Bachelor of Health Sciences Programs
Faculty of Medicine
Bioinformatics, broadly defined, comprises mathematical, statistical and computational methods that (1) aim to solve biological problems using DNA and protein sequences and related information, as well as gene expression patterns and information about protein modification and (2) improve communication, understanding and management of biomedical information. The U of C has created a one-of-a-kind undergraduate bioinformatics program that includes a complement of high caliber academic resources and facilities, like the O’Brien Centre for the Bachelor of Health Sciences, the Faculty of Medicine’s Sun Center of Excellence for Visual Genomics, and the Information and Communications Technology facilities in the Department of Computer Science. The Bioinformatics major has been designed to provide students with comprehensive training in computer science, mathematics, chemistry, physics, and biology. Additionally, the major introduces students to the excitement of scientific inquiry in an interdisciplinary setting as, for example, through systems biology and synthetic biology projects (e.g., iGEM). Students can expect to be challenged by the demands of the basic (medical and life) sciences and computer science requirements, the elective work term, and the intensive research project. Success in this program provides students with a unique skills set that is highly sought after in both academia and industry.
The Biomedical Sciences major is designed for students interested in biomedical research and related career tracks such as the pharmaceutical industry, or other professional programs. This stream introduces students to scientific inquiry in an interdisciplinary group setting and integrates this with a solid foundation in the basic sciences. In addition to subjects ranging from genetics to biochemistry, as part of this interdisciplinary approach aspects of the Bioinformatics and Health and Society streams are also incorporated in the curriculum. Students are also introduced to the research environment with hands-on experience throughout the program and exposure to the latest experimental techniques and approaches
The Health and Society major is designed to expose students to the economic, social, and cultural dimensions of health. Our emphasis on combining knowledge from biology, anthropology chemistry, psychology, history, mathematics, economics, epidemiology, sociology, organizational behaviour and geography represents a tremendous innovation beyond what is available in other health related Bachelors programs in Canada. This major provides students with a wide set of possible options in social sciences and health, or health services research. Projects that Health and Society students could work on include, determining if surgical procedures are being offered equitably across the province, assessment of school based interventions and the impact on overall health in high schools, and assisting in developing third world health prevention and treatment models.
What Can I Do with My Degree?
Health is the most rapidly growing sector of the Canadian economy. As a result, there is a need for highly trained, socially conscious health professionals. Just a few of the career opportunities include:
- Biomedical, bioinformatics, pharmaceutical, or health care research.
- Drug design and development in the pharmaceutical or biotechnology industries
- Patent Law specializing in medically related products
- Business administration for non-profit and for profit organizations
- Molecular Database Curator / Research Assistant
- Bioinformatician / biostatistician
- Health Economist/Health Techonology assessment for national organizations like the Canadian Coordinating Office for Health Technology Assessment.
- Project coordinator for international health projects with Non Government Organizations like WHO (World Health Organization).
- Financial consultant for Biotechnology or Governmental Agencies.
- Medical officer of health within a health region.
- Graduate or professional programs leading to PhD, Llb or MD designations.
Curriculum Features
This undergraduate research-intensive honours degree program consists of three majors – Biomedical Sciences, Bioinformatics, and Health and Society – with the course instruction spanning across the Faculties of the University of Calgary. Our emphasis on combining knowledge from biology, anthropology chemistry, psychology, history, mathematics, economics, epidemiology, medical sciences, sociology, organizational behaviour and geography represents a tremendous innovation beyond what is available in other health related Bachelors programs in Canada.
INTERNATIONAL COMPONENT
Health research and care are not local and insular phenomena. They have global impacts; this program is designed to provide students with a well-rounded background in health sciences that will enable them to pursue further opportunities in the global health care sector.
EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING
The Honours degree offered through the BHSc is based on the philosophy of inquiry—”Learning is based on discovery guided by mentoring rather than the transmission of information” (John Dewey). The small group inquiry courses, offered every semester, are structured around current health related issues. Students and mentors will examine topics from “cell to society”, ranging from molecular biology to the global socio-economic environment. The active learning environment of the Inquiry courses will develop essential communication, organization, and research skills applicable to both the biomedical and social sciences.
FACULTY STUDENT INTERACTION
We recognize that students early on in their academic careers need exposure to individuals working in the health sciences. Therefore, we have created a mentorship program where groups of 3-5 students meet with a health care professional during the academic year to learn more about health research and care, broadly concieved. Students are also encouraged to work with faculty members through our summer research program, and our capstone reserearch project provides extensive one-on-one contact with health sciences leaders.
INTEGRATION OF RESEARCH
A fundamental aim of this program is to introduce students to the excitement of scientific inquiry in an interdisciplinary group setting early in their academic careers. Students receive substantial exposure to the research environment through our summer research program, our optional 300 level independent studies course, our Inquiry courses, and our capstone research project in the 4th year of the program.
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