Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Spring 2026 - HSCI 130 D100

Foundations of Health Science (4)

Class Number: 2080

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Jan 5 – Apr 10, 2026: Thu, 2:30–5:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Exam Times + Location:

    Apr 23, 2026
    Thu, 3:30–6:30 p.m.
    Burnaby

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

How health, illness and disease are defined and measured for individuals and populations. Research strategies used to identify how health, illness and disease are distributed across human populations and how environmental, socio-economic, demographic, biological, behavioural and political factors influence individual and population health. Breadth-Social Sci/Science.

COURSE DETAILS:

This course is divided into 5 units.
In the first unit we will be exploring the concepts of health, illness, and disease, examining how constructions of health and disease have varied across cultures and historical periods. We will consider how science and technology shapes these concepts and creates disciplines of health science.
In the second unit, you will learn the terminology used in health science to describe and measure patterns of health, illness, and disease in public health and put your new skills in epidemiology to work trying to determine factors causing disease in a "mock" outbreak that will occur among members of your class.
In the third unit, we will focus our attention on the social determinants of health and imagine how we might build health public policy and promote the health of the population.
In the fourth unit, we will examine specific health issues (e.g. tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS, stress, etc.) and hear from guest researchers from some of these areas.
In the last unit of the course you will receive an overview of the Canadian health care system and consider its role in addressing health, illness, and disease today.

COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:

Upon completion of the course, students will be able to:

  • describe the concepts of health, illness, and disease from a range of perspectives
  • define key course terms (e.g., health sciences, public health, etc. )
  • apply strategies used to measure health, illness, and disease in population and public health (e.g., prevalence, incidence, mortality, etc.)
  • explain how a range of factors may act as potential health determinants (e.g. environmental, socio-economic, demographic, biological, behavioural, and political factors) for individual and population health
  • critically reflect on the way in which socio-cultural contexts influence the definition, theoretical understanding, research strategies, and solutions to problems involving health, illness, and disease.

Grading

  • Lecture participation (iClicker and in-class exercises) 10%
  • Tutorial participation 10%
  • Three homework assignments 25%
  • Two midterm examinations 25%
  • Final examination 30%

NOTES:

This course includes one in-person class (approximately 3 hours) and one tutorial (approximately one hour) per week. The course format includes lectures, media, and group discussions/activities.

Materials

MATERIALS + SUPPLIES:

iClicker remote

REQUIRED READING:

Segall, A. and C. Fries. (2017). Pursuing Health and Wellness: Healthy Societies, Healthy People 2nd Edition. Oxford University Press.

Additional readings will be assigned.

REQUIRED READING NOTES:

Your personalized Course Material list, including digital and physical textbooks, are available through the SFU Bookstore website by simply entering your Computing ID at: shop.sfu.ca/course-materials/my-personalized-course-materials.

Registrar Notes:

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS

At SFU, you are expected to act honestly and responsibly in all your academic work. Cheating, plagiarism, or any other form of academic dishonesty harms your own learning, undermines the efforts of your classmates who pursue their studies honestly, and goes against the core values of the university.

To learn more about the academic disciplinary process and relevant academic supports, visit: 


RELIGIOUS ACCOMMODATION

Students with a faith background who may need accommodations during the term are encouraged to assess their needs as soon as possible and review the Multifaith religious accommodations website. The page outlines ways they begin working toward an accommodation and ensure solutions can be reached in a timely fashion.