Join us at Laurier

Becoming a Golden Hawk means more than just cheering on our (really good) varsity teams – it means being a student who cares about your community, who works hard in the classroom, and who takes advantage of all the learning opportunities that can happen outside the classroom, too.

Steps to Apply

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Steps to Apply

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Applied Health Sciences (BASc)

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Explore the nexus between biological sciences and arts as they relate to health, illness, and medicine in this unique applied health program. Learn to identify and promote interventions that reduce disease and injury, prolong life, and improve health for individuals and populations alike.  By combining arts and sciences this program equips you with the skills for many health-related careers and sets you up for success in graduate and professional postgraduate clinical programs. 

Looking ahead to a career in education? Apply to the Applied Health Sciences with Teaching Option program.

This program was previously named Community Health (BASc).

Student Chemist

Apply Your Learning

Make the most out of your university career by taking advantage of all that Laurier has to offer you. Volunteer work, campus clubs, leadership programs, studying abroad, work experience – there are so many ways you can extend your classroom experience into the real world.

Here are just a few examples of the experiences you’ll get in the Applied Health Sciences program:

  • Apply what you are learning in biology, chemistry, anatomy and physiology through laboratory components in your courses.
  • Take the research-intensive course if you are interested in graduate studies, or the health-care practicum course to gain real-world experience to add to your resume.
  • Add the Physical Forensics specalization to your degree.
  • Smaller class sizes means access to faculty mentorship that can lead to a clinical pathway.
  • Join the Health Studies Student Association and create opportunities for your fellow Health Studies students to engage with other students and professors.

Check out the Applied Health Sciences Experience and Career Guide.

 

2022 graduates who secured employment or went on to postgraduate studies

 

Laurier ranks in the top 6 percent of universities worldwide*

 

students who gained hands-on learning experiences at Laurier in 2022

*Center for World University Rankings (CWUR)

Admissions

Format: full time or part time      Duration: four years     Start: September (fall term) or January (winter term) or May (spring term)    
OUAC codes: UAL (Applied Health Sciences); UHD (Applied Health Sciences with Teaching Option)

Your Next Steps

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Program Details

About the BASc in Applied Health Sciences

In our Bachelor of Arts and Science (BASc) in Applied Health Sciences program, award-winning educators and researchers integrate the latest advancements and knowledge into courses about the social and physical factors that influence the health status of individuals and populations. You will learn to apply knowledge fundamentals regarding science, social science, and humanities to the most pressing health-related issues of our time. With multi-disciplinary, comprehensive knowledge about health and health care, you will be prepared for future clinical and other applied career pathways.

In this program you’ll have the flexibility to conduct research and/or have experiential learning opportunities in a practicum placement allowing you to pursue your specific interests in health sciences.

In the BASc in Applied Health Sciences you’ll acquire skills to make recommendations for community health and healthcare policy interventions that will improve the health status within communities.

Additionally, you’ll learn about health and disease from a biological perspective. By learning the foundational biology related to health, you’ll keep clinical career options open for you, such as careers in nursing, medicine, occupational therapy, chiropractic, and physical therapy. 

State-of-the-Art Facilities

You'll have the opportunity to work in our state-of-the-art laboratories. Laboratory courses are designed to have a maximum of 12 students per laboratory session. This design ensures an instructor-to-student ratio that fosters a positive learning environment with mentorship for all students.

Physical Forensics Specialization

In addition to our degree programs, the Department of Health Studies offers a specialization in Physical Forensics for students in the BASc Applied Health Sciences program. Knowledge of forensic science strengthens access to a broad range of careers related to work within healthcare, the justice system, or fields of social work and human rights.

Your Path to Medical School

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Get one step closer to your medical school dreams at Laurier!

Our pathway agreement with American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine (AUC) means you’re automatically granted an admissions interview to the AUC School of Medicine if you meet all academic requirements. Upon graduation, you’ll have the opportunity to write exams to practice medicine in Canada, the UK or the United States.

Program Options and Courses

Teaching Option

Are you interested in a direct pathway to a Bachelor of Education?  

Laurier’s Applied Health Sciences with Teaching Option consists of 4.0 credits: five core half-credit courses offered through the Faculty of Education, plus three elective half-credit courses from an approved list. The option is designed to provide students with a foundational course of study focusing on teaching.  

Students admitted into the Teaching Option pathway who successfully complete the option’s requirements have a chance at a guaranteed spot in Laurier’s Bachelor of Education (BEd) program.  

Criteria for guaranteed admission to the BEd program of choice include:  

  • Meet all requirements of associated undergraduate program.  
  • Achieve a 10.5 GPA on the ten final full credits completed at Laurier.  
  • Complete all requirements of the Teaching Option.  
  • Satisfy all application requirements of the BEd program. 

Check out other options to enhance your degree.

First-Year Courses

  • Biological Diversity and Evolution
  • Fundamentals of Chemistry I
  • Fundamentals of Chemistry II
  • Introduction to Public Health
  • Anatomy and Physiology
  • Social Determinants of Health
  • Unifying Life Processes
  • Introduction to Indigenous Studies
  • two elective courses

Sample First-Year Electives

  • Introduction to Psychology
  • Disease and Society
  • Leadership and Personal Development

Sample Upper-Year Courses

  • Epidemiology and Public Health
  • Human Anatomy and Physiology
  • Infection Control and Prevention

Similar Programs

Community Service-Learning

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Community Service-Learning (CSL) courses at Laurier integrate service in the community with what you are learning in your classes. Placements are approximately 10 weeks and take place on a weekly basis from the second week of classes to the final week, typically for two hours per week.

CSL placements consist of volunteering at a local community service, such as a soup kitchen or a children's treatment centre. It’s a great way to apply classroom knowledge and gain practical experience in your field of study. Build your resume, develop your network, and graduate with experience.

Interested? Learn more about Community Service-Learning.

Tuition and Scholarships

Getting a university education is an investment in your future.

At Laurier, we take financial health seriously by providing a wide variety of funding opportunities for you throughout your degree, such as scholarships and bursaries, and by equipping you with the skills to manage your finances effectively in the years to come.

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"The best part of this program is that you learn the social aspects regarding health and well-being, as well as the nitty-gritty science of how certain pathologies develop. There is so much knowledge and power in understanding that these two play a huge role in this thing we call health!"

Anna Graczyk, Health Studies graduate

"There is no doubt in my mind that the Health Studies program has, and will continue to, contribute to my ability to be a competent, empathetic, and well-rounded health care provider as I move forward in my career."

Clare Flethcher, Health Studies graduate

Your Career Awaits

It’s not only about the journey; it’s about the destination. Let us help you get to where you’re going.

Here are just some examples of our graduates' destinations. What’s yours?

Sample Career Options

Note: Additional training and education may be required.

  • biostatistician
  • epidemiologist
  • midwife
  • health educator/promoter
  • naturopath
  • nurse/nurse practitioner
  • occupational therapist
  • physician
  • physiotherapist
  • dentist
  • public health program manager

Explore more careers.

Support After Graduation

Alumni for life means that you have access to Career and Employment Support offered at Laurier for your entire career.

Brantford Campus

The Brantford campus is woven into the downtown core of the City of Brantford and is home to more than 3,000 students. Close to great walking and biking trails, you get the best of both worlds.

There are many ways to tour our Brantford campus, whether that's on a guided tour with one of our Laurier student ambassadors, on your own using virtual reality, or even on-demand through one of our pre-recorded tours. See our campus spaces and start to picture yourself at Laurier.

"My practicum course really gave me a chance to experience health care and see how what it’s like to work in the real world. It showed both the rewards and the difficulties of the healthcare field. I loved every minute of it."

Jacob Pearce, Health Studies graduate

Interested in More Info?

Email chooselaurier@wlu.ca, call 548.889.8888 or see all contact information.

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