About
The Health Science programs at Saint Michael’s combines biomedical instruction with an understanding of how psychological and societal factors impact health.
Health Science prepares students for medical, dental, and other healthcare graduate programs such as physical therapy, physician assistant, occupational therapy, podiatry, optometry, or nursing. Saint Michael’s graduates have outstanding admission rates to healthcare professional schools.
Majoring in Health Science can also prepare you for direct entry to jobs in many sectors of the healthcare industry right after graduation.
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Sample 4-Year Plan
Fall
Introduction to Health Science
General Chemistry I
Liberal Arts Core
First Year Seminar
Spring
Introductory Cell Biology and Genetics
Organic Chemistry I
Liberal Arts Core
Liberal Arts Core
Fall
Human Anatomy and Physiology I
Statistics
Liberal Arts Core
Liberal Arts Core
Spring
Human Anatomy and Physiology II
Psychology of Health and Illness
Biology elective (Microbiology)
Free Elective*
*If a student is interested in a post-graduate program, additional courses in Chemistry, Biology, Math or Physics may be required.
Fall
Biology Elective (Nutrition)
Junior Seminar
Free Elective*
Ancient Medicine: Greek and Latin Roots of Scientific Terminology
Spring
Biology Elective (Epidemiology)
Healthcare Ethics
Free Elective*
Free Elective*
*If a student is interested in a post-graduate program, additional courses in Chemistry, Biology, Math or Physics may be required.
Fall
Internship
Biology Elective (Immunology and Parasitology)
Liberal Studies Curriculum
Free Elective*
Spring
Senior Seminar
Biology Elective (Cell Biology)
Free Elective*
Free Elective*
*If a student is interested in a post-graduate program, additional courses in Chemistry, Biology, Math or Physics may be required.
Health Science Major Requirements
Required Courses:
- BI 152 – Introduction to Health Science
- BI 153 – Introduction to Cell Biology and Genetics
- CH 110 – General Chemistry I
- CH 117 – Organic Chemistry I
- BI 207 – Anatomy and Physiology I
- BI 219 – Anatomy and Physiology II
- PS 350 – Psychology of Health and Illness
Choose one:
- ST 120 – Elementary Statistics
- ST 140 – Biological Data & Statistics
- PS 213 – Psychological Statistics
Choose one:
- PH XXX – Bioethics (new course)
- PH 233 – Healthcare
- RS 328 – Christian Health Care Ethics
Choose three electives at the 200-level or above:
- BI 215 – Epidemiology
- BI 222 – Population and Evolutionary Genetics
- BI 225 – Cell Biology
- BI 230 – Microbiology
- BI XXX – Nutrition (new course)
- BI 365 – Immunology and Parasitology
Choose one:
- Senior Seminar in Health Science or Biology or Neuroscience
- Internship or Practicum approved by the Program Director
Health Science majors not pursuing medical, dental, or other clinical professions are encouraged to complete a minor in a field related to their career goals. Health Science majors who are pursuing medical, dental, or other clinical professions should take the following six additional courses (not required for the Health Science major):
- MA 130 – Elements of Calculus or MA 150 – Calculus I
- CH 207 – Organic Chemistry II
- CH 208 – General Chemistry II
- CH/BI 321 – Comprehensive Biochemistry
- PY 220 – General Physics I
- PY 221 – General Physics II
Electives of potential interest to Health Science majors which may fulfill Core requirements include:
- AN 341 – Culture, Illness, and Healing
- EC 225 – Economics of Health Care
- EM 101 – Fundamentals of Emergency Management
- HI 345 – The Black Death
- PO 351 – Politics of the Global AIDS Pandemic
- PH 351 – Otherness and Marginalization
Faculty
Biology
Ruth Fabian-Fine
Director of the Neuroscience Program, Associate Professor of Biology and Neuroscience
Read more
Biology
Adam Weaver
Associate Professor of Biology and Neuroscience, Director of Health Science
Read more
In Depth
The Health Science major combines courses in Biology and Chemistry that provide a foundation in the science of medicine with classes that explore the broader context of health like psychology and medical ethics. Students are encouraged to supplement these required courses with electives in science and the role of medicine in history and society. This approach provides the background necessary to be a successful medical professional.
Hands-On Advising
Saint Michael’s offers personal pre-health advising for all students considering careers in healthcare. Our goals are to help students identify the healthcare profession that is appropriate for them, and assist students on their journey to develop into qualified, competitive applicants for healthcare professional schools and programs.
Special Opportunites
Internships
Many local and regional organizations offer health-related internships to Health Science majors, including:
- American Cancer Society
- American Red Cross
- Boston Children’s Hospital
- UVM Medical Center
- Associates of Cape Cod, Inc.
- Associates in Orthodontics
- Boston Children’s Hospital
- Whole Health Nutrition
- Woodside Juvenile Rehabilitation Center
- Champlain Valley Agency on Aging
- Community Health Centers of Burlington
- Essex Physical Therapy
- Hampton Physical Therapy
- Howard Center for Human Services
- Maitri Health Care
- Brain Injury Association of Vermont
Research
Health Science majors have the opportunity to conduct original research projects in collaboration with a faculty mentor. The Trustee Scholar Program provides students with stipends for full-time summer research projects. Other student-faculty research is funded through external grants from the National Institutes of Health, the National Science Foundation, or other private foundations or government agencies.
Volunteer Opportunities
Volunteering with local health providers is a great way to help the community while gaining valuable experience. For information about finding clinical experiences and making the most out of your volunteer opportunities, visit the Association of American Medical Colleges.
Saint Michael’s College Fire and Rescue
The SMC Rescue Unit is a unique way for students to gain real-world, hands-on medical experience. Student crews respond to 2200 calls annually, dealing with medical emergencies in nearby towns. Student volunteers can earn CPR, EMT, and Advanced EMT certification.
University of Vermont Medical Center
There are many positions available at the nearby UVM Medical Center, including:
- Art from the Heart: Assist with art sessions for children on the Pediatrics Unit
- Emergency Department Waiting Room: Serve as a liaison between staff, family, and patients. Escort visiting family members.
- Pediatrics: Participate in Child Life Play Program: involve pediatric patients in play activities. Training provided by Child Life Specialist.
- Surgical Intensive Care Unit/Medical Intensive Care Unit Liaison: Assist staff by supporting families of patients who are in the SICU/MICU waiting areas. Act as a liaison between families and staff.
- No One Dies Alone Volunteer: Volunteer to sit vigil with dying patients in the absence of family or friends.
The Visiting Nurse Association provides volunteer opportunities in hospice, respite care, and other areas.
Careers
Saint Michael’s has a long tradition of success for graduates entering healthcare professions. Professional schools our students have attended in recent years include:
Medical:
- Albany Medical College
- Dartmouth Medical School
- New York University School of Medicine
- University of Connecticut Medical School
- University of Vermont School of Medicine
- University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine
Dental:
- NYU Dental School
- SUNY-Buffalo Dental School
- Tufts University School of Dental Medicine
- University of Connecticut School of Dental Medicine
- University of Pennsylvania School of Dentistry
Not all health careers require you to go to graduate school. Entry-level positions are available for Health Science majors at hospitals, community health centers, clinics, private health care practices, relief organizations, home health care agencies, rehabilitation centers, hospices, sports and fitness facilities, the Centers for Disease Control, refugee and immigrant organizations, non-profits such as the American Cancer Society, and nursing and residential care facilities.
In Depth
The Health Science major combines courses in Biology and Chemistry that provide a foundation in the science of medicine with classes that explore the broader context of health like psychology and medical ethics. Students are encouraged to supplement these required courses with electives in science and the role of medicine in history and society. This approach provides the background necessary to be a successful medical professional.
Hands-On Advising
Saint Michael’s offers personal pre-health advising for all students considering careers in healthcare. Our goals are to help students identify the healthcare profession that is appropriate for them, and assist students on their journey to develop into qualified, competitive applicants for healthcare professional schools and programs.
Special Opportunites
Internships
Many local and regional organizations offer health-related internships to Health Science majors, including:
- American Cancer Society
- American Red Cross
- Boston Children’s Hospital
- UVM Medical Center
- Associates of Cape Cod, Inc.
- Associates in Orthodontics
- Boston Children’s Hospital
- Whole Health Nutrition
- Woodside Juvenile Rehabilitation Center
- Champlain Valley Agency on Aging
- Community Health Centers of Burlington
- Essex Physical Therapy
- Hampton Physical Therapy
- Howard Center for Human Services
- Maitri Health Care
- Brain Injury Association of Vermont
Research
Health Science majors have the opportunity to conduct original research projects in collaboration with a faculty mentor. The Trustee Scholar Program provides students with stipends for full-time summer research projects. Other student-faculty research is funded through external grants from the National Institutes of Health, the National Science Foundation, or other private foundations or government agencies.
Volunteer Opportunities
Volunteering with local health providers is a great way to help the community while gaining valuable experience. For information about finding clinical experiences and making the most out of your volunteer opportunities, visit the Association of American Medical Colleges.
Saint Michael’s College Fire and Rescue
The SMC Rescue Unit is a unique way for students to gain real-world, hands-on medical experience. Student crews respond to 2200 calls annually, dealing with medical emergencies in nearby towns. Student volunteers can earn CPR, EMT, and Advanced EMT certification.
University of Vermont Medical Center
There are many positions available at the nearby UVM Medical Center, including:
- Art from the Heart: Assist with art sessions for children on the Pediatrics Unit
- Emergency Department Waiting Room: Serve as a liaison between staff, family, and patients. Escort visiting family members.
- Pediatrics: Participate in Child Life Play Program: involve pediatric patients in play activities. Training provided by Child Life Specialist.
- Surgical Intensive Care Unit/Medical Intensive Care Unit Liaison: Assist staff by supporting families of patients who are in the SICU/MICU waiting areas. Act as a liaison between families and staff.
- No One Dies Alone Volunteer: Volunteer to sit vigil with dying patients in the absence of family or friends.
The Visiting Nurse Association provides volunteer opportunities in hospice, respite care, and other areas.
Careers
Saint Michael’s has a long tradition of success for graduates entering healthcare professions. Professional schools our students have attended in recent years include:
Medical:
- Albany Medical College
- Dartmouth Medical School
- New York University School of Medicine
- University of Connecticut Medical School
- University of Vermont School of Medicine
- University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine
Dental:
- NYU Dental School
- SUNY-Buffalo Dental School
- Tufts University School of Dental Medicine
- University of Connecticut School of Dental Medicine
- University of Pennsylvania School of Dentistry
Not all health careers require you to go to graduate school. Entry-level positions are available for Health Science majors at hospitals, community health centers, clinics, private health care practices, relief organizations, home health care agencies, rehabilitation centers, hospices, sports and fitness facilities, the Centers for Disease Control, refugee and immigrant organizations, non-profits such as the American Cancer Society, and nursing and residential care facilities.
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