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    Health Sciences

    WHERE CAREERS IN HEALTHCARE BEGIN

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    Start Your Healthcare Career with Purpose

    Ready to make a difference? Health Sciences is more than a degree—it’s your first step toward a meaningful career in the health field. Our program includes a flexible curriculum that blends biology, chemistry, nutrition, and math to build a strong understanding of how the human body works. Graduates are hired in entry-level roles such as personal aide, psychiatric technician, patient health navigator, laboratory technician, healthcare assistant, educator, or administrator. This pathway is an ideal option for students with a non-science Bachelor’s Degree looking to transition into healthcare and a solid foundation for advanced study or transfer to a university.

    “Earning my AS in Health Sciences provided a strong foundation in scientific knowledge and played a pivotal role in my career transition. It opened the door to new

    opportunities and allowed me to secure a position in research development!” - A.M., Health Sciences Alumni

    “Achieving my AS in Health Sciences has provided the foundational education I needed to gain employment in the healthcare and biotech industry. It helped me develop critical skills to succeed in various roles throughout my career.” - A.J., Health Sciences Alumni

    Build a Rewarding and In-Demand Career in Healthcare!

    A strong foundation in health science is critical for roles in public health, case management, and wellness education.

    Community Social Services (COSER)

    Gain a foundation in human health that’s essential for roles in public health, case management, and wellness education.

    Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)

    Knowledge of the human body and critical care is essential for successful EMT training.

    Genomics (Biosciences)

    A Health Sciences degree is an exceptional foundation for future studies in genetic research and biotechnology.

    Histotechnology (Biosciences)

    Biological science and lab experience is ideal preparation for specialized training in tissue analysis and lab work.

    Medical Assisting

    Knowledge of biology and health is essential for roles in wellness education, case management, and public health.                         

    Microscopy (Biosciences)

    The biological understanding and technical skills you'll develop are vital for future work in laboratory imaging and analysis.

    Nursing

    The Health Sciences degree satisfies the core science requirements (like anatomy, physiology, and microbiology) for ADN and BSN programs.

    Nutrition & Dietetics

    The foundational science and nutrition courses covered align with Merritt's dietetics program, including transfer and technician pathways.

    Radiologic Sciences

    A scientific background is critical for this competitive program, and with a Health Sciences degree, you'll cover key prerequisites.

     

    High School Students: Get a head start with Dual Enrollment!
    Talk to a Counselor for more information.

    Associate of Science
    Health Sciences
    18-26 Major units + 21 General Education units + 13-21 Elective units

    Required Courses (Select 18-26 units from the courses below):

    Choose two:

    • BIOL 2 Human Anatomy (5 units)
    • BIOL 3 Microbiology (5 units) 
    • BIOL 4 Human Physiology (5 units) 
    • BIOL 10 Introduction to Biology (4 units) 
    • BIOL 20A Human Anatomy & Physiology (5 units)
    • BIOL 20B Human Anatomy and Physiology (5 units)
    • BIOL 24 Basic Human Anatomy and Physiology (4 units)

    Choose one:

    • CHEM 1A General Chemistry (5 units)
    • CHEM 30A Introductory General Chemistry (4 units)

    Choose one:

    • BIOSC 101 Theory and Practice of Microscopy (6 units) 
    • HLTED 1 Exploring Health Issues (3 units) 
    • HLTOC 101 Medical Terminology (3 units) 
    • NUTR 10 Nutrition 4 (this course is the same as BIOL 31 at College of Alameda and BIOL 28 at Laney College) (4 units)
    • PSYC C1000 Introduction to Psychology (3 units)

    Choose one:

    • BIOSC 105 Introduction to Quantitative Analysis in Bioscience (5 units) 
    • MATH 1 Pre-Calculus (4 units) 
    • MATH 3A Calculus I (5 units) 
    • MATH 15 Mathematics for Liberal Arts Students (3 units) 
    • MATH 16A Calculus for Business & Life & Social Sciences (4 units) 
    • MATH 50 Trigonometry (3 units) 
    • STAT C1000 Introduction to Statistics (4 units)

    To qualify for the Associate’s Degree, students must also:

    • Complete a minimum of 21 units in local AA/AS General Education requirements
    • Earn at least 12 of the 60 total units at Merritt College
    • Have any courses completed outside Peralta Community College District evaluated for degree applicability
    • If General Education and Major requirements do not total 60 units, take additional degree-applicable electives to meet the requirements

    Contact Information

    Gisele Giorgi

    Biosciences Program Co-Director
    Dr. Gisele Giorgi
    Building S-417
    ggiorgi@peralta.edu
    (510) 436-2618

    Feather Ives

    Biosciences Program Co-Director
    Feather Ives
    fives@peralta.edu

    Diane Chang

    Interim Dean of Math, Science, Technology & Allied Health
    Diane Chang
    Bldg. S-441
    dtchang@peralta.edu
    (510) 436-2426

    Counselors

    Tanya Ilarde
    CE Counseling Office
    Building S | Room 438
    (510) 434-3938
    MCCareerEd@peralta.edu

    Marlo Beall
    CE Counseling Office
    Building S | Room 438
    (510) 434-3938
    MCCareerEd@peralta.edu

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    Start Today

    Becoming a student at Merritt College is easy. Use the link below to take the first step. Need help? Visit the Welcome Center.

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