Health Studies provides students with a big picture understanding of the major determinants of health including health behaviors, clinical care, social factors, and environmental factors.
Students will be able to:
- understand the form and function of the human body at the organ and system levels;
- understand and communicate the major behavioral, clinical, social, economic, and environmental determinants of health and well-being;
- draw connections between major determinants of health and their influence on health and human diseases;
- identify and compare evidence-based health strategies to improve major determinants of health and well-being;
- apply knowledge to solve health problems using evidence-based health strategies; and
- critically evaluate evidence-based strategies targeted to specific health conditions.
Student Responsibilities
Review the responsibilities required to become and remain eligible for the 2 Plus 2 Guaranteed Graduation Plan.
Des Moines Area Community College checkpoints
- Complete the World Language through one of the following pathways. The requirement may be satisfied through high school coursework:
- Fourth level of a single world language
- Third level plus a world language and cultural exploration course
- Second level of two languages
- Complete either BIO 151 Nutrition OR HSC 240 Human Nutrition
- Complete BIO 168 Anatomy & Physiology I
- Complete BIO 173 Anatomy & Physiology II
- The following courses may be completed at DMACC or the University of Iowa:
- MAT 156 Statistics OR MAT 157 Statistics
- ECE 170 Child Growth & Development
- NOTE: if you intend on later applying to Medical School, Physicians Assistant School, Physical Therapy School, Dental School, Chiropractic School, Optometry School, Podiatry School, Veterinary School, or Pharmacy School, you should not take CHM 132 or any Biology class at DMACC. Rather, you should aim to complete CHM 165 General Chemistry I and CHM 175 General Chemistry II at DMACC.
- Complete all requirements for the AA degree.
- When transferring to Iowa, present a cumulative transfer grade-point average (GPA) of at least 2.00 from all colleges attended.
University of Iowa Checkpoints
- Complete HHP:2200 during the first year of enrollment at The University of Iowa.
- Complete the UI courses required for this major, as specified in the UI General Catalog.
- Complete at least half of the remaining semester hours needed for your major and degree during each of your two years at Iowa. (A total of 48-50 semester hours is required for the Exercise Science major and 120 semester hours for the BS degree.)