Courses Overview
Within the program there is a core group of required courses which allows students to be introduced to a variety of perspectives and to acquire a range of intellectual skills. Electives may be used to concentrate in a specialized area or to develop broad based interests.
Most university courses consist of three hours of instruction per week. The format by which the instruction is provided can vary from course to course, but for level 1 courses, it typically consists of five main methods: inquiry, problem-based learning, labs, tutorials and lectures.
5 Main Methods
Inquiry
Problem-based learning focusing on the development of skills that are most widely sought in university graduates – the capacity to research and analyze complex problems and to communicate easily and effectively about them.
Problem-based learning
Interdependent and independent small group learning. Collect and analyze the data for discussion and critical evaluation in the small group.
Labs
Practical application of theories and techniques taught in lectures.
Tutorial
Material presented in the lecture is reviewed in a small group with a teaching assistant.
Lecture
Large group session led by an instructor.
Studies in the first year, for the most part, are broad based and foundational. Students may consolidate their interests in year two and prepare for specialized study in the final two years of the program. The program recognizes that students have a variety of interests and allows for varying degrees of specialization in appropriate areas. Appropriate foci for study within this program include: immunology, molecular biology, infectious disease, neurosciences, behavioural sciences, clinical epidemiology, health economics and health policy.
