Health Sciences McMASTER UNIVERSITY
fhs.mcmaster.ca/bhsc
Health Sciences f hs .m cm a st e r. ca / bhsc
The Bachelor of Health Sciences (Honours) Program has a unique interdisciplinary approach to the study of health, wellness and illness. It offers students an understanding of health from biological, behavioural and population-based perspectives, through the integration of foundation and applied sciences.
Inquire Within Health Sciences is the only program in Ontario that draws on the full range of departments within health sciences, including clinical departments of medicine, pathology and molecular medicine, psychiatry and behavioural neurosciences,
unique interdisciplinary program McMaster is known internationally for expertise in the use of problem-based, self-directed learning and the development of leadership qualities integrative approach to the study of health related issues courses that use a variety of learning methods including Inquiry Seminars, designed to develop skills that will facilitate learning and effective participation in students' university experience and future careers state-of-the-art Health Sciences Library small class size allowing for greater contact with professors and increased opportunity for class participation
clinical epidemiology and biostatistics.
exciting curriculum over a four-year program
Exposure to health care practitioners and applied researchers
Level IV students provide peer mentorship to support and guide students in
will lend relevance and scope to the foundation sciences
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Strengths
first year inquiry
through class instruction, which will form the basis of the
Anatomy Lab – use of cadavers for the study of the human body
students’ experiences.
Standardized Patients (actors trained to portray heath care scenarios) provide an interactive learning experience
Health Sciences examines issues from a multi-disciplinary perspective with viewpoints derived from science, engineering, humanities, social sciences and business. The Faculty of Health Sciences is world-renowned for its teaching methods.
Collaboration wins over competition Learning in the Health Sciences Program takes place in an environment conducive to openness and sharing between faculty and students. McMaster’s approach to health sciences emphasizes critical appraisal of information, problem-based learning, interdisciplinary perspectives and practical links between research and clinical problems.
fhs.mcmaster.ca/bhsc/inquiry.html
Inquiry study of health care issues in a small group using a problem-based format facilitator introduces a topic on health care student groups select and research an area of interest pertaining to the topic collect and critically evaluate data followed by group discussion and critical evaluation evaluation includes self reflection and peer group feedback.
Admission Enrolment in the Bachelor of Health Sciences (Honours) Program is limited to 160 students within the first year. We anticipate that most offers will be made in early May. As many as 20 students will be accepted as transfer students in second year. Required Courses: ENG4U One of: MHF4U, MCV4U or MDM4U SCH4U SBI4U One non-math, non-science, non-technology 4U/M course *
We are looking for students who: are interested in understanding ALL aspects of health wish to work independently and in small groups wish to take an active role in their own learning.
A minimum average of 90% to be considered. * Note: Courses in technological education, science or mathematics are not acceptable.
Mandatory Supplementary Application The Supplementary Application is a MANDATORY and CRITICAL component of the admission selection process. We cannot consider you for the program without it.
Application deadline: Thursday, February 3, 2011
The application will provide us with additional information that will help us understand you as an individual beyond your academic achievements. Applicants are encouraged to complete the application as early as possible and read the Supplementary Application Welcome Page posted on the program website. The Supplementary Application is available as an electronic form online at:
fhs.mcmaster.ca/bhsc 3
Level I Course Descriptions Note: The unit value of a particular course is indicated by the last digit of the course code (i.e. 1A06 = 6 units).
Level I Program Total = 30 units Required: 21 units Health Sciences 1E06 – Inquiry Health Sciences 1G03 – Psychobiology Health Sciences 1I06 – Cellular and Molecular Biology Health Sciences 4X03 – Collaboration and Peer Tutoring** Chemistry 1A03 – Introductory Chemistry I Chemistry 1AA3 – Introductory Chemistry II Electives: 9 units Students have the opportunity to explore electives in many subject areas, which can be used to satisfy academic and career goals. Selected electives may lead to graduating with a minor in another subject. Electives available each year. Level II: 9 units
Chemistry 1A03
Health Sciences 1I06
Introductory Chemistry I
Cellular and Molecular Biology
A discussion of chemical fundamentals
Students will explore the molecular basis of
including bonding, structure, reactivity, and
cellular communication (gene expression,
energetics with emphasis on applications
cellular signaling) underlying disease
to health, energy, and the environment.
processes. A hybrid approach blending
Laboratories highlight hands-on experimental
didactic and inquiry-based approaches
techniques; tutorials support the development
will be used.
of problem-solving skills.
Chemistry 1AA3
Collaboration and Peer Tutoring
Introductory Chemistry II
An important part of our responsibility
A discussion of organic chemistry, chemical
in the program is to develop a learning
kinetics, acid-base equilibrium, and the
community that incorporates the concepts
energetics of phase transformations with
of collaboration, peer tutoring and lifelong
emphasis on relevant experimental techniques
learning. This course will consist of three
and solving real problems ranging from drug
units to be taken over four years and will
discovery to environmental chemistry.
encourage these activities, both formally
Health Sciences 1E06
and informally. You obtain credit for helping each other personally and professionally.
Inquiry
Level III: 18 units
The expectations of this course will be
This course will initiate the development
expressed at the beginning of your studies,
Level IV: 18-21 units
of a skill set required for life-long learning,
including the many opportunities from
in the context of the study of one or two
which you may choose. Participation will be
health care issues. A problem-based course
assessed with a journal and by interviews
applying principles of scientific inquiry to
over four years.
** Please note that registration in Health Sciences 4X03 is not until fourth year although students complete some of the requirements each year.
selected health care issues.
Health Sciences 1G03 “The program offers so many opportunities to pursue your own interests. Faculty and staff at the office are always very supportive – something I didn’t expect from a university program.” Huntae Kim, BHSc '10 4
Health Sciences 4X03
Psychobiology This course will introduce the essential components of the central and peripheral nervous systems as well as key regulatory systems. Concepts such as plasticity, homeostasis, compensation and adaptation and ways in which failure of these regulatory systems can lead to illness states are examined.
Typical Timetable – Term I Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
8:30 am
Friday CHEM 1A03
9:30 am
Elective 1
10:30 am
CHEM 1A03 – Introductory Chemistry I
Elective 1 Elective 1
CHEM 1A03
CHEM 1A03
(lecture)
(lecture)
(lab – every other week)
(lecture)
11:30 am
HTH SCI 1G03 – Psychobiology (tutorial)
12:30 pm
HTH SCI 1G03
Elective 1
(lecture)
1:30 pm
HTH SCI 1G03 (lecture)
2:30 pm 3:30 pm 4:30 pm
HTH SCI 1I06 – Cellular and Molecular Biology
HTH SCI 1I06 – Cellular and Molecular Biology
(lecture)
(lecture)
HTH SCI 1E06 – Inquiry
HTH SCI 1I06 (lecture)
5:30 pm
Beyond Level I Specializations (Level II & Beyond) Biomedical Sciences http://www.fhs.mcmaster.ca/ bhsc/biomed_courses.html Global Health (pending approval) Masters in Global Health http://fhs.mcmaster.ca/ global_health_masters/
Project Courses Upper Level students have the ability to design a project course. Project examples include: Type
Location
Project Learning Objective(s)
Research and skill development in a lab setting
McMaster
Learn key components of experiment development, implementation and analysis. Learn lab technique and procedures related to PBDE extraction and analysis. Gain a better understanding of reporting scientific results for presentation and publication.
Research in education
McMaster
Conduct an independent literature review on Evidence-Based Learning (EBL), Inquiry-Based Learning (IBL) and Problem-Based Learning (PBL) teaching methods
Research
India
Investigate how resident population receives information on prevalent diseases in the region of Chakrata Dehradun, Uttaranchal. Focus on investigation of non-communicable disease issues such as hygiene, smoking and the risk factors linked with cancer and heart disease.
Community Placement
Hamilton at Participation House
Gain knowledge about Cerebral Palsy through first-hand experience and research. To propose, complete and evaluate a self-directed learning program.
Research/ Placement
Philippines/ McMaster
To work with an NGO (SERVE Philippines) that has chosen to respond to the needs of the community by facilitating/ participating in the health program. Help create a bridge between their (the people of Dumangas) knowledge and changing health practices/guidelines. To continue to apply and develop communication and inquiry skills.
“Over my four years, I had great opportunities to listen to, learn from, and question leading researchers in our program. Having contact with experts from a wide variety of fields from first year onwards led to a richer learning experience and a chance to engage with – as well help create – current knowledge.” Mahan Kulasegaram, BHSc '09
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“The BHSc program has certainly challenged me both academically and non-academically. It has taught me a wide variety of skills and has broadened my understanding of learning itself. Above all, Health Sciences has provided me with a continuous network of support and encouragement which has been invaluable in helping me overcome the obstacles I face in my undergraduate career.” Deepti Chopra, BHSc '10
Career Options Over the past several years, graduates of this program have been accepted to various professional and graduate programs that include: Bioethics Graduate School
Medicine
Business
MD/PhD Program
Chiropractic College
Midwifery
Clinical Psychology
Naturopathic Medicine
Graduate School Dentistry International Health
Graduate School
Pharmacy Rehabilitation Sciences
(Occupational Therapy & Physiotherapy)
Law
Speech Pathology
Medical Sciences Graduate School
Teacher’s College.
Our Graduates fhs.mcmaster.ca/bhsc/graduates.html Students in this program should come to recognize that health and illness “The BHSc program provided me with a truly unique learning environment that never ceased to challenge me in my undergraduate years. My experience was further
are both broadly determined and are best addressed by multi-disciplinary, multi-skilled teams. Although students may go on to professional and graduate programs such as medicine, rehabilitation sciences, dentistry and speech
highlighted by the support that I had received from the very
pathology, it is important for students to understand that this degree may not
effervescent and inspirational BHSc facilitators. Coming
provide any particular advantage in gaining admission to these programs.
out of this program, I am grateful for the opportunities that
However, the curriculum and teaching philosophy are consistent with the
allowed me to develop as a critical thinker, an affective
expectations of many health care professional programs.
communicator, as well as a socially conscious learner.” Fify Soeyonggo, BHSc '10
Graduates from this program have many options: i) apply to a professional school (examples may include: medicine, dentistry, law) ii) apply to graduate school (examples may include: medical sciences,
“I entered university without any definitive career aspirations. Through the BHSc program, I have been able to identify my personal strengths and match those to a career that is right for me.”
or Masters of Health Administration) iii) obtain employment in the health care field (examples may include: hospital, community agency or pharmaceutical industry).
Kristin Stawiarski, BHSc '10
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health policy, rehabilitation sciences, Masters of Business Administration
Visitor Information t our s. mcm a st e r. ca
Regular Campus Tours Campus tours take about 1½ hours and are conducted by McMaster students. The entire campus is covered in the tour including a visit to at least one residence building. Please note: advanced notice of two to three working days is required tours are available Monday to Friday, from October 4 to December 7, 2010 and January 10 to April 5, 2011 tour times are 10:30 a.m. or 1:30 p.m. campus tours may be scheduled on some Saturdays with at least one week’s advance notice campus tours are also available throughout the summer, from mid-May to the beginning of August
You can meet students, staff and faculty, all who help define the distinct personality of
A visit is the best way to learn more about a university and get a feel for the campus.
the University. McMaster offers many opportunities to do this, from simply spending a couple of hours touring the campus to staying for a whole day and attending scheduled activities during one of our special visit days. Please contact us in advance to book your campus visit. This will ensure that we have time to make the necessary arrangements for
Virtual Tour (tours.mcmaster.ca) Unable to visit McMaster in person? Explore our picturesque
you. When you register for your visit you will receive details about start times, location, where to park, etc. Remember parents and friends are always welcome to join you!
campus via one of our online tours. You can take a Guided Tour that follows the same route as an in-person walking tour, create a personalized tour or simply explore major campus hotspots. We also offer a basic version for users
To register for a campus tour, contact the Student Recruitment &
Tour Portal tours.mcmaster.ca
Admissions Office:
will be provided for registered
phone 905-525-9140 ext. 23650 fax 905-524-3550
with a slower internet connection or older computer.
Complimentary parking passes
e-mail liaison@mcmaster.ca
Special Visit Events
campus tour visitors upon
Fall Preview
March Break
May@Mac
arrival. Please refer to your
October 30, 2010
Monday, March 14 –
Saturday, May 7, 2011
visit display areas and talk
Friday, March 18, 2011
University-wide Open House event
with reps from academic,
regular campus tours
applicants will be sent information
tour booking confirmation e-mail for further details. It is best to enter the campus via the Sterling Street entrance (Central Campus). Directions can be found online at:
www.mcmaster.ca/ welcome/findus.cfm
service areas and student groups in a relaxed and informal Roam Around Session tour the campus
faculty-specific activities available be sure to register in advance as group sizes are limited
in the Spring includes campus bus tours, special facility tours, sample lectures and lab demonstrations, opportunities to speak with professors, staff and students
Still have questions? ask.mcmaster.ca
Hamilton, Ontario, CANADA L8S 4L8 905 525-9140 ext. 23650 www.mcmaster.ca