BS in Health Science at Boston University

The Health Science major is a Bachelor of Science program. This program offers students an interdisciplinary approach to study health sciences and global public health. During the first two years of the program, the curriculum integrates core courses in the biological sciences, humanities, and social sciences, included in the BU Hub requirements, with a strong foundation in global health and the health sciences. The second two years feature specialized coursework applying health sciences to the challenges of global public health, including training in both qualitative and quantitative methods, as well as focused study of a chosen area in global health through the senior seminar. The program culminates in a practicum wherein students gain hands-on experience in public health or clinical healthcare at an affiliated site, either in the Boston area or while studying abroad. Students in this major are eligible to apply for the Sargent College Senior Thesis for Distinction. The Health Science program articulates with four different BU Study Abroad programs to offer specialized opportunities to fulfill at least two program requirements while abroad, and both students and faculty in the program are active in international service-learning through the Sargent Service Learning program.

The Health Science major is an excellent option for students who wish to pursue the accelerated BS/MPH (4+1) program or to complete prerequisite course requirements for graduate programs in medicine, nursing, physician assistant training, or physical therapy. Students who plan to apply to degree programs in medicine or dentistry, or in preparation for a career as a physician assistant or nurse practitioner, will take an alternate sequence of basic science courses to include graduate program prerequisite course requirements.

Students will graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Health Science and, if selected, a minor in a specific health concentration or other discipline. Graduates from this program may pursue employment in the field of health and human services (e.g., public health, governmental and community agencies, insurance industry, hospitals, or the pharmaceutical industry) or may pursue graduate programs in public health or a clinical profession (e.g., medicine, physician assistance, nursing, physical therapy, or pharmacy), health administration, business, or law. Careful selection of available courses will optimize admission to desired graduate degree programs. Students registered in this program who meet GPA requirements are eligible to apply for the accelerated five-year Bachelor of Science and Master of Public Health (BS/MPH), offered in conjunction with Boston University School of Public Health