Waterloo is a hub for health innovation. Over the last couple of years, we’ve witnessed major investments in our life sciences sector, from infrastructure to new business investments.
The University of Waterloo’s Innovation Arena and the expansion of its Eye Institute, along with the Medical Innovation Xchange and McMaster’s MACcelerate program, have ensured the research and commercialization infrastructure is in place locally. International companies like Siemens, Septodont and Sonova have grown here, while others like Intellijoint and NDI are homegrown pillars.
What’s driving this activity?
Our people. Waterloo region’s talent pipeline fuels innovation across digital health, medical device manufacturing, AI-enabled diagnostics, biotechnology and more.
Our post-secondary schools are at the core of this talent advantage. The University of Waterloo, Wilfrid Laurier University and Conestoga College produce highly skilled graduates with the research, technical and entrepreneurial experience to solve some of healthcare’s biggest challenges.
Key Takeaways
- With specialized programs in optometry, pharmacy and biomedical engineering, as well as excellent health research institutions, the University of Waterloo is a well of health innovation talent
- Wilfrid Laurier University’s programs in health sciences, public health and health administration equip students with skills to tackle the life sciences sector
- Conestoga College, home to the Biotechnology Research & Innovation Hub, offers several health-related programs with experiential learning opportunities
Here are the top health-focused programs at our post-secondary institutions:
University of Waterloo
When it comes to health innovation, the University of Waterloo (UWaterloo)’s programs span the entire sector.
At the undergraduate level, you can enrol in biomedical sciences, biochemistry and systems design engineering. As a graduate student, you can earn degrees in pharmaceutical studies, optometry, public health and several engineering disciplines with health applications.
The school is transforming the life sciences sector in Waterloo. At UWaterloo, you’ll find the Centre for Bioengineering & Biotechnology, the Schlegel-UW Research Institute for Aging, the Waterloo Centre for Microbial Research and more.
Check out this list of programs generating top talent from UWaterloo, including graduate programs in Pharmacy and Optometry.
- Biomedical Engineering (Undergraduate): Interdisciplinary engineering program focused on medical devices, diagnostics, imaging, biomechanics and healthcare technologies
- Health Sciences (Undergraduate): Emphasis on human health, population health and health systems, with students often combining with studies in tech, data or policy
- Public Health (Undergraduate and Graduate): Focus on the social, political, biological and geographic forces affecting individual, community and population health
- Engineering (Undergraduate and Graduate): Systems Design, Mechanical, Mechatronics and Electrical specializations have applications in medical device design, surgical tools, rehab robotics, medical imaging and more.
- Pharmacy (Graduate): Studies in pharmaceutical sciences and pharmacoepidemiology at Canada’s most innovative pharmacy school, which has the only pharmacy co-op program in Canada
- Optometry and Vision Science (Graduate): Graduate program at one of two optometry schools in Canada, with students learning from award-winning faculty and performing research at one of the best Vision Research institutions (Centre for Ocular Research & Education) in North America
Wilfrid Laurier University
Wilfrid Laurier University, a stone’s throw from UWaterloo, develops health innovation talent through several relevant programs, too.
In addition to its programs, the post-secondary institution is also home to several health-related research labs. The Laurier Centre for Cognitive Neuroscience and the Manulife Centre for Community Health Research help students acquire research skills and hands-on learning capabilities.
Below are a handful of health programs offered at Laurier:
- Health Sciences (Undergraduate): Focuses on biological, social and systems-level health, with students going on to pursue careers in health innovation, professional health networks or public policy
- Health Administration (Undergraduate): Studies in health systems, management, leadership and health service innovation
- Public Health (Undergraduate): Focus on population health, health equity, and policy, with applications to community-level and digital health innovation
- Kinesiology (Undergraduate): A program recognized for its comprehensive approach to the study of human movement, combining science, health and social sciences for a well-rounded education
- Master of Applied Computing (Graduate): Opportunities to apply computing studies to health informatics, AI health applications and other digital tools
Conestoga College
Conestoga is known for hands-on learning and experiential training, which is incredibly important for students entering the life sciences sector.
The polytechnic institution also opened its Biotechnology Research & Innovation Hub late last year. The research lab’s advanced facilities and instrumentation capabilities support microbial, cytology, molecular, health sciences and biotech research. At the hub, students gain hands-on experience in research and innovation, working directly with businesses in the health field.
Here are some programs at Conestoga equipping students to make an impact in health innovation.
- Bachelor of Applied Health Information Science (Undergraduate): Program integrating knowledge and skills in health sciences, information technology and management studies
- Applied Biotechnology (Undergraduate): Focus on lab technologies, diagnostics and biomanufacturing, providing students with a blend of laboratory, analysis, theoretical and technical skills for careers in biotech and life sciences
- Biomedical Technician (Diploma): Emphasis on laboratory skills and technical knowledge, with courses in medical equipment, diagnostics and device maintenance/design support
- Medical Laboratory Scientist (Diploma): Three-year program with hospital rotations, equipping students with the skills they need to succeed as medical laboratory technologists
- Regulatory Affairs (Graduate Certificate): Opportunities to focus on medical device, pharmaceutical and health product regulation, which are critical for health innovation
- Clinical Research (Graduate Certificate): Opportunities for students to study trial design, data collection and regulatory compliance with applications in the health innovation sector
- Health Care Administration & Service Management (Graduate Certificate): Operational and innovation-focused health system management