 |
 |
Health Sciences Master of Science Program
Faculty of Health Sciences
91ĹÝÜ˝ Calendar 2011 Fall
This master of science (MSc) program prepares graduates for research careers in one of the signature areas that either have been developed or are currently under development within the faculty including global health; environmental health and toxicology; epidemiology and prevention of chronic disease, population and public health perspectives on mental health and addictions; the impact of social inequalities on multiple health outcomes; adolescent and children’s health, health policy, and interdisciplinary perspectives on infectious disease. The available courses and directed research experiences available will cover health issues from the level of cells, organisms, systems, communities and populations, encompassing and transcending strictly individual or clinical perspectives.
Formal academic instruction is available in regularly taught courses within the faculty (as described above) as well as in other Univeristy faculties and departments, and other BC and Alberta universities through the Western Deans’ Agreement. In addition, directed studies and directed research courses may be available in specific areas.
The MSc is a research degree program that requires a thesis. The thesis will comprise a focused body of study that would normally require about two to three terms to complete.
Admission Requirements
Applicants who are recent graduates should have completed a baccalaureate degree in a discipline relevant to their health sciences interest. Such disciplines include the social and behavioral sciences, life sciences and/or the quantitative sciences. A minimum cumulative grade point average of at least 3.3 on grading scales that are similar to those used by 91ĹÝÜ˝ is normally required. Applicants with substantial experience as practitioners in health or a related field will be evaluated in part on their academic credentials and in part on their career accomplishments. Applicants may receive conditional admission, subject to satisfactory completion of additional specified courses.
Factors influencing admission include an assessment of whether the student’s educational and career interest are complementary to the research strengths of the faculty, enrolment space, and the student’s specific preparation. Meeting program application requirements does not guarantee program admission. Applicants should demonstrate how their educational, research and/or career experiences have prepared them for their selected areas of concentration.
Students are admitted annually for each fall term. All applicants must meet the application deadline, which is set for the beginning of February preceding the term of matriculation. Only complete applications are considered.
To apply and pay the application fee online, consult the graduate studies website at .
For specific Faculty of Health Sciences information, visit .
Program Requirements
The curriculum consists of a minimum of six courses, one seminar and a thesis.
Requirements include two courses in methodology and research design that are relevant to the student’s research and career interest. To meet this requirement, most students will find it advantageous, depending on their interests and prior training, to complete at least two of the following courses.
- HSCI 801-4 Biostatistics for Population Health Practice I
- HSCI 802-4 Principles of epidemiology for Public Health
- HSCI 804-3 Biostatistics for Population Health Practice II
- HSCI 805-3 Intermediate Epidemiologic Methods.
In addition, all students complete four additional courses, selected in consultation with their supervisor, from any of the graduate courses offered by the Faculty of Health Sciences.
With the approval of the senior supervisor and graduate program director, a student may complete up to two courses outside the Faculty of Health Sciences, either from within 91ĹÝÜ˝ or from other universities who participate in the Western Dean’s Agreement. This agreement providesfor easy inclusion of graduate courses from most universities in BC and adjoining provinces.
All students complete
- HSCI 900-0 MPH Seminar 1
- HSCI 901-1 MPH Seminar 2
These courses, which are completed during the fall and spring terms, provide a context for all master’s students to meet and learn from faculty and each other.
Thesis
The MSc is a research degree in which the main component will be a thesis that addresses a health sciences research problem. The thesis will comprise a focused body of study that would normally require about two to three terms to complete. Before commencing master’s thesis research, all students prepare and successfully defend a thesis proposal before their supervisory committee, and obtain relevant ethics, biosafety, and experimental animal handling approvals as necessary.
The thesis requirement is completed by enrolling in
- HSCI 887-6 MSc Thesis
The course comprises focused study that normally requires two to three terms to complete. Upon embarking on their thesis research, MSc thesis stream students enrol in this course and continue to enrol in HSCI 887 until the thesis is completed and successfully defended, as described in graduate general regulations 1.9 and 1.10.
Before commencing master's thesis research, all students prepare and successfully defend a thesis proposal before their supervisory committee, and obtain relevant ethics, biosafety, and experimental animal handling approvals as necessary.
Academic Requirements within the Graduate General Regulations
All graduate students must satisfy the academic requirements that are specified in the Graduate General Regulations (residence, course work, academic progress, supervision, research competence requirement, completion time, and degree completion), as well as the specific requirements for the program in which they are enrolled, as shown above.