Applied Health Sciences

Associate Dean

Mike Plyley

Professors

Maureen Connolly, John Corlett, John Hay, Peggy Hutchison, Mike Plyley

Associate Professors

Lorne Adams, Anthony Bogaert, Paulette Coté Laurence (LOA), David A. Fennell, Hilary Findlay, David Gabriel, Ann Marie Guilmette, Lisa Kikilus, Panagiota Klentrou, Anna H. Lathrop, Kelli-an Lawrance, Joanne MacLean, Nancy Murray, George Nogradi, Danny Rosenberg, Shalini Singh, Diane Stevens, David Telfer, Lucie Thibault, Terry Wade, Hui Di Wang, John K. Yardley

Assistant Professors

Allan Adkin, Susan Arai, Cheri Bradish, John Cairney, Laura Cousens, Christian Duval, Marilyn Evans, Brent Faught, Susan Forbes, Gail Frost, Kimberley Gammage, Paul Heintzman, Nicholas Holt, Craig Hyatt, Atsuko Hashimoto, Brian Jeynes, Candace Johnson-Redden, Paula Johnson-Tew, Heather-Lee Kilty, Kelly Lockwood, Shelley Lothian, Melanie MacNeil, Jamie Mandigo, Deborah O'Leary, Sandra Peters, Ryan Plummer, Lynn Rempel, Ian Ritchie, Linda Ritchie, Brian Roy, Ana Sanchez, Erin Sharpe, Kirsty Spence, Julie Stevens, Philip Sullivan, Andrea Toepell, Evangelia Tsiani, Margarita Vikander

General Information

Administrative Assistant

Bev Minor

905-688-5550, extension 4797

Walker Complex 285

http://www.brocku.ca/fahs/gradprgm.htm

The Master's program in Applied Health Sciences offers students a unique educational experience which combines mentorship of the student by a faculty supervisor and extensive small group work with fellow students from each of the five academic departments represented in the program: Community Health Sciences, Nursing, Physical Education and Kinesiology, Recreation and Leisure Studies and Sport Management. Students will gain in-depth training, knowledge and research experience through their thesis work while also benefiting from the broad, cross-disciplinary approach followed in the course work. The advanced course work and strong research experience are intended to prepare students to continue their graduate training at the doctoral level. Students will also be prepared to pursue the wide variety of career possibilities in health, kinesiology, recreation, and sport management.

The objectives of the program are:

Admission Requirements

Applicants for admission to the MA/MSc program will normally have an honours bachelor's degree in the areas of health studies, nursing, recreation and leisure studies, kinesiology, or sport management. Students with an honours bachelor's degree in such related fields as psychology, planning, sociology, gerontology, social work, tourism, biology and business may also be eligible, although additional course work may be required. To be eligible for the MA/MSc program, students must have undergraduate preparation in research methods in either quantitative or qualitative data analysis. Applicants who do not have an undergraduate research methods course and/or an undergraduate data analysis course may be admitted to the program as a transition student. These students, however, must successfully complete, at the undergraduate level, the research methods and/or data analysis course within the first two terms in order to continue in the program. Official transcripts indicating a minimum B (second-class honours standing), a sample of written work, a statement of interest and goals, and three letters of reference will be required. Agreement from a faculty advisor to supervise the student is also required for admission to the program.

Program Requirements

Basic degree requirements include the successful completion of at least two full course credits and a research project that culminates in a thesis. The research project for the thesis will be chosen in consultation with the student's advisor.

The courses will be chosen in consultation with the candidate's advisor, but normally will include: AHSC5P00; one of AHSC5P07 or AHSC5P17; and two half-credit course electives. Students may choose a Selected Research Topic or Directed Study course, or a graduate level course (number 5(alpha)00 or above) from any graduate department in the University, to fulfill their two elective course requirements.

Students must register for AHSC5P00 and one of either AHSC5P07 or AHSC5P17 in the first semester of study and two number 5(alpha)xx - level courses in the second semester of study. Students are expected to complete their course requirements within the first three terms of study, and conclude all requirements within six academic terms (two years).

Thesis

A thesis proposal will be required of all MA/MSc students in the program. The proposal should contain a detailed statement of the research problem and significance in terms of its contribution to knowledge and/or practice, a precise account of the methodology or research techniques to be employed, plus an outline of the proposed data analysis procedures to be used. The student will be required to present and defend this proposal before the student's thesis advisory committee. The final thesis based on the completed research must also be successfully defended to satisfy the thesis requirement.

Residency

The minimum residency requirement for the MA/MSc program is one year (3 academic terms) of full-time study.

Areas of study

Students will pursue their studies with an emphasis in one of the five academic departments represented within the Applied Health Sciences. The research strengths of the student's advisor will lead to either an MA or MSc designation.

Course Descriptions

AHSC 5F90

MA/MSc Research and Thesis

A research project involving the preparation and defence of a thesis proposal and a final thesis report which demonstrate a capacity for independent work. The thesis shall be carried out under the supervision of a faculty member and both the proposal and final thesis shall be defended at an oral examination.

AHSC 5P00

Philosophical and Methodological Issues in Applied Health Sciences

A critical examination of philosophical issues, current paradigms, and research methodology related to the conduct of research. Discussion of published and ongoing research from a multidisciplinary perspective. Topics will vary with respect to the current research and expertise of the instructor.

AHSC 5P01

Graduate Integrative Seminar in Applied Health Sciences I

Designed to provide students and faculty with the opportunity to discuss and debate current theories, methods, and issues as they apply to the multidisciplinary field of applied health sciences. Faculty members and students from a variety of areas within the Faculty of Applied Health Sciences will present research or specific issues to the forum for discussion.

AHSC 5P02

Graduate Integrative Seminar in Applied Health Sciences: II

Designed to provide students and faculty with the opportunity to discuss and debate current theories, methods, and issues as they apply to the multidisciplinary field of applied health sciences. Examination of mechanisms and processes that contribute to, rehabilitate, or maintain the health and well-being of individuals and groups. Faculty members and students from a variety of areas within the Faculty of Applied Health Sciences will present research or specific issues to the forum for discussion.

AHSC 5P03

The Organizational Analysis of Leisure, Sport, and Community Based Organizations

The purpose of this course is to introduce students to selected topics in organizational theory and to discuss how these can be used to understand and conduct research on the different types of leisure and sport organizations (i.e., public organizations, nonprofit organizations, and commercial organizations).

AHSC 5P04

Leadership and Organizational Behavior in Leisure, Sport, and Community Based Organizations

Understanding and effectively managing behavior is critical for leaders in sport, recreation, health, and educational organizations. This course is designed to provide students from disparate Applied Health Science backgrounds an understand-ing of human behavior in organizations. Content will relate to theory, current research, and the practical application of the behavior of people in organizations and how that behavior interfaces with management.

AHSC 5P07

Quantitative Data Analysis and Interpretation

Examines and applies a variety of statistical analysis techniques which can be used in a variety of research designs. Emphasis is placed on the interpretation and implications of empirical quantitative research in the field.

AHSC 5P17

Qualitative Data Analysis and Interpretation

Examines and applies a variety of qualitative data analysis techniques applicable in a variety of qualitative approaches, including the use of computer software programs in qualitative data analysis. Emphasis is placed on the interpretation and implications of empirical qualitative research in the field.

AHSC 5P97

Advanced Regulation of Fuel Metabolism

Physiological approach to understanding the integration of substrate supply to skeletal muscle and energy production by muscle cells during exercise of different intensities. Examination and critical review of the current research in human metabolic regulation.

AHSC 5P98

Electromyographic Kinesiology

Biological components of volitional movement in humans. Sensorimotor evoked potentials, and the relationship between muscle force and the electrical activity produced by the muscle. Theory and technology of electromyography are used to describe and quantify the relationship between neuromuscular input and mechanical output.

AHSC 5V20-5V59

Selected Research Topics

Focuses on a specific research problem or issue. Topic(s) to be negotiated on a small group basis reflecting the research interests of faculty members.

AHSC 5V60-5V69

Directed Study

Directed intensive and individual project in a substantive area to be chosen in consultation with a faculty advisor.