Course Offerings for 2017/18

An introduction to health issues pertinent to the individual and the community. Various health-related topics will be considered, such as defining health, determinants of health, risk factors and behaviour change and epidemiology.

Fall 2017
Credits: 0.5
Prerequisites: Registration status: Year 1 Honours BSc Health Sciences.
Exclusions: KP231.

• Section A: 10-11:20 a.m. TR, Vivienne A. Vance
• Section B: 11:30 a.m.-12:50 p.m. TR, Vivienne A. Vance
• Section C: 2:30 p.m.-3:50 p.m. TR, Vivienne A. Vance

A continuation of Health Issues I, possible topics including: risk behaviours and health promotion, chronic and infectious disease, complementary and alternative medicine, global health care systems and health communication.

Winter 2018
Credits: 0.5
Prerequisites: HE100, and registration status: Year 1 Honours BSc Health Sciences.
Exclusions: KP232.

• Section A: 4-5:20 p.m. TR, Chad Lebold
• Section B: 5:30-6:50 p.m. TR, Chad Lebold
• Section C: 8:30-9:50 a.m. TR, Chad Lebold

The various methods used in the collection and analysis of data in the field of health sciences are examined, including: research design, sampling, experiments and surveys. Reliability and validity may also be considered.

Fall 2017
Credits: 0.5
Prerequisites: HE101 and registration status: Year 2: Honours BSc Health Sciences.
Exclusions: KP261, PS291, PS295.

• Section A: 10:00-11:20 a.m. MW, Laurie A. Manwell
• Section B: 2:30-3:50 p.m. MW, Laurie A. Manwell

An introduction to the field of chronic disease epidemiology with a focus on the ways in which epidemiologic methods can enhance our understanding of chronic illnesses such as heart disease, cancer and diabetes. In this course, students will build upon their skills in research design, interpretation of statistical data and critical evaluation of the scientific literature. (Cross-listed as KP434.)

Fall 2017
Credits: 0.5
Prerequisites: KP261, KP262 or MA241 or permission of department.
Exclusions: HE300, HS320, KP340k, KP434.

• Section A: 4-5:20 p.m. TR, Todd Coleman
• Section B: 5:30-8:20 p.m. W, Todd Coleman

Increasingly, there is evidence that societal factors may be the primary determinants of why people stay healthy or become ill. Much of the medical and epidemiological literatures on health ‘disparities’ have been descriptive in nature and fail to analytically account for increasing inequities in population health outcomes. This course moves beyond traditional ‘lifestyle’ explanations of health and wellness and provides students with a solid understanding of how social factors contribute to inequities in health care access and population health outcomes. We will examine how social exclusion, income, early life experiences, employment and working conditions, unemployment and employment insecurity, housing, food security, Aboriginal status, and social policy determine health. We also explore why the biomedical and lifestyle models of health are the primary ways that Canadians think about health, the policy implications of the current state of knowledge, and what can be done to inform change.

Fall 2017
Credits: 0.5
Prerequisites: HE201.
Exclusions: HS200.

• Section A: 8:30-9:50 a.m. TR, Robb Travers
• Section B: 1:00-2:20 p.m. TR, Robb Travers

The course is intended to develop an awareness and understanding of the Canadian healthcare system. Topics may include: the historical foundations of Medicare; responsibilities of the provincial and federal governments with respect to allocation of resources; funding mechanisms; models of healthcare delivery; evolving roles of healthcare professionals, interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary teams; occupational health and safety of healthcare professionals; the Personal Health Protection Act in the role of electronic health records; legislation, including the Ontario Health Care Consent Act, the Ontario Public Hospitals Act, and the Ontario Regulated Health Professionals Act.

Winter 2018
Credits: 0.5
Prerequisites: Registration status: Year 3 Honours BSc Health Sciences.

• Section A: 11:30-12:50 a.m. TR, Karen Grepin
• Section B: 2:30-3:50 p.m. MW, Karen Grepin

An examination of issues and controversies in human nutrition from nutritional science, physiological, metabolic and public health perspectives covering topics including; dietary assessment and planning, micro and macronutrients, antioxidants, phytochemicals, functional foods, food labelling obesity and weight management and dietary practices associated with disease prevention and management.

Fall 2017
Credits: 0.5
Prerequisites: HE201 and HN220 (or HE211 or BI216 or KP220).
Exclusions: HE440D, KP332.

• 2:30-3:50 p.m. MW, Vivienne A. Vance

This course takes a systematic approach to the anatomical study of the human integumentary, respiratory, lymphatic, autonomic, cardiovascular, digestive, urinary and reproductive systems. It will also provide an introduction to developmental anatomy of the heart.

Winter 2018
Credits: 0.5
Prerequisites: Registration Status: Year 3 or 4 Honours BSc Health Sciences and HN210 or HE210 or KP223 or BI210

• 4-5:20 p.m. MW, Loretta Ritu

A directed studies course is an irregular course that enables second and third year students to work on an independent project under the guidance of a faculty member. To apply, first speak to the instructor, then complete the Directed Studies application form (pdf). For an accessible version of the form, contact the department.

For more information, see the Academic Advising FAQ.

Students will identify, investigate and discuss critical health issues by integrating a range of social and biomedical perspectives and working toward a cell-to-society understanding. Activities in class will include group work to develop colloquia on special topics, critical discussion of readings and films and some traditional lectures to provide core content. The course will culminate in a research project. Course evaluation will be focused on students’ ability to think critically about complex health problems and concrete solutions; participation in group work and class discussions; and proficiency in verbal and written communication.

Fall 2017; Winter 2018
Credits: 0.5
Prerequisites: Registration status: Year 4 Honours BSc Health Sciences.

• Section A (fall): 11:30-12:50 a.m. TR, Todd Coleman
• Section B (winter): 4-5:20 p.m. MW, Todd Coleman
• Section C (winter): 4-5:20 p.m. TR, Todd Coleman

A study of aging and health from a variety of perspectives including; bio-physiological, psycho-social, health-care system, cultural, legal, ethical and political. Topics may include; the aging process, falls, mental health, medication and co-morbidity, death and dying and others. There are several interactive/hands on components in the course.

Fall 2017
Credits: 0.5
Prerequisites: HE301, HE302.
Exclusions: KP431, HE440F.

• 5:30-8:20 p.m. M, Renee S. MacPhee

An examination of the practice of public health in Canada and internationally with emphasis on social and political impacts on the application of knowledge to practice. Models of health promotion, population health, health determinants and health behaviour will form the theoretical basis for exploration of public health research and practice.

Fall 2017
Credits: 0.5
Prerequisites: HE301, HE302.
Exclusions: HE440E.

• Section A  8:30-9:50 a.m. TR, Lawrence Murphy

This course will examine nutritional aspects of selected chronic diseases affecting the Canadian population. Using a case-based approach, students will explore the role of diet in the etiology, prevention and treatment of nutrition-related conditions across the lifecycle including obesity, dyslipidemia, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, anemia, osteoporosis and cancer. Emphasis will be placed on critical appraisal of epidemiological and clinical evidence, underlying physiological mechanisms, nutritional assessment methods and diet interventions.

Winter 2018
Credits: 0.5
Prerequisites: HE300/KP434, HE330.

• 11:30-12:50 p.m. TR, Vivienne A. Vance

An examination of functional changes in cells, tissues and organs consequent to disease or injury. Topics may include the mechanisms of inflammation, hypertension, coronary artery disease, concussion, asthma, hepatitis, dysentery as well as other multi-organ conditions from environmental or other types of stress. (Cross-listed as BI416.)

Fall 2017
Credits: 0.5
Prerequisites: HN220 (or HE211 or BI216 or KP220).
Exclusions: BI416, HE440B, BI496R.

• Section A: 10:00-11:20 a.m. TR, Cristina Gheorghiu
• Section B: 1:00-2:20 p.m. TR, Cristina Gheorghiu

An examination of functional changes in cells, tissues and organs consequent to disease or injury. Topics may include the mechanisms of inflammation, hypertension, coronary artery disease, concussion, asthma, hepatitis, dysentery as well as other multi-organ conditions from environmental or other types of stress. (Cross-listed as BI416.)

Fall 2017

Credits: 0.5
Prerequisites: HN220 (or HE211 or BI216 or KP220).
Exclusions: BI416, HE440B, BI496R.

• 6:00-8:50 p.m. T, Breanne Cuddington

This course addresses the biochemistry of disease processes. This will include an in depth study of biochemical reactions and pathways and structure-function relationships of macromolecules in specific diseases. Various themes that may be presented include protein misfolding and aggregation, oxidative stress, and/or inherited metabolic disorders. (Cross-listed as CH433.)

Winter 2017
Credits: 0.5
Prerequisites: CH350.
Exclusions: CH457B, HE440A, CH433.

• 11:30 a.m.-12:20 p.m. MWF, Lillian DeBruin

This course covers molecular and cellular immunology, including innate and adaptive immune responses relative to human health. Innate immunity topics include physical barriers, complement cascade, phagocytosis, cytokine production and activation of adaptive immune responses. Adaptive immunity topics address antigen recognition and activation of B and T cells. Other topics will include research and biomedical advances in immunomodulation, immunosuppression, immunotherapy, autoimmunity and vaccination. (Cross-listed as BI417.)

Fall 2017
Credits: 0.5
Prerequisites: BI338.
Exclusions: BI417, HE440G, BI396M.

• 9:30-10:20 a.m. MWF, Raveendra Kulkarni

An examination of the physiological mechanisms by which regular physical activity diminishes the incidence and progression or effects reversal of various chronic diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, cancers as well as the aging process. Exercise training effects on human musculo-skeletal and metabolic health will also be covered. An overview of the physiology of exercise and training adaptation related to functional and health improvements and exercise effects in healthy as well as in rehabilitation of various clinical populations are also included.

Winter 2017
Credits: 0.5
Prerequisites: HE300/KP434.
Exclusions: KP322.

This course will provide a basic understanding of interactions between parasites and their hosts, and an appreciation of the scope and relevance of parasitism in terms of parasite biology and human disease. Lectures will cover the major groups of parasites, host invasion, strategies used by parasites to avoid the host immune system, the pathogenesis of the diseases they cause, their zoonotic potential, and some control and prevention options.

Winter 2018
Credits: 0.5
Prerequisites: HN 220 or HE 211 or BI 216 or KP 220 and HE300

• 9:30-10:20 a.m. MWF,

Human health and wellbeing are inextricably associated with access to fundamental human rights. When human rights (e.g., access to food and housing, experiencing forms of discrimination), are violated, various pathways to ill-health become evident. This course will cover the links between public health policies, political circumstances, and social and economic conditions on the health of individuals and populations using a human rights framework. Important domains of the health and human rights associations will be used to ensure that students have a broad understanding of key concepts, and are able to apply them in research methods, program development, policy analysis, healthcare delivery, and leadership positions.

Fall 2017
Credits: 0.5
Prerequisites: HE300, HE301

• 11:30-2:20 p.m. T, Laurie A. Manwell

Are children born by Caesarean section more likely to develop allergies? Did banning smoking in restaurants reduce cancer? Does more maternal education reduce child mortality? Answers to all of these questions requires strong research designs to answer. This course explores common research methods used in health policy and health services research (randomized experiments, natural experiments, observation studies) by first providing an overview of the technical aspects of research methods and then builds on this background by analyzing research papers that employ these methods. This course will meet weekly as a three-hour seminar and will include a mix of lecture and classroom discussion of recent research papers. It is open to fourth-year students in the Department of Health Sciences.

Winter 2017
Credits: 0.5

• 5:30-8:20 p.m. M, Karen Grepin

Why are some people who live in some countries so much healthier than others? This course will explore the individual, social and institutional factors that help to explain the unequal distribution of health and disease globally. The course will begin with an introduction to the language of global health: the burden of disease, health systems, health financing, and global health governance. It will then analyze the rationale for and modes of intervention to improve global health by exploring a number of current global health issues (topics will vary year to year to remain current). The course will incorporate knowledge and views from multiple academic disciplines (public health, economics, politics, epidemiology, sociology, etc.) and does not require any background knowledge but is designed for fourth-year students in the Department of Health Sciences.

Winter 2018
Credits: 0.5

• 10:00-11:20 a.m. MW, Karen Grepin

The health status of Indigenous people both globally and in North America is alarming compared to non-Indigenous populations. Understanding the historical, social, and political determinants of Indigenous peoples' health is the principal focus of this course. Students will acquire an in-depth understanding of the major health issues and challenges facing Indigenous people in Canada. Using theoretical and critical lenses, major topics will include health status, broad health determinants, and issues related to health care access. Using an evidence-based approach to preventing disease and creating healthy communities, the course will highlight examples of effective policy, program development, and research that utilizes community-based and decolonizing approaches.

Winter 2018

Credits: 0.5

2:30-5:20 p.m. M

A directed studies course is an irregular course that enables senior students to work on an independent project under the guidance of a faculty member. To apply, first speak to the instructor, then complete the Directed Studies application form (pdf). For an accessible version of the form, contact the department.

For more information, see the Academic Advising FAQ.

This two-semester course is an independent thesis in Health Sciences under the direct supervision of a faculty member. The research project will culminate in a formal report and an oral presentation. Students wishing to complete a thesis must apply to the program co-ordinator for admission to HE490* by May 1 of Year 3. For an accessible version of the application form, contact the department.

• HE490 application form (pdf)

Fall-Winter 2017/18
Credits: 1.0
Prerequisites: Admission requires a minimum GPA of 8.00 and permission of the program co-ordinator.

• 5:30-8:20  p.m. TR, Renee MacPhee