The major focus of studying Health Sciences involves the application of science to health-related topics such as medicine, nutrition, and environmental health. It involves applying scientific research to clinical practice to provide a background for students leading to improving healthcare for communities.
Select a course below to see full descriptions. (#) Indicates amount of credits per course
This course will provide a foundational overview of the concepts of health, illness, and disease across cultures and historical periods, including Indigenous cultures. Current epidemiological terminology and strategies will be introduced. Students will examine the social determinants of health and how public policy is used to promote population health. Students will also have an opportunity to explore specific health issues, including ethical and moral considerations, and be provided with an overview of the Canadian health care system.
Prerequisite(s):
ENGL 099
Transfers to:
UBCO HES 130 (3), UNBC HHSCI 101 (3)
Grounded in the field of public health, this course will take an interdisciplinary approach to mental health and mental illness among populations, including biological, psychological, and socio-economic perspectives. Students will examine the distribution and risk factors of mental illnesses, as well as the historical and cultural contexts of their definition and development.
Prerequisite(s):
ENGL 099, BIOL 101, HSCI 130
Transfers to:
UBCO PSYO 3rd (3), UNBC HHSCI 2XX (3)
Human growth, development, and health are impacted by different social and physical factors. This course focuses on the genetic, evolutionary, ecological, and epidemiological factors related to human health and development. Important events in human history such as natural disasters, industrialization, globalization, war, and climate change are examined in relation to their impact on human health.
Prerequisite(s):
ENGL 100, BIOL 101, HSCI 130
Transfers to:
UBCO HES 2nd (3), UNBC HHSCI 2XX (3), UVIC EPHE 2XX (1.5)
Designing epidemiological research studies requires thoughtful consideration of biases, confounding factors, and potential sources of error. This course focuses on the specific elements of designing epidemiological research by examining examples of recently published research in the field. The main findings and conclusions of these studies will be evaluated in terms of their validity, limitations, and relevance to our understanding of human health.
Prerequisite(s):
ENGL 100, HSCI 130
Transfer to:
UBCO HEAL 2nd (3), UNBC HHSCI 401 (3), UVIC EPHE 2XX (1.5)
Lecture, tutorial, class and small group discussion, interactive learning, demonstrations, reading assignments, classroom activities, case study analysis, concept mapping, internet research.
Students who choose to pursue a degree in Health Sciences enjoy a curriculum with varied topics that will help prepare them for a range of career opportunities. Positions in the Health Sciences field range from clinical work with patients to clerical office work at private practices; some of these will require further study at the baccalaureate, graduate, or doctoral level. Because health science is such an expansive field, graduates have the opportunity to ladder into further study in business administration relating to health care, medicine, nursing, dentistry, pharmacy, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, counselling, naturopathy, or public health.
Students interested in this field can:
Alexander College acknowledges that the land on which we usually gather is the traditional, ancestral and unceded territory of the Coast Salish peoples, including the territories of the xʷməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish), and Səl̓ílwətaʔ/Selilwitulh (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations. We are grateful to have the opportunity to work in this territory.
Alexander College acknowledges that the land on which we usually gather is the traditional, ancestral and unceded territory of the Coast Salish peoples, including the territories of the xʷməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish), and Səl̓ílwətaʔ/Selilwitulh (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations. We are grateful to have the opportunity to work in this territory.
+1 604-435-5815
4805 Kingsway
Burnaby, BC
V5H 4T6 Canada
+1 604-435-5815
#100-602 West Hastings St.
Vancouver, BC
V6B 1P2 Canada
