CUSTOMIZE YOUR DEGREE
One of the great things about having electives that you can customize your degree by adding a minor, specialization, or option. These are available both within, and outside of, the Health Sciences program (i.e.: you could pursue a minor in Psychology if you wanted). You won't choose one of these until second year, but it's helpful to know what's available.
ADDICTIONS, MENTAL HEALTH, AND POLICY MINOR (10 courses)
Addiction and mental health issues are major public health concerns that require a multidisciplinary approach. This minor is designed for students who want to advocate for the mental health of themselves and others.
AGING STUDIES OPTION (6 courses)
Learn about the unique health issues faced by older adults. This option enhances your understanding of aging processes and can help prepare you for careers relating to the care of older adults.
GERONTOLOGY MINOR (10 courses) AND DIPLOMA (7 courses)
Enhance your studies with a focus on the aging process and issues affecting older adults. You’ll examine important topics such as long-term care, physiological and psychological aging processes, and how to promote healthy aging.
HEALTH INFORMATICS OPTION (8 courses)
If you’re interested in the application of information technology to health research and practice, this option is for you. You’ll gain interdisciplinary skills in basic computer science and information management, in addition to your knowledge in health sciences.
NEUROSCIENCE MINOR (10 courses)
in partnership with the Faculty of Science
This minor will provide you with a broad examination of the field of Neuroscience. From neurons to nervous systems to cognition and behaviour, get prepared for a career or graduate school research in this field. (Make sure you consult the admission requirements for specific graduate schools when choosing courses.)
HEALTH RESEARCH SPECIALIZATION (5 courses)
Get the skills you need to generate and use research and evaluation data relevant to the design and implementation of health programs, services, policies, and systems. This specialization provides an excellent foundation for graduate studies and/or professional health research careers.
PRE-CLINICAL SPECIALIZATION (9 courses)
This specialization is great preparation for entry into medical school and other clinical professional schools. Make sure you consult the admission requirements of specific professional and graduate schools when choosing your courses.
PLUS, OTHER MINORS AND OPTIONS OUTSIDE OF HEALTH SCIENCES
Waterloo offers more than 40 areas of interest available to students from any major. Popular areas of interest outside of Health Sciences include: Human Nutrition, Human Resources, Medical Physiology, and Psychology.
TONY
An after-class conversation with Professor Mielke led to Tony working in his lab. What started as curiosity about neuroscience research resulted in more than a year of hands-on experience that helped Tony land a research studentship in medical school.
