Health Sciences

Course location/delivery

This certificate is offered fully online.

Brief Description

Modern advances in the basic biomedical sciences have had a tremendous impact on how illness and disease occur or can be prevented at the cellular or molecular level. Central to human disease diagnosis and therapy are a clear understanding of the underlying anatomical, biochemical, histological and neurological alterations and abnormalities that occur at the organ and cellular levels that contribute to these diseases. The disciplines of anatomy, biochemistry, histology and neuroscience are key fields in the advancement of both medical diagnostics and treatment and when combined with the emerging technologies of genomics, proteomics and pharmacogenomics, these topics have profound effects on the diagnosis, monitoring and treatment of many diseases that result from inborn errors in metabolism. Major advances within the past few years in the fields of human genomics, molecular and cellular biology and the neurosciences have had a substantial impact on medical research and clinical care. Initially they were most successfully exploited for determining the causes of genetic diseases and how to control them. However, it is now clear that a more integrated systems approach to both diagnosis and therapy is finding applications in almost every branch of medical practice. It is revolutionizing cancer research, offers new approaches to vaccine development, has spawned a biotechnology industry that is already producing a wide range of diagnostic and therapeutic agents and, in the longer term, promises to play a major role in clarifying the causes of some of the unsolved mysteries of modern medicine including heart disease, hypertension, psychiatric disorders, rheumatic disease and many others. It should also assist in gaining insights into broader aspects of human biology, including development, aging and evolution. Recently, the rapid explosion of available human genomic information has profoundly influenced the biomedical sciences. More medical, biological and health-related practitioners require familiarity with the fundamental aspects of modern medicine that include basic human anatomy, the organization of the many biochemical pathways that control metabolism, tissue structure and neurological alterations to perform their professional duties more efficiently and to gain additional insight into the relevance and applications of modern healthcare practices. Whether the need is academic or professional, familiarity with the many aspects of the basic health sciences, has become an essential component of most biomedical-oriented studies. This certificate provides students with interests in the medical and biological sciences with the necessary coursework for a broad understanding of the principles of human anatomy, biochemistry, histology and neuroscience and their application to modern medical problems.

Credit toward graduate degree

Up to 12 hours of certificate course credits may be applied to a graduate degree with departmental approval.

Standardized tests

GRE testing is not required for admission to the certificate program. However, the GRE is required for admission to the graduate degree programs. International students must submit a TOEFL score when English is not the native language. A minimum score of 550 on the paper-based test or 79 on the web-based test is required.

Admission requirements

1. Have a minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale 2. Have quantitative and qualitative skills as demonstrated by completion of courses in biology and chemistry. MCAT and GRE scores can also be used to demonstrate qualitative and quantitative skills.

Application process

  1. Departmental Approval Form (Please print, sign, and submit this form with all other documents to our office).
  2. Official transcripts
  3. A resume
  4. A 250-word letter of interest stating your objectives in pursuing this course of study

Registration process

First, consult with the certificate program advisor and obtain an electronic course permit if necessary. Then go to http://usfonline.admin.usf.edu/

Tuition and fees

Tuition and Fees

Financial aid

Time limit

Course must be completed within two years.