McMaster University

Students in McMaster University Student Centre (MUSC)

BHSc Courses

Courses Overview

Within the program there is a core group of required courses which allows students to be introduced to a variety of perspectives and to acquire a range of intellectual skills. Electives may be used to concentrate in a specialized area or to develop broad based interests.

Most university courses consist of three hours of instruction per week. The format by which the instruction is provided can vary from course to course, but for level 1 courses, it typically consists of five main methods: inquiry, problem-based learning, labs, tutorials and lectures.


5 Main Methods

Inquiry

Problem-based learning focusing on the development of skills that are most widely sought in university graduates - the capacity to research and analyze complex problems and to communicate easily and effectively about them.

Problem-based learning

Interdependent and independent small group learning. Collect and analyze the data for discussion and critical evaluation in the small group.

Labs

Practical application of theories and techniques taught in lectures

Tutorial

Material presented in the lecture is reviewed in a small group with a teaching assistant.

Lecture

Professor integrates and clarifies course material


Studies in the first year, for the most part, are broad based and foundational. Students may consolidate their interests in year two and prepare for specialized study in the final two years of the program. The program recognizes that students have a variety of interests and allows for varying degrees of specialization in appropriate areas. Appropriate foci for study within this program include: immunology, molecular biology, infectious disease, neurosciences, behavioural sciences, clinical epidemiology, health economics and health policy.

Required Courses

Level I: 21 units required courses
  • 6 units HTH SCI 1I06
  • 6 units CHEM 1A03, 1AA3
  • 6 units HTH SCI 1E06
  • 3 units HTH SCI 1G03
  • 1 course Science 1A00
  9 units elective courses
  30 units Level I total

Level II: 21 units required courses
 
  • 3 units HTH SCI 2A03
  • 3 units HTH SCI 2E03
  • 6 units HTH SCI 2D06 (transfers only)
  • 3 units HTH SCI 2F03
  • 3 units HTH SCI 2FF3
  • 3 units HTH SCI 2G03
  • 3 units HTH SCI 2J03
  • 3 units HTH SCI 2K03
  • 1 course HTH SCI 1BS0
  9 units elective courses
  30 units Level II total

Level III: 12 units required courses
 
  • 3 units HTH SCI 3E03
  • 3 units HTH SCI 3G03
  • 3 units HTH SCI 3GG3
  • 3 units HTH SCI 3H03
  18 units elective courses
  30 units Level III total

Level IV: 9 - 12 units required courses
 
  • 9 or 6 units HTH SCI 4A09 or 4B06
  • 3 units HTH SCI 4X03

18 - 21 units elective courses

  30 units Level IV total

  • HTH SCI 4X03 - Studies begin in 1st year, registration in 4th year
  • 120 Units Total (Levels I-IV)
  • No more than 48 units of Level I courses (for a 4 year honours degree) and no more than 42 units of Level 1 courses (for a 3 year degree)
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