Population Health (HSBc)
Population Health students study the health of the entire population, exploring factors that influence health outcomes across specific groups of people. The program develops students to examine how individual behaviours, health systems and policy all play a role in a population’s health status, highlighting the biomedical perspective. It equips students to dive into research and identify health trends to guide the development of strategies to improve population health.
Health Policy (HBA)
Health Policy delves into the creation and implementation of policies to promote population health inclusive of policy writing. It also touches on levels of government and how health is government in Canada including politics of Canadian Health Policy.
Population Health (Science) – Major
Health Policy (Arts) – Major
Health Humanities (Arts) – Minor
Paramedicine (Science) – Specialist
Please note that students are unable to combine majors in Population Health and Health Policy. Students in the Population Health Major are still able to take health policy courses, and vice versa.
First Year Look
In their first year, students in either Major program are encouraged to enroll in our Introductory Health courses (HLTA02H3 and HLTA03H3). Depending on the program of choice, there may be other first year course expectations to fulfill as well.
Effective for September 2024, there will be new requirements for each program. Please check our course calendar for up-to-date program requirements.
Students pursuing the Population Health major are encouraged to take a first-year Biology course as well, to prepare students for the science aspects of their major later on the degree.
The beauty of any Health Studies Major or Minor program is that students have more freedom to create an undergraduate degree in their image due to the flexibility the programs offer.
Co-op Option
There is a co-op option offered with both major options (Population Health and Health Policy). Please note students enrolled in this option are required to successfully complete the additive Arts &Science Co-op Work Term Preparation courses and a minimum of two Co-op work terms. These work terms are paid terms in the public, private, and/or non-profit sectors.
Meet Eman
Population Health Co-op Student
Oncology Research Student at William Osler Health System (Brampton Civic Hospital)
In my role as a co-op student, I worked in a dynamic range of responsibilities that provided me with a comprehensive perspective on real-world research processes. My job responsibilities included a spectrum of tasks including data entry, research file organization across diverse platforms, and a meticulous review of medical charts along with precise data abstraction.
Meet Muhanad
Muhanad is currently a Senior Policy Advisor in the Assistant Deputy Minister’s Office (Hospitals and Capital Division) at the Ontario’s Ministry of Health. He is also a health researcher focusing on the barriers and enablers to care and services for priority populations, in particular cancer screening (beast, cervical, colorectal, and lung cancer screening), diabetes screening, mental health services, and headache care.
What I really enjoyed about the program was the sense of community between students and faculty. I have had the privilege to learn and engage with like-minded students and educators, all working together to host events/workshops and provide employment and career supports.
How did the program equip Muhanad for his future program/career?
I graduated with an Honours Bachelor’s of Science (HBSc) in Population Health (Major), International Development Studies (Major), and Anthropology (Minor). I pursued this program because I am passionate about public health, and the opportunities that lie in supporting individuals and communities in improving and protecting their health and wellbeing. The interdisciplinary nature of the program also enabled me to pursue other subject areas within the social sciences, not only strengthening my theoretical knowledge in public health but also cultivating a range of critical thinking, writing, and research skills; inspiring me to seek practical solutions for real world challenges.
Future Careers
The diverse nature of the program has inspired our alumni to work in many different fields and take on multiple career pathways. Other examples of careers our alumni have chosen to pursue are:
- Patient Engagement Coordinator
- Project Manager with The Ontario Health Team
- Data and AI Health Information Consulant