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MSc Interdisciplinary Health Sciences – Thesis-based

Why choose interdisciplinary health sciences

Explore health through a wider lens

Health challenges are rarely one-dimensional. The MSc in Interdisciplinary Health Sciences takes a unique approach by integrating biological, social and environmental perspectives to better understand complex health issues and inform real-world solutions. Whether your goal is to pursue a PhD, work in research or drive change in health systems, this thesis-based program offers flexible, rigorous training that opens doors.

Specialize or stay broad? You choose

This program offers two thesis-based pathways:

  • A general stream with maximum flexibility and no declared concentration
  • A concentration stream, where your research and many of your courses will focus on one of three areas, enriching your expertise in it:
    • Integrated Biosciences: Explore the biological foundations of health, from molecular and cellular processes to human physiology.
    • Population and Public Health: Examine health patterns, determinants and interventions population wide.
    • Health Technology and Innovation: Investigate the impact of digital tools, medical technologies and system-level innovations on health-care delivery and outcomes.
Landry Kalembo

“This MSc gave me the tools, mentorship, and bilingual skills to pursue meaningful, interdisciplinary research—first on food insecurity, now on global health in my PhD.”

Landry Kalembo

— B.HSc, MSc

What to expect

  • Rigorous research training: Develop advanced skills in research design, data collection, analysis and academic writing. You’ll complete a thesis under an experienced professor engaged in cutting-edge health research.
  • Interdisciplinary lens: Explore health from multiple angles—including biological, psychological, social and environmental—equipping you to understand and address complex health issues in real-world settings.
  • Language flexibility: Study in English, French or both. All program components reflect uOttawa’s mandate of bilingualism, giving you the opportunity to develop research and communication skills in both official languages.
  • Tailored academic pathways: Pursue either a broad-based thesis experience or choose a defined concentration that fits with your research interests and long-term academic goals.
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Two flexible options

 General optionWith concentration
StructureTraditional thesis-based MScThesis-based MSc with focused specialization
CourseworkBroad, interdisciplinaryConcentration-specific with core requirements
SpecializationNone     Choose one: Integrated Biosciences, Population and Public Health, or Health Technology and Innovation
Ideal forStudents seeking broad training in interdisciplinary health researchStudents wanting a deeper focus on a subfield with exposure to interdisciplinary health research intensity

Key subject areas

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Research methods and analysis

  • Qualitative and quantitative approaches: Gain hands-on experience designing and conducting studies using diverse methodologies to explore complex health questions.
  • Data interpretation and critical appraisal: Learn to evaluate scientific evidence, assess research quality and draw meaningful, data-informed conclusions.
  • Thesis development and academic writing: Develop a strong foundation in research design, proposal drafting and scholarly writing.
A group of students do research on a table, shot from above.

Interdisciplinary perspectives on health

  • Health theory and systems thinking: Study how biological, psychological, social and environmental factors interact across the lifespan to shape health outcomes.
  • Policy and practice integration: Examine how health policies are developed, implemented and evaluated in various health-care systems and populations.
  • Equity and the social determinants of health: Explore how factors like income, education, race, gender and environment affect health-care access and outcomes.
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Knowledge mobilization and communication

  • Scholarly communication skills: Learn how to effectively communicate research findings to audiences, including academics, policymakers, practitioners and the general public, through reports, briefs and presentations.
  • Knowledge mobilization strategies: Understand how to apply research evidence in real-world settings to inform decisions in health care and health policy.
  • Engagement with diverse communities: Develop skills for collaborating ethically and meaningfully with community partners and populations facing health inequities.
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Exposure to diverse health disciplines

  • Biological, population and technological approaches: Engage with key concepts in integrative biosciences, population and public health, and health technology and innovation, gaining exposure to all three concentrations through coursework.
  • Innovation and interdisciplinarity: Examine how cross-cutting approaches—from cellular biology to data-driven tools—can work together to address today’s most pressing health issues.
  • Ethical and societal dimensions: Analyze the ethical, legal and social contexts that shape health research, technologies and interventions across diverse communities.

Research areas

  • Lifespan and aging: Exploring biological, psychological and social aspects of aging to improve health outcomes across generations.
  • Sexual, reproductive and maternal health: Addressing the determinants of reproductive and maternal well-being across the lifespan.
  • Neurocognitive and mental health: Investigating the causes and impact of mental health conditions and designing effective interventions.
  • Nutrition and metabolic health: Examining diet, metabolism and mitochondrial function in relation to disease and prevention.
  • AI and digital health: Leveraging technology and artificial intelligence to transform health-care systems and practices.
  • Global and environmental health: Studying how environmental, societal and geopolitical factors shape health outcomes worldwide.
  • Palliative and chronic disease care: Enhancing quality of life for individuals with chronic conditions through evidence-based approaches.
  • Assistive devices and risk management: Developing tools and strategies that support independent living and reduce health-related risks.
  • Palliative and chronic disease care: Enhancing quality of life for individuals with chronic conditions through evidence-based approaches.
  • Assistive devices and risk management: Developing tools and strategies that support independent living and reduce health-related risks.
A woman with safety goggles and a smile works in a lab

Concentration options

Students in the thesis-based MSc program may choose to specialize in one of the following concentrations, aligning their research and many of their courses with a focused area of interest. Each concentration opens the door to a range of career opportunities in research, policy, health care and innovation.

  • Integrated Biosciences: Explore the biological foundations of health, from molecular and cellular processes to human physiology. This concentration emphasizes lab-based and translational research aimed at understanding mechanisms of health and disease. You’ll be well prepared for positions in biomedical research, clinical research co-ordination and scientific analysis in academic, pharmaceutical and biotechnology settings.
  • Population and Public Health: Examine population-wide health patterns, determinants and interventions. Focus areas can include epidemiology, health promotion, health policy or global health systems. You’ll develop the skills to pursue careers in public health agencies, government, non-profit organizations and community-based research, as well as further academic study.
  • Health Technology and Innovation: Investigate how digital tools, medical technologies and system-level innovations are transforming health-care delivery and outcomes. This concentration prepares you for positions in digital health, innovation consulting, research and development, and health systems analysis, particularly in startups, industry or health-care organizations.

Academic and career opportunities

Graduates of the thesis-based MSc in Interdisciplinary Health Sciences are well equipped to pursue diverse, high-impact careers in research, health care, policymaking, innovation and more. Many choose to continue their academic journey at the doctoral level, while others transition directly into dynamic positions in the public, private or non-profit sector.

Advanced studies (PhD)

The majority of thesis-based MSc graduates go on to pursue PhDs in population health, biomedical sciences, health technology or related fields. Graduates develop advanced research skills, a theoretical grounding and critical thinking skills essential for PhD-level work.

Research and academic careers

With rigorous training in qualitative, quantitative and mixed methods, you’ll be prepared for positions in university-, hospital- and institute-based research environments. Career opportunities include:

  • Research co-ordinator or program officer
  • Clinical trial manager
  • Research analyst in public health and health-care settings

Policy, public health and community

Many graduates help develop and implement municipal, provincial or federal health policy and programs. Career opportunities include:

  • Health policy adviser
  • Public health officer
  • Program manager in government or an NGO

Innovation and health technology

Graduates are well suited for roles that apply research and problem-solving skills to develop and implement new health technologies. Career opportunities include:

  • Digital health specialist
  • Innovation analyst or consultant
  • Health informatics or systems analyst in the clinical, public or private sector
  • Proposal development or R&D positions in health-care startups, tech firms or consulting agencies

Biomedical and clinical research

With strong training in scientific inquiry and data analysis, you can contribute to the advancement of biomedical and clinical research through positions such as:

  • Lab manager or biomedical research assistant
  • Clinical research co-ordinator or associate
  • Scientific officer or analyst in a pharmaceutical or biotech company
  • Professional supporting translational or experimental health research

Knowledge mobilization and communication

Skills in academic writing, knowledge translation and stakeholder engagement prepare you to:

  • Contribute to peer-reviewed publications, grant proposals and evidence briefs
  • Support science communication, policy translation and community engagement initiatives

Take the next step

Start your journey with the essential information and resources to help you plan your academic path and achieve your goals.