You are reading the 2026/27 Academic Calendar. The 2025/26 version remains in effect until August 31, 2026 and is available here.

Program Requirements

The M.Sc. and Ph.D. in Health Sciences Programs are pending approval by the UBC Board of Governors 
and the Ministry of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills.

M.Sc. in Health Sciences

The primary objectives of the M.Sc. in Health Sciences program are: 

  1. Enable students to integrate knowledge across various disciplines to address contemporary health challenges.
  2. Prepare students to critically analyze health data, conduct research, and apply evidence-based practices to improve health outcomes locally and globally.
  3. Foster the development of students who are ethical leaders, effective communicators, and informed problem-solvers.

Required coursework for M.Sc. in Health Sciences (30 credits total):  

  • 12 credits required coursework
    • One of (3 credits):
      • HINT_O 503 – Quantitative Methods: Interdisciplinary Health (3 credits), or
      • HINT_O 504 – Qualitative Methods: Interdisciplinary Health (3 credits)
    • 3 electives (9 credits)
    • HINT_O 500 – Health Sciences Graduate Student Seminar (0 credits), along with Ph.D. in Health Sciences students
    • HINT_O 599 – Masters Thesis (18 credits), defended at an oral examination 

Program Learning Outcomes

M.Sc. in Health Sciences graduates will be able to: 

  • Critically analyze the epistemological, historical, and theoretical foundations of health science scholarship
  • Demonstrate competent understanding of a chosen sub-discipline of health sciences, including the relevant health systems, data science/data analytics and technical aspects
  • Conduct scholarly work aimed to further understanding, knowledge or new applications within the area of health and wellbeing
  • Critically analyze, synthesize, and apply relevant information that is applicable for practice and policy development in health and social care delivery
  • Contribute to developments in health knowledge application and translation in collaboration with stakeholders to support evidence-based health practices and health and social care services
  • Effectively communicate complex and/or ambiguous ideas within and across practice and scholarly disciplines, and in society at large at a competent level
  • Develop emerging leadership for change aimed at improving health and social care delivery 

Ph.D. in Health Sciences

The primary objectives of the Ph.D. in Health Sciences program are: 

  1. Prepare students to conduct independent, high-quality research that contributes to the advancement of knowledge, promotes knowledge translation, and leads to innovative discoveries in health sciences.
  2. Prepare students to integrate and develop new theories, models, and frameworks that shape health science research and practice.
  3. Provide graduates with the expertise in research, ethics, and interdisciplinary collaboration needed to excel in leadership roles within academia, research institutions, healthcare organizations, and government. 

Ph.D. in Health Sciences students will complete the following requirements: 

  • HINT_O 500 - Health Sciences Graduate Student Seminar, (0 credits) alongside M.Sc. in Health Sciences students
  • Any other courses as determined by supervisor/supervisory committee
  • Successful completion of comprehensive requirements
  • Successful completion of dissertation proposal
  • Successful completion of the Doctoral Dissertation (HINT 699; 0 credits)
  • Successful defense of the Doctoral Dissertation  

Program Learning Outcomes

Ph.D. in Health Sciences graduates will: 

  • Demonstrate a thorough understanding of a substantial body of knowledge in their chosen area of health sciences including the relevant health systems, data science/data analytics and technical aspects
  • Conceptualize, design and implement independent basic and applied research
  • Make informed judgments on complex issues within their specialist field
  • Produce original research which merits publication in international peer-reviewed journals
  • Evaluate and apply research in their chosen area of health sciences to varying contexts and thus contribute to the development of theory, technique, and/or methodology
  • Communicate knowledge, techniques and methodology pertinent to their chosen area of health sciences
  • Understand and appreciate the limitations of their chosen research and the wider discipline of health sciences
  • Embody intellectual independence appropriate for both academic and professional careers

Contact fhsd.graduateprogram@ubc.ca for more information.

UBC Okanagan Academic Calendar 2026/27

Okanagan Campus

3333 University Way
Kelowna, BC Canada
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