Pre-Health Sciences Pathway to Advanced Diplomas and Degrees

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Courses - September 2025

Level 1

Course details

Human Biology I
BIOL1026

Description: This course will give students a basic introduction to cell biology and the human body. Topics covered in this course include cell structure and function, and a detailed study of both the anatomical and physiological processes that occur in some of the major organ systems in the human body (nervous, endocrine and reproductive). The course includes laboratory exercises designed to enhance understanding of the lecture material.

Hours: 56
Credits: 4
Pre-Requisites:
CoRequisites:

Introductory Chemistry
CHEM1001

Description: The course emphasizes terminology, classification of matter, bonding, chemical reactions, nomenclature, properties of solids, liquids, gases and solutions, bases and pH and an introduction to organic chemistry.

Hours: 42
Credits: 3
Pre-Requisites:
CoRequisites:

College Reading & Writing Skills
COMM1085

Description: This course introduces students to the reading, writing, and critical thinking skills needed for academic and workplace success. Students will analyse a variety of texts and apply the steps of planning, writing, and revising to produce writing that meets the expectations of selected audiences and purposes. The course prepares students for college-level writing tasks, research, and documentation by asking them to produce clear, informed, and purposeful documents relevant to both academic and professional contexts.

Hours: 42
Credits: 3
Pre-Requisites:
CoRequisites:

Conestoga 101
CON0101

Description: This self-directed course focuses on introducing new students to the supports, services, and opportunities available at Conestoga College. By the end of this course, students will understand the academic expectations of the Conestoga learning environment, as well as the supports available to ensure their academic success. Students will also be able to identify on-campus services that support their health and wellness, and explore ways to get actively involved in the Conestoga community through co-curricular learning opportunities.

Hours: 1
Credits: 0
Pre-Requisites:
CoRequisites:

Foundations of Pre-Health Sciences
HEAL1475

Description: This exploratory course is intended to support student success in a postsecondary environment, as well as to examine the fundamentals of the Canadian Health Care System. Students will expand their knowledge and skills in areas such as learning styles, study techniques, note taking, test taking, time management, collaboration, professionalism, research, and development of academic goals. Additionally, this course will provide the students with an opportunity to identify current issues and trends affecting health care in Canada and to relate these to their preferred health care careers. Students will explore how Canadian Federal and Provincial Health Care Policies differ from those in other jurisdictions around the globe and they will explore Health Care issues they may encounter as a result of Canada’s increasingly diverse population. Students will discuss strategies for providing competent care regardless of their own biases in relation to health care issues.

Hours: 56
Credits: 4
Pre-Requisites:
CoRequisites:

Mathematics I for Pre-Health Advanced
MATH1177

Description: This course provides the student with the basic math skills necessary to succeed in their post-secondary health care -related education. Students will recall fundamental math skills such as: order of operations; calculations with fractions, decimals, percent, ratio and proportion; converting between metric and imperial system measurements; manipulating algebraic equations; solving word problems; creating and interpreting graphs; and solving logarithmic and exponential equations. Students will gain theoretical and practical knowledge through lecture and practical application.

Hours: 56
Credits: 4
Pre-Requisites:
CoRequisites:

Electives: Program Option
Student must pass 1 Course(s), selected in the Student Portal from available course options

View Program Option Electives

Please note that all courses may not be offered in all semesters. Go to your student portal for full timetabling details under "My Courses".

Computer Software Applications
COMP1076

Description: Students will use the Microsoft Office application suite to create and format academic documents, professional electronic presentations and spreadsheets. They will develop strategies for effective electronic filing and backup, as well as learn to operate effectively within the Conestoga computing environment.

Hours: 42
Credits: 3
Pre-Requisites:
CoRequisites:

Physics I for Pre-Health Sciences
PHYS1116

Description: Students will apply critical thinking skills and problem-solving techniques to basic physics concepts including kinematics, dynamics, work, energy and power. Students will also be introduced to nuclear physics, with an emphasis on its application to health sciences careers. The course includes laboratory exercises designed to enhance understanding of the lecture material.

Hours: 56
Credits: 4
Pre-Requisites:
CoRequisites:

Level 2

Course details

Biological Sciences
BIOL1015

Description: This course will explore various sub-disciplines of biology including cell biology, Genetics, Classification and Evolution, Diseases and Immunity, and Ecology. Students will learn basic concepts in these areas, while continuing to develop critical thinking and analytical reasoning skills. Practical laboratory and field exercises will reinforce the lecture material.

Hours: 56
Credits: 4
Pre-Requisites:
CoRequisites:

Human Biology II
BIOL1046

Description: As a continuation of Human Biology I, this course will give students a thorough understanding of the human body. Students will build on their previous knowledge as well as examine new organs systems not covered in Human Biology I (skeletal, muscular, cardiovascular, lymphatic, respiratory, digestive and urinary). Both the anatomical features and physiological processes of each new organ system will be studied in detail. Homeostatic imbalances as they relate to medical conditions will also be emphasized. Understanding of the lecture material is enhanced through laboratory exercises.

Hours: 56
Credits: 4
Pre-Requisites: BIOL1025 OR BIOL1026
CoRequisites:

Chemistry of Biological Molecules for Pre-health Advanced
CHEM1130

Description: This course explores the basic concepts of organic and biological chemistry. Organic chemistry will be studied with an emphasis of structures, properties and reactions that are relevant to biological molecules. The course will describe and characterize the four major types of biological molecules, which are, lipids, carbohydrates, nucleic acids and proteins. The principles of metabolism will be explored, focusing on the production of biological energy, distinguishing between anabolism and catabolism, emphasizing the involvement of enzymes and cofactors, and examining the interrelationship among the major metabolic pathways. Laboratory exercises designed to reinforce theoretical concepts will be included.

Hours: 56
Credits: 4
Pre-Requisites: CHEM1001 OR CHEM1050
CoRequisites:

English II for Health Sciences
COMM1200

Description: This course is designed to introduce the communication skills necessary for academic and professional success. By analyzing cases that reflect real life communication situations, students will attain the skills in problem solving and decision making required in professional communications. Emphasis will be placed on producing effective written documents. The course also helps students to develop basic oral presentation skills.

Hours: 42
Credits: 3
Pre-Requisites: COMM1085 OR COMM1190
CoRequisites:

Mathematics II for Pre-Health Advanced
MATH1185

Description: A continuation of Math I for Pre-Health Advanced, this course will enable students to further the concepts and skills learned in Math I. Emphasis will be placed on application of mathematical skills to problems encountered in medical careers. Students will also be introduced to the interpretation of the statistics reported in scientific and health-related research papers. Upon completion of this course, students will have the skills necessary to apply math skills throughout their continuing education.

Hours: 42
Credits: 3
Pre-Requisites: MATH1175 OR MATH1177
CoRequisites:

Electives: Program Option
Student must pass 1 Course(s), selected in the Student Portal from available course options

View Program Option Electives

Please note that all courses may not be offered in all semesters. Go to your student portal for full timetabling details under "My Courses".

Cultural Diversity for Health Sciences
CLTR1140

Description: This course will explore the health care system and how it addresses diversity. Recognizing that Canada's diversity continues to grow, health care is faced with the challenges and opportunities for health care delivery that is respectful, inclusive and culturally competent. This course will explore the personal, professional and systemic barriers that give rise to prejudice, discrimination and oppression and will compel students to analyze and address issues around diversity from a health care perspective. Special attention is paid to developing a strong awareness of self as it related to diversity issues.

Hours: 42
Credits: 3
Pre-Requisites:
CoRequisites:

Physics II for Pre-Health Sciences
PHYS1171

Description: As a continuation of Physics I, this course will examine physics topics other than mechanics. Topics will include current electricity, wave motion, optics, fluids and thermodynamics, which emphasis on applications of these topics in the health sciences. Understanding of the lecture material is enhanced through laboratory exercises.

Hours: 56
Credits: 4
Pre-Requisites: PHYS1115 OR PHYS1116
CoRequisites:

Program outcomes

Examine biological concepts, processes and systems of the human body, including genetics and epigenetics, as well as the structure, function and properties of the molecules of life, cells, tissues and organ systems in relation to homeostasis, physical development and health.
Examine concepts, processes and systems of chemistry, including atomic and molecular structure; quantities in chemical reactions; solutions and solubility; acids and bases; as well as organic chemistry and biochemistry in relation to health and the human body.
Solve numeric problems and interpret data related to health sciences and other science-related fields using mathematical concepts, including algebra and probability, along with descriptive and inferential statistics.
Use health sciences and other science-related language and terminology appropriately to communicate clearly, concisely, and correctly in written, spoken, and visual forms.
Prepare a personal strategy and plan for academic, career and professional development in the health sciences or other science-related fields.
Investigate health sciences and science-related questions, problems and evidence using the scientific method.
Examine fundamental physics laws and concepts and their application to health sciences and other science-related fields.