Associate of Arts in Political Science

at Kwantlen Polytechnic University - Surrey Campus Canada

The Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) Program in Human Resources Management provides full-time and part-time intensive study for students wishing to undertake studies in the human resources management field.  The degree is designed to prepare students to achieve the Required Professional Capabilities of the Certified Human Resources Practitioner (CHRP) designation and for a range of human resources professional roles.

Co-operative Education

The BBA in Human Resources Management degree is offered with a Co-operative Education option. Co-operative Education gives a student the opportunity to apply the skills gained during academic study in paid, practical work experience semesters. Degree students can complete a minimum of three work terms while completing their degree. Work terms generally occur full-time in separate 4 month work semesters. Work semesters alternate with academic study.

The Philosophy Major at KPU provides students a broad-based, general education in the principal areas of Western Philosophy. Philosophy majors will complete courses in logic, epistemology, metaphysics, ethics, and history of philosophy. The program is expressly set up to satisfy a variety of additional pedagogical and intellectual objectives, chief among these being the development of critical reasoning and writing skills, both in general and with regard to specialized research in the discipline. Philosophy majors at KPU will experience a learning environment that is supportive and challenging. It is one that prepares students for graduate work in philosophy. It develops effective citizenship, community leadership, and the critical reasoning, writing, and problem-solving skills required for successful careers in any area.

The Bachelor of Arts Major in Philosophy provides students the opportunity to build a sturdy educational foundation in one of the core areas of the Humanities. All Philosophy majors take a course in formal logic at the 1000-level. At the 2000-level, five courses in philosophy are obligatory: Moral Theory (the study of the nature of right and wrong), Metaphysics (the study of the nature of reality), Epistemology (the study of the nature and limits of knowledge), Ancient Greek Philosophy, and Modern Philosophy.

Upper-level students will have the following options: to take smaller, more participatory courses in Special Topics in Philosophy; to pursue an Applied Ethics Stream by taking specially designed courses in Business, Environmental, and Biomedical Ethics; to participate in a Practicum course where research and work skills are enhanced; and to apply to a selective sequence of honours courses with a focus on researching and writing an honours thesis.

Graduates work with Kindergarten through Grade 12 students and assist teachers in providing personal care and behavioural and learning support to a variety of students in public and independent schools.

There is a high demand for Education Assistants and they are employed by every school district throughout the province. The graduates work in a variety of settings, including regular classrooms, resource rooms, work experience sites, and in life-skills activities.

To integrate the knowledge and skills learned in the program, all students complete two four-week, full-time practicums in the schools over the course of their studies, one in an elementary school and one in a secondary school. During this time, a student will observe, assist, and work with children and adolescents with diverse needs under the guidance and supervision of professional staff. This certificate transfers to the BA at KPU. 

The Mechatronics and Advanced Manufacturing Technology program prepares graduates for careers in the manufacturing industry. With growing reliance on automated technology in the manufacturing sector, technicians are being challenged to perform higher-level tasks that involve diagnostics, analytics, trouble-shooting and hands-on maintenance and repair. Students will acquire critical theoretical and technical knowledge, and hands-on practical experience in applied trades areas such as machining, welding, metal fabrication and electrical. In addition to these skills, students in this program will acquire the knowledge to enable them to prepare technical reports pertaining to the operation and management of an automated manufacturing facility.

The program supports applied research, product development and commercialization solutions.The program also includes the most current technology in computer numerical control (CNC) programming, renewable energy, and computer controlled autonomous systems; hydraulic, pneumatic, electronic and robotic.

Semesters 1 and 2 are aligned to the internationally recognized Siemens Mechatronic Systems Certification (SMSC) program and provide certificate graduates with the opportunity to obtain Siemens Mechatronic Systems Certification Levels 1 and 2. Certificate graduates from the Mechatronics and Advanced Manufacturing Technology program will be equipped with the knowledge, expertise and skills to operate, maintain, and conduct diagnostics on mechatronic systems at a technician level.

Semesters 3 and 4 incorporate advanced manufacturing principles; sustainability practices, engineering resource planning, lean manufacturing practices, communications and business operations. These principles are augmented by experiential skill development in machining, metal fabrication, welding and electrical which will prepare graduates to meet the demands of the emerging trend known as “Industry 4.0”. Graduates from the Mechatronics and Advanced Manufacturing Technology program will be well prepared to work in numerous occupations in the engineering technician/technologist fields.

The Associate Degree in Philosophy at KPU is designed to foster the development of general critical reasoning and writing skills. Students pursuing the Associate Degree will experience a learning environment that is supportive and challenging. They will receive a solid introduction to the critical reasoning, writing, and problem-solving skills required for successful careers in any area.

The two-year General Business Studies Diploma is a flexible diploma option, allowing individuals to select a variety of areas of study in the School of Business once they have fulfilled the core requirements of the program.
You want to lead a successful business, launch a breakthrough innovation, even change the way we do business in the 21st century. KPU School of Business gives you the real-world skills, practical know-how, and professional connections you need to make it happen. Our approach is internationally recognized because it’s well rounded and grounded in modern principles—where thought meets action.

The Associate of Arts in Geography is a two-year Human Geography program. It establishes a solid base of conceptual knowledge and applied skills supporting further study in Geography, engaged citizenship, and introductory employment in the public and private sectors. The curriculum combines topical coursework in introductory human geography and urban geography, and lab-science courses in earth science and atmospheric science. The curriculum also provides students with options for focused study of a variety of regions, and develops foundational skills in using computerized Geographic Information Systems (GIS) hardware and software to analyze and present spatial data.

The Bachelor of Fine Arts, Visual Arts degree program provides students with comprehensive knowledge and practice in the field of visual arts. The core of the degree is a strong studio curriculum focusing on the ideas and technical processes of producing contemporary art. The Fine Arts curriculum is complemented through access to a broad liberal arts education emphasizing the development of effective academic writing, verbal communication, and presentation skills. Grounded in theory and practice, students develop aesthetic judgment, professional knowledge, disciplinary expertise, and the collaborative critical thinking skills required to prepare them for direct entry into today's creative economy.

The diverse needs of visual arts students are met in a vibrant environment with outstanding facilities, studios, exhibition spaces, visiting artists, student exchange programs, and opportunities for working with the community. Personal and professional development is encouraged as the degree prepares students to be practicing artists and contributing global citizens.

Advanced VFX (Virtual Production) is a full-time, two-year, cohort program focused on the fundamentals of Visual Effects and the integration of Virtual Production workflows and pipelines. Students will study numerous specializations in VFX, such as modeling, sculpting, texturing/surfacing, lighting, compositing, and FX. The program also integrates virtual production workflows into these departments and courses by introducing the Unreal Engine. Unreal and other virtual production software and tools are used in the preparation, modification, and filming of VFX assets, in-camera. By replicating real-world fundamentals of virtual production and its fast-paced work environment of real-time rendering, artists are trained to be equipped both artistically and technically in the realm of quick problem solving, teamwork and collaboration. The fundamentals of cinematography, data acquisition, matchmove, photography and real-world lighting are also explored before they are taken into the 3D, virtual space. In advanced studies, 3D matte painting is introduced as a hybrid of 2D and 3D images for set extensions, for use in both traditional VFX and VFX for virtual production. Basic scripting is used in various software packages, such as Unreal, Nuke, Houdini and other industry leading software to optimize artists’ workflows. The program also teaches students the fundamentals of pre- and post-production, critical analysis and review, realistic production schedules, team work and soft skills. It also teaches students how to interact with other VFX departments, both on set and in studio.

A wide range of industry standard software and tools, processes, and workflows are taught to the students for both traditional VFX and VFX for virtual production. Students will create a portfolio of VFX shots in the form of a demo reel. Demo reel shots may be solely the student’s own creations, or the result of a collaborative group project(s).

The Advanced VFX (Virtual Production) program is best suited for students that display an artistic or creative background. A foundation in technical and or software skills is also beneficial. These artistic, creative and technical skills serve as a foundation for challenging roles in the VFX and game development industries.

The one-year General Business Studies Certificate Program is designed to provide students with a broad range of fundamental business skills and an understanding of the business environment. Many classes are offered in the evening to accommodate part-time students.  The Certificate program requires completion of 10 courses and emphasizes real world business applications in key functional areas.

Students may select their elective courses according to the following guidelines for specialization in Business Management or Marketing and have the specialization documented on their transcript.

Courses in the certificate program may also be applied towards the Business Management Diploma program at KPU.