Bachelor of Science in Health Science
Lawrence Township, USA
DURATION
4 Years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
Request application deadline *
EARLIEST START DATE
Request earliest startdate
TUITION FEES
USD 37,700 / per year **
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* Rider practices rolling admissions
** additional fees may apply
Introduction
Provides a foundation in the life sciences, preparing you to join the workforce or to attend graduate schools in health-related fields.
Rider’s health sciences major provides a foundation in the life sciences and other coursework, preparing you to join the workforce or to attend professional or graduate schools in health-related fields.
The Health Sciences major educates the next generation of health professionals by providing students with a foundation in the life sciences and other coursework, preparing them to join the workforce or to attend professional or graduate schools in health-related fields. Rider achieves this through small class and laboratory sizes allowing direct, hands-on instruction, and faculty accessibility. Students also have opportunities to do research with faculty via work-study or independent study. Each student is assigned a faculty advisor who provides academic advice and career guidance tailored to the student's needs. The program is designed to provide a strong foundation in its curriculum while allowing flexibility for subsequent studies in allied health programs such as physical therapy, athletic training, occupational therapy, nursing, radiological science, optometry, podiatry, epidemiology and public health. It prepares students for graduate studies leading to advanced degrees in the life sciences; and for entry-level positions in hospitals, health insurance, pharmaceutical sales, community health agencies and other related areas.
Graduates of the health sciences program have pursued their professional or graduate studies at prestigious institutions such as Rutgers University, Moravian University, Emory University, University of Utah, NY College of Medicine, Thomas Jefferson University, and Widener University, among others.
Honors Programs
Honors in Health Sciences
The objective of the honors program in health sciences is to introduce talented undergraduate majors to the methods of basic research in the biological sciences. For consideration, a student must have a 3.25 average at the end of their junior year. In the senior year, participating students must complete an independent research project and present a written honors thesis. At graduation, a student who has a 3.25 cumulative average, a 3.5 average in health sciences coursework, and who has completed an acceptable honors thesis will be awarded Honors in Health Sciences.
Beta Beta Beta Biological Honor Society
"Tri-Beta" is a national honor society affiliated with the American Association for Advancement of Science and the American Institute of Biological Sciences. Invitations for membership are extended to majors in the life sciences who have demonstrated superior academic achievement. Students are usually invited to join in their sophomore year when they have accumulated 12 credits in the sciences. Active membership is available to those with an overall grade point average of at least 2.8, and at least 3.0 in their science courses. The benefits of membership include academic recognition; a subscription to the journal Bios, to which members may submit research articles; opportunities to present papers at conventions; and research awards. Biology and behavioral neuroscience majors should make membership in Tri-Beta one of their goals.
Your pathway to a rewarding career
Rider health science students learn by doing. They take part in the intensive, internship opportunities offered through our program with the Capital Health System and fellow partnering health care professionals, benefit from field trips to area medical schools and enjoy related opportunities for applied learning.
Program Outcome
Graduates of the Health Sciences major will be able to:
- Explain foundational concepts in biological sciences.
- Apply scientific methods of inquiry through testing of newly formed hypotheses with observation and experimentation.
- Apply concepts from other disciplines in the analysis and interpretation of biological information.
- Demonstrate the ability to locate, critically analyze, and communicate relevant scientific information.
- Explain the ethical practice of scientific research and its societal applications.
Curriculum
The curriculum for Health Sciences majors is structured to prepare students for a life of learning in the sciences. Students are expected to master content, develop technical skills, analytical skills and competency in oral and written communication. Foundational courses in biology, chemistry, mathematics and psychology prepare students for the rigor of upper-level science and math courses, complemented by a broad base of health-related coursework in other disciplines. Capstone experiences allow students to explore one area of the life sciences in depth through internships and seminars, as well as opportunities to engage in independent research with Rider’s science faculty. Students also have the opportunity to take part in a three-week internship course through the Capital Health System Hospitals.
The following educational plan is provided as a sample only. Rider students who do not declare a major during their freshman year; who are in a Continuing Education Program; who change their major; or those who transfer to Rider may follow a different plan to ensure timely graduation. Each student, with guidance from his or her academic advisor, will develop a personalized educational plan.
Year 1
Fall Semester
- BIO 115 Principles of Biology I
& 115L Principles of Biology I Lab - MTH 105 Algebra and Trigonometry 1
- PSY 100 Introduction to Psychology
- CMP 120 Seminar in Writing and Rhetoric
Spring Semester
- HSC 105 Introduction to Health Professions
- BIO 116 Principles of Biology II
& 116L Principles of Biology II Lab - CMP 125 Seminar in Writing and Research
- HSC Category 3 Elective #1 of 3
- Social Perspectives
Year 2
Fall Semester
- BIO 221 Human Anatomy & Physiology I
& 221L Human Anatomy & Physiology I Lab 2 - CHE 120 Principles of Chemistry
& 120
or CHE 110 Survey of General Chemistry
& CHE 110L Survey of Gen Chemistry Lab - Foreign Language
- Social Perspectives
Spring Semester
- BIO 222 Human Anatomy & Physiology II
& 222L Human Anatomy & Phys II Lab - CHE 122 Intro to Chemical Systems
& CHE 123 Quantitative Methods Lab
or CHE 225 Introduction to Organic and Biochemistry
& CHE 225L Introduction to Organic and Biochemistry Lab - HSC 100 Intro to Human Nutrition
- Foreign Language
Year 3
Fall Semester
- BNS 250 Biostatistics
& 250L Biostatistics Lab - HSC Category 1 Elective #1 of 2
- HSC Category 2 elective with lab, #1 of 2
- Social Perspectives
- HIS 150 World History to 1500
Spring Semester
- HSC 302 Kinesiology
& 302L Kinesiology Lab - HSC Category 2 elective with lab, #2 of 2
- PSY 345 Health Psychology
- HIS 151 World History Since 1500
- Aesthetic Perspectives: Literature
Year 4
Fall Semester
- HSC 490 Independent Study: Research and Creative Expression
or HSC 491 Internship in Health Sciences - Four Elective Courses 3
Spring Semester
- Aesthetic Perspectives: Fine Arts
- Four Elective Courses 3
1 For course placement information, contact us
2 Scientific Perspectives general education requirements are included in the major.
3 Elective credits may be used to complete requirements in a second major or minor.
Admissions
Program Tuition Fee
Scholarships and Funding
At Rider, there’s no such thing as one-size-fits-all, and our aid packages are no exception. In fact, 99% of students receive Rider-funded scholarships and financial aid. Let us work closely with you and your family to find scholarships and aid that are right for you.
| 99% of students receive Rider-funded scholarships and financial aid | $21.8 Average student assistance package | $71.2 million Total institutional funds awarded by Rider for the 21–22 school year |
Career Opportunities
| #1 leading employment sector in the U.S. | 1.9M projected industry job growth by 2028 | $66,440 median annual wage for health care practitioners |
*Source: Indeed.com and U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Rider’s health sciences program provides the academic foundation needed for clinical and non-clinical roles in hospitals, community agencies, and the insurance and pharmaceutical industries.
Alumni graduate programs
- Drexel University
- Columbia University
- New York Medical College
- Moravian University
- Thomas Jefferson University
- Touro College
- Rutgers University
- University of Pennsylvania
- University of the Sciences
- University of Utah
Common careers
Careers you could pursue with a degree in health science are listed below. Click on the career titles to watch professionals in the field share their personal career experience and advice.
- Physician Assistant
- Physical Therapist
- Occupational Therapist
- Research Assistant
- Optometrist
- Nurse
- Health Care Management
- Health Care Administrator
English Language Requirements
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