Master of Arts in Sociology (Course-Based)

at Lakehead University - Thunder Bay Campus Canada

Bioinformatics is the application of information technology to the field of molecular biology. As a relatively new area of study, we are one of the very few universities in Canada that offer this program from year one. 

Our Department of Bioinformatics integrates tools and theories from several disciplines including:

• Mathematics
• Computer Science
• Biology
• Chemistry
• Physics 

Whether designing a new life-saving drug, decoding a genome sequence or developing algorithms to analyze medical images, Bioinformaticians solve problems that arise from the analysis of biological data. As a student skilled in Bioinformatics, you will be at the forefront of this newly emerging field which has a widespread impact on the way we approach important global issues and topics including healthcare and sustainability.

You will gain the necessary education and training in all of the component fields and insight into:

• the complex interactions of living systems
• big data collection and analysis
• the physical and chemical nature of the environment
• building descriptive models based on biological data
• theoretical biology

Our program is well-rounded and small in size allowing for one-on-one interaction with educators and many research opportunities. Additionally, we maintain close relationships with local knowledge-based businesses and organizations which contribute to unique course content and job opportunities post-graduation.

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

Our Geoarchaeology program is truly unique, and one of the few offered in North America. Our location in Northwestern Ontario, among diverse landscapes, soils, and natural features, makes Lakehead University a great place to study the hands-on discipline. 

The program is a collaboration between the departments of Anthropology, Geography, and Geology, and focuses on applying the concepts and methods in these fields to interpret artifacts left behind by ancient societies. 

You will explore very diverse topics, related to humankind and Earth, including: 

• Archaeological Site Formation 
• Physical and Natural Science 
• Ancient Cultures 
• Geographic Information Systems (GIS) 
• Human Evolution 

If you are inquisitive and enjoy being outdoors and learning about different cultures, Geoarchaeology is the program for you. You will have opportunities to immerse yourself in adventure and discovery with training in the field, access to cutting-edge laboratory facilities, and research collaboration with faculty members.

Our Department of Chemistry offers a graduate program that provides students with diverse opportunities across the subdisciplines of analytical, biochemical, inorganic, organic, and physical chemistry. Students who successfully complete the program will achieve a Master of Science (M.Sc.) degree.

The specific research interests of our full-time and adjunct faculty members include:

• Electrochemistry and surface analysis
• Material science
• Pulp and paper research
• Organometallic chemistry and catalysis
• Organic synthesis
• Aqueous silicon chemistry
• Photochemistry
• Environmental and medicinal chemistry

It normally takes two years to complete the program requirements, which include term courses that are tailored to meet the student's needs and interests; a research-based thesis project supervised by one or more of the faculty members; and two Departmental research seminars.

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

The Lakehead Advantage
Our diverse course content, combined with an intimate learning environment, provides a comprehensive education in classic and contemporary government, law, and politics, as well as highly developed writing, research and analytical skills.

If you are thinking about applying to law school in the future, consider taking our specialized Pre-Law Program. It is designed to introduce you to the study of law by emphasizing subject matter related to the legal process, in addition to politics. Graduates from this program are regularly accepted to excellent law schools.

The Master of Business Administration (MBA) program at Lakehead University is a general degree designed to prepare students for success in a wide range of careers in management. 

We now offer two MBA program options.

• The MBA is a 12–month (3 terms, full time) general degree designed to prepare students for success in a wide range of careers in management. 
• The MBA with Advanced Studies in Management is a 16-month (4 terms, full time) degree that enables students to supplement the core MBA content with specialized courses in a range of areas. 

The two versions of the program help students to develop a comprehensive and integrated knowledge of business and management functions and a deeper understanding of the business environment. Students develop analytical, decision-making, and communication skills and enhance their abilities to examine ethical considerations in business. This program achieves these goals through intensive and stimulating lectures, energetic class discussions, contemporary and relevant case studies, and experiential learning projects. 

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 
• Resource Allocation 
• Decision-Making 

You will also gain a marketable edge through field and specialty courses focused on labour, natural resources and industrial organization 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.

The MSc in Civil Engineering satisfies the demand in academia and industry for highly-qualified personnel in the field of Civil Engineering.

The MSc in Civil Engineering satisfies the demand for highly-qualified personnel in the field of Civil Engineering. This demand is fueled by the requirements to maintain an aging infrastructure and to maintain and develop natural resources with minimal environmental impact to natural systems.  Sustainability and structural durability and the impact of climate change on civil engineering works have become increasingly important challenges in the field of civil engineering.

This program offers students the opportunity for advanced study and the development of independent research abilities in the discipline areas of construction, environmental, geotechnical and geoenvironmental, rock, structural, transportation and water resources engineering.  Students will have the opportunity to conduct advanced study in emerging areas such as:  intelligent construction equipment management and computer-integrated construction engineering; electrokinetic ground improvement and remediation;  rockburst dynamics and dynamic stability of structures;   structural fire engineering;  structural health monitoring and structural dynamics;  and studies on multiphase jets and plumes and dynamics of complex fluids.  The program requirements are achieved through a combination of course work and research towards the completion of a thesis.

Several laboratories are equipped to support the broad range of advanced experimental research, including a new state-of-the-art Structural Fire Testing and Research Laboratory. This world-class facility has a large fire testing furnace that allows study of the fire resistance of various large-scale building components, such as beams, columns and floor assemblies.

Research areas include the following:

• Construction Engineering: Automated construction performance monitoring; Intelligent data collection systems; Greenhouse gas emission reduction in construction; Innovative methods for construction in cold regions.
• Environmental Engineering: Water and wastewater treatment; Cold regions environmental engineering.
• Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering: Electrokinetic ground improvement; Durability of cement-based concrete; Electrokinetic remediation; Hydrogeological and contaminant transport monitoring and analysis; Waste containment barriers; Hazardous waste site characterization.
• Rock Engineering:  Rock mechanics and mining engineering; Tunnelling and underground excavations; Landslides and open pit slopes; Rockburst dynamics; Structural reliability; Dynamic stability of structures.
• Structural Engineering: Fire resistance testing of steel, concrete and heavy timber structures; Finite element modelling of structural components subjected to fire; Performance-based design of structures; Building fire and smoke computer modelling; Health monitoring and rehabilitation of civil engineering structures under natural or man-made excitations; Structural dynamics; Vibration and control; Sensors and sensing technology; Earthquake engineering; Experimental studies of steel connections.
• Transportation Engineering: Design, operational and safety performance evaluation of transportation systems including intersection analysis, capacity analysis, transportation safety studies, transportation software applications and pavement performance.
• Water Resources Engineering: Experimental and numerical investigations on hydraulic structures; Experimental and numerical studies on multiphase flows; Investigations on non-Newtonian and complex fluids; River modelling; Hydrologic systems analysis and investigations; Drought analysis; Drainage and irrigation systems analysis; Flow through porous media analysis.

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.

The course-based Master of Science in Kinesiology is a program for those that are interested in undertaking a more applied, evidence-based pathway that will add value to their credentials both academically and experientially.  The program provides professional training, clinical skills upgrading, and research opportunities for current and future practitioners of Kinesiology.

The combination of online and on-campus courses gives students the option to live in Thunder Bay or to live in an alternate location and attend the Thunder Bay campus to complete the practical courses.  This distance-friendly MSc degree offers students the opportunity to study from home and still engage with professors and peers.  The format of course delivery may also allow students to maintain employment while completing their studies. 

Please note that when applying you will be asked to provide three references. Two of these should be academic and one should be a professional reference.