Overview
The BHSc (Hons) IRH Program uses the problem-based learning and inquiry approaches for which McMaster is globally recognized. In this degree, over half of the content will come from the School of Rehabilitation Science and other Faculty of Health Science programs, a third will come from the Faculty of Humanities, with the remaining coursework from other undergraduate programs across the university. Examples of Humanities courses include the history of medicine and healthcare, ethics and the social determinants of health, whereas evidence-based practice, communication and observation skills, as well as clinical reasoning, are reflected in courses offered through Rehabilitation and Health Sciences. Courses in the Humanities leverage the strengths of a creative and arts-based education, which are combined with evidence-based approaches of rehabilitation science.
Course Enrolment
The BHSc (Hons) IRH Program has distilled the process into three steps.
Expandable List
- The Undergraduate Calendar provides course descriptions, pre-requisites and an overview of all the required courses across all levels of the program.
- Also available are course list A, B, and C, which are available for IRH students to enrol.
- Review your Academic Advisement Report to verify enrolling in degree requirements:
- Mosaic > Student Center > Academic Advisement (as designated by the owl tile)
- Your enrolment appointment is posted on Mosaic > Student Center
- This appointment gives you a specific date and time to enrol in courses
- It is best to enrol in your courses when enrolment is available, as elective courses are on a first-come-first-serve basis and have limited spots.
- Use Create My Timetable in Mosaic to search for courses, create a schedule and enrol in classes.
- McMaster has an easy step-by-step video on how to enrol in classes and use Create my Timetable.
- If required, always select the accompanying tutorial and/or lab sections when enrolling in courses.
- You must create a conflict free schedule or you will get an enrolment error.
- Questions? Check out the step-by-step guide to becoming a Marauder.
- Still having trouble? Contact the BHSc (Hons) IRH Program.
Stay Connected
The BHSc (Hons) IRH Program is here to help you along your academic journey. Contact us with questions or concerns.
Curriculum
A total of 120 units are required (Levels I to IV), of which no more than 48 units may be Level I courses. Before admission into the IRH program, students must complete 30 units in Level I.
Level II: 30 Units
21 Units
- HTHSCI 2F03 – Human Physiology and Anatomy I
- HTHSCI 2FF3 – Human Physiology and Anatomy II
- IRH 2CS3 – Communication Skills in Rehabilitation and Humanities
- IRH 2HI3 – Rehabilitation and Humanities Inquiry I
- IRH 2RM3 – Evidence-based Rehabilitation and Measurement Theory for Rehabilitation
- IRH 2ST3 – Introduction to Statistics for Rehabilitation Science
- PHILOS 2D03 – Bioethics
6 Units
3 Units
Level III: 30 Units
12 Units
- HTHSCI 3RS3 – Exploring the Foundations of Rehabilitation Science
- IRH 3EF3 – Experiential-Focused Practicum
- IRH 3HI3 – Rehabilitation and Humanities Inquiry II
- IRH 3UD3 – Understanding Disability
6 Units
6 Units
6 Units
- IRH 3TR3 – Selected Topics in Rehabilitation and Humanities
- Course List C
- Electives (may include courses from Course List A and B)
Level IV: 30 Units
9 Units
- IRH 4ER3 – Entrepreneurship and Commercialization in Health and Rehabilitation
- IRH 4HI3 – Rehabilitation and Humanities Inquiry III
- IRH 4IR3 – Innovations in Rehabilitation
6 Units
6 Units
9 Units
Course Lists A, B and C
Before choosing courses, students should be familiar with prerequisites to determine course selection in the subsequent year(s). Course descriptions can be found in the undergraduate course calendar.
Expandable List
ART 2AA3 or ARTHIST 2AA3 | Introduction to the Practice of Art Therapy |
ENGLISH 2NH3 | Narratives of Health |
ENGLISH 3AA3 | Theories of Gender and Sexuality |
ENGLISH 3GS3 | Reading the Embodied Past: Gender and Sexuality |
ENGLISH 3NH3 | Narratives of Health |
GENDRST 2AA3 | Feminist Thought |
GKROMST 2MT3 | Ancient Roots of Medical Terminology |
GKROMST 3MT3 | Advanced Ancient Roots of Medical Terminology |
HISTORY 1Q03 | History of Medicine |
HUMAN 3LM3 | Foundations of Ethical Leadership |
LINGUIST 1A03 | Introduction to Linguistics: Speaking, Signing and Hearing |
LINGUIST 1AA3 | Introduction to Linguistics: Words, Sentences and Meaning |
LINGUIST 2L03 | Phonetics |
LINGUIST 2LC3 | Historical Linguistics: Language Evolution and Change |
LINGUIST 2LL3 | Languages of the World and Linguistic Universals |
LINGUIST 2PH3 | Phonology |
LINGUIST 2PS3 | Psycholinguistics |
LINGUIST 2S03 | Language and Society |
LINGUIST 2SL3 | Introduction to American Sign Language |
LINGUIST 2SY3 | Syntax |
LINGUIST 3AA3 | Applied Linguistics |
LINGUIST 3AS3 | Language and Communication in Autism Spectrum Disorder |
LINGUIST 3C03 | Child Language Acquisition |
LINGUIST 3DS3 | ASL and Deaf Studies |
LINGUIST 3F03 | Anatomy and Physiology for Speech, Language and Hearing |
LINGUIST 3II3 | Semantics |
LINGUIST 3LA3 | Introduction to Second Language Acquisition |
LINGUIST 3M03 | Morphology |
LINGUIST 3NL3 | Cognitive Neuroscience of Language |
LINGUIST 3P03 | Pragmatics |
LINGUIST 3PG3 | Introduction to Programming for Linguistics |
LINGUIST 3SL3 | Intermediate American Sign Language |
LINGUIST 3TT3 | Perspectives on Translation |
MUSIC 2MT3 | Introduction to the Practice of Music Therapy |
MUSIC 2MU3 | Introduction to Music Therapy Research |
PEACJUST 2B03 | Human Rights and Social Justice |
PEACJUST 2LS3 | Language and Society |
PEACJUST 2XX3 | Social and Structural Determinants of Health |
PEACJUST 3B03 | Peacebuilding and Health Initiatives |
PEACJUST 3XX3 | Human Rights in History |
PHILOS 2CT3 | Critical Thinking |
PHILOS 2G03 | Social and Political Issues |
PHILOS 2U03 | Philosophy of Health and Medicine |
PHILOS 2YY3 | Ethics |
PHILOS 3C03 | Advanced Bioethics |
PHILOS 3GH3 | Global Health Ethics |
Expandable List
ANTHROP 2HE3 | Heritage, Economy and Ethics |
ANTHROP 2HI3 | Medical Anthropology |
ANTHROP 2U03 | Plagues and People |
ANTHROP 2MA3 | Art and Activism |
ANTHROP 3ET3 | Anthropology of Ethics |
ANTHROP 3HH3 | Globalization, Social Justice and Human Rights |
ANTHROP 3Y03 | Indigenous Community Health and Well-being |
ARTSSCI 3GJ3 | Global Justice Inquiry |
ENVSOCTY 2HI3 | Health and Place |
GLOBALZN 3A03 | Globalization, Social Justice, and Human Rights |
HLTHAGE 2C03 | Health Economics and its Application to Health Policy |
HLTHAGE 2GG3 | Mental Health and Society |
HLTHAGE 2HI3 | Health & Place |
HLTHAGE 2M03 | Aging in Modern (and Post-Modern) Families |
HLTHAGE 2N03 | Treatment Within the World of Mental Illness: Desperation and Debate |
HLTHAGE 3AB3 | Kindred Spirits: Animals, Health and Society |
HLTHAGE 3D03 | Perspectives on Disability, Chronic Illness and Aging |
HLTHAGE 3E03 | Ethical Issues in Health and Aging |
HLTHAGE 3HP3 | Population, Health and Aging |
HLTHAGE 3K03 | Social Determinants of Population Health in Canada |
HLTHAGE 3M03 | Approaches to Mental Health and Resilience |
HLTHAGE 3N03 | Aging and Mental Health |
HLTHAGE 3R03 | Health Inequalities |
HLTHAGE 3S03 | Global Health and Environmental Policy |
HLTHAGE 3T03 | Health and Incarceration |
HLTHAGE 3YY3 | Indigenous Community Health and Well-being |
HTHSCI 2AE3 | Artistic Explorations of Community Issues |
HTHSCI 2DS3 | Global Health and the Complexities of Disease |
HTHSCI 2T03 | Sex, Gender and Health |
HTHSCI 3AH3 | Indigenous Health |
HTHSCI 3CC3 | Theater for Development |
HTHSCI 3DD6 | Engaging the City: An Introduction to Community-Based Research in Hamilton |
HTHSCI 3DM3 | Demystifying Medicine |
HTHSCI 3DR3 | Demystifying Research |
HTHSCI 3EA3 | Introduction to Expressive Arts Therapy |
HTHSCI 3EE3 | Biomedical Graphics |
HTHSCI 3EO3 | Inquiry III: Advanced Inquiry in Health Sciences |
HTHSCI 3HL3 | Health Law: Current and Emerging Issues |
HTHSCI 3L03 | Introduction to Bioethics |
HTHSCI 3MH3 | Critical Examinations of Mental Health |
HTHSCI 3MU3 | Music, Health and the Community |
HTHSCI 3N03 | Creative Writing in the Health Sciences |
HTHSCI 3PH3 | The Politics of Health |
HTHSCI 3RH3 | Racism and Health |
HTHSCI 3WT3 | What Trauma Teaches Us: Lessons from Listening |
PSYCH 1F03 | Survey of Psychology |
PSYCH 1FF3 | Survey of Biological Basis of Psychology |
PSYCH 1N03 | Introduction to Psychology, Neuroscience and Behaviour |
PSYCH 1NN3 | Foundations of Psychology, Neuroscience and Behaviour |
PSYCH 1X03 | Introduction to Psychology, Neuroscience and Behaviour |
PSYCH 1XX3 | Foundations of Psychology, Neuroscience and Behaviour |
PSYCH 2AA3 | Child Development |
PSYCH 2B03 | Personality |
PSYCH 2H03 | Human Learning and Cognition |
PSYCH 2E03 | Sensory Processes |
PSYCH 2NF3 | Clinical Neuropsychology |
PSYCH 3BN3 | Cognitive Neuroscience |
PSYCH 3C03 | Child Language Acquisition |
PSYCH 3GG3 | Essentials of Developmental Psychology |
SCAR 2ER3 | Religion, the Body, and the Machine |
SCAR 2HA3 | Religion and Health in Antiquity |
SCAR 2M03 | Death and Dying: Comparative Views |
SCAR 2N03 | Death and Dying: The Western Experience |
SCAR 2WW3 | Health, Healing and Religion: Western Perspectives |
SCAR 2WX3 | Health, Healing and Religion: Comparative Views |
Expandable List
ENVSOCTY 4HD3 | Disability, Society and Environment |
ENVSCOTY 4HH3 | Environment and Health |
PEACJUST 4G03 | Peace Through Health Praxis |
PEACJUST 4L03 | Peace, Environment and Health |
HLTHAGE 4M03 | Environment and Health |
HTHSCI 4CU3 | Cultural Competency in Health Sciences |
HTHSCI 4DN3 | Dance in Health and Wellness |
HTHSCI 4IH3 | Indigenous Health Research |
HTHSCI 4KT3 | Demystifying Science: Advanced Knowledge Translation and Science Communication |
HTHSCI 4LD3 | Global Health Governance, Law, and Politics |
HTHSCI 4MS3 | The Social Lives of Molecules |
HTHSCI 4NN3 | Creative Writing in Health Sciences II |
HTHSCI 4PA3 | Global Health Innovation |
HTHSCI 4SC3 | Social Determinants of Child Health |
HTHSCI 4SR3 | Global Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights |
HTHSCI 4TE3 | The Teaching Hospital |
HTHSCI 4Y03 | Science, Culture, and Identity |
HTHSCI 4ZZ3 | Global Health Advocacy |
HISTORY 4FF3 | History of Health and Medicine in the Colonial World |
HUMAN 4CM3 | Cross-Cultural Mentoring and Coaching Practicum |
HUMAN 4LC3 | Major Leadership Project: Theory and Practice |
HUMAN 4RM3 | Boundaries and Bridges: Relationship Skills for Effective Leaders |
IRH Program Courses
Level II
This course is designed to introduce students to the essential knowledge and practical skills required to communicate effectively with clients, colleagues and healthcare professionals in health and rehabilitation settings. Students will develop their verbal, nonverbal and written communication skills through practical application with standardized clients, guest lectures and peer partnerships. Students will have the opportunity to practice their communication skills and receive feedback from peers and faculty.
- Three hours
- Prerequisite(s): Registration in Level II of the Integrated Rehabilitation and Humanities program
- Antirequisite(s): LINGUIST 4S03
- Cross-list(s): None
This core inquiry course will introduce students to a variety of rehabilitation perspectives with the aim of discussing and debating different viewpoints of health, disability and functioning to acquire a range of skills, knowledge and abilities. This course will facilitate the development of life-long and self-directed learning in the context of addressing several rehabilitation and humanities issues.
- Three hours
- Prerequisite(s): Registration in Level II of the Integrated Rehabilitation and Humanities program
- Antirequisite(s): None
- Cross-list(s): None
This course will introduce the knowledge, skills and application of evidence-based research and measurement theory, as it applies to rehabilitation and the humanities, including the history and evolving definition of evidence-based practice. Theories and frameworks for translating emerging evidence to practice and policy will be discussed as well as the influence of evidence-based practice and theory on health, well-being, and participation.
- Three hours
- Prerequisite(s): Registration in Level II of the Integrated Rehabilitation and Humanities program
- Antirequisite(s): None
- Cross-list(s): None
This course will introduce basic statistical concepts as they apply to rehabilitation science. Students will learn how to summarize data, make inferences and interpret statistical results. Emphasis will be placed on the practical application of statistics to clinical scenarios and relevant research from the field of rehabilitation science.
- Three hours
- Prerequisite(s): IRH 2RM3 and registration in Level II of the Integrated Rehabilitation and Humanities program
- Antirequisite(s): LINGUIST 2D03, ENVSOCTY 3MA3, HLTHAGE 2A03, POLSCI 3NN3, SOCIOL 2Z03, HTHSCI 2G03 and 2GG3
- Cross-list(s): None
Level III
This course will include supervised, practical experience in an employment-related field of study. The site could be a long-term care facility, rehabilitation centre, hospital, community or private business. The experiential-focused practicum will be 3 units and may be completed over one or two terms.
- Minimum of 60 hours of placement work
- Prerequisite(s): Registration in Level III or above in the Integrated Rehabilitation and Humanities program
- Antirequisite(s): HTHSCI 3MR6 A/B
- Cross-list(s): None
This Level II core inquiry course is designed to further develop students’ critical thinking, problem-solving and self-directed learning skills. Building on the foundational concepts introduced in IRH 2RI3, this course will allow students to explore more complex scenarios through a rehabilitation and humanities lens. Through small-group tutorials and peer collaboration, students will enhance their abilities to investigate, analyze and synthesize information concerning various viewpoints of health, disability and function.
- Three hours
- Prerequisite(s): IRH 2HI3 and registration in Level III or above of the Integrated Rehabilitation and Humanities program
- Antirequisite(s): None
- Cross-list(s): None
This course provides a broad overview of definitions and paradigms of impairment, dysfunction and disability. Attention is given to the historical and cultural development of concepts and categories of disability, critical disability theory, recent policies focused on equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI), as well as Indigenous reconciliation. Communication skills will also be explored using critical theory (e.g., race, disability, gerontology), where the perceptions and corresponding implications of intersectionality, rehabilitation and health on everyday life will be examined.
- Three hours
- Prerequisite(s): Registration in Level III or above of the Integrated Rehabilitation and Humanities program
- Antirequisite(s): HTHSCI 3DH3
- Cross-list(s): None
This selected topics in rehabilitation course is designed to allow for the exploration of leading-edge issues in emerging and developing areas of rehabilitation science. The specific topics will be developed in response to the needs identified by faculty together with interests from students.
- Three hours
- Prerequisite(s): Registration in Level III or above in the Integrated Rehabilitation and Humanities program
- Antirequisite(s): HTHSCI 4D03
- Cross-list(s): None
Level IV
This course will focus on the development and application of strategic thinking, problem solving and clinical understanding when it comes to entrepreneurship and commercialization in health and rehabilitation. Students will learn the business practices involved with both entrepreneurship and social entrepreneurship, as well as commercialization. Key topics that will be discussed include customer segments, intellectual property and regulatory concepts, as well as cost structure, potential revenue streams and marketing. Students will learn how to turn an idea into reality with an entrepreneurial and commercialization mindset, including building and leading a team.
- Three hours
- Prerequisite(s): IRH 4IR3 and registration in Level IV of the Integrated Rehabilitation and Humanities program
- Antirequisite(s): None
- Cross-list(s): None
This advanced inquiry course is designed to allow students to build on their foundational inquiry courses and encourage the continued development of their critical thinking and problem-solving abilities. Students will engage in self-directed exploration, peer collaboration and remain active participants in their education. This course will equip students with the knowledge, skills and mindset necessary for lifelong learning and success in their chosen field of study.
- Three hours
- Prerequisite(s): IRH 2HI3, IRH 3HI3 and registration in Level IV of the Integrated Rehabilitation and Humanities program
- Antirequisite(s): None
- Cross-list(s): None
This course provides students with the knowledge, skills and abilities regarding conceptual and practical approaches to identify, design and develop innovations in rehabilitation. This course will cover evidence-informed ways to identify opportunities for innovation, including how technology, product design and services can support those living with different challenges to optimize function.
- Three hours
- Prerequisite(s): Registration in Level IV of the Integrated Rehabilitation and Humanities program
- Antirequisite(s): None
- Cross-list(s): None
This course involves research under the supervision of a faculty member. This research experience will provide an understanding of clinical (rehabilitation) research. The undergraduate research course could include a review of the literature, data collection and/or analysis, as well as preparing presentations and other modes of knowledge translation.
- Thesis
- Prerequisite(s): IRH 2RM3, IRH 2IS3 and registration in Level IV of the Integrated Rehabilitation and Humanities program
- Antirequisite(s): HTHSCI 4A09/4A12/4A15
- Cross-list(s): None