Health Science

Health Science

at a glance

Major icon MAJOR Minor icon MINOR

Do you want to change lives and help make the world a healthier and happier place? If so, you belong in AMU’s Health Science program. In this major, you’ll lay the foundation of your future healthcare career by studying the natural and social sciences, humanities and the complexities associated with disease, illness, health, suffering and healing.

Careers: Group Home Staff Member, Graduate Studies, Physical Therapist, Podiatry

student nurse prepare for your healthcare career

PREPARE FOR YOUR HEALTHCARE CAREER

Graduates from our Health Science major can seek immediate employment as a group home staff member, clinical research assistant, quality assurance staff, case manager or activity director. For those opportunities that require graduate studies, this course serves as pre-professional preparation for a particular degree.

light bulbFast Fact: Employment opportunities are opening in health science industries at twice the rate of the national average!

medical doctor skills you will gain

Skills you will gain with

A HEALTH SCIENCE DEGREE

  1. Communication. The key to building trust with coworkers and patients alike. Strong written and verbal communication ensures that all people receive the best care.
  2. Critical thinking and problem solving. Use research and testing to take the most effective and ethical course of action for patients. Provide a Catholic approach to healthcare by caring for the whole human person through treating the body.
  3. Teamwork. No matter where your career in health science takes you, you’ll collaborate with others in some way. Our lab courses will grow your ability to work with each others’ strengths to achieve your objectives.
medical doctor skills you will gain

CAREER PATHS

Take the NEXT STEP

start your application

Start your

APPLICATION

get some financial aid

Get some

FINANCIAL AID

Talk to an advisor

Contact

ADMISSIONS

A look into the

Health Science Department

The study of science is born from the conviction of the fundamental intelligibility of the world. Science at Ave Maria University testifies to the Catholic Church’s confidence in human reason’s ability to know the truth about God’s creation even apart from the illuminating power of grace. The natural sciences are not simply technological disciplines, but are truly liberal arts education in which we seek to know truth for its own sake. By enabling us to enter the simultaneous complexity and simplicity of physical reality, science instills within the students a deep sense of wonder at the natural universe.

Jacob Blanchard, M.A.

Instructor of Biology

Jacob BlanchardEducation: B.A., Biology, Ave Maria University; M.A., Biological Sciences, Western Michigan University
Office: Henkels 3052
Email: jacob.blanchard@avemaria.edu
Phone: (239) 304-7130

Stephen Cronin, Ph.D.

Associate Professor of Biology

Stephen CroninEducation: B.S., Molecular & Cellular Biology, Texas A&M University; Ph.D., Biology, University of California, San Diego.
Office: Henkels 3051
Email: stephen.cronin@avemaria.edu
Phone: (239) 280-1617

Nicholas Curtis, Ph.D.

CHAIR OF THE BIOLOGY DEPARTMENT, DR. PAULA INES CASTAGNET CHAIR OF BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES, ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR OF BIOLOGY

Nicholas CurtisEducation: B.S., Marine Science & Biology, University of Miami; Ph.D., Cell & Molecular Biology, University of South Florida
Office: Henkels 2053
Email: nicholas.curtis@avemaria.edu
Phone: (239) 304-7132

Brett Feger, M.S., M.A.

Instructor of Biology, Faculty Athletics Representative

Brett FegerEducation: B.A., Biology, Knox College; M.S., Zoology, Western Illinois University; M.A., Theology, Ave Maria University
Office: Canizaro Library 249
Email: brett.feger@avemaria.edu
Phone: (239) 304-7366

Ladislav Sallai, Ph.D.

Associate Professor of Biology

Ladislav SallaiEducation: M.S., Pharmacy, Comenius University; Ph.D., Chemistry, University of North Dakota
Office: Henkels 3028
Email: ladislav.sallai@avemaria.edu
Phone: (239) 280-2418

  • AMU is home to a Tri-Beta National Biological Honors Society chapter, which exceptional Biology majors students have the opportunity to join.
  • Ave Maria University Department of Biology faculty teach all lab sections, allowing students more personal attention and expert guidance. Most labs are smaller than 24 students.
  • Student led organizations include the Biology club, Science Club, and pre-professional societies like the Ave Maria Pre-Dental Society.
  • The Department of Biology also offers degrees in Biology (B.S. or B.A.), Environmental Science (B.A.), Exercise Science (B.A.) and Health Science Administration (B.A.), and minors in Biology, Marine Biology, Environmental Science, Health Science, and Exercise Science.

In addition to the core curriculum, health science majors take the following courses

  • BIOL 100 Medical Terminology
  • BIOL 200 Nutrition
  • BIOL 211 Biology I Cellular and Molecular Biology
  • BIOL 212 Biology II Organismal and Population Biology
  • BIOL 250 Health and Wellness
  • BIOL 303 Genetics
  • BIOL 304 Anatomy and Physiology I
  • BIOL 309 Anatomy and Physiology II
  • BIOL 401 Microbiology
  • BIOL 413 Critical Analysis II or BIOL 497 Directed Research
  • CHEM 125 General Chemistry I
  • CHEM 126 General Chemistry II
  • MATH 150 Functions or MATH 151 Calculus
  • PSYC 350 Health Psychology
Click the button to view our typical 4-year plan.

A degree in Health Science is ideal for those wishing to enter medical fields or other health related professions. Students who obtain this degree may pursue Medical, Dental, Veterinary, Chiropractic, or Optometry schools. Others may look for a career in Physical therapy, Nursing, Pharmacy, or Physician’s Assistants.

  • BIOL 100 Medical Terminology
  • BIOL 203 Introduction to Microbiology or 401 Microbiology
  • BIOL 211 Biology I Cellular and Molecular Biology
  • BIOL 250 Health and Wellness
  • BIOL 304 Anatomy and Physiology I
  • BIOL 309 Anatomy and Physiology II
  • PSYC 350 Health Psychology

More to help you

ON YOUR JOURNEY

young professional man career services success

CAREER SERVICES

Career Services prides itself on providing students, alumni and employers with the opportunity to connect. No matter where you are in your career search, whether it’s deciding on a path, preparing for your first job interview or working on graduate school or fellowship applications, we can help.

catholic college priest giving eucharist faith

Catholic Culture

The spiritual life on campus is the beating heart of Ave. Whether it’s attending Mass, receiving the sacraments, participating in retreats or getting spiritual direction, you’ll find the spiritual support you need from the priests and staff of Campus Ministry.

undergraduate core curriculum woman studying

CORE CURRICULUM

With AMU’s core curriculum, you’ll not only achieve breadth of knowledge, but also depth of knowledge. You’ll encounter the truth about God and His creation more completely through the dynamic interplay of all of the liberal arts, including theology and natural science.

sunny college in florida ave maria university apply mobile

GO AHEAD AND APPLY!

Sunny skies, warm temperatures, a beautiful campus. What more could you want? How about a community-like atmosphere, quality instructors who care about your success, a wealth of spiritual activities, expert career guidance… and that’s only the beginning. Imagine your future at AMU. It all starts by filling out our free application today.

Apply
Inquire
Visit
Majors
Donate

What are you

LOOKING FOR?

NEXT STEPS