Skip to main content

Health Science: Bachelor of Science Major (also: Honours)

Description

The B.Sc. in Health Science program is designed to prepare students for public and private sector careers in health research, health practice, health product production and distribution, and health management. It also prepares students for entry into schools of health or graduate studies.

The objectives of the degree are as follows:

  1. To provide students with a strong foundation in the basic sciences together with writing and critical thinking skills.
  2. To provide students with a broad knowledge of the various health professions involved in the Canadian health system.
  3. To equip students with the skills and knowledge necessary for employment in health service delivery, health research, production and distribution of health products, and other health-related fields.
  4. To provide students with the educational prerequisites necessary for entry into a) post graduate degrees in the sciences, and b) qualified health professional programs (e.g. medicine, dentistry, physiotherapy, medical technical programs, pharmacy).
  5. To provide students with the opportunity to integrate an understanding of complementary medicine (e.g., naturopathy, traditional Asian medicine) with the basic sciences.

The B.Sc. in Health Science is designed around a core of required basic science and health science courses, complemented by health science and open electives that provide graduates with a solid science foundation but also with critical health research, communication, and management skills for future success.

Please note that the first and second year courses required in the program are normally available on both Richmond and Surrey campuses. However, the courses with the prefix "HSCI" will be offered on the Surrey campus only.

Student Profile

This degree program will appeal to individuals with a strong interest in life sciences and human biology and those who wish to pursue a career in the wide variety of health care fields.

Students who are successful in this program are likely to be self-motivated, have a strong work ethic and have well-developed oral and written communication skills.

Admission Requirements

The Faculty's Admission Requirements, which consist of KPU's undergraduate English Proficiency Requirement, apply to this program.

Declaration Requirements

Students intending to graduate with this Faculty of Science and Horticulture degree must declare the credential by the time they complete 60 credits of undergraduate coursework. At the time of declaration, the student must satisfy all of the following requirements:

  • In good academic standing with the University
  • Completion of a minimum of 24 credits of undergraduate coursework, including the following:
    • 3 credits of ENGL at the 1100 level or higher
    • BIOL 1110 with a minimum grade of “C”
    • BIOL 1210 with a minimum grade of “C”
    • CHEM 1110 with a minimum grade of “B” or CHEM 1210 with a minimum grade of “C”
    • MATH 1120 with a minimum grade of “C” or MATH 1130 with a minimum grade of “C”
    • HSCI 1115 with a minimum grade of “C”
    • HSCI 1220 with a minimum grade of “C”

Curricular Requirements

General Requirements

All students must meet the following minimum requirements for a Bachelor of Science at KPU:

  • 120 credits from a minimum of 40 courses (at least 3 credits each) at the 1100 level or higher. 
  • 45 credits from a minimum of 15 courses at the 3000 level or higher, including 9 credits at the 4000 level.
  • 18 credits of breadth electives (see Electives below) including:
    • at least 12 credits from courses that are offered outside the Faculty of Science & Horticulture; and
    • up to 6 credits from fields of science not prescribed in the Major requirements; and
    • 3 credits from a course at the 3000 level or higher.
  • Cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher
  • At least 50% of all courses for the BSc, and at least 66% of upper-level courses for the BSc, must be completed at KPU.

Health Science Major

The Health Science Major requires the completion of a minimum of 136 credits, including the following specific course requirements.

Year 1

All of:
  BIOL 1110 Introductory Biology I 4 credits
  BIOL 1210 Introductory Biology II 4 credits
  CHEM 1110 The Structure of Matter 4 credits
  CHEM 1210  Chemical Energetics and Dynamics 4 credits
  ENGL 1100 Introduction to University Writing 3 credits
  HSCI 1115 Introduction to Health Science 3 credits
  HSCI 1220 Health Science Writing 3 credits
  MATH 1130 Calculus for Life Sciences I 3 credits
  MATH 1230 Calculus for Life Sciences II 3 credits
And one of:
  MATH 1135 Problems and Concepts 3 credits
  PHIL 1145 Critical Thinking 3 credits
  PHIL 1155 Introduction to Scientific Reasoning 3 credits
  SOCI 1125 Introduction to Society: Processes and Structures 3 credits

Year 2

All of:
  BIOL 2321 Cell Biology 4 credits
  BIOL 2421 Cellular Biochemistry 3 credits
  CHEM 2320 Organic Chemistry I 4 credits
  CHEM 2420 Organic Chemistry II 4 credits
  HSCI 2220 Medical Terminology 3 credits
  PHYS 1101 Physics for Life Sciences I 4 credits
  PHYS 1102 Physics for Life Sciences II 4 credits
  SOCI 2280 Sociology of Health and Illness 3 credits
  Elective At the 1100 level or higher 3 credits
And one of:
  ANTH 1100 Social & Cultural Anthropology 3 credits
  PSYC 1100 Introduction to Psychology: Basic Processes 3 credits

Year 3

All of:
  BIOL 2320 Genetics 4 credits
  BIOL 2330 Microbiology 4 credits
  BIOL 3160 Foundational Concepts in Human Anatomy & Physiology 4 credits
  BIOL 3180 Research Methodology 3 credits
  BIOL 3321 Advanced Cell & Molecular Biology 4 credits
  BIOL 4160 Human Cardiovascular and Respiratory Systems 4 credits
  MATH 2335 Statistics for Life Sciences 3 credits
  PHIL 3010 Health Care Ethics 3 credits
  Elective At the 1100 level or higher 3 credits
And one of:
  BIOL 3320 Molecular Genetics 4 credits
  CHEM 3320 Natural Products Chemistry 4 credits
  HSCI 3205 Health Law (under development) 3 credits
  HSCI 3215 Complementary Medicine 3 credits
  HSCI 3225 Nutrition 3 credits

Year 4

All of:
  BIOL 3421 Molecular Biochemistry 3 credits
  BIOL 4260 Human Neural, Excretory and Endocrine Systems 4 credits
  BIOL 4360 Human Immune and Reproductive Systems 4 credits
  HSCI 4380 Critical Evaluation 3 credits
  HSCI 4950 Senior Seminar 3 credits
  Elective At the 1100 level or higher 3 credits
  Elective At the 3000 level or higher 3 credits
And one of:
  BIOL 3330 Microbiology II 4 credits
  BIOL 4320 Human Genetics 3 credits
  CHEM 4320 Drug Discovery, Design & Development 4 credits
  HSCI 4130 Pharmacology (under development) 3 credits
  HSCI 4135 Herbal Medicines and Natural Health Products (under development) 3 credits
  HSCI 4140 Health and Aging 3 credits
And two of:
  BIOL 4245 Developmental Biology 4 credits
  BIOL 4255 Bioinformatics 3 credits
  HSCI 4245 Populations and Policy 3 credits
  HSCI 4250 Health Business 3 credits

Health Science Honours

Students pursuing the Bachelor of Science in Health Science Honours degree must complete the following 8 credits in lieu of HSCI 4950 – Senior Seminar and one of the optional upper-level courses in BIOL, CHEM or HSCI listed above:

All of:
  HSCI 4990 Honours Thesis Project 1 4 credits
  HSCI 4995 Honours Thesis Project 2 4 credits

Enrolment in the Health Science Honours courses requires the permission of the Biology Department. In order to be considered for Honours Courses, students must typically have a record of exceptional academic performance, including a minimum Grade Point Average of 3.0

Credential Awarded

Upon successful completion of the honours program, students are eligible to receive a Bachelor of Science (Honours), Major in Health Science.

Upon successful completion of the major program, students are eligible to receive a Bachelor of Science, Major in Health Science.

At a Glance

Faculty of Science and Horticulture

kpu.ca/science

Program Type:

  • Undergraduate

Credential Granted:

  • Baccalaureate Degree

Offered At:

  • KPU Richmond  Richmond
  • KPU Surrey  Surrey

Start Date(s):

  • Fall Intake (September)  September
  • Spring Intake (January)  January
  • Summer Intake (May)  May

Intake Type:

  • Open Intake  Open intake

Format:

  • Full-time  Full-time
  • Part-time  Part-time

Minimum Credits Required:

  • 136

Instructional Cycle:

  • Semester-based

Curriculum Effective Date:

  • 01-Sep-2018

How to Declare:

Applying to KPU:

Last Updated: 13-Jun-2018

This online version of the Kwantlen Polytechnic University Calendar is the official version of the University Calendar. Although every effort is made to ensure accuracy at the time of publication, KPU reserves the right to make any corrections in the contents and provisions of this calendar without notice. In addition, the University reserves the right to cancel, add, or revise contents or change fees at any time without notice. To report errors or omissions, or send comments or suggestions, please email Calendar.Editor@kpu.ca