Results

1. Health Science Major Requirements

It is stated in the major requirements that in order to graduate with a health
science degree from CSUF the only English class you must take is either a
technical writing class, or an advanced writing class. According to (Cal
State University, Fullerton)[CSUF], 2011) health science majors at CSUF
are taught how to bridge the gap between science, and having the
capability to teach this science in order to improve every day life styles.
2. CSUFs Online Class Catalog
As stated earlier in the methods section, the only English class required of
health science students is either technical writing or advanced college
writing. In the course catalog I was able to find descriptions of the classes
required by the department. Also, only one of these classes needs to be
taken to graduate:
Advanced College Writing (3) Prerequisite: ENGL 101. Writing
expository prose for non- English majors. Precision in
development of individual style by concentration on matters of
diction, audience, emphasis and persuasion. (CSUF 2011)

Scientific and Technical Writing (3) Scientific and professional

writing and editing, with attention to outlines and abstracts,
description, process explanation, instructions and fundamentals of
reports, feasibility studies, proposals, internal memos and letters.
(CSUF 2011)
The only class offered on campus that involves some type of presenting is
the basic public speaking clas. Although according to the catalog this class
mostly focuses on getting over stage fright (CSUF 2011).
3. In Person Interview With a Health Science Professor
The first of three interviews was done with a health science professor at
CSUF. I asked her what form of communication or genre of writing she
used the most in her career. She said that power point presentations are
what she uses the most. She went on to say that without power point
presentations her job would be much harder. These presentations help her
to communicate with her students effectively (Munoz, personal
communication, November 6, 2013). This professor also graduated from
CSUF with a degree in health science. I asked her if when she graduated
she felt like she was prepared enough to create and give major
presentations to groups of people. She responded with Most definitely
not, I wish I had studied the art of power point and had mastered how to
create and give presentations. I think these skills are key to be successful

not only as a teacher but as any health professional. (Munoz, personal

communication, November 6, 2014).
4. In Person Interview With a Cal Sate Fullerton Health Educator
One of the careers a health science degree prepares you for is health
educator. For this reason I spoke to Ms. Darst, a health educator on
campus. I asked her what type of communication she uses most often in
her career. Like the professor she said that she uses power point
presentations very often. She also mentioned that email is another form of
communication she uses constantly. (Darst, personal communication,
November 3, 2014) Ms. Darst oversees many health science students who
intern for the health center. I asked her if from what she could tell, these
students would be able to effectively create and give presentations by the
time they graduate. She said that her interns have had very poor presenting
skills. She went on to say that she didnt see how these skills could be
greatly improved with the curriculum that is currently in place (Darst,
personal communication, November 3, 2014).
5. In Person Interview With a Cal Sate Fullerton Graduate Student Intern
Lastly, I spoke to Amy, a graduate student on campus who had earlier
graduated from CSUF with a health science degree. I asked Amy if when
she entered her career she felt prepared creating and presenting power
point presentations. She responded with, Giving presentation is
something that has never been easy for me. I took the basic public

speaking class but after that I never had to stand up in front of a group
again. I wish I had had more guidance prior to graduating so that I didnt
have to work so hard to catch up after I had gotten a job. (Amy, personal
communication, November 5, 2011).

References
Cal State University, Fullerton, (2011) PDF Catalog. Retrieved from
http://www.fullerton.edu/catalog/
Cal State University, Fullerton, (2011) Department of Health Science. Major
Requirements. Retrieved from
http://hhd.fullerton.edu/hesc/undergrad/bs.html