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Degrees
There are many pathways to a career in health.
Whether you’re considering taking the steps toward pre-med for medical school, or are interested in other aspects of the health sciences fields, Beloit has a degree to get you started.
A STEM major is not required to join the School of Health Sciences, but you will be required to take a core group of STEM courses to best prepare for continued education.
School of Health Sciences
The School of Health Sciences will prepare you for success in a multitude of health professions, including nursing, physical therapy, medical research, and public health.
Majors
- Ten and one-half departmental units (at least 6 of which must be Beloit College units):
- The three foundational introductory courses (100, 110, and 120), which should be completed by the end of the sophomore year.
- A specific intermediate course: Anthropology 201.
- Three additional courses from the essentials category (200-250). One intermediate-level non-English language course (Chinese 115, French 210, Japanese 115, Russian 115A, Spanish 210), or higher-level courses taught in those languages may be applied to an essentials requirement.
- Anthropology 380 (.5) (Senior Capstone).
- The remaining 3 units may be satisfied by elective anthropology courses chosen in consultation with the advisor, 1 of which must be from the 300 level.
- Supporting courses: No single set of courses is relevant to every anthropology major; however, students with specialized interests in certain areas within anthropology may be advised to complete relevant courses in the humanities, natural sciences, and/or other social sciences. Courses in statistics, competence in a field relevant language, and proficiency in computer-based data analysis are urged. Interdisciplinary minors in museum studies and area studies are especially relevant to a major in anthropology. Students interested in graduate work in anthropology should pay special attention to these recommendations as well as complete an honors thesis in their senior year.
- Writing/communication requirement: Communication within the discipline of anthropology occurs through writing, photography and filmmaking, oral reports, multimedia productions, and the creation of posters that convey information.
- Anthropological writing includes a wide variety of styles and genres, including expository essays, laboratory reports, research results, ethnographic note-taking, cultural description, and creative fiction. A certain amount of reflexivity is expected in all anthropological writing; that is, the writer must communicate to the reader an awareness of the ways in which writing itself constructs and conveys the message or information. Writing of various sorts is built into the anthropology major. Foundational courses (100, 110, 120) introduce students to the diversity among anthropological subfields and the writing styles that accompany each. Anthropology 100 requires essay writing, and students learn the style of laboratory reports in 120. Each component of the intermediate and foundational courses requires students to write in a style appropriate to the discipline and incorporate theoretical analysis. The elective courses require students to think, analyze, synthesize, and present their results in writing. A number of courses also require that students present the results of their work orally. Students who intend to go to graduate school are strongly encouraged to complete an honors thesis.
- Nine units:
- Two supporting units:
- Mathematics 110, 113, or 115.
- Physics 101 or 102 or Geology 100, 105, or 110.
- Students majoring in biochemistry may choose to receive the Bachelor of Science degree rather than the Bachelor of Arts degree by completing a minimum of 4 units in biology, computer science, geology, mathematics, and/or physics.
The biology major provides a broad background in biology at all scales of organization, from molecules to cells to organisms to ecological communities.
- Eight departmental units:
- One organismal biology course chosen from Biology 110, 111, 121, 152, 172, or 208.
- One experimental design and statistical analysis course: Biology 247.
- One molecular-to-cellular level course: Biology 289.
- One population-to-ecosystem level biology course chosen from 210, 217, 275 (in consultation with advisor, when topic is appropriate), 365, 372, or 375 (in consultation with advisor, when topic is appropriate).
- Three additional units of biology courses numbered 200 or above.
- Capstone: one additional unit of biology with the CP designation.
- Three supporting units:
- One unit chosen from Chemistry 117, 150, 220, or 230.
- Two additional units chosen from courses in chemistry, computer science, geology, mathematics, physics or any of the following courses: Philosophy 100, Anthropology 230, 260, 330.
- Students majoring in biology may choose to receive the Bachelor of Science degree rather than the Bachelor of Arts degree by completing a minimum of 4 units in chemistry, computer science, geology, mathematics, and/or physics.
- Nine departmental units from this list, with at least 1 unit from each of the five branches of chemistry. Chemistry 117 may be used as 1 of the 9 units:
- Analytical Chemistry: 220, 225
- Organic Chemistry: 230, 235
- Physical Chemistry: 240, 245
- Inorganic Chemistry: 150, 250
- Biochemistry: 260, 300
- Two supporting units:
- Mathematics 110, 113, or 115
- Physics 101 or 102
- Students majoring in chemistry may choose to receive the Bachelor of Science degree rather than the Bachelor of Arts degree by completing a minimum of 4 units in biology, computer science, geology, mathematics, and/or physics.
- Two units from the following physical and natural sciences courses, chosen to provide prerequisites for additional coursework below: Chemistry 117, 150, and at most 1 of Anthropology 120 or any 100-level biology or Biology 208.
- Two units from the following courses: Anthropology 100, Critical Identity Studies 101, Economics 199, Political Science 110, 160, Psychology 100, Sociology 100, chosen to provide prerequisites for additional coursework below.
- Completion of one unit of Health and Society 140.
- Three units chosen from the core health and society courses: Anthropology 262, Anthropology/Health and Society 323, Biology 215, Critical Identity Studies 236/Health and Society 235, Critical Identity Studies/Health and Society 252, Economics 271 (if topic is health economics), Philosophy 221, Physical Education, Recreation, and Athletics 308, Political Science/Health and Society 212 or 230, Psychology 210 or 252, Sociology 275, Spanish/Health and Society 218, Chinese 115, French 210, Japanese 115, Spanish 210. At least 2 of the core courses must be completed before the senior year. Other relevant course offerings with significant health content may be substituted with approval of the chair.
- One unit of statistics or research methods chosen from: Anthropology 240, Biology 247, Economics 251, Health and Society/Political Science 201, Sociology 205 or 211.
- Choose one unit from each theme. Other relevant course offerings with significant health content may be substituted with approval of the chair.
- Health and Well-Being: Anthropology/Health and Society 330, Greek, Latin, and Ancient Mediterranean Studies/Health and Society 215, 301, Interdisciplinary Studies 318, Psychology 210, 215, 250, 252, 305, 375, Psychology/Critical Identity Studies 225 (may not be counted for the major in conjunction with Critical Identity Studies/Health and Society 252), Physical Education, Recreation and Athletics 308.
- Biological Systems and Health: Anthropology 230, Biology 237, 256, 257, 289, 340, Biology/Chemistry 260, 360, Chemistry 220, 230, Psychology 230.
- Social Determinants of Health: Anthropology/Critical Identity Studies 305 or 306, Critical Identity Studies/Sociology 221, Critical Identity Studies 226/Sociology 225, Critical Identity Studies/Sociology 245, Critical Identity Studies 250/Sociology 251, Economics 204, 271 (if topic is gender economics), Political Science/Health and Society 212 or 230, Political Science/Critical Identity Studies 214, Political Science 255/Environmental Studies 256, Political Science 262, Critical Identity Studies 260, 265, 360 (if topic is medicine).
- Completion of 1 unit of Health and Society 340.
- Students interested in health and society are encouraged to fulfill their Experience requirement by engaging to improve the health of our neighborhoods, country, and/or world. This may occur during a Duffy Partnership, a research or field internship, an E-designated course, or an approved study abroad experience with pre-approval. Students majoring in health and society may fulfill major requirements while studying abroad. Consult with your major advisor when preparing for studying abroad.
- Students interested in health and society are strongly encouraged to develop fluency in a second language. Spanish fluency is valuable to students who will be health care practitioners in the United States.
- Writing/communication requirement: Writing in health and society incorporates the multiple traditions that inform the study of public health. Students will be exposed to a variety of writing styles in the natural science, social science, humanities, and interdisciplinary courses required for the major. The capstone course, Health and Society 340, will provide opportunities for students to explore writing and speaking in ways that communicate to diverse audiences about health issues. Students will also write a reflective essay at the end of the major. Students are encouraged to present their experiences from study away or research at Beloit College student symposia.
- Honors in health and society: Students with a 3.6 GPA or above in courses in the major may apply junior year for honors and develop a self-designed honors project.
Students majoring in health and society may choose to receive the Bachelor of Science degree rather than the Bachelor of Arts degree by completing a minimum of 8 units in biology, chemistry, computer science, geology, mathematics, and/or physics.
Up to 3 units of credit in psychology may be taken at another institution and applied toward psychology requirements with permission of department.
- Ten departmental units (at least 7 of which must be taken at Beloit):
- Core courses (3 units): Psychology 100, 161, and 162.
- Developmental psychology: 1 unit from Psychology 210, 215, or 225.
- Experimental psychology: 1 unit from Psychology 230, 235, or 240.
- Personality and abnormal psychology: 1 unit from Psychology 250 or 252.
- Social and cultural psychology: 1 unit from Psychology 260 or 265.
- Capstone courses and experiences: 2 units from Psychology 300-385.
- One additional elective unit in psychology.
- Supporting courses (2 units): Chosen in consultation with the major advisor, 2 units of coursework outside the department that address concepts, issues, and/or methods relevant to psychologists and the student’s academic and career goals. No more than 1 unit can be completed before the major has been declared.
- Writing/communication requirement: The department of psychology recognizes the importance of oral and written communication and helps its students develop these skills within a disciplinary context. Students in psychology courses learn to read and interpret the results of psychological studies. They also learn to report the results of psychological studies, orally and in written form.
Students who begin the major with Spanish 100 will construct a major program in consultation with their advisor; this program will not require more than 10 units within the department nor more than 15 units total.
- Nine departmental units (above 100). No more than two courses in translation may count toward the major:
- Spanish 105, 110, 210 or 214, 215, 240.
- Three units from 230, 251, 270, 271, 280, 282, 283, 295.
- One unit of Spanish 320, 321.
- Supporting courses (4 units). Choose one of the three options available:
- Choose 4 courses from English/Comparative Literature 190, 261; Education and Youth Studies EDYS 276 (Bilingual Education); Political Science 272. An elementary knowledge of Latin is encouraged.
- Use 4 courses from a second major toward a major in Spanish.
- Submit a proposal to the major advisor for an individual plan of courses for meeting the requirement of 4 supporting courses.
- Majors normally study at least one semester abroad in a Spanish-speaking country. With prior consent of the advisor, some courses completed abroad may be used to count toward the major.
- Majors are encouraged to live at least one semester in the Spanish House.
- Writing/communication: Courses in modern foreign languages offer students opportunities to become competent in four language skills–speaking, listening, reading, and writing. All four linguistic areas are important. The department of modern languages and literatures meets the college’s writing requirement by having students move from structured writing that reinforces the material learned in language classes–grammar points and vocabulary–to less guided writing in advanced classes where students use language creatively to analyze, describe, narrate, synthesize, persuade, etc.
Minors
- Six departmental units (at least 4 of which must be Beloit College units):
- Two foundational courses chosen from Anthropology 100, 110, or 120.
- One course from the essentials category (200-250).
- Three elective anthropology courses, chosen in consultation with the advisor, 1 of which must be at the 300-level (only one special project may count here).
The biology minor focuses on the mechanisms by which organisms regulate life processes, grow and develop, reproduce, and behave.
- Five departmental units.
- At least one organismal biology course chosen from: Biology 110, 111, 121, 152, 172, or 208.
- At least one unit of molecular-to-cellular biology chosen from: Biology 208, 215, 237, 256, 257, 260, 275 (in consultation with advisor, when topic is appropriate), 289, 300, 340, 345, 347, 360, or 375 (in consultation with advisor, when topic is appropriate).
- At least one unit of population-to ecosystem biology chosen from: Biology 210, 217, 365, 372, or 375 (in consultation with advisor, when topic is appropriate).
- One supporting unit chosen from chemistry, computer science, geology, mathematics, or physics.
Additionally:
- The minor is not open to majors in biology, biochemistry, or applied chemistry (with biology as a complementary discipline).
- No more than 2 units taken to satisfy requirements for a major or another minor may count toward the biology minor.
- No course may satisfy two requirements for the minor.
- Five units selected from Chemistry 117 or the five branches of chemistry.
- Analytical Chemistry: 220, 225
- Organic Chemistry: 230, 235
- Physical Chemistry: 240, 245
- Inorganic Chemistry: 150, 250
- Biochemistry: 260, 300
- Biology/Chemistry 260 and 300 may not be used to satisfy both biology and chemistry requirements.
No more than 2 units that count towards a major may be used to fulfill these minor requirements.
- Completion of one unit of Health and Society 140.
- Three units chosen from the core health and society courses: Anthropology 262, Anthropology/Health and Society 323, Biology 215, Critical Identity Studies 236/Health and Society 235, Critical Identity Studies/Health and Society 252, Philosophy 221, Physical Education, Recreation, and Athletics 308, Political Science/Health and Society 212 or 230, Psychology 210 or 252, Spanish/Health and Society 218, Chinese 115, French 210, Japanese 115, Spanish 210. At least 2 of the core courses must be completed before the senior year. Other relevant course offerings with significant health content may be substituted with approval of the chair.
- One additional course, related to the student’s interest, chosen from the thematic electives below.
- Health and Well-Being: Anthropology/Health and Society 301, 330, Greek, Latin, and Mediterranean Studies/Health and Society 215, Interdisciplinary Studies 318, Psychology 210, 215, 250, 252, 305, 375, Psychology/Critical Identity Studies 225 (may not be counted for the major in conjunction with Critical Identity Studies/Health and Society 252), Physical Education, Recreation, and Athletics 308.
- Biological Systems and Health: Anthropology 230, Biology 237, 256, 257, 289, 340, Biology/Chemistry 260, 360, Chemistry 220, 230, Psychology 230.
- Social Determinants of Health: Anthropology/Critical Identity Studies 305 or 306, Critical Identity Studies/Sociology 221, Critical Identity Studies 226/Sociology 225, Critical Identity Studies/Sociology 245, Critical Identity Studies 250/Sociology 251, Economics 204, 271 (if topic is gender economics), Political Science/Health and Society 212 or 230, Political Science/Critical Identity Studies 214, Political Science 255/Environmental Studies 256, Political Science 262, Critical Identity Studies 260, 265, 360 (if topic is medicine).
- One unit of statistics or appropriate research methods course chosen from: Anthropology 240, Biology 247, Economics 251, Health and Society/Political Science 201, Sociology 205, 211.
- Six departmental units in Spanish at the 100 level or above. (Limited to one course in translation.)
- With the pre-approval of the department, students may apply 2 units of language credit earned while studying abroad toward the minor.
- No more than 2 units of college transfer credit may apply toward the minor.
- At least 4 of the language units counted toward the minor must be taken at Beloit College. Exceptions must be approved by the department.
- With the pre-approval of the department, students may count 1 unit of literature in translation toward the minor.
Programs
Beloit College students must formally apply to the Medical College of Wisconsin dual degree pharmacy (Pharm.D.) program. Applications are due at the end of January each year. Students must have a cumulative GPA of 3.5 at the time of application.
The following Beloit College courses are the prerequisites for the program:
- All Beloit College domain and skills graduation requirements.
- General Biology (2 units)
- Advanced Biology (2 units)
- General Chemistry (3 units)
- Organic Chemistry (2 units)
- Statistics (1 unit)
- Biometrics (BIOL 247).
- Calculus (1 unit)
- MATH 110, 113, or 115.
- English Composition (1 unit)
- WRIT 100 or equivalent course.
- Public Speaking (1 unit)
- One public speaking, speech, communication, or equivalent course.
- General Education (4 units)
Additional Course Requirements:
- Equivalent courses may be substituted in many cases. Consult with your advisor and the registrar.
- Students must earn a C or better in each of these courses.
- Students must earn a cumulative GPA of 3.0.
Additional Information
- Participation in fieldwork courses, overseas experience, and foreign language is strongly recommended.
- Students who have earned (post matriculation) at least 1 unit of language credit at the required level in a course or language not listed, including ancient languages, may petition the department to have that course counted.
Students intending to pursue graduate school need:
- Mathematics 110 or 113 and 115.
- Physics 101 and 102.
- Chemistry 240.
- At least one summer or semester full-time research experience.
Students intending to pursue medical school need:
- Mathematics 110 or 113 and 115.
- Physics 101 and 102.
- Two semesters of English courses.
Beloit College is approved by the American Chemical Society, the world’s largest scientific society, for the undergraduate professional training of biochemists. In addition to fulfilling the major requirements, a student interested in earning ACS degree certification is required to complete:
- Mathematics 115.
- Physics 102.
- Chemistry 240 or 245.
- Chemistry 150 or 250.
- Chemistry 380.
- One additional 300-level chemistry course with laboratory work.
- A research internship with a comprehensive written report.
No course may satisfy two requirements for a biology major.
Students who complete a biology major may graduate with the Bachelor of Arts degree. Students who wish to graduate with the Bachelor of Science degree must complete a minimum of 4 units in science and/or mathematics and/or computer science outside of the biology department.
Students anticipating graduate study or a medical career are urged to include the following courses in their undergraduate preparation:
- Chemistry 117 or 150, 220, 230, 235
- Mathematics 110 or 113, 115
- Physics 101, 102
Additional courses (e.g. Chemistry 240, 245, 300 and Mathematics 275) may be appropriate for graduate work in biology. Many graduate schools and some professional schools require knowledge of a non-English language (e.g. Spanish, French, Japanese, or Russian) for admission to their programs.
Students anticipating careers in the health professions are strongly encouraged to complete Sociology 275, Philosophy 221, and 2 units in literature and composition. Depending on the specific goal of the student and the requirements of potential professional or graduate programs, various additional courses in the sciences and other departments may be relevant and appropriate.
- To graduate with a Bachelor of Science degree, a student must complete 4 units in science/or mathematics outside chemistry. Students completing the minimum requirements of a chemistry major will receive a Bachelor of Arts degree.
- Students intending to pursue graduate school need:
- Mathematics 110 or 113 and 115
- Physics 101 and 102
- At least one summer or semester full-time research experience
- Additional courses in mathematics, physics, and chemistry are helpful
- Beloit College is approved by the American Chemical Society, the world’s largest scientific society, for the undergraduate professional training of chemists. In addition to fulfilling the major requirements, a student interested in earning ACS degree certification is required to complete:
- Mathematics 115
- Physics 102
- One additional 300-level chemistry course with laboratory work
- A research internship with a comprehensive written report