Program Overview

Introduction to the Health Sciences Program

The Health Sciences program at the University of Waterloo is designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of human health and well-being. This program focuses on the biological, social, and environmental factors that influence health, enabling students to develop effective approaches to disease prevention and treatment.

Program Overview

The Health Sciences program is offered as a Bachelor of Science degree, with both co-op and regular systems of study available. The program is accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health, ensuring that graduates are well-prepared for careers in health professions, including medicine, clinical research, epidemiology, and occupational health.

First-Year Courses

In the first year, students take a mix of courses from the Faculty of Health and the Faculty of Science, providing a foundation in biological and social health and well-being. These courses include:

• HLTH 101 – Introduction to Health 1
• HEALTH 107 – Sociology of Activity, Health, and Well-being
• BIOL 130/BIOL 130L – Introductory Cell Biology/Laboratory
• CHEM 120/CHEM 120L – General Chemistry 1
• HLTH 102 – Introduction to Health 2
• HLTH 104 – Introduction to Health Data Science
• BIOL 273 – Principles of Human Physiology 1
• PSYCH 101 – Introductory Psychology
• CHEM 123 / CHEM 123L – General Chemistry 2

Upper-Year Courses

In the upper years, students can choose from a wide range of courses, including:

• HLTH 310 – Development, Aging, and Health
• HLTH 341 – Principles of Pathobiology
• HLTH 443 – Epidemiology of Communicable Diseases
• HLTH 461 – Experimental Methods in Behavioural Neuroscience

Customizing the Degree

Students can add additional areas of expertise to their degree by including one or more of the following areas of focus:

• Minor (10 courses in an area of focus)
  • Addictions, Mental Health, and Policy
  • Gerontology
• Option (six to eight courses in an area of focus)
  • Aging Studies
  • Health Informatics
• Specialization (six to nine courses in an area of focus)
  • Health Research
  • Pre-Clinical

Co-op Program

The co-op program provides students with the opportunity to gain relevant paid work experience, exploring potential careers and learning to interview for jobs. Sample co-op job titles include:

• Genetic counselling assistant
• Healthy women project coordinator
• Health promotion assistant
• Patient flow facilitator
• Clinical research assistant
• Health and safety specialist

Co-op Work-Study Sequence

The co-op work-study sequence typically involves alternating between four-month school terms and four-month work terms, starting in the second year.

Career Opportunities

Graduates of the Health Sciences program are well-prepared for a wide range of career opportunities, including:

• Family Physician
• Health Promotion Specialist
• Tobacco Cessation Specialist
• Epidemiologist
• Clinical Research Coordinator
• Policy Analyst
• Speech-language Pathologist

Admission Requirements

Admission to the Health Sciences program requires:

• Six Grade 12 U and/or M courses, including:
  • Any Grade 12 U English (minimum final grade of 70% is required)
  • Any Grade 12 U Mathematics (minimum final grade of 70% is required)
  • Biology (minimum final grade of 70% is required)
  • Chemistry (minimum final grade of 70% is required)
• Admission averages:
  • Regular system of study: Mid-80s
  • Co-op: High 80s

Conclusion

The Health Sciences program at the University of Waterloo provides students with a comprehensive understanding of human health and well-being, preparing them for a wide range of career opportunities in health professions. With its strong focus on biological, social, and environmental factors, this program enables students to develop effective approaches to disease prevention and treatment, making it an excellent choice for those interested in pursuing a career in health sciences.