Pre-Health Sciences Certificate

Are you interested in a career in a health or wellness related field, but not sure which program you would like to study? Or perhaps you are interested in one of the Certificate or Diploma programs in Health Sciences, but do  not meet the admission requirements. The Pre-Health Sciences Certificate program is a pathway designed to give students who are interested in a health career the opportunity to explore basic concepts related to health and health care. Students may do this while taking courses in Mathematics and Biology for Health Professions that can be used for admission. The relatively low credit load of the program (22 credits) allows students the opportunity to upgrade other high school courses required for admission while they are in the Certificate program.

Students who complete this one year Certificate program will have the opportunity to explore a variety of health related careers that require either a Certificate or Diploma. They will also develop strong study skills, and, upon completion of the program and fulfilment of additional admission requirements, will be eligible to apply to the following RDC School of Health Sciences programs:

• Kinesiology Diploma
• Medical Lab Assistant Certificate
• Occupational and Physical Therapist Assistant Diploma
• Pharmacy Technician Diploma
• Practical Nurse Diploma

The programs above have designated 10% of seats for admission of graduates of the Certificate program who achieve a Grade Point Average of 3.3, with no course grade below C, provided all other admission requirements are met (see additional Admission Requirements, below, for further details).

Program Outcomes:

1. Demonstrate effective communication skills and discuss their influence/application in health and wellness fields.
2. Explore the roles of a variety of health care professionals in the Canadian health care system.
3. Follow healthy lifestyle behaviours for personal and professional health and wellness.
4. Employ effective study, writing, information literacy and digital literacy skills to prepare for health and wellness programs.
5. Examine scientific knowledge (math, biology, anatomy and physiology) related to practice in health and wellness programs.
6. Appraise personal level of suitability for further study in health and wellness programs.
7. Explore concepts central to the provision of quality care in Canada: legislation, ethics, culture, equity, health promotion, and evidence informed care.
8. Describe the knowledge, skills, attitudes and behaviours that reflect professionalism in the health and wellness fields.
9. Practice self reflection, critical thinking, and inquiry.

HSCI 100 Health Sciences I
HSCI 101 Health Sciences II
HSCI 105 Personal Health and Wellness
HSCI 110 Mathematics for Health Professions I
HSCI 111 Mathematics for Health Professions II
HSCI 115 Biology for Health Professions
INTP 102 Health Care Anatomy and Physiology

Visit RDC’s Course Catalogue/Timetable to read detailed course descriptions.

Minimum of

• 50% in ELA 30-1 or 30-2
• 50% in Biology 20 
• 65% in Mathematics 10C or 50% in Math 30-1, 30-2, 30 Applied, 20-1, 20-2 or 20 Applied

Note: Applicants whose first language is not English must demonstrate English language proficiency.

Note: Admission to a pathway program is not guaranteed. Admission to programs is based on a first qualified, first admitted or competitive, based on grade point average, basis. Please note the additional admission requirements for your pathway below.

Note:  The following programs have designated seats for admission of graduates of the Pre-Health Sciences Certificate program who achieve a Grade Point Average of 3.3, with no course grade below C, provided all other admission requirements are met.  Practical Nurse has designated 20 seats and the other programs have designated 10% of their total first year seats.

The program credit load (22 credits) has been designed to ensure students are eligible for student loan funding and allow for completion of additional academic upgrading courses such English, Chemistry and Science equivalents required for admission to a pathway program.

Note: Applicants are required to have either a MAC or a PC laptop that meet the following specifications:Laptop requirements:

Apple Laptop
Minimum requirement
MacBook Air with 1.6 GHz dual-core Intel i5 processor, 128 Gb storage solid state, 4 Gb memory
Web camera (built in or as peripheral)
Microphone

Windows Laptop
Minimum requirement
Laptop with 2.6 GHz dual-core Intel i5 processor, 128 Gb storage, 4 Gb memory and Windows 10 operating system
Web camera (built in or as peripheral)
Microphone

Software
Latest version of Adobe Flash
Google Chrome browser
Microsoft Word *

Other
USB memory stick (Flash drive)

* Microsoft Word is used for several purposes. Students can either purchase and install the Microsoft Word application, or install the free software client to use a Red Deer College virtual desktop with the full Microsoft Office Suite of applications.

Students must pass all courses, and achieve a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0.

This certificate does not lead directly to employment. However, graduates of the Pre-Health Sciences Certificate program will have had learning experiences to equip them to make informed decisions about which health-related career they would like to pursue and the opportunity to appraise their own interest in and suitability for a career in health and wellness. Upon successful completion of the program, they may have earned some post-secondary credit and will possess the Mathematics and Biology admission requirements to be eligible to apply for a high demand RDC health-related certificate or diploma program.