Master of Arts in Economics (Co-op Optional)

at Lakehead University - Thunder Bay Campus Canada

Economics is a social science dedicated to the study of decision-making under scarcity, and the factors that influence wealth. Economics involves financial topics and broader historical, sociological and cultural topics ranging from the individual (microeconomics) to governments, industries and central banking (macroeconomics). This extensive and multidisciplinary study of the economy is what sets it apart from other seemingly similar topics such as Business or Finance.

As an economics student you will gain insight into the long-term effects of policy on communities by studying:

• Resource Allocation
• Current Policy Debates
• Statistics
• Economic Theory
• Incentives
• Econometrics
• Decision-Making 

You will also gain a marketable edge through field and speciality courses focused on labour, natural resources and industrial organisation. The natural ebb and flow of the economy means that economics is a changing and dynamic field. Our continually updated course content reflects new theories, information and current events impacting the Economics field. Mathematics is a large component of many of our Economics courses; therefore, our recommendation is that you have some knowledge and skill in the area.

Government policies influence virtually every aspect of our lives, from housing to education to crime. Our Political Science program studies the institutions, ideas, practices, and power that shape government and policy at all levels. Students will gain a thorough understanding of political systems - with a particular focus on Canadian politics - and overarching notions of freedom, equality, and justice.

Our goal is to provide a well-rounded Political Science education by applying both theoretical and practical modes of analysis to examine sociological, economic, and historical contexts.

If you have an interest in political systems abroad, you will also have the opportunity to explore the politics of America, Africa, Europe, and Asia.

Additionally, you will study:

• International Relations
• Political Theory
• Law and Politics
• Public Administration and Policy
• Indigenous Governance
• Comparative Politics

Geography is the study of spatial patterns and processes on Earth's surface and the relationship between society, populations and the environment. Our Geography programs focus on physical geography, dealing with spatial aspects of land, water and the atmosphere, as well as human geography which explores the cultural, political and economic forces behind the distribution of human activities.

As a Geography student you will spend the first two years building a foundation of knowledge in a wide spectrum of geographical themes which examine:

• Where populations and activities are located on Earth
• When and why physical and environmental patterns change
• The impacts these changes have on human and physical environments
• The responses to these impacts

In your final two years of study, you may specialize in a particular area including:

• Climate change
• Glacial Processes
• Soil Analysis
• Conservation
• Natural Hazards
• Water Resource Management
• Sociocultural Geography

Our courses reflect the breadth of the discipline, as well as geographical techniques and research methods including digital photogrammetry, remote sensing, soil, and water testing, and geographic information systems (GIS).

As part of the Faculty of Natural Resources Management, our Forestry program will provide you with a background in the biological, social and operational fundamentals of forestry and its relationship to our ecosystems. You will gain the business skills, scientific expertise and practical experience needed to solve modern conservation and sustainability challenges.

Our Honours Bachelor of Science in Forestry shares a common curriculum with the Honours Bachelor of Science in Environmental Management for the first two years.Through a specialization, you will delve deeper into the areas of Forest Management, Forest Health and Protection, or the emerging area of Forest Products and Marketing.

You will be exposed to the high-tech world of modern forest management through the use of GPS/GIS technologies, 3-D visualization, remote sensing with satellite imagery and airborne systems including drone (UAV) technology, and genetic research.

We are nationally accredited by the Canadian Forestry Accreditation Board, meaning you will meet the academic requirements of membership for a number of professional forest associations across Canada. Upon graduation, you will be eligible to receive your Registered Professional Forester (RPD) designation and become a member of the Canadian Institute of Forestry.

Co-op Placement:
During your undergrad you will have the opportunity to participate in our co-operative education program to gain rewarding experiences in the industry and acquire practical skills that go beyond typical fieldwork and research opportunities.

Certification:
Our Honours Bachelor of Forestry degree is nationally accredited by the Canadian Forestry Accreditation Board, meaning you will meet the academic requirements of membership for a number of professional forest associations across Canada. Upon graduation, you will be eligible to receive your Registered Professional Forester (RPD) designation and become a member of the Canadian Institute of Forestry.

As economic and cultural ties between countries continue to make our world smaller, the need to communicate as global citizens is becoming more important. Languages are instruments of discovery. The study of language facilitates communication as well as the understanding of broader cultural and historical contexts that influence the way we live.

As economic and cultural ties between countries continue to make our world smaller, the need to communicate as global citizens is becoming more important. Languages are instruments of discovery. The study of language facilitates communication as well as the understanding of broader cultural and historical contexts that influence the way we live.

By studying in the Department of Languages you will learn:

• Advanced competency in French - reading, writing, and speaking
• Cultural literacy
• Communication skills in a creative learning environment
• Socio-cultural and literary topics from across the globe

It is not necessary for you to be fluent in French prior to enrolment. Our classes are designed to facilitate language development for those at all skill levels as long as admission requirements are met.

Lakehead’s Nursing program creates a supportive learning environment to help you apply a broad range of concepts from the sciences and liberal arts when caring for people of all ages and backgrounds.

You will learn to become an active member of an interprofessional health care team that can meet the needs of society while maximizing healthcare outcomes through communication, health promotion, and health protection strategies.

Our faculty is on the cutting edge of Nursing knowledge and regularly incorporate their research into the classroom with topics related to women's health, the aging process, nursing ethics, nursing care of oncology patients and those with cardiovascular disease, and much more.

Should you plan to work as a Registered Nurse in northern, rural or remote settings,  know that our emphasis on Aboriginal health and wellness will provide you with insight and preparation for these important areas of nursing practice.

Lakehead University offers a Master of Science degree in Psychological Science.

As an exception to the general Master's regulations, applications to this program must be made by December 15.  Only complete applications will be reviewed.
The Master of Science in Psychological Science is a research-intensive program that addresses all areas of psychology including biological, cognitive, and individual and social bases of behaviour. The Psychological Science curriculum is based on an apprenticeship model, which includes flexible core courses that are appropriate to a student's area of research. 

Historians seek to bring the past to life with the understanding that what we know of the past is not static but constantly evolving. The study of history encompasses all aspects of human experience in all parts of the world, and recognizes that the lives of ordinary people are as full of interest and significance as those of famous leaders. Students of history become involved in the process of creating a shared understanding of past events, but also pursue areas of history which are relevant to their own concerns.

Our Master's program specializes in Canadian, European, and World History and offers the option of a Major Research Project/Paper, Course-Work, or Thesis Program. It provides an excellent preparation for further graduate studies at the Ph.D. level.

Biology is the study of plants, animals and the diversity of life in an evolutionary context. As a Biology student you will gain insight into how organisms interact, how genes are inherited, how creatures evolve and much more. Our programs are practical and hands-on with research and fieldwork opportunities in almost every course to enhance in-class learning.

You will be exposed to the central aspects of Biology including:

• Form and Function
• Cell and Molecular Biology
• Genetics
• Evolution
• Biodiversity
• Systematics
• Ecology and Environmental Biology 

You have the freedom to study Biology in a way that suits your career aspirations. You may choose courses that will prepare you to become a professional biologist, or you can combine your biological studies with a major in Chemistry, Geography, Environmental Studies or Outdoor Recreation, Parks & Tourism.

If you are interested in understanding the world around you, and how its functioning can be put into practice in everyday life, join us at Lakehead University.

Our students are exposed to cutting edge knowledge in a wide variety of fields in physics including condensed matter physics, lasers and optical physics, nanotechnology, materials science, medical imaging and mathematical physics to equip them with the knowledge and technical skills needed for successful careers.

Students interested in the physics program at Lakehead University will develop

• Problem solving skills
• Technical skills with a variety of experimental equipment
• Computational skills
• Teamwork

Computer science combines the intellectual challenge of a young discipline with the excitement of an innovative and rapidly expanding technology. Computer science has been an active area at Lakehead University for over 25 years. The department resides in the University's Advanced Technology and Academic Centre (ATAC), a striking building that houses many of the University’s computing activities. Faculty, staff, and students are equipped with state-of-the-art computing facilities including smart lecture rooms, labs, and a variety of computing technologies (e.g. Virtual Reality, Parallel Computing).

The Master's program in computer science provides an opportunity to explore the breadth and depth of advanced knowledge in the discipline. Students benefit from a selection of advanced courses and a chance to pursue research that aligns with their interests and aspirations.

Two program options are available to students; each option maintains a balance between coursework and research:

• Master's by Thesis, which requires fewer courses and involves a more substantial research project
• Master's by Project (2 years), which involves courses aligned with the IT industry needs and also includes a limited research project
• Master's by Course, which involves more courses and includes a limited research component

Co-op Information

• A graduate student will normally be admitted to the co-operative program option after completion of two terms, for a starting date in May. Students are expected to obtain an aggregate of 80% or more and must have taken at least 4 half credit courses (excluding non-credit courses, project and thesis).
• Co-op employment for 8 months (two terms) must be successfully completed to satisfy the co-op requirement for the degree. 
• Students interested in a co-op placement should inform the Department's Co-op Advisor at least four months in advance of the proposed date of the placement (e.g., by late December for placements beginning in May). The Department's decision as to the suitability of each candidate will be based primarily on academic performance.