Health Sciences
A broad science foundation for many health career paths.
Health sciences is a broad, pre-professional major that builds a strong foundation in human biology, chemistry, and health systems, often used by students planning to apply to graduate programs in medicine, physical therapy, physician assistant studies, or other clinical fields. It's less specialized than nursing but more health-focused than a straight biology degree.
Because it's often a stepping stone to graduate or professional school, advising tends to be closely tied to prerequisite planning for whatever comes next, so coursework can flex based on your intended path.
Typical courses you might take
- ✓Human Anatomy & Physiology
- ✓General & Organic Chemistry
- ✓Microbiology
- ✓Medical Terminology
- ✓Introduction to Health Systems
- ✓Statistics for Health Sciences
- ✓Ethics in Healthcare
- ✓Health Sciences Capstone or Research
Sample four-year plan
Illustrative, not a registration planOne possible way these courses could be sequenced alongside general education and elective credit. Real programs vary in order, pacing, and prerequisites by school, use this to get a rough sense of the arc, not to plan actual registration.
- ✓Human Anatomy & Physiology
- +General education requirement
- ✓General & Organic Chemistry
- +General education requirement
- ✓Microbiology
- +General education requirement
- ✓Medical Terminology
- +Free elective
- ✓Introduction to Health Systems
- +Free elective
- ✓Statistics for Health Sciences
- +Elective in the major (or minor coursework)
- ✓Ethics in Healthcare
- +Elective in the major (or minor coursework)
- ✓Health Sciences Capstone or Research
- +Capstone, thesis, or culminating project (common in many programs)
Skills you'll build
This major might be a good fit if you...
- ★Interested in a health career but not yet sure which one
- ★Wants a flexible, science-heavy foundation before specializing
- ★Comfortable with a demanding, prerequisite-driven curriculum
- ★Planning to apply to graduate or professional health programs
Common minors & double-major pairings
Biology · Chemistry · Psychology
Roles this major could lead to
Factual, day-to-day descriptions from our Career Role Encyclopedia, not a guarantee this major leads to any specific job.
Frequently asked questions
What is a Health Sciences major?
A broad science foundation for many health career paths.
What courses do Health Sciences majors take?
Typical coursework includes classes like Human Anatomy & Physiology, General & Organic Chemistry, Microbiology, among others, see the full course list above for this major's typical lineup.
What skills do you build in a Health Sciences program?
Health Sciences coursework typically builds skills like Foundational biomedical science knowledge, Scientific literacy and lab technique, Understanding of healthcare systems and ethics, Statistical reasoning applied to health data.
Is Health Sciences a good major for me?
It tends to be a good fit if signals like "Interested in a health career but not yet sure which one" or "Wants a flexible, science-heavy foundation before specializing" describe you. See the full "good fit if you..." list above for more.
What can you do with a Health Sciences degree?
Majors in this field often go on to roles like Registered Nurse, Physician Assistant. See our Career Role Encyclopedia for more, a major shapes what you study, not a guarantee of any specific job.
What other majors pair well with Health Sciences?
Common minor or double-major pairings include Biology, Chemistry, Psychology.
How is Health Sciences different from Nursing?
They're related but distinct. Health Sciences: A broad science foundation for many health career paths. Nursing: Direct patient care grounded in science, skill, and judgment. Use the compare tool to see courses and skills side by side.
How long does it take to earn a Health Sciences degree?
Most bachelor's degrees, including this one, are designed to be completed in about four years of full-time study. Exact timing depends on your school, course load, transfer credit, and any changes of major along the way.
Printed from majoratlas.com/majors/health-sciences-major