Applied Research Methods in Health Sciences

Courses in this learning track address the ways in which health-related research is conducted, with the inclination for advancing critical-reasoning skills. Courses that comprise this learning track will introduce fundamental skills involved in research methodology determination and statistical analysis of data. Students will have the opportunity to build mixed methods research designs as well as learn to navigate the process of literature review and experimental design. Some courses hone in on discipline-specific research methodologies as well, allowing for application of experimental design to particular fields.

This track requires students to take a total of 7 courses.

Coordinator: Dr. Natalie Wagner

Courses

In addition to the following core BHSc courses:

HSCI 190 Introduction to Statistics for the Health Sciences
HSCI 270 Fundamentals of Health Research Methodology
BCHM 370 Genetics and Genomics

Students must take four (4) additional courses.

Choose two (2) of:

MICR 290 - Antibiotic Resistance Lab

MICR 290, Antibiotic Resistance Lab : This immersive laboratory course is designed to give students the opportunity to develop basic research skills, learning about important microbiological and biochemical research techniques and applying them to the study of antibiotic resistance.

LISC 390 Integrative Laboratory Studies

LISC 390 Integrative Laboratory Studies is a two-week intensive multidisciplinary laboratory course conducted in-person on the Queen’s University campus in Kingston, Ontario.

PHGY 290 Investigation of Human Physiological Responses

PHGY 290 Investigation of Human Physiological Responses is designed to enable students to advance their critical thinking and practical laboratory skills through collaborative experimentation. In an integrative laboratory experience, groups of students will learn to investigate how various stimuli impact human physiological responses.

LISC 391 Integrated Life Sciences Laboratory II

LISC 391 Integrated Life Sciences Laboratory II is an intermediate laboratory course on the Physiology and Pharmacology of Cardiorespiratory Sciences and Neuroscience. Students develop skills to acquire and evaluate data and methods. Critical thinking skills are used for the development of arguments, assumptions, and information required to evaluate concepts and hypotheses.

Choose one (1) of:

HSCI 383 Advanced Research Methodologies

HSCI 383, Advanced Research Methodologies will develop the understanding of the three primary types of research employed in health sciences: experimental quantitative, observational quantitative, and qualitative. For each approach, research procedures will be explored.

BCHM 320 Applications of Synthetic Biology

BCHM 320 Applications of Synthetic Biology provides students with a comprehensive overview of designing and developing biological ‘parts’ (genes) to use for applications including but not limited to medical, artistry, and agricultural – with special emphasis regarding ethical use.

HSCI 483 Applied Qualitative Methods for Health Research

HSCI 483 Applied Qualitative Methods for Health Research provides students with an opportunity enhance and apply prior qualitative research skills. In this course students will explore multiple qualitative methodologies and methods that are used to collect and analyze non-numeric behaviours, experiences, and/or perspectives. This course

IDIS 483 Applied Health Ethics: Clinical, Organizational, and Research Perspectives

IDIS 483 Applied Health Ethics: Clinical, Organizational, and Research Perspectives is an applied health ethics course that uses course readings, interactive classroom discussion, and case-based active learning opportunities to prepare students to navigate the complex ethical challenges they will face as they enter diverse professional roles in the health system.

PATH 411 Applied Data Science in Molecular Medicine

PATH 411 Applied Data Science in Molecular Medicine introduces data science tools and methods to handle, process and extract knowledge and insights from large molecular medicine datasets. The focus will be on applying statistics, machine learning and related methods for the analysis of various research datasets and digital pathology.

EPID 401 Biostatistical Data Analysis

EPID 401 Biostatistical Data Analysis covers practical topics in tests and confidence intervals for single and multiple samples, ANOVA, linear regression, correlations, methods for categorical data, and nonparametric methods. SPSS package is used in the lab. The course emphasizes analyzing data arising in life sciences using practical statistical methods.

BCHM 482 Proteomics and Metabolomics

BCHM 482, Proteomics and Metabolomics covers the basic principles of protemoics and metabolomics and their application in the new systems biology ‘omics’ approach to scientific discovery. This course will emphasize methodologies used and the applications in research and medical diagnostic settings.

Choose one (1) HSCI 59X course (HSCI 591/592 Health Sciences Research: Design and Methods; HSCI 593/594/595 Health Sciences Research: Data Collection and Interpretation; HSCI 598 Advanced Health Sciences Research: Design and Methods; HSCI 599 Advanced Health Sciences Research: Data Collection and Interpretation) or ANAT 599 Research Inquiry in Anatomy or DISC 59X course (DISC 591/592/593/594; DISC 598/599)

Students who began their studies in the BHSc program prior to September 2022 may choose to complete the requirements of the archived version of the Applied Research Methods in Health Sciences learning track: Archived April 2022. Students who are choosing to complete the archived version should email bhsc@queensu.ca prior to submitting their official learning track declaration.