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Health Science

  • Bachelor of Science
Health Science Program students in a lab

Explore the path to a career in healthcare

The Health Science program opens doors to a wide range of career paths in healthcare and allied health professions. Whether you're interested in clinical work or public health, this program equips you with the knowledge and skills to make a real impact. You’ll start by building a strong foundation in science and math, then tailor advanced coursework to your specific interests. As early as your first year, you will be integrating concepts from multiple disciplines to real world problems through case studies and projects. Your final year will culminate in a capstone experience with a professional internship where you’ll gain experience communicating your ideas clearly to both professionals and patients. At its core, this program is about preparing students with a heart for helping others to become thoughtful, skilled, and collaborative health professionals.

Pre-allied health programs

Students who are interested in pre-allied graduate programs get support from our Pre-allied Health Committee. The faculty on the committee advise students about coursework, clinical exposure, service activities, leadership roles, entrance examinations, applications, and interviews.

University Partnerships

Saint Vincent College has formal partnerships that help students transfer seamlessly into graduate programs at Chatham University for their physician assistant and physical therapy programs, and at Duquesne University for their pharmacy program.

Undergraduate Programs

Program Highlights

Healthcare students in protective gear collaborating on a medical procedure.

Learn by Doing

Participate in labs, simulations, and real-world projects that provide practical skills and a deeper understanding of healthcare practices. For example, students learn emergency response applications, look at data from research, and explore different disease states.

A professor presenting in a college classroom filled with students.

Expert Faculty

Learn from experienced professionals and educators who are dedicated to your success and bring a wealth of knowledge from their own careers. Our students are well-prepared for graduate studies, as demonstrated by the college’s impressive 90–100% acceptance rate into allied health professional programs over the past five years.

A professor explains ear birth research at a classroom whiteboard, with students observing from a conference table.

Senior Internship and Capstone Experience

As a health science major, you will complete a culminating capstone experience which includes a professional immersive internship in your specific area of interest and a seminar where you’ll focus on communication skills and professional preparation. You will apply your knowledge to a real-world health issue and make connections with professionals as you enhance your resume.

A medical professional conducts a demonstration for a group of students in a surgical setting.

Live Surgical Demonstrations

Each semester local surgeons and their staff demonstrate their state-of-the-art techniques and provide an opportunity to learn from leaders in their fields. Students may engage with surgeons on topics such as ACL tears and reconstruction, the use of robotics in lung cancer detection and surgery, and vascular procedures like abdominal aortic aneurysm repair.

A group of people walking in front of ancient ruins, showcasing a blend of historical architecture and modern visitors.

Study and Serve Abroad

You will have multiple opportunities to study abroad short term (about a week) as well as longer term (a full semester). This includes travel to the Dominican Republic, Ireland, and Rome. In Spring 2025, our students participated in a medical service trip to the Dominican Republic where they served alongside World Servants and Keelen Dental, bringing professional care, student passion, and Christ-centered love into action.

Careers After Saint Vincent

Saint Vincent College Health Science majors are prepared to enter graduate or professional schools.

Approximately 40% of Health Science majors apply to graduate or professional schools. Health Science majors have a 100% acceptance rate to graduate/professional schools as self-reported in exit surveys from graduating classes of 2022-2025. These include acceptances at the following schools (*attendance).

Masters in Nursing
• Carlow university*
• LaRoche university*
• Penn West
• UPMC Shadyside

Occupational Therapy:
• Chatham University*

Pharmacy:
• Duquesne University*
• University of Pittsburgh*
• Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine
• University of South Carolina

Physician’s Assistant:
• Chatham University*

Physical Therapy: 
• Carlow University*
• Chatham University*
• Plymouth State University*
• Saint Francis University*
• Washington University School of Medicine*
• Bowling Green University
• Duquesne University
• Gannon University
• Saint John’s University
• Seton Hill University
• Slippery Rock University
• University of Maryland – Baltimore County, University of Pittsburgh

Approximately 30% of Health Science majors go directly into a job as self-reported in Exit Surveys from 2022-2025. Jobs include

  • Medical Scribes
  • Patient Care Technicians
  • Medical Sales
  • Emergency Medical Technicians
  • Medical Lab Technicians
  • Pharmacy Technicians
  • Physical Therapy Technicians.

Curriculum Requirements

The health science major is part of The Herbert W. Boyer School of Natural Sciences, Mathematics and Computing and supported by our core curriculum, where students delve into diverse academic subjects at both foundational and advanced levels to explore how different disciplines connect, fostering deeper self-understanding and proficiency in their chosen field of study.

  • Requirements for a Bachelor of Science Degree in Health Science

    Health Science Major Requirements (59-64 Credits)

    Foundations I (21-23 Credits)

    • CH 101/103 General Chemistry I and Lab 4
    • BL150/151 General Biology I and Lab 4
    • HSCI 101 Introduction to Health Science 1
    • HSCI 222/224 Human Anatomy and Physiology I and Lab 4
    • PH 109/113 College Physics I and Lab 4
    • MA 102/3
      or
    • MA 109 or 111 Calculus I 4-6

    Foundations II (19 credits)

    • BL 152/153 General Biology II and Lab 4
    • CH 102/104 General Chemistry II and Lab 4
    • HSCI 201 Medical Terminology 1
    • HSCI 210 Healthcare Systems 3
    • HSCI 223/225 Human Anatomy and Physiology
    • II and Lab 4
    • BL 260 Biostatistics
      or
    • PY 203 Statistics I 3

    Capstone Experience (3-6 credits)

    • HSCI 300 Health Science Seminar 3
    • HSCI 550 Internship 0-3

    Science and Social Science Electives (16 Credits)
    Choose 16 Credits* (must include labs when available) from the following:

    • CH 221/223 Organic Chemistry I and Lab 4
    • CH 222/224 Organic Chemistry II and Lab 4
    • BL 208/209 Cell Biology and Lab 4
    • BL 212/213 Microbiology and Lab 4
    • BL 214/215 Molecular Genetics and Lab 4
    • BL 224/225 Physiology and Lab 4
    • BL 220/221 Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy and Lab 4
    • BL 245/246 Exercise Physiology 3
    • BL 226/227 Neuroscience and Lab 4
    • CH 251/253 Proteins and Metabolism & Lab 4
    • CH 252/254 Nucleic Acids and Membranes and Lab 4
    • PY 331 Biological Psychology 3
    • PY 322 Health Psychology 3
    • PH 110/114 College Physics II and Lab 4
    • HSCI 250 Wellness and Nutrition 3
    • HSCI 255 Acute Care and Emergency Response 3
    • SO 248 Fundamentals of Epidemiology

  • Key Courses

    Introduction to Health Science

    You will explore all different realms of Health Science and put together a plan of action for your goals.

    Human Anatomy and Physiology

    Gain an in-depth understanding of the human body, its systems, and how they work together to maintain health and wellness. Through engaging lectures and hands-on lab experiences, you will delve into the body’s architecture, learn essential terminology concepts, and develop a comprehensive understanding of the biological principles that underpin human health.

    Healthcare Systems

    This course is a comprehensive overview of U.S. health care systems covering structure, finance, governance, personnel, history, and cultural values. You will examine the critical challenges and interactions with economic, technological, political, and social forces to include the health care systems' response to these influences.

    Health Analytics

    As healthcare increasingly relies on data to drive decisions and improve outcomes, you’ll discover skills needed to transform data into actionable insights. By exploring data fundamentals, healthcare technology, and information systems, you will be equipped with the essential skills and knowledge to harness the power of data to revolutionize the healthcare landscape.

Facilities

Exterior view of the Science Pavilion showcasing its modern architecture and glass facade surrounded by landscaped grounds.

The Sis and Herman Dupré Science Pavilion

Engage within the sciences and the Benedictine tradition in our 113,260 square foot LEED-certified Gold Sis and Herman Dupré Science Pavilion, home to The Herbert W. Boyer School of Natural Sciences, Mathematics and Computing. The James F. Will Engineering and Biomedical Sciences Hall was added to in 2017, creating an environment for study characterized by mutual respect, personal attention and open dialogue.

A sterile examination room featuring medical equipment including examination tables and overhead surgical lights.

The Liberatore Human Anatomy Lab

The Ralph and Donna Liberatore Human Anatomy Lab, is an expansive, state-of-the-art laboratory space equipped with six surgical stations for anatomical research for medical training sessions with physicians and surgeons. Our undergraduate biology students study human anatomy and physiology through cadaveric dissection demonstrated by practicing medical physicians.

A group of students and a teacher collaborate around computers in a classroom equipped with scientific equipment.

Digital Imaging Lab

The Digital Imaging Lab is utilized by faculty and students throughout the natural science curriculum for inquiry-based classroom, laboratory-based activities and for faculty and student research projects. The lab includes a nine-station advanced microscopy suite containing fluorescent compound microscopes, research-grade dissection microscopes, a fluorescent inverted microscope for mammalian cell culture, a polarizing microscope and more to facilitate complex student research projects.

Medical students engaging with a digital anatomy display during a hands-on learning session.

Anatomage Table

This advanced virtual dissection tool provides high-resolution 3D imaging of the human body. With its interactive touchscreen interface, users can explore internal structures and practice surgical procedures, making it an invaluable resource for medical education and training.

Student Learning Outcomes

SLO1 Content Knowledge: Students will be able to analyze, connect, and integrate knowledge from two or more health science disciplines to draw conclusions and/or solve complex problems.

SLO2 Teamwork: Students will be able to work effectively as part of a team to accomplish a complex project.

SLO3 Information literacy: Students will be able to find, evaluate, and utilize sources of information appropriately and ethically.

SLO4 Communication: Students will be able to express themselves clearly in both written work and oral communication.

SLO5 Scientific Skills: Students will be able to demonstrate a proficiency in scientific laboratory skills.

SLO6 Data Analysis: Students will be able to analyze scientific data and utilize that data as evidence for a conclusion.

 

Experiential Learning Prepares Students For Success

Undergraduate Programs
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