What is Health Science? 

Health science refers to the large group of disciplines related to the delivery of health care to humans (and animals) using applications of science, engineering, mathematics and technology. In general, this field uses knowledge taken from pure science and other related sources in effort to build skills and  practices to maintain and improve the health of our population. Each of the courses has its own focus, but may have skills that overlap or enhance your knowledge for moving forward in a Health Science career.  Both courses have foundations in applying all types of science background and other skills, which may provoke your interest in new science ideas and opportunities. These courses also include standards that meet the National Health Science standards, and will help students look at Health and Science with new clarity and perspective. 

Health Career Introduction course: this course begins with individual work to fine tune an area of science/ technology/ health career options that are most interesting to each student.  From there we will build the rest of the class activities to focus on those specific career pathways to help introduce students to each possible career pathway.  With each topic a variety of activities will cover basic workplace skills and specific science/ health skills in those particular career fields.  This is meant to be an overview course, and will work with each cohorts interests to make it interesting, much like a choose your own adventure!  The completion of the course will aim toward resume building, a digital portfolio/toolbox and students outlining future classes that will support their long term goals. 

Public Health course: Public Health is one area of a health career that has been highlighted currently due to the Pandemic.  Public health encompasses a variety of topics: Biostatistics and immunology; Health care leadership/ promotion and social change; Health informatics; clinical investigations; Social and psychological health; Global health; Environmental health, population/family and reproductive health; microbiology and infectious diseases; and so much more.  In this course the focus of daily classwork will be based on each cohorts interests by selecting topics of interest at the beginning of the semester.  Then each topic will include a diversified approach to learning foundational material which will provide a platform for analysing current trends and events on each of those topics. Students will have opportunities to use lab skills as well as evaluate historical trends and current trends in public health topics.   

***Employment in healthcare occupations is projected to grow 15 percent from 2019 to 2029, much faster than the average for all other occupations, adding about 2.4 million new jobs. Healthcare occupations are projected to add more jobs than any of the other occupational groups (Bureau of labor statistics). This was true prior to the pandemic and significantly more applicable now. What role will  you play in our future?