Associate of Science in Science (General)

at Langara College Canada

Langara College has a comprehensive selection of psychology offerings. Our courses range from surveys of fundamental concepts to in-depth investigations of human behavior. Topics include: how psychologists conduct their research; the role of the brain; memory and thinking processes; lifespan development; social, family, and cultural influences, and; psychological disorders, psychotherapies, and related health issues.

Canadian Studies is a program for those who seek a deeper understanding and appreciation of our society, its origins, unique character and problems. The program's core courses provide critical perspectives on the major issues and controversies that mark contemporary Canada. A wide range of related courses that promote understanding of the origins and workings of Canadian society can be elected.

Core courses are interdisciplinary, drawing lecturers from several disciplines who discuss or debate a subject from their special perspectives. Non-core courses may be selected from many areas. Canadian Studies tackles controversial issues, like racism, emerging women's roles, problems of working life, First Nations' concerns, Quebec separatism and American domination.

We have published authors in both academic and creative areas, but with our small classes and dedication to the needs of individual students, instruction has always been our department’s priority.

The English Department offers you reading and writing skills which will help you to:

• Enter a profession or trade career with practical communication skills
• Arrive at the university with experience and training in academic writing 
• Navigate future career opportunities which you haven't yet thought about
• Critically explore current society which will be interesting in its own right
• Help you to be a more engaged doctor, nurse, teacher or business person 
• Be an aware and critical citizen

We offer courses in the following areas:

• Literature: Most of our courses have a strong literature component because we are convinced that an appreciation for literature will not only open your mind to explore the various forms and genres of literature but also enable you to gain insights into the human condition. Whether you are confronted with the ever-changing world of technical innovation or the daily pressures of life, literature can provide models for reflection and action. 
• Creative Writing: Some of our faculty are published and acclaimed authors and editors. They will share their talents with you in creative writing classes that explore creative writing in workshop situations.
• Communications: Learn to express yourself professionally in the workplace in our communications courses. Whether you are fulfilling a degree requirement (for the BBA) or want to upgrade your communications skills, the presentation skills we teach you will contribute to your future success. Furthermore, the discussion of moral dilemmas as they occur in the workplace is a favourite feature of our communications courses.
• ESL & Academic Preparation: Whether you are a recent immigrant and non-native speaker or a native speaker who feels the need to upgrade your English skills, our ESL & Academic Preparation courses will bring your reading and writing skills up to speed in order to go on to our university transfer courses. Our academic preparation courses have especially small class sizes (20 students max) that allow the instructors to work very closely with you to improve your English skills.

The Kinesiology Program (formerly Human Kinetics) at Langara College is a two-year university-transfer program that allows students to continue toward the completion of a university degree in disciplines such as kinesiology, physical education, human kinetics, or other interdisciplinary studies.

The Kinesiology Program requirements may be met through part-time or full-time study. A wide selection of first and second-year courses are offered in the fall and spring semesters and select courses are also offered during the summer semester. Students may begin their studies in any of the three semesters.

First and second-year topics include:

• Exercise physiology
• Functional anatomy
• Motor learning and control
• Sport psychology
• Sports medicine
• Biomechanics
• Fitness and training
• Growth and development
• Health and lifestyles
• Leisure and sport studies

Collecting large amounts of biological data is becoming easier and more affordable and as a result biology has become a data science. Examples of biological data include genetic sequences, genomes, epigenomes, proteomes, metabalomes and microbiomes. These large data sets require specialized and powerful computational and statistical tools for analysis. Bioinformatics is an interdisciplinary science that applies computational and statistical methods to biological information in order to make new discoveries and to solve complex biological problems.

The discovery of thousands of disease-causing genes since the completion of the Human Genome Project in 2003 exemplifies the power of early bioinformatics methods. Bioinformatics tools are now routinely used to study the underlying cause of disease and to find more effective treatments as well as to study biological patterns and develop biological and chemical models.

Our Advanced Game Technology program is designed to provide you with all the skills needed to pursue a career in programming for video games. You will be given a full introduction to all aspects of the game development process, after which you will dive into the amazing depths of the technology behind video games. This program is designed for students with a background in programming and will prepare them to move into a career as a programmer in the interactive entertainment or simulation industries.

Leveraging the strength of the curriculum and new facilities in the heart of Vancouver's animation district at the Centre of Entertainment Arts, the Continuing Studies Diploma in Advanced Game Technology supports students through a two-year, full-time program that allows students to dive deep into topics such as game programming, engine programming and network programming.

The Diploma in Food, Nutrition, and Health Transfer is a limited enrolment program, developed in collaboration with UBC. Graduates of this program will receive acceptance to the Land and Food Systems Faculty and be eligible to apply to the 3rd year of the dietetics degree program. The diploma provides the first two years of Arts and Sciences prerequisite courses for the Dietetics Major at UBC, and completing this diploma may improve a student’s chances for admission.

The Food, Nutrition and Health Transfer program is a second year entry program, to which students apply after completing the 10 courses listed in the Admission Criteria tab.  Applications received without these courses completed will not be processed.  If you have questions – please contact the Primary Contact listed above.

The Diploma in Food, Nutrition, and Health Transfer Program has rigorous admission criteria. To remain in this program students have 4 years to complete the required curriculum, and must maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0. The application criteria include a resume, showing Canadian work and/or volunteer experience that demonstrates commitment to dietetics as a career choice. This mirrors the requirements to UBC’s dietetic program, and can include:

• involvement in activities related to food and nutrition;
• experience in institutional foodservices and/or in a health care environment;
• activities involving direct exposure to and interaction with dietitians; and
• certificates related to food and nutrition.

Those students who are unable to maintain the cumulative GPA of 3.0, or are unable to complete the diploma requirements in 4 years, will not be able to continue in the Diploma in Food, Nutrition, and Health Transfer Program. Instead, they have the option of transferring to the Associate of Science in Food and Nutrition Program or the Diploma in Nutrition and Food Service Management Program.

Please note, admission to the Dietetics Major is competitive and admission is not guaranteed. While students who complete the Diploma in Food, Nutrition, and Health Transfer receive automatic acceptance to the Land and Food Systems Faculty at UBC, and this places them in a better situation, there is still an application process for one of the limited number of seats at UBC. 

Students who plan on applying to UBC’s Dietetic program should understand that their application to Dietetics has to happen after they get accepted to the Food, Nutrition and Health Program. The Dietetics program also requires that you complete 2 courses through UBC non-degree studies - FNH 200 and LFS 250 - and that these are completed before the application to dietetics is made. It is recommended to begin the process to complete these courses early, as it can be hard to get a seat in the courses.

If you're looking for some new ways of looking at the world, if you want something fresh, challenging or relevant - try Women's Studies. Critical theories based on lived experiences, diverse global perspectives, an interdisciplinary approach - all these can help you make sense of a complex world.

The interdisciplinary Women's Studies Program at Langara is designed to introduce you to a diversity of perspectives on women's histories, contemporary experiences, analyses and movements for change. Women's Studies builds on evolving knowledge and methodologies to integrate the many forms of feminist scholarship and activism. The core courses provide a thorough overview of critical concepts for understanding how change in and maintenance of the status quo impact the lives of women personally and collectively, locally and globally. Through course content and teaching methodologies, Women's Studies focuses on the concerns and experiences of those women traditionally outside the scope of mainstream thought, and therefore makes visible a wide range of female experience. This 'centering the margins' is part of our ongoing commitment to broaden and deepen understandings of gender.

Langara College's Creative Writing program explores poetry, prose, fiction, non-fiction, and stageplay. In a reading and writing-rich environment, you will be challenged to express yourself through different voices as you study a variety of forms and techniques.

Philosophy is the discipline which develops the ability to think clearly about fundamental questions, including those that frequently lie at the root of other disciplines. Philosophy asks questions about the nature of knowledge, reality, truth, consciousness, freedom, moral obligation, aesthetic value, happiness, justice, and virtue--questions asked by those who seek to understand themselves, their society, and their world. We welcome students who are interested in questions of this order.