College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
Search Close Search
Give
Toggle Menu

Major in integrated health sciences

Two students work in a research lab with goggles and lab coats

Your flexible path to a future in health care

photo of student with arm hooked up to a vitals machine

The Bachelor of Science degree in integrated health sciences prepares you for a future in health care. You’ll study health and wellness from all angles – anatomy, genetics, nutrition, statistics, the humanities, and more – while having the freedom and flexibility to dig deep into your unique interests.

Choose from one of five specialized tracks to chart your future:

  • Science of health and disease
  • Human health and nutrition
  • Data science and human studies
  • Public policy, ethics, communications, and human health
  • Behavioral and mental health studies

There’s a growing demand for human health professionals in Iowa and nationwide. With a degree in integrated health sciences, you can pursue medical or health services management, medicine, public health, genetic or medical counseling, physician assistant, insurance industry specialist, policymaking, and more.

Two students in a lab looking over results on computer screen

Where passions and plans merge

We designed this degree with help from real students, parents, doctors, physical therapists, and others. You’ll gain a holistic health care education built on Iowa State’s strengths in science, technology, and the humanities. Whether you want to launch your career right after graduation or apply to medical or professional school, you’ll be ready with a comprehensive understanding of health care’s real-world complexities.

What classes you will take

Every student in the major completes a core curriculum with classes in life sciences, behavior and social sciences, data sciences, and the humanities. Learn to apply knowledge from biology, chemistry, genetics, nutrition, health and wellness, statistics, social sciences, and other disciplines.

You’ll also take a combination of required and elective courses specific to your track and choose a small number of credits from other tracks.

  • 31 core credits for all integrated health sciences majors
  • 7-9 required credits in your track
  • 6-16 elective credits in your track
  • 9 credits you pick from any other tracks

As you refine your interests, you can always choose to change tracks. You’ll be able to stay in health care and stay on track for graduation.

A career that grows with you

  • 15%

    health care occupational growth projected from 2021-2031 (Bureau of Labor Statistics)

Where hands-on experience creates impact

Every track has flexible opportunities for real-world learning. Do undergraduate research in a bionics lab developing assistive technologies. Intern with physical therapists at McFarland Clinic. Participate in student organizations like Data Science Club, or explore health policy through a capstone project. No matter your interests, you’ll find your impact.

In the news

Stethoscope resting on a page layout of graphical data

A bold new approach to health education

Iowa State’s innovative new degree in integrated health sciences will prepare students for health care professions through a unique blend of coursework. The program is the first undergraduate degree in Iowa to offer a fully integrated, interdisciplinary approach to health sciences with courses in science, data science, and the humanities.

More information

Enrollment begins in Fall 2025. Prospective students interested in learning more should contact Yanhai Yin (yin@iastate.edu), professor and chair of the Department of Genetics, Development, and Cell Biology.