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Public Health Major/Minor

For information, contact Department Chair and Associate Professor Dianne Babbitt, , 610-606-4666, ext. 3609

Program Description – Public Health Major (B.S.)

The Public Health program provides opportunities for students to explore different core public health disciplines, including epidemiology, global health, environmental health, health education and behavioral science. The curriculum draws from well-developed coursework in the Health Sciences, Biological Sciences, and Social Sciences to help students address issues of educating a community on health-related issues, preventive measures, and community engagement. The curriculum also includes theory and skills/practice of communication, as it exists within health contexts and other related areas.

The three Health Sciences majors (Public Health, Health Science, and Exercise Science) share a common core of classes that includes Health Professions, Introduction to Psychology, Lifespan Development, Probability and Statistics, Nutrition for Healthy Living, Exercise Physiology, Research Methods in Health Science, Introduction to Health Care Systems, and Health Sciences Capstone. 

Program Mission Statement – Public Health Major

The mission of the Public Health major is to develop students interested in disease prevention and treatment, health of the general population, and data-driven approaches to solving public health issues. The program includes the core courses of Public Health, Epidemiology, and Global Health, as recommended by the Association of Schools and Programs of Public Health for undergraduate Public Health curricula. Students focus on biological and social approaches to human health in populations, as well as program development, implementation, and evaluation for critical public health issues. It is the goal that students will go directly into jobs in the public health sector, work for non-profit organizations, pursue further training in the fields of public health, or find other meaningful work to benefit the general health of society.

Program Requirements for the Public Health Major

A minimum cumulative grade-point average of 2.000 and a minimum average in the major of 2.000 are required for the major in Public Health. A grade of C- or better is needed for all courses that fulfill the departmental requirements. Courses transferred in for all majors must be taken less than ten years ago. Students must earn a grade of C- or better in prerequisite courses before proceeding to subsequent courses.

Total number of credits required by program: 57 – 58 credits

Course Requirements for the Public Health Major

Health Sciences Core (required of all Health Sciences majors):

BUA 211 Introduction to Health Care Systems 3 credits
EXS 200 Exercise Physiology I 4 credits
OR EXS 101 Physical Conditioning for Exercise and Sports 3 credits
HLT 201 Research Methods in Health Science 3 credits
*HLT 101 Introduction to the Health Professions 1 credit
HLT 104 Nutrition for Healthy Living 3 credits
OR NTR 210 Principles of Human Nutrition 3 credits
*HLT 201 Health Professions II 1 credit
*HLT 301 Health Professions III 1 credit
HLT 302 Health Sciences Capstone 3 credits
MAT 110 Probability and Statistics 3 credits                                          
PSY 100 Introduction to Psychology 3 credits
PSY 210 Lifespan Development 3 credits
*HLT 202 Health Professions Seminar (3 credits) substitutes for HLT 101, HLT 201, and HLT 301 for SAGE students.

Additional Required Public Health Courses:

BIO 129 Outbreak Investigations: Case Studies in Epidemiology 3 credits   
HLT 102 Introduction to Public Health 3 credits
HLT 103 Introduction to Global Health 3 credits
HLT 105 Foundations of Environmental Health 3 credits
HLT 203 Program Planning and Evaluation 3 credits
HLT 207 Health Equity 3 credits
HLT 205 Applied Health Promotion 3 credits
PSC 210 American Public Policy 3 credits
SWK 300 Community Organizing 3 credits
SKW 313 DEI and Social Justice 3 credits

Required and elective courses must reach 120 credits to complete a degree

Public Health Major Outcomes

Upon successful completion of the Public Health major, students will be able to:

  1. Demonstrate, through recall, recognition, and application, understanding of core concepts and methods of epidemiology and surveillance used to safeguard the population’s health.
  2. List risk factors and modes of transmission for infectious and chronic diseases and explain how these diseases affect both personal and population health.
  3. List and describe the leading causes of mortality, morbidity, and health disparities among local, regional, and global populations.

Fulfillment of the LAC Requirements

Students fulfill Technology, Oral Presentation, and Information Literacy requirements through successful completion of the following required courses: HLT 101, 201, 301, and HLT 302.

It is a general Cedar Crest College policy that a student must complete at least 18 credits of major requirements through Cedar Crest College coursework. This major is open to any student who has matriculated at the College.

Public Health Minor Course Requirements (18 credits):

Required courses (9 credits):

BIO 129 Outbreak Investigations: Case Studies in Epidemiology 3 credits   
HLT 102 Introduction to Public Health 3 credits
HLT 103 Introduction to Global Health 3 credits

Elective courses (9 credits):

Students should select three courses that support Public Health.

Health Science Major

For information, contact Department Chair and Associate Professor Dianne Babbitt, , 610-606-4666, ext. 3609

Program Description – Health Science Major (B.S.)

Completion of this major will result in preparation across basic sciences. With the bachelor’s degree students have the skills to communicate, review and evaluate aspects of the healthcare process. The Health Science major allows students to pursue employment and/or graduate work in the field of health science. It prepares students for advanced study in the health sciences such as Healthcare Administration, and with additional courses or specific focus, prepares students for Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, or similar graduate programs.

The three Health Sciences majors (Public Health, Health Science, and Exercise Science) share a common core of classes that includes Health Professions, Introduction to Psychology, Lifespan Development, Probability and Statistics, Nutrition for Healthy Living, Exercise Physiology, Research Methods in Health Science, Introduction to Health Care Systems, and Health Sciences Capstone.

Program Mission Statement – Health Science Major

The goal of the Health Science major is to develop an individual who can be an effective part of a healthcare team. The program includes biology, chemistry, psychology, and business coursework to serve as the foundation for further clinical training that results in certification or licensure as technicians, therapists, or technologists in specific areas of patient care. The goal of this major is to prepare students to go directly into jobs in the health science sector or to pursue further training in the areas of clinical laboratory services; health information, communication, and administration; mental and social health; technical instrumentation; and therapy and rehabilitation. Qualified health science professionals play a role in the identification and treatment of disabilities, diseases, and disorders and communicate this information to physicians and other health care team members.  

Program Requirements for the Health Science Major

A minimum cumulative grade-point average of 2.000 and a minimum average in the major of 2.000 are required for the major in Health Science. A grade of C- or better is needed for all courses that fulfill the departmental requirements. Courses transferred in for all majors must be before proceeding to subsequent courses.

Total number of credits required by program: 59 – 60 credits

Course Requirements for the Health Science major

Health Sciences Core (required of all Health Sciences majors):

BUA 211 Introduction to Health Care Systems 3 credits
EXS 200 Exercise Physiology 4 credits
OR EXS 101 Physical Conditioning for Exercise and Sport 3 credits                         
EXS 201 Research Methods in Health Science 3 credits
*HLT 101 Introduction to the Health Professions 1 credit
HLT 104 Nutrition for Healthy Living 3 credits
OR NTR 210 Principles of Human Nutrition 3 credits
*HLT 201 Health Professions II 1 credit
*HLT 301 Health Professions III 1 credit
HLT 302 Health Sciences Capstone 3 credits                
MAT 110 Probability and Statistics 3 credits
PSY 100 Introduction to Psychology 3 credits
PSY 210 Lifespan Development 3 credits
*HLT 202 Health Professions Seminar (3 credits) substitutes for HLT 101, HLT 201, and HLT 301 for SAGE students

Additional Required Health Science Courses

BIO 117 Anatomy & Physiology I 4 credits
BIO 118 Anatomy & Physiology II 4 credits
BIO 123 Foundations in Biology 4 credits
BIO 124 Principles of Cell and Molecular Biology 4 credits
CHE 103 Concepts in Chemistry 4 credits
HLT 207 Health Equity 3 credits                                                                         
HLT 205 Applied Health Promotion 3 credits
PSY 309 Psychopathology 3 credits
SOC 100 Introduction to Sociology 3 credits

Required and elective courses must reach 120 credits to complete a degree.

Health Science Major Outcomes

Upon successful completion of the Health Science major, students will be able to:

  1. Analyze factors that shape health inequities and apply skills for application of health behavior and health promotion within healthcare settings.
  2. Identify the anatomical structures and explain the physiological functions of the systems of the human body.
  3. Describe the foundational concepts and principles of the biological sciences including cellular structure and function; genetics and molecular biology; evolution and organismal diversity; ecology; and descriptive chemistry related to allied health fields.

Fulfillment of the LAC Requirements

Students fulfill Technology, Oral Presentation, and Information Literacy requirements through successful completion of the following required courses: HLT 101, 201, 301, and HLT 302.

It is a general Cedar Crest College policy that a student must complete at least 18 credits of major requirements through Cedar Crest College coursework. This major is open to any student who has matriculated at the College.

Students may pursue the Health Science major in the accelerated 3-year degree format, completing at least 120 credits in three years (with summer study) rather than the standard four. Please see the catalog section on “3-Year Bachelor Degree” programs for details.

Exercise Science Major/Minor

For information, contact Department Chair and Associate Professor Dianne Babbitt, dianne.babbitt@cedarcrestedu, 610-606-4666, ext. 3609

Program Description – Exercise Science Major (B.S.)

The Exercise Science program combines coursework in both the basic sciences and exercise sciences. It provides preparation for graduate and professional training in a wide range of fitness and medical fields. The program is structured to provide students with the opportunity to develop the skills and abilities that are critical in the growing fields of health, fitness, medicine and rehabilitation. The Exercise Science major prepares students to enter a variety of professional settings such as sport and wellness programs, community recreational agencies, hospitals and clinics, and both private and corporate agencies.  This major also prepares students who wish to pursue advanced education in athletic training, exercise physiology, occupational therapy, physical therapy, cardiac rehabilitation, personal training, wellness coaching, athletic coaching or athletic management. 

The three Health Sciences majors (Public Health, Health Science, and Exercise Science) share a common core of classes that includes Health Professions, Introduction to Psychology, Lifespan Development, Probability and Statistics, Nutrition for Health Living, Exercise Physiology, Research Methods in Health Science, Introduction to Health Care Systems, and Health Sciences Capstone. 

Program Mission Statement – Exercise Science Major

The Exercise Science major aligns with the Broad Principles guiding the mission of Cedar Crest College; specifically related to leadership development, civic engagement, and health and wellness initiatives. The interdisciplinary approach inherent in the major supports the college’s academic mission as a liberal arts institution.  The goal of this major, with its broad knowledge base, is to prepare students to go directly into jobs in the fitness or health and wellness sector, or to pursue further training in the areas of athletic training, exercise physiology, occupational therapy, physical therapy, cardiac rehabilitation, personal training, wellness coaching, athletic coaching, or athletic management.

Program Requirements for the Exercise Science Major

A minimum cumulative grade-point average of 2.000 and a minimum average in the major of 2.000 are required for the major in Exercise Science major. A grade of C- or better is needed for all courses that fulfill the departmental requirements. Courses transferred in for all majors must be taken less than ten years ago. Students must earn a grade of C- or better in prerequisite courses before proceeding to subsequent courses. 

Total number of credits required by program: 57 credits

Course Requirements for the Exercise Science major

Health Sciences Core (required of all Health Sciences majors):

BUA 211 Introduction to Health Care Systems 3 credits
EXS 200 Exercise Physiology 4 credits   
EXS 201 Research Methods in Health Science 3 credits
*HLT 101 Introduction to the Health Professions 1 credit
HLT 104 Nutrition for Healthy Living 3 credits
OR NTR 210 Principles of Human Nutrition 3 credits
*HLT 201 Health Professions II 1 credit
*HLT 301 Health Professions III 1 credit
HLT 302 Health Sciences Capstone 3 credits
MAT 110 Probability and Statistics 3 credits
PSY 100 Introduction to Psychology 3 credits
PSY 210 Lifespan Development 3 credits
*HLT 202 Health Professions Seminar (3 credits) substitutes for HLT 101, HLT 201, and HLT 301 for SAGE students

Additional Exercise Science Required Courses:

BIO 117 Human Anatomy and Physiology I 4 credits
BIO 118 Human Anatomy and Physiology II 4 credits
EXS 100 Introduction to Exercise Science 3 credits
EXS 202 Kinesiology 3 credits
EXS 203 Prevention and Care of Injury 3 credits
EXS 300 Exercise Physiology II 4 credits
EXS 301 Seminar in Exercise 3 credits
EXS 302 Exercise Testing and Prescription 4 credits
NTR 113 Nutrition and Fitness 1 credit

Required and elective courses must reach 120 credits to complete degree.

Exercise Science Outcomes

Upon successful completion of the Exercise Science major, students will be able to:

  1. Apply knowledge of exercise science including kinesiology, functional anatomy, exercise physiology, nutrition, psychology, and injury prevention in the health fitness setting.
  2. Describe human responses and adaptations to exercise as they relate to the following: neuromuscular, metabolic, circulatory, and respiratory pathways.
  3. Perform pre-participation health screenings and fitness assessments, interpret assessment results, and develop exercise prescriptions.

Fulfillment of the LAC Requirements

Students fulfill Technology, Oral Presentation, and Information Literacy requirements through successful completion of the following required courses: HLT 101, 201, 301, and HLT 302.

It is a general Cedar Crest College policy that a student must complete at least 18 credits of major requirements through Cedar Crest College coursework. This major is open to any student who has matriculated at the College.

Exercise Science Minor Course Requirements (18 credits):

EXS 200 Exercise Physiology I 4 credits
EXS 202 Kinesiology 3 credits
EXS 300 Exercise Physiology II OR EXS 302 Exercise Testing & Prescription 4 credits
EXS Electives 7 credits 18 credits