Students take 12 to 18 credits/semester for a minimum of 24 total credits per year. This program requires completion of a minimum of 48 credit hours to graduate. For more detail, please refer to the catalog.

Year 1:

First-year Interdisciplinary Health Sciences students complete required coursework designed to address the needs of all students in this program, regardless of their intended health care career. Students also choose elective courses with assistance from a program advisor, to ensure the curriculum is tailored for each student's needs and interests. Likewise, students consult with a program advisor when selecting a concentration track. In this way, each student's Interdisciplinary Health Sciences curriculum can be customized to reinforce specific health care interests. The Interdisciplinary Health Sciences program also helps students prepare for standardized exams by providing an MCAT or DAT preparatory course, included in the cost of tuition.

Year 2:

In addition to their elective coursework, second-year Interdisciplinary Health Science students will complete a capstone project, which will address either their interest in research, or in community service. Students with a dedicated interest in biomedical research may work with a mentor in a research laboratory or clinic, while those interested in investigating a biomedical topic of their choice may conduct an independent literature analysis project. Alternatively, students with a dedicated interest in community service may volunteer with a service organization of their choice. All capstone projects will allow students to hone their critical thinking skills by addressing a problem, and to practice written and oral communication with a variety of audiences.

Required Courses

First Year

• Career Development in the Health Sciences Seminar I & II
• Introduction to Biostatistics
• Scientific Writing for Health Care Professionals
• Community Dimension of Medicine
• Capstone Project Proposal
• MCAT Preparatory Course
• 4-6 electives

Second Year

• Capstone Project Presentation
• Capstone Project Paper
• 6-8 electives

Program Level Outcomes

Graduates of the Interdisciplinary Health Sciences program will achieve six program level outcomes that describe the skills, competencies and knowledge gained through completion of the program curriculum.

• Demonstrate an ability to succeed in science courses with content relevant to the student’s health care career goals
• Achieve a competitive score on the standardized exam required to pursue the student’s health care career goals
• Demonstrate independence and creativity in designing and completing a research- or community service-oriented capstone project
• Demonstrate an ability to effectively communicate complex scientific information to a variety of audiences
• Demonstrate critical thinking and analysis skills
• Develop an ability to evaluate one’s own progress, abilities, strengths, and weakness, and apply this knowledge toward appropriate decision making with respect to health care career goals and outcome evaluation