Wellness and Alternative Medicine: Curriculum

The wellness and alternative medicine (WAM) academic curriculum includes courses in the behavioral, health and physical sciences. All WAM majors take core courses in sociology, anthropology and psychology that focus on approaches to and understandings of health and healing from scientific, historical and cross-cultural perspectives. Courses in biology, chemistry, anatomy, physiology, nutrition and research methods are also required.

WAM Core Courses

Students take all courses in the core with the exception of those grouped courses marked with an asterisk* below where students generally choose one course.

ANS-1010

Contemporary Health Issues

3

AHS-4110

Psychophysiology of Stress

3

ANT-4020

Multicultural Studies of Healing

3

BIO-2011

Human Anatomy and Physiology I

4

BIO-2012

Human Anatomy and Physiology II

4

BIO-3180

Nutrition

3

CHE-1031

General Chemistry I

4

SOC-1040

Integrative Wellness & Health Professional Series

1

SOC-3080

Wellness & Alternative Medicine

3

SOC-3230

Alternative Medicine, Science, and Disease

3

 

                                                                                              

ANT/SOC/AHS                                                      Credits

SOC-2810/4810

Internship

1

SOC-4740

Senior Integrative Healthcare Seminar

1

 

Behavioral  Sciences*                                                            (Choose one: ANT-1010 or Psy 1010 or SOC-1010)                                                                                        Credits

ANT-1010

Introduction to Cultural Anthropology

3

PSY-1010

Introduction to Psychology

3

SOC 1010

Introduction to Sociology

3

 

Biological Sciences*                                                              (Choose either BIO-1210 or BIO-1211, and BIO-1212)                                                                                 Credits

BIO-1210

Introduction to Biology

4

BIO-1211

Introduction to Biology: Ecology and Evolution

4

BIO-1212

Introduction to Biology: Cells & Genetic Basis of Life

4

 

Drugs, Herbs and Pharmacology*                              (Choose either SOC-2050 or AHS-3050)                                                                                                      Credits

SOC-2050

Drugs, Herbs, and Society

3

AHS-3050

Introduction to Pharmacology

3

 

Health Diversity, Global Health Policy, Spirituality and Consciousness*                                                   

(Choose one: SOC-4030 or ANT-3020)     

                                                                          Credits

SOC-4030

Global Health, Diversity and Policy

3

ANT-3020

Global Healing, Consciousness and Religion

3

 

CORE TOTAL                                                          46-47

 

You can then choose courses relevant to your career choice or personal health and wellness goals. Below are some recommended elective course selections for specific academic and career interests.

WAM Advising Models

Mind-Body Health and Wellness Focus:Suggested Courses

For future careers in massage, reiki, yoga, biofeedback, herbalism, meditation

                                                                         Credits

AHS 2010 Mindfulness Meditation 3
AHS 2130 Lifetime Health and Fitness 3
AHS 3010 Therapeutic Massage 3
DAN 3032 Body Awareness 3
INT 3130 Compassion and You: Mahayana Buddhism 3
PSY 3330 Psychology of Addictions 3
ANT 4010 Anthropology of Death 3
PSY 4010 Biological Psychology (if not taken as core) 3
AHS 4010

Psychophysiology of Stress

(if not taken as core)

3

 

Public Health and Epidemiology Focus: Suggested Courses

For future careers in health maintenance organizations, health insurance, state and federal health agencies, research agencies such as the FDA, NIH, CDSD and global health organizations such as the WHO

                                                                                                  Credits

SOC 2050 Drugs, Herbs and Society (if not taken as core) 3
SOC 4030 Global Health Diversity and Policy (if not taken as core) 3
ANT 3020 Global Health, Consciousness and Religion (if not taken as core) 3
SOC 3020 Environmental Sociology 3
POS 3050 Environmental Ethics and Politics 3
SOC 3060 Sexuality, Intimacy and Wellness 3
ANT 3130 Culture and Personality 3
BIO 3280 Environmental Toxicology 4
ANT 4010 Anthropology of Death 3
ENV 4010 Global Environmental Issues prerequisite: ENV 1110) 3
SOC 4010 Family Violence and Community Health 3

 

Pre-Clinical Professional Studies: Suggested Courses

For future careers as naturopaths, chiropractors, acupuncturists, physicians, nurses, pharmacists, pharmacy representatives, registered dieticians, veterinarians, nurse practitioners, midwives and homeopaths

                                                                          Credits

CHE 1031 General Chemistry I 4
CHE 1032 General Chemistry II 4
PHY 1041 Physics I 4
PHY 1042 Physics II 4
BIO 2010 Cell and Molecular Biology 4
PSY 2070 Developmental Psychology 3
AHS 3050 Introduction to Pharmacology (if not taken as core) 3
CHE 3111 Organic Chemistry I 4
CHE 3112 Organic Chemistry II 4
BIO 3220 Genetics 4
BIO 3125 Biological Chemistry 4

 

Design Your Own Focus: Suggested Courses

                                                                                                 Credits

ANT/SOC 4730 Topical Seminars: Intensive study with visiting professors or one-time courses in wellness, alternative or integrative medicine 1 - 12
ANT/AHS/SOC 48120 Internship: Students may explore practical professional certifications with selected schools, investigate career opportunities with health care professionals or explore options in the healing arts 1 -12