August 1, 2017
Dear UEPC:
Enclosed is a proposal to make changes to the Allied Health Science Major. These changes have come about during the Program Review, under the guidance of Dean Wensley, who chairs the AHS Major Advisory Committee.
The proposed requirements include eliminating physics as a major requirement and adding flexibility to the upper division course selection. This is part of our educational effectiveness and improvement plan for the major which entails development of tracks for graduate program preparation. These tracks are meant to provide guidance on the prerequisites for various programs and to maximize preparedness for graduate school enrollment. The tracks will vary by career path and will give students the option to take or not to take physics and organic chemistry, based on those plans.
The justification for eliminating the physics requirement is that this major is designed to fulfill requirements for many different graduate programs, which have various prerequisites. In general, these programs already have a heavy demand for lower division requirements (chemistry, math, biology) and some have additional requirements (psychology, sociology, nutrition, communication). Thus eliminating the lower division requirement of one year of physics allows students to take only the courses needed to fulfill graduate prerequisites. Furthermore, the maximum number of lower division courses that any other major on campus has is 8 and this change will bring the AHS major requirement down to 9 lower division courses, still more than any other major on campus.
The Current AHS Major Description
The School of Science offers an interdisciplinary major in allied health science. This program provides a solid foundation in natural science and human biology. The Allied Health Science major is appropriate for students who intend to pursue graduate programs in physical therapy, occupational therapy, optometry, physician assistant, and public health, as well as other health careers requiring a science background. The student must meet with the Allied Health Advisor on admission to the College to design a course of study that will meet his/her individual needs and interests.
LEARNING OUTCOMES
When students have completed the allied health science major, they will be able to:
• Pursue graduate study in physical, occupational therapy, physician assistant, optometry, public health, chiropractic medicine, speech pathology and audiology, post-baccalaureate nursing programs, nutrition and other health professions programs. As many schools differ, some additional coursework may be required.
• Enter careers in the health professions that require post-graduate certificate studies, such as radiology technician, medical assistant, dental hygienist, and science laboratory research assistant.
MAJOR REQUIREMENTS
The Allied Health Science major comprises 18 lower- and upper-division courses, many with corresponding laboratories, as detailed below. In order to officially declare an Allied Health Science major, a student must have completed Chemistry 8 and 9 with a C– or better, have completed (with a C– or better) or be enrolled in Chemistry 10 and 11, and obtain approval of the Allied Health Advisor. In order to finish an Allied Health Science major within four years, students should complete Chemistry 10 and 11 prior to the beginning of their sophomore year.
LOWER DIVISION
Chemistry 8 & 9 (laboratory)
Chemistry 10 & 11 (laboratory)
Mathematics 27 Mathematics 28, 38, or 4
Biology 1 & 1L (laboratory)
Biology 2 & 2L (laboratory)
Biology 15 & 16 (laboratory)
Biology 25 & 26 (laboratory)
Or Biology 127
(requires a two semester organic chemistry prerequisite)
Physics 10 & 10L (laboratory)
Physics 11 & 11L (laboratory)
Psychology 1
UPPER DIVISION
In addition, a minimum of seven upper-division courses is to be taken from biology, psychology, kinesiology (at least two from each of these departments) and chemistry. The selection of upper-division courses for this major must be chosen in consultation with the Allied Health Advisor. Note that additional lower-division courses may be required as prerequisites for some upper-division course choices.
Proposed updates to Major description, pending approval by SOS and UEPC
The School of Science offers an interdisciplinary major in allied health science. This program provides a strong foundation in natural science and human biology. The Allied Health Science major that prepares students to pursue graduate programs in physical therapy, physician assistant, genetic counseling, nursing, occupational therapy, chiropractic medicine, dental hygiene, and public health, and other health careers requiring a science background (listed below). The student must meet with the Allied Health Advisor on admission to the College to design a course of study that will meet his/her individual needs and interests.
The AHS major is consistent with the mission of the College to offer students a diverse liberal arts curriculum that is enhanced by an area of study—in this case the biological, biochemical, chemical, psychological, and physical sciences. The courses that fulfill the AHS major allow students to acquire scientific knowledge, integrate that knowledge among different fields of science, and apply it in the professional environment. Finally, the AHS major facilitates education of a community of students with common goals to enhance the health and well-being of their communities through a variety of health service-oriented professions.
LEARNING OUTCOMES
- Demonstrate competence in the scientific principles of human health in all four major areas of Allied Health Science: biology, chemistry, psychology, and kinesiology including knowledge of human anatomy and physiology and its relevance to human health;
- Understand and practice scientific inquiry through observation and/or experimentation including logic of experimentation, data analysis and ethical implications;
- Analyze, interpret, integrate and evaluate scientific literature with the ability to communicate findings in a written format;
- Gain exposure to professional environments where philosophical and theoretical principles are applied while demonstrating an understanding and respect for the value of individuals, communities, and perspectives of difference.
MAJOR REQUIREMENTS
The Allied Health Science major comprises 16 lower- and upper-division courses, many with corresponding laboratories, as detailed below. In order to officially declare an Allied Health Science major, a student must have completed Chemistry 8 and 9 with a C– or better, have completed (with a C– or better) or be enrolled in Chemistry 10 and 11, and obtain approval of the Allied Health Advisor. In order to finish an Allied Health Science major within four years, it is essential that students complete Chemistry 10 and 11 prior to the beginning of their sophomore year.
LOWER DIVISION
Chemistry 8 & 9 (laboratory)
Chemistry 10 & 11 (laboratory)
Mathematics 27 Mathematics 28, 38, or 4 (4 recommended)
Biology 1 & 1L (laboratory)
Biology 2 & 2L (laboratory)
Biology 15 & 16 (laboratory)
Biology 25 & 26 (laboratory) or Biology 127 (has a two semester organic chemistry prerequisite)
Psychology 1
UPPER DIVISION
In addition, a minimum of six upper-division courses is to be taken from biology, psychology, kinesiology (at least one from each department), and chemistry (optional). At least two upper division courses must have a laboratory component. The selection of upper-division courses for this major must be chosen in consultation with the Allied Health Advisor. An additional upper division science course, AHS 100, will be taken that fulfills the Writing in the Discipline requirement of the major. A total of 17 upper-division courses are to be completed by graduation.
Career Paths fulfilled by major requirements:
Public Health
Occupational Therapy
Chiropractic Medicine
Health Administration
Phlebotomy
Paramedics
Career Paths that required course work beyond major requirements:
Physics Prerequisite:
Physical Therapy
Organic Chemistry Prerequisite:
Genetic Counseling (2 semesters)
Nurse Practitioner (1 semester)
Registered Nurse (1 semester)
Organic Chemistry & Physics Prerequisites:
Physician Assistant
Nutrition
Radiography
Medical and Clinical Lab Tech
Please let me know if I can provide additional documentation-
Sincerely,
On behalf of the AHS AdvisoryCommittee,
Rainbow Rubin, PhD MPH
Pre-Health Professions Advisor
Saint Mary’s College of California
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