Human Health Science

Why Human Health Science?

HHSC allows us to draw together human-centered science resources to deliver degrees that prepare graduates for contributing to human health and wellness. These contributions could come in health research, medical fields, allied health fields, and other health and wellness careers.

Two majors are available. The B.S. in Human Health Science offers concentrations in either Medical and Research or Allied Health Professions for preparing graduates for careers as healthcare and health research professionals. Offered as of Fall 2022 is a second major, the B.S. in Public Health and Wellness. This is a major centered on preparing those with a passion for nutrition, healthy lifestyles, and public health to apply their knowledge and skills in a variety of career fields.

More about our Majors and Concentrations

B.S. in Human Health Science Concentration #1: Medical and Research. Heavy Chemistry, Physics and Biology, with emphasis on human genetics, molecular biology, and research experience. Everything required for admission to Texas medical and dental schools taught from a human biology perspective. Aimed at careers in health research, Medicine, Dentistry, Physician Assistant, Pharmacy, and other professions requiring similar preparation. The emphasis on research experience gives students a leg up when it comes to program acceptance. Students will be well prepared to continue their education in graduate and professional schools.

B.S. in Human Health Science Concentration #2: Allied Health Professions Preparation. Modest amount of Chemistry and Physics required, balanced with intense preparation in the biology of human anatomy and physiology. Aimed at careers in as Physical Therapy, Chiropractic, and other professions requiring similar levels of science preparation. Courses will prepare students to continue their education in professional schools.

B.S. in Public Health and Wellness: The most diverse options for courses, with room for students to tailor their major to their health and wellness interests. The primary audience is a student who is interested in pursuing a career related to improving health and well-being but is not interested in pursuing a medical or clinical career. Many of these individuals will have strengths and interests in other disciplines but wish to work in the health industry.

Departmental Honors and Awards

Students of high achievement are encouraged to pursue Departmental Honors in Human Health Science by completing an Honors research project and writing an Honors thesis. More information about the Honors program can be found on the Honors Program webpage . The Pre-Health Professions Club is dedicated to raising awareness of health issues, new developments in healthcare and wellness, and promoting healthy living. Departmental awards are presented annually to top achieving students in the Department.

Undergraduate Research Opportunities

The Department of Human Health Science believes there is no better way to develop student skills, knowledge, and critical thinking than through involvement in research. Putting theory into practice is the essence of all health professions, and we believe students should begin doing so in undergraduate research. We believe the best way to engage students is to "learn by doing", and there is no better way to implement this strategy than by engaging students in the process of discovery. Here are three ways this happens in our Department.

You will participate in CURES in regular courses . Course-based Undergraduate Research Experiences are research projects done as a part of your normal classes. In these, you will be introduced to the research process – designing a project, doing the science, evaluating the results, and presenting your findings in a research poster at the end of the semester. You will learn skills in this way that will make you a better thinker and a better student in all of your courses.
You have the opportunity to join a Research Team. Our faculty are active researchers and invite you to join their teams to take a “deep dive” into research. These projects are more involved and long-term, often taking more than one semester. On a Research Team you will find out how science is done, build relationships with fellow teammates and faculty, and have the opportunity to pursue the STEM Research Certificate which can be a big plus in professional and graduate school admissions.
You will complete a Senior Capstone project . All of our majors will finish their majors by completing a capstone project that demonstrates your knowledge and skills gained through the courses taken in your major. The format may be through an Internship, a capstone project, or Honors Research.

In the Classroom

We have designed our efforts in the classrooms and labs of the Department of Human Health Science to optimize student learning.

Relevant courses. We are always reviewing our programs and consulting with practitioners to find where we can make our courses more relevant and appropriate to your future goals. What matters to your future is what matters to us.
Small class sizes. We operate on the principle that freshman and sophomore classes should have no more than 40 students, and junior and senior classes should have no more than 20 students. Our labs are designed to hold no more than 16-24 students, depending on the course. You are not a number to us.
The best faculty. Our faculty are selected for their commitment to teaching and students, for their passion for their field of study, and for their fit with the department and our students.
No graduate assistants teaching courses. Unlike big universities with graduate programs, McMurry's Human Health Science courses and labs are taught by professors instead of by graduate assistants who may only have a few more college courses than their students. Our faculty know what's going on.
On-going assessment and program improvement. We assess our courses to see "what works". We listen to our students and our alumni to see "what's needed". Students are a part of the process through evaluation of teaching in courses. And we keep in contact with our alumni to stay updated on their success. Their success is our success.

The result is preparation for human health careers that is based on relevant knowledge, useful skills, supporting relationships, and an expectation for successful futures.

More Information?

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