Associate of Arts in Health Science

at Langara College Canada

Biology is the study of life in all its variety and richness. It includes many aspects of your everyday experiences: your relationships with the environment, the foods you consume, the way your body works. In fact, functioning in the present world without biological knowledge is a distinct handicap, since biological advances are at the forefront of social change.

When you study biology at Langara, you will examine all aspects of living things: from the molecules that make up your cells to entire ecosystems. You will get an excellent grounding in a broad range of biology topics. You will also be able to choose courses in numerous specialties, such as ecology, microbiology, genetics, as you focus more closely on your personal interests and career goals.

Information about the living world and opportunities for Biology graduates have grown rapidly over the last few decades. Your career options will depend on your specific interests and educational focus, but could include research, education, journalism, law, public health, conservation, forensics and much more.  Some biology sectors such as biotechnology and environmental sciences are among the faster growing areas of the Canadian economy.

The Langara Biology Department has a firm commitment to providing the practical aspects of a science education. All our university-transfer Biology courses include 2 or 3 hours of lab or field work per week. We have five well-equipped lab rooms, including a dedicated Microbiology laboratory.  Our excellent team of lab demonstrators has a broad range of biology expertise and is available to assist students in the labs and during office hours. Also, a study space for second year students is available in the Biology lab area for biology students to work independently on assignments and projects throughout the term.

To be admitted and participate in a Co-operative Education option, students must:

• Be enrolled in three program courses (minimum 9 credits) or more, not including EXPE 2300 (formerly BUSM 2300/COOP 2300).
• Achieve and maintain a minimum GPA of 2.6 in each term.
• Successfully complete an employability assessment interview with a Co-op Officer, and
• Complete EXPE 2300 (formerly BUSM 2300/COOP 2300) with a minimum "C" grade.

The Diploma in Food, Nutrition, and Health Transfer is a limited enrolment program, developed in collaboration with UBC. Graduates of this program will receive acceptance to the Land and Food Systems Faculty and be eligible to apply to the 3rd year of the dietetics degree program. The diploma provides the first two years of Arts and Sciences prerequisite courses for the Dietetics Major at UBC, and completing this diploma may improve a student’s chances for admission.

The Food, Nutrition and Health Transfer program is a second year entry program, to which students apply after completing the 10 courses listed in the Admission Criteria tab.  Applications received without these courses completed will not be processed.  If you have questions – please contact the Primary Contact listed above.

The Diploma in Food, Nutrition, and Health Transfer Program has rigorous admission criteria. To remain in this program students have 4 years to complete the required curriculum, and must maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0. The application criteria include a resume, showing Canadian work and/or volunteer experience that demonstrates commitment to dietetics as a career choice. This mirrors the requirements to UBC’s dietetic program, and can include:

• involvement in activities related to food and nutrition;
• experience in institutional foodservices and/or in a health care environment;
• activities involving direct exposure to and interaction with dietitians; and
• certificates related to food and nutrition.

Those students who are unable to maintain the cumulative GPA of 3.0, or are unable to complete the diploma requirements in 4 years, will not be able to continue in the Diploma in Food, Nutrition, and Health Transfer Program. Instead, they have the option of transferring to the Associate of Science in Food and Nutrition Program or the Diploma in Nutrition and Food Service Management Program.

Please note, admission to the Dietetics Major is competitive and admission is not guaranteed. While students who complete the Diploma in Food, Nutrition, and Health Transfer receive automatic acceptance to the Land and Food Systems Faculty at UBC, and this places them in a better situation, there is still an application process for one of the limited number of seats at UBC. 

Students who plan on applying to UBC’s Dietetic program should understand that their application to Dietetics has to happen after they get accepted to the Food, Nutrition and Health Program. The Dietetics program also requires that you complete 2 courses through UBC non-degree studies - FNH 200 and LFS 250 - and that these are completed before the application to dietetics is made. It is recommended to begin the process to complete these courses early, as it can be hard to get a seat in the courses.

Environmental Studies is an interdisciplinary program offering students the opportunity to obtain a solid grasp of the physical principles governing the form and function of the earth and the social aspects affecting the nature of human impact on the environment. Program participants will also gain critical thinking skills, analytical ability, a deeper understanding of environmental issues, and a sense of local and global awareness, preparing them to address complex environmental issues.

All courses have university-transfer credit providing students with the option of further study should they wish to obtain a university degree in Environmental Studies or other arts and science disciplines. Block transfer agreements with BC universities allow entry into the third year of certain programs.

The Aboriginal Studies Program is an integrated university-transferable program that addresses historic and contemporary Aboriginal issues in Canada. The Aboriginal Studies Program is unique and comprehensive. The program welcomes all Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal students.

The program strives to empower its students through education. The program encourages each student to reach their full potential through a unique, diverse and comprehensive approach to post-secondary education.

The curriculum content provides students with a thorough understanding of the historic and current circumstances of Aboriginal life in Canada and internationally and looks to the future at such issues as Aboriginal self-government and economic self-sufficiency. Equal emphasis is placed on developing analytical skills, critical thinking and communication skills, as well as laying a solid foundation for additional educational pursuits.

A unique and integral aspect of the Aboriginal Studies Program is the seminar component. Program students and faculty participate in the seminars equally. The purpose of these seminars is to expose the students to and stimulate discussion on topics that may or may not be covered in the classroom. The seminars also promote and foster a sense of community among students and faculty. This sense of community provides support for the student on many levels and provides an atmosphere for frank and open discussion.

Langara College's Aboriginal Education Policy
To increase the success rates of Aboriginal students and to increase the representation and retention of Aboriginal students, Langara College implemented the first formal Aboriginal Education Policy in British Columbia. The policy sets in motion an education and employment equity program which:

• Is committed to increasing the participation and success rate of Aboriginal Learners to the National Average (a provincial advisory committee reported (1989) that 3% of the Aboriginal Population pursues post-secondary education, compared with 15% of the general population);
• will ensure the involvement of Aboriginal representatives in any decisions affecting Aboriginal Education;
• will provide full opportunity and support for Aboriginal students to achieve their academic potential;
• recognize the need to recruit and employ Aboriginal personnel in faculty, staff and administrative positions.

The Certificate in Diversity and Inclusion Leadership (PDC DIIL) is a one-year post-degree program. Students gain effective leadership communication skills, an increased understanding of workplace diversity and inclusion, and an appreciation for the significance of socially constructed identities.

The PDC DIIL certificate includes further studies in English, business, Canadian studies, sociology, and a seminar series exploring the nursing profession in Canada. This certificate is designed to complement the Langara Post-Degree Certificate in Nursing Leadership and Management (PDC NRLM), creating a two-year Post-Degree Certificate in Nursing program.

The two-year Diploma in Arts and Science (Family Studies) Program is for individuals interested in understanding the nature of long-term relationships to further personal and/or career objectives. It is the only such program offered in the BC College system.

A Diploma in Arts and Science (Family Studies) requires a minimum of 60 credit hours of study. Up to 15 credit hours may include courses from the career and kinesiology course selections. Students must achieve a minimum ‘C’ GPA in the program’s core course offerings to be awarded a diploma. As part of the Interdisciplinary Studies Department, the broad range of courses provides students with a sound basis for continuing their studies in a variety of academic disciplines including Psychology, Sociology, Education, Social Work, and Family Sciences.

Selections from the program’s offerings, taken in conjunction with Langara College’s Certificate in Social Service Worker Program, would allow a student to complete a College Diploma in Co-ordinated Studies.

Now, more than ever industry, governments, and health and safety groups are focusing on a proactive way to prevent workplace injury, ensure workplace compliance, and understand and produce effective processes for creating a safe workplace. Our two-year, full-time Post-Degree Diploma program prepares university and college graduates for careers in this in-demand profession.

The Health Safety and Environmental Compliance Post-Degree Diploma program is designed to provide the necessary skills to focus on workplace compliance, including labour, inspection and auditing, public and worker safety, and environmental protection. The program provides a comprehensive combination of training in all aspects of health and safety as well as environmental compliance to make you job-ready. This program is open to international students, Canadian citizens and permanent residents.

Graduates of the program can find work in the following professions:

• Workplace safety experts in numerous industries
• Private contractors in Health and Safety, establishing policy and procedure
• Safety expert in construction or development
• In-house health and safety manager
• Private contractors in Health and Safety, establishing policy and procedure
• Government roles (from municipal to federal) as inspectors, park rangers, work safety policy experts, etc.
• Professional liasion between industry and government agencies

The Journalism Program offers professional training to students planning to become practising journalists and introduces them to important aspects of the communications industry. Its goal is to provide students with the skills and knowledge necessary for entry-level jobs in journalism, whether in print, broadcasting or online. The program emphasizes strong writing skills, the necessary groundwork for careers in all journalism sectors.

The diploma program aims to provide high school graduates with a combination of journalism courses and an introduction to liberal arts courses relevant to the journalist’s work. The first year provides introductory and basic skills courses; the second year focuses on advanced journalism practices. Between years, students are encouraged to seek summer employment with community media outlets to gain experience. A Diploma in Journalism is awarded for successful completion of the four-term diploma stream.

Internships
As part of their curriculum, diploma students complete five-week internships at the media outlets of their choice:  community papers, dailies, radio, television, newspapers, websites, magazines, or corporate communications. Certificate stream students have no fieldwork requirements though the department frequently assists students to arrange internships to be completed after graduation.

Are you passionate about health and want a career as an independent health care professional? Meet your goals as a Registered Massage Therapist.
Building on a history of solid health programming, Langara is the first (and only) public post-secondary institution in BC to offer training in this field. Our two year Diploma in Registered Massage Therapy is unparalleled in depth and approach.

Langara's RMT Program offers an extensive content review in both Semester 5 and 6 with over 330 hours of preparation for the CMTBC provincal registration examinations.
Our RMT instructors have been described as "the best in the province", and most have been with Langara since the inception of the Program. You will be taught by instructors who are excellent role models, and passionate about preparing students as to be excellent RMTs. They choose to teach at Langara because they know it takes excellent preparation to begin a career as an RMT - a comprehensive instructional program. Our grads tell us that they are "totally prepared" to work in the health care system.

Registered Massage Therapy (RMT) is a respected health care profession in British Columbia, and the demand for therapists is growing. Governed by the College of Massage Therapists of British Columbia (CMTBC), RMTs practice within the Health Care Professions Act and provide hands-on treatments to assist in achieving and maintaining optimal health. BC's Massage Therapy education is the highest in Canada.

Most extended health plans recognize and cover massage therapy treatments as does BC Medical, the RCMP, Veteran’s Affairs, ICBC, and WCB. RMTs have the flexibility to choose their desired practice area; whether it is alongside allied health practitioners such as physiotherapists and chiropractors, in massage specific clinics, or as an adjunct to sports teams. Massage therapists are defining their own careers!

We have published authors in both academic and creative areas, but with our small classes and dedication to the needs of individual students, instruction has always been our department’s priority.

The English Department offers you reading and writing skills which will help you to:

• Enter a profession or trade career with practical communication skills
• Arrive at the university with experience and training in academic writing 
• Navigate future career opportunities which you haven't yet thought about
• Critically explore current society which will be interesting in its own right
• Help you to be a more engaged doctor, nurse, teacher or business person 
• Be an aware and critical citizen

We offer courses in the following areas:

• Literature: Most of our courses have a strong literature component because we are convinced that an appreciation for literature will not only open your mind to explore the various forms and genres of literature but also enable you to gain insights into the human condition. Whether you are confronted with the ever-changing world of technical innovation or the daily pressures of life, literature can provide models for reflection and action. 
• Creative Writing: Some of our faculty are published and acclaimed authors and editors. They will share their talents with you in creative writing classes that explore creative writing in workshop situations.
• Communications: Learn to express yourself professionally in the workplace in our communications courses. Whether you are fulfilling a degree requirement (for the BBA) or want to upgrade your communications skills, the presentation skills we teach you will contribute to your future success. Furthermore, the discussion of moral dilemmas as they occur in the workplace is a favourite feature of our communications courses.
• ESL & Academic Preparation: Whether you are a recent immigrant and non-native speaker or a native speaker who feels the need to upgrade your English skills, our ESL & Academic Preparation courses will bring your reading and writing skills up to speed in order to go on to our university transfer courses. Our academic preparation courses have especially small class sizes (20 students max) that allow the instructors to work very closely with you to improve your English skills.