The Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences is a versatile degree that provides students with extensive preparation for work in any field that addresses people’s health.  The objective of this program is to address the needs of those students seeking a broad understanding of the science of human health and its application to their chosen career. 

This highly interdisciplinary degree offers coursework that promotes an understanding of the biological, social, behavioral, economic and ethical factors that influence health care today. This degree offers courses from departments throughout the University and has a flexible curriculum so students can choose an area of specialization to suit their career interests.

Health Sciences is an interdisciplinary degree that meets the needs of three student groups: (1) students who want to prepare for careers in Health Education and Promotion, Exercise and Sport Science, or Nutritional Science; (2) students who want to apply to graduate programs; and (3) health care professionals who have already obtained an associate’s degree and would like to obtain a baccalaureate degree.  Students majoring in Health Science will have the opportunity to prepare for entry and mid-level positions at for-profit and not-for-profit health care organizations such as community/public health, hospitals, fitness centers, and health clinics.

The primary goal of the degree is to provide students the basic, technical and applied aspects of health sciences. Another goal is to help students apply this knowledge to a variety of career opportunities.  A baccalaureate degree in Health Sciences will enable students to gain knowledge of problem-solving skills relevant to health-related professions, medicine and interrelated fields of health and wellness care.

Grade Requirements:

Students must earn a grade of C or above in Health Sciences degree and concentration curriculum core courses, and a passing grade in other courses/electives and general education courses.

Degree Requirements for the B.S. in Health Sciences, effective for students matriculating Fall 2021.

A.  General Education Requirements (32-34 cr.): 

• Written Communication
  • ENG-W 131 Reading, Writing, Inquiry (3 cr.)
• Speaking & Listening
  • SPCH-S 121 Public Speaking (3 cr.)
• Quantitative Literacy
  • Student choice*  (a course that fulfills MATH-M requirement (3 cr.)
  • HSCI-H 322 Epidemiology and Biostatistics (3 cr.)
• Social & Behavioral Ways of Knowing
  • PSY-P 103 General Psychology (3 cr.) (fulfills ERC requirement)
  • Student choice* (a course that fulfills social and behavioral requirement) (3 cr.)
• Humanistic & Artistic Ways of Knowing:
  • Student's choice of two courses* (3 cr. each) (2 courses that fulfill humanistic and artistic requirement)
• Scientific Ways of Knowing
  • PHSL-P 215 Basic Human Physiology with laboratory (5 cr.)
  • CHEM-C** (3 cr.) (Any CHEM-C course that fulfills scientific requirement)

*Ensure that one of the above choices meets the requirement for Diversity
**Students are strongly encouraged to choose CHEM-C105

B.  Core Requirements (38 cr)

• ANAT-A 215 Basic Human Anatomy with Lab (5 cr.)
• HSCI-H 120 Introduction to Health and Fitness (3 cr.)
• HSCI-H 204 Motor Development (3 cr.)
• HSCI-H 212 Introduction to Exercise Science (3 cr.)
• HSCI-H 255 Human Sexuality (3 cr.)
• HSCI-H 321 Research Methods in Health Sciences (3 cr.)
• HSCI-H 333 Cultural Competence in Health Education (3 cr.)
• HSCI-H 364 Stress Management in the Health Professions (3 cr.)
• HSCI-H 491 Internship in Health Sciences (3 cr.)
• HSCO-H 220 Nutrition for Health (3 cr.)
• MICR-J 200  Microbiology (3 cr.)
• PAHM-W 314 Ethics for Health Professionals (3 cr.) or SRM-P 402 Ethics in Sports (3 cr.)
• Sophomore Sojourn - Program field trip embedded within HSCI-H 204

C. Health Sciences Concentrations:

IU Kokomo offers a Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences with three concentrations: (1) Health Education and Promotion; (2) Exercise and Sport Science; and (3) Nutritional Science. These three concentrations provide students the knowledge and skills that enhance awareness about healthy lifestyle behavior, increase health-enhancing behaviors, decrease health risk behaviors, and create environments supportive of healthy lifestyles. 

1.  Health Education and Promotion is the science of helping people, organizations, and communities change lifestyle behaviors to move toward a state of improved health resulting in decreases in chronic disease and health care costs. To accomplish this objective, students learn the science of health through the study of nutrition, biology, anatomy and physiology, and psychology combined with program planning for health promotion by learning how to assess, implement, and evaluate programs that effectively achieve the outcome of improved health.  Students are prepared to pursue the Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES) certification. What else can Health Promotion concentration graduates do?  https://www.bls.gov/ooh/community-and-social-service/health-educators.htm

Health Education and Promotion Concentration Required Courses: (24-27 cr.)

• HSCI-H 325 Foundations of Health Education (3 cr.)
• HSCI-H 327 Introduction to Community Health (3 cr.)
• HSCI-H 411 Promoting Health Behavior (3 cr.)
• HSCI-H 415 Global Child and Adolescent Health (3 cr.)
• HSCI-H 434 Diseases of Diverse Populations (3 cr.)
• HSCI-H 477 Program Planning (3 cr.)
• HSCI-H 478 Program Evaluation (3 cr.)
• HSCI-H 499 Senior Capstone (3 cr.)

2. Exercise and Sport Science is appropriate for students interested in personal training, physical or occupational therapy, sports leadership, exercise science, biomechanics, strength and conditioning, athletic coaching, and fitness specialties. Upon completion, a number of students apply and are accepted into the following professional schools: physician assistant, physical therapy, occupational therapy and athletic trainer. To accommodate these careers, we offer courses that are both academically and physically challenging. This unique degree offers science-based courses in the field of health and nutrition as well as performance-based activity courses. What else can Exercise and Sport concentration majors do? http://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/athletic-trainers-and-exercise-physiologists.htm

Exercise and Sport Science Concentration Required Courses: (24 cr.)

• HPER-E XXX 3 credits of any HPER-E course(s)
• HSCI-H 144 Fundamentals of Human Movement (3 cr.)
• HSCI-H 360 Philosophical Foundations of Coaching (3 cr.)
• HSCI-H 391 Biomechanics (3 cr.)
• HSCI-H 405 Introduction to Sport Psychology (3 cr.)
• HSCI-H 442 Exercise and Nutrition (3 cr.)
• HSCI-H 452 Motor Learning (3 cr.)
• HSCI-H 496 Children's Talent Development (3 cr.)/HPER-P 445 Special Topics in Kinesiology (3 cr.)

Students in the pre-physical therapy track of exercise and sport sciences are required to take the following additional courses (consult with an advisor for details):

• ANAT-A 215 Basic Human Anatomy
• CHEM-C 105/C 125 Principles of Chemistry I
• HSCI-H 409 Basic Physiology of Exercise
• MATH-M 125 Pre-Calculus Mathematics
• PHSL-P 215 Basic Human Physiology

3.  Nutritional Science is an important component of a well-rounded Health Sciences undergraduate degree.  The nutritional science concentration allows for the Health Sciences major to understand the value of food, food preparation and substances within what is consumed and the relationship to personal and community health. 

A concentration in nutritional science provides a foundation for Health Science majors to pursue careers that improve lives, prevent diseases, and promote general healthy living in individuals and our communities.  What you eat not only has the ability to promote health, it also influences your risk of many diseases. Students who earn this concentration develop a knowledge-based in science and nutrition to understand and explore the relationship between what we eat and health. Courses specific to this concentration include both traditional didactic material and experiential learning through our nutrition laboratory.  Students study a variety of nutritional science that include how the body metabolizes of nutrients, food preparation, global sustainability medical therapy, food as an art, and nutrition for chronic diseases and weight management.

This concentration may lead the Health Sciences graduate to be eligible for graduate programs in Dietetics.  Dietetics is a specialized area of nutrition. Registered Dietitians (RD) need a program that includes additional chemistry courses as well as an internship. Dietetics’ focus is on prevention of disease and chronic processes.  Read more bout nutritional science professions in the link. https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/dietitians-and-nutritionists.htm

Nutritional Science Concentration Required Courses:(27 cr.)

• HSCI-H 130 Introduction to Foods (3 cr.)
• HSCI-H 260 Nutrition Education Counseling (3 cr.)
• HSCI-H 336 Nutrition Through the Lifecycle (3 cr.)
• HSCI-H 365 Physical Assessments and Emergency Care (3 cr.)
• HSCI-H 388 Advanced Human Nutrition and Metabolism (3 cr.)
• HSCI-H 406 Medical Nutrition Therapy I (3 cr.)
• HSCI-H 407 Medical Nutrition Therapy II (3 cr.)
• HSCI-H 422 Exercise and Nutrition (3 cr.)
• HSCI-H 498 Senior Nutrition Seminar (3 cr.)

D. Elective Courses (to get to 120 total credits) 

Students can take any courses to reach 120 total credit hours. There is no limit to the number of credit hours outside the Health Sciences program as long as the basic requirements for the major, concentration, and campus general education have been met.