Applied Health Sciences Track

Boston has a long history of firsts in health care. Doctors at Massachusetts General Hospital pioneered the use of anesthetic in 1846. Researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology partnered with the Shriner’s Burn Institute to develop artificial skin. In 1832, Brigham and Women’s Hospital opened one of the country’s earliest maternity clinics. And today, the tradition of medical excellence continues, which is probably why the healthcare industry is one of the largest—and fastest-growing—segments of Boston’s economy.

Students gain valuable background in subjects such as biology, physiology, sociology, and ethics in relation to the health industry, pursuing internships in local healthcare organizations.

Summer 1: The Academic Phase
(May 19 – June 26, 2009)

The dates for the 2010 program have not been announced yet. Please check back on December 15 for next summer's information.

You’ll spend your first six weeks of the Summer Study Internship Program taking two 4-credit courses chosen from the following offerings in applied health sciences. The course section has course descriptions and schedules.

Select Two:

  • CAS AN 102 Human Behavioral Biology and Evolution

    • Biology relevant to the behavioral sciences. Introduces basic principles of evolutionary biology, animal social behavior, primate adaptations, human origins, genetic/hormonal/neural bases of behavior, and issues of human socioecology and adaptations. Discussions highlight nature-versus-nurture issues.   [ 4 cr.]

    Offered: Summer 1 2009

    Section Type Instructor Location Days Times
    SA1 IND Annear SMG 220 T, R 1:00 PM - 4:30 PM
  • CAS BI 106 Human Anatomy

    • Primarily for students in allied health sciences; not for biology concentration credit. Structure of the body: skeletal, muscular, nervous, respiratory, circulatory, digestive, urinary, and reproductive systems. Laboratory dissection required. Students must register for two sections: lecture and laboratory.   [ 4 cr.]

    Prereq: CAS BI 105; or equivalent.

    Offered: Summer 1 2009

    Section Type Instructor Location Days Times
    SA1 LEC Patt KCB 103 T, W, R 9:30 AM - 12:00 PM
    SA2 LAB Pasino SCI 448 T, R 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
  • CAS BI 107 Biology I

    • Prereq: A year of high school biology and chemistry is assumed. For premedical students and those who plan to concentrate in the natural sciences. Evolution, ecology, and behavior. The evolution and diversity of life; principles of ecology; behavioral biology. Required of biology concentrators. Students must register for two sections: lecture and laboratory.   [ 4 cr.]

    Offered: Summer 1 2009

    Section Type Instructor Location Days Times
    SA1 LEC Wasserman KCB 106 T, W, R 2:00 PM - 4:30 PM
    SA2 LAB Gardner SCI 303 T, R 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM
  • CAS BI 203 Cell Biology

    • Principles of cellular organization and function: biological molecules, flow of genetic information, membranes and subcellular organelles, and cell regulation. Students must attend both lecture and discussion.   [ 4 cr.]

    Prereq: CAS BI 108 and CAS CH 102; or equivalent.

    Offered: Summer 1 2009

    Section Type Instructor Location Days Times
    SA1 LEC Monette SMG 315 M, W 9:00 AM - 11:30 AM
    SA1 Monette SMG 315 F 9:00 AM - 12:30 PM
  • CAS BI 315 Systems Physiology

    • An introduction to physiological principles applied across all levels of organization (cell, tissue, organ systems). Intended to prepare the student for more advanced courses in physiology. Topics include homeostasis and neural, muscle, cardiopulmonary, renal, endocrine, metabolic, and reproductive physiology. Students must register for two sections: lecture and laboratory.   [ 4 cr.]

    Prereq: CAS BI 108 or CAS BI 118 or ENG BE 209; , and CASCH101 and CASCH102, or equivalent.

    Offered: Summer 1 2009

    Section Type Instructor Location Days Times
    SA1 LEC Blair KCB 104 T, W, F 9:30 AM - 12:00 PM
    SA2 LAB Blair SCI 442 M, R 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM
    SA3 LAB Blair SCI 444 M, R 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM
  • CAS CH 171 Principles of General Chemistry

    • Introduction to chemistry: separation and purification of matter, atomic theory, structure of atoms, molecules and chemical bonding, chemical formulas, equations, stoichiometry; water, solutions, concentration, acids, bases, pH and buffers; gases; reaction kinetics and equilibrium, and radioactivity. Students must register for three sections: lecture, discussion, and laboratory.   [ 4 cr.]

    Offered: Summer 1 2009

    Section Type Instructor Location Days Times
    SA1 LEC Kyte SCI 294 M, T, W, R 1:30 PM - 3:30 PM
    SA2 DIS Kyte SCI 294 M, W 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
    SA3 LAB Kyte SCI 346 T, R 9:30 AM - 12:30 PM
  • CAS PH 251 Medical Ethics

    • Examination of a number of value problems arising within the context of medicine and health care. Particular ethical problems of euthanasia, abortion, human experimentation, reproduction, and allocation of scarce resources; critiques of contemporary medicine as an institution.   [ 4 cr.]

    Prereq: one philosophy course or sophomore standing.

    Offered: Summer 1 2009

    Section Type Instructor Location Days Times
    SA1 IND Richman KCB 107 M, T, R 6:00 PM - 8:30 PM
  • CAS PY 105 Elementary Physics 1

    • Prereq: algebra and trigonometry. Satisfies premedical requirements. Principles of classical physics, mechanics, fundamental concepts of energy, conservation laws, heat, and energy transformation. Students must register for three sections: a lecture section, a discussion section, and a laboratory section.   [ 4 cr.]

    Offered: Summer 1 2009

    Section Type Instructor Location Days Times
    SA1 LEC Skocpol SCI 107 M, T, W, R, F 9:00 AM - 10:30 AM
    SA2 DIS Skocpol PRB 150 T, R 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM
    SA3 DIS Skocpol PRB 150 W, F 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM
    SA4 DIS Skocpol PRB 146 T, R 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM
    SA6 LAB Skocpol SCI B23 W, F 10:30 AM - 1:00 PM
    SA7 LAB Skocpol SCI B23 T, R 10:30 AM - 1:00 PM
    SA8 LAB Skocpol SCI B23 T, R 1:00 PM - 3:30 PM
    SA9 LAB Skocpol SCI B23 T, R 3:30 PM - 6:00 PM
    SL5 LAB Skocpol SCI B23 W, F 1:00 PM - 3:30 PM
  • CAS SO 215 Sociology of Health Care

    • Social, cultural, and intercultural factors in health and illness. Training and socialization of medical professionals, roots of medical power and authority, organization and operation of health care facilities. U.S. healthcare system and its main problems. Comparison of health care systems in the U.S. and in other countries.   [ 4 cr.]

    Offered: Summer 1 2009

    Section Type Instructor Location Days Times
    SA1 IND Guseva SOC B65 M, W 1:00 PM - 4:30 PM
  • MET SO 533 Sociology of Medicine

    • Research and substantive findings in the sociology and social psychology of health, disease, and medical practice; particular reference to institutional provision for health.   [ 4 cr.]

    Offered: Summer 1 2009

    Section Type Instructor Location Days Times
  • SAR HS 251 Human Nutrition Science

    • An introduction to the science of nutrition for students with college-level preparation in the life sciences. Basic information regarding carbohydrates, protein, fats, vitamins, and minerals is presented. Issues such as eating disorders, the role of diet in the development of chronic diseases, and diet and exercise are reviewed. The development and practical implementation of current dietary advice is discussed. A critical approach to the evaluation of scientific data is emphasized.   [ 4 cr.]

    Prereq: college-level course in biology/physiology.

    Offered: Summer 1 2009

    Section Type Instructor Location Days Times
    SA1 IND Durschlag SAR 104 T, R 11:00 AM - 2:30 PM
  • SAR HS 342 Clinical Exercise Physiology

    • Application of physiological principles under different exercise conditions. Integration of the body systems in performance of exercise, work and sports; immediate and long range effects of these activities on the body. Laboratory includes the measurement of physiological parameters under exercise conditions.   [ 4 cr.]

    Prereq: CAS BI 211; or consent of instructor.

    Offered: Summer 1 2009

    Section Type Instructor Location Days Times
    SA1 LEC Burgess SAR 102 M, W 4:30 PM - 8:00 PM
    SA1 LAB Burgess ARR -
  • SAR HS 542 Exercise Physiology

    • Application of physiological principles under different exercise conditions. Integration of the body systems in performance of exercise, work and sports; immediate and long-range effects of these activities on the body. Laboratory includes the measurement of physiological parameters under extreme conditions.   [ 4 cr.]

    Prereq: human physiology or consent of instructor

    Offered: Summer 1 2009

    Section Type Instructor Location Days Times
    SA1 LEC Burgess SAR 102 M, W 4:30 PM - 8:00 PM
    SA1 LAB Burgess ARR -
  • SAR HS 551 Human Nutrition Science

    • An introduction to the science of nutrition. Basic information regarding carbohydrates, protein, fats, vitamins, and minerals is presented. Issues such as eating disorders, the role of diet in the development of chronic diseases, and diet and exercise are reviewed. The development and practical implementation of current dietary advice is discussed. A critical approach to the evaluation of scientific data is emphasized.   [ 4 cr.]

    Prereq: College-level course in biology/physiolgy.

    Offered: Summer 1 2009

    Section Type Instructor Location Days Times
    SA1 IND Durschlag SAR 104 T, R 11:00 AM - 2:30 PM

Summer 2: The Internship Phase (July 6 – August 14, 2009)

The dates for the 2010 program have not been announced yet. Please check back on December 15 for next summer's information.

For the second six weeks of the program, you’ll be placed as an intern in a Boston-area organization or business that matches your interests and experience. You should expect to work five days a week for a minimum of 35 hours.

Applied Health Sciences Internship Opportunities

Internship placement opportunities are available at healthcare organizations; educational institutions; non-profit organizations; clinics; occupational therapy and physical therapy centers; hospitals; counseling services; research laboratories; and government and social service providers and policy institutes.

Internship Placement

  • Guaranteed internship placement for 35 hours a week
  • Internship matches are based on your interests, abilities, and experience
  • All internship sites are accessible by public transportation
  • Visit our Placement Process page for additional information

Summer Study Internship Course (May 22 – August 11, 2009)

The dates for the 2010 program have not been announced yet. Please check back on December 15 for next summer's information.

Throughout the 12 weeks of the Summer Study Internship Program, you will participate in a required 2-credit Summer Study Internship Course. This course serves as a means of preparing you for the internship and provides support as you adjust to a new workplace. It will also provide you with an opportunity to explore links between your academic coursework and your work experience.

You’ll have a faculty advisor and a shared forum with other interns to address your expectations, goals, and challenges as an intern. In the Internship Course, you will continue to develop as a professional by addressing topics such as workplace culture, networking skills, and self-assessment.

Internship Profile

Student: Jennifer Brancato
Courses: Women and Health in the 21st Century, Human Infectious Disease: From AIDS to Tuberculosis
Internship Site: Boston Biomedical Research

On the Job: The laboratory I worked in conducts cancer research and also explores the healing potential of regenerative biology. I was able to contribute to the lab’s mission by learning and implementing experimental techniques such as genotyping, RNA isolation, and Western blot so that I could participate in laboratory research. I also learned how to use an echocardiograph to observe the hearts of live mice before and after surgery.

Perspectives: After I graduate I plan to do research before applying to medical school. This program was perfect because it taught me many of the skills I will need, and it helped me to take advantage of Boston’s many opportunities for students in the medical and biomedical fields.