Health Sciences (HSCI)
This is a list of the Health Sciences (HSCI) courses available at KPU.
Enrolment in some sections of these courses is restricted to students in particular programs. See the Course Planner - kpu.ca/registration/timetables - for current information about individual courses.
For information about transfer of credit amongst institutions in B.C. and to see how individual courses transfer, go to the BC Transfer Guide bctransferguide.ca
HSCI 11153 Credits
Introduction to Health Science
Students will be introduced to the multifaceted field of health science and the foundations of promoting health and wellness. Students will explore concepts of health, science and health science from a variety of perspectives including biological, clinical, cultural, environmental, political and socioeconomic. Students will be introduced to the variety of health care careers that contribute to the effective delivery of health care and the promotion of health and wellness in the community. Students will learn the benefits of well-organized cross-functional teams in generation of innovation, productivity and effective service.
Prerequisites: Level C1 as defined in the Math Alternatives Table, and one of: English 12 (B), English 12 First Peoples (B), ENGQ 1091, ENGQ 1092, ENGQ 1099, ABEE 0091, ENGP 1091, ABEE 0092, ABEE 0097, ENGP 1097, Kwantlen English Placement Test, an LPI Essay score of 30 – Level 5, IELTS 6.5 with no band less than 6.0, iBT 86 with minimum writing subscore 24, PBT 570 with TWE 5.5, [ELST 0381 (B) & ELST 0383 (B)], or [ELST 0381 (B) & KIST score of 50 or higher].
HSCI 12203 Credits
Health Science Writing
Students will learn how to analyze audience and context in order to communicate effectively in the field of health science. They will learn basic research strategies, document conventions, teamwork strategies, health science proposal and report creation, conflict resolution approaches, and health science language usage. Students will develop their written and oral communication skills, as well as critical thinking and research skills. They will learn the principles, theories, techniques, and common formats required for writing and communicating scientific research, proposals, reports, and reviews.
Prerequisites: BIOL 1110, ENGL 1100, and HSCI 1115.
HSCI 22203 Credits
Medical Terminology
Students will learn the basic Greek and Latin constructs upon which science and medical language is based. Students will learn to identify, articulate, and spell classic nouns, prefixes, and suffixes. They will learn how to translate non-science language into biomedical terminology and how to deconstruct biomedical terminology into clear and accurate non-science language.
Prerequisites: ENGL 1100 and one of: BIOL 1110 or BIOL 1160.
HSCI 32153 Credits
Complementary Medicine
Students will learn to undertake an evidence-based evaluation of complementary, alternative and integrated approaches to medicine. They will examine various modalities that include the full scope of naturopathic modalities, Indigenous philosophies, and body and mind therapies.
Prerequisites: ENGL 1100 (B) or HSCI 1220 (B), and one of: (a) BIOL 1110 and BIOL 1210, or (b) BIOL 1160 and BIOL 1260.
HSCI 32253 Credits
Nutrition
Students will learn the fundamentals of the macronutrients (i.e., carbohydrates, lipids, and protein), fluids, fiber, alcohol, vitamins, and minerals including their integration, regulation, and roles in promoting health. Students will review nutritional requirements and dietary patterns of healthy individuals throughout the life span, and evidence-based examination of the role of nutrition in the prevention of chronic disease will be discussed. Students will also review topical issues in the field of nutrition will be explored.
Prerequisites: BIOL 2421
HSCI 42453 Credits
Populations and Policy
Students will examine the process, outcome and implementation of health policy and will focus on key issues in Canadian federal and British Columbia healthcare systems. They will review key topics that include the organization and financing of health care delivery, the determinants of health, primary care and providers’ payment, quality improvement and performance measurement, private health insurance, prevention, and health disparities. Students will study the various participants in the health policy process, the different arenas where health policy is created, and the various policy instruments that are used. Students will compare Canada’s health policies with those of other nations with specific attention to the United States and Europe.
Prerequisites: 45 credits from courses at the 1100 level or higher, including BIOL 3180, HSCI 1115, HSCI 1220, and SOCI 2280.
HSCI 43803 Credits
Critical Evaluation
Students will learn to critically evaluate scientific literature and apply it to evidence-based decision making and best practice principles. They will develop advanced literature search, retrieval, and synthesis skills. Students will examine various types and levels of evidence such as systematic reviews, meta-analyses, and realist syntheses and translate the research findings to evidence-based health care, and informed decision making.
Prerequisites: 90 credits from courses at the 1100 level or higher, including BIOL 3180, HSCI 1115, HSCI 1220, and SOCI 2280.