Catalog Home College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Health and Human Physiology

Health and Human Physiology

The Department of Health and Human Physiology offers undergraduate majors and minors and graduate degree programs in health and human physiology and related areas. In addition, the department is home to the Health and Physical Activity Skills Program, which offers courses that provide instruction and practice in lifetime sports, fitness training, and wellness activities aimed at enhancing physical health and well-being. Undergraduates in all majors may use several health and human physiology courses and most of the health and physical activity skills courses to fulfill requirements of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences General Education Program.

The department also is the administrative home of the Leisure Studies Program, which offers undergraduate and graduate programs; see Leisure Studies in the Catalog.

Undergraduate Programs

• Major in health and human physiology (Bachelor of Arts)
• Major in human physiology (Bachelor of Science)
• Major in athletic training (Bachelor of Science)
• Minor in health promotion
• Minor in human physiology

Students may earn a major in health and human physiology (B.A.) or a major in human physiology (B.S.), but not both.

Students majoring in health and human physiology (B.A.) may not earn the minor in health promotion or the minor in human physiology. Students majoring in human physiology (B.S.) or athletic training (B.S.) may not earn the minor in human physiology, but they may earn the minor in health promotion.

The Department of Health and Human Physiology also is the administrative home of the Leisure Studies Program, which offers an undergraduate major and minor; see Leisure Studies in the Catalog.

Bachelor of Arts: Health and Human Physiology

The Bachelor of Arts with a major in health and human physiology requires a minimum of 120 s.h., including work for the major, which varies by track. The health promotion track requires a total of 50-52 s.h. of work for the major; the health studies track requires 40-42 s.h. of work for the major. The health promotion track is intended for students seeking careers that promote wellness in the community and the workplace. The health studies track is designed for students who want a more flexible health science curriculum.

Students majoring in health and human physiology (B.A.) may not earn a second major in human physiology (B.S.).

Admission to the health promotion track is selective; students must apply and be admitted. Applicants must have completed the three courses listed under "Science and Math Foundation" below (chemistry, biology, and mathematics or statistics) and must have a University of Iowa and a cumulative g.p.a. of at least 2.70. Students may apply during the semester in which they will complete the three science and math foundation courses required for application to the track. Application deadlines are October 1 for the following spring semester, March 1 for the following fall semester.

Admission to the health studies track is open; students may enter the track without applying to it.

Students in both tracks are required to complete a set of common requirements as well as several courses required specifically for their track. Students also must complete the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences General Education Program.

The major in health and human physiology requires the following course work.

Common Requirements

Both tracks require the following science and math foundation (at least 10-12 s.h.) and the departmental core (12 s.h.).

SCIENCE AND MATH FOUNDATION

All students complete three foundation courses (10-12 s.h.): one each in chemistry, biology, and mathematics or statistics.

Chemistry—one of these:

Biology—one of these:

Mathematics or statistics—one of these:

DEPARTMENTAL CORE

All students must complete the four-course departmental core (12 s.h.).

All of these:

One of these:

Health Promotion Track Requirements

HEALTH PROMOTION CORE

All of these:

HEALTH PROMOTION GUIDED ELECTIVES

Students must complete at least 12 s.h. selected from the courses below; they must earn at least 6 s.h. in courses numbered 100 or above.

Entrepreneurship and Leadership

Global Health and Health Disparities

Health Communication and Psychology

Health Promotion Specializations

Human Development and Aging

Human Physiology

Individualized Experiential Learning

Health Studies Track Requirements

In addition to completing the courses listed under "Common Requirements" above (math and science foundation and departmental core), health studies track students must earn at least 18 s.h. in courses chosen from the lists below, including 12 s.h. in courses numbered 100 and above. Students may select courses from either or both of the lists.

Health Promotion

Human Physiology 

Bachelor of Science: Human Physiology

The Bachelor of Science with a major in human physiology requires a minimum of 120 s.h., including 61 s.h. of work for the major (27 s.h. in health and human physiology and 34 s.h. in required cognate courses).

The major in human physiology is designed primarily for individuals who intend to continue their education beyond the B.S. in the health professions, including medicine, dentistry, optometry, physician assistant, physical therapy, and podiatry, and for those who intend to pursue graduate degrees in basic life sciences. The program includes study in anatomy, biomechanics, physiology, neural control of movement, and the cognate areas of biology, chemistry, mathematics, physics, and statistics.

Students majoring in human physiology (B.S.) may not earn a second major in health and human physiology (B.A.)

Admission to the major is selective; students must apply and be admitted. Current University of Iowa students and transfer students may declare an interest in the human physiology major at any time and may apply to the major after taking a college course in calculus. They also must complete 004:011 Principles of Chemistry I (one of the major's required cognate courses) before they may be admitted to the major. Students typically apply during spring semester of their first year or later; application deadline is February 1 for admission to the major the following fall. Students are notified of admission in March, in time for early registration for fall semester.

Entering first-year students may be admitted to the major automatically upon their admission to The University of Iowa as College of Liberal Arts and Sciences students if they have an ACT composite score of 27 or higher (or an SAT critical reading and math score of 2010 or higher); have a high school g.p.a. of 2.70 or higher (4.00 scale); and expressed interest in the human physiology major on their application for admission to the University.

Once they have been admitted to the major, students complete required health and human physiology courses as well as cognates—supporting course work in subjects outside human physiology. Transfer credit for course work in the major requires the approval of the undergraduate academic advisor.

Students also must complete the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences General Education Program. The department recommends that they fulfill General Education's Natural Sciences requirement by taking 004:011 Principles of Chemistry I, 004:012 Principles of Chemistry II, and 002:010 Principles of Biology I. It also recommends that they fulfill the Social Sciences requirement with 031:001 Elementary Psychology.

The major in human physiology requires the following course work.

PREREQUISITE TO ADMISSION TO THE MAJOR

Current University of Iowa students and transfer students must complete 004:011 before they may be admitted to the major. The course is a required cognate (see "Courses for the Major: Cognates" below).

COURSES FOR THE MAJOR: HUMAN PHYSIOLOGY

All of these:

At least 18 s.h. from these:

COURSES FOR THE MAJOR: COGNATES

Students must complete a total of 34 s.h. in the following cognate courses—subjects outside of human physiology. The required cognates include 004:011 Principles of Chemistry I (see "Chemistry" below), which some students completed for admission to the major.

Biology

At least 3 s.h. from these: 

Chemistry

Students must complete 004:011 before they may register for 004:012.

These additional chemistry courses are highly recommended.

Mathematics

One of these:

Physics

One of these sequences:

Statistics

At least 3 s.h. from these:

RECOMMENDED ELECTIVES

The department recommends that students choose from the following electives in order to complete the minimum of 120 s.h. required for a Bachelor of Science. Additional recommended courses in biology and chemistry are listed under "Courses for the Major: Cognates" above.

Anthropology 

Biochemistry 

Biology 

Chemistry 

Classics 

Communication Sciences and Disorders 

Computer Science 

Education 

Engineering 

English 

Health Promotion

Microbiology 

Pharmacology 

Psychology 

Radiation Biology 

Bachelor of Science: Athletic Training

The Bachelor of Science with a major in athletic training requires a minimum of 120 s.h., including 57-58 s.h. of work for the major plus one prerequisite (1 s.h.) to application to the major and several prerequisites (34-36 s.h.) to course work for the major. Students also must complete the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences General Education Program.

The major provides concentrated studies and clinical experiences that lead to national certification in athletic training. The Department of Health and Human Physiology collaborates with the Department of Orthopaedics and Rehabilitation (Carver College of Medicine) to offer the major.

Athletic trainers work with active patients, including athletes, to help prevent injuries, offer advice about appropriate equipment, recognize and evaluate injuries, administer emergency treatment, and determine need for specialized medical care. Athletic trainers also work as members of health care teams involved in postinjury rehabilitation.

Employment opportunities for graduates include work as health care professionals for sports medicine clinics and hospitals; these individuals often work with secondary school athletic teams. Additional education usually is required for employment with professional, college, and university athletic teams. Teacher certification is recommended but not required.

Admission to the major in athletic training is competitive; students must apply. They may be admitted and begin clinical experience as sophomores. Applicants must have at least 11 s.h. of graded college credit (pass/fail credit does not count), including 027:096 Exploring Athletic Training with a grade of C or higher; and they must have a g.p.a. of at least 2.50 on all undergraduate course work. Preference is given to applicants with high scholastic standing, strong writing skills, and varied athletic training and health care experience. A personal interview may be required; the athletic training program contacts applicants about interviews.

Fulfillment of admission requirements does not ensure admission to the athletic training major. The program selects candidates who appear to be best qualified for the study and practice of athletic training. Students denied admission to the major may reapply in a subsequent fall semester.

All students admitted to the major in athletic training are required to comply with entrance and periodic health screening history and immunization, which is coordinated through the program's medical director.

Students who have not formally contacted the athletic training program director before enrolling at The University of Iowa should talk to an athletic training advisor or their academic advisor upon entering the University. Early advising for course selection is vital to ensure that students take prerequisites and sequenced skill development courses in the right order. Students should begin taking prerequisites for required major courses during their first year and should complete their final prerequisites after admission to the athletic training major.

For current information on rules, procedures, and curriculum, contact the athletic training program director.

The major in athletic training requires the following course work.

PREREQUISITE TO APPLICATION TO THE MAJOR

Students must complete this course before they apply for admission to the athletic training major.

PREREQUISITES TO COURSE WORK FOR THE MAJOR

Students must complete the following courses (34-36 s.h.) as they begin course work for the major.

One of these: 

One of these sequences: 

One of these: 

All of these: 

COURSES FOR THE MAJOR

Students must complete the following course work for the major (55-56 s.h.).

One of these: 

One of these:

One of these: 

All of these: 

Four-Year Graduation Plan

The following checkpoints list the minimum requirements students must complete by certain semesters in order to stay on the University's Four-Year Graduation Plan. (Courses in the major are those required to complete the major; they may be offered by departments other than the major department.)

Note: Students must be admitted to the health and human physiology or athletic training majors on schedule in order to complete a four-year graduation plan.

Bachelor of Arts: Health and Human Physiology

Before the third semester begins: one foundation course, one other course in the major, and at least one-quarter of the semester hours required for graduation

Before the fifth semester begins: at least five more courses in the major and at least one-half of the semester hours required for graduation

Before the seventh semester begins: at least six more courses in the major and at least three-quarters of the semester hours required for graduation

Before the eighth semester begins: at least two more courses in the major

During the eighth semester: enrollment in all remaining course work in the major, all remaining General Education courses, and a sufficient number of semester hours to graduate

Bachelor of Science: Human Physiology

Before the third semester begins: calculus, one other course in the major, and at least one-quarter of the semester hours required for graduation

Before the fifth semester begins: at least five more courses in the major and at least one-half of the semester hours required for graduation

Before the seventh semester begins: at least six more courses in the major and at least three-quarters of the semester hours required for graduation

Before the eighth semester begins: at least two more courses in the major

During the eighth semester: enrollment in all remaining course work in the major, all remaining General Education courses, and a sufficient number of semester hours to graduate

Bachelor of Science: Athletic Training

Before the third semester begins: three courses in the major and at least one-quarter of the semester hours required for graduation

Before the fifth semester begins: six courses in the major and at least one-half of the semester hours required for graduation

Before the seventh semester begins: nine courses in the major and at least three-quarters of the semester hours required for graduation

Before the eighth semester: 12 courses in the major

During the eighth semester: enrollment in all remaining course work in the major, all remaining General Education courses, and a sufficient number of semester hours to graduate

Honors

Outstanding students majoring in health and human physiology, human physiology, or athletic training may work toward graduation with honors. Departmental honors students must be members of the University of Iowa Honors Program, which requires students to maintain a cumulative University of Iowa g.p.a. of at least 3.33 (contact the University of Iowa Honors Program for more information). They also must maintain a g.p.a. of at least 3.33 in work for their major.

In order to graduate with honors in the health and human physiology major, students must successfully complete a health and human physiology honors designation course, research practicum, teaching practicum, or service learning course. They must successfully complete 027:187 Honors Readings and 027:188 Honors Problems and must write an honors thesis, usually based on original research or creative work. They also must make an oral or poster presentation of the honors thesis in an approved venue, such as a department research seminar or a professional conference.

In order to graduate with honors in the human physiology major, students must complete the honors research course sequence 027:198 Honors Research I and 027:199 Honors Research II; write an honors thesis that is deposited with the University of Iowa Honors Program and is judged to be of honors quality; and make an oral presentation of their research and thesis that is judged to be of honors quality.

In order to graduate with honors in the athletic training major, students must complete the practicum course sequence 027:186 Practicum in Athletic Training III and 076:187 Practicum in Athletic Training IV. They also must write an honors thesis that is deposited with the University of Iowa Honors Program and is judged to be of honors quality.

Minor in Health Promotion

The minor in health promotion requires a minimum of 15 s.h. in University of Iowa Department of Health and Human Physiology courses, including at least 9 s.h. in 100-level courses. Students must maintain a g.p.a. of at least 2.00 in the minor. Course work in the minor may not be taken pass/nonpass. Transfer credit does not count toward the minor.

Students majoring in health and human physiology (B.A.) may not earn the minor in health promotion.

Courses for the minor must be chosen from the list below, according to students' interests and the recommendation of the undergraduate coordinator. Some of these courses have prerequisites, which students must complete before enrolling in the course.

Minor in Human Physiology

The minor in human physiology requires a minimum of 15 s.h. in University of Iowa Department of Health and Human Physiology courses, including 12 s.h. in 100-level courses. Students must maintain a g.p.a. of at least 2.00 in the minor. Course work in the minor may not be taken pass/nonpass. Transfer credit does not count toward the minor.

Students majoring in health and human physiology (B.A.), human physiology (B.S.), or athletic training (B.S.) may not earn the minor in human physiology.

Students choose courses for the minor from the following list. Enrollment in 027:132 Human Physiology Laboratory and 027:197 Biomechanics of Human Motion requires special permission. Some of these courses have prerequisites; students must complete all prerequisites for the courses they select for the minor.

Graduate Programs

• Master of Arts in health and sport studies (with or without thesis)
• Master of Science in exercise science (with or without thesis)
• Doctor of Philosophy in integrative physiology

The department is the administrative home for the Leisure Studies Program, which offers a Master of Science program; see Leisure Studies in the Catalog.

Master of Arts

The Master of Arts program in health and sport studies requires 30-34 s.h. of graduate credit. It is offered with three specializations: the athletic training specialization (without thesis), the health promotion specialization (with or without thesis), and the integrative physiology specialization (with or without thesis). Students who plan to enter doctoral programs usually choose the thesis option. Those who intend to earn the M.A. as a terminal degree in preparation for professional careers or for advanced study in other areas usually choose the nonthesis option.

Course selection in each specialization is highly individual. Specific courses in mathematics, chemistry, physics, biology, physiology, sociology, or psychology may be required and must be approved by the program advisor in the specialization area.

Athletic Training Specialization

The M.A. with athletic training specialization is intended to be a terminal degree for athletic trainers; it is offered without thesis. The specialization provides an advanced clinical education and research area of study for certified athletic trainers. It focuses on a health care team approach to sports medicine, medical care management, wellness, pediatric/adolescent health, and special health populations. Emphasis is placed on the application of established research findings to the wide variety of problems encountered in everyday practice.

In order to be admitted to the specialization, athletic trainers must have completed the following prerequisite course work and must hold the following certifications:

anatomy (3-4 s.h.);

human physiology (3 s.h.);

athletic training core—prevention (3 s.h.), evaluation and recognition (3 s.h.), modalities (3 s.h.), rehabilitation (3 s.h.), administration (2 s.h.);

exercise science core—exercise physiology (3 s.h.), biomechanics (3 s.h.);

current emergency certification; and

Board of Certification (BOC) certification and state license.

The athletic training specialization requires the following course work.

Required Courses

Statistics core—one of these:

Exercise science core—three of these: 

Clinical research tools:

Athletic training core (four courses)—all of these:

And one of these:

Recommended Electives

Elective courses should be used to enhance the student’s concentration in medical care management, wellness, pediatric/adolescent health, or special health populations. Course selection must be approved by the advisor.

Health Promotion Specialization

The health promotion specialization is offered with or without thesis. It focuses on physiological and psychological processes as they interact with social and cultural forces to impact health. Scholarship in the specialization advances understanding of physical activity behaviors and health outcomes associated with them by evaluating theories that predict behavior, modeling physical activity patterns associated with health outcomes, and testing interventions that promote physical activity and improve quality of life. Students in the health promotion specialization may focus on developing the analytical and research skills necessary for doctoral study, or they may focus on acquiring a specific skill set and certification for employment by health promotion programs in government, nonprofit organizations, and business.

The health promotion specialization requires the following course work.

Required Courses

Statistics core—one of these:

All of these: 

One of these: 

All of these:

Thesis

Students who choose the thesis option register for this course.

Independent Research

Nonthesis students earn 4 s.h. of credit in independent research. Students who choose not to do independent research must earn an additional 4 s.h. in guided electives; internships and practicum experiences may count toward this requirement.

Integrative Physiology Specialization

The integrative physiology specialization is offered with or without thesis. It provides students with in-depth knowledge of general principles of physiology and specific knowledge in areas such as biomechanics, exercise physiology, and sensorimotor physiology. Admission to the specialization requires undergraduate courses in physiology and anatomy with laboratory components.

The integrative physiology specialization requires the following work.

Required Courses

The program advisor determines required courses based on the student's interests and research project topic.

Statistics core—one of these:

Required courses typically include graduate seminars such as these:

General Course Requirements

General course requirements provide students with broad knowledge in different areas of the health-related sciences. In consultation with the program adviser, students select two courses outside of the specialization area. Some of these courses have prerequisites, which students must complete before they may register for the course.

Recommended Electives

Students use elective courses to enhance their specialization and to broaden their knowledge in the general area of physiology. The following courses are recommended as electives.

Thesis

Students who choose the thesis option register for this course.

Master of Science

The Master of Science program in exercise science requires a minimum of 30 s.h. of graduate credit and is offered with or without thesis. The program is not accepting new students in 2011-12. For a program description and listing of requirements, see the 2010-11 General Catalog.

Doctor of Philosophy

The Doctor of Philosophy program in integrative physiology requires a minimum of 72 s.h. of graduate credit. It is offered with two specialization areas: health promotion and integrative physiology.

Doctoral students should have a strong background in the natural sciences and a working knowledge of statistics and research methodology. Students may acquire additional knowledge of statistics and research methodology after entering the program.

All Ph.D. students complete a common core of courses, scientific area courses, courses in their specialization, and 10 s.h. of independent research in addition to the dissertation requirement. They must complete a dissertation in their specialization area and must submit an appropriate manuscript of the dissertation to a refereed professional journal for publication.

Some courses in the program are offered by other departments. Faculty members from those departments frequently serve on comprehensive examination committees and on dissertation committees for the initial presentation of a candidate's prospectus. They also participate in the final examination.

The Doctor of Philosophy requires the following course work.

COMMON CORE

All of these: 

SCIENTIFIC AREA COURSES

Students obtain a breadth of knowledge over the key scientific areas that constitute the basis of the major by completing at least three courses outside of their specialization area.

Specialization Courses

Students are expected to obtain broad-based knowledge in their specialization area. This normally entails approximately 30 s.h. of course work. The following courses are recommended choices for each specialization area.

INTEGRATIVE PHYSIOLOGY

Health Promotion

Dissertation

Students working on a dissertation register for the following course.

Admission

Admission to the department's graduate programs is based on grade-point average and score on the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) General Test. Applicants to the M.A. and M.S. programs must have an undergraduate g.p.a. of at least 3.00. Applicants to the Ph.D. program must have a g.p.a. of at least 3.00 on undergraduate work and previous graduate work.

Applicants must meet the admission requirements of the Graduate College; see the Manual of Rules and Regulations of the Graduate College or the Graduate College section of the Catalog.

Application deadlines are October 15, March 15, and May 15; notification is made approximately two months after the respective application deadline.

Facilities

Classroom and research laboratories are located in the Field House and in other buildings on campus. They provide excellent facilities for instruction and research at both the undergraduate and graduate levels.

Cooperative efforts with other units facilitate specialization by allowing health and human physiology students to use additional special facilities and research equipment in other departments on campus (e.g., biology, biochemistry, molecular physiology and biophysics, orthopaedic surgery, internal medicine, pharmacology, and the College of Engineering).

Courses

Primarily for Undergraduates

For Undergraduate and Graduate Students

Primarily for Graduate Students

Health and Physical Activity Skills

Most courses in the Health and Physical Activity Skills Program are approved for the Values, Society, and Diversity area of the General Education Program.