Overview

The Bachelor of Applied Health in Paramedicine combines occupational content provided by the Paramedicine Diploma programs at Holland College (or any two-year CMA-accredited paramedicine program) with foundational science courses, senior specialized courses in the life sciences, and advanced capstone paramedicine courses at the University of Prince Edward Island.

It is designed for paramedics interested in enhancing their science knowledge as well as their research and communication skills, thus increasing access to post-graduate opportunities (e.g., Master's degree programs) and improving job prospects. 

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Course Structure

Note: Current UPEI students should refer to Student Planning in myUPEI and the UPEI Academic Calendar governing their entry year, and speak to an academic advisor about course requirements. The course structure presented for this program is a recommended, unofficial progression for prospective students.


Note: As per Academic Regulation 1h, all undergraduate degree programs require successful completion of IKE-1040 (new for students beginning or returning after re-application in Fall 2022); one of UPEI-1010, UPEI-1020, or UPEI-1030, and a Writing Intensive Course. 


While at UPEI, paramedics in the Bachelor of Applied Health in Paramedicine program will take 20 courses. Of these, 16 are required (core) courses and the rest will be electives. The core courses will primarily be in Biology, with four advanced courses in Paramedicine: 

  • 4 first year courses: First Year Experience, Introductory Biology I (Genes, Cells, and Macromolecules), Introductory Chemistry I (General Chemistry I), and Indigenous Teachings of Turtle Island;
  • 5 second year courses: Cell Biology, Microbiology, Human Genetics, Human Biochemistry, Introductory Statistics or Introduction to Probability and Statistics
  • 2 third year courses: Research Methods and Communications, Medical Microbiology; and
  • 5 fourth year courses: Basic and Clinical Immunology or Medical Biology; Health Promotion, Planning and Evaluation; Disaster Medicine and Crisis Response; Critical Appraisal of Health Care Literature in the Acute Care Environment; and Current Issues in Paramedicine. 

Paramedics will take four elective courses to complete this program. Two of these electives must be from Science (Chemistry, Nutrition, Kinesiology or Physics) or Social Science areas (Business, Psychology or Philosophy). 

Course sequence

Year 1

  • Biology 1310 (Genes, Cells, and Macromolecules)
  • Biology 2060 (Microbiology)
  • Biology 2210 (Cell Biology)
  • Biology 2240 (Human Genetics)
  • Biology 2250 (Human Biochemistry)
  • Chemistry 1110 (General Chemistry I)
  • IKE 1040 (Indigenous Teachings of Turtle Island)
  • Paramedicine 4010 (Health Promotion, Planning and Evaluation)
  • UPEI 1010/1020/1030 (First Year Experience)
  • 1 Elective (recommended from the list below)

Year 2

  • Biology 3310 (Research Methods and Communications in Biology)
  • Biology 3750 (Medical Microbiology)
  • Biology 4050 (Medical Biology) OR 4750 (Basic and Clinical Immunology)
  • Paramedicine 4020 (Disaster Medicine and Crisis Response)
  • Paramedicine 4030 (Critical Appraisal of Health Care Literature in the Acute Care Environment)
  • Paramedicine 4040 (Current Issues in Paramedicine)
  • Statistics 1210 (Introductory Statistics) OR 1910 (Introduction to Probability and Statistics)
  • 2 Electives or Paramedicine 4900 (Honours Research and Thesis)
  • One final Elective

Electives

Students complete the degree requirements by choosing four electives. Two electives must be from one of the Sciences or Social Sciences/Humanities listed below. Students are encouraged to take two electives from the same discipline (e.g., Psych 1010 and 1020) as these are set up to be taught in the first and second semesters, and sometimes summer. It will also make it easier to get into electives in the same discipline the following year. NOTE: Students may also register for Paramedicine 4900 (Honours Thesis in Paramedicine) in which case they would need two fewer electives in their second year and then they may graduate with an Honours degree.

Students must take a minimum of two of these courses. NOTE: Some courses have pre-requisites.

  • Business 1010 - Introduction to Business
  • Business 1710 - Organizational Behaviour
  • Biology 1320 - Introduction to Organisms
  • Chemistry 1120 - General Chemistry II
  • Chemistry 2430 - Organic Chemistry
  • Foods and Nutrition 1010 - Concepts and Controversies in Nutrition
  • Foods and Nutrition 2110 - Introductory Nutrition I 
  • Foods and Nutrition 2120 - Introductory Nutrition II
  • Kinesiology 1010 - Introduction to Kinesiology
  • Philosophy 1050 - Technology, Values, and Science
  • Philosophy 1110 - Critical Thinking
  • Physics 1210 - Physics for Life Sciences I
  • Physics 1220 - Physics for Life Sciences II
  • Psychology 1010 -  Introduction to Psychology I
  • Psychology 1020 - Introduction to Psychology II

 

Honours Degree in Paramedicine

 

The Honours program in Paramedicine is designed to provide research experience at the undergraduate level. It is available to students with a strong academic background who intend to continue studies at the postgraduate level in Paramedicine or some related field, or to students who intend to pursue a career where research experience would be an asset. 

Admission to the Honours program requires students to have a combined minimum average of 75% (CGPA of 3.0) in all courses taken in the first year of study; and a combined minimum average of 75% (CGPA of 3.0) in all previous Biology courses taken. Students interested in doing the Honours degree should consult with the Associate Program Director, Paramedicine, as early as possible and apply to the program no later than March 31 of the student's third year of study.

Note: Detailed information for students on the Honours program is available from the Associate Program Director, Dr. Aaron Sibley, at asibley@upei.ca.

Admissions Criteria
What's Required for Paramedicine Admission?

This is an articulated Bachelor of Applied Health in Paramedicine degree and requires two years of paramedicine training from an accredited college program.

Holland College students with diplomas in Primary Care Paramedicine or Advanced Care Paramedicine and students from other institutions with equivalent academic requirements to get their Diploma in Paramedicine may also be eligible to enrol in the Bachelor of Applied Health in Paramedicine program at UPEI.

All applicants must achieve a minimum grade of 70% in their diploma program to be eligible to apply to the degree program. 

Refer to the UPEI Academic Calendar for more information.

Faculty Members
Your mentors. Our professors.

UPEI has about 250 faculty members—exceptional scholars, teachers, and mentors, with more being hired each year as we open new, progressive, and unique programs. But the story isn’t just in the numbers. It’s in the quality of our people.

Dr. Trevor Jain
Paramedicine

Dr. Trevor Jain, director of UPEI’s Bachelor of Science in Paramedicine program, is the recipient of the Canadian Association of Emergency Physicians’ (CAEP) 2023 Emergency Physician of the Year (East-Urban) Award and the 2023 Dr. Alan Drummond Advocacy Award. 


 

Award-winning faculty from around the globe have made UPEI home. Here, you’ll learn directly from these world-class professors and researchers in small classes where you’ll have easy access to them.

Fees and Funding
Faculty of Science Programs Tuition

UPEI's undergraduate tuition is the second-lowest in the Atlantic region, and we offer millions of dollars in scholarships and awards. 

Tuition

$6,828 per year, based on 30 credit hours ($682.80 per 3 credit course).
International students pay $8,010 per year in addition to full-time student tuition.

For a complete breakdown of part-time or full-time study as a student in the Faculty of Science, visit our Tuition and Fees page.

Scholarships and Awards

UPEI supports you and your educational goals. We administer millions of dollars in scholarships and awards to our undergraduate and graduate students every year. Depending on your faculty or program, and year of study, you may be eligible for available awards.

Search the complete list of scholarships for information and application forms. 

Celebrating Student Achievement

Including Guaranteed Entrance Scholarships and Academic Excellence Awards, these awards recognize the academic achievements of all students who meet the eligibility criteria while studying towards their first undergraduate degree.

Visit the Scholarships site for complete information.