Health Sciences, B.S.
The B.S. in Health Sciences program is intended for students interested in professional careers in health care requiring certification and/or training beyond a bachelor’s degree. Students choose between one of two concentrations: Health Sciences, or Nutrition Sciences. Graduates of this program would be prepared for many possible careers with additional certification/ professional training, such as medical imaging specialist, clinical laboratory scientist, dietician, nutritionist, genetic counselor, physical therapist, occupational therapist, doctor (M.D. or D.O.), physician assistant, dentist, optometrist, or podiatrist. Prerequisites for these programs are met by the B.S. in Health Sciences major requirements and appropriate courses from the elective options.
Students who complete the Integrative Health & Wellness Coaching Track will have completed a National Board of Health and Wellness Coaching (NBHWC) Approved Training Program and can sit for the National Board Certification Examination. Those who pass the exam earn the National Board Certified Health & Wellness Coach (NBC-HWC) credential.
Occupational/technical credits from a health-related A.A.S. program may transfer as general electives for transfer students majoring in GCU’s Health Sciences or Health Profession Studies programs.
Physical Therapy: GCU and Saint Joseph's University (Philadelphia) Dual-Degree Program
Students can earn a bachelor’s degree in Health Sciences from GCU and a doctoral degree from the Saint Joseph's University (Philadelphia; formerly University of the Sciences) in physical therapy in seven years after high school. For details about eligibility and coursework requirements, refer to “Partnerships & Preparation for Careers in Engineering, Law, and Health Related Fields” in this catalog.
Medical School: GCU and St. George's University or GCU and Western Atlantic University School of Medicine
Students can earn a bachelor's degree from GCU and an M.D. or D.V.M. degree from St. George's University, or a bachelor's degree from GCU and an M.D. degree from Western Atlantic University School of Medicine, in an accelerated manner or with early admission. See links in preceding sentence for more information.
Upon successful completion of the program of study, the student will receive a B.S. in Health Sciences and will have given evidence of the following outcomes and goals:
- Students will use and apply the knowledge related to the health care professions:
- scientific: human anatomy and physiology;
- health care systems, insurance products, and legal parameters of the health care profession; and
- social systems and clinical processes.
- Students will demonstrate effective communication evidenced through development of academic and scientific research, team collaboration, and oral presentations as well as an ability to communicate with diverse populations.
- Students will apply career-based skills and personal preferences through internships, clinical experiences, and/or capstone requirements along with external evaluation of these experiences.
- Students will show personal integration of Mercy core values and the ethics and standards of the profession through service learning and application of ethics and the standards of the profession.
To earn this degree, students must successfully complete at least 120 credits, including General Education requirements and the major requirements below.
Major Sequence
Students choose one of two concentrations: Health Sciences or Nutrition Sciences. Students in the Health Sciences concentration may add one or more optional tracks: Integrative Health & Wellness Coaching, Pre-Dental, Pre-Medical, and Pre-Physician Assistant. Students in the Nutrition Sciences concentration will have automatically completed the Pre-Dental, Pre-Medical, and Pre-Physician Assistant tracks, but may opt to add the Integrative Health & Wellness Coaching track.
Health Sciences Concentration
Students must complete 81 credits as follows:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses (69 credits): | ||
| HRP111 | Introduction to Health Science | 3.0 |
| HRP200 | Medical Terminology | 3.0 |
| HRP/NU351 | Health Policy | 3.0 |
| HRP404 | Internship in Health Care | 3.0 |
| HRP444 | Capstone in Health Science | 1.0 |
| BI121 | Cellular Organiz., Energetics & Function | 4.0 |
| BI204 | Genetics & Evolution | 4.0 |
| BI213 | Human Anatomy & Physiology I | 4.0 |
| BI214 | Human Anatomy & Physiology II | 4.0 |
| CH113 | General Chemistry I | 4.0 |
| CH114 | General Chemistry II | 4.0 |
| MA103 | Introduction to Statistical Thinking | 3.0 |
| or BI203 | Experimental Design & Statistics | |
| MA110 | Precalculus | 3.0 |
| PH115 | College Physics I | 4.0 |
| PH116 | College Physics II | 4.0 |
| PL354 | Bioethics | 3.0 |
| PS111 | Introduction to Psychology | 3.0 |
| SO101 | Principles of Sociology | 3.0 |
| SP101 | Elementary Spanish I | 3.0 |
| or SP107 | Spanish for Specialized Work Settings | |
| SW295 | CommunicationSkillsSocialWork | 3.0 |
| or BU242 | Managerial Communications | |
| Select one of the following: | 3.0 | |
| Research Methods in Exercise & Sport | ||
| Intro to Stats for the Beh Sciences | ||
| Methods of Social Work Research | ||
| Elective Courses | ||
| Select 12 credits from the following: | 12.0 | |
| Life: Human Biology | ||
| Microbiology | ||
| Pathophysiology | ||
| Advanced Microbiology | ||
| WI:Medical Microbiology | ||
| Biochemistry I | ||
| Biochemistry II | ||
| Organic Chemistry I | ||
| Organic Chemistry II | ||
| Introduction to Nutrition | ||
| Physiology of Development & Aging | ||
| Integrative Self-Care Planning | ||
| Integrative Healing Methods | ||
| Child & Adolescent Development | ||
| Adult Development | ||
| Introduction to Addictions & Recovery | ||
| Foundations of Addictions Treatment | ||
| Introduction to Social Welfare | ||
| Addictions | ||
| OPTIONAL TRACKS: | ||
| Integrative Health & Wellness Coaching Track (12 cr): | ||
| HS electives include IH210 | ||
| Other requirements are all of the following: | ||
| Found Health & Wellness Coaching | ||
| Integrative Nutrition | ||
| Integrative Lifestyle Modifications | ||
| Pre-Dental Track (8 cr): | ||
| HS electives include CH223 and CH224 | ||
| Pre-Medical Track (12 cr): | ||
| HS electives include CH223, CH224, and BI437/CH311 | ||
| Pre-Physician Assistant Track (7 cr): | ||
| HS electives include ES220 and Microbiology (200-level and above) | ||
| Total Credits | 81.0 | |
Nutrition Sciences Concentration
Students complete 79 credits as follows:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses (76 credits): | ||
| HRP111 | Introduction to Health Science | 3.0 |
| HRP200 | Medical Terminology | 3.0 |
| HRP/NU351 | Health Policy | 3.0 |
| HRP404 | Internship in Health Care | 3.0 |
| HRP444 | Capstone in Health Science | 1.0 |
| BI121 | Cellular Organiz., Energetics & Function | 4.0 |
| BI213 | Human Anatomy & Physiology I | 4.0 |
| BI214 | Human Anatomy & Physiology II | 4.0 |
| BI219 | Microbiology | 4.0 |
| BI437/CH311 | Biochemistry I | 4.0 |
| CH113 | General Chemistry I | 4.0 |
| CH114 | General Chemistry II | 4.0 |
| CH223 | Organic Chemistry I | 4.0 |
| CH224 | Organic Chemistry II | 4.0 |
| ES220 | Introduction to Nutrition | 3.0 |
| MA103 | Introduction to Statistical Thinking | 3.0 |
| or BI203 | Experimental Design & Statistics | |
| HRP230 | Food Science | 3.0 |
| HRP320 | Lifecycle Nutrition I | 3.0 |
| HRP321 | Lifecycle Nutrition II | 3.0 |
| HRP430 | Medical Nutrition Therapy | 3.0 |
| PL354 | Bioethics | 3.0 |
| SW295 | CommunicationSkillsSocialWork | 3.0 |
| or BU242 | Managerial Communications | |
| Select one of the following: | 3.0 | |
| Research Methods in Exercise & Sport | ||
| Intro to Stats for the Beh Sciences | ||
| Methods of Social Work Research | ||
| Elective Courses | ||
| Select 3 credits from the following: | 3.0 | |
| Life: Human Biology | ||
| Genetics & Evolution | ||
| Pathophysiology | ||
| Advanced Microbiology | ||
| WI:Medical Microbiology | ||
| Biochemistry I | ||
| Biochemistry II | ||
| Physiology of Development & Aging | ||
| Food Economics | ||
| Integrative Self-Care Planning | ||
| Integrative Nutrition & Movement | ||
| Integrative Healing Methods | ||
| Integrative Nutrition | ||
| College Physics I | ||
| College Physics II | ||
| Introduction to Psychology | ||
| Child & Adolescent Development | ||
| Adult Development | ||
| Introduction to Addictions & Recovery | ||
| Foundations of Addictions Treatment | ||
| Introduction to Social Welfare | ||
| Addictions | ||
| OPTIONAL TRACK: | ||
| Integrative Health & Wellness Coaching Track (12 cr): | ||
| Integrative Self-Care Planning | ||
| Found Health & Wellness Coaching | ||
| Integrative Nutrition | ||
| Integrative Lifestyle Modifications | ||
| Total Credits | 79.0 | |
Health Sciences Concentration
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall Semester | Credits | |
| GEN101 | Pathway to the Bridge 1 | 2.0 |
| EN111 or EN221 |
Academic Writing and Research I 1 or Honors Argument: Rhetoric & Research |
3.0 |
| MA110 | Precalculus 1,2 | 3.0 |
| BI213 | Human Anatomy & Physiology I 2 | 4.0 |
| HRP111 | Introduction to Health Science 2 | 3.0 |
| Credits | 15.0 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| GEN199 | WI:Discovering Self in the Universe 1 | 3.0 |
| Critical Reading & Analysis 1 | 3.0 | |
| SP101 or SP107 |
Elementary Spanish I 1,2 or Spanish for Specialized Work Settings |
3.0 |
| BI214 | Human Anatomy & Physiology II 2 | 4.0 |
| HRP200 | Medical Terminology 2 | 3.0 |
| Credits | 16.0 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| PS111 | Introduction to Psychology 1,2 | 3.0 |
| CH113 | General Chemistry I 2 | 4.0 |
| MA103 or BI203 |
Introduction to Statistical Thinking 2 or Experimental Design & Statistics |
3.0 |
| BI121 | Cellular Organiz., Energetics & Function 1,2 | 4.0 |
| Credits | 14.0 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| Religious Studies 1 | 3.0 | |
| CH114 | General Chemistry II 2 | 4.0 |
| BI204 | Genetics & Evolution 2 | 4.0 |
| Elective | 3.0 | |
| Credits | 14.0 | |
| Third Year | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| Creative Thinking & Expression 1 | 3.0 | |
| HS Elective 1 | 3.0-4.0 | |
| SO101 | Principles of Sociology 1,2 | 3.0 |
| PH115 | College Physics I 1,2 | 4.0 |
| Elective | 3.0 | |
| Credits | 16.0-17.0 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| Power & Society or GEN400 1 | 3.0 | |
| HS Elective 2 | 3.0-4.0 | |
| PH116 | College Physics II 2 | 4.0 |
| SW295 or BU242 |
CommunicationSkillsSocialWork 2 or Managerial Communications |
3.0 |
| HRP351 | Health Policy 2 | 3.0 |
| Credits | 16.0-17.0 | |
| Fourth Year | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| Power & Society or GEN400 1 | 3.0 | |
| HRP404 | Internship in Health Care 2 | 3.0 |
| Select one of the following: 2 | 3.0 | |
| Intro to Stats for the Beh Sciences | ||
| Methods of Social Work Research | ||
| Research Methods in Exercise & Sport | ||
| Elective | 3.0 | |
| Elective | 3.0 | |
| Credits | 15.0 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| HRP444 | Capstone in Health Science 2 | 1.0 |
| PL354 | Bioethics 1,2 | 3.0 |
| HS Elective 2 | 3.0-4.0 | |
| HS elective or Elective 1,2 | 3.0 | |
| Elective | 3.0 | |
| Credits | 13.0-14.0 | |
| Total Credits | 119.0-122.0 | |
- 1
General Education
- 2
Major
Nutrition Sciences concentration
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall Semester | Credits | |
| GEN101 | Pathway to the Bridge 1 | 2.0 |
| EN111 or EN221 |
Academic Writing and Research I 1 or Honors Argument: Rhetoric & Research |
3.0 |
| BI213 | Human Anatomy & Physiology I 2 | 4.0 |
| MA109 | College Algebra 1 | 3.0 |
| HRP111 | Introduction to Health Science 2 | 3.0 |
| Credits | 15.0 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| GEN199 | WI:Discovering Self in the Universe 1 | 3.0 |
| Critical Reading & Analysis 1 | 3.0 | |
| BI214 | Human Anatomy & Physiology II 2 | 4.0 |
| ES220 | Introduction to Nutrition 2 | 3.0 |
| HRP200 | Medical Terminology 2 | 3.0 |
| Credits | 16.0 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| CH113 | General Chemistry I 2 | 4.0 |
| BI121 | Cellular Organiz., Energetics & Function 1,2 | 4.0 |
| HRP230 | Food Science 2 | 3.0 |
| Understanding Human Behavior & Social Systems 1 | 3.0 | |
| Credits | 14.0 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| Religious Studies 1 | 3.0 | |
| CH114 | General Chemistry II 2 | 4.0 |
| HRP320 | Lifecycle Nutrition I 2 | 3.0 |
| MA103 or BI203 |
Introduction to Statistical Thinking 2 or Experimental Design & Statistics |
3.0 |
| Creative Thinking & Expression 1 | 3.0 | |
| Credits | 16.0 | |
| Third Year | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| Intercultural Understanding & Intercultural Communication 1 | 3.0 | |
| CH223 | Organic Chemistry I 2 | 4.0 |
| BI219 | Microbiology 2 | 4.0 |
| HRP321 | Lifecycle Nutrition II 2 | 3.0 |
| HS Elective 1 | 3.0-4.0 | |
| Credits | 17.0-18.0 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| Power & Society or GEN400 1 | 3.0 | |
| CH224 | Organic Chemistry II 2 | 4.0 |
| SW295 or BU242 |
CommunicationSkillsSocialWork 2 or Managerial Communications |
3.0 |
| HRP351 | Health Policy 2 | 3.0 |
| HS Elective or Elective | 3.0 | |
| Credits | 16.0 | |
| Fourth Year | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| Power & Society or GEN400 1 | 3.0 | |
| HRP404 | Internship in Health Care 2 | 3.0 |
| Select one of the following: 2 | 3.0 | |
| Intro to Stats for the Beh Sciences | ||
| Methods of Social Work Research | ||
| Research Methods in Exercise & Sport | ||
| BI437/CH311 | Biochemistry I 2 | 4.0 |
| Elective | 3.0 | |
| Credits | 16.0 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| HRP444 | Capstone in Health Science 2 | 1.0 |
| PL354 | Bioethics 1,2 | 3.0 |
| HRP430 | Medical Nutrition Therapy 2 | 3.0 |
| HS Elective 2 | 3.0-4.0 | |
| Elective | 3.0 | |
| Credits | 13.0-14.0 | |
| Total Credits | 123.0-125.0 | |
- 1
General Education
- 2
Major