Bachelor of One Health
Why choose a bachelor's degree in One Health?
One Health is an interdisciplinary and collaborative approach to understanding, managing, and mitigating health challenges at a local and global scale; challenges such as transmission of zoonotic diseases, environmental protection, biodiversity conservation, anti-microbial resistance and food security.
The Bachelor of One Health is the first of its kind in Canada. The degree looks at the interconnections between human, animal and environmental health at the individual, population and ecosystem levels, integrating both scientific and socio-cultural knowledge into one degree.
With its roots in veterinary medicine and agriculture, and strengths in biological and social sciences, the University of Guelph is uniquely suited to prepare students to address complex health issues with a One Health approach.
Students complete foundational courses in human, animal and environmental health, four One Health courses, including a capstone experience, and specialize in one of four areas of emphasis:
- Disease, Complexity and Health
- Environment, Food and Health
- Policy, Economics and Health
- Culture, Society and Health
To see all courses offered in this program, visit our 2024-2025 Academic Calendar.
Benefits of having a bachelor's degree in One Health
Join a Unique Program
Bachelor of One Health is the only degree of its kind in Canada, providing students with an interdisciplinary understanding of complex global health challenges.
Flexible Learning
Choose courses from four areas of emphasis to reflect your interests and career goals: disease; food and environment; economics and policy; and socio-cultural.
Experiential Learning
Take advantage of experiential learning opportunities, including field courses, offered locally and nationally, independent research courses, an internship course and international study opportunities.
Gain Work Experience
Gain 12 months of hands-on work experience through the co-op option.
Access Supports
Specialized academic and career advisors are available to help BOH students navigate course selection, find opportunities that help them grow personally and professionally, and support them in achieving their academic goals.
Part of a Community
Students can take advantage of opportunities through the One Health Institute and One Health Student Committee, including regular seminars, conferences, research assistantships and networking events.
Gain valuable experience through co-op
The co-op program is five years, including three terms (12 months) of hands-on work experience. Students can apply for the co-op program directly from high school or transfer in following their fourth academic semester.
Sample co-op opportunities:
- Health Product and Food Junior Evaluator, Health Canada
- Health Systems Strategy and Integration Planning, Central West Local Health Network
- Flu Watch, Public Health Agency of Canada
- Species At Risk Assistant, Royal Botanical Gardens
- International Development Officer, Global Affairs Canada
- Junior Analyst, Plant Research and Strategies Canadian Food Inspection Agency
What can you do with a degree in One Health?
With an interdisciplinary education, One Health graduates stand out from their peers with their innovative approaches to complex challenges. Students will develop the skills and knowledge to succeed in One Health fields such as human and animal medicine, public health, wildlife and ecosystem management, food safety and security, and environmental protection, across the private and public sectors. Students will be prepared to pursue professional programs, including human and veterinary medicine, or enter graduate school.
Some career paths include:
- Agricultural Planning & Policy Expert
- Community Health Coordinator
- Conservation Biologist
- Educator
- Food Quality Assurance & Security Consultant
- Food Systems Consultant
- Indigenous Cultural Wellness Leader
- Land Use Planner & Environmental Consultant
- Lawyer
- One Health Knowledge Mobilization Specialist
- Physician
- Policy Analyst (Health, Economics, Environment)
- Public Health Officer
- Research Scientist (Environment, Human or Organismal Health)
- Veterinarian
What Students in the program are saying about U of G
I love being in the Bachelor of One Health program because it allows me to study a variety of subjects that I'm interested in! It acknowledges that the problems our world faces need to be examined from a variety of perspectives and it uses a innovative, multi-faceted approach to come up with solutions.
The One Health Program here at the University of Guelph is extremely unique as it combines three big areas of interest into one. I really enjoy the diversity of classes that can be taken under this degree, it is like being able to get a taste of everything while also focusing on one of the many areas of emphasis that catch your eye.
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