FACULTY OF SOCIAL SCIENCES

Health & Society I 

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Health & Society I

Medicine alone is not the answer. Health and health care are evolving globally at a rapid pace. Finding solutions and maximizing opportunities requires an interdisciplinary approach.

 

This program prepares you to examine health and illness through the lens of the Social Sciences. Faculty are from many disciplines such as Geography, Sociology, Economics, Political Science, Social Work, and more. You’ll experience classes with an emphasis on experiential education and community-partnered research.

You’ll have the space to explore other subjects in the Social Sciences and other faculties.

During Level I you can take 9 units of Social Sciences and a further 12 units of electives.   

 

At the end of your first year, choose your degree pathway including: 
  • Honours Aging & Society
  • Honours Health & Society
  • Honours Aging & Society, Specialization in Mental Health and Addiction
  • Honours Health & Society, Specialization in Mental Health and Addiction
  • Combined Honours in Aging & Society and Health & Society

 

You can further customize your degree with a minor, affiliated certificate, and more!

  

General admission requirements for Health and Society Level I: 
  • English 
  • 5 additional U or M courses 
  • 80% to 83% or higher 
  • MLH OUAC application code 
  • Target enrolment = 60 students 

Structure of Health & Society I

Health, Aging & Society Degree Options
 

Enroll directly to Health and Society I. At the end of first-year, students who meet the requirements outlined below may qualify for one of the following degree options in Health, Aging & Society: 

  • Honours BA Aging & Society
    Level I Grade Point Average of at least 5.0 (C) including a grade of at least C in HLTHAGE 1BB3 or 1BA3.
  • Honours BA Health & Society
    Level I Grade Point Average of at least 5.0 (C) including a grade of at least C in HLTHAGE 1ZZ3.
  • Honours BA Aging & Society Specialization in Mental Health & Addiction
    Level I Grade Point Average of at least 5.0 (C) including a grade of at least C in HLTHAGE 1BB3 or 1BA3 and a grade of at least C in HLTHAGE 1CC3.
  • Honours BA Health & Society Specialization in Mental Health & Addiction
    Level I Grade Point Average of at least 5.0 (C) including a grade of at least C in HLTHAGE 1ZZ3 and a grade of at least C in HLTHAGE 1CC3.
  • Combined Honours BA in Aging & Society and another subject
    Level I Grade Point Average of at least 5.0 (C) including a grade of at least C in HLTHAGE 1BB3 or 1BA3. Satisfaction of admission requirements for the Honours program in the other B.A. subject.
  • Combined Honours BA in Health & Society and another subject
    Level I Grade Point Average of at least 5.0 (C) including a grade of at least C in HLTHAGE 1ZZ3. Satisfaction of admission requirements for the Honours program in the other B.A. subject.
  • BA Health, Aging & Society
    Level I Grade Point Average of at least 3.5 and an average of at least 4.0 in HLTHAGE 1ZZ3 and 1BB3 or 1BA3.
     

Please note that enrolment in these academic plans is limited, therefore possession of the published minimum requirements does not guarantee admission. 

 

Minors 

The Department of Health, Aging & Society also offers the following Minors that can be taken alongside another degree program: 

  • Minor in Health, Aging & Society 
  • Minor in Mental Health & Addiction 

 

Specialization or Minor in Mental Health & Addiction 

These options equip you to be knowledgeable about how mental health, addiction and society interact. 

Key areas of study include: 

  • The relationship between mental health and marginalization, the construction of illness and the social determinants of health.
  • Understanding how social and non-biomedical interventions can impact mental health and addiction, as well as promote well-being.
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Health & Society I Course Enrolment Guide

A guide to help with the enrolment process.

Create MyTimetable

Login to Mosaic, McMaster’s student information system, to build your timetable.

Timetable Worksheet

This example worksheet can be helpful when organizing your class schedule.

Health & Society Level I Brochure

Learn more about Health & Society I

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