Bachelor of Health Sciences (Public Health)
Program Structure
The Bachelor of Health Sciences, Public Health (BHSc) can be achieved in three different ways:
- Students with a high school diploma (grade 12) or those who have completed some university courses can apply to the Four Year program
- Students who have graduated with a university degree can apply for the Two Year program
- Students who have already achieved their CPHI (Certified Public Health Inspector) designation can apply to the One Year program
Four Year Program
The Four Year program is available to secondary school graduates and is composed of 40 term courses. Upon completion of this program, students are academically eligible to apply to take the national certification examinations leading to the credential Certified Public Health Inspector (Canada) CPHI(C). An appropriate 12-week practicum is also a requirement for certification. Compliance with CIPHI practicum criteria and other certification requirements is a student responsibility, and does not lie with CBU. Students with some university courses can apply for transfer credits which will be assessed on a case by case basis. Depending on the number of courses taken and their relation to the courses at CBU, up to 20 courses can be transferred. Students must apply for transfer credits as soon as they are accepted. All past university attendance should be mentioned on the university application.
Within the Four Year program, there are opportunities for 5 free electives and one science/technology elective.
Course Requirements (10 courses per year)
Year One
CHEM1104 General Chemistry
MATH1107 Math I
PUBH1101 Cell Processes and Environmental Effects
PUBH1104 Physical Agents & Their Health Effects
Writing Elective (3 credit)*
PUBH2104 Anatomy and Physiology
MATH1109 Statistics I
PUBH3103 Public Health Administration
Writing Elective (3 credit)*
Free Elective
*COMM/ENGL recommended, other writing course accepted
Year Two
MICR2101 Introductory Microbiology
PUBH2108 Engineering Issues in Public Health
PUBH2107 Emergency Preparedness
PUBH4105 Occupational Health and Safety Legislation
GEOL3101 Hydrogeology
PUBH3101 Food Hygiene
PUBH4111 Integrated Pest Management
PUBH3106 Epidemiology
Science/Technology Elective
Free Elective
Year Three (Fall/Winter)
PUBH1103 Issues in Public Health
PUBH2103 Public Health Law
PUBH2105 Public Health Inspection
PUBH3105 Public Health Ethics
PUBH4107 Quality & Environmental Project Mgt
ENVI2163 Occupational Hygiene
PUBH3108 Public Health Inspection II
PUBH4103 Communicable Disease Control
PUBH4104 Food Borne Disease
Free Elective
Year Four (Fall/Winter)
PUBH2106 Food Quality
PUBH3104 Toxicology
PUBH4108 Biocontaminants in Indoor Environments
PUBH4109 Waste Management
PUBH2101 Municipal Services
PUBH4101 Health Risk Assessment
PUBH4106 Public Health Education
NUTR1101 Community Nutrition
Free Electives x 2 (6 credits total)
Two Year Accelerated Degree (Advanced Standing)
The Two Year program is available to students who have already completed a relevant university degree. The program consists of 24 courses that should be completed in a 2 year period. Graduates with a university degree can also apply for up to 12 transfer credits if previous courses are similar in content. They must apply for these credit transfers soon after acceptance into the 2 year program.
An average of 60% must be achieved in the 24 courses listed in the two-year option. Graduates are eligible to receive a Bachelor of Health Sciences (Public Health) degree. Upon completion of this program, students are academically eligible to apply to take national certification examinations leading to the credential Certified Public Health Inspector (Canada) – CPHI(C). An appropriate 12-week practicum is also a requirement for certification. Compliance with CIPHI practicum criteria and other certification requirements is a student responsibility and does not lie with CBU.
Suggested Courses
Year One
PUBH1103 Issues in PH
PUBH2103 Public Health Law
PUBH2105 Public Health Inspection 1
PUBH3105 Public Health Ethics
PUBH4105 Occupational Health and Safety Legislation
PUBH4107 Quality & Environmental Project Management
PUbh3108 Public Health Inspection II
ENVI2163 Occupational Hygiene
PUBH3101 Food Hygiene
PUBH3103 Public Health Administration
PUBH3106 Epidemiology
PUBH4104 Food Borne Disease
Year Two
PUBH2106 Food Quality
PUBH2107 Emergency Preparedness
PUBH2108 Engineering Issues in PH
PUBH3104 Toxicology
PUBH4108 Biocontaminants in Indoor Environments
PUBH4109 Waste Management
GEOL3101 Hydrogeology
PUBH2101 Municipal Services
PUBH4101 Health Risk Assessment
PUBH4103 Communicable Disease Control
PUBH4106 Public Health Education
PUBH4111 Integrated Pest Management
One Year Professional Degree
Students who already hold the CPHI(C) credential are eligible to receive the Bachelor of Health Sciences, Public Health (BHSc) degree upon completion of the 12 term courses below, offered via distance education (online). Two of these courses are offered in each term by rotation, requiring a minimum of six terms (24 months) to complete the program.
PUBH2107 Emergency Preparedness
PUBH3103 Public Health Administration
PUBH3104 Toxicology
PUBH3105 Public Health Ethics
PUBH3106 Epidemiology
PUBH4101 Health Risk Assessment
PUBH4103 Communicable Disease Control
PUBH4105 Occupational Health and Safety Legislation
PUBH4106 Public Health Education
PUBH4107 Quality and Environmental Project Mgt
PUBH4109 Waste Management
PUBH4111 Integrated Pest Management
