determined by the co-op cycle assigned and may be scheduled in a different term. Select students may be eligible to take COOP 101 in place of COOP 101.
- **
Three Humanities (courses at the 100-499 level in ANTH, HIST, HUM, PHIL) or language electives (courses at the 100-499 level in ARBC, CHIN, FREN, GER, HBRW, ITAL, JAPN, KOR, SPAN) for a minimum of 9.0 credits.
- ***
Health Sciences electives include HSCI or NFS courses at the 100-499 level. Up to two science courses (BIO 200-499, CHEM 200-499, PHYS 100-499) may be used as Health Sciences electives with advisor permission. All 100-Level freshman course requirements in BIO, CHEM, ENGL, and MATH must be completed 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 course: | ||
| HSCI 325 | Exercise Physiology | 4.0 |
| Complete 13.0 credits from the following list: | 13.0 | |
| Applied Anatomy and Kinesiology | ||
| Strength and Conditioning | ||
| Exercise for Clinical Populations | ||
| Musculoskeletal Pathophysiology | ||
| Senior Research Project | ||
| Special Topics in Health Sciences | ||
| Nutrition, Foods, and Health and Introduction to Nutrition & Food | ||
| Nutrition & Exercise Physiology | ||
| Exercise Testing and Prescription | ||
| Psychology of Physical Activity | ||
| Total Credits | 17.0 | |
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 Plan of Study
4 year, one co-op (Fall/Winter)
| First Year | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | Winter | Credits | Spring | Credits | Summer | Credits |
| BIO 131 & BIO 134 | 5.0 | BIO 132 & BIO 135 | 5.0 | BIO 133 & BIO 136 | 5.0 | VACATION | |
| CHEM 101 | 3.5 | CHEM 102 | 4.5 | CHEM 103 | 4.5 | ||
| ENGL 101 or 111 | 3.0 | CIVC 101 | 1.0 | ENGL 103 or 113 | 3.0 | ||
| UNIV NH101 | 1.0 | ENGL 102 or 112 | 3.0 | MATH 102 | 4.0 | ||
| Free Elective | 3.0 | MATH 101 | 4.0 | ||||
| 15.5 | 17.5 | 16.5 | 0 | ||||
| Second Year | |||||||
| Fall | Credits | Winter | Credits | Spring | Credits | Summer | Credits |
| BIO 226 | 5.0 | COOP 101* | 1.0 | COM 320 | 3.0 | SOC 101 | 3.0 |
| HSCI 101 | 5.0 | HSCI 102 | 5.0 | HSAD 210 | 3.0 | Free Elective | 3.0 |
| HSCI 345 | 4.5 | PSY 101 | 3.0 | HSCI 103 | 5.0 | Health Sciences Elective** | 3.0 |
| Free Elective | 3.0 | Free Elective | 3.0 | HSCI 310 | 4.0 | PSY Elective | 3.0 |
| Health Sciences Elective** | 4.0 | ||||||
| 17.5 | 16 | 15 | 12 | ||||
| Third Year | |||||||
| Fall | Credits | Winter | Credits | Spring | Credits | Summer | Credits |
| COOP EXPERIENCE | COOP EXPERIENCE | PBHL 101 | 3.0 | HSCI 201 | 4.0 | ||
| HSCI 315 or 450 | 4.0 | Free Elective | 3.0 | ||||
| HSAD 309, 310, or 345 | 3.0 | Health Sciences Electives** | 4.0 | ||||
| Health Sciences Elective** | 3.0 | Sociology Elective | 4.0 | ||||
| 0 | 0 | 13 | 15 | ||||
| Fourth Year | |||||||
| Fall | Credits | Winter | Credits | Spring | Credits | ||
| ECON 240 | 4.0 | Free Elective | 3.0 | Health Sciences Electives** | 6.0 | ||
| Free Elective | 3.0 | Health Sciences Elective** | 3.0 | Humanities/Social Science Electives*** | 3.0 | ||
| Health Sciences Electives** | 7.0 | Humanities/Social Science Electives*** | 6.0 | PBHL Elective | 3.0 | ||
| Sociology Elective | 4.0 | PSY Elective | 3.0 | ||||
| 14 | 16 | 15 | |||||
| Total Credits 183 | |||||||
- *
COOP 101 registration is determined by the co-op cycle assigned and may be scheduled in a different term. Select student may be eligible to take COOP 001 in place of COOP 101.
Co-op cycles may vary. Students are assigned a co-op cycle (fall/winter, spring/summer, summer-only) based on their co-op program (4-year, 5-year) and major.
- **
Health Sciences electives include HSCI or NFS courses at the 100-499 level. Up to two science courses (BIO 200-499, CHEM 200-499, PHYS 100-499) may be used as Health Sciences electives with advisor permission. All 100-Level freshman course requirements in BIO, CHEM, ENGL, and MATH must be completed by the time a student reaches 135.0 credits.
- ***
Three Humanities (courses at the 100-499 level in ANTH, HIST, HUM, PHIL) or language electives (courses at the 100-499 level in ARBC, CHIN, FREN, GER, HBRW, ITAL, JAPN, KOR, SPAN) for a minimum of 9.0 credits.
4 year, one co-op (Spring/Summer)
| First Year | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | Winter | Credits | Spring | Credits | Summer | Credits |
| BIO 131 & BIO 134 | 5.0 | BIO 132 & BIO 135 | 5.0 | BIO 133 & BIO 136 | 5.0 | VACATION | |
| CHEM 101 | 3.5 | CHEM 102 | 4.5 | CHEM 103 | 4.5 | ||
| ENGL 101 or 111 | 3.0 | CIVC 101 | 1.0 | ENGL 103 or 113 | 3.0 | ||
| UNIV NH101 | 1.0 | ENGL 102 or 112 | 3.0 | MATH 102 | 4.0 | ||
| Free Elective | 3.0 | MATH 101 | 4.0 | ||||
| 15.5 | 17.5 | 16.5 | 0 | ||||
| Second Year | |||||||
| Fall | Credits | Winter | Credits | Spring | Credits | Summer | Credits |
| BIO 226 | 5.0 | COOP 101* | 1.0 | COM 320 | 3.0 | SOC 101 | 3.0 |
| HSCI 101 | 5.0 | HSCI 102 | 5.0 | HSAD 210 | 3.0 | Free Elective | 3.0 |
| HSCI 345 | 4.5 | PSY 101 | 3.0 | HSCI 103 | 5.0 | Health Sciences Elective** | 4.0 |
| Free Elective | 3.0 | Free Elective | 3.0 | HSCI 310 | 4.0 | PSY Elective | 3.0 |
| Health Sciences Elective** | 4.0 | ||||||
| 17.5 | 16 | 15 | 13 | ||||
| Third Year | |||||||
| Fall | Credits | Winter | Credits | Spring | Credits | Summer | Credits |
| HSCI 315 or 450 | 4.0 | HSCI 201 | 4.0 | COOP EXPERIENCE | COOP EXPERIENCE | ||
| PBHL 101 | 3.0 | Free Elective | 3.0 | ||||
| HSAD 210, 309, or 345 | 3.0 | Health Sciences Elective** | 4.0 | ||||
| Health Sciences Elective** | 3.0 | Sociology Elective | 4.0 | ||||
| 13 | 15 | 0 | 0 | ||||
| Fourth Year | |||||||
| Fall | Credits | Winter | Credits | Spring | Credits | ||
| ECON 240 | 4.0 | Free Elective | 3.0 | Health Sciences Electives** | 6.0 | ||
| Free Elective | 3.0 | Health Sciences Elective** | 3.0 | Humanities/Social Electives*** | 3.0 | ||
| Health Sciences Electives** | 6.0 | Humanities/Social Science Electives*** | 6.0 | PBHL Elective | 3.0 | ||
| Sociology Elective | 4.0 | PSY Elective | 3.0 | ||||
| 13 | 16 | 15 | |||||
| Total Credits 183 | |||||||
- *
COOP 101 registration is determined by the co-op cycle assigned and may be scheduled in a different term. Select students may be eligible to replace COOP 101 with COOP 001.
Co-op cycles may vary. Students are assigned a co-op cycle (fall/winter, spring/summer, summer-only) based on their co-op program (4-year, 5-year) and major.
- **
Health Sciences electives include HSCI or NFS courses at the 100-499 level. Up to two science courses (BIO 200-499, CHEM 200-499, PHYS 100-499) may be used as Health Sciences electives with advisor permission. All 100-Level freshman course requirements in BIO, CHEM, ENGL, and MATH must be completed by the time a student reaches 135.0 credits.
- ***
Three Humanities (courses at the 100-499 level in ANTH, HIST, HUM, PHIL) or language electives (courses at the 100-499 level in ARBC, CHIN, FREN, GER, HBRW, ITAL, JAPN, KOR, SPAN) for a minimum of 9.0 credits.
Facilities
The College of Nursing and Health Professions is located on Drexel University’s University City Campus. 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.
