Alicia Ingargiola
Clinical Asst Professor
Faculty
-
John Miller
ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR -
Daniel Sedory
CLINICAL PROFESSOR -
Benjamin Towne
CLINICAL ASSISTANT PROFESSOR
Health Sciences Major (B.S.)
Health Sciences Major (B.S.)
Beginning in the Fall of 2020, students interested in pursuing a career in Athletic Training will select Health Sciences as their undergraduate major. The Health Sciences major will provide students with prerequisite coursework to prepare them for graduate study in Athletic Training, which would begin during the student’s senior year as a Health Sciences major. The Master of Science degree in Athletic Training is in the proposal phase at UNH.
What is health sciences?
The health sciences program is for students who are concerned with the well-being of others and who also possess a strong science aptitude. As healthcare has evolved in the U.S., degree programs in the allied health professions have moved to post-baccalaureate education. Individuals with career interests in allied health professions must first attain prerequisite knowledge to be prepared to study in these advanced degree programs. This rigorous academic program meets requirements for entry into graduate school for a career in athletic training or physical therapy, or as a physician assistant.
Why study health sciences at UNH?
As a health sciences major at UNH, you will be prepared for a range of careers in the large and interdisciplinary healthcare field. This versatile major provides the foundational, prerequisite knowledge for graduate education in health professions, and is general enough to give you flexibility to structure your program of study to your professional career interests. A health sciences student will have an academic advisor who understands the requirements and nuances of applying for and successful admission to advanced degree programs. Students will receive instruction in basic sciences, personal and community health and welfare, nutrition, epidemiology, injury and disease prevention, diagnosis and treatment, fitness and exercise, and health behaviors.
Potential career areas
- Athletic training
- Chiropractic
- Dentistry
- Medicine
- Nursing
- Occupational therapy
- Osteopathic medicine
- Physical therapy
- Physician assistant
Contact
Department of Kinesiology
New Hampshire Hall, 124 Main Street
Durham, NH 03824
New Hampshire Hall, 124 Main Street
Durham, NH 03824
Phone: (603) 862-2071
Curriculum & Requirements
The Health Sciences program is for those students who are concerned with the well-being of others; and who also possess a strong science aptitude. As healthcare has evolved in the U.S., degree programs in the allied health professions (athletic training, physical therapy, physician assistant, etc.) have moved to post-baccalaureate education. Individuals with career interests in allied health professions must, first, attain prerequisite knowledge to be prepared to study in these advanced degree programs. This rigorous academic program meets requirements for entry into graduate school for a career in athletic training, physical therapy, or physician assistant. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics anticipates a much faster than average job growth for most careers in health care.
Admission to graduate study in medical or allied health professions (athletic training, physician assistant, physical therapy, etc) is very competitive and requires applicants to demonstrate exemplary academic performance for admission. Students are required to have earned a minimum, cumulative, GPA of 2.85 by the end of their Sophomore/2nd Year in the Health Sciences Major. Students with a GPA below 2.85 will be excluded (removed) from the Health Sciences Major.
Major Requirements
Core courses required of all Health Sciences concentrations are:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| AT 406 | Introduction to Athletic Training | 1 |
| AT 667 | Pharmacology for Athletic Training | 2 |
| BIOL 411 | Introductory Biology: Molecular and Cellular | 4 |
| BIOL 412 | Introductory Biology: Evolution, Biodiversity and Ecology | 4 |
| BMS 507 | Human Anatomy and Physiology I | 4 |
| BMS 508 | Human Anatomy and Physiology II | 4 |
| CHEM 403 | General Chemistry I | 4 |
| CHEM 404 | General Chemistry II | 4 |
| HS 605 | Exploration of Allied Health Professions | 2 |
| HS 656 | Musculoskeletal Pathologies for Health Professions | 4 |
| HS 657 | Musculoskeletal Pathologies for Health Professions Lab | 1 |
| HS 717 | Cultural Considerations in Health Care | 4 |
| EXSC 620 | Physiology of Exercise | 4 |
| EXSC 722 | Applied Biomechanics | 4 |
| INCO 403 | Healthcare Professions Seminar | 2 |
| KIN 585 | Emergency Medical Responder | 4 |
| KIN 652 | Clinical Kinesiology | 4 |
| NUTR 400 | Nutrition in Health and Well Being | 4 |
| PHYS 401 | Introduction to Physics I | 4 |
| PHYS 402 | Introduction to Physics II | 4 |
| PSYC 401 | Introduction to Psychology | 4 |
| SOC 402 | Statistics 1 | 4 |
| or PSYC 402 | Statistics in Psychology | |
| SPST 780 | Psychological Factors in Sport | 4 |
| 1 | Any UNH statistics course satisfies the requirement with adviser approval. |
Required University Courses
Candidates for a degree must satisfy all of the University Discovery requirements in addition to satisfying the requirements of their selected Health Sciences concentration.
Athletic Training Concentration
This concentration is intended for students interested in pursuing a career as an athletic trainer. Students in this concentration develop knowledge and skills to prepare them for graduate study in a CAATE Accredited Master’s Degree in Athletic Training. This concentration provides the prerequisite coursework to study in the (proposed) Master of Science in Athletic Training at the University of New Hampshire.
Requirements for the Athletic Training Concentration are those presented in the Major Requirements – Core Courses, above.
Physician Assistant / Physical Therapy / ‘Other’ Medical Professions Concentration
This concentration is intended for students interested in pursuing a career as a physician assistant, physical therapist, or other medical profession. Students in this concentration develop knowledge and skills to prepare them for graduate study in medical fields.
Requirements for the PA / PT / Other Medical Professions Concentration are those presented in the Major Requirements, above, and the Additional Required Courses and Electives listed below. These courses are intended to provide an individualized component of the Health Sciences curriculum to meet the needs and interests of the student pursuing their personal career path.
Additional Required Courses
Health / Medical topic classes (may meet Discovery category requirements) of the following classifications:
- 400/500-level classes – students must select 2 from this category
- 600-level class – students must select 1 from this category
- 700-level classes – students must select 2 from this category
Courses that meet these criteria are non-required Health Sciences courses; and course work in Communication Sciences & Disorders, Human Development & Family Studies, Health & Human Services, Health Management & Policy, Kinesiology, Nursing, Occupational Therapy, Recreation Management & Policy, Social Work.
Recommended Electives
A student’s plan of elective courses must be approved by a Health Sciences adviser.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| BMCB 658/659W | General Biochemistry | 3 |
| BMS 503/504 | General Microbiology | 3 |
| CHEM 545/546 | Organic Chemistry | 3 |
| GEN 604 | Principles of Genetics | 4 |
| KIN 684/685 | Emergency Medical Care: Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) | 3 |
| KIN 706 | Neurology | 4 |
| PSYC 561 | Abnormal Behavior | 4 |
| PSYC 581 | Child Development | 4 |
Explore Program Details
Students seeking a major change/internal transfer to the Health Sciences major will complete and submit an application (link below). Applications will be accepted during the spring semester; the deadline is April 15th. Applicants are required to have successfully completed BMS 507 and 508, attained a cumulative GPA of 2.75 or higher, and to submit a letter of interest that explains your interest in the health sciences major. Students granted acceptance will be informed after the completion of the spring semester in which they submitted their application, and will begin in the major during the subsequent fall semester.
Q: I’m currently an undergraduate student at UNH. I'm interested in the Health Sciences Major (BS), how do I transfer into the program?
- Students seeking to change their major to Health Sciences must complete an internal transfer application and complete all necessary steps as outlined in the instructions.
Apply Now
Q: I’m currently a student in the Athletic Training Major (BS) at UNH. Can I switch into the Health Sciences program and continue on to complete the Master of Science program in Athletic Training?
- The Health Sciences major began accepting students in Fall 2020.
- The Master of Science in Athletic Training will not be operational until Fall 2023.
- This would mean you wouldn’t earn your MS in Athletic Training until the conclusion of the Spring 2025 Semester = 6 total years of college.
Q: I’m currently a student at UNH who wants to pursue study and a career in exercise science, nursing, or occupational therapy. I noticed that these are careers someone in the Health Sciences major could pursue. If I’m in the Health Sciences major can I then gain admission to the undergraduate / BS programs in Exercise Science, Nursing, or Occupational Therapy at UNH?
- Being a Health Sciences major does not grant any ‘special’ access or guarantee admission to other BS degree programs at UNH.
- Internal transfer admission to these BS degree programs is competitive and very limited.
- Interested students should consult with the appropriate Department program coordinator for specific admissions information.
Q: I’m currently a high school student and I want to become an athletic trainer. How can I attain this goal by attending UNH?
- The Strategic Partners (Board of Certification <BOC>, Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education <CAATE>, National Athletic Trainers’ Association <NATA>, and the NATA Foundation) have determined that the entry-level degree for athletic training will be the master’s degree for students who enter college after Fall 2023.
- UNH will begin offering a Master of Science (MS) degree in Athletic Training for Fall 2023 (tentative on UNH and CAATE approval). Students completing the MS in Athletic Training will be eligible for the BOC Exam which enables them to practice as an athletic trainer anywhere in the United States.
- Students can obtain the prerequisite eligibility coursework for the MS in Athletic Training as a student in the UNH Health Sciences major.
- When you apply to UNH for Fall 2020 and beyond, select Health Sciences as your ‘first choice’ major.
Q: I’m currently a high school student and I want to become a physician assistant, physical therapist, or enter another health profession with a degree program at the post-graduate level (MS Degree or higher). How can I attain this goal by attending UNH?
- The Health Sciences major will provide you with the prerequisite coursework that will make you eligible for post-graduate study in athletic training, physical therapy, physician assistant, and many other health-related professional programs of study.
- The Health Sciences major includes full years (2 semesters) in Biology, Chemistry, Human Anatomy & Physiology, and Physics.
- The Health Sciences major includes introductory coursework in the epidemiology, assessment and diagnosis, and treatment/rehabilitation of orthopedic injury and common general medical conditions.
- The Health Sciences major includes “shadow” coursework that requires students to observe practicing professionals in several health fields to assist students in making the appropriate career choice based on their interests.
- The Health Sciences major includes over 20 credits of elective/open coursework that the student can use to design a curriculum that meets the specific prerequisite requirements of their chosen field of professional education.
- When you apply to UNH for Fall 2020 and beyond, select Health Sciences as your ‘first choice’ major.
Students seeking to transfer to the Health Sciences major will complete and submit an application. Applications will be accepted during the spring semester; the deadline is April 15th. Applicants are required to have successfully completed BMS 507 and 508, attained a cumulative GPA of 2.75 or higher, and to submit a letter of interest that explains your interest in the health sciences major. Students granted acceptance will be informed after the completion of the spring semester in which they submitted their application, and will begin in the major during the subsequent fall semester.
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