Gettysburg College confers a Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Arts degree in Health Sciences. The major integrates a liberal arts foundation with biology, chemistry, physics, and other courses to cover a range of topics about the human body in health and disease.
The graduation requirements for either degree are:
- 32 course units
- Only full-unit courses will count toward the total units
- The standard course load will be four one-unit courses per semester
- Minimum accumulative GPA of 2.00 and a GPA of 2.00 in the major field.
Major Requirements
Health Sciences Bachelor of Science (HS BS)
Health Sciences Bachelor of Science (HS BS) majors develop a scientific foundation for the study of the human body, focusing on the structure and function of the body in conditions of wellness and disease. This major will be of interest to students applying to clinical health professions programs. Students can tailor their curriculum to include pre-requisite courses specific to their interests.
Core Courses
- HS 209 Human Anatomy and Physiology I
- HS 210 Human Anatomy and Physiology II
- HS 230 Nutrition OR BIO 211 Genetics OR BIO 212 Cell Biology OR BIO 230 Microbiology
- Capstone Experience (internship, seminar class, or independent research)
HS Statistics Requirement (Choose 1 course)
- HS 232 Statistics for the Health Sciences
- BIO 260 Biostatistics
- MATH 107 Applied Statistics
HS Electives (Choose 4 courses)
Discuss with your advisor the HS Electives that will best prepare you for your future goals.May include one course from affiliated off-campus studies programs with approval from HS department chair.
- HS 309 Exercise is Medicine (lab)
- HS 310 Assessment in the Health Sciences (lab)
- HS 311 Neuromuscular Physiology (lab)
- HS 312 Cardiorespiratory Physiology
- HS 318 Orthopedic Anatomy (lab)
- HS 319 Environmental Physiology
- HS 322 Global Health
- HS 326 Epidemiology
- HS 328 Health Equity
- HS 330 Advanced Nutrition and Metabolism
- HS 376 Pathophysiology of Chronic Disease
- HS 390 Topics in Health Sciences
Requirements from Other Departments
- BIO 111 Introductory Biology for Life Sciences (any section)
- BIO 112 Form and Function in Living Organisms
- CHEM 107 Chemical Structure and Bonding
- CHEM 108 Chemical Reactivity
OR
- PHY 103 Elementary Physics I
- PHY 104 Elementary Physics II
Students applying to programs in medicine, dentistry, physician assistant studies, nursing and other clinical health professions programs are often required to complete additional natural science courses. Students considering any graduate program should work closely with their advisors to plan their course of study.
Health Sciences Bachelor of Arts (HS BA
In addition to developing a scientific foundation for the study of the human body, the Health Sciences Bachelor of Arts (HS BA) also requires coursework in public health. This major will be of interest to students interested in careers in public health, health education, health policy, health administration and other population-level health professions. Students can tailor their curriculum to include pre-requisite courses specific to their interests.
Core Courses
- HS 120 Public Health
- HS 209 Human Anatomy and Physiology I
- HS 210 Human Anatomy and Physiology II
- Capstone Experience (internship, seminar class, or independent research)
HS Statistics Requirements (Choose 1 course)
- HS 232 Statistics for the Health Sciences
- MATH 107 Applied Statistics
HS Electives (Choose 4 courses)
Discuss with your advisor the HS Electives that will best prepare you for your future goals. May include one course from affiliated off-campus studies programs with approval from HS department chair.
- HS 309 Exercise is Medicine (lab)
- HS 310 Assessment in the Health Sciences (lab)
- HS 311 Neuromuscular Physiology (lab)
- HS 312 Cardiorespiratory Physiology
- HS 318 Orthopedic Anatomy (lab)
- HS 319 Environmental Physiology
- HS 322 Global Health
- HS 326 Epidemiology
- HS 328 Health Equity
- HS 330 Advanced Nutrition and Metabolism
- HS 376 Pathophysiology of Chronic Disease
- HS 390 Topics in Health Sciences
Requirements from Other Departments
- BIO 111 Introductory Biology for Life Sciences (any section)
- BIO 112 Form and Function in Living Organisms
Preparing for Health Professions
Many Health Sciences majors are interested in pursuing a health profession that requires additional training after Gettysburg College. Gettysburg College offers comprehensive Health Professions Advising through the Center for Career Engagement. Many health professions programs require additional courses in biology, chemistry, physics, psychology, or mathematics. Health Sciences faculty advisors and Health Professions advisors work with students to plan their course of study to meet their professional school requirements.