Site Navigation

Faculty of Medicine

Faculty Information

Contact Information

(Return to Top)

Community Rehabilitation and Disability Studies

Location

Education Tower 416

Student Information

(403) 220-2985

Fax number

(403) 220-6494

Web page URL

http://www.crds.org

Edmonton Campus

Grant MacEwan College Mill Woods Campus, Edmonton

(780) 497-5175

Greater Vancouver Campus

Douglas College, 700 Royal Avenue, New Westminster, B.C.

(604) 292-1292

Bachelor of Health Sciences

Location

Health Sciences Centre G503

Student Information

(403) 210-9730

Email address

bhsc@ucalgary.ca

Web page URL

http://www.obriencentre.org

Doctor of Medicine

Location

Health Sciences Centre G740

Student Information

(403) 220-4262

Email address

ucmedapp@ucalgary.ca

Web page URL

http://www.medicine.ucalgary.ca

(Return to Top)

Community Rehabilitation and Disability Studies

(Return to Top)

Introduction

Community Rehabilitation and Disability Studies offers a full range of interdisciplinary professional educational opportunities:

· A Bachelor degree in Community Rehabilitation (BCR). The BCR degree is offered both on campus and through an off-campus program, in collaboration with other post-secondary institutions, based on a cohort model called Community of Learners.

· A professional diploma after a first degree.

· An undergraduate five-course minor in Community Rehabilitation and Disability Studies.

· A combined degree BA/BSc (Psychology)/BCR

· A Minor in Adapted and Therapeutic Physical Activity for Kinesiology students

· Graduate Master's and Doctoral degree programs through the Division of Applied Psychology and the Graduate Division of Educational Research.

Undergraduate Professional Programs

Bachelor of Community Rehabilitation

A four-year Bachelor of Community Rehabilitation (BCR) program is offered for students coming directly from high school and a two-year program is offered for those with a first degree, approved college diploma, or two full years of university prerequisite courses. The BCR is an interdisciplinary degree both in the courses it provides and the students it serves.

Students are expected to achieve a foundation in health, social science, law and management, and will work with individuals of diverse ages and disabling conditions. Through specialized interdisciplinary study, practical experience and project work, they gain professional skills in individual counselling and personal planning, team coordination, design and management of community services, advocacy and small business development.

Students can specialize in areas such as career development, working with seniors, brain injury, community mental health or early intervention. Students specialize by choosing appropriate health and senior social science course options and doing their projects and practica in their chosen area.

Potential Candidates

This degree was designed for the following categories of students:

· People working in human services with a diploma or degree who need specialized and focused training in community rehabilitation practice to advance or respond to changing conditions.

· People trained in other fields who are considering a career change to work in community-based and customized services.

· People with disabilities who are interested in working in advocacy and independent living careers.

· University undergraduates interested in pursuing a four-year interdisciplinary degree in community rehabilitation.

· High school graduates interested in exploring a range of professions related to disability.

Distance Education Program

This decentralized inter-institutional model is managed by the University of Calgary in cooperation with participating colleges in Alberta and other provinces. The partner colleges provide classroom and meeting space and educational resources such as access to libraries and technological support and university transfer courses.

The cohort, called a Community of Learners, is a group of students with more than three years experience in the field, often from diverse backgrounds who plan and evaluate course content, sequence and delivery to ensure that courses reflect local needs.

International

The Bachelor of Community Rehabilitation degree has been made available to cohorts of students living in other countries. Suitable funding arrangements to cover the cost of delivery are established in advance of starting such programs.

North American Mobility Exchange: a partnership agreement between universities in Arizona, USA; Sonora, Mexico; and Canada allowing students to participate in a variety of exchanges between the countries.

For information on our programs and specific contacts, please refer to our www address: http://www.crds.org

Minors in Community Rehabilitation and Disability Studies

A minor in Community Rehabilitation and Disability Studies is open to on-campus students in other faculties. A specialized minor in Adapted and Therapeutic Physical Activity is offered for Kinesiology students by Community Rehabilitation and Disability Studies in conjunction with the Faculty of Kinesiology.

Graduate

Master's and Doctoral level degree studies with specializations in Community Rehabilitation and Disability Studies are available through the Department of Community Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine.

The Pan Canadian Master's program, available through the Department of Community Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, is for professionals with a minimum of three years experience in various fields of practice in community rehabilitation and disability studies. Students study together at the University of Calgary. For further details, please check the Faculty of Graduate Studies calendar and/or contact the CRDS Program.

Opportunities

Certification

Students may be eligible for the following accreditation and/or certification:

· Registered Rehabilitation Professionals (RRP) through the Vocational Rehabilitation Association of Canada (VRAC).

· Certified Vocational Evaluator through Canadian Assessment of Vocational Evaluation and Work Adjustment (CAVEWA)

Careers in Community Rehabilitation and Disability Studies

Graduates are generally employed in agencies and companies which promote community-based, customized supports and services. Graduates often begin in direct service, but their skills in transition planning, service design and supervision, may enable them to move into positions of service coordination or management and to develop their own small businesses.

Fields of practice include:

· Inclusive community supports and services

· Services for children with disabilities

· Inclusive education

· Vocational Rehabilitation and Counselling

· Community health supports

· Human services business ventures

· Medical rehabilitation and clinical practice

Student Affairs

Community Rehabilitation Students' Association

The Community Rehabilitation Students' Association (CRSA) is an organization formed to offer friendship, support and social activities to students in Community Rehabilitation Studies. The CRSA is a resource for students interested in the field, offering up-to-date job postings and current information on issues and developments within rehabilitation.

Student Advisement

Faculty members are designated as prime contact persons with specific responsibilities for each of the degree programs. Adjunct faculty at other universities and colleges and in leading community service organizations are available as expert resources on a wide range of community rehabilitation related topics.

Student Coordinators

Each Community of Learners (COL) has a coordinator who undertakes responsibilities such as: recruiting and advising COL students, acting as a liaison between students and the university, informing the COL of possible courses, meeting with instructors before classes begin, and keeping students informed about all aspects of the program.

Resources

CRDS and Blackboard

All CRDS distance education Internet courses are now being offered through Blackboard, a tool that facilitates the creation of sophisticated World Wide Web-based educational environments.

Community Partnerships

Many agencies and associations provide guidance and practicum support. Formal partnership agreements with other post-secondary institutions enable Community Rehabilitation and Disability Studies Students to establish distance cohorts.

Admissions

New applicants should refer to "Admission Requirements" in the Academic Regulations section of this Calendar for regulations regarding University admission requirements. Students wishing to be admitted to the four-year Bachelor of Community Rehabilitation degree program must present high school matriculation or equivalent which must include English Language Arts 30-1 and Biology 30.

Transfer applicants to the two-year program must present a cumulative grade point average of 2.50 or higher calculated over the most recent course work to a maximum of five full-course equivalents (University of Calgary courses and/or transferable courses taken at other institutions). All grades within a session will be included except where the number of courses taken within a session exceeds that required to fulfill (to a maximum of) five full-course equivalents, in which case the highest grades will be used.

For entrance to the two-year Bachelor of Community Rehabilitation (BCR) degree program the applicant must:

1. Present satisfactory matriculation standing in English Language Arts 30-1 as well as all of the requirements listed in one of category (a), (b) or (c):

(a) After an Approved Community College Rehabilitation or Related Diploma.* Holders of approved rehabilitation diplomas will be considered for direct admission to the post diploma Bachelor of Community Rehabilitation Program. Post rehabilitation diploma applicants must present a half-course equivalent in human sciences. The human sciences course may be completed prior to or subsequent to admission and will not be included in the 10 full courses required in the post diploma program.

Holders of related community college diplomas with three years of experience in human services may be considered for admission to the post diploma BCR route. Previous education and experience will be considered only after evaluation and recommendation by a community college offering an approved program. Applicants must present a half-course equivalent in human sciences. The human sciences course may be completed prior to or subsequent to admission and will not be included in the 10 full courses required in the post diploma program. Depending on the diploma, additional requisite courses may be required.

(b) After an Approved Degree. Applicants must present course work related to human services, disability and individual intervention or equivalent experience in human services. Approved degree holders who cannot present course work or equivalent experience as described above, must complete Community Rehabilitation 205, 207, Applied Psychology 419, Community Rehabilitation 209, 485, 487, and a half-course equivalent human sciences as requisites. Requisites may be completed prior to or subsequent to admission and will be in addition to the 10 full-course equivalents required in the program.

(c) Non-Degree/Non-Diploma Holders. Applicants will be required to present 10 full courses which must include Community Rehabilitation 205, 207, Applied Psychology 419, Community Rehabilitation 209, 485, 487, or their equivalents, and a half course in human sciences. The remaining six and one-half full-course open options must include two full-course equivalents at the senior level. Prerequisite courses may be completed at the University of Calgary or other recognized post-secondary institutions.

2. Present a cumulative grade point average of 2.50 or higher calculated over the most recent course work to a maximum of five full-course equivalents (University of Calgary courses and/or transferable courses taken at other institutions) or an overall GPA of 2.50 on college diplomas. All grades within a session will be included except where the number of courses taken within a session exceeds that required to fulfill (to a maximum of) five full-course equivalents, in which case the highest grades will be used.

3. Support the application by completing a BCR Statement.

*In this context, reference to "approved" rehabilitation or related diplomas indicates diploma programs that have been formally evaluated and are acknowledged by the University of Calgary as having provided sufficient background for direct admission to the BCR program.

Application Deadlines

Refer to the Applications for Admission Schedule at the front of this Calendar for application deadlines.

Deadlines for BCR programs:

On-Campus:

June 30 for transcripts for applicants to two-year program

August 1 for transcripts for applicants to four-year program

Off-Campus Community of Learners and Regional Campus programs:

September 1 for applications in addition to the above dates

September 30 for transcripts in addition to the above dates

Diplomas:

June 30 for transcripts

On-campus students are admitted to the Fall Session; off-campus students are admitted either to the Fall or Winter Session.

Limitation of Enrolment

Enrolment in the four-year Bachelor of Community Rehabilitation is limited. Contact the CRDS Program for further information.

Enrolment in the two-year BCR program is also limited. Applicants will be accepted primarily on the basis of academic standing, but prior relevant experience will also apply where students have comparable grade point averages.

Open Studies

Students without prior degrees wishing to take Community Rehabilitation and Disability Studies courses as Open Studies students must get program approval as is normally prescribed within university regulations. Students with prior degrees seeking to take Community Rehabilitation and Disability Studies courses, and wishing to apply for the BCR degree program, must take all the prerequisite courses for admission to the program.

Registration

Effective Writing Requirement

All students must complete the Effective Writing Requirement by May 1 of their first year of registration at the University of Calgary. Those who do not do so will have their registration for the following fall term courses and all subsequent courses withheld until they meet the requirement. Students are encouraged to meet this requirement in their first term. Please see the Academic Regulations section of the Calendar under Competence Tests for details.

Continuity of Program

Students whose registration has been inactive for two years must reapply for admission and will be required to meet current BCR program requirements if readmitted.

The required twenty full-course equivalents in the four-year degree and the ten full-course equivalents in the two-year degree must have been completed within ten years of the date of Enrolment in the BCR program in order for the degree to be awarded.

Permission to Complete Courses at an Outside Institution

In the four-year program, up to ten full-course equivalents and in the two-year program, up to five full-course equivalents may be completed at other universities in Canada or elsewhere. Written permission must be obtained from the Student Advisor, Community Rehabilitation and Disability Studies prior to registering at another university.

Requirements

There are three routes within the Bachelor of Community Rehabilitation Program:

  1. Four-year interdisciplinary degree route;
  2. Two-year post-diploma route;
  3. Two-year post-degree route.

Four-Year BCR Degree

Students may apply for admission in either year one or year three. During years one and two, students establish foundation skills in Community Rehabilitation and Disability Studies and are encouraged to begin a program of studies in another discipline (for example, Communication and Culture, Humanities, Social Work). In years three and four students complete required Community Rehabilitation and Disability Studies courses and are encouraged to complete a program of studies in another discipline.

Years 1 and 2

1. Community Rehabilitation 205

2. Community Rehabilitation 207

3. Community Rehabilitation 209

4. Community Rehabilitation 485

5. Community Rehabilitation 487

6. Biology 205

7. Applied Psychology 419 or equivalent

8. Psychology 205

9. - 16. A program of studies in a discipline other than Community Rehabilitation and Disability Studies

17. - 20. Open Options

Years 3 and 4

Core Courses

21. Community Rehabilitation 415

22. Community Rehabilitation 425

23. Community Rehabilitation 569

24. Community Rehabilitation 589.01

25. Community Rehabilitation 589.02

26. Community Rehabilitation 573

27. Community Rehabilitation 581

28. Community Rehabilitation 583

Required Multidisciplinary Courses

29., 30. Community Rehabilitation Options

31. - 34. Health related courses including Human Anatomy and Physiology

35. - 38. Senior Social Sciences, Education or Social Work related to community practice, social policy or clinical specialities

39., 40. Management or one half course Management and Philosophy 313

Community of Learners Degree Program (Part-time study based on previous work experience)

The Community of Learners (COL) approach was initiated to enable rehabilitation practitioners who are already employed to attain a two-year BCR degree. A COL is a group of fifteen or more experienced professionals who commit themselves to plan together and support each other in completing the degree with the University of Calgary and other local or linked post-secondary institutions. Candidates have a prior diploma or degree plus a minimum of three years of relevant experience. Courses are offered by various means, including the Internet and condensed delivery.

Core Courses

1. CORE 415

2. CORE 425

3. CORE 569

4. CORE 589.03

5. CORE 589.04

6. CORE 573

7. CORE 581

8. CORE 583

Required Multidisciplinary Courses

9. 10. Community Rehabilitation Senior Option, plus ACWR 303

11. - 14. Health related courses including BIOL 305 or distance equivalent and two of CORE 591.26, 591.28, 591.30, 591.34

15. - 18. Senior Social Sciences, Education or Social Work related to community practice, social policy or clinical specialties

19., 20. Management courses

Regional Integrated Employment Learning Model Program (Integrated work experience/course work)

Two regional campus programs, in Vancouver and Edmonton, offer this integrated model for full-time pre-service students, along with part-time working students. Students complete the program in four integrated course/work blocks combining theory and practicum, e.g. Foundations, Health, Management. Students complete five courses in each session.

Core Courses

1., 2. ACWR 301 and foundation options such as CORE 591.35,

3. CORE 415

4. CORE 425

5. One of CORE 471, 473, 475

6. CORE 569

7. CORE 589.04

8., 9., 10. Three of CORE 589.01,589.02, 589.03, 589.04

11. CORE 573

12. CORE 581

13. CORE 583

Required Multidisciplinary Courses

14., 15. Health related courses including BIOL 305 or distance equivalent and two of CORE 591.26, 591.28, 591.30, 591.34

16., 17. Management related courses

18., 19. Professional practice and advocacy courses, senior CORE, Social Sciences, Education or Social Work related to community practice, social policy, or clinical specialties

20. Open option

Student Standing

Academic Standing

A grade point average based on all courses taken to date at the University of Calgary is calculated as described under "Academic Standing" in the Academic Regulations section of this Calendar except that lower grades in repeated courses are not included. Please note that "F" grades have a value of zero and are included in the calculation. Students are required to maintain a grade point average of at least 2.50 in Community Rehabilitation and Disability Studies courses in order to:

(a) be admitted to the practicum (CORE 589.01, 589.02, 589.06),

(b) be granted the BCR degree.

Note: A minimum GPA of 3.00 in practicum courses is required for the BCR degree to be granted.

Minimal Pass

If a student receives a "D" or "D+" grading (minimal pass) in a course, he/she will not be allowed to use this course as a prerequisite to a higher level course except with the consent of the Head of the Department offering the course. Students may repeat a course once in order to raise their standing.

Repeating Courses

Students may repeat a course previously attempted (including withdrawals) only once without permission of the Faculty office. Practicum courses offered by Community Rehabilitation and Disability Studies, may not be repeated after a failing grade has been received without:

(a) the prior consent of the Director, Rehabilitation and Disability Studies;

(b) presenting evidence of having made an attempt to overcome previous difficulties encountered;

(c) waiting a reasonable period of time (one semester to one calendar year) prior to repetition.

Excessive Number of Withdrawals

Students will not be permitted to withdraw more than once from a particular course. Students will be required to withdraw if they have accumulated a total of more than five full-course equivalent withdrawals while in attendance at the University of Calgary.

Unsatisfactory Standing

Students are referred to the section on "Academic Standing" in the Academic Regulations section of this Calendar. Standing is unsatisfactory when:

(a) the record indicates that a student has "F" grades in two full courses in any one year, or

(b) the student has an accumulated total of "F" grades in the equivalent of three full courses, or

(c) the grade point average falls below 2.50 calculated as described above in "Academic Standing."

When a record is unsatisfactory for any one of the three reasons listed, the student will be required to withdraw.

Graduation

BCR

Graduation Requirements:

1. Successful completion of the approved program with a minimum overall grade point average of 2.00. In addition, students must achieve an overall grade point average of 2.50 or better in the Community Rehabilitation courses taken, with a minimum grade point average of 3.00 in practicum courses.

2. In the two-year program, the 10 full-course equivalents required for graduation must all have been completed within 10 years of first Enrolment for the degree to be awarded. In the four-year program, the 20 full-course equivalents required for graduation must all have been completed within 10 years of first Enrolment for the degree to be awarded.

Degrees with Distinction

The notation "With Distinction" will be inscribed on the permanent record and graduation parchment of all BCR students whose grade point averages in Community Rehabilitation courses places them in the top 10 per cent of the graduands.

Combined BA or BSc (Psychology)/BCR

This five-year program leads to both the Bachelor of Arts in Psychology (offered by the Faculty of Social Sciences) and the Bachelor of Community Rehabilitation (offered by the Faculty of Medicine) degrees, and is jointly sponsored by the two faculties. Completion of the program requires a minimum of 25 full-course equivalents.

Admission

Students pursuing this program may enter the combined degree in year one in either the Faculty of Social Sciences or the Faculty of Medicine. Admission requirements of both Faculties, the Department of Psychology and Community Rehabilitation Studies must be satisfied in order to qualify for the combined degree program.

The program requires careful selection of courses to complete all requirements of the two Faculties. Interested students are urged to contact the Associate Dean (Student Affairs) of Social Sciences and the Student Advisor in the Community Rehabilitation and Disability Studies Program. It will be possible for students to opt out of the combined program until the end of their third year and complete either a BA or BSc in Psychology or a BCR degree in four years. Students should note, however, that if courses have been unevenly distributed, more than four years may be required to complete the degree.

Requirements

1. The Faculty of Social Sciences requires the successful completion of all courses required for graduation in "Degrees with a Major Field" listed in this Calendar. Faculty and Department of Psychology requirements for graduation in a program with a Major Field (Psychology) must be met.

2. The Faculty of Medicine requires successful completion of all courses required for graduation with a BCR degree as listed in this Calendar. Faculty and program requirements must be met.

3. The number of junior courses must not exceed 8 full-course equivalents in total.

4. At least one half of the 25 full-course equivalents must be taken at the University of Calgary. A maximum of 10 full-course equivalents may be transferred to any one of the Faculties. Note that half the courses counting towards the Psychology Major and at least 7 full-course equivalent Community Rehabilitation requirement courses must be taken at the University of Calgary.

Year 1

BA

1. PSYC 205

2. BIOL 205

3. 2.5 FCE options

BSc

1. PSYC 205

2. 2.5 FCE Sciences (Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics)

3. .5 FCE option

BCR

1. CORE 205

2. CORE 207

3. CORE 209

Year 2

BA

1. PSYC 312

2. PSYC 351

3. PSYC 385

4. .5 FCE options

BSc

1. PSYC 312

2. PSYC 351

3. PSYC 385 or 345

4. .5 FCE option

BCR

1. APSY 419

2. CORE 485

3. CORE 487

4. CORE 591.35

5. One of 591.02, 591.26 or 591.28 (or other 591 courses)

Year 3

BA

1. BIOL 305

2. PSYC 345

3. PSYC 365

4. PSYC 369

5. PSYC 375

6. 1.5 FCE options

BSc

1. ZOOL 361

2. PSYC 365

3. PSYC 369

4. PSYC 375

5. 2 FCE options

BCR

1. CORE 425

2. CORE 591.34

3. One of: CORE 471,473, 475

Year 4

BA

1. 1.5 FCE 400-level PSYC courses

BSc

1. 1.5 FCE 400-level PSYC courses

BCR

1. CORE 415

2. CORE 573

3. CORE 583

4. One of senior practicum: CORE 589.01, 589.02, 589.06

5. 1.5 FCE options

Year 5

BA

1. 1.5 FCE 400-level PSYC courses

BSc

1. 1.5 FCE 400-level PSYC courses

BCR

1. CORE 569

2. CORE 581

3. One of senior practicum: CORE 589.01, 589.02, 589.06
4. 2 FCE options

On-Campus, Community of Learners and Integrated Employment Learning Model

1. Details relating to sequence, registration, prerequisites and methods of delivery for Community of Learners degree programs reflect local needs and resources. Refer to the specific contacts on-line at: http://www.crds.org

2. Community of Learners courses are open to local or distance students who have Internet access and meet academic requirements for admission to courses. Please contact the local COL coordinator for more details.

3. A detailed listing of inter-faculty and inter-institutional option courses is available on-line at http://www.crds.org or from the Community Rehabilitation program. Students intending to pursue graduate programs are recommended to take a senior research/statistics course.

4. Students who will be in practica or seeking employment should be aware of the following regulation:

Provincial legislation requires that new employees and volunteers in publicly funded agencies, residential services, and day programs are subject to a criminal record check. This means that a criminal record check will be required prior to employment in health care and social service programs in Alberta. Please contact the Human Resources Department of the agency at which you will be employed if you require further information.

Most agencies where students complete practica require a criminal record check and/or child welfare clearance of students. Students should be prepared to provide such documentation prior to the commencement of the course.

Minor in Community Rehabilitation and Disability Studies

A minor in Community Rehabilitation and Disability Studies is available to students registered in other Faculties (e.g. Communication and Culture, Humanities, Kinesiology, Science, Social Sciences). All students are required to take:

· Introductory Courses: Three half-course equivalents from CORE 205, 207, 209, 425

· Practica: Two half-course equivalents from CORE 485, 487, 589.01, 589.02 or appropriate joint placement with home faculty

Minor in Adapted and Therapeutic Physical Activity

This Minor is offered by Community Rehabilitation and Disability Studies for students in Kinesiology.

Requirements

1. Two half-course equivalents from the following introductory courses: CORE 205, 207, 209,

2. Two half-course practica from: CORE 485, 487, 589 series

3. Three required Kinesiology courses: KNES 367, 369, 569

4. Three CORE courses: two from CORE 591.26, 591.28, 591.34, 591.35, one of 471, 473, 475

5. CORE 569

Professional Diplomas in Community Rehabilitation and Disability Studies

Introduction

Community Rehabilitation and Disability Studies sponsors a post-degree program leading to a Diploma of the Faculty of Medicine with a specialization in Community Rehabilitation and Disability Studies for those who are working in the field of community rehabilitation and disability studies or wishing to transfer their current professional training to community practice. The diploma program provides the foundation interdisciplinary skills identified by the field as necessary for practice. The diploma will also assist students in meeting the entrance requirements of the Pan Canadian Master's Degree program in Community Rehabilitation and Disability Studies.

Admission

An approved degree with a grade point average of at least 2.50 over the most recent course work to a maximum of five full-course equivalents (University of Calgary courses and/or transferable courses taken at other institutions). All grades within a session will be included except where the number of courses taken within a session exceeds that required to fulfill (to a maximum of) five full-course equivalents, in which case the highest grades will be used.

Experience and/or undergraduate work in helping professions.

An interview with the Director, Community Rehabilitation and Disability Studies or her/his representative to discuss program requirements and to complete program forms. Students must provide copies of their transcripts before or during this interview.

An approved program. Applicants will not be registered until such time as the diploma program has been approved and formal admission to the program has been granted.

Requirements

Specific courses will vary depending on the program (see below).

1. Students must complete a minimum of four full-course equivalents satisfying departmental requirements. Programs are developed on an individual basis.

2. A grade point average of 3.00 or better is required on the four or five courses on the diploma program. (All courses taken subsequent to admission will be included in the calculation.) A grade below "C" will not be accepted for credit on a diploma program. The program must be completed within four calendar years. Relevant courses taken prior to admission (e.g., as an Open Studies student) may be allowed for credit toward the diploma; however, the date of the first course credited toward the diploma will indicate the commencement of the four-year time limit.

Notes:

1. Students from developing countries or partnered universities may be admitted under contracted agreements.

2. Applicants new to the University of Calgary must complete an Application for Admission form and supply official transcripts; former University of Calgary students who have attended during the past year must complete a Change of Program form.

3. Courses credited in a completed diploma may not be used for credit towards the BCR degree or any other graduate degree.

4. Those intending to apply for admission to the Faculty of Graduate Studies are advised that a full-time diploma year will not count as the equivalent of a residence year in the MEd or MSc degree programs.

Bachelor of Health Sciences Honours

(Return to Top)

I. Summary of Programs

Coordinated by the Faculty of Medicine and in cooperation with the Faculties of Science, Social Sciences, Humanities, and Kinesiology, the Faculty of Medicine offers an undergraduate degree in Health Sciences, the Bachelor of Health Sciences Honours (BHSc Honours), consisting of three majors. (Details on majors are given in Section V.) Because of the admissions standard and GPA requirements, it is expected that most students will attain Honours standing. However, those students who progress to the fourth year but do not attain a cumulative GPA of 3.30 over the last 30 half-course equivalents (HCE) will graduate with a BHSc. The BHSc Honours degree will normally take four years. Students are selected through an admissions process and have direct entry into the first year. The deadline for receipt of the application package is April 1. Admission offers will be made by mid April.

A Health Sciences Minor is available in Health and Society. (Details are given in Section V.)

II. Faculty Student Affairs

The BHSc Undergraduate Office and undergraduate departmental advisors in key participating departments and Faculties advise students. Inquiries related to Faculty Regulations (Section III), Admissions (Section IV) and course requirements (Section V) should be directed to the Faculty of Medicine BHSc Undergraduate Office.

III. Faculty Regulations

Students in the Faculty of Medicine are governed by the regulations in this section of the Calendar as well as by the general University regulations in the section titled Academic Regulations. For the precise interpretation of any statement or regulation, students should feel free to contact the Associate Dean Undergraduate Science Education (USE) in the BHSc Undergraduate Office, Faculty of Medicine. The Associate Dean (USE) is responsible for all undergraduate BHSc student affairs in the Faculty.

Enrolment Limitations

Enrolment limits may be in effect for some courses in the Faculties of Medicine, Science, Social Sciences, and Humanities.

Degree Requirements

The following general requirements apply to all undergraduate bachelors programs in the Faculty of Medicine:

A. Degree Programs

In order to graduate a student must present an approved list of courses completed with passing grades. This list will be referred to as the major. The major must satisfy the following conditions:

(a) The major must contain at least 40 half-course equivalents (HCE) with at least 22 HCE numbered 300 or above.

(b) Only one HCE in the major may be graded a "D" or "D+."

(c) A minimum GPA of 3.60 over the last 30 HCE will be eligible for a First Class Honours designation. Refer to Section B "First Class Honours Requirements."

(d) A minimum GPA of 3.30 must be maintained over the last 30 HCE for an Honours designation.

(e) Please refer to "Student Standing" for a description of "satisfactory standing."

(f) No more than 10 HCE taken at other institutions and acceptable for transfer credit may be included in the degree.

(g) Candidates for Honours have a maximum of five years in which they are registered in courses to complete the required programs.

Note: These requirements may change with every Calendar issue. A given Calendar entry applies to the academic year beginning on July 1 and ending on the following June 30. The time of entry into a major in the Faculty of Medicine is defined as the first session after admission to the major during which a student successfully completes any courses applicable to the major. A student's major is subject to the course requirements that are in the Calendar current at the time of entry into the BHSc Honours, and a student is allowed five years counted from the time of entry into the major, to graduate under these requirements. Students who exceed the allotted time limit must consult with the Associate Dean (USE), who will decide on an acceptable set of course requirements for graduation.

Note: A student who fails to maintain the necessary performance standards or who decides not to continue in the Honours degree may transfer to another Faculty program, subject to that program's admission requirements.

B. First Class Honours Requirements

In addition to the Honours' requirements, first class designation requires successful completion of a program major equivalent to 40 HCE with a GPA of at least 3.60 over the last 30 HCE. A student who has taken part of his/her course work at another university may be granted a degree with First Class Honours at the discretion of the Faculty.

C. Minor Programs

A Minor is available in Health and Society. The course requirements are listed in Section V (Program Details). The GPA over all courses counting towards the Minor must be at least 2.00.

Course Selection and Registration

A. Accuracy of Registration

Students are responsible for ensuring that their annual course selections are in accordance with all Calendar requirements, including the completion of prerequisite courses with a satisfactory grade and registration in corequisite courses as appropriate. Students are advised not to register in a course unless they have achieved a grade of at least "C-" in each prerequisite course. It is the responsibility of students to ensure that they meet all prerequisite requirements. A student who has received credit for a course without having the normal prerequisite course(s) may not subsequently register in the prerequisite course(s) for program credit. Taking or repeating a course that is a prerequisite for a higher level course after having completed the higher level course with a grade of "C-" or better will only be allowed with the permission of the Associate Dean (USE). Registration in any course(s) contrary to regulations may be cancelled by the Faculty after the beginning of classes. Registration must be appropriate to the major being followed. Students with inappropriate course selections may have their registration cancelled by the Associate Dean (USE). Students should seek advice from the Associate Dean (USE) or the staff of the Faculty Student Affairs Office.

Students are responsible for ensuring that they meet degree and program major requirements. Although the Program Office endeavours to assist all students as they proceed in the various majors, a final and thorough check is not done until application for graduation. Any departure from standard requirements must receive prior authorization in writing from the Associate Dean (USE). It is strongly recommended that students consult with the Associate Dean (USE) or the staff of the Faculty Student Affairs Office before submitting their final registration.

First-year students should obtain a copy of the Course Registration and Planning Guide from the Office of the Registrar.

B. Withdrawal from Courses

Students will not be permitted to withdraw more than once from a particular course. Students will be required to withdraw from the Faculty of Medicine if they have accumulated a total of more than five full-course equivalent withdrawals while in attendance at the University of Calgary. A student who wishes to withdraw from a course must do so before the deadline specified in the Academic Schedule.

C. Repetition of Courses

A student will be permitted to repeat a particular course only once. This regulation applies not only to individual courses but also to sets of courses where it is stated that credit for more than one of the sets is not allowed. A withdrawal counts as an attempt.

D. Opportunities to Take Courses at Another Institution for Transfer of Credit

Students may be authorized to take some program course work at another university if registration as a visiting student is acceptable to that university. Applications for such authorization must be made as early as possible in writing to the Associate Dean (USE) and must be accompanied by full details of the proposed courses and the total hours of instruction (machine copies of actual calendar descriptions are preferred). The student will be advised officially by letter of the acceptability of the proposed courses for transfer credit in the program and an appropriate letter will be sent to the Registrar at the other university. It will be the responsibility of the student to ensure that an official transcript of grades is forwarded directly to the Registrar of this University in order that appropriate credit may be officially recorded.

E. Credit in Courses by "Special Assessment"

Students who feel that they know the material covered in a certain course without having received formal University credit may apply for "special assessment" in the course. Students should obtain the form headed "Permission to Take Courses by Special Assessment" from the Office of the Registrar and submit their application to the Faculty offering the course. A course in which the student was previously registered may not be taken subsequently by special assessment, nor may any course be attempted more than once in this way. The Faculty will not allow more than five full-course equivalents completed by special assessment to count towards a degree. See also the general University regulations concerning special assessment.

Assessment

A. Missed Components of Term Work

Any student who is absent from a test or fails to complete a laboratory assignment or similar work for legitimate reasons must discuss an alternative course of action with the instructor. The regulations covering such circumstances are outlined in the sections titled "Attendance" and "Deferral of Work" in the Academic Regulations section of this Calendar. In such cases the instructor must be notified within 48 hours.

B. Deferral of Final Examination

See the general University regulations governing the deferral of final examinations. In order to apply for a deferral of a final examination, students must pick up an application form in the Office of the Registrar or download it from the Registrar's Website at http://www.ucalgary.ca/registrar/exam_info and submit the completed form to the Associate Dean (USE). Students seeking a deferment of a final examination for medical reasons must submit a Physician/Counsellor Statement form, which they can obtain from the Office of the Registrar or download from the website. A medical certificate stating only that a student has been seen by a physician is insufficient. Misreading the examination timetable is not a valid reason for requesting a deferred final examination.

Student Standing

A. Performance Review, Probationary Status and Dismissal

The academic standing of each student registered in the Faculty will be reviewed annually following the Winter Session as per the GPA Requirements table.

GPA Requirements

End of Year 1

Year 2 and 3

Year 4 and Graduation

3.30 or above: satisfactory standing

3.30 or above: satisfactory standing

3.30 or above: BHSc Honours degree

2.75 - 3.29: continuation in BHSc

2.75 - 3.29: continuation in BHSc

2.75 - 3.29: BHSc degree

less than 2.75: continuation in BHSc on probation (see note 1)

less than 2.75: On Probation (see note 1)

less than 2.75: no degree (see note 2)

Notes:

1. University regulations permit students to be on probation only once during their degree. Therefore, students who merit placement on academic probation will have to maintain a GPA of at least 2.75 in each subsequent years in order to continue in their chosen program. Students who do not meet this will be required to withdraw from the Bachelor of Health Sciences program and, if qualified, may be able to enter another program at the University of Calgary

2. At the time of graduation, students who have not achieved a GPA of 3.30 over the last 30 HCE will be awarded a BHSc (i.e., without Honours), provided that the minimum cumulative GPA attained is greater than or equal to 2.75.

3. Students not achieving Honours standing due to the failure to complete all required first year courses (see list below), must complete these required courses within their first 20 half-course equivalents (with a minimum GPA of 3.30) in order to be admitted into Honours and remain in the program. Exceptions may be granted, due to exceptional circumstances such as serious illness or disability, at the discretion of the Associate Dean (USE).

4. Students who do not maintain a GPA of at least 3.30 by the end of Year 2 will meet with members of the department for an annual review to discuss alternative coursework to writing an honours thesis in Year 4 if by the end of Year 3 they have not achieved a GPA of 3.30.

B. Dean's List

The Dean's List recognizes the outstanding academic achievement of students. To be included, a student must achieve a grade point average of at least 3.50 over all courses taken in the preceding Fall and Winter Sessions, with a minimum of ten HCE to be counted. A statement of inclusion on the Dean's List will be recorded on the student's transcript.

IV. Admissions

Admission to the Faculty involves at the same time admission to one of the three program majors. If the applicant is not admitted to the BHSc Honours the application will be reviewed for admission to alternative University of Calgary degree programs designated by the applicant. Please see below regarding admission of transfer students into the second year of the BHSc Honours. If an application is unsuccessful, a new application must be submitted the following year.

Note: The projected enrolment for each major of the BHSc Honours is 25 students/major/year. Admission to these majors is based both on the admission requirements listed below and additional selection criteria in the appropriate major.

Admission to Year 1 is normally limited to those who meet the requirements set out below and have completed no more than two transferable half-course equivalents from a recognized post-secondary institution. Those with more than two HCE may be required to apply to Year 2.

Applicants must submit both a completed Bachelor of Health Sciences Supplementary Application in addition to a University of Calgary Application for Admission. Students may obtain the Supplementary Application on-line through the Bachelor of Health Sciences website.

Year 1 Admission

(a) Final transcript deadline: August 1

(b) To be considered for admission applicants must present:

(i) In progress or completed marks for the following subjects (or equivalent)

· English Language Arts 30-1

· Pure Mathematics 30 with a minimum grade of 70%

· Biology 30

· Chemistry 30

· One course from Group A, B, C or D

(ii) Supplementary Application

(c) Admission is competitive. Only 25 spaces are available in each major each year. Therefore, meeting the minimum standards as set out in (b) does not guarantee admission. Those with more than two HCE transferable courses may be required to apply to Year 2.

(d) Applications will only be accepted electronically. All applicants are required to submit supplementary information on the form provided by the Faculty of Medicine. The supplementary information form is to be submitted directly to the Faculty of Medicine. Applicants will be selected based on their academic qualifications and their supplementary application.

(e) An admissions committee will review applications and all applicants will be informed of their status in writing.

(f) The Faculty of Medicine will consider applicants for Early Admission for the upcoming year in April. Incomplete files will not be reviewed. Applicants currently in high school should refer to Early Admission for High School Students in the Academic Regulations section of this Calendar for details. It is to the applicant's advantage to apply for admission and submit the supplementary information as soon as possible. The Faculty of Medicine will start making conditional offers of acceptance by April 15.

Year 2 Admission

(a) Transcript deadline: June 30

Spring or Summer Session courses completed in the year of application will not be considered.

(b) Admission is competitive and seats are limited. Transfer students must have completed at least eight half-course equivalents. Applicants must have taken a minimum four of the following courses corresponding to the major applied to.

Biomedical Sciences Major

Biology 231, Chemistry 201, 203, Mathematics 251 (or 249 or 281), Physics 211 (or 221), 223, and one of Biology 233, Anthropology 201, Archaeology 203, Psychology 205, Geography 251

Bioinformatics Major

Biology 231, Computer Science 231, 233, Mathematics 221 or 211, 271, and Chemistry 201, 203

Health and Society Major

Biology 231, Mathematics 251 or 281, Health and Society 201, any 200-level half course English or Comparative Literature 201 or 203, and three of Psychology 205, Sociology 201, Anthropology 203, Geography 251, Economics 201*, 203*, any 200-level Political Science course

*Students considering the Health Economics concentration in the BHSc Honours are required to complete both Economics 201 and 203, as they are prerequisites for most 300-level Economics courses.

(c) Subject to (b) above, a minimum of 15 transfer students will be admitted into the second year of the program.

(d) Applications will only be accepted electronically. All applicants are required to submit supplementary information on the form provided by the Faculty of Medicine. The supplementary information form is to be submitted directly to the Faculty of Medicine. Applicants will be selected based on their academic qualifications and their supplementary application.

(e) An admissions committee will review applications and all applicants will be informed of their status in writing.

(f) The Faculty of Medicine will start processing applications for the upcoming year in April. Incomplete files will not be reviewed. Applicants who are currently completing the required courses should refer to Early Admission for Post-Secondary Students in the Academic Regulations section of this Calendar for details. It is to the applicant's advantage to apply for admission and submit all necessary transcripts, including the supplementary information, as soon as possible. The Faculty of Medicine will start making conditional offers of acceptance by April 15.

(g) Transfer students who are admitted are required to take all Inquiry courses.

V. Program Details

Biomedical Sciences Major

Required Courses

· 0.5 FCE Biology 231

· 0.5 FCE Life Sciences Option (Biology 233, Anthropology 201, Archaeology 203, Psychology 205, Geography 251, Kinesiology 251, 261)

· 2.0 FCE Chemistry 201, 203, 351, 353

· 0.5 FCE English (any half-course equivalent 200-level English or Comparative Literature 201, 203)

· 1.0 FCE Physics 211 or 221, 223

· 0.5 FCE Mathematics 249 or 251 or 281

· 1.5 FCE Medical Science 341, 351, 407

· 0.5 FCE Biochemistry 393

· 3.0 FCE (Inquiry Courses) Medical Science 203, 205, 308, 408 (to be taken in sequence through years one to three)

· 0.5 FCE Medical Science 307

· 2.0 FCE (Research Project) Medical Science 508 (to be taken in final year). The research project is worth 2.0 full-course equivalent and is offered over two sessions.

· 0.5 FCE Medical Humanities Elective - (any course offered by the Faculty of Humanities)

· 1.5 FCE Open Options

· 1.5 FCE Biomedical Option - (any senior-level course offered by the Faculty of Science, senior-level Area III course offered by the Faculty of Social Sciences, senior-level Medical Science course)

· 2.5 FCE Core Option (Medical Science 402, 404, 501, Biochemistry 443 or Cellular, Molecular and Microbial Biology 343)

· 1.5 FCE Senior Option: any course at the 300-level or above

Bioinformatics Major

Required Courses
  • 0.5 FCE Biology 231
  • 2.0 FCE Chemistry 201, 203, 351, 353
  • 1.5 FCE Mathematics 221 or 211, 249 or 251 or 281, and 271
  • 3.0 FCE Computer Science 231, 2331, 265, 331, 335, 471
  • 1.0 FCE Computer Science 400 or 500-level Option
  • 1.5 FCE Medical Science 341, 351, 401
  • 0.5 FCE Biochemistry 393
  • 3.0 FCE (Inquiry Courses) Medical Science 203, 205, 308, 408 (to be taken in sequence through years one to three)
  • 0.5 FCE English (any half-course equivalent 200-level English or Comparative Literature 201, 203)
  • 0.5 FCE Medical Science 307
  • 0.5 FCE Medical Humanities Elective - (any course offered by the Faculty of Humanities)
  • 2.0 FCE (Research Project) Medical Science 508 (to be taken in final year). The research project is worth 2.0 full-course equivalent and is offered over two sessions.
  • 0.5 FCE Bioinformatics Option - (any senior-level course offered by the Faculty of Science, senior-level Area III course offered by the Faculty of Social Sciences, senior-level Medical Science course)
  • 0.5 FCE Software Engineering 301
  • 1.0 FCE Core Option: Medical Science 404, Biochemistry 443 and Computer Science 461
  • 1.0 FCE Open Option
  • 0.5 FCE Senior Option: any course at the 300-level or above

1Students with programming experience may register in Computer Science 235 in place of 231, 233. Students selecting this option must have approval from the Department of Computer Science. If a student does complete Computer Science 235, 0.5 FCE may be taken as an open option.

Health and Society Major

Upon completion of Year 1, Health and Society students are required to declare a "Social Sciences area of concentration." This must be selected from Anthropology, Economics, Psychology, Geography, Sociology, or Political Science. Course selection must correspond to the student's chosen concentration discipline and must be chosen from the "Grid for Social Sciences Concentration Courses."

Required Courses

The BHSc Health and Society major consists of 20 FCE.

  • 2.5 FCE Health and Society 201, 301, 311, 401, 591
  • 0.5 FCE Biology 231
  • 0.5 FCE Mathematics 249 or 251 or 281
  • 1.5 FCE Major Option (Anthropology 203, Psychology 2051, Sociology 201, Geography 205, Economics 201, 2032, any 200-level Political Science, Social Work 201)
  • 0.5 FCE Life Sciences Option (Biology 233, Kinesiology 251, 261, Anthropology 201, Archaeology 203)
  • 0.5 FCE English (any half-course equivalent 200-level English or Comparative Literature 201, 203)
  • 0.5 FCE Biology 233, 3053, Medical Science 341
  • 3.5 FCE Concentration Courses (See Table 1)
  • 1.5 FCE Open Option
  • 3.0 FCE (Inquiry Courses) Medical Science 203, 205, 308, (to be taken in sequence through years one to two); Health and Society 408 (to be taken in year three)
  • 1.0 FCE Medical Science 307 and Medical Science 407
  • 2.0 FCE (Research Project) Medical Science 508 (to be taken in final year). The research project is worth 2.0 full-course equivalents and is offered over two sessions.
  • 0.5 FCE Medical Humanities Elective - (any course offered by the Faculty of Humanities)
  • 1.5 FCE Health Science Option - (any senior-level course offered by the Faculty of Science, Faculty of Social Sciences, Medical Science course)
  • 0.5 FCE Senior Option

1Students considering concentrating in psychology should take Psychology 205. It is strongly recommended that this course is completed during the first year of study to facilitate enrolment in senior-level Psychology course come the student's second year.

2Students considering concentrating in economics should take Economics 201 and 203. It is strongly recommended that these two courses are completed during the first year of study to facilitate enrolment in senior-level Economics course come the student's second year.

3Credit for Kinesiology 261 and Biology 305 is not allowed.

Grid for Social Sciences Concentration Courses*

Anthropology

Economics

Geography

Political Science

Psychology

Sociology

Courses

307, 341, 391, 393, 411 and 1.0 FCE from Archaeology 305, 589, 595 or senior-level courses from the Department of Anthropology or Archaeology.

Economics 337, 355, 379, and 2.0 FCE senior-level courses from the Department of Economics

231, 251 and 339 and 2.0 FCE senior-level courses offered by Department of Geography

310, 359, 381, 399 and 1.0 FCE senior-level courses offered by Department of Political Science

312, and 305 or 405 and 2.0 FCE senior-level courses offered by Department of Psychology

311, 313, 315, 321, 331, 333, 413

*Courses listed in this table are subject to the changes and restrictions of the department offering the course.

Health and Society Minor

A Minor is available in Health and Society. The GPA over all courses counting towards the Minor must be at least 2.00.

A maximum of 50 students will be admitted into the minor each calendar year. Students will be selected top down based on GPA over their last 10 half courses. Admission to the minor will be offered to students once Fall and Winter Session grades have been received.

Students must declare their intention to minor in Health and Society after having taken a minimum of 8 and a maximum of 10 HCE. (Therefore, students must apply to the minor during their first year of study, and be admitted to the minor starting in their second year of study.)

Students should apply to the minor program through their PeopleSoft Student Center. The deadline to apply to the minor program is April 1 for admission the following September.

2 FCE:

Health and Society 201, 301, 311, 401

3 FCE selected from:

Anthropology 203, 341, 391, Archaeology 305, 589, 595, Biochemistry 393, 443, Biology 205, 231, 305, 311, 331, Chemistry 201, 203, 351, 353, Community Rehabilitation 205, 207, 209, 415, 425, 471, 473, 475, 485, 487, 591.26, 591.28, 691.42, 691.44, Economics 201, 203, 349, 337, 355, 367, 377, 379, Geography 251, 351, Kinesiology 251, 261, 363, 369, 433, 463, 465, Mathematics 249, 251, 281, Medical Science 404, Physics 221, 223, Psychology 205, 351, 353, 375, 385, Statistics 211, 213, Sociology 201, 321

Notes:

1. Students may not use courses in fulfillment of both major and minor requirements.

2. Students must complete enough senior-level courses to fulfill the requirements of their major.

3. Students should note that many of these courses have prerequisites which must be taken into consideration when planning their program.

4. Some of the above courses may be restricted to Majors in the field and students may not have enrolment priority in heavily subscribed courses.

5. Students who are pursuing an honours degree may consider a cross-disciplinary honours thesis and should consult with their supervisor regarding opportunities in this area.

6. Other courses may be approved to fulfill the 3 FCE at the discretion of the Director of Health and Society. Students should contact the BHSc Program Coordinator for more information.

Doctor of Medicine

(Return to Top)

The Faculty of Medicine of the University of Calgary offers a three-year professional degree leading to a Doctor of Medicine (MD). The academic year consists of 11 months of instruction and one month of unassigned vacation time.

Following completion of the undergraduate medical program (before they can practice medicine) students must complete postgraduate medical training. They need to obtain certification from the College of Family Physicians of Canada (a minimum of two years of training) or a Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada program (a minimum of four years of training). The University of Calgary has more than 40 residency training programs.

Pattern of Education

The educational program of any medical school is predicated on the caliber of its instructors, and on their enthusiasm for teaching and research. The faculty has been chosen with both considerations in mind. All faculty members have a major interest in education as well as research. No sharp distinction has been made between "basic" medical sciences and "clinical" sciences. We seek to bring together the PhD and the MD as members of teaching and research teams; we seek also to emphasize the "team" concept of provision of health services by coordinating the activities of the physician and of those in related health fields such as dentistry, pharmacy, nursing, physiotherapy, psychology and social work.

All areas of instruction are integrated to facilitate communication between faculty members and students. Students are represented on the Undergraduate Medical Education Committee, as well as on curriculum sub-committees, the Student Academic Review Committee, and the Medical Student and Resident Appeals Committee.

The multidisciplinary approach to teaching emphasizes the pathophysiological, biochemical, environmental and behavioural background to disease. During exposure to the curriculum, students are able to pursue, through "elective" time, their interest in one of several areas (for example, fundamental and applied research; research in clinical specialties, including family medicine, or community medicine). It is anticipated that such undergraduate education will form the basis for an approach to continuing medical education.

University of Calgary medical students are exposed to patients from the time they enter the Faculty of Medicine. They are able to study fundamental material in the context of clinical application. This is facilitated by the Faculty of Medicine's associations with several ambulatory clinics throughout the Calgary Health Region. In these clinics, students are able to observe model patient care and a team approach to health care delivery from the first day they enter medical school.

The University of Calgary Medical School has adopted a "Clinical Presentation" curriculum. This innovative model aims to organize teaching around the 120 +/- 5 ways a patient can present to a physician. These Clinical Presentations can take the form of historical points (e.g. chest pain), physical examination signs (e.g. hypertension), or laboratory abnormalities (e.g. elevated serum lipids).

The curriculum maintains an active learning environment with more than 25% of scheduled instructional activities being spent in small group, case-based learning sessions. Since these small group sessions allow a unique opportunity for students to create an approach to problem solving using diagnostic classification schemes, analyze the objectives and content from lectures in an in-depth fashion, as well as communicate and exchange feedback with faculty and peers, student attendance at small group sessions is considered mandatory.

The third and final year is called the Clinical Clerkship. During this time, students work on hospital wards, in ambulatory care clinics and doctors' offices as well as in the Emergency Room. All students will spend from four to ten weeks in community hospitals in Southern Alberta, learning Family Medicine as well as some specialties. During the clerkship students rotate through a variety of specialties, spending from two to 12 weeks in each. These specialties include Emergency Medicine, Family Medicine, Internal Medicine, Surgery, Psychiatry, Pediatrics, Anesthesia, and Obstetrics and Gynecology. During this time students will apply the knowledge learned in the first two years and their clinical skills toward the solution of common clinical presentations. Students will evaluate patients and properly manage their medical problems by conducting a comprehensive medical history and thorough physical examination, formulating accurate hypotheses as to the causes and solution of their clinical problems, formulating and implementing a management plan to deal effectively with the problems. Students will demonstrate the fundamental concepts of disease prevention and health promotion for individual patients and incorporate them into treatments plans as appropriate. Students will communicate and interact effectively with patients, families, medical staff and others involved in the delivery of health services. During this time students will accept increasing responsibility in patient care as the final year advances. Students will be working with multi-disciplinary clinical teams of nurses, physiotherapists, residents and faculty. Students will develop and apply high ethical principles and standards in all aspects of medical practice and will exhibit appropriate personal and interpersonal professional behaviours. In the clerkship, as in the whole of the curriculum, it will be clear that the physician can serve patients to the highest possible standards only if he/she continually acquires new knowledge and skills for as long as he/she practices medicine.

The Undergraduate Medical Education program employs electronic-based materials in lectures, small groups, and other learning events. As such a laptop computer is strongly recommended for all students.

Students are required to complete the first two years of the Curriculum within no more than four years from the initiation of studies, and complete the Clerkship within two years after the completion of the first two years of study. Exceptions are made for students formally enrolled in the MD/PhD or MD/MSc programs where the maximum time allowed for the completion of the combined programs is eight years and six years respectively.

In cases of leave of absence, the Student Academic Review Committee reserves the right to review all students who have taken leaves of absence prior to resumption of studies. The maximum duration of leave of absence without compulsory review of the student's progress by the Student Academic Review Committee is one year. If the leave of absence is in excess of one year, the student will be reviewed by the Student Academic Review Committee prior to resumption of studies. The Student Academic Review Committee may ask for the student to be reassessed prior to resumption of studies and may request the student repeat any portion of the preceding curriculum if found unsatisfactory before continuing further studies.

Admissions

Premedicine

The Faculty of Medicine does not require that a student undertake a formal premedical program. Rather, nine courses are recommended as they should provide adequate preparation for entry into medicine. While these might be viewed as prerequisites, the admissions committee is prepared to waive certain courses for students who have pursued unusual educational programs. It is the intention of the faculty to permit entry of exceptional students from other disciplines into medicine without demanding that they spend undue time on traditional premedical courses.

Requirements

Applicants to the University of Calgary Faculty of Medicine should ensure that they have also read the Office of Admissions' Applicant Manual. For current information, please visit the website at www.medicine.ucalgary.ca/med/undergrad/ume/admissions.

Eligibility for Admission

The number of positions for students at the University of Calgary medical school is currently limited to 135 Canadian students. This number may increase slightly over the next several years due to a physician shortage. As a provincial university, the University of Calgary has a primary obligation to Canadian citizens residing in Alberta. Although priority will be given to Alberta residents, the faculty also invites applications from residents of other provinces.

The Faculty of Medicine has a policy on the admission of candidates who are neither Canadian citizens nor landed immigrants. The faculty does not accept applications from individual international students. Seats for international students are currently limited to students from institutions or countries that have formal, contractual agreements with the Faculty of Medicine.

In selecting medical students, no consideration is given to the gender, race, religion, or socio-economic status of the applicant. Nor is the vocation of his or her parent, guardian, or spouse a consideration in the selection process.

Physical disabilities must not prevent the student, upon graduation, from communicating with patients, making observations, gathering and analyzing data necessary to arrive at medical judgments, and from performing the therapeutic interventions expected of a physician who has completed the educational program leading to an MD degree.

The Faculty of Medicine will not normally accept applications from students who have withdrawn, who have been required to withdraw, or who have been expelled from any school or college of medicine.

Educational Background

Students must have completed a minimum of two full years of university-level courses at the time of admission. Most students will have completed a baccalaureate degree before admission to the Faculty of Medicine. Exceptional and academically well-qualified students who wish to be considered for acceptance with only two years of university education may apply between their first and second years of university.

Note: The Faculty of Medicine's definition of a full year is described in the Office of Admissions' Applicant Manual. Refer to the manual for the most accurate information on requirements. The brochure is available on the University of Calgary webpage.

The Faculty of Medicine does not require that students undertake a formal premedical program. Rather, it recommends the following courses, which should provide students with the necessary background for medical studies. As completion of these courses does not guarantee admission, students should ensure that the courses they choose satisfy the degree requirements of the undergraduate faculty in which they are registered.

Recommended Courses

Applicants should satisfy the Admissions Committee that they are well prepared academically for entry into the Faculty of Medicine. Such preparation will ordinarily include a full university course in each of the following:

  • General chemistry
  • Organic chemistry
  • Biochemistry
  • English
  • General biology
  • Mammalian physiology or comparative physiology
  • Physics

Applicants should also have a university half-course equivalent in each of the following:

  • Psychology or sociology or anthropology
  • Calculus or statistics

University of Calgary students should consider the following courses:

· Chemistry 201 and 203 (General Chemistry)

· Chemistry 351 and 353 (Organic Chemistry)

· Biochemistry 393 and 443 (Chemistry 351 is the prerequisite and 353 or 355 is the prerequisite or corequisite for Biochemistry 393.)

· One of Psychology 205, Sociology 201, Anthropology 201

· Two of English 231, 233, 235, 237, 239 or one of 202 or 240

· Biology 231 and 233

· Zoology 361 and 363 or 461 and 463 (Physiology) (Biology 331, and one of Chemistry 351 or Biochemistry 341 or 393 or 441 are prerequisites and either Chemistry 353 or 355 are prerequisites or corequisites for Zoology 461).

· Physics 211 (or 221) and 223

· Mathematics 249 or 251 or 281 or Statistics 211 or 213

The Admissions Committee will consider applications from students who have completed other educational or training programs, for example, honours in physical science, engineering, or in the humanities.

Admission/Registration Refusal

The University of Calgary reserves the right, the published regulations notwithstanding, to reject applicants for admission or registration in courses on the basis of their overall academic records (even if they technically meet the entrance requirements), and on medical and other grounds.

Admissions Committee

The Admissions Committee of the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Calgary consists of representatives of the medical faculty, student physicians, the medical community, other disciplines, and the community at large. The committee is charged with the selection of medical students on the basis of academic and non-academic qualifications. Approximately 300 Alberta applicants are invited for the final stage of the process - the on-site essay and the interviews. The committee chooses these applicants on the basis of the following five criteria: post-secondary transcripts, Medical College Admission Test scores, a personal essay, extracurricular, volunteer and employment activities, and three letters of reference. Applications submitted by non-Albertans will be rank-ordered on the basis of an algorithm regression formula described on the website; the top ranked will be considered for interview on the basis of the criteria listed above.

Medical College Admission Test

All applicants must write the Medical College Admission Test at least one year before the year for which they are applying. MCAT scores will then be available to the Admissions Committee when considering applications. Applicants should contact the MCAT Program Office (www.aamc.org/mcat) for details about the test and they must instruct the organization to forward their MCAT results to the Faculty of Medicine Admissions Committee.

Applicants to the Faculty of Medicine should also be aware that the MCAT was revised in 1991. The results of previous examinations will not be considered.

Applications

Applications for the MD program are available on the website. Applicants may obtain an application by visiting www.medicine.ucalgary.ca/med/undergrad/ume/admissions. All applications must be submitted online. The deadline for receipt by the Office of Admissions of the on-line application, all official transcripts, official MCAT scores, three letters of reference, and the application fee of $120.00 is October 15.

Applicants should note that the Office of Admissions will not accept facsimile transmission copies of transcripts. The work of the committee is greatly facilitated when candidates submit their applications early in the process, preferably well before the deadlines. It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure that the application is complete and that all necessary forms and the application fee are received by the Office of Admissions by the deadline. Completed applications include the following information: a list of courses taken and grades obtained; MCAT scores and the date of writing (if available); an essay; a brief description of extracurricular, volunteer and employment activities and three letters of reference

Note: A complete application contains all the information described in the Office of Admissions' Application Manual.

Applicants will be notified in February regarding whether or not they will be invited to attend a series of short interviews. The interviews take place at the University of Calgary in February or March.

Applicants must attend the interviews at their own expense. On the day of the interviews, candidates are required to write an on-site essay on a topic assigned by the Admissions Committee. Applicants must take part in a series of short, back-to-back interviews, which the committee will use to assess the candidates' non-cognitive qualifications.

Applicants will be notified of the Admissions Committee's decision on May 15. All applicants accepted into the Faculty of Medicine will be required to forward a deposit within 15 days of notification of admission. Failure to do so may result in the position being assigned to an applicant on the waiting list. The deposit is applied to first year fees. An applicant who accepts a position and later withdraws his or her acceptance will forfeit the deposit.

All medical students must commence a program of immunization before registration day. The Faculty of Medicine reserves the right to refuse admission to any candidate whose condition of health indicates that medical studies could be prejudicial to his or her well-being.

Admission of Students by Transfer

Because the three-year MD program at the University of Calgary is regarded as a continuum, transfers cannot be considered. For the final clerkship year, students from other LCME Accredited Medical Schools may apply for visiting student status.

Leaders in Medicine Combined MD/PhD or MD/MSc Program

The Faculty of Medicine offers a combined degree program with the Faculty of Graduate Studies leading to an MD/MSc or MD/PhD degree in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Cardiovascular and Respiratory Sciences, Community Health Sciences, Gastrointestinal Sciences, Medical Science, Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, or Neuroscience. Information may be obtained under the Leaders in Medicine heading in the Faculty of Graduate Studies section of this calendar, and in the sections describing the individual graduate programs. Supplementary application forms may be obtained from the Associate Dean (Graduate Sciences Education) in the Faculty of Medicine.