Academic Catalog

Health Sciences

(413) 662-5153
www.mcla.edu/hlth
Chairperson: Justin Golub, Ph.D.
Email: J.Golub@mcla.edu

Health Sciences Major

The health science major provides students with a strong background in the biology and study of human health. Advanced courses build upon information learned in foundational course work allowing students to pursue a wide variety of interests in the study of human health, and prepares students to pursue careers and advanced study in a variety of health fields. The health science major includes optional concentrations in Medical Technology, Nutrition, Pre-Occupational Therapy, Pre-Physical Therapy, Pre-Physician Assistant (PA) and Sports Medicine, which are designed to prepare students for advanced degrees in their respective fields.

Students graduating with a major in Health Sciences will be able to:

  • Understand and apply fundamental concepts in the discipline;
  • Find and analyze primary literature in the field;
  • Design an experiment to test a hypothesis;
  • Demonstrate appropriate technical skills in the laboratory;
  • Analyze data, with appropriate statistical analysis;
  • Communicate the findings of a scientific experiment or information about a pathology.

MCLA - Russell Sage College Applied Nutrition and Nutrition and Dietetics Articulation Programs

Strong students who have met the requirements in the articulation agreement are guaranteed admission to the Master of Science in Applied Nutrition and Master of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics programs at Russell Sage College in Albany and Troy, NY.

MCLA - Russell Sage College Articulation Program in Pre-Occupational Therapy

Strong students who meet the requirements outlined in the articulation agreement gain preferred admission to the M.S. in Occupational Therapy program at Russell Sage College in Albany and Troy, NY.

MCLA - Russell Sage College Articulation Program in Pre-Physical Therapy

Strong students who meet the requirements outlined in the articulation agreement gain preferred admission to the Doctor of Physical Therapy program at Russell Sage College in Albany and Troy, NY.

Health Science Achievement Award

This award recognizes the achievement of a Health Science student in their junior year (at least 1 full semester of classwork remaining). Factors for consideration are GPA, course and department involvement (independent research, TA, SI, etc.), and extracurricular activities.

Transfer of Anatomy and Physiology Coursework

Biology or Health Science transfer students who completed Anatomy & Physiology I and II from an institution with a course number less than 300 will be required to take either BIOL 343 Anatomy and Physiology II, or BIOL 404 Research Methods in Human Physiology.

Health Sciences Programs

On This Page

Health Courses

HLTH 100 Clinical Observation1 cr
Allows the student to learn about a specific health care field through direct observation of clinical practice. The student will work with a faculty sponsor and a clinical supervisor. Students will complete clinical observation and will participate in scheduled discussions about the observation experience. This course is graded on a pass-fail basis and is repeatable to 3 credits. HLTH 100 may be paired with BIOL 500 Independent Study for advanced exploration of the field.
Prerequisite: Department approval  
Repeatable: Maximum of 3 credits  
HLTH 105 Medical Terminology1 cr
Allows recognition and accurate use of terminology that describes the human body and its pathological processes, conditions and diseases. Terminology related to procedures and clinical tests will also be addressed.
HLTH 110 Introduction to Healthcare3 cr
Provides content for a comprehensive survey and introduction to the U.S. health care system. Topics and discussions will include public health, financing of health care, health insurance, politics, health care providers, and delivery of health care. The course will introduce concepts of regulation, legislation, ethics, and elements of health care reform.
HLTH 115 Science of Human Wellness3 cr
Engages students with current ideas for maximizing human health, with an emphasis on separating pseudoscience from evidence-based practices. Questions addressed include: Is there an "optimal" diet? How much physical activity do humans need, and of what type? How is our modern lifestyle impacting our psychological and physical health? Students will apply these concepts towards their own physical and mental well-being. Students will engage in wellness activities incorporating physical activity and mental health.
Attributes: Core Health and Wellness (CHW)  
HLTH 150 Introduction to Public and Community Health3 cr
Explores two key questions: “What is the agenda of public health?” and “Is health a right or a privilege?” Through discussions and activities, students will examine the biological, political, and sociological factors shaping health in the U.S. The course emphasizes understanding public health as a system and its interdisciplinary links to other fields. Critical thinking and analysis of major public health issues will be a central focus throughout the semester.
Attributes: Core Self & Society (CSS)  
HLTH 150H Honors: Introduction to Public and Community Health3 cr
Explores two key questions: “What is the agenda of public health?” and “Is health a right or a privilege?” Through discussions and activities, students will examine the biological, political, and sociological factors shaping health in the U.S. The course emphasizes understanding public health as a system and its interdisciplinary links to other fields. Critical thinking and analysis of major public health issues will be a central focus throughout the semester.
Attributes: Core Self & Society (CSS), Honors Program (HONR)  
HLTH 195 Special Topics in Health Studies1-4 cr
Provides students with an opportunity to explore different topics and current issues in health or related fields. This course is designed to focus on health topics or issues at the introductory level.
Repeatable: Unlimited Credits  
HLTH 200 Health Promotion and Planning3 cr
Introduces the principles of health promotion and strategies to improve individual and community well-being. Examine health determinants, behavior theories, program planning, and promotion through education and policy. Topics include nutrition, mental health, substance abuse, and chronic disease prevention. Focuses on building practical skills through discussions, case studies, and projects, applying health promotion strategies to diverse, real-world settings.
Attributes: Core Self & Society (CSS)  
HLTH 200H Honors: Health Promotion and Planning3 cr
Introduces the principles of health promotion and strategies to improve individual and community well-being. Examine health determinants, behavior theories, program planning, and promotion through education and policy. Topics include nutrition, mental health, substance abuse, and chronic disease prevention. Focuses on building practical skills through discussions, case studies, and projects, applying health promotion strategies to diverse, real-world settings.
Attributes: Core Self & Society (CSS), Honors Program (HONR)  
HLTH 201 Exercise Science3 cr
Facilitates an understanding of exercise based on the principles related to training basics, energy systems, muscular fitness and biomechanics. Students will learn to develop training programs for better physical performance and health.
Attributes: Core Health and Wellness (CHW)  
HLTH 210 Human Growth and Development3 cr
Explores the life cycle from conception to death. Biological, sociological and psychological perspectives will be examined and applied to everyday situations and social issues.
Attributes: Core Self & Society (CSS)  
HLTH 210H Honors: Human Growth and Development3 cr
Explores the life cycle from conception to death. Biological, sociological, and psychological perspectives will be examined and applied to everyday situations and social issues.
Attributes: Core Self & Society (CSS), Honors Program (HONR)  
HLTH 295 Special Topics in Health Studies1-4 cr
Provides students with an opportunity to explore different topics and current issues in health or related fields. This course is designed to focus on health topics or issues at the high introductory level.
Prerequisite: Varies by course  
Repeatable: Unlimited Credits  
HLTH 300 Ethical Issues in Health Care3 cr
Examines the moral traditions and ethical principles relevant to life, and their application in present-day clinical care and biomedical research. Introduces students to the historical, theoretical, and thematic dimensions of health care ethics. Focuses on main ethical terms and concepts, as well as decision-making procedures that students can use to discern and defend moral courses of action in health care.
Prerequisite: Completion of all Tier I and Tier II requirements, junior status  
Attributes: Capstone Experience Tier III (CAP)  
HLTH 310 Environmental Health3 cr
Provides a multidisciplinary understanding of the science, practice, laws and policy of environmental health sciences, addressing why risk of disease is modulated by the environment. Topics include types and sources of environmental contaminants, exposure assessment, types of microenvironments, human behavior and time-location-activity patterns, toxicology, the risk assessment paradigm, basics of environmental and occupational epidemiology, and communicating about environmental health sciences.
Prerequisite: Any Science and Technology course, junior status  
Attributes: Environmental Studies (ENVI)  
HLTH 310H Honors: Environmental Health3 cr
Provides a multidisciplinary understanding of the science, practice, laws and policy of environmental health sciences, addressing why risk of disease is modulated by the environment. Topics include types and sources of environmental contaminants, exposure assessment, types of microenvironments, human behavior and time-location-activity patterns, toxicology, the risk assessment paradigm, basics of environmental and occupational epidemiology, and communicating about environmental health sciences.
Prerequisite: Any Science and Technology course, junior status  
Attributes: Environmental Studies (ENVI), Honors Program (HONR)  
HLTH 321 Lower Body Assessment4 cr
Explores all aspects of injury evaluation. Injuries to the lower extremity and lumbar spine will be stressed through lecture and lab.
Prerequisite: BIOL 342  
Corequisite: HLTH 321L  
HLTH 322 Upper Body Assessment4 cr
Explores all aspects of injury evaluation. Injuries to the upper extremity and cervical spine will be emphasized through lecture and lab.
Prerequisite: BIOL 342  
Corequisite: HLTH 322L  
HLTH 337 Therapeutic Modalities4 cr
Explores the physiology of inflammation and pain in the context of injury. Describes the principles and effects of therapeutic modalities (including thermal, acoustic, electrical, light, and mechanical) and promotes appropriate selection and application of the modalities.
Prerequisite: BIOL 150, sophomore status  
Corequisite: HLTH 337L  
HLTH 338 Therapeutic Exercise3 cr
Offers students the opportunity to study the techniques and principles involved in rehabilitation of athletic injuries. It includes all aspects of reconditioning exercise and rehabilitation program development.
Prerequisite: BIOL 342  
HLTH 339 Therapeutic Exercise with Lab4 cr
Offers students the opportunity to study and practice the techniques and principles involved in rehabilitation of athletic injuries. It includes all aspects of reconditioning exercise and rehabilitation program development.
Prerequisite: BIOL 342  
Corequisite: HLTH 339L  
HLTH 350 Health Communication3 cr
Examines how communication affects and is intertwined with issues of health, medicine and ethics. Communication will be discussed on a personal, intimate level in the way patients and caregivers interact in the examination and hospital room; at the organizational level, in the way policies and community relations affect how health care is provided and how people feel about providers; and in media campaigns that seek to educate people about health.
Prerequisite: Junior status  
HLTH 350H Honors: Health Communication3 cr
Examines how communication affects and is intertwined with issues of health, medicine and ethics. Communication will be discussed on a personal, intimate level in the way patients and caregivers interact in the examination and hospital room; at the organizational level, in the way policies and community relations affect how health care is provided and how people feel about providers; and in media campaigns that seek to educate people about health.
Prerequisite: Junior status  
Attributes: Honors Program (HONR)  
HLTH 395 Special Topics in Health Studies1-4 cr
Provides students with an opportunity to explore different topics and current issues in health or related fields. This course is designed to focus on health topics or issues at the advanced level.
Prerequisite: Varies by course  
Repeatable: Unlimited Credits  
HLTH 495 Special Topics in Health Studies1-4 cr
Provides students with an opportunity to explore different topics and current issues in health or related fields. This course is designed to focus on health topics or issues at the high advanced level.
Prerequisite: Varies by course  
Repeatable: Unlimited Credits  
HLTH 500 Health Science Independent Study1-3 cr
Open to junior and seniors who wish to read in a given area or to study a topic in depth. Written reports and frequent conferences with the advisor are required.
Prerequisite: Junior status, department approval  
Repeatable: Maximum of 12 credits  
HLTH 510 Health Science Independent Research1-3 cr
For health science majors who desire to conduct research on a specific topic in a health science field. The research will be under the direction of the instructor and will require scholarly report.
Prerequisite: Junior status, department approval  
Repeatable: Maximum of 12 credits  
HLTH 540 Internship in Community Health Education3 cr
Provides students with hands-on experience outside of the college in the field of community health and wellness. The student will work with a faculty sponsor and an off-campus supervisor, as appropriate. Repeatable up to 12 credits.
Prerequisite: HLTH 200 or HLTH 200H or PHCH 200 or PHCH 200H or HLTH 350 or HLTH 350H or PHCH 350 or PHCH 350H, junior status, department approval  
Repeatable: Maximum of 12 credits  
HLTH 590 Health Internship1-15 cr
Provides students with hands-on experience in health fields. The student will work with a faculty sponsor and an off-campus supervisor, as appropriate.
Prerequisite: Junior status, department approval  
Repeatable: Maximum of 15 credits  

Athletic Training Courses

ATTR 220 Introduction to Athletic Training I3 cr
Introduces students to the field of athletic training and sports medicine. Explores fundamental principles of athletic training, which includes terminology, physical conditioning and injury prevention.
Corequisite: ATTR 100