Pre-Health Sciences - Pathway to Certificates and Diplomas

In this course, students will be introduced to academic writing styles with a thematic focus on current issues. This course will help students to express themselves clearly and correctly in written form. Students will critically analyse assigned readings and express their thoughts. The course will also focus on the development of an academic paper utilizing the APA style of documentation.

This course, combined with MA 216, Pre-Health Math II College, is designed to assist students to understand mathematics and use it effectively. MA 021 focuses on the math skills required in many college-based health care studies. Students will construct their own mathematical ideas and make connections to previously learned material. Students will also explore mathematical ideas through application to the real world, with emphasis on the health sciences. Concepts studied include numeracy fundamentals, systems of measurement and dimensional analysis. Students will develop essential critical thinking and problem-solving skills through exposure to application problems, including dosage calculations, solution, dilutions, concentrations, and pH.

This introductory biology course focuses on cellular processes involved in biological systems. Students will complete a thorough examination of the characteristics of life, cell structure and function, cellular respiration, energy systems, DNA structure and gene function. Through these investigations, students are introduced to the basic processes of cellular biology, including membrane transport, aerobic and anaerobic physiology, enzyme-catalyzed reactions and protein synthesis. The goal of this course is for students to develop an understanding and appreciation of the four key theories that unite biology as a science: cell theory, gene theory, the theory of heredity and the theory of evolution. Students acquire basic laboratory skills through the investigation of factors that influence cellular activity.

This course is intended to provide a broad overview of Canadian health care policy and delivery and will provide students with an opportunity to identify current issues and trends affecting health care in Ontario, and more specifically Northwestern Ontario. Students will examine the changing role of the health care professional, as well as the expanding contribution of allied and alternative health care professionals as part of a patient’s care team. The course accommodates both synchronous and asynchronous deliveries, with both formats offering students the opportunity to engage in activities and presentations exploring the health care professions and supporting the development of personal and academic goals.

In this course, students will learn the fundamentals of chemistry with real life examples and apply them in processes and applications that relate to health care fields. The concepts studied will include the study of matter and chemical bonding, quantities in chemical reactions and solutions and solubility. These topics will have a strong health science emphasis and will provide students with a chemistry perspective of health and the human body. The chemistry concepts will continually highlight the connections of chemistry with health, medicine and research areas. For students to acquire a comprehensive knowledge of chemistry, both Chemistry I (PH 148) and Chemistry II (PH 248) courses are required.

Pre-Health Math II, combined with MA 021, is designed to acquaint students with a basic understanding of mathematics and how to use it effectively. MA 216 focuses on the math skills required in many college-based health care studies. Students will construct their own mathematical ideas and make connections to previously learned material. Students will also explore mathematical ideas through application to the real world, with emphasis on the health sciences. In Pre-Health Math II, students will study introductory algebra, graphing and solving equations, as well probability and introductory statistical methods.

Through the study of anatomy and physiology students will understand the human body. The course is intended to introduce the student to common terms and principles used in the study of the human body. It is designed to better prepare students who intend to further their studies in a health sciences field. Major topic areas of the course include: general plan of the human body; human body chemistry; structure and function of cells, tissues, and organs systems. The major organ systems are studied from an anatomical and physiological perspective.

In Biology II, students will study how cells reproduce, including the cell cycle and cell division mechanisms. Topics covered include the mechanisms involved in the formation of gametes, patterns in inherited traits, Mendels Laws of Inheritance, non-Mendelian inheritance, DNA structure and replication, gene expression, mutation and repair, and genetic technologies and applications. Evolutionary theory, particularly its role in explaining the unity and diversity of life on Earth, is covered in the second half of the course. Like all biological systems, both disease-causing organisms and their hosts evolve. From this perspective, understanding the life cycles of human pathogens and how they evolved plays an important role in research and treatment of disease. Topics include the principles of taxonomy and phylogeny, the beneficial and harmful effects of microorganisms in the environment, particularly bacteria, viruses and fungi as human pathogens. The importance of biodiversity in maintaining viable ecosystems is underlying theme throughout the course.

In this course, students will learn the fundamentals of chemistry with real life examples and apply them in processes and applications that relate to health care fields. The concepts studied will include the study of acids and bases, gases, and organic chemistry. Students will develop an understanding of organic compounds their nomenclature, structure, properties based on intermolecular forces and reactions. These topics will have a strong health science emphasis and will provide students with a chemistry perspective of health and the human body. The chemistry concepts will continually highlight the connections of chemistry with health, medicine and research areas. For students to acquire a comprehensive knowledge of chemistry, both Chemistry I (PH 148) and Chemistry II (PH 248) courses are required.

In this course, students will use the business writing process to produce routine workplace correspondence required in the medical field. Students will apply principles of plain language to communicate effectively to diverse audiences using a variety of communication channels. They will also combine collaborative methods with advanced research, written and oral skills to produce and present an infographic.