Program Overview

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Program Overview & Highlights

The Interdisciplinary Health Sciences program provides an exciting opportunity to combine a Biological Sciences, Biomedical Sciences and Psychology degree with unique interdisciplinary concentrations. This program allows students to explore global challenges and grow as thought leaders who can tackle issues in areas like global health, the environment and climate change, and sustainable development.

Make connections with health-related organizations including, WeSpark, Windsor Essex County Health Unit, Windsor Essex Community Health Centre

This unique program equips students with a diversity of knowledge, skills, and abilities to prepare you for a wide-range of careers and research possibilities

Learn More About Our Program

1:20

faculty to student ratio - the best in Ontario and one of the best in Canada.

85%

employment rate in field of study 6 months after graduation.

70%

of Science students will participate in undergraduate research.

Faculty & Staff

Recruitment & Outreach Coordinator

Sheri Lowrie

FAHSS Recruitment and Outreach Coordinator

Sheri Lowrie

FAHSS Recruitment and Outreach Coordinator

Hi, I’m Sheri Lowrie — though you might know me better as your cool Auntie Sheri on campus! I’m here to support you as you navigate your path to becoming a proud Lancer in one of our Faculty of Arts, Humanities, or Social Sciences programs.

I hold a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature and Language, with minors in Communications, Media and Film, and Sociology. Whether you prefer texting, emailing, a virtual coffee chat, or a cozy conversation on my couch, I’m always here to help you reach your academic goals and make the most of your university experience.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Admission Requirements

High School Student from Canada

Course Requirements: Advanced Functions/MHF4U, Chemistry/SCH4U, Biology/SBI4U, English/ENG4U
Strongly Recommended: Calculus & Vectors/MCV4URecommended: Physics/SPH4UMinimum Average: 70% on all attempted science and math coursesMean Average: 88%

High School Student from Outside Canada and the United States (International)

Course Requirements: Grade 12 Advanced Functions, Grade 12 Chemistry, Grade 12 Biology, Grade 12 English.
Recommended: Grade 12 Physics, Grade 12 Calculus & VectorsMinimum Average: 70% (70% average of all attempted science and math courses, excluding Grade 12 Math of Data Management)

Career Tracks

• Biological Diversity
• Cell Biology
• Ecology
• Economic Botany
• Evolution
• Genetics
• Human Physiology
• Microbiology

Plan Your Program

Term: Fall 2025

Important Notes

1. All students in this program should attend Head Start.
2. Students will need to select 8 electives from one area of concentration.
3. For this program, areas of concentration include: Health Care Economics, Aging and Health, Health and Society, Medical Humanities, Indigenous Health, Biostatistics, Health Spaces and Places, and One Health.
4. Please email or for direction to an appropriate academic advisor for this program who can meet with you and help you with course selections.

Required Course Notes

• BIOL 1101*
• CHEM 1100*
• MATH 1720 OR MATH 17601
• IHSC 1000

One of the courses from the following six pairs of courses (please note that each pair consists of a course that must be taken in the Fall semester, and one course that must be taken in the Winter semester):

• PHYS 1300(Fall), PHYS 1310(Winter)
• PHYS 1400(Fall), PHYS 1410(Winter)[or PHYS 1310* (Winter)]
• COMP 1047(Fall) or COMP 2067(Fall), COMP 2057(Winter)
• COMP 1400(Fall), COMP 1410(Winter)
• ESCI 1100(Fall), ESCI 1111*(Winter)
• ESCI 1130(Fall), ESCI 2400(Winter)
• Course with lab

1 Students who have credit for MCV4U Calculus and Vectors will register in MATH 1720; those who do not have MCV4U should register in MATH 1760.

Required Courses

BIOL 1101: Cell Biology

Examination of the principles governing living systems, with emphasis on the molecular and cellular basis of life, molecular genetics, energetics, differentiation, and development. (Grade 12 “U” Biology or equivalent, or BIOM-1003 and BIOL-1013 are strongly recommended) (3 lecture, 3 laboratory hours a week.)

CHEM 1100: General Chemistry I

Introductory concepts in chemistry, including reactions of atoms, ions, and molecules, solution stoichiometry, thermochemistry, electronic structure of atoms, basic chemical bonding and molecular geometry, periodic properties of the elements, and the theory of gases. (Prerequisite: Grade 12“U” Chemistry or equivalent,or consent of the instructor.) (3 lecture, 3 laboratory/tutorial hours a week.)

COMP 1047: Computer Concepts for End-Users

Introduction to the concepts of operation of a computer system, including hardware and software. Development of conceptual understanding of word processors, databases, spreadsheets, etc., and practical experience with their use. Networking concepts and data communication concepts will be introduced. The Internet will be introduced with students having access to internet resources. Management information systems including the systems development lifecycle will be discussed. Fundamental concepts of algorithm development and programming will be introduced. Hands-on experience with microcomputers as well as a distributed-computing environment will be involved. In addition to lecture time, laboratory/tutorial time may be scheduled as required. (May not be used to fulfill the major requirements of any major or joint major in Computer Science, except for the Bachelor of Information Technology (BIT) program.) (3 lecture hours).

COMP 1400: Introduction to Algorithms and Programming I

This course is the first of a two-course sequence designed to introduce students to algorithm design and programming in a high-level language such as C. The main objectives of the course are to develop the ability to identify, understand and design solutions to a wide variety of problems. Topics include: computer system overview, hardware and software, problem solving steps, concepts of variables, constants, data types, algorithmic structure, sequential logic, decisions, loops, modular programming, one-dimensional arrays, text files. If possible, problems like searching/sorting will be addressed. (3 lecture hours and 1.5 laboratory hours a week).

COMP 1410: Introduction to Algorithms and Programming II

This course is the continuation of COMP-1400 that introduces students to more advanced algorithm design and programming in a high level language such as C. The main objectives of the course are to develop the ability to identify, understand, and design solutions to a wide variety of problems. Topics covered include: multi-dimensional arrays, pointers, strings, advanced modular programming, records, binary files, recursion, stacks, linked lists and introduction to algorithm analysis. (Prerequisite: COMP- 1000 (or MATH-1720) and COMP-1400.) (3 lecture and 1.5 laboratory hours a week).

COMP 2057: Introduction to the Internet

Students will be introduced to the Internet as a global information infrastructure, including fundamental concepts in protocols and services, packaging of data, and data transmission. Common tools and multimedia such as HTML, CSS, and CMS, used for the development of websites will also be introduced. Web page design, quality, accessibility and security issues will be discussed. How Web browsers and search engines work will be demonstrated. Social networks and other current Internet applications will be examined. In addition to lecture time, laboratory/ tutorial time may be scheduled as required. (Prerequisite: COMP-1047 or COMP-2067 or COMP-1400.) (May not be used to fulfill the major requirements of any major or joint major in Computer Science.) (3 lecture hours a week).

COMP 2067: Programming for Beginners

This course introduces fundamental computer programming principles and structured programming concepts, with an emphasis on good programming. Stages of the software development cycles are introduced: analysis, design, implementation, debugging and deployment. May not be used to fulfill the major requirements of any major or joint major in Computer Science, except fro the Bachelor of Information Technology (BIT program.) (3 lecture hours).

ESCI 1100: Environmental Systems – An Introduction to Environmental Science

An introduction to the components of Earth’s environment (geosphere, biosphere, atmosphere, and hydrosphere) and the principles and processes defining and influencing environmental systems (energy and matter cycles). Human interactions with, and influences on, the environment will be examined (resource and land use, waste and pollution, development, conservation and sustainability). This course is designed for Science majors. (3 lecture hours a week, optional field trips).

ESCI 1111: Introduction to Earth Science

An introduction to Earth’s physical character and the processes that shape our planet. The focus is on the geosphere: Earth materials, weathering, sedimentation, magmatism and volcanism, metamorphism, deformation, earthquakes, mountain building, and Earth’s internal structure. These will be examined in the context of the origin of Earth, geologic time, and plate tectonics. The nature of mineral and energy resources will also be examined. This course is designed for Science majors. (3 lecture, 2.5 laboratory or tutorial hours a week).

IHSC 1000: Foundations in Interdisciplinary Health Sciences

This course will introduce students to the interdisciplinary field of health sciences, including definitions of heath, wellness, and illness from multiple perspectives (e.g., biological, behavioural, social, environmental). Students will be exposed to various areas of specialization including: healthcare economics, healthcare informatics, health and aging, health and society, Indigenous health, healthy spaces and places, medical humanities, environmental health, and one health. Current health science issues within the community and media will be presented. (This course is restricted to students enrolled in an Interdisciplinary Health Sciences Stream.)

MATH 1720: Differential Calculus

This course will cover trigonometric functions and identities, inverse trigonometric functions, limits and continuity, derivatives and applications, mean value theorem, indeterminate forms and l’Hôpital’s rule, antiderivatives and an introduction to definite integrals. This course is for students who have taken both Ontario Grade 12 Advanced Functions (MHF4U) and Ontario Grade 12 Calculus and Vectors (MCV4U). Students who do not have credit for MCV4U should take MATH-1760. (Prerequisites: Ontario Grade 12 Advanced Functions (MHF4U) and Ontario Grade 12 Calculus and Vectors (MCV4U) or MATH-1780.) (Antirequisite: MATH-1760.) (3 lecture hours, 1 tutorial hour per week.)

MATH 1760: Functions and Differential Calculus

This course will cover a review of functions, trigonometric functions and identities, transcendental functions, inverse trigonometric functions, introduction to limits, continuity, derivatives and applications, mean value theorem, indeterminate forms and l’Hôpital’s rule, antiderivatives and an introduction to definite integrals. This course is for students who have taken Ontario Grade 12 Advanced Functions (MHF4U), but have not taken Ontario Grade 12 Calculus and Vectors (MCV4U). Students who have credit for MCV4U should take MATH-1720. The course is equivalent to MATH-1720 for all prerequisite purposes. (Prerequisite: Ontario Grade 12Advanced Functions (MHF4U).) (Antirequisite: MATH-1720.) (4 lecture hours, 1 tutorial hour per week.)

PHYS 1300: Introductory Physics for Life Sciences I

This is an algebra-based course intended for students interested in the biological or health sciences, or related disciplines. The topics covered include the basic mechanical concepts of force, work and energy, properties of matter, and heat, with examples and applications drawn from the modeling of biological systems. (Prerequisites: one 4 “U” or OAC mathematics course or equivalent.) (3 lecture hours a week, 3 laboratory hours per week) (Anti-requisites: PHYS-1305, PHYS-1400.) (Open to students in Human Kinetics, Forensic Science, Bachelor of Arts and Science, and all programs within in the Faculty of Science; exceptions only with the permission of the Head or designate.)

PHYS 1310: Introductory Physics for Life Sciences II

This course is a continuation of PHYS-1305 intended for students interested in the biological or health sciences, or related disciplines. The topics covered include wave motion, sound, electricity and magnetism, light, and an introduction to topics in modern physics involving the life sciences such as the quantum nature of radiation and its interaction with biomolecules, high energy radiation and radioactivity, and the statistical treatment of data. (Prerequisite: PHYS-1300 or PHYS-1400.) (3 lecture hours per week, 3 laboratory hours per week.) (Antirequisites: PHYS-1410.) (Open to students in Human Kinetics, Forensic Science, Bachelor of Arts and Science, and all programs within in the Faculty of Science; exceptions only with the permission of the Head or designate.)

PHYS 1400: Introductory Physics I

First semester in a four-semester sequence in calculus-based introductory physics with an emphasis on mechanics. (Prerequisites: Grade 12“U” Advanced Functions and Introductory Calculus or equivalent. Recommended co-requisite: MATH-1720.) (3 lecture hours per week, 3 laboratory hours per week.) Open to students in Engineering, Human Kinetics, Forensic Science, Bachelor of Arts and Science, and all programs within in the Faculty of Science; exceptions only with the permission of the Head or designate. (Antirequisites: PHYS-1300, PHYS-1305.)

PHYS 1410: Introductory Physics II

Second semester in a four-semester sequence in calculus-based introductory physics with an emphasis on electricity and magnetism. (Prerequisite: PHYS-1400 or GENG-1110. Recommended co-requisite: MATH-1730.) (3 lecture hours per week, 3 laboratory hours per week.) (Antirequisites: PHYS-1310) (Open to students in Engineering, Human Kinetics, Forensic Science, Bachelor of Arts and Science, and all programs within in the Faculty of Science; exceptions only with the permission of the Head or designate.)