A variety of learning experiences

Rural Pre-Medicine

Program Details

Length: 3 years

Total Credits: 98

Intake Terms: Fall

Campus: Castlegar

Student Loans: This program is eligible for student loans

Credential Received

Associate of Science Degree in Rural Pre-Health

Advanced Diploma in Rural Pre-Medicine

Overview

Program Summary

Our health care system needs professionals who want to practice in rural, remote and Indigenous communities. Moreover, professional health programs are seeking students who have lived and studied in rural areas. Take the first steps toward a fulfilling career in the health sciences while studying in the beautiful Kootenay mountains.

 

The comprehensive Rural Pre-Medicine Program pairs academic excellence with mentoring and community service opportunities, providing students with support to apply to medicine, pharmacy, optometry, dentistry, physical therapy, midwifery, veterinary medicine, naturopathy, public health, biomedical research and more. Students develop strengths in leadership, resilience, communication and collaboration as they progress along their pathway to a career in rural health.

Program Outcomes

In addition to the outcomes for University Arts and Sciences, on completion of the program graduates will be able to:

  1. Demonstrate an academic foundation in the health sciences
  2. Demonstrate non-academic skills and strategies needed for subsequent health professional training
  3. Apply competitively to health professional programs
  4. Articulate the unique characteristics of rural health care
  5. Distinguish different paths to careers as rural health professionals

Program Admission Requirements

Academic Requirements

Individuals applying for admission to the Rural Pre-Medicine Program should apply during the application period. Exact dates are posted on the Rural Pre-Medicine page on the college website. Applicants must have graduated from secondary school (or equivalent) and completed the following BC Provincial Curriculum courses (or their equivalents) with a minimum of 67% in each course:

  • English Studies 12 or English First Peoples 12 or IELTS (minimum 6.5)
  • Pre-calculus 12
  • Two other approved Grade 12 courses, one of which must be: Biology 12, Chemistry 12, Geography 12, Geology 12, or Physics 12
  • Chemistry 11
  • Physics 11

 

Biology 12 and Chemistry 12 are strongly recommended. Students interested in the program who do not have the prerequisites should consult with the UAS school chair to discuss possible pathways.

Additional Requirements

Before an application is considered complete, the following must be received by the Admissions Office:

  • Completed Selkirk College application form
  • Completed RPM Program application form
  • Official transcripts of all high school grades
  • Official transcripts for any post-secondary studies
  • Completed RPM personal reference forms

Graduation and Promotion

In order for a student to remain in the RPM Program from one year to the next, the following requirements must be met:
a) Completion of all required RPM courses with a minimum grade of 60% in each course.
b) A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 for the year.

To qualify for graduation with an Associate of Science in Rural Pre-Health, a student must have a cumulative GPA of 3.00 and successfully complete all of the required courses from the first and second year of the RPM Program.

To qualify for graduation with an Advanced Diploma in Rural Pre-Medicine, a student must have a cumulative GPA of 3.00 and successfully complete all of the required courses from the third year of the RPM Program.

Program Courses

Term 1

CodeTitleCreditsTotal Hours

Required Courses

CodeTitleCreditsTotal Hours
BIOL104Biology I

3.00

90
 

CHEM122General Chemistry I

3.00

90
Or

CHEM110Fundamentals Of Chemistry I

3.00

120
 

ENGL110College Composition

3.00

45
MATH100Calculus I

3.00

75
PSYC100Introductory Psychology I

3.00

60
RPM120Rural Health Issues I

1.00

15

Term 2

CodeTitleCreditsTotal Hours

Required Courses

CodeTitleCreditsTotal Hours
BIOL106Biology II

3.00

90
CHEM125Foundations Of Chemistry II

4.00

105
ENGL111Introduction to Literature

3.00

45
MATH101Calculus II

3.00

75
PSYC101Introductory Psychology II

3.00

60
RPM121Rural Health Issues II

1.00

15

Term 3

CodeTitleCreditsTotal Hours

Required Courses

CodeTitleCreditsTotal Hours
BIOL204Cell Biology

3.00

90
CHEM212Organic Chemistry I

3.00

90
INDG101Indigenous People's Relationships: Once You've Heard the Story

3.00

45
 

PHYS102Basic Physics I

3.00

90
Or

PHYS104Fundamental Physics I

3.00

90
 

RPM220Rural Health Issues III

1.00

15
STAT206Statistics

3.00

75

Students choose between completing:

Both PHYS 102 (Term 3) and PHYS 103 (Term 4)   OR   Both PHYS 104 (TERM 3) and PHYS 105 (Term 4)

Term 4

CodeTitleCreditsTotal Hours

Required Courses

CodeTitleCreditsTotal Hours
BIOL206Introductory Biochemistry

3.00

90
BIOL212Microbiology

3.00

67.5
CHEM213Organic Chemistry II

3.00

90
 

PHYS103Basic Physics II

3.00

90
Or

PHYS105Fundamental Physics II

3.00

90
 

RPM221Rural Health Issues IV

1.00

15
UAS000UAS Electives

3.00

45
The UAS elective could be any UAS Humanities or Social Science course of 3 or more credits at the 200-level or higher.

Term 5

CodeTitleCreditsTotal Hours

Required Courses

CodeTitleCreditsTotal Hours
BIOL164Human Anatomy and Physiology I

4.00

90
Or

UAS000UAS Electives

3.00

45
 

BIOC302General Biochemistry

3.00

90
CHEM225Physical Chemistry for Biosciences

3.00

90
PHIL210Biomedical Ethics

3.00

45
 

PSYC202Research Methods

3.00

60
Or

SOC205Introduction to Social Research

3.00

45
 

RPM320Rural Health Issues V

1.00

15

Students choose between completing:

Both BIOL 164 (Term 5) and BIOL 165 (Term 6)  OR  Two UAS electives (one in Term 5 and one in Term 6)

 

Term 6

CodeTitleCreditsTotal Hours

Required Courses

CodeTitleCreditsTotal Hours
BIOL165Human Anatomy and Physiology II

4.00

90
Or

UAS000UAS Electives

3.00

45
 

BIOL202Principles of Genetics

3.00

67.5
INDG302Indigenous Health And Healing

3.00

45
RPM321Rural Health Applied Research Project

3.00

45
UAS000UAS Electives

3.00

45

The UAS electives could be any UAS course of 3 or more credits at the 200-level of higher.

Elective Courses

CodeTitleCreditsTotal Hours

Elective Options

Take:

one (1) 200- or 300-level UAS elective

See the UAS Courses by discipline page for course selections.

CodeTitleCreditsTotal Hours

Additional Program Policies

Effective Term:

Grading Table: