Skip To Content Skip To Menu Skip To Footer

Health Studies Current Courses

Fall 2026

Course Code Title/Instructor Meets
HEST 110-01 Medical Terminology
Instructor: Supriya Dixit
Course Description:
This course provides an intensive introduction to the language of medicine for students preparing for allied health and medical professions. Students learn the structure and meaning of medical terminology through the study of prefixes, suffixes, root words, and combining forms related to major body systems, diagnostics, clinical procedures, and pharmacology. Emphasis is placed on accurate pronunciation, spelling, interpretation, and contextual use of medical language in health-care settings. Designed as a foundational course, Medical Terminology supports students early preparation for advanced coursework and clinical experiences in fields such as nursing, physician assistant studies, physical therapy, occupational therapy, public health, and related health professions.
01:30 PM-02:45 PM, TF
KAUF 179
Courses Offered in BIOL
Course Code Title/Instructor Meets
BIOL 132-01 Introduction to Molecules, Genes, and Cells: Topics in Cell Biology
Instructor: Missy Niblock
Course Description:
This introductory course approaches core biological themes from the molecular and cellular level, and is complementary to BIOL 131, Introduction to Organisms, Populations, and Ecosystems. Course content will be focused around a specific theme determined by the instructor, and will include biomolecule and cell structure and function; cell signaling and communication; chromosome and gene structure; DNA replication; transcription; and translation. The course will involve lecture, discussion, and readings from scientific literature. Laboratory exercises include both classic and modern approaches to cellular and molecular biology utilizing prokaryotic and/or eukaryotic organisms. The laboratory will stress the discovery approach in applying current techniques to biological experiments. Three hours classroom and three hours laboratory a week. This is one of two courses required of all Biology majors before completing upper level coursework. It is complementary to BIOL 131 Introduction to Organisms, Populations, and Ecosystems, and the courses may be taken in either order.
10:30 AM-11:20 AM, MWF
KAUF 187
01:30 PM-04:30 PM, W
JAMESR 2218
BIOL 326-01 Microbiology w/Lab
Instructor: David Kushner
Course Description:
Permission of Instructor Required Molecular biology, genetics, and biochemistry (structure and function) of bacteria, archaea, and viruses. Includes an introduction to the immune system and mechanisms of medical control of microbes. Molecular mechanisms of bacterial pathogenesis are addressed via readings from the recent primary literature. Laboratory exercises include the isolation and characterization of unknown bacteria using traditional and molecular methods, and modern genomic approaches to characterizing host response to infection. Six hours classroom a week. Prerequisites: One 200-level BIOL course. For Neuroscience majors, prerequisite is NRSC 200.
08:30 AM-09:20 AM, MWF
STUART 1113
01:30 PM-04:30 PM, W
RNORTH 1316
BIOL 333-01 Human Physiology w/Lab
Instructor: Carol Loeffler, BIOL STAFF
Course Description:
This course examines physiological mechanisms in the human body with an emphasis on the chemical and physical principles that govern the normal functions of organs and organ systems to maintain homeostasis. Topics include the nervous, muscular, cardiovascular, respiratory, endocrine, digestive, renal, reproductive, and immune systems. The laboratory reinforces lecture material through experiments that involve physiological measurements and data analysis.Six hours classroom a week. Prerequisites: One 200-level BIOL course. For Neuroscience majors, prerequisite is NRSC 200. This course examines physiological mechanisms in the human body with an emphasis on the chemical and physical principles that govern the normal functions of organs and organ systems to maintain homeostasis. Topics include the nervous, muscular, cardiovascular, respiratory, endocrine, digestive, renal, reproductive, and immune systems. The laboratory reinforces lecture material through experiments that involve physiological measurements and data analysis.Six hours classroom a week. Prerequisites: One 200-level BIOL course. For Neuroscience majors, prerequisite is NRSC 200.
10:30 AM-11:45 AM, TR
JAMESR 1228
01:30 PM-04:30 PM, T
JAMESR 1228
BIOL 335-01 Microanatomy
Instructor: Chuck Zwemer
Course Description:
An integrated lecture and laboratory course focused on the functional microanatomy/histology of mammals. This course will examine the microscopic anatomy of cells, tissues, organ, and organ systems and the crucial relationship between form and function. The laboratory portion of the course will emphasize the process of microscopic examination and cover methods of contemporary histologic technique. Prerequisites: One 200-level BIOL course. For Neuroscience majors, prerequisite is NRSC 200. An integrated lecture and laboratory course focused on the functional microanatomy/histology of mammals. This course will examine the microscopic anatomy of cells, tissues, organ, and organ systems and the crucial relationship between form and function. The laboratory portion of the course will emphasize the process of microscopic examination and cover methods of contemporary histologic technique. Prerequisites: One 200-level BIOL course. For Neuroscience majors, prerequisite is NRSC 200.
09:00 AM-10:15 AM, TR
ALTHSE 110
01:30 PM-04:30 PM, M
JAMESR 1218
BIOL 433-01 Molecular Medicine w/Lab
Instructor: Tiffany Frey
Course Description:
Molecular medicine is an interdisciplinary field of study that seeks to develop ways to prevent, diagnose, treat, and improve human health issues by understanding the molecular basis of normal and abnormal physiological processes. This course will examine the molecular medical approaches to patient care for select topics related to human health with an emphasis on critical analysis of current biomedical literature. The laboratory portion of the course will explore methods used in biomedical research with an emphasis on analysis and evaluation of data. a week. Six hours of classroom/laboratory a week. Prerequisites: at least one upper-level physiology or cellular & molecular biology course: 216, 313, 318, 326, 327, 330 ,333, 334, 335, 380, CHEM 342 or permission of instructor. Molecular medicine is an interdisciplinary field of study that seeks to develop ways to prevent, diagnose, treat, and improve human health issues by understanding the molecular basis of normal and abnormal physiological processes. This course will examine the molecular medical approaches to patient care for select topics related to human health with an emphasis on critical analysis of current biomedical literature. The laboratory portion of the course will explore methods used in biomedical research with an emphasis on analysis and evaluation of data. a week. Six hours of classroom/laboratory a week. Prerequisites: at least one upper-level physiology or cellular & molecular biology course: 216, 313, 318, 326, 327, 330 ,333, 334, 335, 380, CHEM 342 or permission of instructor.
01:30 PM-04:30 PM, T
JAMESR 2206
10:30 AM-11:45 AM, TR
KAUF 187
Courses Offered in FREN
Course Code Title/Instructor Meets
FREN 363-01 The Gender of Science: Masculinity and the Mind
Instructor: Katie Ellis
Course Description:
Cross-listed with WGSS 301-02. Despite how important science and medicine are to our everyday lives, we tend to imagine these fields as somehow essentially neutralexisting outside the identities, experiences, and limitations of the human beings who study, advance, and make use of them. With a strong focus on the foundational work of French thinkers and scientists, this course examines the historical nature and origins of the neutral or disembodied scientific mind. This course introduces students to the fundamental tools necessary to the study of science and medicine as cultural spaces and practices with distinctly embodied histories. Students will engage with scholarship ranging from the Enlightenment through World War I, identifying and deconstructing cultural themes that give the appearance of identity neutrality in discourse on intelligence, education, and cognitive labor. Taught in English. Flic option for FREN section.
03:00 PM-04:15 PM, MR
DENNY 211
Courses Offered in LALC
Course Code Title/Instructor Meets
LALC 239-01 Spanish for the Health Professions
Instructor: Julie Lesman
Course Description:
Cross-listed with SPAN 207-01. This course prepares students to use Spanish meaningfully in real-world health contexts by combining classroom learning with direct service. This is a space where linguistic, cultural, ethical, and social knowledge come together. Through reflection, reading, and a sustained partnership with the Beacon Clinic, students build the vocabulary, cultural awareness, and interpersonal skills required to serve Spanish-speaking communities with empathy and clarity. By applying Spanish in healthcare settings, students confront the complexities of power, equity, and responsibility, especially in the context of migration, labor, and structural inequality. Prerequisite: SPAN 202 or above, or permission of instructor. This course is cross-listed as SPAN 207.
01:30 PM-02:45 PM, MR
BOSLER 319
Courses Offered in PHIL
Course Code Title/Instructor Meets
PHIL 220-01 Biomedical Ethics
Instructor: Amy McKiernan
Course Description:
A study of ethical issues arising in the context of medical practice, biomedical research, and health related policy making, with focus on the ethical concepts, theories and reasoning methods developed to clarify and resolve these issues.
01:30 PM-02:45 PM, MR
EASTC 314
Courses Offered in PSYC
Course Code Title/Instructor Meets
PSYC 120-01 Introduction to Health Psychology
Instructor: Christine Guardino
Course Description:
This course is designed to provide a broad overview of the interdisciplinary field of health psychology, which uses scientific research methods to study the bi-directional relationship between psychology and health. We will discuss psychological states such as stress and how they affect the body, and mental processes such as finding meaning that are associated with effective coping and positive health outcomes. We will also study health behaviors such as exercise, sleep, eating, and substance use. Finally, we will explore how psychological concepts and research can be applied to health promotion and illness prevention. Course content will be especially relevant to students considering careers in health care or public health. This course is designed to provide a broad overview of the interdisciplinary field of health psychology, which uses scientific research methods to study the bi-directional relationship between psychology and health. We will discuss psychological states such as stress and how they affect the body, and mental processes such as finding meaning that are associated with effective coping and positive health outcomes. We will also study health behaviors such as exercise, sleep, eating, and substance use. Finally, we will explore how psychological concepts and research can be applied to health promotion and illness prevention. Course content will be especially relevant to students considering careers in health care or public health.
10:30 AM-11:20 AM, MWF
KAUF 179
PSYC 120-02 Introduction to Health Psychology
Instructor: Christine Guardino
Course Description:
This course is designed to provide a broad overview of the interdisciplinary field of health psychology, which uses scientific research methods to study the bi-directional relationship between psychology and health. We will discuss psychological states such as stress and how they affect the body, and mental processes such as finding meaning that are associated with effective coping and positive health outcomes. We will also study health behaviors such as exercise, sleep, eating, and substance use. Finally, we will explore how psychological concepts and research can be applied to health promotion and illness prevention. Course content will be especially relevant to students considering careers in health care or public health. This course is designed to provide a broad overview of the interdisciplinary field of health psychology, which uses scientific research methods to study the bi-directional relationship between psychology and health. We will discuss psychological states such as stress and how they affect the body, and mental processes such as finding meaning that are associated with effective coping and positive health outcomes. We will also study health behaviors such as exercise, sleep, eating, and substance use. Finally, we will explore how psychological concepts and research can be applied to health promotion and illness prevention. Course content will be especially relevant to students considering careers in health care or public health.
11:30 AM-12:20 PM, MWF
KAUF 179
PSYC 165-01 Psychopathology
Instructor: Supriya Dixit
Course Description:
An introduction to various psychological disorders and techniques of diagnosis and treatment. Relevant for students who anticipate careers in medicine, law, and the social or psychological services. This course is a Health Studies elective.
10:30 AM-11:45 AM, TR
ALTHSE 106
Courses Offered in SPAN
Course Code Title/Instructor Meets
SPAN 207-01 Spanish for the Health Professions
Instructor: Julie Lesman
Course Description:
Cross-listed with LALC 239-01. This course prepares students to use Spanish meaningfully in real-world health contexts by combining classroom learning with direct service. This is a space where linguistic, cultural, ethical, and social knowledge come together. Through reflection, reading, and a sustained partnership with the Beacon Clinic, students build the vocabulary, cultural awareness, and interpersonal skills required to serve Spanish-speaking communities with empathy and clarity. By applying Spanish in healthcare settings, students confront the complexities of power, equity, and responsibility, especially in the context of migration, labor, and structural inequality.Prerequisite: 202 or 205. This course is cross-listed as LALC 239.
01:30 PM-02:45 PM, MR
BOSLER 319
Courses Offered in WGSS
Course Code Title/Instructor Meets
WGSS 301-02 The Gender of Science: Masculinity and the Mind
Instructor: Katie Ellis
Course Description:
Cross-listed with FREN 363-01. Despite how important science and medicine are to our everyday lives, we tend to imagine these fields as somehow essentially neutralexisting outside the identities, experiences, and limitations of the human beings who study, advance, and make use of them. With a strong focus on the foundational work of French thinkers and scientists, this course examines the historical nature and origins of the neutral or disembodied scientific mind. This course introduces students to the fundamental tools necessary to the study of science and medicine as cultural spaces and practices with distinctly embodied histories. Students will engage with scholarship ranging from the Enlightenment through World War I, identifying and deconstructing cultural themes that give the appearance of identity neutrality in discourse on intelligence, education, and cognitive labor. Taught in English. Flic option for FREN section.
03:00 PM-04:15 PM, MR
DENNY 211