Frequently Asked Questions

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Below you will find a list of frequently asked questions. They have been sorted by category, but if you cannot find the answer to your question, please reach out to our Bachelor of Health Sciences program office at bhsc@queensu.ca

Online vs. On-Campus

Is there a difference between Queen's online BHSc degree and an on-campus BHSc degree?

No, there is no difference. Both the on-campus and online BHSc degrees are 4-year honour's degrees approved by the Ministry of Training, Colleges, and Universities. All students are awarded a Bachelor of Health Sciences degree from the Senate of Queen's University. Official transcripts will not indicate how the degree was completed (i.e. online or on-campus).

Can online BHSc students transfer to the on-campus BHSc program?

Online BHSc students may be eligible to apply to transfer into the on-campus BHSc program.

In order to be eligible for consideration, all applicants must present completed senior high school courses or university courses in Math, English,* Biology, and Chemistry.

*Minimum grade of 80% in English.

Applicants who have completed 24.0 units or more at Queen’s (or another university) are considered Upper Year Transfer applicants and must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.7/4.3 (B-) for all university courses taken. The Supplementary Application is also required.

Applications to transfer are not automatically approved; it is a competitive process and capacity and GPA requirements vary each year. Applications to transfer are available each February from the Ontario Universities’ Application Centre (www.ouac.on.ca) for the following Fall term.

For courses taken online, will they show up as being taken online on my transcript?

Courses show up as the course code and name on transcripts, rather than indicating whether they were taken online or on-campus.

Is it possible to take on-campus courses at Queen’s even though I am in an online degree program?

Yes, students enrolled in the online BHSc program are eligible to take up to 12.0 units of core, option, or elective courses per academic year of on-campus courses offered through the Faculty of Health Sciences. Contact the BHSc program office at bhsc@queensu.ca for more information on how to register in on-campus courses.

Virtual labs/simulation/living labs have been worked into a number of our online courses, allowing students to gain similar experience to what they would be learning in a lab, without physically being in one.

How would an online degree be viewed by medical and other professional schools?

The Bachelor of Health Sciences degree is issued by the Senate of Queen's University and is viewed as equivalent to a degree achieved through on-campus study. Furthermore, there is no indication on the student transcript indicating that the degree was completed online.

A transcript is only one part of the application process to medical and other professional schools. Other factors considered in admission decisions may include performance on an entrance exam (e.g. Medical College Admission Test (MCAT)), autobiographical sketch, personal essay, supplementary materials, reference letters, and interviews.

Applying to the Online Program

How do I apply?

The online BHSC program has three admission cycles per year – September, January, and May – applications are accepted through through Queen's in our Target X portal. Applications are also accepted through OUAC for a September start for the full-time degree program. Application dates and deadlines can be found here

I have been out of school for a while but am ready to start again. How do I apply?

The online BHSc program has various routes of admission depending on your academic background. Generally, where you studied last is the application route you should consider. For example, if you completed high school, but have not been in school for 10 years, you would apply through the high school route. If the last institution you attended was a college, then you would look at the college application route. If you do not meet the requirements for the route you qualify for, check out our Non-Degree Interest route.

What are the high school course requirements for admission?

For Ontario residents, successful completion of the OSSD and the following prerequisite courses (English ENG4U*, Biology 4U, Chemistry 4U, and any 4U Mathematics), plus another two U or M level courses. Information for International Baccalaureate, Advanced Placement, international, and other educational systems are found on the Queen's Undergraduate Admissions website.

*Minimum grade of 80% in ENG4U (or French equivalent).

Is there an application fee?

Yes. If you apply through Target X, there is a $100 application fee. You can apply to up to 3 Queen's programs for one application fee. If you apply through OUAC the application fee is $150 for up to three programs of your choosing.

Applying to the On-Campus Program

What are the high school course requirements for admission?

For Ontario residents, successful completion of the OSSD and the following prerequisite courses (English ENG4U*, Biology 4U, Chemistry 4U, and any 4U Mathematics), plus another two U or M level courses. Information for International Baccalaureate, Advanced Placement, international, and other educational systems are found on the Queen's Undergraduate Admissions website.

*Minimum grade of 80% in ENG4U (or French equivalent).

What is the competitive average for entrance to the on-campus BHSc program?

A minimum average grade requirement for admission to any Queen's program is 75%. However, we anticipate the competitive average for admission to the on-campus BHSc program will be in the high 80's to low 90's.

Do I need to submit a personal statement of experience (PSE) or a Supplementary Application?

Yes, the Supplementary Application is a mandatory requirement to accompany your application to the on-campus Bachelor of Health Sciences program.

Does taking summer school or night school courses in high school affect my chances of admission to the BHSc program?

No, taking summer school or night school courses will not affect your chances of admission to the BHSc program.

How many students are admitted each year?

A total of 265 first-year students will be admitted to the program in the Fall of 2023.

How many people apply to this program?

Over 5,000 applications were received for admission for each of our last two admission cycles.

Is this program open to international students?

Yes. International students are encouraged to apply to any Queen's program. For international requirements, please visit the Undergraduate Admissions website.

Can I defer my acceptance?

Applicants with extenuating circumstances who have accepted their offer of admission by the deadline date may request a deferral of admission to that program for a period of one year. An online request, explaining the reason for the deferral request, is required. The decision of the Admission Committee to grant a deferral is based on the reason provided and final grades. Students granted a deferral are not permitted to attend another post-secondary institution in the interim. Submit a Request for a Deferral of Admission here: https://www.queensu.ca/admission/pathways-and-policies/procedures

Online Degree Program Structure

Can the degree program be completed on a part-time basis?

Yes. Students have the option of completing an online Bachelor of Health Sciences degree on a part-time (3.0 - 9.0 units per term) or full-time (9.0 - 18.0 units per term) basis. If eligible, all students are admitted into the honours program (4-year degree) as a full-time student. If you would like to be a general (3-year degree) student or a part-time student, these changes can be made once you have accepted your offer of admission within the BHSc Office.

How do I progress from being an interest student into being a BHSc online program student?

An academic advisor will contact students' official Queen's email addresses regarding their eligibility to progress into degree studies. Send your "Request to Progress into Degree Program" form to bhsc@queensu.ca to be formally assessed. Typically, this form will be submitted during the term in which you are completing the final progression course(s) required. Alternatively, you could apply the term prior to wanting to become a BHSc program student, if those terms are not the same.

Are there specific times for online learning?

Our course content is delivered in interactive online modules, therefore, students are able to complete the bulk of their course work at a time that suits them best and fits their already existing schedule. Some courses may have specific times for optional live discussion or tutorials, but this has been kept to a minimum program-wide. Additionally, group work within courses may need to be worked on at specific times, however these times would be determined by the group members around their collective schedules.

Can this degree really be completed entirely online?

Yes. This degree can be completed from anywhere in the world as long as the technical requirements are met.

Do I need to travel to Kingston to write my exams?

No, all online students write their final exams online using an approved online proctoring software.

Do I need to take courses in the spring/summer term?

Possibly. While there are no requirements to take summer courses in order to complete the Bachelor of Health Sciences degree program, some elective courses offered by the Faculty of Arts and Science may only be offered in the summer. Some of these electives are required in order to complete specific learning tracks within the BHSc program.

What are the technical requirements for the online BHSc program?

To be able to successfully access BHSc program materials and fully participate in the online experience, including discussions, tutorials, and exams, students will need the following minimal technical requirements.

1) Hardware Required:

An Internet-connected computer; the BHSc program is accessible on most modern laptop and desktop computers running Windows 10+ or Mac OS 10.8+.
Soundcard with speakers and a microphone, or preferably a headset.

Web camera (built-in or external).
Note: A printer is not required, but is optional for student interested in printing notes or study aids. Tablets and Chromebooks are not compatible with Examity.

2) Internet

Reliable access to high-speed internet, preferably at least 15 Mbps download and 10 Mbps upload speeds. Due to regular use of streaming video and collaboration, your monthly bandwidth usage may exceed 150 GB of transfer. Please ensure that your internet package can reasonably accommodate this.
An up-to-date internet browser such as Chrome, Safari, Firefox, Microsoft Explorer/Edge, with the most recent version of Adobe Flash Player installed. For the best learning experience, Chrome is strongly recommended.

Microsoft Office 365 Email, the official Queen's email service; provided free to all Queen's students.
Ability to check messages in onQ and Queen's email address several times per week (minimum) to be able to stay on track in courses (assessments, deadlines, group work, etc.).

3) Software/Plug-Ins:

Microsoft Office 365 Pro Plus (provided free to all Queen's students).
Adobe Acrobat Reader (available for free download).

Skype (available for free download).
Zoom - Queen’s University students, staff, teaching assistants, and faculty with an active NetID@queensu.ca email address are eligible for licensed Zoom Education accounts; https://www.queensu.ca/its/zoom .
Flash (to update to the most recent version visit: https://get.adobe.com/flashplayer/ )
You may be required to download other course-specific applications; you will be notified upon starting a course if this is the case.
Sufficient antivirus and malware protection software to protect your computer.

Additional information about the technical requirements for the online proctoring service can be found here.

On-Campus Degree Program Structure

What is the difference between Health Sciences and Life Sciences?

The BHSc program has been purpose-built to provide graduates with pathways to future studies in the health professions, as well as opening the door to many direct-entry career opportunities in healthcare. Both Health and Life Sciences focus on human health and disease. Health sciences makes a conscious effort to incorporate societal and global influences of health, while Life Sciences has a more specific focus on the biomedical sciences. With considerable overlap between the focus of the two programs, students interested in human health and science will likely enjoy either program.

Queen's actually offers four programs related to human health: Health Sciences, Life Sciences, Kinesiology, and Health Studies. All three programs offer experiential learning opportunities that embrace multi-disciplinary approaches including research opportunities. The common topic among these disciplines is the focus on the human, each providing viable paths to the health industry.

What courses will I take in my first year?

In the first year, students will take 6 core courses; Introductory Pharmacology, Anatomy of the Human Body, Human Cell Physiology, History and Philosophy of Health and Healthcare, Social and Physical Determinants of Health and Disease, and Introduction to Statistics for the Health Sciences. Students can then choose an additional 6.0 units of option courses and 6.0 units of elective courses, as defined by our curriculum.

What is a flipped classroom?

The difference between traditional and flipped classrooms is summarized in this image:

Prior to class, students will learn via online modules that have been curated by their instructor. They will then come to class ready to extend and apply that learned knowledge in small group learning sessions mediated by course faculty and knowledgeable teaching assistants. This format will replace traditional lecture-style in BHSc core courses and allow students to interact closely with the content as well as the expertise of upper-year students, graduate students, and faculty members right from the beginning of the program. This format promotes the development and mastery of program competencies, allowing students to hone these skills throughout their degree.

Is this extra work since there are online modules and in-class sessions?

Course content will be primarily delivered in the form of engaging interactive modules, allowing students to work through the content at their own pace, spending more or less time on concepts as appropriate for the individual student. The focus of the in-class sessions will be to apply the content already learned through peer and faculty guidance, rather than being presented with new content. Specifically, important and/or difficult concepts will be reinforced in small group learning sessions with real-world examples, clinical case studies, problem-based learning, and engaging discussion.

Financing Your Degree

How does tuition work?

For the most up-to-date information pertaining to domestic and international tuition fees, please visit the website of the University Registrar.

For the online BHSc, tuition is calculated based on the number of units you are enrolled in each term. Tuition Fees for domestic students are $608.31/3.0 units and $1216.62/6.0 units. For international students, the fees are $2577.00/3.0 units and $5154.00/6.0 units.

Do students qualify for OSAP?

Students who are registered in the Bachelor of Health Sciences degree program and who take a minimum of 9.0 units per term are eligible to apply for OSAP. Interest students are not eligible for OSAP. Contact Queen's Financial Aid and Awards for more information.

What scholarships are available?

Students who apply to Queen's will automatically be considered for a number of awards as outlined by the Queen's Office of the University Registrar's website. For these awards, no additional application, other than your application to Queen's, is necessary.

Queen's also has various awards with varying eligibility criteria that require an additional application. Please visit the Queen's Office of the University Registrar website to learn about the scholarships you may be eligible for.

Please contact Queen's Financial Aid and Awards at financialaid@queensu.ca if you have any questions.

What bursaries are available?

Queen's has a number of bursaries available to its applicants, as outlined by the Office of the University Registrar's website. All students who wish to be considered for Admission Bursary assistance must submit an Admission Bursary application.

Additionally, a number of Financial Aid programs may be of interest to BHSc Applicants.

Finally, applicants may be eligible for the Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP), or other provincial financial aid programs.

Exchange & Internship Opportunities

Are there opportunities to study abroad?

Yes. The BHSc Program has five confirmed international exchange partners and is continuing to work towards additional opportunities across the globe.

All of our study abroad opportunities are outlined here.

Are there any internship/co-op opportunities?

Yes. Queen’s Undergraduate Internship Program (QUIP) offers students the opportunity to apply for 12-16 month paid professional internships. For more information, please visit the Career Services website.

Specializing Your Degree

How can I specialize my degree?

Queen's BHSc students are able to focus their degree by choosing one or more learning tracks. Learning Tracks are selections of themed courses in a particular field of health sciences which give students the opportunity to study an area of specialization in more detail. Enrolment in a learning track is optional and is available to all BHSc students.

Can I get a minor?

Currently, students registered in the BHSc program at Queen's are not able to get a minor. Students can enroll in various elective courses, including courses in other faculties, which will allow for the diversity in course work that students seeking a minor are hoping to attain. Additionally, certificates may provide the opportunity for students to delve further into their interests.

Getting Started

How do I register in courses?

You can add and drop courses through your SOLUS Student centre. Review the Course Registration Guide on the Registrar's website here.

When can I enroll in courses? Are there financial or academic penalties for dropping a course?

The Academic Calendar Sessional Dates lists all academic and financial deadlines, term start and end dates, registration periods, exam periods, and more dates important for students in the Bachelor of Health Sciences program.

How do I set up my Queen's email?

Once your status changes from applicant to undergrad (or another active student type) you will receive your Queen's email account. Undergrads will be notified by the Office of the Registrar via an email sent to your application email address.

Your Queen's email address is your NetID followed by @queensu.ca (NetID@queensu.ca). All university email correspondence will be sent to this account. To access your email account login into Microsoft Office 365. At the same time, you can also download Office ProPlus and configure Outlook to access your email on your personal computer. Please visit the Office 365 Email Tutorial for more information.

What free software is available to students?

MyQueen'sU Software Centre - Use your NetID and password to log into the MyQueen'sU portal (https://my.queensu.ca) and select the Software Centre tab. Download and install Enterprise Licenced software (MatLAB, ArcGIS, Maple, SAS, SPSS), and other software available to you.

Microsoft Office 365 - Using your email address and password log in to Office 365 and click on the Office 365 logo in the top left corner to open the apps menu. All apps listed on the menu are available for you to use. For more details on these apps, visit the Microsoft Office 365 service page.

How do I get assessed for transfer credits?

Transfer credits are assessed by the Office of Undergraduate Admission.

High school transfer credits

Students entering their first year of study at Queen’s who have previously taken courses during high school that may be eligible for transfer credit will automatically be assessed provided the appropriate transcripts were submitted during the application process. In some cases, students must submit a request to have their official results released to Queen’s. No action is required. Transfer credit(s) will be posted to SOLUS by September 15th.

For students in all faculties and schools, a maximum of 18.0 credit units may be granted.

Students who believe they are entitled to additional transfer credits that are not posted to their SOLUS account by September 15th must submit the below transfer credit request (and all supporting documents) by the end of fall term of their first year. Transfer credit requests submitted after fall term of a student’s first year will not be assessed.

College and University transfer credits

If you have completed college or university courses elsewhere and would like them to be assessed for transfer credits that can be applied to your BHSc degree, you can submit a request for transfer credits by filling out the survey and completing the directions as outlined here: Queen's Transfer Credit Assessment. A transfer credit assessment is only completed after being accepted to the BHSc degree program. Non-Degree Interest students are not eligible for a transfer credit assessment until they have progressed into the full BHSc degree program.

Student Cards

I’m an online student, will I receive a Queen's student card?

The Registrar's Office is responsible for the issuance of Student Photo ID Cards.

For programs off-campus (e.g. Arts and Science Online), and part-time non-degree on-campus, a photo ID student card is available and will be requested through your @queensu.ca email address.

Your validated off-campus student card (new students) or your validation sticker (returning students) will be mailed to your primary address in SOLUS. Please ensure this is up-to-date at the time you submit your photo.

Questions: please feel free to email our Photo ID Assistant in the Office of the University Registrar at student.card@queensu.ca or give us a call at 613-533-2040.

I’m an on-campus student, how do I get my student card?

The Registrar's Office is responsible for the issuance of Student Photo ID Cards.

As part of registration, all full-time on-campus students are required to have a photo ID student card when they first come to Queen’s.

It is to be kept for the duration of their studies and is to be used only by the person to whom it is issued
Must have it validated each year provided you are enrolled
A fee will be charged to replace a lost or damaged student card

The Office of the University Registrar will prepare your photo ID student card prior to your arrival providing you follow the steps outlined on the Registrar’s website.

Why would I need a student card?

Photo ID is mandatory for all remotely proctored assessments, your Queen’s photo ID can be used instead of your government-issued ID. Queen's Libraries also offer off-campus access. Details are available on the library website. If you have questions, please contact the Photo ID Assistant in the Office of the University Registrar by email at student.card@queensu.ca or by phone at 613-533-2040.

Course Registration

How do I make an enrolment appointment?

Enrolment appointments for registration in Fall and Winter courses are issued to you in SOLUS each summer and will be scheduled for a specific date depending on your year of study. You do not need to schedule this appointment yourself.

Where do I register for my courses?

You register for your courses in Queen’s online student centre, SOLUS (my.queensu.ca).

When can I register for Fall and Winter courses?

Enrolment appointments will be issued to you within SOLUS in July, which will indicate the specified date and time that you can begin enrolling in courses. During your enrolment appointment, you will have the opportunity to enrol in courses. After students have all had their enrolment appointment, there will be a brief hiatus. During this time, reserve capacities are lifted, meaning that many courses that initially had restrictions on who could enrol in a course would be removed, with open enrolment beginning. Students will be able to continue to enrol, swap, and add Fall courses into the semester. You will have the opportunity to adjust your enrolment in Winter term courses as the Winter term draws nearer (December – January) in case you have changed your mind about your Winter course choices.

Specific dates for this session can be found here.

I can’t find the course that I want to take. What should I do now?

Before reaching out for assistance, make sure that your search criteria is in the appropriate term (fall or winter), the appropriate subject or course code, and that the appropriate course career is selected. For courses that are typically run on-campus), make sure “Undergraduate” course career is selected. For courses that are typically only available online, make sure “Undergraduate Online” course career is selected. If all of these search criteria seem correct, make sure the box that indicates “Show Open Classes Only” is not selected. This will allow you to add yourself to the waitlist if the class has one.

The course I want to take has spaces in it, but I can’t enrol. What now?

This could be occurring for two reasons. It could be that there is a reserve capacity set for the course, meaning that during your enrolment appointment, the spaces in the course are reserved for students who are registered in a particular program. The good news is that most reserve capacities are lifted during open enrolment. The second reason could be that you do not have the prerequisites for the course (e.g. academic, year standing, or program). Typically, in SOLUS, you would receive an error indicating this when you try to register.

Can you explain waitlists?

SOLUS has a waitlist process so that you can be placed on a waitlist in the event a spot opens up. You can add yourself to a waitlist prior to open enrollment. If there is space at open enrollment, you will be automatically enrolled into the course (as long as you have space in your schedule and the proper prerequisites).

For more information on waitlists, please see the guides provided under ‘Course Enrolment’: https://bhsc.queensu.ca/current-students/guides

The course that I want to take is full. What now?

If the course that you are wanting to take is a one-semester class, it likely has a waitlist that you can add yourself to. When open enrolment begins, you will be taken off the waitlist and registered in the course if a spot is made available. If the course you want to take is a full-year course or the waitlist is full, check back during open enrolment to see if a space has opened up during this time.

Are we allowed to take 6 courses in a term?

A typical full course load would be 5 courses per term. While you are allowed to register in up to 6 courses per term without requiring Program permission, we typically do not recommend this in your first year as you adjust to your new learning environment.

How do we properly enrol in full-year courses (i.e. CHEM 112)?

Many of the full-year courses that you may take as an option or elective in 1st year will have multiple sections and may have both lab and lecture components. To properly enrol in these courses, be sure to select both the A (Fall) and B (Winter) parts of the course so that you enroll in the full 6.0 units. Make sure that you register in the same lab and lecture sections for both Fall and Winter (e.g. Section 001, 002). Make sure that you select both a lab and lecture section if both are components of a specified course.

Is there a way to plan a timetable before actually picking our courses on SOLUS? Where can we go for advice?

Before your enrolment appointment, you will gain access to your shopping cart beginning. This will allow you to fill your cart with various courses to determine what would work best for your schedule for the upcoming year. You can learn more here under ‘Course Enrollment’; https://bhsc.queensu.ca/current-students/guides. In addition to this, please feel free to reach out to the Bachelor of Health Sciences advising team (bhscadvisor@queensu.ca) for planning support.

Do the core courses automatically populate in your cart or do you add them?

You will not be automatically enrolled in your core courses. Using the curriculum requirements outline on our website, you must ensure your course selection satisfies your degree requirements. Pay attention to the style of course offering as the same course may be offered through several mediums in different semesters.

Please read “Is there somewhere that I can check to make sure that my courses are fulfilling my degree requirements and to determine what requirements remain?” below for more information on ensuring your degree requirements are fulfilled.

Is there somewhere that I can check to make sure that my courses are fulfilling my degree requirements and to determine what requirements remain?

In SOLUS, you can access your Academic Progress Report (APR) that will outline which core, option, and elective requirements you have fulfilled, and which remain for degree completion. You can learn more about it here under the ‘Reports’ section of our student guides.

If I have a question during course registration, who do I contact?

If you have a question while you are registering for courses, there are a few different ways you can ask the program for help. You can email your questions to bhsc@queensu.ca and they will get back to you as soon as is feasible. You can also call the BHSc Program Office. Please do not contact the Faculty of Arts and Science even if the course you are trying to register in is offered by the Faculty of Arts and Science.

Why are some courses listed as “TBD” in SOLUS?

Online asynchronous classes have the location listed as “TBD.” There is no location for these classes as there are no regular times associated with the class. Any live sessions for these classes would be scheduled throughout the semester and happen through Zoom.

Transfer Credits

Will AP Statistics transfer credit count towards HSCI 190?

Because HSCI 190 is a new course, we are currently in the process of assessing high school courses for equivalency. We are currently assessing this course and will update the appropriate websites once the assessment is complete.

If I have transfer credit for a humanities course worth 6.0 units, would that fulfill humanities requirements for grad schools?

They should be. We strongly suggest reaching out to your desired graduate program to double-check that this would fulfill the requirements. Additionally, some of the Health Sciences core courses are likely to fulfill humanities requirements (e.g. IDIS 173 and IDIS 373).

It says that I have transfer credits, but that the Queen’s equivalent is unspecified. What does that mean?

It means that it has been determined that your transfer credit is not equivalent to a specified Queen’s course. These credits would count towards electives for the program but would be unlikely to fulfill prerequisite requirements for upper-year courses.

Transcript & GPA

For courses taken online, will they show up as being taken online on my transcript?

Courses show up as the course code and name on transcripts, rather than indicating whether they were taken online or on-campus.

Will both elective and optional courses affect my GPA?

Yes, all courses taken during your undergraduate degree that appear on your transcript with a letter grade will count towards your GPA. Transfer credits will not be included in your GPA calculation. If you retake a course during your studies, the higher grade is what will be included in your GPA calculation, not necessarily the most recent.

I understand that BHSc is a four-year program, however, if we attain the credits necessary to obtain the degree, can we receive it in three years?

As an on-campus Health Sciences student, your degree progression will be limited by your core courses, which will be offered to your cohort each year of your program (i.e. your 4th-year core courses are available to you only in the 4th year in the flipped classroom format). If you feel that receiving your BHSc (Honours) degree in less than 4 years is a priority for you, I would suggest looking into the online Health Sciences program offered by Queen’s, which is designed for flexibility with respect to when and how frequently courses are offered.

It is also possible for you to choose to complete a three-year General Bachelor of Health Sciences degree. You should reach out to your academic advisor if this is an option that you would like to pursue.

Academic Consideration & Accommodations

I am sick and have something due; what do I do?

The Bachelor of Health Sciences Protocol for Self-Declaration of Brief Absences and Short-Term Academic Consideration is intended to guide students admitted to the Bachelor of Health Sciences, instructors, and program office staff in situations where extenuating circumstances are interfering with a student's ability to complete academic requirements related to a course(s) for a short period of time. This protocol was developed in response to the approved Senate Policy on Academic Consideration for Students in Extenuating Circumstances. Academic accommodations may also be requested by students with disabilities.

What types of academic accommodations are available to students?

Any student with a documented disability can register with Queen's Student Accessibility Services (QSAS). Academic accommodations are put in place to equalize learning opportunities and access to the academic environment for students with disabilities.

Learning Tracks

Do I need to register in courses for a particular learning track in 1st year?

The core courses that you are registered in in 1st year will prepare you for each of the six learning tracks, except Molecular Basis of Biology, which requires registration in first-year chemistry (CHEM 112 or CHEM 113/114).

When do I need to declare a learning track?

Learning tracks should be unofficially declared after the first year/as you begin second year. You will receive an email prompting you to reach out to bhscadvisor@queensu.ca indicating your desired learning track(s). Remember, that these are entirely optional. Official declaration, to ensure that they appear on your transcript, will not occur until the beginning of your 4th year (completion of 90.0 units).

Do learning tracks appear on transcripts and degrees?

Your selected learning track(s) will appear as an Option on your transcript, indicating your specialization. It will not appear on your physical degree.

What are the advantages of optional learning tracks?

Having your learning track appear on your transcript may provide a clear indication of your specialization when applying to certain graduate programs. Many students like having this notation on their transcript as something to speak to in cover letters, resumes, and interviews.

Getting Involved

How can students get involved in extracurriculars?

The Health Sciences Society offers a number of ways to get involved with other students from the program, with events, clubs, and resources offered throughout the year.

For clubs, you can visit the AMS club page and find the contact information and updates for the groups you are interested in. Many clubs and extracurricular groups also have Facebook or Instagram pages which will be providing updates.

When and where can purchase a BHSc hoodie/shirt/faculty jacket?

The Bachelor of Health Sciences program office offers sweaters, lanyards, and stickers through our online store.

Faculty jackets can be purchased through Queen’s ASUS.

Internships & Exchange

Are there opportunities to study abroad?

Yes. Students can apply to take their first year of studies at Bader College at the Herstmonceux Castle in England. After your first year in England, students will return to the Queen's campus in Kingston, ON to continue their studies, joining the on-campus cohort in year two. Students are also able to apply to take a semester at Bader College in their third year.

The BHSc Program has two confirmed international exchange partners and is continuing to work towards additional opportunities across the globe.

All of our study abroad opportunities are outlined here.

Are there any internship/co-op opportunities?

Yes. Queen’s Undergraduate Internship Program (QUIP) offers students the opportunity to apply for 12-16 month paid professional internships. For more information, please visit the Career Services website.

Research

How can students get involved in research?

The BHSc program integrates research into the program. There are also additional outside resources available. Here are some ways that we encourage research experience:

In the second year, the courses MICR290 and PHGY290 provide students with a fundamental understanding of laboratory techniques.

Bachelor of Health Sciences (BHSc) degree program students in their 3rd (eligible for HSCI 591, 592, 593, 594, 595) or 4th year (eligible for HSCI 591, 592, 593, 594, 595, 598, 599) can pursue an optional research project (max. 12 units). These courses will allow students to carry out a research project in the Health Sciences. Students will gain experience searching relevant literature, developing research questions/hypotheses, and designing a research plan and methods (HSCI 591, 592 and HSCI 598). Students who continue on into HSCI 593, 594, 595, or HSCI 599 will gain experience answering research questions and/or testing hypotheses using a research plan and methods developed during the initial course, with an emphasis on the development of research skills and practise interpreting data.
Students can also complete an intensive two-week laboratory course (3rd-year option - BMED 390). This optional experience immerses students in the lab full-time for two weeks, providing them with valuable hands-on lab experience in a way that is not feasible in traditional 12-week courses.
Beyond the classroom, students are encouraged to reach out to Queen’s researchers or other institutions to offer their volunteer services in a laboratory. Many academic labs take on undergraduate volunteer students, and this is a great way to get a feel for what research is like.
Queen's and other institutions hire upper-year summer students in research laboratories through various means, including SWEP and NSERC. If you are hoping to apply to one of these programs, you are encouraged to do your research early to ensure you get your application and all other requirements submitted by the deadlines!

Satisfying Professional School Requirements

Can you elaborate on laboratory components in upper-year BHSc courses to satisfy the lab requirement for biology and/or chemistry for medical schools?

Instead of offering traditional courses with both a lab and lecture component, the Bachelor of Health Sciences at Queen’s offers 3.0 unit laboratory courses, in which you would be immersed in a lab environment during all of your class time. Two second-year courses: MICR 290 and PHGY 290 and two third-year courses: BMED 390 and LISC 391 are formatted in this way. If you are interested in determining whether they fulfill a laboratory requirement for a specific professional school, we strongly suggest reaching out to the desired program and asking them to assess the course. The BHSc Program Office can provide syllabi for courses, as required.

Does HSCI 190 count as a math prerequisite for professional schools?

HSCI 190, Introduction to Statistics for Health Sciences, is a relatively new first-year core course for on-campus BHSc students. Because it is new, it would need to be assessed by professional programs as to whether it could count as a math prerequisite. We recommend reaching out to your desired program and attaching the syllabus to ask for an assessment.

What satisfies the humanities requirements for professional schools?

Individual schools will have different expectations. For example, in some schools, PSYC100 is regarded as a humanities class, while in others it may be regarded as a science course. Therefore, it is important to check the website of the individual school you are applying to. If information is unclear, then we recommend reaching out to your desired program and attaching the syllabus to ask for an assessment.

What satisfies an English or a writing-intensive class requirement?

It is recommended that students reach out to their desired program and school with a syllabus to ask for their assessment.

The University of British Columbia’s Medical Program has a 6-credit English course requirement. A list of up-to-date accepted classes at Queen’s can be found here: https://med-fom-ugrad.sites.olt.ubc.ca/files/2021/07/English-Courses-Chart-2021-2022.pdf

What other requirements are there for Medical School admission?

Each medical school has different requirements with regards to prerequisite courses, admitted GPA, standardized tests, and written application components. The Health Sciences Society (HSS) has spent time working on the 4P Project: the Professional Program Prerequisite Project. The 4P project is a composite resource that compiles application requirement information for various healthcare graduate schools across Canada, including medicine.

NOTE: This project is conducted and maintained independently of any medical school or the BHSc office. Medical school requirements are constantly evolving year-to-year. Generally, detailed admissions information will be posted on individual school websites. In addition to admission requirements, many schools publish admission statistics which give a snapshot of the average admitted statistics of their most recent classes. If you are looking to cross-reference with the 4P project, direct links for admission requirements and statistics for the 17 Medical Schools in Canada are below. Utilizing the direct link to the institution’s website is the best way to get accurate and up-to-date information on admissions.

Ontario Medical Schools

McMaster Medical School (Admission Requirements, Admission Statistics)
University of Ottawa Medical School (Admission Requirements)

University of Toronto (Admission Requirements, Admission Statistics)
University of Western Ontario (Admission Requirements, Admission Statistics)
Queen’s University (Admission Requirements, Admission Statistics)
Northern Ontario School of Medicine (Admission Requirements, Admission Statistics)

Out of Province Medical Schools (English)

University of British Columbia (Admission Requirements, Admission Statistics)
University of Calgary (Admission Requirements, Admission Statistics)
University of Alberta (Admission Requirements, Admission Statistics)
University of Saskatchewan (Admission Requirements)
University of Manitoba (Admission Requirements, Admission Statistics)

Dalhousie University (Admission Requirements, Admission Statistics)
Memorial University (Admission Requirements, Admission Statistics)

Out of Province Medical Schools (French-Only)

McGill University (Admission Requirements, Admission Statistics)
Université de Montréal (Admission Requirements)

Université Laval (Admission Requirements)
Université de Sherbrooke (Admission Requirements)

Medical Schools outside of Canada may have additional requirements that are different from Canadian expectations. The Medical School Admission Requirements™ (MSAR®) is an online database that enables you to browse, search, sort, and compare information about U.S. medical schools, run by the American Medical College Application Service (AMSCAS).

What other requirements are there for other professional school admissions?

The Health Sciences Society (HSS) has spent time working on the 4P Project: the Professional Program Prerequisite Project. The 4P project is a composite resource that compiles application requirement information for various healthcare graduate schools across Canada, including medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, occupational therapy, physical therapy, veterinary medicine, optometry, physician assistant, and more.

NOTE: This project is conducted and maintained independently of any professional school or the BHSc office. The information contained in these fact sheet documents is by no means comprehensive, absolute or up-to-date. This resource is intended to be an aid for your application process, not a replacement for information provided by the individual universities. To find the most up-to-date and accurate information, consult school websites directly or contact the institution.

Graduation

I'm an online student. Can I attend Convocation in Kingston to receive my degree?

Yes. All graduates are welcome to attend the Convocation ceremony in Kingston to receive their degree. If you choose not to attend, then the degree will be sent by mail.

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