Students of Health Science learn about human health and wellness from perspectives of natural, social, and behavioral sciences. Such knowledge leads to worship of the Creator and prepares students to care for their own bodies and the bodies of others. This program prepares students for entry into graduate or professional schools leading to careers in medicine, public health, physical or occupational therapy, biomedical research, and others. Students may also directly enter the workforce after completing a Health Science major.
Within six months of graduation, nearly 99% of Wheaton’s Class of 2021 found work in their field or continued their education.
The majority of Wheaton biology students attend graduate, medical, dental, veterinary, or nursing school within 10 years of graduation.
Small class sizes mean individualized attention and greater access to faculty.
You can reach us anytime via admissions@wheaton.edu.
/filters:quality(85)/prod02/channel_1/media/applied-health-science/Anatomy-Lab-2017-banner-800X700.jpg)
Health Science is part of the Biological and Health Sciences Department, which also includes Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (offered jointly with the Chemistry Department), Biology, Conservation and Ecological Health, and Neuroscience. Together, these five majors share a core curriculum designed to introduce you to foundational biological and chemical concepts, scientific research methods, and the intersection of Christian faith with science. You will learn to read scientific literature critically, communicate scientific information effectively, and conduct scientific experiments correctly. This firm foundation, coupled with upper-divisional courses across the Biological and Health Department, prepares you for a variety of professions or entry into graduate or professional schools.
Our interdisciplinary approach also allows us to creatively leverage existing relationships with other departments, such as the Chemistry Department, to provide an integrated, robust learning experience.
/filters:quality(85)/prod02/channel_1/media/applied-health-science/Brian-Hunt-with-Students-600X900.jpg)
Learn from accomplished, caring faculty members with scientific expertise in nutrition, cardiovascular physiology, microbiology, neurobiology, diabetes, epidemiology, parasitology and disease transmission, genetics, botany, marine biology, and theories of origins.
/filters:quality(85)/prod02/channel_1/media/about/meyer-science-center-photos/Student-Walking-Outside-Meyer-Science-Center-600X900.jpg)
The Meyer Science Center houses state-of-the-art labs filled with modern equipment and instrumentation. A dedicated health science lab contains equipment such as an ultrasound machine used to measure arterial function and blood flow and a Dual Energy Xray Absorptiometry (DEXA) machine used to measure bone mineral density. Other available equipment includes a fluorescence microscope, a cell-image plate reader, laminar flow hoods, and tissue culture incubators.
/filters:quality(85)/prod02/channel_1/media/academics/natural-sciences/summer-research---poster-session/2022-HM-Lucy-Browning-1-600X900.JPEG)
Majoring in Health Science at Wheaton exposes you to many immersive learning experiences, from internships and collaborative research projects with faculty mentors to mission-driven service work around Chicagoland and abroad.
/filters:quality(85)/prod02/channel_1/media/hngr/rachel_no-violence-mural-1-480X480.jpg)
HNGR is an exciting, interdisciplinary program that offers opportunities for many majors to integrate multidisciplinary coursework, a six-month internship, and whole-person formation through experiential learning. Students live, work, worship, and serve with local communities worldwide while accompanying host partner organizations that confront poverty, challenge inequity, transform conflict, pursue justice, and seek fullness of life.
Scholarships and other funding may be available for this immersive, international experience.
Interdisciplinary learning is a way of life at Wheaton. In addition to your work within your chosen major, you can enrich your educational experience and connect with peers and professors across campus and beyond in many ways.
/filters:quality(85)/prod02/channel_1/media/about/meyer-science-center-photos/Wheaton-College-Meyer-Science-Center-Exterior-Sign-1000X800.jpg)
A Wheaton education is built on the foundation of our unique Christ at the Core general education curriculum. A major in Health Science, coupled with additional liberal arts courses in the Christ at the Core program, will equip you to form and develop a Christian worldview, engage with current issues, and live as a witness for Christ in your places of influence.
More About Christ at the CoreWheaton health science students are well-prepared for further professional training to ultimately pursue careers as healthcare practitioners, research scientists, and educators. Many graduates head right into the workforce, landing roles in a variety of industries.
Wheaton health science majors find positions such as:
Students who continued their education did so at schools and programs such as:
/filters:quality(85)/prod02/channel_1/media/magazine/winter-2023/web-exclusives/Lucy-Browning-portrait-photo-1.jpg)
“Coming to Wheaton College was like a breath of fresh air. When you’re touring upwards of a dozen schools, they start to blend together. There was just something different here.”
In her years so far at Wheaton, Lucy Browning ’24 has presented at national conferences, conducted research in Kenya, volunteered in local communities, and built lasting friendships with peers and professors alike. And she’s just getting started.
Read Lucy's StoryInterested in studying health science at Wheaton? Request more information or start your application today.
If you’re a current student or want to dig deeper in this area of study, here are some additional resources for you to explore.
Visit the Department of Biological and Health Sciences website for more information about our majors, minors, faculty, scholarships and awards, research opportunities, and more.
View the Wheaton College catalog for specific degree requirements and course descriptions.