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Frequently asked questions

  • Why should I choose the Faculty of Health Sciences at Ontario Tech University?
    • The Faculty of Health Sciences provides career-oriented undergraduate programs with a primary focus on those programs that are innovative and responsive to the needs of students and employers. This approach creates continuity in our relationships with our community partners while providing students with the research and program implementation skills to pursue either employment or graduate studies in area of public health.
    • Small, interactive classes in a technology-enriched learning environment.
    • Small class sizes make communication with your professors and classmates easy, and accessible.
    • Faculty members are engaged in leading-edge research across a number of cross-cutting areas to address health and health-related concerns and are involved in research which spans the health-care continuum.
    • Opportunities to get involved in research, such as practicum courses, internships and volunteer opportunities. This experience is invaluable for students looking to engage in scientific research early in their careers or for students looking to continue their education in research-based studies.
    • A dedicated team of academic advisors who strive to help students to make choices leading to academic and personal achievement and success.
  • Why should I choose the Bachelor of Health Science – Public Health Specialization?
    • Public health considers health from the perspective of communities, from a neighbourhood to national and international levels. You will learn about the health status of populations, inequities in health, determinants of health and illness, strategies for health promotion, disease and injury prevention, health protection, and factors that influence the delivery and use of health services.
    • The Public Health specialization program provides a career-oriented undergraduate program that was developed using the 36 Core Competencies for Public Health in Canada, which is deemed essential for all public health workers and professionals in Canada.
  • What are the admission requirements?
    • Current Ontario secondary school students must complete the Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) with six 4U or 4M credits including English (ENG4U) with a minimum grade of 60 per cent, Biology (SBI4U) and one of Advanced Functions (MHF4U), Calculus and Vectors (MCV4U) or Mathematics of Data Management (MDM4U). It is recommended that students interested in the Human Health Science specialization take Chemistry (SCH4U).
    • Note: Admission is competitive. The specific average or standing required for admission varies from year to year. Students are selected by taking into consideration a wide range of criteria including school marks, distribution of subjects taken, and performance in subjects relevant to the academic program. Possession of the minimum requirements does not guarantee acceptance. Preference will be given to applicants with the best qualifications.
    • Learn more about admissions to our Health Sciences program.
  • What kind of courses will I be taking?

    Some examples of courses in this program are listed below*:

    • Public Health
    • Exploring Mental Health and Developmental Difficulties
    • Global Health
    • Epidemiology
    • Public Health Microbiology
    • Nutrition and Health
    • Prevention and Rehabilitation of Complex Chronic Conditions

     * Note: A full program map with all course and program requirements is available in the Undergraduate Academic Calendar. Courses are subject to change without notice.

  • What are the career opportunities for this program?

    Possible employers and agencies may include:

    • Minister of Health and Long-Term Care
    • Durham Public Health
    • Toronto Public Health
    • Public Health Agency of Canada
    • Health Canada
    • World Health Organization
    • Infection Prevention and Control, Ontario Public Health
    • Non-governmental organizations (NGOs), such as Alzheimer’s Society of Canada, Canadian Diabetes Association, Heart and Stroke Foundation, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health.

    Career opportunities for graduates in public health may include:

    • community health programming
    • environmental health
    • health promotion Ppogram co-ordinator
    • injury-prevention specialist
    • occupational health and safety
    • policy analyst
    • program evaluation
    • public and non-profit sector administration and/or policy development (such as Health Canada, Canadian Cancer Society, Heart and Stroke Foundation)
    • rehabilitation
    • health educator
    • infection-control specialist

    Graduate studies in:

    • community or public health
    • epidemiology
    • gerontology
    • health informatics
    • global health and/or international affairs
    • health promotion
    • health services research
    • health policy
    • public administration