COURSE CURRICULUM

The Social Dimensions of Health (SDH) MSc program is a research-intensive, interdisciplinary degree designed to explore the complex relationships between health and society through perspectives from the social sciences, humanities, education, and health-related fields. The program is structured around a set of core courses, methodological training, electives, and a major thesis, with an emphasis on independent research. Students complete foundational coursework including SDH500A (Interdisciplinary Perspectives on Health Research), SDH500B (Interdisciplinary Methods Applied to Health Research), SDH501A, and SDH501B, which form a shared learning experience for MA, MSc, and PhD students and build core competencies in health research theory and practice. In addition, students must complete 3.0 units of methodology courses selected from a wide range of disciplines such as public health, psychology, sociology, economics, geography, education, and Indigenous health research, allowing for flexible methodological training tailored to individual research interests. Another 3.0 units are taken as electives from diverse fields including health economics, public health practice, social justice, nutrition, communication, and related areas. The program also includes mandatory participation in a colloquium, fostering academic engagement and collaboration. The degree culminates in SDH599, a 6.0-unit thesis that represents the central focus of the program. A supervisory committee composed of two faculty members from different departments oversees each student’s research progress.