Last updated: March 12, 2018 @ 01:41PM

Public Health

This program is offered through the Department of Health Sciences

Chair
Ana Sanchez

Undergraduate Program Co-ordinator
Maryann Polce-Gordon

Director, Co-operative Programs
Cara Krezek

General Information

Administrative Assistant
Mary Montgomery

905-688-5550, extension 4228
Academic South 329
brocku.ca/hlsc

The Honours Bachelor of Public Health focuses on individual, community and population health and wellness emphasizing health promotion, health administration, health policy, and health programming and evaluation. Students are prepared for careers in a broad range of community and public health fields, where they may work to prevent chronic diseases such as cancer, heart disease, and diabetes; empower community members to achieve healthier, safer lifestyles; advocate and act to improve disadvantaged citizens' access to safe housing, nutritious food, mental health services, and proper healthcare; and intervene to reduce substance misuse, self-harm, and social, sexual and school violence. Students are also positioned to pursue postgraduate study in health-related disciplines.

Co-op Program

The Public Health Co-op program is a limited enrolment program. Exposure to courses in public health provides the necessary academic background for the work experience. Students awarded more than 5.0 transfer credits normally are not considered for the Public Health Co-op option.

The Public Health Co-op program combines academic and work terms after the second year of full-time studies. Students spend two years in an academic setting prior to taking the first work placement. In addition to the current fees for courses in academic study terms, Co-op students are assessed an annual administrative fee (see Schedule of Fees).

Eligibility to continue is based on the student's major average and non-major average. A student with a minimum 75 percent major average and a minimum 65 percent non-major average will be permitted to continue. A student who does not meet a minimum 75 percent major average and minimum 65 percent non-major average will not be permitted to continue in the Public Health Co-op program. Re-admission to the Public Health Co-op program requires a minimum 75 percent major average, 65 percent non-major average, permission of the Co-op Admissions Committee and the Department of Health Sciences.

All students in the Co-operative Education program are required to read, sign and adhere to the terms of the Student Regulations Waiver and Co-op Student Manuals (brocku.ca/co-op/current-students/co-op-student-manuals) as articulated by the Co-op Programs Office. In addition, eligibility to continue in the co-op option is based on the student's major average and non-major average, and the ability to demonstrate the motivation and potential to pursue a professional career.

Each four-month co-operative education work term must be registered. Once students are registered in a co-op work term, they are expected to fulfill their commitment. If the placement accepted is for more than one four-month work term, students are committed to complete all terms. Students may not withdraw from or terminate a work term without permission from the Director, Co-op Program Office.

The Public Health Co-op program designation will be awarded to those students who have honours standing and who have successfully completed a minimum of twelve months of Co-op work experience.

Program Notes
  1. To proceed to year 2 in the Bachelor of Public Health, students must achieve a minimum 65 percent major average and a minimum 60 percent non-major average, with a minimum grade of 60 percent in HLSC 1F90 and either MATH 1F92 or 1P98. To continue in the program after second year, students must achieve and maintain a minimum 70 percent major average and a minimum 60 percent non-major average or program removal may occur.
  2. To proceed to year 2 in the Bachelor of Public Health Co-op option, students must achieve a minimum 75 percent major average and a minimum 65 percent non-major average, with a minimum grade of 60 percent in HLSC 1F90 and either MATH 1F92 or 1P98. To continue in the program after second year, students must achieve and maintain a minimum 75 percent major average and a minimum 65 percent non-major average or program removal may occur.
  3. At least one credit each year must be taken outside the Department of Health Sciences. Suggested electives include COMM 1P96, 1P97, GEOG 1F90, INTC 1F90, PSYC 1F90, SOCI 1F90, WGST 1F90.
  4. BIOL 1P91 and 1P92 recommended.
  5. In the 20 credit degree program a maximum of eight credits may be numbered 1(alpha)00 to 1(alpha)99; at least three credits must be numbered 2(alpha)90 or above; at least three credits must be numbered 3(alpha)90 or above; and the remaining credits must be numbered 2(alpha)00 or above.
    In some circumstances, in order to meet university degree and program requirements, more than 20 credits may be taken.

Honours Program (only)

Year 1
·   HLSC 1F90
·   MATH 1F92 or MATH 1P98 and one-half elective credit
·   one Humanities context credit
·   one Sciences context credit (see program note 4 )
·   one elective credit (see program notes 1 and 3)

Year 2
·   HLSC 2P07, 2P21, 2P27, 2P49 and 2P98
·   one credit from HLSC 2F95, 2P02, 2P09, 2P40, 2P50, 2P60, 2P65, 2P90, 2P91
·   one and one-half elective credits (see program notes 1, 3 and 5)

Year 3
·   HLSC 3F20, 3P07, 3P21, 3P37, 3P50 and 3P92
·   one of HLSC 3P25, 3P26, 3P52, 3P68, 3P80, 4P59, PSYC 3P18, 3P19, 3P51, 3P72
·   one elective credit (see program notes 1, 3 and 5)

Year 4
·   HLSC 3P94, 4P03, 4P40 and 4P50
·   one-half HLSC credit numbered 3(alpha)90 or above
·   two elective credits (see program notes 3 and 5)
·   one-half elective credit numbered 3(alpha)90 or above

Co-op Program

Students admitted to the Co-op program must follow the program schedule as listed below. Failure to adhere to the schedule may result in removal from the Public Health Co-op program.

Year 1
·   HLSC 1F90
·   MATH 1F92 or MATH 1P98 and one-half elective credit
·   one Humanities context credit
·   one Sciences context credit (see program note 4)
·   one elective credit (see program notes 2 and 3)

Year 2
·   HLSC 0N90, 2P07, 2P21, 2P27, 2P49 and 2P98
·   one credit from HLSC 2F95, 2P02, 2P09, 2P40, 2P50, 2P60, 2P65, 2P90, 2P91
·   one and one-half elective credits (see program notes 2, 3 and 5)

Spring/Summer Sessions:
·   HLSC 0N01 and 2C01

Year 3
·   HLSC 3F20, 3P07, 3P21, 3P37, 3P50 and 3P92
·   one of HLSC 3P25, 3P26, 3P52, 3P68, 3P80, 4P59, PSYC 3P18, 3P19, 3P51, 3P72
·   one elective credit (see program notes 2, 3 and 5)

Spring/Summer Sessions:
·   HLSC 0N02 and 2C02

Year 4
·   HLSC 3P94, 4P03, 4P40 and 4P50
·   one-half HLSC credit numbered 3(alpha)90 or above
·   two elective credits (see program notes 3 and 5)
·   one-half elective credit numbered 3(alpha)90 or above

Spring/Summer Sessions:
·   HLSC 0N03 and 2C03

Description of Courses

See relevant calendar entry for course descriptions.