Five College Program in Culture, Health, and Science : Certificate Requirements

Certificate Requirements

The Five College Certificate in Culture, Health, and Science complements a traditional disciplinary major by allowing students to deepen their knowledge of human health, disease, and healing through an interdisciplinary focus. Under the guidance of CHS faculty advisors on each campus, students choose a sequence of courses available within the five colleges, and identify an independent project that will count toward the Certificate. The Certificate is designed to foster holistic, biocultural, interdisciplinary understandings of health and disease.

Requirements:

The certificate consists of coursework and an independent project. Four semesters of a foreign language is strongly suggested, although not required.

Coursework

Satisfactory completion of 7 courses is necessary to receive the CHS Certificate. You must receive a grade "B" or better in each of the 7 courses for it to count toward the certificate.

You can take courses from any of the five college campuses. You must take one course from each of the six categories. No course may be used to satisfy more than one category.

Below is the list of courses that were Ever-Approved to meet the requirements. Some of these courses may no longer be offered. A course currently offered may not meet the requirements even if its title is similar to a course listed here. Sometimes, a course that qualified for Certificate credit in the past may no longer qualify because the course content is no longer suitable or because it is being taught by an instructor who prefers that the course not be listed. If you notice a course missing that should be on this list, please notify us at chs@fivecolleges.edu. To qualify for CHS credit, a course should have at least 30% of its content devoted to human health issues, broadly defined.

[NOTE For the most up-to-date list of courses, please view this PDF file of ever-approved courses. The links below are in the process of being revised, but they will be completed during the week of 4/13/08).]

The six categories are:

I: Biocultural Approaches

Courses providing an overview of biocultural and comparative approaches to human health and disease.

II: Mechanisms of Disease Transmission

Courses on mechanisms and transmission of health and disease within individuals and populations.

III: Population, Health, and Disease

Courses emphasizing the relationship between social, behavioral, economic and other aggregate population forces and human health and disease.

IV: Healers and Treatment

Courses on the organization, interpretation, and function of healers and treatment.

V: Ethics and Philosophy

Courses emphasizing structures of knowledge about health or health care decision making, including ethical and philosophical foundations.

VI: Research Design and Analysis

Research design and methods courses exposing students to concepts of evidence, data collection, research ethics, measurement, and analysis.

If possible, it is best to begin with courses in Categories I and II.

It is recommended, but not required, that at least one of your courses expose you to knowledge of health and disease processes at the level of the population (those marked with a *P).

And finally, at least 4 courses must be above the introductory level.

Independent Research Project

The Certificate requires the completion of an independent project such as an internship, thesis, Division III project, course project, independent study, or other activity. You work with your campus CHS advisor to develop a project that satisfies both the Certificate requirements and your own interests.

Foreign Language

Although not required, training in a foreign language may be necessary for students seeking internships or summer research positions.

The Certificate Checklist (accessible through the link below, which opens a PDF document) is a helpful document that will help you keep track of what courses you need and what courses you have fulfilled. When you complete the requirements for the CHS Certificate, take the completed Certificate Checklist to your CHS campus advisor along with a copy of your transcript.

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Kahn, Fritz. Das Leben des Menschen…(The Life of Man) Vol 5. Stuttgart, 1931. National Library of Medicine.	Certificate Requirements The Five College Certificate in Culture, Health, and Science complements a traditional disciplinary major by allowing students to deepen their knowledge of human health, disease, and healing through an interdisciplinary focus. Under the guidance of CHS faculty advisors on each campus, students choose a sequence of courses available within the five colleges, and identify an independent project that will count toward the Certificate. The Certificate is designed to foster holistic, biocultural, interdisciplinary understandings of health and disease. Requirements: The certificate consists of coursework and an independent project. Four semesters of a foreign language is strongly suggested, although not required. Coursework Satisfactory completion of 7 courses is necessary to receive the CHS Certificate. You must receive a grade "B" or better in each of the 7 courses for it to count toward the certificate. You can take courses from any of the five college campuses. You must take one course from each of the six categories. No course may be used to satisfy more than one category. Below is the list of courses that were Ever-Approved to meet the requirements. Some of these courses may no longer be offered. A course currently offered may not meet the requirements even if its title is similar to a course listed here. Sometimes, a course that qualified for Certificate credit in the past may no longer qualify because the course content is no longer suitable or because it is being taught by an instructor who prefers that the course not be listed. If you notice a course missing that should be on this list, please notify us at chs@fivecolleges.edu. To qualify for CHS credit, a course should have at least 30% of its content devoted to human health issues, broadly defined. [NOTE For the most up-to-date list of courses, please view this PDF file of ever-approved courses. The links below are in the process of being revised, but they will be completed during the week of 4/13/08).] The six categories are: I: Biocultural Approaches Courses providing an overview of biocultural and comparative approaches to human health and disease. II: Mechanisms of Disease Transmission Courses on mechanisms and transmission of health and disease within individuals and populations. III: Population, Health, and Disease Courses emphasizing the relationship between social, behavioral, economic and other aggregate population forces and human health and disease. IV: Healers and Treatment Courses on the organization, interpretation, and function of healers and treatment. V: Ethics and Philosophy Courses emphasizing structures of knowledge about health or health care decision making, including ethical and philosophical foundations. VI: Research Design and Analysis Research design and methods courses exposing students to concepts of evidence, data collection, research ethics, measurement, and analysis. If possible, it is best to begin with courses in Categories I and II. It is recommended, but not required, that at least one of your courses expose you to knowledge of health and disease processes at the level of the population (those marked with a P). And finally, at least 4 courses must be above the introductory level. Independent Research Project* The Certificate requires the completion of an independent project such as an internship, thesis, Division III project, course project, independent study, or other activity. You work with your campus CHS advisor to develop a project that satisfies both the Certificate requirements and your own interests. Foreign Language Although not required, training in a foreign language may be necessary for students seeking internships or summer research positions. The Certificate Checklist (accessible through the link below, which opens a PDF document) is a helpful document that will help you keep track of what courses you need and what courses you have fulfilled. When you complete the requirements for the CHS Certificate, take the completed Certificate Checklist to your CHS campus advisor along with a copy of your transcript. More Information download file >