Health Science Track
Designed for students who wish to pursue graduate degrees and/or careers in medicine, the core curriculum of this track is rigorous enough to allow students to meet general education and medical school entrance requirements.
Students who pursue this track learn how to study, manage and heal the body across the lifespan, and frequently turn their scientific expertise into real-world breakthroughs, advocacy work and providing top-notch medical care. We offer a truly interdisciplinary curriculum that spans an impressive variety of fields, giving students a well rounded education that helps them reach their next level, whatever they may choose. Many of our graduates in this track go on to medical school or to follow the Ph.D. route themselves as top-level researchers.
The power of our focus on practicum and research elements helps harness our students’ potential by giving them a head start on real-world experience, whether that’s in the lab or in a professional setting. Our students are teamed with medical doctors and are taught by an MD, pairing the intellectual rigor of that route with the flexible, far-ranging study of gerontology, offering students an amazing launching pad and scope for their futures.
Health Science Track in Human Development and Aging
Requirements for Admission
The listed requirements for admission to the health science track in human development and aging will not differ from existing requirements for admission to the Bachelor of Science in Human Development and Aging. However, because health professional schools are very competitive, USC students interested in this program will be expected to have achieved at least a 3.0 grade point average (A = 4.0). Students entering the program from high schools or transferring from community colleges will also be expected to meet the minimum admission standards.
Degree Requirements
| SCIENCE AND MATHEMATICS |
UNITS |
|
| BISC 120Lx | General Biology: Organismal Biology and Evolution |
4 |
| BISC 220L | General Biology: Cell Biology and Physiology |
4 |
| CHEM 105abL* | General Chemistry |
4-4 |
| CHEM 322abL* | Organic Chemistry |
4-4 |
| MATH 125* | Calculus I |
4 |
| PHYS 135abL* | Physics for the Life Sciences |
4-4 |
|
36 |
||
| GERONTOLOGY UPPER DIVISION CORE COURSES |
UNITS |
|
| GERO 310* | Physiology of Aging |
4 |
| GERO 320 | Psychology of Adult Development, or |
|
| GERO 330 | Society and Adult Development |
4 |
| GERO 340 | Policy, Values, and Power in an Aging Society |
4 |
| GERO 414* | Neurobiology of Aging |
4 |
| GERO 495 | Practicum in Geriatric Care |
4 |
|
20 |
||
| ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS |
UNITS |
|
| ITP 101x | Introduction to Information Technology |
4 |
| General Education |
24 |
|
| Writing Requirement |
8 |
|
| Gerontology upper division electives |
12 |
|
| General electives in gerontology or related disciplines (8 units upper division) |
24 |
|
|
72 |
||
| Total: |
128 |
| RECOMMENDED GENERAL ELECTIVES |
UNITS |
|
| ANTH 305 | Childhood, Birth and Reproduction |
4 |
| BISC 480* | Developmental Biology |
4 |
| HP 402 | Maternal and Child Health |
4 |
| LING 405 | Child Language Acquisition |
4 |
| PSYC 100 | Introduction to Psychology |
4 |
| PSYC 336L* | Developmental Psychology |
4 |
| PSYC 437* | Adolescent Development |
4 |
| SOCI 305 | Sociology of Childhood |
4 |
| SOCI 369 | The Family in a Changing Society |
4 |
| SOCI 385 | Population, Society, and Aging |
4 |
*Prerequisite required.