Health and Society
Program at a glance
In the first year, Health and Society students learn the foundations of health research, including searching the academic literature, academic writing and presentation skills and working in collaborative teams. Health and Society students also explore how the social and health science perspectives shape public health.
Continuing to develop their academic writing, presentation and interdisciplinary collaboration skills, Health and Society students also declare a social science concentration in one of Anthropology, Community Rehabilitation and Disabilities Studies, Economics, Geography, Political Science, Psychology, or Sociology. Core course work in this year focuses on exploring Public Health through the foundational principles of the social determinants of health and the healthcare system.
Health and Society students explore advanced courses in their desired social science concentration, while exploring the philosophical underpinnings of the application of the social sciences to health problems. Third year Heath and Society students also practice their growing health and research knowledge and skills through a first hand experience in a health research project.
Health and Society students integrate their learning in the social and health sciences as they complete an honours thesis research project. In addition, students participate in a capstone course specific to Health and Society students that situates the foundational principles of the major within global health, while completing social science concentration course requirements.
MDSC 203 - Developing Health Research Literacy I
Students will be introduced to the interdisciplinary scope of health research through reading and writing assignments. Students will learn the basics of academic research enquiry and practice academic writing and presentation skills through individual and team assignments.
MDSC 205 - Developing Health Research Literacy II
Students will develop their critical thinking skills and their ability to write logically, well-argued research papers. Students will learn the fundamentals of logical reasoning as well as how to analyze theoretical issues in science, medicine, and philosophy.
BIOL 241 - Energy Flow in Biological Systems
An introduction to the energetics of life from molecules through ecosystems. Topics include: energy in biological systems; how different organisms obtain, store and use energy; energy budgets of organisms; and energy flow through cells and ecosystems.
BIOL 243 - DNA, Inheritance and Evolution
An introduction to central concepts in evolution and DNA as a vehicle for inheritance of genetic information. Topics include: the nature of genetic information and inheritance including transcription, translation and replication; natural selection and speciation; origin and history of biodiversity.
HSOC 201 - Introduction to Health & Society
An introduction to the application of the social sciences and epidemiology perspectives to public health practice and research.
ENGL 2XX
Major Option
*See below
Major Option
*See below
Major Option
*See below
Humanities Option
*See below
Year 2
HSOC 301 – Determinants of Health
An exploration of the social, political, economic and healthcare system factors that shape the health of individuals, vulnerable groups and entire populations.
HSOC 311 – Health Services and Health Systems
An interactive introduction to the Canadian healthcare system; its defining features, strengths and limitations and how it compares to health systems around the world.
MDSC 308 - Full year course – Interdisciplinary Research Approaches
Students are introduced to the questions, methods and research techniques used across the different majors of Biomedical Sciences, Bioinformatics and Health and Society and work both independently and in interdisciplinary groups to explore their application to current health issues.
Senior Option
*See below
MDSC 407 – Statistics and Research Design in Health Sciences
Students are introduced to statistics and research design in the biomedical and health sciences. A focus will be on building the statistics literacy skills, required for the analyses of health-related data and understanding and reviewing the health sciences literature.
Life Science Option
*See below
Concentration Course
*See below
Concentration Course
*See below
Open Option
*See below
Year 3
HSOC 401 – Foundations of Social Science Methods
An examination of philosophical principles that underlie social science methodology
HSOC 403 - Advanced Topics in Social Determinants of Health
Social determinants of health are key to understanding and intervening on health and disease in populations. This course builds on the understanding of the social determinants of health by exploring a few of these in greater depth. Topics will vary, buy may include racism, sexism and gender identity, Indigenous health inequities, or the built environment. Students will engage with research from a number of social science disciplines to explore the complexities and nuances that shape health inequities in a variety of environments in which people live and work.
HSOC 408 - Full year course - Health Research Methods and Research field practicum
Students are paired with a research supervisor for a health research practicum. Students apply health research competencies developed so far and gain additional project management and research skills in preparation for their honours thesis.
Students also continue with senior social science courses in their desired concentration and select from a number of senior life science, health science, social science and humanities options that align with their interests.
Health Science Option
*See below
Concentration Course
*See below
Concentration Course
*See below
Open Option
*See below
Open Option
*See below
Year 4
HSOC 591 - Advanced Seminar in Health and Society
This capstone course offers a critical exploration of contemporary global health issues, including social and health inequities, governance, policy and partnerships.
Senior Option
*See below
MDSC 508 - Full year course - Honours Thesis and Research Communication
This course supports students as they complete an honours thesis research project and enhances skills in interdisciplinary communication.
Concentration Course
*See below
Health Science Option
*See below
Health Science Option
*See below
Concentration Course
*See below
Options
Open
Any course.
Senior
Any course at the 300-level or above.
Health Science
Any senior-level course offered by the Faculty of Science, the Cumming School of Medicine or courses selected from Anthropology, Archaeology, Economics, Geography, History, International Relations, Linguistics, Indigenous Studies, Political Science, Psychology, Sociology, and Urban Studies.
Concentration Courses
Social Science concentration courses; varies depending on concentration area. Choose from: ANTH, CORE, ECON, GEOG, POLI, PSYC, SOCI.
Concentration Courses
Anthropology
ANTH 341, 393, 411, 490 and 9 units from Archaeology 595 or senior-level courses offered by the Department of Anthropology and Archaeology.
Community Rehabilitation and Disability Studies
CORE 209, 435, one of 471 or 473 or 475 and 12 units senior-level Community Rehabilitation courses.
Economics
ECON 349, 355, 379 and 12 units senior-level courses by offered by the Department of Economics.
***Students considering concentrating in Economics should take ECON 201 and 203 as Major options. It is strongly recommended that these two courses be completed during the first year of study to facilitate enrolment in senior-level Economics courses come the student's second year.
Geography
GEOG 280, 352, 380 485 and 9 units senior-level courses offered by the Department of Geography.
Political Sciences
POLI 310, 359, 381, 399 and 6 units senior-level courses offered by the Department of Political Sciences.
Psychology
PSYC 300, 301, 305 or 405 and 12 units senior-level courses offered by the Department of Psychology.
****Students considering concentrating in Psychology should take PSYC 200 and 201 as Major options. It is strongly recommended that this course be completed during the first year of study to facilitate in senior-level Psychology courses come the student's second year.
Sociology
SOCI 311, 313, 315, 321, 331, 333, 413
The above concentration courses are subject to change and access may be restricted by the departments offering the courses.
