Medical Sciences (BSc)
Explore how the human body works through hands-on learning in anatomy, neuroscience, and health sciences, while building a strong foundation for medical, health, and biotechnology careers.
Why choose this program?
Build a strong foundation in human health and biomedical science while exploring subjects like anatomy, neuroscience, and health ethics. With flexible pathways to medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, graduate studies, and more, you'll be prepared for the MCAT and a wide range of future careers.
As the first program of its kind in Atlantic Canada, Medical Sciences at Dalhousie gives you the academic foundation for future studies in medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, and other health professions, while keeping your options open.
You'll explore topics like anatomy, physiology, neuroscience, epidemiology, and health ethics while developing the scientific knowledge and critical-thinking skills needed for success. Built-in course pathways help you meet prerequisites for professional and graduate programs, including preparation for exams such as the MCAT and DAT.
You'll also have opportunities to specialize in areas of interest, gain research experience through honours, and build a competitive academic profile.
Careers
Our Medical Sciences program is designed to include all of the experience and flexibility you need to pursue your dreams of a profession in the health field, including medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, physiotherapy, nursing, occupational therapy, optometry, ultrasound technology (to name a few!), graduate school, or employment in related fields.
From 2021-2025, for our graduates who directly entered workforce, approximately 31% secured positions in health care, 33% secured professional/managerial positions, and another 33% secured research positions.*
What you will learn
First-year courses cover the foundational sciences in biology and chemistry, as well as math and psychology. In second year, courses are a mixture of basic science and medical science courses, including cell biology, biochemistry, microbiology and physiology.
In the third and fourth year, you'll focus on courses like anatomy, pathology, and pharmacology, and take courses in your personal areas of interest from a wide list of selectives.
Sample courses
- Life Sciences calculus
- General biology
- General chemistry
- Introduction to Psychology and Neuroscience
- Biochemistry
- Neurophysiology
- Microbiology
- Social Determinants of Health
- Anatomy
- Pathology
- Pharmacology
- Bioethics
- Epidemiology
- Technology in Medicine
- Systems Pharmacology
- Biochemistry of Clinical Disorders
Choose to do a concentrated Honours in your fourth year, and have the option of completing the research project at any Dalhousie research site. You can also take a capstone course that integrates multiple medical sciences disciplines by examining five medically-related cases.
Customize your degree
The following Medical Science program options are offered by Dalhousie University’s Faculty of Science. Connect with an academic advisor after you start your studies to explore options such as:
Honours Bachelor of Science in Medical Sciences
Bachelor of Science in Medical Sciences
90 credit-hour general BSc degree (facilitates early entry to PharmD and Nursing)
The Dalhousie Integrated Science Program (DISP) is a unique, immersive first-year option for motivated students looking to complete their first year of their medical sciences degree. You’ll work effectively in teams, explore connections across scientific disciplines, and complete a hands-on research project while building critical skills in data analysis, tech, and scientific communication
A 90-credit hour BSc program for students who gain early admission to pharmacy, nursing, and other health care programs to complete their undergraduate degree in three years.
Medical Sciences Program offers a comprehensive and integrative curriculum crosscutting science, medicine, social sciences, and the humanities that prepares you for diverse careers that support Canada’s future health care, including medical professions, research scientists, and industry/business entrepreneurs.
Admission requirements
Minimum admission requirements
To be considered for admission to this program, you must meet minimum academic criteria:
- Completion of secondary school (Grade 12)
- Achievement of the minimum average for your program of choice.
- Completion of Grade 12 English (or equivalent course).
Admission to many Dalhousie programs is competitive. This means that meeting minimum requirements does not guarantee admission.
Program-specific admission requirements
- Minimum overall average: 80%
- Academic English 12 (minimum of 80%)
- Pre-calculus Math 12 (minimum of 80%)
- Chemistry 12 (minimum grade of 75%)
- Biology 12 or Physics 12 (minimum grade of 75%)
- One additional academic subject
Admission to this program is competitive. This means that meeting minimum requirements does not guarantee admission.
Need Pre-Calculus, Chemistry, Physics, or another admission requirement? Our online, self-paced UPrep courses can help you earn the prerequisite you need, upgrade your marks, and build confidence before starting your degree at Dal. Explore UPrep courses.
IPMP Cohort Initiative
Inclusive Pathways to Medical Professions (IPMP) Cohort Initiative
Working with the communities most underrepresented in our region, the Inclusive Pathways to Medical Professions (IPMP) cohort initiative aims to attract and support Indigenous students from the Maritimes and African Nova Scotian students in the Medical Sciences BSc program using a cohort approach.
Each cohort has a wrap-around support framework that is overseen by Cohort Advisors, who themselves are representative of our target communities.
