It may seem like University is years away, having plenty of time before you actually start dealing with it. However, this is not always the case. University is indeed just around the corner for high school students, as they are to select the appropriate courses for their desired University program in their junior and senior year. University preparation begins quite earlier than you’d think and therefore, it is always beneficial to know what universities and undergraduate programs you would want to apply to. Throughout this blog, you will be provided with valuable insights into various different universities and their undergraduate programs that are suitable to pursue a career in the science field.
MCMASTER UNIVERSITY
McMaster University is a public institution founded in 1887, with its main campus located in the suburban neighborhood of Hamilton, Ontario. Other campuses are located in Downtown Hamilton, Burlington, Kitchener-Waterloo and Niagara. The university has six main academic divisions- engineering, health sciences, humanities, science, social science
and the DeGroote School of Business.
Life Sciences Program
The life sciences program at McMaster University overall provides students with the opportunity to study topics in human health, aging and disease. It prepares students for numerous science related careers by providing a foundation in scientific disciplines while exposing them to multidisciplinary approaches to resolving urgent issues. The grade range to get accepted into this program is 87-90%.The Life Sciences program includes a variety of subjects of major interests which are provided below:
Biochemistry
Biochemistry (biomedical research specialization
Biodiversity & environmental sciences
Biology
Biology (Discovery Sub-plan) Biology & Mathematics
Biology (Physiology)
Biology & Physiology, Neuroscience & Behaviour
Chemical Biology
Human Behaviour
Human Behaviour (Autism & Behavioural Science Specialization) Human Behaviour (Early Childhood Education Specialization)
Life Sciences
Life Sciences (origins of Disease Specialization)
Life Sciences (Sensory Motor Systems Specializations)
Medical & Biological Physics
Molecular Biology & Genetics
Neuroscience
Psychology, Neuroscience & Behaviour
Prerequisites:
Completion of High School Diploma plus six Grade 12 U/M level courses including:
ENG4U - (Grade 12 English)
One of MHF4U or MCV4U - (Advanced Functions, Grade 12 Calculus and Vectors,)
SBI4U - (Grade 12 Biology)
One of: MHF4U, MCV4U, SCH4U or SPH4U- (Advanced Functions, Grade 12 Calculus and Vectors, Grade 12 Chemistry, Grade 12 Physics)
Students without calculus will be required to take calculus in Level I.
Health Science Program
The health science program utilizes a unique, interdisciplinary approach to the study of health, wellness and illness. It offers students an understanding of health from biological, behavioural and population-based perspectives. Health Science is the only program in Ontario that draws on a full range of departments within health sciences, including clinical departments of Medicine, Pathology & Molecular Medicine, Psychiatry & Behavioural Neurosciences. It differs from the Life Science program as Life science focuses on how different living beings relate to each other and the environment, whereas health science focuses on applying the knowledge about plant and animal life, to treat and prevent diseases that affect human beings. The minimum grade 12 average required for consideration is 90%.
Prerequisites:
ENG4U - (Grade 12 English)
1 of MCV4U, MHF4U, MDM4U (Grade 12 Calculus and Vectors, Advanced Functions, Grade 12 Data Management).
SBI4U- (Grade 12 Biology)
SCH4U - (Grade 12 Chemistry)
1 non-Math, non-Science, non-Technology 4U/M credit - (4U refers to a grade 12 University level course. 4M refers to a grade 12 college/university level course).
WESTERN UNIVERSITY
Built in the “Forest City” in London, Ontario, Western is one of the largest universities in the Province. It includes 400 academic programs, 200 courses to choose from in the first year alone and 200 student clubs. Western today provides more experiential learning opportunities that take place outside the classroom, thus helping students prepare for their future careers.
Medical Sciences
The Bachelor of Medical Sciences Program is a four-year undergraduate degree offered jointly with the Faculty of Science and the Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry. In the first two years, students are registered as Medical Science students in the Faculty of Science, and will be taking more general courses (biology, chemistry, genetics, organic chemistry, etc.). In the third and fourth years, students will be registered as undergraduate students in the Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry and will explore more advanced study in one or more of the basic medical sciences. The grade average required to be accepted is in the low 90s.
Areas of Study include:
Biochemistry
Epidemiology and Biostatistics
Medical Biophysics
Medical Cell Biology
Medical Sciences
Microbiology and Immunology
Pathology and Toxicology
Physiology
Biochemistry and Cancer Biology
Prerequisites
ENG4U (Grade 12 English)
MCV4U (Grade 12 Calculus and Vectors)
SBI4U (Grade 12 Biology)
SCH4U (Grade 12 Chemistry)
Health Sciences
Throughout this program, students will be able to focus on improving human health and developing unique skills and perspectives to combat health-related issues affecting people from all walks of life. They will be able to develop an appreciation for the world’s health issues and be inspired to think globally and strategically to create effective solutions. Students will also be able to examine health through a variety of lenses to gain an appreciation for how social, political, economic and environmental factors impact people across their lifespan. The average required to be accepted would be in the high 80s.
Areas of study (modules):
Health Sciences
Health and Aging
Health Sciences with Biology
Rehabilitation Sciences
Health Promotion
These modules in Health Sciences focus on the interdisciplinary study of health and wellness in an ever-changing society, in addition to domestic and international health systems.
Prerequisites:
ENG4U (Grade 12 English
SBI4U (Grade 12 Biology)
1 of MHF4U, MCV4U or MDM4U (Advanced Functions, Grade 12 Calculus and Vectors, Grade 12 Data Management)
SCH4U (Grade 12 Chemistry) is recommended but not required
Conclusion
To pursue a successful career in the medical field, it is important to select your undergraduate programs wisely. Throughout this blog, it is seen that McMaster University and Western University are some of the many universities suitable for aspiring healthcare workers. Both health science programs are significantly beneficial for science students (with McMaster Health Science being highly recommended as it greatly helps students planning to enter medical school). Reading this blog, I hope you now have a better idea of your plans when entering post secondary.
- By Janusha Chandranathan
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