The Health Science major caters exclusively to students pursuing careers in the health professions. Our coursework is designed to expand the student’s health care knowledge, better understand human disease and disability, improve leadership and communication skills, and help the student think critically about various individual and public health issues.
The Health Science major offers three specializations:
- Preprofessional (ideal for students who are pre-med, pre-PA, pre-dentistry, pre-optometry, pre-pharmacy, pre-CAA, etc.)
- Pre-Rehabilitation (ideal for students who are pre-PT or pre-OT)
- Applied Brain Science (ideal for students who are interested in neurology, clinical psychology, or psychiatry)
Shared Courses Across Specializations
All three specializations share the six courses listed below (18 credits):
- PHC 4101 Public Health Concepts
- HSA 3111 US Health Care System
- HSC 3057 Research Methods and Issues in Health Science
- HSC 3502 Survey of Diseases and Disability
- OTH 3416 Pathophysiology
- HSC 3661 Therapeutic Communication Skills with Patients, Families and the Health Care Team
Specialization-Specific Courses
Preprofessional (12 credits)
- HSC 4557 Medical Pharmacology in Clinical Care (not yet offered)
- RCS 4451 Rehabilitation Aspects of Substance Abuse
- HSC 4608 Clinical Diagnosis and Decision Making
- HSC 4652L Ethical and Legal Issues in the Health Professions
Pre-Rehabilitation (17 credits)
- HSC 4064 Wearable Technology, Robotics, and AI for Health
- OTH 3413C Applied Kinesiology
- HSC 4541 Musculoskeletal Assessment in Rehabilitation (not yet offered)
- OTH 4412/L Musculoskeletal Anatomy and Lab
- SPA 4106 Neuroplasticity in Rehabilitation
Applied Brain Science (13 credits)
- CLP 4302 Introduction to Clinical Psychology
- CLP 4420 Introduction to Neuropsychology
- CLP 4421C Clinical/Behavioral Neuroanatomy with Lab
- PHC 4796C AI in Psychological and Brain Sciences
Critical Tracking Requirements
- PSY2012 General Psychology (must complete by the end of Semester 1)
- STA2023 Statistics (must complete by the end of Semester 2)
- BSC2010 and BSC2010L Integrated Principles of Biology I and Laboratory (must complete by the end of Semester 3)*
- APK2105C Applied Human Physiology with Lab (must complete by the end of Semester 4)**
* Students in the Pre-Rehabilitation track can complete BSC2005 and BSC2005L in place of BSC2010 and BSC2010L; however, students are strongly recommended to complete BSC2010 and BSC2010L. Pre-PT students are expected to complete BSC2010 and BSC2010L, as it is required for physical therapy school.
** Students in the Preprofessional track can complete CHM2045 in place of APK2105C.
GPA Requirements: Students must maintain a 3.0 critical tracking GPA by the end of the third semester as well as a 3.2 overall GPA to remain in the Health Science major. Off-track students may be required to choose a different major at UF.