Master of Arts in Economics (Co-op Optional)

at Lakehead University - Thunder Bay Campus Canada

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. This feature is unique to Lakehead University and provides you with an impressive professional advantage.

Are you interested in a Bachelor of Science, but feeling uncertain as to which program is right for you? Lakehead Science One allows you to explore a range of disciplines from the Faculty of Science and Environmental Studies without having to select a particular major until the end of your first year.

University is a time for exploration – Lakehead Science One allows you to take a mix of different courses throughout your first year to uncover your true passion. You will have the opportunity to choose courses from a variety of science-based disciplines including:

• Anthropology
• Biology
• Chemistry
• Computer Science
• Economics
• Environmental Studies
• Geoarchaeology
• Geology
• Mathematics
• Physics
• Water Resource Science 

To compliment this flexibility, you will also meet with a dedicated advisor who will help you discover your interests and career goals, and majors that suit your aspirations. Additionally, our Department holds workshops on exploring program options, and monthly coffee talks with faculty members to learn more about your options.

As you near the end of your first year at Lakehead University, you will be ready to confidently select the program and major that is best suited to you.

Lakehead Advantage
Our Faculty of Science and Environmental Studies is small and comprehensive, creating ample opportunity to access professors and teaching assistants and benefit from the intimate and interactive learning environment. We enjoy helping you find your passion as a student, and shape your future as a prospective graduate.

In addition to your dedicated advisor, you will benefit from regular Strong Interest Inventory Assessments to gain insight into potential career paths, monthly workshops and coffee talks with faculty members from different programs, a meet-and-greet with the Chair of your chosen program, and assistance in developing your first year schedule. We are very invested in your success and we will do what it takes to ensure you are confidently moving toward a bright future as a Lakehead University graduate.

Our Natural Science program is within the Department of Biology, yet does not require Chemistry and Mathematics prerequisites and contains less theory-based courses when compared to our traditional Biology programs. If you wish to apply, and acquire a basic knowledge of Biology, without pursuing the "career-scientist" route, Natural Science is for you. 

Following the completion of your Natural Science studies, you will: 

• Understand the basic principles of life systems and biological diversity 
• Demonstrate a high level of biological literacy 
• Understand the role and relationship of organisms in the environment 
• Exhibit advanced critical thinking and reflective experience skills 

Our program emphasizes field biology, and integrates many experiential learning opportunities including lab work and research internships. Each year you will have the flexibility to choose electives from other Faculties to supplement your Biology education, and gain a well-rounded and multidisciplinary understanding of living organisms and the environment. Careers in Outdoor Recreation often require individuals to have a basic biology knowledge. This program will enable you to obtain this training, and combine your Natural Science degree with an Honours Bachelor of Outdoor Recreation.

In the Master of Public Health with Specialization in Nursing degree, students will focus on current issues in the science and/or service of public health, so that they may gain experience through opportunities in any of the fundamental disciplines that underlie public health. The program is primarily intended to prepare graduates for a career in public health practice.The program's objectives are to prepare a graduate who:

• Possesses advanced health-related education
• Is capable of critical analysis
• Understands health-related decision-making at the level of the individual, population, and government
• Understands research
• Possesses knowledge exchange and dissemination strategies for individuals, populations, and government

The degree is designed to take into consideration the learner's needs including the unique opportunity to individualize his/her clinical courses to a variety of foci: clinical practice, administration, education, and community health.

The program is delivered using a unique blend of on-campus and distance technology: content is delivered using the University's online distance education course management system (Desire2Learn/D2L), and web conferencing. Students attend lectures via web conferencing; lectures are recorded and archived to accommodate time zones and working schedules. There is no requirement to attend on campus. Web conferencing helps to build relationships with faculty and foster a sense of belonging to an active and engaged graduate student community.

A three year Earth Science Major program is offered at Lakehead University. This program is the preferred choice of students who want only a three year degree in one of the sciences, or students who plan to combine their Earth Science degree with another degree to reach their employment goals. The second degree could be a one year degree in Education (teaching), a degree in business (leading to work in the resource based financial sector), or a multitude of other possibilities. The three year Earth Science Major provides the flexibility to obtain a degree in Earth Science in the shortest time possible and move on to your next goal.

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. 

Indigenous Learning is an interdisciplinary, cross-cultural department open to both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal students. Borrowing from subjects including history, geography, anthropology and sociology, this program will examine societal structures and the ways the Indigenous population relates to mainstream populations in Canada.

Throughout our programs we aim to enhance your awareness of Aboriginal life experiences, culture and political issues. We focus on the current reality of Aboriginal Peoples as opposed to the traditional, anthropological approach. While history is a component of your Indigenous Learning studies, it will be within the context of lived implications in order to challenge assumptions and mistaken understandings about Aboriginal Peoples.

As a student you will learn:

• Archival research
• Census data analysis
• Cultural awareness
• Government record analysis
• Critical thinking skills
• Written and oral testimony and communications

Our Indigenous Learning programs attract local students and learners from Southern Ontario, Quebec, the United States and as far away as Saudi Arabia and Norway. Due to our focus on experiential learning, the diversity of the student population helps to provide a broadly-based classroom experience and foster cross-cultural compassion.

Chemistry is often referred to as the "central science" as it focuses on the behaviour of matter and the basic substance of which all matter is composed. From harnessing Earth's mineral resources, to developing cosmetics and pharmaceuticals, the value and application of chemistry is unparalleled.

As a Chemistry student, you will have the opportunity to explore various areas within the discipline, such as:

• Analytical Chemistry
• Biochemistry
• Inorganic Chemistry
• Medical Chemistry
• Organic Chemistry
• Polymer Chemistry
• Physical Chemistry
• Theoretical Chemistry 

Our Department of Chemistry is well-equipped for both teaching and research, with small class sizes to ensure you have the support necessary to succeed. In addition to faculty expertise, you will have access to a number of modern research instruments housed in our advanced facilities including the Lakehead University Instrumentation Lab.

Due to the interdisciplinary nature of Chemistry, we encourage you to pursue your interests in the field and the other core sciences. In addition to your Chemistry degree, you may combine your studies with a degree in Biology and/or Education, or a Specialization in Medical Sciences.

Mathematics seeks hidden patterns that help us to understand life and the complex problems that surround us. This discipline of numbers, quantity, and space can be applied to many fields and industries, from Life Science to Finance.

As a student in our Department of Mathematics, you will develop advanced analytical and critical thinking skills in addition to:

• Research techniques 
• Scholarly writing proficiency
• Comprehensive understanding of mathematical structures
• Mathematical proof formulation and solution skills

Mathematics is a very diverse and intellectually stimulating field of study. In addition to our traditional Mathematics programs, we offer Mathematical Physics and the flexibility to combine your Mathematics degree with a degree in Education, Economics, or Physics. You will benefit from our small class sizes, world-class faculty, unique research opportunities, and the ability to pursue mathematical topics you find most appealing.

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.

Physics is the study of how matter and energy interact in our everyday lives. Our experienced teachers and researchers will provide you with hands-on training that emphasizes problem solving, and the most advanced technology and mathematical methods.

As a Physics student, you will be exposed to cutting-edge information on the following topics:

• Mechanics and Gravitation
• Lasers and Optics
• Electricity and Magnetism
• Quantum Mechanics
• Solid State Physics
• Medical Physics

Our program fulfills a broad, comprehensive understanding of the basic laws of Nature. We encourage a multidisciplinary education and the flexibility to combine your Physics degree with a Co-operative Education option, or additional studies in Mathematics, Geology, Biomedical Physics and Education.