Bachelor of Science in Nursing

at Dalhousie University Canada

WHY STUDY HEALTH SCIENCES AT DAL?
We’re a nationally accredited school that offers a Bachelor of Health Science (BHSc) in four professional disciplines: Diagnostic Medical Ultrasound, Nuclear Medicine Technology, Radiological Technology, and Respiratory Therapy. We also offer Medical Laboratory Technology in the Post Diploma program. We’re the only fully integrated four-year university-based program of this kind in Canada.

RESPIRATORY THERAPY
Who are Respiratory Therapists?
Respiratory therapists (RTs) are highly skilled health care professionals who help people with their breathing. RTs care for patients by evaluating, treating and maintaining heart and lung function. They treat all age groups, from newborns to the elderly.

Where do Respiratory Therapists work?
Respiratory therapists work in a variety of hospital and/or community settings:   

• Intensive care units
• Emergency departments
• Operating rooms
• Neonatal nurseries
• Outpatient clinics
• Sleep labs
• Home care
• Smoking cessation programs
• Medical equipment sales
• Education and research

How do I become a Respiratory Therapist?
The School of Health Sciences offers a four year Bachelor of Health Science (BHSc) degree program, which includes theory and practice. Students will take core professional development courses with a  concentration on respiratory therapy specific skills. A diploma option is possible after completion of Year 3.   The program curriculum offers the necessary competencies to challenge the national certification examination administered by the Canadian Board for Respiratory Care (CBRC).

Examples of Courses in the Program

• Anatomy & Physiology
• Cardiopulmonary Physiology
• Respiratory Disease and Therapeutics
• Human Pregnancy and Fetal/Newborn Development 
• Mechanical Ventilation 
• Foundations of Health Care Practice
• Health Care Ethics
• Statistics
• Research Methods

Chemical principles govern most aspects of life, from the food we eat to the technology we take for granted. Understanding chemistry helps us protect our environment and influence people’s daily lives. As a Dalhousie chemistry student, you’ll notice the dedication our award-winning faculty have to teaching and mentoring students.  

What will I learn?
Studying chemistry at Dalhousie involves training in the four major branches of chemistry: inorganic, organic, analytical and physical. Through courses and labs you’ll acquire a range of skills from organizing large bodies of information, to quantitative analytical skills. You’ll learn to describe your work clearly, both orally and in writing. You’ll learn how to reliably generate data, and asses the meaning of your results.

First-year students begin by taking foundation courses in chemistry, physics and math. These courses will give you the background for more in-depth studies in topics such as materials science, chemistry of living systems and quantum mechanics and chemical bonding.

Students who want a challenging program have the opportunity to complete an honours degree in their fourth year by conducting an independent research project. Co-op Education opportunities are also available to students who wish to put learning into practice and gain career-related experience while completing their degree.

You will learn to utilize the world’s limited resources by using solid scientific methods that measure and analyze the choice made by people and institutions.  The traditional way of teaching helps students to learn and utilize their skills and knowledge in the best possible way.  

Graduates of the program work in various fields as they can apply principles of economics to anything. The program helps you to shape public life and society as you may work as a policy advisor, politician, or business consultant. 

You'll have the alternative to pick courses that are more designed for the sociologies instead of the math side of the financial hypothesis. So, there is a characteristic association among math and financial matters that may rouse you to fabricate your math aptitudes. 

WHY STUDY MARINE BIOLOGY AT DAL?
The sea's the limit
If you’re passionate about the ocean, Dalhousie is where you want to be. We’re a national leader in marine biology education and research. You’ll learn in the classroom, lab and out in the field. You could find yourself on the water studying the behaviour of sperm whales, running your own underwater experiments, examining the diet of grey seals or assessing the diversity of marine birds.
What will I learn?
There’s no better place to learn about the ocean than right here in Halifax, Nova Scotia. You’ll venture out to the ocean, both on shore and on the water. You’ll observe examples of Atlantic Canada’s spectacular marine life. You’ll get first-hand experience in various research methods, like gathering live samples and collecting and assessing data. These are just a few of the advantages of studying marine biology at Dalhousie.

During your first two years, you’ll take general biology courses and foundation-building science courses. In third and fourth year, you’ll explore the ecology, diversity, physiology and other aspects of marine animals and plants in greater depth. Many marine biology students combine their studies with courses in chemistry or physics of the ocean, which are offered through the Department of Oceanography.

Sample courses:

• Marine Mammalogy
• Deep Sea Biology
• Introduction to Aquaculture
   

WHY STUDY RECREATION (THERAPEUTIC) AT DAL?

A one-of-a-kind opportunity to improve quality of life
Learn how recreation and leisure experiences can be used to improve the quality of life of people with disabilities, illnesses and other limitations. One of a few four-year degrees of its kind, Dalhousie's Recreation program was the first to be accredited in Canada by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs. You'll be prepared to write the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification (NCTRC) exam to become a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS).

What will I learn?
The goal of the program is to provide students with the theoretical and practical skills to work in a variety of settings as a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS). Since we only accept approximately 25 students each year, class sizes are very small and you have the opportunity to work closely with faculty and fellow students.
In first year, along with the introductory leisure studies course, you’ll take a range of introductory courses in other departments, such as physiology, sociology, psychology and anatomy. In years two to four, your courses will reflect your individual interests in the program—anything from leadership and dynamics to community development.

In the final year of the program a 16-week internship, under the supervision of a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist, takes you out of the classroom and provides you with hands-on work experience that enhances your studies.

Do you want to become part of the solution to our world’s complex environmental issues and help improve our quality of life in the future? The Environmental Sciences program offered through Dalhousie's Faculty of Agriculture at the Agricultural Campus in Truro, N.S. can get you there. Our program teaches students to analyze complex environmental issues and develop practical solutions that consider the impacts on the environment, society and our economy.

What will I learn?
Dalhousie’s Environmental Sciences program is a multi-disciplinary program that offers diverse courses, personalized attention and quality instruction. It merges the physical and natural sciences to give you a unique and marketable education.

Alongside the core sciences, you'll also learn about ecosystems, conservation, water quality, waste reduction, site remediation and resource management and policy. You’ll put your classroom learning into practice through lab and field work. You'll also get an opportunity to practice environmental sampling and analysis.

Once students have identified their personal interests, they’ll be able to select one of the following specializations for their degree: Environmental Biology, Environmental Chemistry, Environmental Economics, Environmental Soil Sciences, Pest Management (minor) or Waste Management.

Biology is the study of life and living things. You’ll examine the physical and biological processes that affect the life and death of genes, cells, individuals, populations, species, and ecosystems.

Depending on your interests and the courses you take, you might learn how to identify indigenous flowering plants, go scuba diving to conduct underwater experiments, or venture out on the ocean to study minke and humpback whales. You’ll look at the simplest forms of plants and animals—think algae and one-celled organisms—as well as the highly complex.

You’ll attend classroom lectures and have access to Dalhousie’s amazing research facilities. But you’ll also get out into the world and apply your classroom knowledge hands-on—whether you participate in the Science Co-op program and work in a research lab off campus, or travel to one of Nova Scotia’s beautiful coastal areas to collect samples from a tidal pool.

A significant portion of the coursework you will complete in the first and second year of the Bachelor of Engineering (BEng) program is made of core classes that are common to all disciplines. 

The first year of study is the same for all students, and at the end of the second semester, students will pick their disciplines. In the second year, students will have the opportunity to take courses related to their chosen discipline before being fully immersed in the discipline by the third year. 

Upon successful completion of the all required courses in the first and second year of study - students will have the opportunity to apply for a Diploma of Engineering. To apply for a Diploma of Engineering students must meet the minimum requirements of a GPA of 2.00 as well as all required courses with a minimum grade of D.

Engineering touches everyone's lives in countless ways. The opportunities in engineering are virtually limitless, allowing you to pursue a career in almost any field, in any industry, in any location around the world.

If you thrive in a smaller campus environment with average class sizes of 20 to 30 people, consider doing the first two years of your degree on our Truro campus. After completing your first two years (and earning an Engineering diploma), you will move to the Halifax campus to complete the final two years of your degree.

CIVIL ENGINEERING
Civil engineers provide a major contribution to society. They design and construct the infrastructures we use every day, from the roadways we travel on to the power stations that provide our homes with electricity.

Areas of focus
Students who choose to complete a degree in Civil Engineering will choose one of two distinct areas of focus:

• Option 1: Infrastructure
  • Students who choose structural engineering and materials will focus on the design, construction, and maintenance of infrastructures, including buildings, bridges, highways, airports, power plants and tunnels and the materials that will ensure their resiliency and sustainability. This stream allows students to choose technical electives from any of the sub-disciplines in Civil Engineering.
• Option 2: Earth and Environment
  • With a focus on water and wastewater treatment, solid waste management, and environmental systems analysis, students will learn to identify and design solutions to mediate and mitigate human impacts on the environment. Students in this option may choose to specialize in the Earth Sciences and Environmental Sciences courses that are directly relevant to the Civil Engineering profession.

Engineering touches everyone's lives in countless ways. The opportunities in engineering are virtually limitless, allowing you to pursue a career in almost any field, in any industry, in any location around the world.

If you thrive in a smaller campus environment with average class sizes of 20 to 30 people, consider doing the first two years of your degree on our Truro campus. After completing your first two years (and earning an Engineering diploma), you will move to the Halifax campus to complete the final two years of your degree.

MINERAL RESOURCE ENGINEERING
Mineral resource engineers develop economically and environmentally responsible ways of extracting and processing minerals from the Earth. Mineral resource engineers evaluate the economics of mineral deposits; develop plans for surface mines, roadways and tunnels; design underground mine plants and ventilation systems; ensure mine safety and environmental protection; and develop innovative mine technology.

Co-op options
Co-op students take the same academic program as the non co-op program; however, our co-op option gives you an opportunity to complement your studies with three paid work terms.