BHSc Program - Prospective Student Information

Check out the Top 10 reasons to study in the BHSc program at Western. Download a copy of the Top 10 card here.

WELCOME TO THE BHSC PROGRAM

The Bachelor of Health Sciences embraces a positive conception of health as a positive resource for everyday life that reflects the physical, mental, and social aspects of human living. Our goal is to provide learning opportunities, and conduct interdisciplinary research, on issues influencing health across the lifespan.

A Bachelor of Health Sciences degree provides students with a vital perspective of health, encompassing the physical, mental, and social aspects of health across the lifespan. Our Honors Specialization in Health Sciences provides students with a foundation in the personal and social determinants of health, and our Honors Specialization in the area of Health Promotion provides students with a foundation in the growing field of health promotion. In addition, we offer areas of specialization in collaboration with other departments, including an Honors Specialization in Community Rural Health Development, an Honors Specialization in Health Sciences with Biology, and an Honors Specialization in Rehabilitation Sciences.

These areas of specialization share a common set of core courses that serve as a foundation for a variety of upper year elective courses. There are core courses in anatomy; health policy; ethics; health promotion; health issues in childhood, adolescence and late adulthood; research methods and analysis. Elective courses are offered in a range of topics, including, but not limited to, occupational health and safety, professional ethics, gender and health, determinants of health, mental health, palliative and end of life care.

With the contemporary emphasis on inter-professional healthcare teams and systems, our interdisciplinary curriculum provides a solid foundation for students wishing to pursue professional training in medicine, or rehabilitation sciences (such as, speech pathology, physical therapy, or occupational therapy). It also provides an excellent background for students interested in careers or masters-level education in areas of health promotion, health policy, gerontology, bioethics, or health measurement.

A MESSAGE FROM BHSC SENIOR ACADEMIC COUNSELLOR, DAWN MUNDAY

My door is always open to students who need counselling regarding student life and academics at Western. Although I am primarily concerned with the academic goals and records leading to successful graduation, many students come through my door seeking advice on where to turn for help with career choices, with personal and medical difficulties, with long-term planning issues, and looking for assistance with research for professional programs at other universities.

It is important that no student coming into the Bachelor of Health Sciences feel that they are "on their own". Health Sciences attempts to provide personal assistance whenever possible to provide advice and assistance to students to help them meet their academic and career goals. When students are ill and unable to write examinations, when they need assistance with course selection, when they are troubled, they have avenues on campus for assistance. My role deals specifically with academic accommodation, course selection, graduation, anything affecting your academics (including physical and stress-related illness), but the important thing to remember is that I am a resource provided by the Faculty and I can direct you to the most appropriate avenues to resolve your issues. Melissa Broadfoot also provides academic counselling and career support. She can assist with questions about your career search and long-term career planning.

Western has a host of support facilities for students. Student Health Services provides medical care for both physical and emotional ills on a confidential basis, quite apart from your academic records. The Student Development Services offers psychological help, information on volunteering, and on professional programs at other universities, an online job service available to students and Western alumni, a valuable library on career searches, and workshops on a wide variety of topics, including, managing/organizing your time, writing multiple choice examinations. Career testing and career advice is available through Career Services. The Effective Writing Program offered through SDC provides assistance to students who have difficulty with essay writing and wish to improve their skills or seek assistance with essays-in-progress. The Centre for New Students offers additional support for the unique needs of year one students as they adjust to campus life and "learn the ropes". Students with learning disabilities may seek assistance and accommodation through the Services for Students with Disabilities office in the SDC. It is important to us that our students attain their highest level of success. If you choose to come to Western, and you need our expertise, please do not hesitate to make an appointment. We would be happy to help.

IS THE BHSC FOR ME?

Students who pursue the BHSc degree usually have long-term goals that involve either careers within the health care system or professional programs such as medicine, law, occupational therapy, physical therapy, speech pathology, audiology, etc. BHSc graduates have successfully entered all of these programs as well as programs in alternative therapies such as chiropractic, naturopathic or homeopathic medicine. Students have enrolled in graduate programs as diverse as epidemiology, health promotion, genomics, health administration, kinesiology, neuroanatomy, physiology, sport management, and biomedical ethics, depending upon their particular interest.

We offer a wide range of degree programs in areas of Health Sciences and Rehabilitation Sciences. We provide you with lots of choice in your course selection as well as the ability to choose other programs to enhance your BHSc degree. Health Sciences is interdisciplinary so you have many opportunities to combine your other interests within our degree. A list of the BHSc degree programs is available here.

Students who have an interest in a career in either Speech-Language Pathology or Audiology may find the BHSc program particularly attractive. Courses from the Communication Sciences and Disorders preparatory year at Western may be taken as part of the Health Sciences program in fourth year, allowing students to be considered for admission directly into the Masters level program in Audiology or Speech-Language Pathology.

Biological, Medical, or Health Sciences at Western… What’s the Difference (PDF)