Associate of Arts in Family Studies

at Langara College Canada

The Professional Photography program is a two-year diploma offering hands-on, comprehensive training that provides graduates with the skills to achieve success in a career in the photographic industry. Students have access to a wide range of specialized photographic equipment and are supported by faculty and staff representing a diverse range of experience. This program is intensive and provides the opportunity to develop a comprehensive portfolio.

Students will apply technical and artistic skills to practical projects that are typical of the industry. Studio time is provided to complete the assignments and master the skills necessary to succeed in the photographic industry. This is further enhanced by field trips and regular visits from current industry professionals.

Biology is the study of life in all its variety and richness. It includes many aspects of your everyday experiences: your relationships with the environment, the foods you consume, the way your body works. In fact, functioning in the present world without biological knowledge is a distinct handicap, since biological advances are at the forefront of social change.

When you study biology at Langara, you will examine all aspects of living things: from the molecules that make up your cells to entire ecosystems. You will get an excellent grounding in a broad range of biology topics. You will also be able to choose courses in numerous specialties, such as ecology, microbiology, genetics, as you focus more closely on your personal interests and career goals.

Information about the living world and opportunities for Biology graduates have grown rapidly over the last few decades. Your career options will depend on your specific interests and educational focus, but could include research, education, journalism, law, public health, conservation, forensics and much more.  Some biology sectors such as biotechnology and environmental sciences are among the faster growing areas of the Canadian economy.

The Langara Biology Department has a firm commitment to providing the practical aspects of a science education. All our university-transfer Biology courses include 2 or 3 hours of lab or field work per week. We have five well-equipped lab rooms, including a dedicated Microbiology laboratory.  Our excellent team of lab demonstrators has a broad range of biology expertise and is available to assist students in the labs and during office hours. Also, a study space for second year students is available in the Biology lab area for biology students to work independently on assignments and projects throughout the term.

Looking for a meaningful career? Do you care about older adults in your life and community? If so, then you want to be part of the dynamic and growing field of gerontology.

This interdisciplinary program is your gateway to a career in the health and social service sector as a Social Service Worker providing a range of services in the community for older adults and their families.
Combining theory with practice, you will gain specialized knowledge and skills to work with individuals, families, and communities to promote health and resilience throughout the aging process. This program prepares you for employment in the field of gerontology within a wide range of service settings such as: health and wellness, education, recreation, community support, advocacy, residential and palliative care. The gerontology service sector has expressed resounding support for the program and hiring graduates in the future.

The program is structured for full-time studies, although exceptions will be made on a case-by-case basis for students to complete the program on a part-time basis or to enrol in individual courses with permission of the Program Coordinator.
Two of our students were featured in the Co-op Radio show It Takes a Village where they shared their views about the role education in Gerontology and graduates can play in better serving older adults.

In a time of increasing globalization, where human activity is now seen to have far reaching, often adverse, implications for the worlds ecosystems it is essential to have the awareness, knowledge, skill and experience to address these issues.  Environmental understanding, protection and remediation are significant, growing concerns in today’s society.  Environmental Studies at Langara College is an interdisciplinary program within the Department of Interdisciplinary Studies. It draws from four critical study areas - biology, chemistry, english, geography – as well as including a number of specific environmental courses.  Elective courses are chosen from a wide range of subjects to suit a particular student’s interests.  A one-week field school is conducted at the end of the second year

The General Education Diploma is appropriate for students who prefer a diverse selection of courses and do not necessarily plan to undertake university study. Students will gain knowledge in multiple areas of study. Holistically, the program aims to develop critical thinking abilities, strengthen research skills, and introduce a variety of theories. In many job opportunities, post-secondary experience is essential. The two-year Diploma provides students with a foundation of knowledge that will help in broad range of fields.

The animation, visual effects and gaming industry is one of the fastest growing global job sectors. Our two-year intensive diploma program equips students with the skills they need to thrive in this exciting field.

Over the course of 24 months, our students work with industry-standard software and hardware under the instruction and mentorship of industry professionals and animation experts. Students will gain experience in character design, modelling, drawing, environment design, compositing, texturing, rigging, lighting, rendering, game design, level design, and storyboarding.

This in-depth program prepares graduates for a range of roles in the 3D animation, visual effects and gaming industry. Our program runs for six consecutive terms to fast-track you into launching your career, simulating the intensity of working in a real-world production studio. Graduates will exit the program with a diploma from one of BC’s most respected public colleges and a professional portfolio and demo reel.

Our Partner
The Centre for Arts and Technology has been running their 2D and 3D animation programs for 20 years, fine-tuning their program to keep pace with industry expectations. We are proud to offer their program curriculum at Langara.

With the opportunity to explore and design your own academic program, your studies will culminate in a two-year Associate of Science Degree. You will have the opportunity to choose your specialization areas and tailor the curriculum to your needs. The emphasis is on developing a deeper insight into multiple disciplines, all while building lab skills, field techniques and the ability to analyse data. With a solid foundation in the sciences, these studies will lead seamlessly into further academic studies.

In many job opportunities, post-secondary experience is essential. The Associate of Science Degree provides students with a foundation of knowledge that will help in a broad range of fields. The two-year program leads into further academic study

Family Studies is a two-year program for students interested in the nature of long-term relationships to further career and/or personal objectives. Students can achieve either a Diploma in Family Studies or an Associate of Arts Degree with a concentration in Family Studies. The program's interdisciplinary approach provides students with a variety of interpretations of the concept of family from the Social Sciences and Humanities. The core courses set the stage for this exploration by offering sociological, psychological, philosophical, literary and historical perspectives on families in Canada and elsewhere. Guest speakers from academia and related professions enhance the core courses by providing innovative analyses and experiential accounts. Each of the required and elective courses adds to an understanding of the complex issues surrounding the social construction of family. The Family Studies program at Langara College is unique in the B.C. College system.

The four Langara College programs in Health Sciences offer an interdisciplinary approach to the study of health, illness, and disease in human communities. Health is one of the largest employment sectors in the country, and is anticipated to grow at a faster than average rate. Employment options are diverse, and extend far beyond serving as doctors or nurses.  Upon successful completion, students of Health Sciences programs will have gained a strong basic background in this rapidly changing field.

Students may pursue programs in either an Arts or Science stream, and earn a Diploma or an Associate Degree. After completing an Associate degree program, students may continue their studies at Simon Fraser University’s Faculty of Health Sciences or the University of Victoria’s Health & Community Services program, transferring seamlessly into third year studies.

 Students may also transfer the Diploma or Associate Degree to university in order to pursue a Bachelor’s Degree in Health Science or in a related discipline.

The Digital Music Production Program is an intensive, one-year full-time certificate program designed for the modern independent music producer and composer to work in recordings, film, TV, gaming, advertising and multimedia.

With their own mobile production studio and industry-standard music production software, students will develop a wide range of skills and gain hands-on experience in a home studio as well as professional recording studio environment. Program elements include:

• Electronic Music Production: Students will compose and construct original compositions and remixes with Ableton Live, Logic Pro, ProTools, and some of the leading 'soft synths' in the industry. 
• Music Theory: Developing your craft as a music creator involves a dedicated effort to understanding how music is composed and structured. It is essential to speak the language of music in order to communicate with other musicians. Our theory courses are designed to provide a strong foundation for DJs, film, television, and game composers, music producers and songwriters.
• Recording and Studio Engineering: A core focus of the program, students will be introduced to the theory and practice of the professional recording arts. They will understand how music is recorded at a professional level, both in commercial studios and on their mobile setups. Students will learn ProTools with a certified ProTools Instructor.
• Mixing and Mastering Music: All modern music recordings have been mixed and mastered for mass distribution, and students will learn a detailed professisonal approach to the technical and artistic aspects of each.
• Composing for Film/Mixed Media/Advertising: Learning how to compose music for mixed media and trans-media projects can offer significant career opportunities in the industry. 
• Music Business and Career Planning:  This career-focused class offers students the core skills required to navigate the creative industries they will be working within upon graduation. Topics include legal aspects of the music business, marketing and promotion, distribution, understanding social media, and website creation.