Health Science
Program overview
Short-Term Option:
Spend a few impactful weeks in Dingle, Ireland, with the College of Health Professions. Choose from engaging short-term courses such as Speech and Language Pathology and Audiology or Health Promotion: Food, Nutrition, and Society. These courses provide hands-on, globally-informed perspectives on health-related topics, giving you the opportunity to explore the intersection of healthcare, culture, and community well-being in an international setting.
Semester Option:
Join Health Science majors for the Fall semester. Take essential courses like Fundamentals of Nutrition and General Chemistry, while completing both major and core requirements in a culturally immersive environment. The semester emphasizes key program goals – cross-cultural awareness, professional development, teamwork, and critical thinking- all while staying on track for graduation.
Whether you’re exploring global health trends short-term or spending a full semester abroad, this program offers a transformative experience that enhances your academic path, broadens your perspective, and strengthens your preparation for a future in healthcare or graduate study.
CH 151/153 – General Chemistry 1, Lecture & Lab
4 Credits
Liberal Arts Exploration
- Natural/Physical Science foundational core requirement
Offered
Fall Semester
Faculty
Description
CH 151 lectures explore modern theories of atomic and molecular structure, chemical bonding and periodic relations, chemical reactions and stoichiometry, states of matter, and solutions.
The lab section illustrates basic concepts presented in CH 151. Experiments include qualitative analysis of cations and anions, chromatography, synthesis, and FT-IR.
CMD 335/SLP 533 – Cultural & Structural Linguistics
3 Credits
Offered
Winter Short Term
Faculty
Caitlin A. Ross, Ph.D., CCC-SLP
Description
The connections between language, culture and social identify are strong. Cross-cultural variations in language are noted in differences in pronunciation, grammar and vocabulary by speakers of the same language. We will use structural and cultural linguistic frameworks to identify and understand differences in dialects of English spoken in Ireland and the United States.
CMD 399 – Speech-Language Pathology & Audiology in the US and Ireland
3 Credits
Offered
Summer 2 Short Term
Faculty
Cristina Pino, MS, SLP-CCC
Description
Learn how communication impacts practitioners/client interaction, patient outcomes, health education, social support for patients, and those who care for them, and ways that communication impacts interprofessional health care team dynamics.
Discover how culture impacts both patients and providers. Explore how health communication varies between Irish and U.S. healthcare systems.
HS 202 – Health and Wellness in Later Life
3 Credits
Offered
Summer 2 Short Term
Faculty
Description
This course explores Aging and Older Adulthood in Dingle, Ireland. It will comprehensively examine aging from a health and wellness perspective, comparing findings related to aging in the United States and the village of Dingle. Students will gain an understanding of the needs of aging individuals and the resources available within the community through observation, research, and engagement with village residents. Students are taught how to investigate social issues and methods to address social problems. The course offers students a holistic perspective on aging, addressing the physical aspect of health and the psychosocial, ethical, and spiritual dimensions of older adulthood. These insights will enable students to better understand and promote healthy aging in diverse contexts. This innovative course represents a significant opportunity for students to engage in global, experiential learning opportunities.
HS 303/MPH 590 – Health Promotion: Food, Nutrition & Society
3 Credits
Offered
Winter Short Term
Faculty
Description
Health education and promotion activities are increasingly supported by evidence showing positive impacts on various health indicators, as supported by contemporary research being performed in the Irish health sector. Using Irish population health goals as a framework, this course will use frequently occurring health conditions to explore health education models and health promotion interventions. Attention will also be given to measuring health and the impact of lifestyle choices on healthcare needs and costs within the context of ethical principles, with a special focus on food & diet.
Students will be introduced to the fundamental concepts of nutritional as a scientific, social, behavioral, and public health construct. During the course, students will experience the local nutritional scene in Dingle, Ireland. The exploration will include food markets, culinary venues, and review of national and local policies. Students will also learn how the built environment influences food choice and physical activity, and how the environmental differences between US and Dingle support or hinder healthy lifestyles
The course is open to graduate students and undergraduate students and as an MPH course, is not restricted to any specific major nor college.
HS 305/EX 255/BI 299 – Nutritional Aspects of Human Health & Performance
3 Credits
Offered
Spring Semester
Faculty
Description
This course provides an examination of the six classes of nutrients with strong emphasis on chronic disease prevention and improving athletic performance. Issues concerning dietary supplements, functional foods, and the ethics of food choices are also explored.
HS 308 – Fundamentals of Nutrition
3 Credits
Offered
Fall Semester
Faculty
Description
This course presents the fundamental scientific principles of human nutrition. Students will learn the components of a healthy diet, understand the major nutrition problems that affect individuals and populations throughout the life cycle, and understand the scientific basis for nutritional recommendations for health and to prevent disease.
