Last updated: February 27, 2024 @ 09:26PM

Public Health

This program is offered through the Department of Health Sciences

Chair
Dan Malleck

Undergraduate Academic Advisor & Program Co-ordinator
Maryann Polce-Gordon

Experiential Education Co-ordinator
Chase Chappell

General Information

Administrative Co-ordinator
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 post-graduate study in health-related disciplines. Early during undergraduate studies, it is the students' responsibility to research prerequisites for advanced courses as well as admission requirements for any post-graduate programs to which they may plan to apply.

Co-op Program

The Public Health Co-op program is a limited enrolment program that combines academic and co-op experiences. Courses in public health provide the necessary academic background for the real world work experience. Students spend two years in an academic setting prior to taking the first co-op work term experience.

Co-op students are normally admitted to the program from high school, but limited space may allow university students with no more than 5.0 credits to transfer into co-op prior to second year. 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).

All Public Health students in the Co-op program are required to read, sign and adhere to the Undergraduate Co-op Students Terms and Conditions as articulated by the Co-op Education Office. Eligibility to continue is based on the student's major average and non-major average and assessment by the Co-op Office in consultation with the Department of Health Sciences. A student who does not meet a minimum 75 percent major average and minimum 65 percent non-major average and the Terms and Conditions of the Co-op Education Office 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.

Each co-operative education work term is typically 12-16 weeks. It must be registered, and students are expected to fulfill their commitment. If the placement accepted is for more than a typical 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, Career and Experiential Education.

The Public Health Co-op program designation will be awarded to those students who have honours standing and who have successfully completed all co-op requirements including HLSC 0N90, and a minimum of twelve months of Co-op work experience.

Accelerate Into Masters (AIM) Program
Bachelor of Public Health (BPH) and Master of Public Health (MPH) Program.

The Accelerate Into Masters (AIM) program in public health has a limited enrolment of 10 students per year. Students enter the four-year Bachelor of Public Health (delivered face-to-face) with their position in the one-year Master of Public Health (delivered completely online) already secured. They may choose to pursue both degrees, or exit the program after their BPH degree if their career or academic aspirations change.

Students in this program must adhere to the existing BPH honours or co-op criteria to remain in the stream of their choice (see program notes). Continued admissibility into the MPH requires a minimum overall average of 80 percent in the final two years of the BPH degree (see https://brocku.ca/mph)

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 one of STAT 1F92, 1P98, 1P99. 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. Students removed from the Honours degree will be moved to the Community Health (Pass) degree.
  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 one of STAT 1F92, 1P98, 1P99. 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. Students removed from the Honours degree will be moved to the Community Health (Pass) degree.
  3. At least one credit each year must be taken outside the Department of Health Sciences. Suggested electives include CANA 1F91, CHYS 1F90, COMM 1P96, 1P97, ENGL 1P92, ENSU 2P01, 2P02, GEOG 1F90, HIST 1P90, IASC 1F02, INDG 1F90, PSYC 1F90, SOCI 1P90, 1P91, TOUR 1P91, 1P92, WGST 1F90.
  4. BIOL 1P23, 1P24, 1P27, 1P28, 1P91 or 1P92 are recommended.
  5. Students take HLSC 3Q21 in year 3 or 4. If students take the course in year 4, one-half credit from the year 4 list should be taken in year 3.
  6. 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 (see program note 1)
·   one credit from STAT 1F92, STAT 1P98 and one-half elective credit, STAT 1P99 and one-half elective credit (see program note 1)
·   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 2P00, 2P02, 2P09, 2P40, 2P50, 2P60, 2P65, 2P90, 2P91, 2P95, 2P96
·   one and one-half elective credits (see program notes 1, 3 and 6)

Year 3
·   HLSC 3P07, 3P21, 3P37, 3Q20 and 3Q21 (see program note 5)
·   one credit from HLSC 3P25, 3P50, 3P68, 3P80, 3Q90, 3Q97, PSYC 2P92, 3P18, 3P19, 3P72
·   one and one-half elective credits (see program notes 1, 3 and 6)

Year 4
·   One credit from HLSC 3P92, 3P94, 4P03, 4P04
·   HLSC 4P40, 4P50 and 4P59
·   two elective credits (see program notes 3 and 6)
·   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 (see program note 2)
·   one credit from STAT 1F92, STAT 1P98 and one-half elective credit, STAT 1P99 and one-half elective credit (see program note 2)
·   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 2P00, 2P02, 2P09, 2P40, 2P50, 2P60, 2P65, 2P90, 2P91, 2P95, 2P96
·   one and one-half elective credits (see program notes 2, 3 and 6)

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

Year 3
·   HLSC 3P07, 3P21, 3P37, 3Q20 and 3Q21 (see program note 5)
·   one credit from HLSC 3P25, 3P50, 3P68, 3P80, 3Q90, 3Q97, PSYC 2P92, 3P18, 3P19, 3P72
·   one and one-half elective credit (see program notes 2, 3 and 6)

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

Year 4
·   One credit from HLSC 3P92, 3P94, 4P03, 4P04
·   HLSC 4P40, 4P50 and 4P59
·   two elective credits (see program notes 3 and 6)
·   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.