About this Program
- College: Public Health and Health Professions
- Degree: Bachelor of Health Science
- Specializations: Applied Brain Science | Occupational Therapy Accelerated | Pre-Rehabilitation | Preprofessional
- Credits for Degree: 120
To graduate with this major, students must complete all university, college, and major requirements.
Department Information
The Bachelor of Health Science (BHS) program is for students whose career goal is to work in the health professions providing service to individuals and communities. BHS students are typically pursuing health related professions such as medicine, physician assistant, physical therapy, occupational therapy, audiology, speech-language pathology, dentistry, epidemiology, or public health.
Website
CONTACT
Email | 352.273.6000
1225 Center Drive, Suite 4180
GAINESVILLE FL 32610
Map
Curriculum
The program has two major goals: to teach foundational skills to students whose career goal is to work in health care, particularly for those who want to become health care providers and to teach foundational skills to students who want to work with individuals, groups, or communities who face social, economic, or health challenges. In addition, interested students have the opportunity to explore a combination-degree program in Public Health.
Upon successful completion of the Health Science program, students receive the Bachelor of Health Science degree. While most students pursue graduate or professional training in a health field (e.g. occupational therapy, physical therapy, medicine, physician assistant, dentistry), some students seek employment in hospital or related community organizations after completing the BHS.
Specializations
The college offers four specializations. All specializations except Occupational Therapy Accelerated can be declared at the freshman or sophomore years.
Applied Brain Sciences
Offers a suggested prerequisite course sequence for students interested in pursuing training in clinical psychology and neuropsychology, applied human neuroscience, or brain-health focused medical specialties (e.g., psychiatry, neurology).
Occupational Therapy Accelerated
A combination-degree program that allows students to take first-year Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) Program courses during their junior and senior years in the health science program.
Pre-Rehabilitation
Accommodates students interested in rehabilitation health care fields (e.g., occupational therapy, physical therapy).
Preprofessional
For students pursuing careers in fields such as medicine, physician assistant, and dentistry, all of which require significant basic science prerequisites. This specialization is set up to integrate commonly required preprofessional courses with requirements for the health science major.
Course Sequence
While all specializations are designed for students interested in health care, students should select the specialization that most closely approximates their career plans and overall academic performance. Included in specific tracks are typical prerequisites for UF graduate and professional programs.
Each specialization incorporates General Education Mathematics and Writing Requirements and Health Science critical tracking courses. All specializations accept AP, IB, or AICE credit for any prerequisite course. However, many professional schools have their own policies regarding test credit, and it is the responsibility of the student to determine whether a course for which they have earned AP/IB/AICE credit must be retaken to meet professional school requirements. Students must earn a minimum of C in any BHS critical tracking course that is not satisfied by AP/IB/AICE credit unless otherwise specified.
Preprofessional
For students pursuing careers in fields such as medicine, physician assistant and dentistry, all of which require significant basic science prerequisites. This specialization is set up to integrate commonly required preprofessional courses with requirements for the health science major.
To remain in the Health Science major, students must:
- Remain on track each Fall and Spring term, for a total of four semesters.
- Complete the following critical tracking courses or equivalents by the end of the fourth semester:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| APK 2105C | Applied Human Physiology with Laboratory | 3-4 |
| or CHM 2045 | General Chemistry 1 | |
| BSC 2010 & 2010L | Integrated Principles of Biology 1 and Integrated Principles of Biology Laboratory | 4 |
| PSY 2012 | General Psychology | 3 |
| STA 2023 | Introduction to Statistics 1 | 3 |
Off-track UF freshmen and sophomores must speak with a college advisor before registering for the next semester.
Graduation Requirements
Students must complete the following program-specific requirements to graduate:
- 120 credits, 60 of which are earned at UF
- The Health Science major exit survey (available in a student’s final semester)
- The Health Science major capstone exam
- All Health Science courses required for a student’s chosen specialization (must be taken at UF)
Critical Tracking records each student’s progress in courses that are required for entry to each major. Please note the critical-tracking requirements below on a per-semester basis.
Equivalent critical-tracking courses as determined by the State of Florida Common Course Prerequisites may be used for transfer students.
Critical Tracking for PHHP Majors
Students are required to meet the critical-tracking criteria for their major each term. The critical tracking criteria are listed for each PHHP major. PHHP counts all attempts of critical tracking courses when calculating the critical tracking GPA for a major.
Students must fulfill the performance criteria for their program’s critical tracking courses. If a student is off-track for two consecutive terms in the first five critical tracking semesters, they must change to a major more appropriate to their skills, goals, and performance.
Critical Tracking Courses
- All critical tracking attempts will be counted toward the critical tracking GPA
- A minimum grade of C (based on a maximum of two attempts, including withdrawals) is required for each critical tracking course
- Students may repeat a maximum of two critical tracking courses
- All critical tracking courses must be completed by the time noted in the catalog for each major
Semester 1
- Complete PSY 2012 with a minimum grade of C
- 3.0 GPA required for all semester 1-4 critical-tracking courses, based on all attempts
- 2.8 cumulative UF GPA
Semester 2
- Complete STA 2023 with a minimum grade of C
- 3.0 GPA required for all semester 1-4 critical-tracking courses, based on all attempts
- 3.1 cumulative UF GPA
Semester 3
- Complete BSC 2010/BSC 2010L with minimum grades of C
- 3.0 GPA required for all semester 1-4 critical-tracking courses, based on all attempts
- 3.2 cumulative UF GPA
Semester 4
- Complete APK 2105C or CHM 2045 with a minimum grade of C
- Complete 60 cumulative credits
- 3.0 GPA required for all critical-tracking courses and minimum grades of C on all semester 1-4 critical-tracking courses, based on all attempts unless otherwise noted.
- 3.2 cumulative UF GPA
All General Education requirements, including State Core, International (N), the University Writing Requirement, and the Civic Literacy requirement, must be completed prior to the graduating semester.
Semester 5
- Complete PHC 4101 with a minimum grade of C
- Complete HSA 3111 with a minimum grade of C
- Complete HSC 3057 with a minimum grade of C
- 2.0 UF GPA required
Semester 6
- Complete HSC 3502 with a minimum grade of C
- Complete OTH 3416 with a minimum grade of C
- 2.0 UF GPA required
Semester 7
- Complete HSC 3661 with a minimum grade of C
- Complete HSC 4557 with a minimum grade of C
- Complete RCS 4451 with a minimum grade of C
- 2.0 UF GPA required
Semester 8
To remain on track, students must complete the appropriate critical-tracking courses, which appear in bold. These courses must be completed by the terms as listed in the Critical Tracking criteria.
This semester plan represents an example progression through the major. Actual courses and course order may be different depending on the student's academic record and scheduling availability of courses. Prerequisites still apply.
| Semester One | Credits | |
|---|---|---|
| CHM 2045 & 2045L |
General Chemistry 1 and General Chemistry Laboratory (Critical Tracking; State Core Gen Ed Physical Sciences; must complete CHM 2045 or APK 2105C by the end of Semester Four) |
4 |
| PSY 2012 | General Psychology (Critical Tracking; State Core Gen Ed Social and Behavioral Sciences) | 3 |
| State Core Gen Ed Composition; Writing Requirement | 3 | |
| General Education Mathematics course (MAC 2311 recommended; Gen Ed Mathematics) | 4 | |
| Credits | 14 | |
| Semester Two | ||
| Quest 1 (Gen Ed Humanities) | 3 | |
| STA 2023 | Introduction to Statistics 1 (Critical Tracking; State Core Gen Ed Mathematics) | 3 |
| Gen Ed Composition; Writing Requirement | 3 | |
| General Education Social and Behavioral Sciences (SYG 2000 recommended) | 3 | |
| Electives (CHM 2046 and CHM 2046L recommended) | 4 | |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Semester Three | ||
| BSC 2010 & 2010L |
Integrated Principles of Biology 1 and Integrated Principles of Biology Laboratory (Critical Tracking; State Core Gen Ed Biological Sciences) |
4 |
| State Core Gen Ed Humanities | 3 | |
| 6000-word writing course (Writing Requirement) | 3 | |
| Electives (CHM 2210 recommended) | 4 | |
| Credits | 14 | |
| Semester Four | ||
| Quest 2 (General Education Social and Behavioral Science) | 3 | |
| APK 2105C | Applied Human Physiology with Laboratory (Critical Tracking; Gen Ed Biological Sciences) 2 | 4 |
| Electives (BSC 2011 and BSC 2011L and CHM 2211 and CHM 2211L recommended) | 9 | |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Semester Five | ||
| HSA 3111 | US Health Care System (Critical Tracking) 1 | 3 |
| HSC 3057 | Research Methods and Issues in Health Science (Critical Tracking) 1 | 3 |
| PHC 4101 | Public Health Concepts (Critical Tracking) 1 | 3 |
| Electives (BCH 3025 recommended if pre-PA; BCH 4024 recommended if pre-medical or pre-dental) | 6 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Semester Six | ||
| HSC 3502 | Survey of Diseases and Disability (Critical Tracking) 1 | 3 |
| OTH 3416 | Pathophysiology (Critical Tracking) 1 | 3 |
| Electives (APK2100C recommended if pre-PA; PHY 2053 and PHY 2053L recommended if pre-medical or pre-dental) | 6 | |
| 6000-word writing course (Writing Requirement with International) | 3 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Semester Seven | ||
| HSC 3661 | Therapeutic Communication Skills with Patients, Families and the Health Care Team (Critical Tracking) 1 | 3 |
| HSC 4557 | Medical Pharmacology in Clinical Care (Critical Tracking) 1 | 3 |
| RCS 4451 | Rehabilitation Aspects of Substance Abuse (Critical Tracking) 1 | 3 |
| Electives (MCB 3020 & MCB 3020L recommended if pre-PA or pre-Dental; AGR 3303 or PCB 3063 recommended if pre-PA; PHY2054 and PHY2054L recommended if pre-medical or pre-dental) | 6 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Semester Eight | ||
| HSC 4608 | Clinical Diagnosis and Decision Making (Critical Tracking) | 3 |
| HSC 4652L | Ethical and Legal Issues in the Health Professions (Critical Tracking) 1 | 3 |
| Electives (HSC 3537 recommended for Pre-PA students) | 9 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Total Credits | 120 | |
- 1
Minimum grade of C required.
- 2
Must complete APK 2105C or CHM 2045 by the end of Semester Four; APK 2105C not required if CHM 2045 completed with grade of C or higher)
For semesters 5-8, students must enroll in all semesters and take all core courses in the term/order indicated.
The health science program requires 120 credits for degree. Students following the preprofessional guidelines will require more than 120 credits and includes all preprofessional coursework.
The Bachelor of Health Science prepares students for a career in health care systems or organizations that provide health or general human services to individuals/communities with health concerns. Students will learn the foundational interprofessional skills necessary to succeed in the dynamic healthcare environment and/or enter postbaccalaureate academic programs such as medicine, physical therapy, and public health.
Before Graduating Students Must
- Receive a satisfactory grade (S) in the BHS capstone portfolio.
- Complete requirements for the baccalaureate degree, as determined by faculty.
Students in the Major Will Learn to
Student Learning Outcomes | SLOs
Content
- Describe key elements of the US healthcare system.
- Comprehensively describe major chronic illnesses and disabilities.
- Describe the core functions of public health.
Critical Thinking
- Develop and apply critical analysis skills to contemporary health issues.
Communication
- Apply effective basic communication skills for health professionals.
Curriculum Map
I = Introduced; R = Reinforced; A = Assessed
| Courses | SLO 1 | SLO 2 | SLO 3 | SLO 4 | SLO 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HSA 3111 | I, R | ||||
| HSC 3057 | I, R, A | ||||
| HSC 3502 | I, R | I | |||
| HSC 3661 | I, R | ||||
| OTH 3416 | 1, R | ||||
| PHC 4101 | I, R | I, R | |||
| Capstone Exam | A | A | A | A | A |
Assessment Types
- Assignment
- The Bachelor of Health Science (BHS) capstone exam in the final semester