Bachelor of Health Sciences (Honours) - Child Health

McMaster University

This program, first offered in September 2000, is an innovative interdisciplinary program in which students take responsibility for their learning and in which there is recognition that both the knowledge and skill sets developed by students are integral parts of preparing for either further study or entry into the workforce. The principles of independent learning and an emphasis on both content and process are central to the provision of education within the Faculty of Health Sciences, and are reflected in this program. In addition, this program reflects the established tradition within the Faculty of understanding health from biological, behavioural and population-based perspectives. The program will draw on individuals from within the Faculty of Health Sciences and the larger university community to provide students with exposure to basic and applied researchers as well as health care practitioners, enabling students to learn about and experience the study of health from these various perspectives. The program will utilize both a small group, inquiry-based format as well as traditional lecture, lab, and tutorial based teaching formats to provide students with a solid knowledge base in health-related sciences as well as the skills necessary to critically evaluate and synthesize health-related information.The Child Health Specialization offers students a unique opportunity to apply the Inquiry problem-based learning model within the dynamic context of child health, development and community involvement. The Child Health Specialization curriculum based on three thematic pillars - education, research, and experiential/community learning -cuts across academic disciplines related to child health such as paediatrics, psychiatry, psychology, social work, developmental rehabilitation, education, etc. The Child Health Specialization utilizes existing expertise within the McMaster University and Hamilton communities by doing so it allows for the integration of theory and knowledge with experiential learning and research skill development within the challenging context of child health. World-renowned teachers/facilitators, researchers and clinicians from across disciplines serve as supervisors/mentors for students with an interest in child health. Upon acceptance into the B.H.Sc. (Honours) program and the completion of Level I, students will apply to this specialization in March.