Recommended Courses for SpaceCat

This is the unified course recommendation list, generated by cross-referencing prerequisites across all Strong fit and Moderate fit programs (28 total) in nursing, OT, MSW, and MD.

Each course is scored by how many programs it enables. Courses are grouped into tiers: Must-take, Strongly recommended, and Situational.

Key insight: Many Strong/Moderate fit programs have no prerequisites at all (McMaster MD, TMU MD, McMaster OT, Queen’s OT, U of T OT, Dalhousie MSW, Calgary MSW, UNBC MSW, UVic MSW, Queen’s MD). For these, the only value of taking courses is to raise SpaceCat’s GPA. The courses below are selected to satisfy prerequisites for programs that have them while simultaneously filling the GPA window for programs that don’t.

Course Value Summary

Tier 1: Must-Take (enables 5+ programs)

1. Statistics / Introductory Statistics

• Programs enabled (13): UNB nursing (S), USask nursing (S), Windsor MSW (S), Laurier MSW (S), Brock nursing (M), StFX nursing (M), TMU nursing (M), Alberta nursing (M), Manitoba nursing (M), UPEI nursing (M), Western CTF nursing (M), Carleton MSW (M), UBC-O MSW (M), UFV MSW (M), Alberta OT (M)
• Min grade target: B (73%) — clears Brock’s B requirement, the strictest
• Time limit: 5 years (Alberta nursing and OT are strictest)
• Online: Yes — widely available (Athabasca MATH 215, UNB STAT 2263)
• Lab required: No
• GPA window value: Fills the window at UBC nursing (last 30 cr), UNB (last 46), Western (last 20 courses), Laurier MSW (last 10 courses), and many others
• Notes: Some MSW programs require research methods rather than pure stats. King’s/Western MSW and Laurier MSW need a course covering qualitative methods. A “Research Methods” course that includes basic statistics may satisfy both — but confirm with each program. Taking one stats course AND one research methods course is the safest approach.

2. Human Anatomy (with lab)

• Programs enabled (11): UBC nursing (S), UNB nursing (S), USask nursing (S), Brock nursing (M), StFX nursing (M), TMU nursing (M), Alberta nursing (M), Manitoba nursing (M), UPEI nursing (M), Western CTF nursing (M), Alberta OT (M)
• Min grade target: B (73%)
• Time limit: 5 years (Alberta nursing, Alberta OT, UBC nursing)
• Online: Yes — Athabasca BIOL 235 (combined A&P), UNB BIOL 1719, Dalhousie distance
• Lab required: Yes at UPEI, StFX, Brock. Take a version with lab to keep all options open.
• GPA window value: High — fills windows at all “most recent N credits” programs
• Notes: Some programs accept combined Anatomy & Physiology courses (UBC nursing, StFX). Taking separate Anatomy and Physiology courses is safer for programs that require them individually (Brock, Alberta, Manitoba, Western). However, if SpaceCat only has room for one combined A&P course, it satisfies UBC and StFX but not the programs requiring separate courses.

3. Human Physiology (with lab)

• Programs enabled (9): UBC nursing (S — combined with anatomy), UNB nursing (S), Brock nursing (M), StFX nursing (M), TMU nursing (M), Alberta nursing (M), Manitoba nursing (M), UPEI nursing (M), Western CTF nursing (M)
• Min grade target: B (73%)
• Time limit: 5 years
• Online: Yes — Athabasca BIOL 237 (A&P II), UNB BIOL 1789
• Lab required: Yes at UPEI, StFX, Brock
• GPA window value: High
• Notes: Must cover ALL body systems (cardiovascular, nervous, endocrine, respiratory, digestive, reproductive, renal/urinary, musculoskeletal, immune). Programs are specific about this.

4. Microbiology

• Programs enabled (7): UNB nursing (S), Brock nursing (M), StFX nursing (M), TMU nursing (M), Alberta nursing (M), Manitoba nursing (M), UPEI nursing (M)
• Min grade target: B (73%)
• Time limit: 5 years
• Online: Yes — Athabasca BIOL 325, UNB BIOL 2259
• Lab required: Yes at UPEI. Take a version with lab to be safe.
• GPA window value: High

5. Introductory Psychology

• Programs enabled (6): USask nursing (S), Brock nursing (M), TMU nursing (M), Trent nursing (M), Alberta nursing (M), UPEI nursing (M)
• Min grade target: B (73%)
• Time limit: 5 years (TMU); 10 years (others)
• Online: Yes — Athabasca PSYC 289/290
• Lab required: No
• GPA window value: High
• Notes: Also counts toward social science requirements at programs that have them. SpaceCat may already have this from her Dalhousie BA — check transcript.

6. Research Methods (qualitative + quantitative)

• Programs enabled (5): King’s/Western MSW (S), Laurier MSW (S), Carleton MSW (M), UBC-O MSW (M), UFV MSW (M)
• Min grade target: B (70%)
• Time limit: None stated
• Online: Likely — confirm with each program
• Lab required: No
• GPA window value: Fills Laurier’s 10-course window, King’s/Western’s 20-course window
• Notes: Must cover qualitative methods — King’s/Western explicitly requires both qualitative and quantitative, and Laurier requires qualitative specifically. A course titled “Research Methods in Social Sciences” covering both is ideal. Pure statistics courses do NOT satisfy this requirement.

Tier 2: Strongly Recommended (enables 2-4 programs or critical for a Strong fit)

7. English / Academic Writing

• Programs enabled (6): UBC nursing (S), USask nursing (S), StFX nursing (M), Manitoba nursing (M), UPEI nursing (M), UNB (HS-level requirement)
• Min grade target: 65%
• Time limit: 10 years
• Online: Yes
• Notes: SpaceCat’s Dalhousie BA almost certainly includes English courses that satisfy this. Check transcript first — this may already be done. StFX has specific requirements (40%+ of grade from formal writing, two 10+ page assignments). If SpaceCat’s BA English courses don’t meet StFX’s criteria, a targeted writing course may be needed.

8. Pathophysiology

• Programs enabled (1): UNB nursing (S)
• Min grade target: C
• Time limit: Must be completed by July 31
• Online: Yes — UNB BIOL 2509 via Centre for Learning Futures
• Notes: Only UNB requires this, but UNB is a Strong fit program (40% CASPer weight). If SpaceCat is serious about UNB, this is non-negotiable. It also has Anatomy as a prerequisite, so take Anatomy first.

9. Science Electives (Biology, Chemistry, Biochemistry, Kinesiology)

• Programs enabled (4): USask nursing (S), TMU nursing (M), Manitoba nursing (M), Trent nursing (M)
• Min grade target: 60%
• Time limit: 10 years
• Online: Yes
• Notes: Any Faculty of Science course typically qualifies. Taking an extra Biology or Chemistry course satisfies Trent’s biology/chemistry prereqs, TMU’s biology prereqs, and Manitoba’s science electives simultaneously. A Nutrition course (see below) can also count as a science elective at some programs.

10. Developmental Psychology

• Programs enabled (2): Brock nursing (M), UPEI nursing (M)
• Min grade target: B (73%)
• Time limit: 10 years
• Online: Yes — Athabasca PSYC 290 or similar
• Notes: Also satisfies McMaster nursing’s “human aspects of psychology” requirement (Reach program). Counts as a second psychology course for programs requiring two (UPEI, Brock).

Tier 3: Situational (enables 1-2 programs or discipline-specific)

11. Indigenous Studies

• Programs enabled (2): USask nursing (S — on hold), Alberta OT (M)
• Min grade target: 60%
• Time limit: 10 years
• Online: Yes — University of Alberta “Indigenous Canada” MOOC on Coursera (free, but need certificate version for Alberta OT). Check if USask accepts online.
• Notes: Increasingly required across Canadian health programs. Low time investment (can be done via MOOC). Worth doing even though USask is on hold.

12. Introductory Nutrition

• Programs enabled (2): USask nursing (S — on hold), UPEI nursing (M)
• Min grade target: 60%
• Online: Yes — Athabasca or similar
• Notes: Also counts as a science elective at some programs.

13. Social Science / Humanities Electives

• Programs enabled (3): USask nursing (S — on hold), TMU nursing (M), Manitoba nursing (M)
• Min grade target: 60%
• Notes: SpaceCat’s BA likely covers this already. Check transcript.

14. MCAT CARS Section

• Programs enabled (2): McMaster MD (S), Queen’s MD (M — full MCAT)
• Notes: Not a university course — this is a standardized test. McMaster only requires the CARS section (not the full MCAT). Queen’s requires the full MCAT (minimum 500). If SpaceCat is considering MD programs, MCAT prep is a separate workstream. McMaster’s competitive CARS is ~128-129.

The Optimal 10-Course Year

If SpaceCat takes these 10 courses in one year with strong grades (B+ or better), she satisfies prerequisites for the maximum number of programs while simultaneously resetting her GPA window:

These 10 courses = 30 credits = SpaceCat’s “most recent 30 credits” for programs like UBC nursing, StFX, UPEI, Memorial, and Dalhousie that use a 30-credit window.

Grade target: B+ (77%) or higher in every course. This clears: - Brock’s B (73%) requirement (strictest for nursing prereqs) - King’s/Western’s 70% research methods floor - All other program minimums - And builds a competitive GPA for programs where GPA is ranked

Prerequisite Chains

Some courses have prerequisites of their own:

• Pathophysiology requires Anatomy (take Anatomy in Fall, Pathophysiology in Winter)
• Microbiology may require introductory Biology at some institutions
• Research Methods may require introductory Statistics at some institutions (check)
• Developmental Psychology requires Introductory Psychology at most institutions

Suggested semester grouping:

Fall semester (5 courses): 1. Human Anatomy (with lab) 2. Human Physiology (with lab) 3. Statistics 4. Introductory Psychology 5. Research Methods OR English/Writing

Winter semester (5 courses): 6. Microbiology (with lab) 7. Pathophysiology (requires Anatomy) 8. Developmental Psychology (requires Intro Psych) 9. Science Elective / Nutrition 10. Research Methods OR Social Science elective

Online Course Providers

What SpaceCat’s BA Likely Already Covers

Based on a typical Dalhousie BA, these are probably already done: - English / Academic Writing (most BAs require this) — check transcript - Social Science electives — check transcript - Humanities electives — check transcript - Possibly Introductory Psychology (common BA elective) — check transcript - Possibly Statistics (if taken as an elective) — check transcript

Action item: SpaceCat should pull her Dalhousie transcript and check which of the above she has already completed. Pay attention to time limits — courses older than 5 years may have expired for some programs (Alberta, TMU, UBC).

Programs With NO Prerequisites

These programs require no specific courses — only a bachelor’s degree and a competitive GPA. Taking upgrading courses helps only by raising the GPA, not by satisfying prereqs:

For these programs, any course SpaceCat takes contributes to the GPA window. The recommended 10 courses above are still optimal because they serve double duty (prereqs for some programs + GPA for all).