Health Sciences Major
Health is the most basic of human necessities and yet we suffer constant threats to our well-being—threats that can have a major effect on our psychology, culture, politics, and social structures. The health sciences major at Hamline is an interdisciplinary field of study through which students focus on health issues in local, national, and international arenas from a variety of perspectives. The major builds on connections between the liberal arts and the core concerns of public health, with the recognition that issues of human health are complex and influenced not only by human biology and statistics, but by all aspects of the human experience.
The health sciences major is an excellent choice for students interested in any aspect of healthcare from the clinical applications to international aid, law, policy, and social work. Students interested in attending medical school or other health professional schools can pursue the health sciences major, however it does not include all the prerequisite courses required for application to such programs; they would have to take additional courses in addition to the health sciences major requirements.
To complete the major, students are required to take a common set of courses and may then select one of two predetermined areas of concentration: behavioral and social sciences or science of disease. They may also create their own combination of these courses in consultation with a health sciences faculty advisor.
- Behavioral and social sciences: The behavioral and social sciences track is designed to provide students with knowledge about the causes, patterns, and consequences of affliction and disease, both on an individual level and that of the population. Courses engage critical issues such as: health and human rights, concepts of normality and abnormality, the role of medical technologies in life and death, medical pluralism, the history of medicine, and health inequalities.
- Science of disease: The science of disease track provides students with a basic knowledge of the biological principles necessary to understand the causes and mechanisms of disease. It is recommended for students who wish to enter professional programs for medicine, allied health disciplines, or health education.
The major culminates with either an internship in the health sciences or a research project. The Twin Cities offer numerous opportunities for internships with local hospitals and nonprofit and research organizations. Hamline has a strong collaborative research program through which students work with a professor on professional research and often present their findings at national conferences, which gives them a leg-up when applying for graduate or professional school.
In accordance with Hamline’s emphasis on civic engagement, students find opportunities to volunteer in a health-related capacity with local nonprofits, fulfilling personal desires for service and gaining valuable experience for their resumes. Study abroad programs also are available for students within the major.
SAMPLE COURSES
Introduction to Public Health
Introduction to Global Health
Epidemiology
Introduction to Physiology
Cultural Politics of Impairment and Ableism
Comparative Perspectives on the Body
Intergroup Dialogue on Disability
Lifespan Development
Disorders of Childhood
Behavioral Genetics
Death and Dying
Medicine, Morality, and Mortality
CAREERS AND GRADUATE WORK
Career opportunities for public health majors abound. Examples include:
- Medicine
- Allied health professions
- Chiropractic medicine
- Dentistry
- Environmental health
- Gerontology
- Nursing
- Nutrition/dietetics
- Mental health
- Occupational therapy
- Optometry
- Pharmacy
- Physical therapy
- Podiatric medicine
- Public health
- Law
- Speech-Language-Hearing
- Sports medicine
- Nonprofit aid work
Read more about life after Hamline.