BS in Health Science

Core Requirements

Course Descriptions

HS 200 Introduction to Health Professions
This course will provide an introduction to various professions in the health care field. Students will be exposed to an overview of health care systems and major aspects of health care delivery. Students will understand health care priorities on the national and local levels. Various health careers will be reviewed to gain an understanding of their associated roles and responsibilities along with an overview of the professional behavior, related values, interests, and ethics expected for a health professional. Students will explore health career options based on an understanding of the professional tasks, skills, tools and technology, abilities, work activities, work context/environment, and educational, training, and legal requirements. In addition, the course will provide an introduction to medical terminology, as well as library skills.
Credits: 3
Every Fall, Spring and Summer

HS 210 Healthcare Organizations and Delivery
This course is designed to help students understand the complexities of the US healthcare delivery system. American health care delivery will be presented in the context of current developments in health reform with references to specific provisions of the Affordable Care Act of 2010. Specific topics will include components of the US Health care systems, health promotion and disease prevention, Medicaid, Medicare, inpatient facilities and services, managed care and integrated organizations, long term care, financing health services for special populations, cost, access, and quality care, health policy, Healthy People 2020 as well as the future of health services delivery.
Credits: 3
Every Fall and Spring

HS 225 Current Issues in Urban Health
This course will introduce students to the impact of city life on health and health care in the United States. This course will provide a detailed look at the advantages and disadvantages of urbanization on both physical and mental health and the root causes of racial and ethnic disparities in health. A thorough investigation will trace the interaction between specific aspects (e.g., housing, transportation, food outlets, crime) of the urban environment and their impact on health, discuss quality measurement, evaluate strategies for designing healthy communities, and develop recommendations for systems and policy change.
Credits: 3
Every Fall and Spring

HS 230 Research in the Health Professions
In this course, you will study the basic methods used in health science research and learn how to interpret the findings from this research. You will be introduced to the scientific method, research ethics using human subjects, causation theory, hypothesis formation, measurement theory, quantitative and qualitative research methods, evaluation research and descriptive statistics. This course will be writing intensive and include a variety of class activities to help develop your methodological skills: critiquing research articles, using the World Wide Web, analyzing social data, writing, discussions, and working on a research project. This course fulfills the writing across the curriculum (WAC) graduation requirement. As such, writing assignments are a major component of the course grade.
The pre-requisite of MTH 100 or PSY 250 is required.
Credits: 3
Every Fall and Spring

HS 240 Nutrition and Wellness
This course introduces students to basic concepts of nutrition. Students will learn about the structure and roles of both macronutrients (protein, carbohydrates, and fat) and micronutrients (vitamins and minerals), and the important roles they serve. Through the course, students will develop an understanding of the role of nutrition in optimizing health, and maximizing human performance and longevity. The essential outcomes include the acquisition of knowledge and development of skills and tools necessary for making educated and positive nutrition decisions, for health, wellness and performance. Topics covered include: nutrient characteristics, requirements, roles, and food sources, energy balance, weight control, dietary guidelines, and diet planning, nutrition requirements for exercise, and the social and economic factors that affect food production and consumption.
The pre-requisites of BIO 123, and CHM 103 or CHM 101 are required.
Credits: 3
Every Fall and Spring

HS 255 Diversity and Health Disparities
This course will explore the disparities in health status, life expectancy and healthcare in the United States. Important factors such as diversity, culture, socio-economic status, gender, geography, and access will be analyzed. Students will learn a systematic approach to the process of achieving culture competence and skills necessary to deliver health programs and services with a diverse population.
Credits: 3
Every Fall and Spring

HS 260 Ethical and Legal Aspects of Healthcare
This course will focus on the ethical and legal dilemmas facing health professionals and administrators in planning and delivering quality healthcare and prevention services. Basic principles and practices of health ethics and law will be presented and applied through the use of case studies and role play. Topics covered included: patient rights, government regulations, HIPPA requirements and confidentiality, ethics of quality care, incident reporting, protecting health information, precedent-setting court cases, financing healthcare and prevention services, tort reform and culture of compassion and truth telling. Students will develop critical thinking skills needed for the ethical decisions they will confront in the health care environment.
Credits: 3
Every Fall and Spring

HS 271 Health Program Planning
Health promotion initiatives are planned, developed, and implemented to prevent illness, diseases, and injuries. Comprehensive, evidence-based, and cost-effective health promotion initiatives, including strategies, policies, and programs, are designed to increase the longevity and quality of life in Americans, while reducing health care costs on individuals, families, their employers, and the government. In this course, students receive an overview of the planning, development, and implementation of health promotion programs. This course will also be writing intensive and include a variety of class activities to help develop your writing and analytic skills.
The pre-requisite of HS 230 is required.
Credits: 3
Every Fall and Spring

HS 290 Practicum
The student, in consultation with the instructor will complete a minimum of 120 hours of fieldwork at a medical, social service or public health agency/organization. This is a culmination course designed to integrate theory and application acquired throughout the Health Science Curriculum. The student is required to attend scheduled course sessions on campus and satisfactorily complete all assignments as outlined in course syllabus.
The student must be active in the Health Science or Public Health major, have taken HS 271 and must be a Senior in order to register for this course.
Credits: 3
Every Fall and Spring

HS 293 Exercise Training for Individuals With Parkinson's Disease
Through lecture and clinical study students will learn to design exercise training programs for individuals with Parkinson's disease in a group setting by implementing cardiovascular and resistance training to improve and maintain physical function and quality of life. Students will become familiar with the role of community-based support groups and how to build a relationship as health professionals with support group members. Students will observe functional assessments of individuals with Parkinson's performed by faculty and staff of the program and will learn about ethical and safety standards during evaluation and exercise. The lecture portion of the class will provide basic information about the causes, presentation, progression, and treatment of Parkinson's disease with special emphasis on the role of exercise as a non-medical treatment. The role of government funding and advocacy will also be considered for conditions like Parkinson's disease that require significant long-term financial, health, and socio-emotional support.
Credits: 3
Cross-Listings: ESW 293, HS 293
Every Fall and Spring

HS 309 Medical Terminology
The study of medical terminology introduces students to the language of medicine. This course provides students with the foundation of medication terminology used in health care professions. Students will examine the etymology of word roots, prefixes and suffixes and provides meanings for medical terms in the context of the structure, function and diseases of the human body. Using a systems-based approach, students will learn to define and articulate medical terms and abbreviations.
Credits: 3
All Sessions

HS 326 Human Diseases I
This course will focus on the pathophysiology of human diseases that commonly affect the major human body systems. The diseases that will be covered in this course will be reviewed and studied in greater detail. Topics include etiology of diseases, epidemiology, diagnosis, and treatment. This course will also include the basic physiology of the human body systems and how the immune system plays a role in targeting diseases. This course will provide a strong foundation in the physiology of human diseases for those students who are pursuing a career in the clinical health professions. Three hours lecture per week
Credits: 3
Alternate Semesters

HS 327 Human Diseases II
This course will focus on the pathophysiology of human diseases that commonly affect the major human body systems. The diseases that will be covered in this course will be reviewed and studied in greater detail. Topics include etiology, epidemiology, diagnosis, and treatment of diseases. This course will also include the basic physiology of the human body systems and how the immune system plays a role in targeting diseases. This course will provide a strong foundation in the physiology of human diseases for those students who are pursuing a career in the clinical health professions. This course is a continuation of Human Diseases 1 and will cover the second half of the body systems that were not covered in Human Diseases 1.
Credits: 3
Every Fall and Spring

HS 331 Adapted Aquatics for Children with Autism
This course is designed to enable children with Autism to experience water, fun, safety and success. Students will assist children with autism, under faculty supervision, in a one-to-one teaching ration using a developmental skill progression model from acclimation to water, to movement exploration in water, to floating and pre-beginner swim skills. Through lecture, laboratory and hands-on experience, students will also learn about autism and how to adapt aquatic activities to meet each child's needs. The application of principles of safety in the aquatic environment is always emphasized.
Credits: 3
Every Fall

HS 332 Health Advocacy and Wellness for People with Intellectual Disabilities
This course introduces principles of health advocacy and wellness into an adult day habilitation environment at LIU for adults with intellectual disabilities. Through lectures, simulations, laboratory, and hands-on experiences, students learn about intellectual disabilities and how to organize, adapt and present wellness activities such as healthy eating, stress reduction, basic first aid, relaxation, exercise, and socialization to meet each individual's needs. Students will support participants with intellectual disabilities in the wellness classes and develop knowledge and leadership skills in co-leading sessions. Students will learn principles of safety and how to assist people in becoming more independent.
Credits: 3
Every Fall, Spring and Summer

HS 339 Health and Wellness
This course provides a holistic approach of what it really means to be healthy today. It explores the positive mind and body relationship to achieve a healthy and active lifestyle. Topics include managing stress, wellness principles, nutrition guidelines, aging and disease prevention, spiritual perspectives and physical activity and exercise protocols.
Credits: 2
Cross-Listings: ESW 339, HS 339
Every Fall and Spring

HS 341 Life Cycle Nutrition
This course explores the relationship between nutrition and growth, development, and normal functioning of individuals through each stage of life from infancy to senior adults. It covers the physiological, biochemical, sociological, and developmental factors that affect nutrient requirements, deficiencies, and recommendations at various stages of the life cycle. In order to address nutritional needs, the course also provides specific community nutrition methods for planning, developing, and implementing healthy eating interventions. Special topics include heart disease, diabetes, pregnancy, and lactation, food habits of children, and those associated with aging.
Credits: 3
Every Spring

HS 350 Health Behavior Change
This course seeks to heighten understanding of the social and behavioral factors that contribute to health decisions and behaviors, with an ultimate goal of learning how to utilize these factors in improving public health efforts. Students will learn to apply the science of health behavior change in their own lives and the lives of people in the community, home, school, or work setting. The course is appropriate for students interested in health care and public health, as well as individuals who are interested in learning to apply the science of behavior change to improve their personal wellbeing.
Credits: 3
Every Fall

HS 372 History, Philosophy and Psychological Aspects of Disability
This course focuses on topics related to the history, philosophy and psychological aspects of disability. We will explore such areas as: institutions and the Willowbrook Court Decree, models of disability, concept of normalization, experiences and perspectives of people with disability, person-centered planning, the inclusion movement, politics of reasonable accommodation, Americans and Disabilities Act, self-empowerment, communication and collaborate planning and other factors facing people with disability, as well as the fields of professional practice.
Credits: 3
Every Spring

HS 374 Autism Spectrum Disorders and Other Developmental Disabilities
This course is designed to provide an overview of Autism Spectrum Disorders and Intellectual Disabilities, characteristics, causation, screening techniques, diagnosis and treatments of autism from a medical and neurological perspective. Issues such as classification, diagnostic instruments, communication assessments and skill development will be addressed. The student will gain understanding of the cognitive and social functioning of the person with ASD with a particular emphasis on style of learning, theory of mind, role of executive functioning, over selectivity, joint attention, generalization difficulties and health issues. Normal human growth and development in comparison to atypical development stages will be addressed in the cognitive, motor, and language developmental areas. Students who complete this course will have an understanding of ASD and Intellectual Disabilities and the role of the family during diagnosis and treatment.
Credits: 3
Every Fall

HS 377 Applied Behavior Analysis and Program Design
This course will provide students with the understanding of Applied Behavior Analysis both in theory and practice. Students will learn the principles of ABA such as positive reinforcement, fixed schedules of reinforcement, task analysis, prompt fading, functional behavioral analysis, positive behavior support, self reinforcement, modeling, discrete trial, picture activity schedules, picture rehearsal and token economies while applying these principles in the wellness, leisure, habilitation and residential programs. The unique needs and characteristics of each individual with a developmental disability will be explored from infancy into adulthood to develop instructional strategies and behavior management programs. Various program models will be investigated throughout the individual's life cycle in various settings.
Credits: 3
Every Fall

HS 378 Case Management Services
This course will examine concepts and principles of case management practice with special populations. The core functions of case management practice in a range of settings are addressed in relationship to issues of diversity, vulnerability and empowerment, while identifying and collaborating with resources and agencies. Emphasis is placed on care coordination, type of delivery agency, negotiation in brokering for health care services by utilizing the application of case management models. Students will understand health care priorities on the national and local level.
Credits: 3
Cross-Listings: HS 378, SWK 378
Every Fall

HS 380 Stress Management
An analysis of the sources and consequences of stress and stress reaction in a variety of daily living settings; examination of a variety of instruments used to measure stress levels. Exploration of personal lifestyle with regards to present stress levels and coping abilities; Practical application of intervention techniques designed to enhance adjustment to the demands of stress. This course will be helpful to all students for their personal and professional lives. Offered online.
Credits: 3
Every Fall and Spring

HS 497-499 Independent Study
Students taking the Independent Study are expected to research an aspect of Health Science under the supervision of a faculty advisor. Included in this research can be a practicum/internship experience of a minimum of 30 hours. Alternatively, a student is able to produce a study of an approved topic, including a thorough literature review and assessment of the topic. With both options, a final summary project, pre-approved by the faculty advisor, will be presented at the end of the experience.
Credits: 1 to 3
On Demand