Bachelor of Health

General Information

The Bachelor of Health is a four‐year interdisciplinary program that provides students with interdisciplinary knowledge, the specific skills necessary for success in a variety of careers in the health sector and will prepare them for professional programs and associated entrance exams. The program features core courses that allow students to engage with biomedical, societal approaches to health and wellness, and the management of healthcare services. Throughout the program, students complete specifically designed courses that provide interdisciplinary perspectives and present innovative approaches to health. In the first year of the program, students complete disciplinary courses relevant to all three majors as well as introductory, interdisciplinary health courses. Students select one of the following three majors: 1) Society and Health, 2) Management in Health, or 3) Biomedical Sciences and Health. Each major consists of disciplinary courses relating to the major and topical courses in health fostering academic exchanges on broadly applicable topics in health from different perspectives. In years three and four, students complete their major requirements and advanced health courses. In the fourth year, students complete a two‐term project that focuses on solutions of health‐related issues through interdisciplinary collaboration or an honours thesis. Students inthe Faculties of Arts, Business, Science, Applied Science, and Engineering can complete a 24ch Minor in Health Research..

Students are encouraged to meet with an academic advisor every year to assess their progression through the program. For information on admissions and university regulations, please consult section B of the University calendar.

Requirements
To earn the degree in Bachelor of Health, students must successfully complete a minimum of 120 credit hours with a minimum grade of C in required HEAL courses and required courses for the major. A grade of D will be considered for program credit only in certain circumstances.
Students are responsible for ensuring that they have completed the necessary prerequisites for the required courses and required electives.

  1. Required courses for the degree in the Bachelor of Health (57 ch):
BA 1501 How Business Works (3 ch)
One of: BIOL 1205 Biological Principles, Part II (3ch) or HEAL 1101 Biology of Disease*  
One of: CHEM 1041 General Chemistry I (3ch) or CHEM 1831 What on Earth Isn't Chemistry (3ch) 
NOTE: Students who do not have high school Chemistry should take [CHEM 1831 + CHEM 1046 and CHEM 1872 + CHEM 1877] to substitute for the requirement for [CHEM 1041 + CHEM 1046 and CHEM 1072 + CHEM 1077].
HEAL 1001 Current Issues and Future Trends in Health (3 ch)
HEAL 1002 Introduction to Health from a Global Perspective (3 ch)
HEAL 2001 Health Communications (3 ch)
HEAL 2002 Introduction to Data Analytics and Health Information (3 ch)
HEAL 2003 Methods in Health Research and Information Literacy (3 ch)
HEAL 3001 History and Structure of the Canadian Health Care System (3 ch)
HEAL 3002 Indigenous Health Determinants (3 ch)
HEAL 3007 Applied Bioethics in Health (3ch) 
HEAL 4001 Transformation Through Collaboration and Innovation I (3 ch) or HEAL 4005 Designing a Research Proposal (3ch) 
HEAL 4002 Transformation Through Collaboration and Innovation II (3 ch) or HEAL 4006 Honours Thesis (3ch) 
One of: HIST 2514 First Nations in North America to the War of 1812 (3 ch) or INDG 1003 Introduction to Indigenous Studies (3 ch) or SOCI 2008 Sociological Approaches for Understanding Indigenous Experiences (3ch)
PSYC 1003 Introductory Psychology I (3 ch)
PSYC 1004 Introductory Psychology II (3 ch)
SOCI 1001 Introduction to Sociology (3 ch)
SOCI 2376 Sociology of Health, Illness and Healing (3 ch)
STAT 1793 Introduction to Probability and Statistics I (3ch)
Plus the specific requirements for the chosen major.
*Note*: Students planning on majoring in Biomedical Sciences and Health should complete BIOL 1205 as a prerequisite for major requirements. 

Major in Society and Health

The Society and Health major will attract students seeking knowledge and skills to prepare for careers in health services, public health, recreational services as well as professional programs. The program requires a total of 120ch in Required Courses, Required Electives, and General Electives. 

  • Required courses for the major (30 ch): (please note that prerequisites may apply):
HEAL 2501 Leadership in Health (3ch) 
HEAL 3301 Fundamentals of Public Health (3ch) 
One of: HEAL 3104 Introduction to Epidemiology (3ch) or HEAL 3004 Implementation Science(3ch)  
HIST 1701 The Medical Experience (3ch) 
One of: COMS 1002 Media, Truth, and the Social Sphere, COMS 2001, Transformations in Media, OR HUM 1021 Effective Writing I (3ch)   
One of: HIST 2701 Canadian Healthcare (3ch)
One of: POLS 1201 Introduction to Canadian Politics I (3 ch) or POLS 1301 Global Political Studies (3 ch)
One of: POLS 3632 Politics and the City (3ch) or POLS 3685 Politics of Food (3ch)
One of: PSYC 3033 Health Psychology (3ch), PSYC 3322 Psychological Health in the Community (3ch), or PSYC 3416 Psychology of Happiness (3ch) 
One of: SOCI 3325 The Sociology of Disability (3ch), SOCI 3376 Mental Health (3ch), Addictions and Wellbeing, or SOCI 4026 Social Policy in Canada (3ch)

REQUIRED ELECTIVES (18ch) (please note that prerequisites may apply):

Students must complete 18ch from the two groups of courses below. It is recommended that 9ch are selectred from Group 1 and three courses (9ch) from Group 2, unless the student is pursuing a Specialization as noted below. 

Specializations in Society and Health  (18ch):

  • Students pursuing the Specialization in Health Policy in Practice must complete all 18ch of Required Electives from Group 1 
  • Students pursuing the Specialization in Health Complexities in Modern Life must complete all 18ch of Required Electives from Group 2 

Note: Courses cannot be used as both a required course and a required elective

Group 1: Health Policy in Practice 

  • ECON 3813 Health Economics (3ch) 
  • HEAL 3004 Implementation Science (3ch)  
  • HEAL 3005 Child Rights and Child Health (3ch) 
  • HEAL 3104 Introduction to Epidemiology (3ch) 
  • HEAL 3502 AI in Health Settings (3ch) 
  • HEAL 4007 Experiences in Health (3ch) 
  • HEAL 4008 Public Health Data Analysis (3ch)
  • HEAL 4009 Qualitative Design and Analysis (3ch) 
  • HEAL 4012 Topics in Health Research and Evaluation (3ch) 
  • HEAL 4301 Advanced Topics in Society and Health (3ch) 
  • POLS 2301 Politics of the Developing World (3ch) 
  • POLS 3101 Constitutional Politics in Canada (3ch) 
  • POLS 3205 Canadian Provincial Politics (3ch) 
  • POLS 3231 Representation and Recognition in Canadian Politics (3ch) 
  • POLS 3291 Indigenous Goverment in Canada (3ch) 
  • POLS 3501 Public Policy (3ch) 
  • POLS 3632 Politics and the City (3ch) 
  • POLS 3683 Human Rights (3ch) 
  • POLS 3685 The Politics of Food (3ch) 
  • PSYC 4233 Program Evaluation (3ch)  
  • SOCI 4026 Social Policy in Canada (3ch) 
  • Or other electives as approved by the School of Integrated Health.
Group 2: Health Complexities in Modern Life 
  • ENGL 3816 Studies in Indigenous Literature (3ch) 
  • HEAL 3004 Implementation Science (3ch) 
  • HEAL 3104 Introduction to Epidemiology (3ch) 
  • HEAL 3502 AI in Health Settings (3ch) 
  • HEAL 4004 Honours Research Seminar (3ch) 
  • HEAL 4007 Experiences in Health (3ch) 
  • HEAL 4008 Public Health Data Analysis (3ch) 
  • HEAL 4009 Qualitative Design and Analysis (3ch) 
  • HEAL 4012 Topics in Health Research and Evaluation (3ch) 
  • HEAL 4301 Advanced Topics in Society and Health (3ch) 
  • HIST 3674 History of Nursing in Canada (3ch) 
  • HIST 4337 Alcohol, Drugs and Tobacco in North America (3ch)
  • HIST 4381 The Family and the State in North America (3ch) 
  • HIST 4945 Women, Science and Medicine (3ch) 
  • PHIL 3124 Contemporary Moral Problems (3ch) 
  • PHIL 3133 Health Care in Ethics I(3ch) 
  • PSYC 3033 Health Psychology (3ch)  
  • PSYC 3322 Psychological Health in the Community (3ch) 
  • PSYC 3416 Psychology of Happiness (3ch) 
  • SOCI 2008 Sociological Approaches for Understanding Indigenous Experience (3ch) 
  • SOCI 2611 Critical Criminology I (3ch) 
  • SOCI 3325 The Sociology of Disability (3ch) 
  • SOCI 3376 Mental Health, Addictions & Wellbeing (3ch) 
  • SOCI 3614 Critical Criminology II (3ch) 
  • SOCI 3701 Sociology of Urban Life (3ch) 
  • Or other electives as approved by the School of Integrated Health. 

General elective courses (15ch) (please note that prerequisites may apply):
A maximum of 18 ch of General Electives

Major in Management in Health

The major in Management in Health will attract students who are interested in health administration looking to work in the managing of people or processes/systems or in the planning, marketing, financial oversight, and logistical deployment of health services. Opportunities span across the health sector and with insurance companies or within information, legal, public sector, not‐for‐profit or private sectors. The program requires a total of 120ch in Required Courses, Required Electives, and General Electives.

  • Required courses for the major (30 ch)
(please note prerequisites may apply)
BA 1213 Introduction to Financial Accounting  (3 ch)
BA 2217 Accounting for Managers II (3 ch)
BA 2303 Principles of Marketing (3 ch)
BA 2504 Introduction to Organizational Behaviour (3 ch)
BA 2858 Introduction to Human Resources Management (3 ch)
BA 3672 Introduction to Management Information Systems (3ch)
ECON 1013 Introduction to Microeconomics (3 ch)
ECON 3813 Health Economics (3 ch)
HEAL 2501 Leadership in Health (3ch) 
HEAL 3004 Implementation Science (3ch)  
HEAL 3502 AI in Health Settings (3ch) 
  • REQUIRED ELECTIVES (18ch) (please note that prerequisites may apply):
BA 2123 Introduction to Digital Business (3 ch)
BA 2223 Introduction to Managerial Accounting for Managers II (3ch)
BA 2758 Employment Law (3ch)
BA 3225 Intermediate Managerial Accounting (3ch)
BA 3305 Digital Marketing (3 ch)
BA 3425 Managerial Finance (3ch)
BA 3557 Management of Planned Change (3 ch)
BA 3653 Operations Management I (3 ch)
BA 3654 Operations Management II (3 ch)
BA 3661 Supply Chain Management (3 ch)
BA 3813 Introduction to Industrial Relations (3 ch)
BA 4334 Public and Non‐Public Marketing (3 ch)
BA 4813 Negotiations and Dispute Resolutions (3 ch)
BA 4857 Management of Occupational Health and Employee Wellness (3 ch)
ECON 1023 Introduction to Macroeconomics (3ch)
ECON 2013 Intermediate Microeconomics (3 ch)
ECON 2023 Intermediate Macroeconomics (3 ch)
ECON 2213 Poverty, Inequality and Income Redistribution (3 ch)
ECON 3213 Public Sector Economics (3 ch)
ECON 3375 Labour Economics (3 ch)
ECON 3542 Topics in International Developments (3 ch)
ECON 3755 Environmental Economics (3 ch)
HEAL 3301 Fundamentals of Public Health (3ch) 
HEAL 3501 Improving Healthcare Systems (3ch) 
HEAL 4007 Experiences in Health (3ch) 
HEAL 4008 Public Health Data Analysis (3ch) 
HEAL 4009 Qualitative Design and Analysis (3ch)  
HEAL 4012 Topics in Health Research and Evaluation (3ch) 
PSYC 3803 Industrial Psychology of Work (3ch) 
PSYC 4233 Program Evaluation (3ch) 
Or other electives as approved by the School of Integrated Health.
General elective courses (15ch) (please note prerequisites may apply):
A minimum of 15ch of General Electives.

Major in Biomedical Sciences and Health

The Biomedical Sciences and Health major provides students with the knowledge and skills necessary for a variety of careers. Students who complete this major will be prepared for research, medical device sales, and allied health careers. Students in this major will also gain the knowledge necessary to help prepare for professional program entrance exams (medicine, dentistry, etc.). The program requires a total of 128ch in Required Courses, Required Electives, and General Electives.

  •  REQUIRED COURSES (44ch) (please note: prerequisites may apply)
BIOL 1017 Applications in Biology (2ch) 
BIOL 1105 Biological Principles, Part I (3 ch) 
BIOL 3853 Introduction to Pathophysiology (3 ch)
CHEM 1046 Introductory Chemistry Laboratory I (2ch) 
CHEM 1072 General Chemistry II (3 ch) 
CHEM 1077 Introductory Chemistry Laboratory II (2ch) 
CHEM 2411 Organic Chemistry I (3 ch)
HEAL 3004 Implementation Science (3ch) or HEAL 3104 Introduction to Epidemiology (3ch)
PSYC 2712 Foundations in Neuroscience (3 ch)
PSYC 3033 Health Psychology (3 ch)
And 9ch in HEAL courses focused on Biomedical Sciences (courses designated as 3100-3299; 4100-4299)
A minimum of 8 ch of required electives chosen from:
BIOL 2015 Introductory Genetics (4 ch)
BIOL/CHEM 2065 Introductory Biochemistry (4 ch)
BIOL 2245 Introductory Molecular Cell Biology (4 ch)
BIOL 2485 Introduction to Microbiology (4 ch)
  • REQUIRED ELECTIVES (12ch) (please note that prerequisites may apply)
BIOL 1411 Anatomy and Physiology I (3ch) 
BIOL 1412 Anatomy and Physiology II (3ch) 
BIOL 1431 Anatomy and Physiology Lab I (1ch) 
BIOL 1432 Anatomy and Physiology Lab II (1ch
BIOL 2015 Introductory Genetics (4 ch)
BIOL 2065 /CHEM 2065 Introductory Biochemistry (4 ch)
BIOL 2245 Introductory Molecular Cell Biology (4 ch)
BIOL 2485 Introduction to Microbiology (4 ch)
BIOL 3132 Advanced Biochemistry (3 ch)
BIOL 3385 Advanced Microbiology (5ch)
BIOL 3435/CHEM 3435 Biomolecules and Primary Metabolism (3 ch)
BIOL 3553 Introduction to Bioinformatics (4 ch)
CHEM 2406 Organic Chemistry Laboratory I (2ch)
CHEM 2412 Organic Chemistry II II (3ch) 
CHEM 2457 Organic Chemistry Laboratory (2ch) 
CHEM 2605 Introduction to Spectroscopy (4ch) 
CHEM 4435/BIOL 4435 Biologically Active Natural Products and Secondary Metabolism (3 ch)
HEAL 2155/CHEM 2455  Biopharmaceutics (3ch)  
HEAL 2501 Leadership in Health (3ch) 
HEAL 3004 Implementation Science (3ch) 
HEAL 3006 Human Nutrition: Global Issues (3ch)  
HEAL 3101/BIOL 3101 Molecular and Cellular Basis of Cancer (3 ch)
HEAL 3102/PSYC 3724 Neuropsychology (3 ch)
HEAL 3103 Neurobiology of Learning (3 ch)
HEAL 3104 Introduction to Epidemiology (3ch) 
HEAL 3106 Cardiovascular Health and Disease (3ch) 
HEAL 4007 Experiences in Health (3ch) 
HEAL 4008 Public Health Data Analysis (3ch) 
HEAL 4009 Qualitative Design and Analysis (3ch)  
HEAL 4012 Topics in Health Research and Evaluation (3ch) 
HEAL 4101 Advanced Topics in Biomedical Sciences and Health (3 ch)
HEAL 4102 Neuroplasticity (3 ch)
HEAL 4103 The Impact of Epilepsy and Quality of Life (3 ch)
PSYC 2693 Foundations in Perception and Cognition (3 ch)
PSYC 3383 Sensation and Perception (3 ch)
PSYC 3712 Behavioural Neuroscience (3ch)
PSYC 3723 Introduction to Neuropsychology (3ch) 
PSYC 3725 The Dementias (3 ch)
PSYC 3752 Drugs and Behaviour (3 ch)
PSYC 4733 Cognitive Neuroscience (3 ch)
PSYC 4813 Substance Use Disorders (3 ch)
PSYC 4833 Psychopharmacology (3 ch)
Or other electives as approved by the School of Integrated Health. 

GENERAL ELECTIVES (15ch) (please note: prerequisites may apply):
A minimum of 15 ch of General Electives
Note: Students interested in applying to a professional program, such as medical school, should review the program requirements when selecting their elective courses. You may seek assistance from the academic advisor in making a course plan.

Honours 

The Honours Program in Health will be available to all Bachelor of Health (BH) students who meet the honours entrance requirements. Students in the honours program will work closely with a research supervisor to develop a research proposal (Fall term) and conduct independent research (Winter term). In addition, students will be required to complete the Honours Seminar in Health (Fall term). The honours seminar will focus on research methodology, scientific writing, research ethics (animal and human), oral and poster presentation development, and leadership skill development. All honours students will work in consultation with an honours supervisory committee that will include their primary supervisor, independent readers, and the BH honours coordinator. To meet the interdisciplinary goals of the BH, the primary supervisor and independent readers should not have the same research expertise (i.e., be primarily affiliated with the same BH majors). 

Students are responsible for securing a research supervisor. Students can select an honours supervisor and complete an honours research project focused within their major area of study or with an interdisciplinary approach to health. BH honours students will receive their honours degree in their major area: Biomedical Sciences and Health, Management in Health, or Society and Health.

To apply to the honours program, students must have a cumulative grade point average (CGPA) of at least 3.3 at the end of the third year (minimum of 90ch) and have completed one of HEAL 4008 Public Health Data Analysis (3ch), HEAL 4009 Qualitative Design and Analysis (3ch), or HEAL 4012 Topics in Health Research and Evaluation (3ch). Please note that these minimum requirements do not guarantee acceptance into the honours program; admittance is competitive and students must secure a faculty member willing to supervise them. Please note as well, space may be limited. Honours students will complete HEAL 4004 (Honours Research Seminar), HEAL 4005 (Designing a Research Proposal), and HEAL 4006 (Honours Thesis). To graduate with honours, a Cumulative GPA of 3.0 must be maintained.

BH honours students are required to complete all requirements for the BH. For a First-Class Honours designation, a CGPA of 3.6 is required. Enrolment in the honours program is limited and students must submit a completed application to the BH coordinator at the end of their third year of study. The application package will include a completed application form and a personal statement of research interests and career goals. 

Minor in Health Research 

The Minor in Health Research is an 24 ch (eight courses) program designed to provide students with foundational knowledge and skills in health research methodologies, data analysis, and evidence-based practices. This interdisciplinary minor will complement majors in health-related fields, including biology, psychology, or nursing and will benefit students in other areas who are interested in understanding health data and research. 

The Minor in Health Research is not open to students who are currently enrolled in the Bachelor of Health. A minimum grade of C is required in all courses. 

REQUIRED COURSES (12ch):

  • HEAL 1001 Current Issues and Future Trends in Health (3ch)
  • HEAL 2003 Methods in Health Research and Information Literacy or another approved research methods course (3ch)
  • HEAL 3007 Applied Bioethics in Health (3ch)
  • STAT 1793 Introduction to Probability and Statistics 1, or an equivalent course (3ch) 
REQUIRED ELECTIVES (12 ch) Select four courses from the following: 
  • HEAL 1002 Introduction to Health from a Global Perspective (3ch) 
  • HEAL 2001 Health Communication (3ch)
  • HEAL 2002 Introduction to Data Analytics and Health Information (3ch)
  • HEAL 3004 Implementation Science (3ch)
  • HEAL 3104 Introduction to Epidemiology (3ch)
  • HEAL 3301 Fundamentals of Public Health (3ch) 
  • HEAL 4007 Experiences in Health (3ch)
  • HEAL 4008 Public Health Data Analysis (3ch)
  • HEAL 4009 Qualitative Design and Analysis (3ch)
  • HEAL 4012 Topics in Health Research and Evaluation (3ch)
  • Or other electives as approved by the School of Integrated Health.