BS in Health Science

Units required for Major: 51-55
Total units required for BS: 120

Program Description

The Bachelor of Science program in Health Science prepares students for a variety of roles within the allied health professions. The curriculum integrates coursework from disciplines across the University to provide students with a broad foundation of knowledge and skills related to life sciences, social sciences, communications, health ecology, public service, ethical practice, and data analysis. 

The curriculum is designed to provide students with the necessary prerequisite courses to pursue careers or training in clinical or non-clinical practice professions after graduation, such as Occupational Therapy, Nursing, Physician Assistance, or Public Health. The curriculum also prepares students to transition to clinical majors at Sacramento State if they wish. Students have the flexibility to select a program of study that suits their career goals within the allied health professions. 

Note: Students graduating with a BS in Health Science will not be subject to the University’s Foreign Language Graduation Requirement. Students who change major may be subject to the University’s Foreign Language Graduation Requirement.

Minimum Grade Requirement

All courses must be completed with at least a "C-" grade.

Additional Information

Credit by Examination: A student who seeks course credit by examination is to enroll in the course to be challenged. No course may be challenged after the first two weeks of the semester. The instructor of the course will conduct an assessment of the student's readiness for the challenge for credit examination. Refer to Credit by Examination section of the Sacramento State Catalog.

Advising: It will be necessary to work closely with an advisor to complete the BS degree in a timely manner. Therefore, it is strongly recommended that all Health Science students consult with an advisor prior to enrollment for any course. This procedure should be followed each semester.

Program Requirements

Required Lower Division Courses (13 Units)
BIO 25
BIO 26
Human Anatomy and Physiology I
Human Anatomy and Physiology II
8
CHEM 6AIntroduction to General Chemistry 1, 25
or CHEM 1A General Chemistry I
Required Lower Division Electives5 - 8
Select two courses from the following Lower Divison Electives: (5-8 units)
Basic Biological Concepts 1
Microbiology for Allied Health Students
Human Development
Nutrition And Wellness 1
Introductory Psychology 1
or SOC 1
Principles of Sociology
Introduction to Statistics 1
Introductory Statistics with Developmental Mathematics
Pharmacology
Required Upper Division Courses (15 Units)
HHS 196B (Introduction to Health Science)3
PUBH 114Human Ecology and Health 13
PUBH 122Health Psychology3
Select one course from the following courses on Aging: (3 units)3
Aging Issues in Contemporary America
Older Adult Services and Strategies
Strategies for Optimal Aging
Interprofessional Approaches to Health Care in Older Adults
Sport And Aging
Aging and Health
Select one course from the following courses on Ethical Practices: (3 units)3
Professional and Public Service Ethics 1
Bioethics 1
Science and Human Values 1
Introduction to the U.S. Healthcare System
Health Services and Systems 1
Required Health Science Electives18 - 19
Select six courses from the following elective courses: (18-19 units)
Physiology of Human Reproduction
Neuroanatomy
Histology
Systemic Physiology
Medical Microbiology and Emerging Infectious Diseases
Health Communication
Applied Care Management in Gerontological Practice
Senior Seminar: Health Science Careers, Policy, and Research
Planning, Designing and Managing a Fitness Center
Leadership and Communication
Care Of Athletic Injuries
Hospice and Palliative Nursing Care
The Brain and Gender-Related Differences 1
Nutrition And Metabolism 1
Physics of Sports 1
Psychology of Adolescence
Abnormal Psychology
Fundamentals of Safety and Health
Public Health Policy, Management & Administration
Ethical Considerations in Public Health
Alcohol and Other Drugs
Understanding Human Sexuality
Human Sexuality
Recreation and Leisure Lifestyle Development
Leisure, the Individual, and Contemporary Society
Introduction to Inclusive Recreation and Recreation Therapy
Volunteer Management in Nonprofit, Service, or Community Organizations
RPTA 196E
The Science of Nature Engagement and Human Health & Wellbeing (The Science of Nature Engagement and Human Health & Wellbeing)
Total Units51-55
1

Course also satisfies General Education (GE)/Graduation Requirement.

2
Any 4 or 5 unit lecture-based Chemistry course

Note: Health Science courses depend upon concentration, permission of the faculty advisor, program coordinator, and department chair.

General Education Requirements1

Area A: Basic Subjects (9 Units)
A1 - Oral Communication3
A2 - Written Communication3
A3 - Critical Thinking3
Area B: Physical Universe and Its Life Forms (6 Units)
B1 - Physical Science 20
B2 - Life Forms3
B3 - Lab (Note: Lab experience to be taken with one of the following: B1, B2 or B5 20
B4 - Math Concepts 20
B5 - Additional Course (Any B to reach 12 units) - Take upper-division course to complete Area & upper division requirements.3
Area C: Arts and Humanities (12 Units)
C1 - Arts3
C2 - Humanities3
C1/C2 - Area Course C3
C1/C2 - Area C Course - Take upper-division course to complete Area & upper division requirements.3
Area D: The Individual and Society (6 Units)
Area D Course3
Area D Course3
Area D Course - Take upper-division course to complete Area & upper division requirements. 20
Area E: Understanding Personal Development (3 Units)
Area E Course3
Area F: Ethnic Studies (3 Units)
Area F Course3
Total Units39
1

To help you complete your degree in a timely manner and not take more units than absolutely necessary, there are ways to use single courses to meet more than one requirement (overlap). For further information, please visit the General Education page.

Note: There is no way to list all possible overlaps so please consult with a professional advisor. The Academic Advising Center can be visited online, by phone (916) 278-1000, or email.

2

Required in Major; also satisfies GE.

Graduation Requirements1

Graduation Requirements (required by CSU) (9 Units)
American Institutions: U.S. History3
American Institutions: U.S. Constitution & CA Government3
Writing Intensive (WI)3
Graduation Requirements (required by Sacramento State) (6 Units)
English Composition II3
Race and Ethnicity in American Society (RE)3
Foreign Language Proficiency Requirement 20
1

To help you complete your degree in a timely manner and not take more units than absolutely necessary, there are ways to use single courses to meet more than one requirement (overlap). For further information, please visit the General Education page.

Note: There is no way to list all possible overlaps so please consult with a professional advisor. The Academic Advising Center can be visited online, by phone (916) 278-1000, or email.

2

If not satisfied before entering Sacramento State, it may be satisfied in General Education Area C2 (Humanities). "C- or better required." The alternative methods for satisfying the Foreign Language Proficiency Requirement are described here: https://www.csus.edu/college/arts-letters/world-languages-literatures/foreign-language-requirement.html

Note: Students with a declared major of BS in Health Science (Occupational Health and Safety), BS in Health Science (Health Care Administration), or BS in Health Science (Community Health Education) are exempt from the Foreign Language Graduation Requirement.

The following roadmaps are sample planning resources. Please consult your academic advisor and Academic Catalog for graduation requirements as you develop your individualized academic plan.

Health Science, BS: 4-Year Roadmap

Plan of Study Grid
Year 1
First SemesterUnits
BIO 10 Basic Biological Concepts 3
HHS 100  
GE Area 1A - English Composition 2 3
GR American Institutions (US History) 2 3
Elective of Choice 3
 Units12
Second Semester
BIO 25 Human Anatomy and Physiology I 4
STAT 1 Introduction to Statistics 3
GE Area 1B - Critical Thinking 2 3
GE Area 1C - Oral Communication 2 3
GE Area 4 - Social & Behavioral Sciences 2 3
 Units16
Year 2
First Semester
BIO 26 Human Anatomy and Physiology II 4
ENGL 20 College Composition II 3
GE Area 3A - Arts 2 3
GE Area 6 - Ethnic Studies 2 3
Elective of Choice 3
 Units16
Second Semester
CHEM 6A Introduction to General Chemistry 5
GE Area 3B - Humanities 2 3
GR American Institutions (GOVT) 2 3
Elective of Choice 3
 Units14
Year 3
First Semester
PUBH 114 Human Ecology and Health 3
Upper Division GE Area 3 - Arts or Humanities 2 3
Upper Division GE Area 5 or 2 - Science or Mathematical Concepts/Quantitative Reasoning 2 3
Elective of Choice 3
Elective of Choice 3
 Units15
Second Semester
Health Science Major Elective 3 3
Health Science Major Elective 3 3
Health Science Major Elective 3 3
Elective of Choice 3
Elective of Choice 3
 Units15
Year 4
First Semester
PUBH 122 Health Psychology 3
GERO 121
Strategies for Optimal Aging 3
or Interprofessional Approaches to Health Care in Older Adults
or Sport And Aging
or Aging and Health
3
Health Science Major Elective 3 3
Writing Intensive 2 3
Elective of Choice 3
 Units15
Second Semester
PHIL 102
Professional and Public Service Ethics 3
or Bioethics
or Science and Human Values
or Introduction to the U.S. Healthcare System
or Health Services and Systems
3
Health Science Major Elective 3 3
Health Science Major Elective 3 3
Elective of Choice 3
Elective of Choice 3
 Units15
 Total Units118

Health Science, BS: 2-Year Roadmap

Plan of Study Grid
Year 1
First SemesterUnits
HHS 100  
PUBH 114 Human Ecology and Health 3
Upper Division GE Area 3 - Arts or Humanities 2 3
Upper Division GE Area 5 or 2 - Science or Mathematical Concepts/Quantitative Reasoning 2 3
GR American Institutions (GOVT) 2 3
 Units12
Second Semester
GERO 121
Strategies for Optimal Aging 3
or Interprofessional Approaches to Health Care in Older Adults
or Sport And Aging
or Aging and Health
3
Health Science Major Elective 3 3
Health Science Major Elective 3 3
GR American Institutions (US History) 2 3
Elective of Choice 3
 Units15
Year 2
First Semester
PUBH 122 Health Psychology 3
Health Science Major Elective 3 3
Health Science Major Elective 3 3
Writing Intensive 2 3
Elective of Choice 3
 Units15
Second Semester
PHIL 102
Professional and Public Service Ethics 3
or Bioethics
or Science and Human Values
or Introduction to the U.S. Healthcare System
or Health Services and Systems
3
Health Science Major Elective 3 3
Health Science Major Elective 3 3
Elective of Choice 3
Elective of Choice 3
 Units15
 Total Units57
1.

Any course not completed in the first semester should be taken in the second or a later semester.

2.

Please see General Education/Graduation Requirement course options.

3.

Please see an academic advisor for elective options.