Health Informatics is a rapidly expanding area of expertise relevant to all aspects of health. Evidence-based decision-making, fundamental to effective health policy and planning, is dependent upon collection and analysis of new data as well as the analysis of existing data, and this, in turn, is increasingly dependent upon information technology.
The Health Informatics Option (HSG) is designed for Health Studies students who are interested in the application of information technology to all aspects of applied health research and practice, including clinical practice, health promotion and disease prevention, delivery of health services, and health policy development. This Option offers students interdisciplinary training in basic computer science and information management in addition to their training in health sciences. Admission and graduation requirements are listed below:
- Normally, Health Studies students who intend to have the Health Informatics Option recognized on their transcript must communicate that intention to the Director of the Option prior to the start of Year 3 by completing a Plan Modification/Internal Transfer Form (www.registrar.uwaterloo.ca/forms/PlanModification.pdf).
- Successful completion of 20.5 units, including the requirements for the Honours Health Studies degree.
- Students are required to complete 4.0 units from the following Health Informatics clusters:
A1. Management
A2. Computer Science and Technology
A3. Socioeconomic aspects of Health Information
A4. Multidisciplinary seminar in Health Informatics
(A1) Management 0.5 units:
BUS 111W or AFM 131
(A2) Computer Science & Technology 1.0 units:
CS 100/200
or
CS 123/126
or
CS 125/126
(A3) Socioeconomic aspects of Health Information 0.5 units:
STV 100, STV 202, STV 205, ECON 101
(A4) Multidisciplinary seminar in Health Informatics 1.0 units:
HLTH 451
HLTH 452
a HLTH 472 Multidisciplinary Seminar in Health Informatics approved by Associate Chair, Undergraduate Studies.
(A5) 1.0 additional units from:
CS 330, CS 432
or additional courses from any of list A3 or A4.
- The cumulative averages required are the same as for Honours Health Studies. Refer to Applied Health Sciences, Standings.