Public Health first-year course selection

Welcome to the Public Health program!

Please see below for detailed information about your first year courses and course enrollment.

Transfer students should consult the instructions for transfer students page for information about course selection and enrollment.

Fall term: September to December

Your first term (fall term) in Public Health consists of three required courses and two elective courses. You will be automatically enrolled in your three required courses. In July, you will log into Quest to request your two elective courses.

Required courses

  • HLTH 101 - Introduction to Health (lecture and tutorial; 0.5 units)
  • HLTH 103 - Biological Determinants of Health (lecture; 0.5 units)
  • HEALTH 107 - Sociology of Activity, Health, and Well-being (lecture; 0.5 units)

Requesting your electives in Quest

Before July 2, 2025

  1. Review our information about registering for courses, and course registration information for new students.
  2. View the list of fall and winter term courses that may be available. Determine the two electives you'd like to take in the fall term. We also have some suggestions for electives you might want to consider.
  3. Log into Quest and check your contact information. Ensure that your name, address, phone number, email address, and any other personal information is accurate. Please update any incorrect information.

July 2-9, 2025: Course selection

  1. Log in to Quest.
  2. Request your two fall-term electives. View information on how to request your courses.

On, or after July 24, 2025

  1. Log into Quest.
  2. Check your fall-term schedule to see the required courses you were automatically enrolled in and to ensure you’ve been successfully enrolled in your two elective courses. Learn how to view your class schedule. 
  3. Make modifications to your schedule as necessary. If any of the required courses don't appear on your schedule, or you struggle with enrolling into electives, contact your academic advisor. Remember to reference the list of fall and winter term courses that may be available on the course registration information page if you need to choose new courses.
  4. View your tuition fees. You’ll need to become fees arranged by August 19, 2025.

Winter term: January to April

Your second term (winter term) in Public Health consists of four required courses and one elective course. You must enroll yourself into all your winter courses through Quest in September, during the Course Selection Period.

Required courses

  • HLTH 102 - Introduction to Health 2 (lecture and tutorial; 0.5 units)
  • HLTH 104 - Introduction to Health Data Science (lecture; 0.5 units)
  • HEALTH 150 - Foundations of Human Anatomy and Physiology (lecture; 0.5 units)
  • PSYCH 101 - Introductory Psychology (lecture; 0.5 units)

Review the information and suggestions for choosing an elective course.

In November, you can log into Quest to view your class schedule. Check the important dates for the course selection and the drop/add period dates.

Find the information you need

We always use email to contact you with important information, so make sure you check your uwaterloo email regularly.

Contact us

We know that university life can seem intimidating, that's why we’re here to help. If you have questions about the program, your Offer of Admission, or your class schedule, please contact us.