About

Health science refers to a group of disciplines related to the delivery of healthcare to humans and animals through the application of science and technology. In other words, health science extracts knowledge from related resources and applies it to clinical practices to maintain and improve the health of living beings. 

The field aims at developing knowledge and interventions for use in healthcare and improve the treatment of patients.

Basics of Health Science

Health science comprises a group of sub-disciplines, all of which relate to the application of science to health. Health science has existed since the emergence of living beings. Humans have always dealt with illness and cured it with medicines. One can consider both conventional and western medicine under health science. The field of health science incorporates the study of pharmaceutical, nutrition, and other health-related issues and the influence they may have on both humans and animals.

Study Health Science in Canada

The medical and health industry of Canada ranks third in terms of the highest employment number. Many states of Canada have seen an increasing number of international students studying health science. There are many medical schools in Canada with variable specializations and degrees to choose from and to gain an in-depth knowledge of the field. Some of the specializations in health science that students can go for are:

• Forensic Medicine

• Health Administration

• Midwifery

• Nursing

• Optometry

• Pharmacy

• Public health 

• Rehabilitation and Therapy

Who can study health science in Canada?

The field requires a commitment to finding cures to diseases and applying knowledge to improve health. Students who want to improve people’s health and provide them with better health care can choose health science as their major.

Entry requirements: Those students who have completed their 12th in Medical stream(physics, chemistry, biology) with more than 60% can opt for health science.

Subjects covered in Health Science

Before choosing to study health science in Canada after 12th, students must know what subjects they will have to cover in the field. Some of the topics covered in health science are:

• Epidemiology
• Anatomy
• Physiology
• Nutrition
• Biology 
• Health care ethics 

Programs

Health science is a vast field of study and has a lot of programs or specializations. Undergraduate courses from universities in Canada for medicine lasts for about three to four years. Below are some of the major programs one can opt for in the field of health science. 

Health Care Ethics

Health care ethics is the application of core principles of bioethics in examining a specific problem using a clinical case, values, facts, and logic. It is a series of decision-making situations that arise in clinical practice and policies designed to guide such practice.

Biology

Biology is the study of life. It is the science of living organisms and their vital processes, origin, growth evolution, behavior, and distribution.

Anatomy & Physiology

Anatomy is the study of the structure of organisms and their body parts. It focuses on the identification and description of the body structures of living things. Physiology focuses on function or how these structures at different parts of the body work.

Public Health

Public Health is defined as “the art and science of preventing disease, prolonging life and promoting health through the organized efforts of society.”

Fitness and health promotion 

With a focus on working with, and supporting a wide range of population, including clients of all ages, abilities, and body shapes, the fitness and health promotion program gives the fundamental understanding of scientific and business theory, which one can interpret into practical application to become leaders in the fitness and health promotion industry.

Kinesiology 

Kinesiology, as it is known in physical education, athletic training, physical therapy, orthopedics, and physical medicine, is the study of human movement that examines ‘unresolved stress reactions’ in a person and provides techniques to help the body’s natural healing process.

College/Universities

Canada has some of the best universities and colleges across the world for studying health science. Here are some of the colleges/universities students can apply to if they want to study health science in Canada after the 12th.

• University of British Columbia 
• University of Windsor 
• University of Manitoba 
• Humber College 
• Dalhousie University 

Job opportunities for health science in Canada

The healthcare industry in Canada has seen a substantial rise in the number of annual employment in Canada over the last five years. According to Job Bank Canada, 95% of the students with a health science degree in Canada have secured a job. There are a number of jobs for health science graduates in Canada like:

• Health Information Management Consultant
• Lab assistant 
• Clinical trial assistant 
• Biosafety officer 
• Dentist 
• Technologist 
• Chemist
• Health science professor 
• Registered practical nurse 
• Occupational therapist 

Payscale

The average Health Science salary in Canada is $60,000 per year approx. Entry-level positions start at $27000, whereas experienced workers make up to $74000 per year.