Allied Health Sciences

Course descriptions

The Allied Health Sciences major leads to a Bachelor of Science degree. Students may elect to pursue the major with or without a concentration. The major offers a general (Standard) plan and four concentrations in Health Sciences, Healthcare Administration, Public Health and Health Promotion, and Occupational and Environmental Health and Safety. Please refer to information under the “Required courses by concentration” section for detailed information related to the major and concentrations.

Admission

First-Year students are admitted into the Department of Allied Health Sciences as Allied Health Sciences (AHS) majors (standard plan). Students are advised in the Department of Allied Health Sciences. Following discussions with their advisor, students may remain in the standard plan, may further define their major by petition into a concentration within the Allied Health Sciences major, or may apply to a Professional Program (admission to a concentration within the AHS major or to a professional program is not automatic; refer to respective program admission information).

Students not admitted to the University as Allied Health Sciences majors may apply into this major during the first two weeks of each semester (does not apply to professional program application; see professional program admission information).

Students who apply to the Allied Health Sciences major as a second major for additional degree or double major will be subject to department review and admission decision consistent with the admission requirements.

University readmission applicants who declare the AHS major will be subject to department review and admission decision consistent with the procedure applied to current non-AHS students applying to the major.

Students who apply to the Allied Health Sciences major with admission requirement coursework in transfer must provide the department with an official transcript from the credit-granting institution as part of their application documentation.

Admission to the Allied Health Sciences major is competitive. The following requirements must be met for consideration of admission into the Allied Health Sciences major. Admission requirements must be complete at the time of application to be considered for admission.

  1. Be in good academic standing (not on probation or eligible for dismissal).
  2. Math and Science GPA to include at least one each of the following with no grades less than a “C” (no substitutions).
    1. CHEM 1000-level with lab (transfer chemistry course must be equivalent to a UConn chemistry with lab)
    2. BIOL 1107 or 1108 (preferred BIOL 1107)
    3. MATH 1060Q or higher; or STAT 1000Q or 1100Q
  3. Additional admission requirements for the Healthcare Administration concentration:
    1. ECON 1201 or 1202
    2. MATH 1070Q or 1071Q or 1131Q
    3. Minimum of a 3.0 cumulative GPA

Please note: AH 1100 is recommended as a preparation for admission, but must be completed within one (1) year following admission into the Allied Health Sciences major. Students admitted to the AHS major typically have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher and a math and science GPA of 2.8 or higher; however, competitive applicants will have greater than a 3.2 cumulative GPA. Advanced course work completed (i.e. science courses 2000 level and above) with grades less than a “C” may be cause for denial of admission. Students petitioning their junior or senior year may require additional semesters to complete requirements depending on how their coursework meets program requirements and course availability at time of registration. Please contact the department for questions as they relate to admissions.

Admission to the Health Sciences, Healthcare Administration, Public Health and Health Promotion or Occupational and Environmental Health and Safety concentrations within the Allied Health Sciences major requires a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher (a 3.0 GPA is required for Healthcare Administration), academic good standing, and successful completion of one college level (1000 level or higher) course in each of the following: biology, chemistry, and mathematics as listed in the admission requirements.

Important Note: Course requirements vary by concentration. Adding, removing, or changing a concentration WILL impact meeting the major requirements. Not all AH-coded courses can be used to satisfy all plans. Students bear the responsibility to ensure courses taken to meet the major requirements are consistent with courses listed on the approved list for the declared plan. Students are advised to take this into consideration when considering a concentration change. Students are advised to meet with their faculty advisor in a timely manner (i.e. by junior year) to determine appropriateness of making concentration changes and how doing so may impact major course completion and requirements for graduation. Do not assume substitutions can or will be made.

To satisfy the general education requirements for information literacy competency, Allied Health Sciences majors must meet the University’s entrance expectations. To satisfy the general education requirement for writing in the major, Allied Health Sciences students must pass the writing in the major course as indicated by concentration. To satisfy the Environmental Literacy competency, students may complete the requirement as either a GER, elective, AH major or related cognate course

The course requirements listed below are those of the Department of Allied Health Sciences and may also satisfy the University’s General Education requirements.

Required courses by concentration

Students majoring in Allied Health Sciences (AHS) must complete required courses and the 36-credit major requirement as indicated below. Required coursework varies by concentration (Refer to the concentration plan of study for a list of approved courses); do not assume substitutions can or will be approved. In addition, student must complete university general education requirements (in some cases, major requirements may also be used to satisfy university general education requirements).

36 Credits Major Requirement

Students majoring in Allied Health Sciences (AHS) (with or without a concentration) must complete 36 credits of course work meeting the following requirements:

  1. Numbered 2000 level or above
  2. Include a minimum of 30 credits completed at the University of Connecticut
  3. Approved by the student’s advisor and department head
  4. Include coursework from two or more departments
  5. Include at least 15 credits from departments in CAHNR, which must be taken at the University of Connecticut
  6. Courses cannot be taken on pass/fail
  7. Have a combined grade point average of at least 2.0
  8. Cannot include more than six credits (combined) of research, internship, independent study, instructional assistant, or international study taken at the University of Connecticut
  9. Cannot include more than eight credits of courses used to satisfy requirements for a minor
  10. Cannot include more than six credits of Satisfactory or Unsatisfactory (S/U) coursework
  11. Cannot include more than six credits in transfer credit with advisor and department head approval

The 36-credit major and graduation requirements to the Allied Health Science:

Students must complete required coursework by concentration. Required coursework numbered 2000-level or above may also be used to satisfy the 36-credit requirement. The number of courses and credits vary by concentration as indicated within each concentration description. Students are required to take additional related coursework to complete the minimum 36-credit requirement. Students are advised to consult with their advisor in advance of enrollment. Do not assume all 2000-level or above courses will satisfy this requirement. Approval by advisor and department head is required. Students pursuing graduate admissions may use graduate program admission requirements to meet this requirement provided they are 2000-level or above (e.g. PNB 2264, 2265; CHEM 2241, etc.). Please note that including graduate admission prerequisites in the 36-credit group does not imply graduate programs can/will accept them; minimum grade and/or GPA may apply. Students may also take additional 2000-level or above concentration courses to meet this requirement.

Allied Health Sciences (Standard Plan)

The Allied Health Sciences major without a concentration is designed specifically for students who would like to pursue a broad-based baccalaureate degree in Allied Health or who would like to pursue graduate health programs that require a baccalaureate degree for admission. Working with an advisor, students design a flexible plan of study that they can tailor to meet their professional and personal goals. Students combine University General Education and required coursework in Allied Health with coursework from departments across the university to tailor their baccalaureate degree to meet requirements for employment or admission to various graduate programs, including but not limited to Athletic Training, Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Post-Baccalaureate Nursing and Physician Assistant programs.

Required courses

1000-level: AH 1100; BIOL 1107; CHEM 1122 or 1124Q or 1127Q; CHEM 1125Q or 1128Q or PHYS 1010Q; COMM 1000 or 1100; MATH 1060Q or higher; NUSC 1165; PHIL 1000-level; PSYC 1100; PSYC 1101 or 1103; STAT 1000Q or 1100Q.

2000-level and above: AH 2001, 4239, 4240W; PSYC 2300, 2400; and a minimum of 14 credits (or five additional courses) from the following list of CAHNR course options, three of which must be AH-coded: AH 3000, 3005, 3021, 3025, 3030, 3060, 3101, 3121, 3133, 3175, 3203, 3234, 3302, 3303, 3320, 3571, 3574, 4025, 4092, 4225, 4242, 4243, 4244, 4297W, 4501, 4503; DIET 3230; DGS 3226, 4234, 4246; KINS 4500, 4510; NUSC 2200, 4236, 4250; PATH 3100, 4000, 4203, 4300. Other courses may be used to meet this requirement pending advisor and department head approval.

Writing in the major: AH 4239 and 4240W.

Related 36-credit major courses

In addition to the 2000-level and above required courses, related courses used to meet the Allied Health Sciences (no concentration) 36-credit requirement may be from departments across the university including courses in Allied Health not used to meet other program requirements. Courses should relate to career goals and interests. Students are advised to discuss course options with their faculty advisor as not all courses may satisfy this requirement.

Health Sciences Concentration

The Health Sciences (HESCI) concentration in Allied Health Sciences prepares students interested in health specialties which involve laboratory procedures for diagnostic purposes or who are looking to pursue allied health fields requiring a strong health science and pathology background. This concentration is also designed for students seeking admission to post-baccalaureate (graduate) programs such as, but not limited to, Medical or Dental School, Epidemiology, Optometry, Pathology Assistant, Pharmacy, or the Department of Allied Health Sciences Post-Baccalaureate Diagnostic Genetic Sciences or Medical Laboratory Sciences Certificate Programs.

Required courses

1000-level: AH 1100; BIOL 1107; CHEM 1124Q or 1127Q; CHEM 1125Q or 1128Q; COMM 1000 or 1100; MATH 1060Q or higher; PHIL 1000-level; PHYS 1201Q and 1202Q or PHYS 1401Q and PHYS 1402Q or PHYS 1501Q and 1502Q; PSYC 1100; STAT 1000Q or 1100Q.

2000-level and above: CHEM 2241 and 2242 or 2443, 2444, and 2445; AH 2001, 4239 and 4240W; and a minimum of fourteen credits (or five additional courses) from the following list of CAHNR course options: AH 3005, 3021, 3025, 3030, 3060, 3101, 3121, 3175, 3203, 3320, 4092, 4225, 4243, 4297W; DGS 3226, 4234, 4246; KINS 4500, 4510; NUSC 4236, 4250; PATH 3100, 4000, 4203, 4300. Other courses may be used to meet this requirement pending advisor and department head approval.

Writing in the major: AH 4239 and 4240W.

Related 36-credit major courses

In addition to the 2000-level and above required courses, related courses used to meet the Health Sciences concentration 36-credit requirement must be from the following subject areas: Allied Health Sciences major/Health Sciences concentration course list BIOL, CHEM, MCB, PHYS, PNB. Other science-based courses may be used to meet this requirement pending advisor and department head approval.

Healthcare Administration Concentration

The Healthcare Administration (HADM) concentration in Allied Health Sciences prepares students interested in administration and managerial positions in hospitals, clinics, government planning and regulatory agencies, health maintenance organizations, hospital associations, consulting firms, computer vendors, health insurance companies, and hospital equipment and supplies manufacturers, etc. This concentration is also designed for students seeking admission into graduate programs such as the Department of Allied Health Sciences Master’s Program in Health Promotion as well as for those looking to enroll in graduate programs such as Public Health, Health Administration, Health Insurance Studies, Health Policy and Law, and others.

Required courses

1000-level: AH 1100; BIOL 1107; CHEM 1122 or 1124Q or 1127Q; CHEM 1125Q or 1128Q or PHYS 1010Q; COMM 1000 or 1100; ECON 1201 and 1202; MATH 1070Q or higher; PHIL 1000-level; PSYC 1100; PSYC 1101 or 1103; PUBH 1001; STAT 1000Q or 1100Q.

2000-level and above: AH 2001, 3570, 4239, and 4240W; ACCT 2001; BADM 2710; BADM 3730; HCMI 3240; HCMI 3243; PSYC 2600; and a minimum of 12 credits (or four additional courses) from the following list of CAHNR course options: AH 3000, 3005, 3278, 3303, 3571, 3574, 4243, 4244, 4297W, 4501; ARE 3221, 3222DIET 3230. Other courses may be used to meet this requirement pending advisor and department head approval.

Writing in the major: AH 4239 and 4240W.

Related 36-credit major courses

In addition to the 2000-level and above required courses, related courses used to meet the Healthcare Administration 36-credit requirement may be from departments across the university including courses in Allied Health Sciences. Courses should relate to career goals and interests. Students are advised to discuss course options with their faculty advisor as not all courses may satisfy this requirement.

Public Health and Health Promotion Concentration

The Public Health and Health Promotion (PHHP) concentration in Allied Health Sciences prepares students interested in working in a setting such as health and social service agencies, work site health promotion programs, government health agencies, hospital wellness programs, business, industry, and educational settings that emphasize health and wellness. This concentration is also designed for students seeking admission into graduate programs such as the Department of Allied Health Sciences Master’s Program in Health Promotion as well as for those looking to enroll in graduate programs such as Public Health, Gerontology, Health Education, Health Administration, Health Policy and Law, Health Psychology, or the Department of Allied Health Sciences Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Health Promotion and Health Education.

Required courses

1000-level: AH 1100; BIOL 1107; CHEM 1122 or 1124Q or 1127Q; CHEM 1125Q or 1128Q or PHYS 1010Q; COMM 1000 or 1100; MATH 1060Q or higher; NUSC 1165; PHIL 1000-level; PSYC 1100; PSYC 1101 or 1103; PUBH 1001; STAT 1000Q or 1100Q.

2000-level and above: AH 2001, 3005, 3175E, 3231, 42394240W, 4244; PSYC 2300, 2400PUBH 3001; and a minimum of five credits (or two additional courses) from the following list of CAHNR course options. AH 3000, 3021, 302530303101, 3133, 3203, 3234, 3302, 3303, 3320, 3570, 3571, 3574, 4025, 4225, 4242, 4243, 4297W, 4501, 4503; DIET 3230; NUSC 2200, 4250. Other courses may be used to meet this requirement pending advisor and department head approval.

Writing in the major: AH 4239 and 4240W.

Related 36-credit major courses

In addition to the 2000-level and above required courses, related courses used to meet the Public Health and Health Promotion concentration 36-credit requirement may be from departments across the university including courses in Allied Health Sciences. Courses should relate to career goals and interests. Students are advised to discuss course options with their faculty advisor as not all courses may satisfy this requirement.

Occupational and Environmental Health and Safety Concentration

The Occupational and Environmental Health and Safety (OEHS) concentration in Allied Health Sciences prepares students for careers in occupational safety and environmental health by acquiring knowledge to enhance safe work conditions and practices and minimize disease and injuries. OEHS professionals identify, evaluate, control and communicate health and safety hazards (chemical, physical, biological and ergonomic) related to the workplace, homes, schools and recreational and outdoors environments. Further, they promote health and safety by recommending safer working conditions and lifestyle practices. The concentration also provides a foundation for professional certification in individual OEHS disciplines such as safety, industrial hygiene, and ergonomics and it uniquely positions students for graduate studies in OEHS and related disciplines.

Required courses

1000-level: AH 1100; ARE 1150 or ECON 1000; BIOL 1107; CHEM 1124Q or 1127Q; CHEM 1125Q or 1128Q; COMM 1000 or 1100; MATH 1060Q or 1131Q or higher; NRE 1000E; PHIL 1000-level; PHYS 1010Q or PHYS 1201Q or higher; PUBH 1001; STAT 1000Q or 1100Q.

2000-level and above: AH 2001, 3278, 3570, 3571, 3573, 3574, 4239, 4240W; and a minimum of six credits (or two additional courses) of the following courses: AH 3173, 3175E, 3275. Other courses may be used to meet this requirement pending advisor and department head approval.

Writing in the major: AH 4239 and 4240W.

Related 36-credit major courses

In addition to the 2000-level and above required courses, related courses used to meet the Occupational and Environmental Health and Safety concentration 36-credit requirement may be from departments across the university including courses in Allied Health Sciences. Courses should relate to career goals and interests. Pre-approved courses that may be used to meet this requirement: AH 3005, 3021, 3025, 3101, 4092, 4501; MEM 2211; NRE 3245E; PUBH 3001. Students are advised to discuss course options with their faculty advisor as not all courses may satisfy this requirement.

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