Pre-Health Sciences

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. Admission Requirements: 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. Other Requirements: 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. Graduation Requirements: Students must pass all courses, and achieve a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0.