March 29, 2006 

The Ministry of Advanced Education has approved anew Bachelor of Health Sciences degree that will begin at UNBC this fall.

Thenew program will have three majors: Biomedical Studies, Environmental Health,and Aboriginal and Rural Health. All majors draw courses from the sciences andsocial sciences to provide students with a broad understanding of issues whilepreparing them for further studies in areas as diverse as medicine, occupationaland environmental health, speech pathology, management and administration, epidemiology,and community health.

“Theversatility of this program is one of its defining characteristics,” says HenryHarder, Chair of Health Sciences at UNBC. “Students come in and say ‘this isexactly what I want.’ It includes courses that have never before been taught atUNBC, such as anatomy, physiology, health information management, andoccupational health. We expect that this new program will be very popularbecause of the breadth of offerings. Students will get the best of everythingrelated to health and health disciplines.”

Even before the program has been officiallyapproved, UNBC has received more than 20 applications for the Bachelor ofHealth Sciences. Students interested in the new program can contact CarmenSlater, Academic Advisor, at 960-5272. Students can also apply for admission tothe University (either online or in person at UNBC) and indicate “Bachelor ofHealth Sciences” on the application form. Admission to the program is limited.

The program is unique in BCand adds to UNBC’s expanding capacity in health and human development.

Contact:

Rob van Adrichem, Director of Media and Public Relations, UNBC - 250.960.5622