Program Overview

Health Science Diploma

Overview

The Health Science Diploma is a two-year program providing foundational yet core learning in health science. The program is designed with flexibility in mind and will allow students, with the right combination of electives, to progress to a variety of post-diploma options on Vancouver Island or at institutions further afield. The program emphasizes scientific foundations, Indigenous perspectives on health, and regional healthcare needs while preparing students for careers or further education related to health science.

Location

• Comox Valley

Length

• 2 years

Delivery

• Full-time or part-time
• In-person

Admission Requirements

• C in English 12 or equivalent or successful English assessment or IELTS 6.0 or equivalent or ENG 104
• C+ in Pre-Calculus 12 or equivalent or successful Math assessment
• C in Physics 11 or NIC PHY 050

Note(s)

• Some courses within the Health Science Diploma have biology and chemistry prerequisites that will also need to be met (C+ in Chemistry 12 or CHE 060; and C in one of Life Sciences 11, Biology 11, BIO 051, Anatomy and Physiology 12, Biology 12, BIO 060 or BIO 110).
• Students without the above biology and chemistry course prerequisites at time of admission will need to obtain these while in the program and this may extend the length of their study.

Before Classes Begin

• Once accepted to the program and before program completion, all students must complete Indigenous Cultural Safety training organized by the Math-Science department.

Course Requirements

Year 1

• BIO - 103 Principles of Modern Biology I
• BIO - 102 Principles of Modern Biology II
• CHE - 110 Chemical Principles I
• CHE - 111 Chemical Principles II
• PSY - 130 Introductory Psychology I
• PSY - 131 Introductory Psychology II
• ENG - 127 Indigenous Literatures in Canada
• One of the following:
  • ENG - 116 Essay Writing & Indigenous Perspectives (recommended) or
  • ENG - 115 Essay Writing and Critical Analysis
• One of the following:
  • MAT - 102 Calculus for the Biological and Social Sciences or
  • MAT - 181 Calculus I
• One of the following:
  • MAT - 151 Finite Mathematics or
  • MAT - 182 Calculus II

Year 2

• BIO - 200 Cell Biology
• IPH - 101 Island Pre-Health I: Introduction to Health Science
• IPH - 102 Island Pre-Health II: Regional Issues in Health Science
• PHY - 100 Introduction to Physics I
• PHY - 101 Introduction to Physics II
• PSY - 202 Health Psychology
• STA - 115 Introduction to Statistics
• One of the following:
  • BIO - 203 Principles of Genetics or
  • BIO - 215 Introductory Microbiology
• Plus three electives chosen from the following options:
  • ABG - 100 Histories and Impacts of Colonization
  • ANT - 150 Cultural Anthropology
  • BIO - 160 Human Anatomy & Physiology I
  • BIO - 161 Human Anatomy & Physiology II
  • BIO - 201 Introduction to Biochemistry
  • BIO - 203 Principles of Genetics
  • BIO - 215 Introductory Microbiology
  • CHE - 200 Organic Chemistry I
  • CHE - 201 Organic Chemistry II
  • GLS - 160 Culture, Communication and Global Citizenship
  • ILF - 111 Pathways to Reconciliation and Social Action
  • IPH - 310 Epidemiology and Population Health
  • IPH - 350 Island Pre-Health Applied Research
  • PHI - 100 Introductory Philosophy: Knowledge & Reality
  • PHI - 101 Introductory Philosophy: Values & Society
  • PHI - 150 Critical Thinking
  • PHI - 230 Contemporary Moral Issues
  • PSY - 204 Research Methods in Psychology
  • PSY - 215 Biological Psychology
  • PSY - 235 Abnormal Psychology
  • PSY - 250 Human Development from Conception Through Childhood
  • PSY - 251 Human Development from Adolescence Through Adulthood
  • SOC - 110 Introduction to Sociology I
  • SOC - 111 Introduction to Sociology II
  • SOC - 130 First Nations Sociology
  • WST - 101 Issues in Women's Health

Completion Requirements

• A minimum GPA of 2.00 is required.
• Students must complete the entire program within 5 years.
• A minimum of 50% of the program must be completed at North Island College

Study Pathways

With the right electives, the Health Science Diploma makes transferring to university seamless. You can pursue degrees like a BSc in Biology or Life Sciences at most BC universities or a BHSc in Biomedical Studies at SFU, KPU or UNBC.

Costs

Domestic

• Tuition: $6,670
• Lab: $835
• Student Union: $410
• Learner Resource: $350
• Health and Dental: $570
• Books: $0
• Total: $8,835

International

• Tuition: $29,810
• Lab: $835
• Student Union: $410
• Learner Resource: $350
• Health and Dental: $570
• Student Services Fee: $1,840
• Total: $33,815