Department of Human Health Science

Professor: Wilson, Department Chair
Professors: Pyenta, Rutledge, Shin, Smith
Associate Professors: McMurray, Sharp
Assistant Professors: Dalton, O’Connell
Instructor: Wright
The Department of Human Health Science serves as the home for the study of human biology and preparation for careers in medicine, research, healthcare, public health, and wellness. We provide our students with exceptional knowledge, skills, and experiences essential to leading productive and successful careers. It is our intention that every graduate is ready to contribute through thought and action to finding and implementing solutions to scientific problems, health care challenges, and improving public health.

The Department is composed of faculty from the departments of Biology, Chemistry, and Kinesiology who hold joint appointments and who, through teaching and/or research, have an interest in contributing to the preparation of our graduates in the pursuit of health research and health care careers.

Department of Human Health Science Mission and Goals:

The Mission of the Department of Human Health Science is to provide our students with knowledge, skills, and experiences that prepare them for successful careers in research and health care delivery.

Our goals for accomplishing this are as follows:

Provision of outstanding courses and instruction bringing a working knowledge of human health science. We want our courses to provide the foundation required on which life-long learning can occur.
Provision of outstanding laboratory experiences that build skills useful in science and healthcare professions. We want our labs to help train students in relevant skills that are of value in research and health care fields.
Encouraging experiences that bring application of knowledge and skills in real world settings. We want our students to see their education in action outside of lecture and lab to make a difference for others.

Programs of the Department of Human Health Science:

Bachelor of Science in Human Health Science

The B.S. in Human Health Science is the sole major offered, with three concentrations for unique groups of students.

The Medical and Research concentration is intended to provide exceptional preparation for future research scientists and medical professionals. Pre-requisites for medical and dental schools, research positions, and graduate programs are met through completion of this concentration. This includes completion of a minimum of Chemistry through Organic II and a year of College Physics. Students pursuing this concentration may be eligible for early acceptance into Doctor of Pharmacy and Doctor of Dental Surgery programs through articulation agreements in force, as well as articulation into the Master of Biotechnology and Master of Public Health programs at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center Abilene.
The Allied Health Professions Preparation concentration is intended to provide outstanding preparation for graduates considering careers in many healthcare fields. Pre-requisites for physical therapy, occupational therapy, chiropractic, and other important healthcare options are met through this concentration. This includes a year of General Chemistry and College Physics. Students pursuing this concentration may be eligible for early acceptance into Doctor of Physical Therapy and Master of Public Health programs.
The Public Health and Wellness concentration is intended to provide excellent preparation for careers in promoting and supporting public health and wellness. Pre-requisites for Master of Public Health programs and less preparation-intensive healthcare professions are met through this concentration. This concentration emphasizes the human interaction component of human health science, with greater emphasis on social science and business course work. Students pursuing this concentration may be eligible for early acceptance into Master of Public Health programs.

Though these three concentrations meet the strengths and interests of three distinct groups of students, all three share a common core of courses and support the mission and goals of the Department.

In addition, the Department of Human Health Science serves as the home for pre-nursing students and most of the Pre-Health Professions programs. Foundational course work and support for future nurses is provided by the HHSC faculty, as well as career guidance and preparation for students interested in health professions.

Special Programs and Opportunities:

Departmental Honors. Please see the description of the McMurry University Honors Program under the Special Program section in the catalog, including the specific requirements for Departmental Honors in Human Health Science.

Departmental Awards. Each spring, awards are presented to the outstanding freshman, sophomore, junior and senior students in the three B.S. in Human Health Science concentrations and students preparing for the B.S. in Nursing program.

Undergraduate Research and Research Teams. A key part of student development in this department is experiences to demonstrate “knowledge in action”. One important option is undergraduate research, where students work with faculty individually or as part of a team to study human health science through observation and experimentation. Research provides a “deep dive” into an area of human health science to provide balance to the breadth of preparation in the courses of the major, and joining faculty in their research builds mentor-apprentice relations that build confidence and abilities untapped in traditional catalog courses.

McMurry supports faculty in building Research Teams to pursue research. Groups of 4-5 students join with faculty to work together in pursuit of answers to important research questions. Students do the research and evaluate its importance under the guidance of their mentor. The Research Team course may be taken up to four time for credit, with students growing in their responsibilities and level of ownership of individual projects during that time.

Programs

Bachelor of Science

Human Health Science, BS

Minor

Allied Health Minor

Courses

Human Health Science