The Interdisciplinary Health Sciences (IHS) program is a new curriculum, offering coursework from multiple programs in order to acquaint the student with a variety of fields within the health sciences. This rigorous program allows students to explore career pathways in the health sciences other than medicine that they may never have previously considered. In addition, student performance in “hard science” courses could allow them to be considered for admission to our post-baccalaureate pre-medical programs. The IHS program is a one year certificate program comprised of two sequential semesters.
 
IHS Admission Requirements
 
Applicants to this program are required to have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited U.S. institution, have successfully completed the minimum science courses required for application to medical school and have a minimum GPA of 2.25 or better. The student should have around a 17 on the MCAT exam, or scores around the 50th percentile on the general GRE.
 
IHS Curriculum
 
Students take 12-18 credits/semester for a minimum of 24 total credits. There are four required courses. Course selection will be conducted with a program advisor to best suit the career goals/interests of the student. Available courses include:
 
Fall Semester 
Biological Aspects of Forensic Science
Bionucleonics
Career Counseling in the Health Sciences, Seminar I*
Concepts in Biochemistry and Cell Biology
Embryology
Histotechnology with Lab I
Interview Interrogation and Criminal Personality Profiling
Introduction to Clinical Trials
Introduction to Criminal Law/Trial Process
Medical Microbiology I
Pharmacology
Introduction to Public Health
Techniques: Crime Scene Investigation
Human Osteology and Skeletal Biology
 
Spring Semester 
Biology and Care of Laboratory Animals
Biological Functions and Regulations
Bloodstream Pattern Analysis
Career Counseling in the Health Sciences, Seminar II*
Community Dimensions in Medicine*
Epidemiology
Ethical Issues in Research
Medical Microbiology II
Neuropharmacology*
Pharmaceutical Law
Special Topics in Anatomy
Forensic Anthropology

*Required Core Course
 
Successful IHS Program Completion
 
To receive the IHS certificate, candidates must complete a minimum of 24 credits of coursework, including the required Neuropharmacology and Community Dimensions in Medicine courses and both semesters of the Career Counseling in the Health Sciences Seminar. This 1 credit/semester seminar course will acquaint students with a broad spectrum of professional opportunities in the health sciences in part through a lecture series conducted by professionals in their respective fields that may include:
Art Therapy
Audiology
Biomedical Engineering
Chiropractic Medicine
Clinical Research Management & Organization
Dance Therapy
Dental Medicine
Forensic Sciences (Criminalistics; Molecular)
Genetic Counseling
Histotechnologist
Naturopathic Medicine
Laboratory Animal Sciences
Medical Arts (Photography and Illustration)
Medicine in Law
Midwifery
Music Therapy
Nurse Practitioner
Optometry
Pathologists’ Assistant
Pharmaceutical Sales
Pharmacology
Physical/Occupational Therapy
Physician Assistant
Podiatric Medicine
Public Health
Imaging Technology (Radiology; Ultrasonography)
Research Technician/MS/PhD
Scientific Writing
Speech/Language Pathology and Therapy
Veterinary Medicine
 
Placement Information
 
Admission to a professional program depends on a number of criteria in addition to academic performance. While our program is designed to help students strengthen their candidacy for their desired professional school application, satisfactory performance in our program does not guarantee admission.