Bachelor of Arts in Public Policy Studies

at Mount Saint Vincent University Canada

This certificate provides a solid foundation in the field of accounting. It will be of interest to those working in the accounting field and to those with non-business university degrees working in administrative positions.

Political Studies looks at socio-political change, conflict and governance at all levels of society, from the local to the global stage. Political ideas and values mold our society and shape the way we see and think. Political Studies helps you understand why governments make the decisions they do, teaches you to critically evaluate these decisions and allows you to be an informed, active citizen.

Students are also provided with tools essential to creating and implementing policy change. As a Political Studies student, you’ll educate yourself in how political systems work, look at the sources of local, national and international conflict and grapple with current issues in political life. As an example, take a look at some of the work our students have done in the POLS 3310 – American Politics in the Age of Trump – course:

• Pre-Election Predictions Blog POLS 3310 (PDF)
• Presidential Election Results overview POLS 3310 (PDF)
• Elections Post-mortem blog POLS 3310 (PDF)

In our program, we emphasize three important areas of the discipline of political science: Canadian politics (both national and regional), political thought (both classical and contemporary) and international affairs. We encourage our students to sample from all these areas, to help them understand the political significance of globalization.

A graduate degree in Elementary & Middle School education will help you to become a more creative and effective teacher or educational administrator.  In this program, you will focus on curriculum and teaching, discovering how theory affects and informs educational practice. Students can complete an MA or an MEd in Elementary and Middle School Education.

What you will study in Elementary & Middle School Education
Our Master’s programs in Elementary & Middle School Education focus on curriculum in order to help you to become a more effective teacher. You will study the theories that support teaching practices in elementary, middle, and junior high schools focusing on one or more subject areas central to the elementary and middle school curriculum: science, social studies, mathematics, language arts, or French.

Diploma in Tourism and Hospitality Management, you’ll receive in-depth education in the many facets of this booming industry. From planning and marketing to operations, you will learn the skills and knowledge you need to forge a career in a multi-billion dollar global industry.

The diploma program is the ideal choice to acquire specialized knowledge in the tourism and hospitality fields.

• If you have work experience in tourism and hospitality and you want to further your education.
• You already have a bachelor’s degree in another discipline.
• You have completed the Certificate in Tourism and Hospitality program and want to further your tourism education.
• You will receive a thorough understanding of the industry, which will prepare you well for a successful career.

At the Mount, we are aware that the business world is both thought-provoking and diverse. Our program will equip you with the essential leadership skills. These skills will prepare you for your career in business, whether you choose to become an entrepreneur or work in a large corporation, a small business, or a not-for profit organization.

BBA with a Community Leadership Major
The Bachelor of Business Administration with a Community Leadership Major allows you to specialize in community leadership. After completing ten units of introductory coursework, you will then complete the core community sector courses (Introduction to the Community Sector, Community Leadership: People Management, Community Leadership: Governance & Strategy, Not-for-Profit Marketing, Community Financial Management), plus related electives from the Business Administration and Arts and Science programs. You are also able to enroll in the optional co-operative education program.

Biology is the scientific study of past and present life. The Department of Biology offers programs and courses that introduce students to fundamental and specialized biological knowledge and train students in scientific thinking and biological investigation and communication. The BSc Major, Combined Major and major with Honours programs all provide a thorough grounding in the organismal perspective of biology – that is, in the many ways organisms (including humans) make their livings, grow, develop, interact with other organisms and their environments, regulate internal conditions and processes, and reproduce. Required courses in the BSc programs introduce students to the incredible diversity of the animal, plant and microbial worlds and to the unifying disciplines (cell and molecular biology, genetics, biochemistry and metabolism, developmental biology, ecology and evolutionary biology) that indicate descent of all organisms from a common ancestor. All required courses in these programs have laboratory components in which students learn “hands-on” from nature and develop practical lab skills and techniques of data-analysis and written and oral scientific communication. Students in BSc programs acquire specialized knowledge by completing elective biology courses at the 2000-, 3000- and 4000-levels. A student may choose courses that deepen knowledge of a particular group of organisms (plants, animals, humans, microbes or fungi) or follow a recommended path of required and elective courses that should prepare him/her for careers in

• Health, Veterinary and Plant Sciences
• Evolution, Ecology and Environment
• Neuroscience and Biological Psychology
• Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

Consult the department for advice on following one of these paths or see the large poster on the departmental website and bulletin board.

Graduates can pursue careers in the animal and human health professions, environmental sciences, resource and wildlife management, journalism, public relations, library science, biotechnology, epidemiology and public health, education, public service, conservation and research.

Students interested in research can satisfy their curiosity and learn about scientific culture and communication by becoming involved in faculty research. This may take the form of one or more 4000-level courses in directed literature, laboratory or field research extending over a single term or a full academic year (BSc Honours). Alternatively, students may be part time or full-time research assistants.
Regardless of whether you are in a biology or non biology program, the department’s objectives are the same: (1) to include you in our community of biology scholars and to teach you about scientific philosophy and culture; (2) to share up to date fundamental and specialized biological knowledge; (3) to satisfy your personal and career related interests in biology; (4) to develop your analytical, critical and creative intellectual skills; (5) to make you an effective communicator of science; and (6) to develop some degree of personal responsibility for social welfare as it relates to biology.

Students seeking admission to biology programs and courses are advised to have knowledge of basic chemistry and facility in mathematics and oral and written English.
Any student wishing to complete a major, concentration or minor in Biology should consult a faculty member or contact the Centre for Academic Advising and Student Success for help with planning an academic program.

The Family Studies and Gerontology program offers studies in two areas: (1) Gerontology, which focuses study on issues related to aging, and (2) Family Studies, which encompasses a study of individuals and families across the life course. Students are prepared for a variety of careers in the social welfare, aging policy and family support sectors that focus on prevention, support and community development. For example, graduates of this program are employed in family resource centres, transition houses, senior centres, long-term care facilities, and government departments that develop programs and policies related to issues associated with aging individuals and families across the life course.

The combined major degree is intended for those students who wish to gain in-depth knowledge of two disciplines. Students must declare a major or combined major before registering for their sixth unit of coursework. Students who do not make this declaration within this time frame will not be permitted to register for further coursework.

This degree offers a broad background in the humanities, sciences and social sciences and requires completion of 15.0 units. Students intending to complete the general studies degree must declare their intention to do so before they register for their sixth unit of coursework. Students who do not make this declaration within this time frame will not be permitted to register for further coursework.

Chemistry is the study of matter; its composition, the changes it undergoes, and the accompanying changes in energy. Chemistry is often called the “central science”, because a basic understanding of chemistry is essential for the study of subjects like biology, physics and ecology.

The Department of Chemistry at the Mount challenges students to be both analytical and creative. Small class sizes and, in many cases, the opportunity to participate in research prepares undergraduate students for their future endeavours; graduate school, medicine, dentistry or pharmacy, to name a few.

Any student wishing to pursue a major or honours program in chemistry should consult the department Chair, who will appoint an advisor to help the student plan an academic program. The department offers a Bachelor of Science with a major in chemistry and, in cooperation with Dalhousie University, a joint honours degree in chemistry.

Valid WHMIS (Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System) certification is required of all students who wish to take CHEM laboratory courses. WHMIS training sessions will be provided. Please contact your instructor for details.

As a student in one of our graduate programs, you’ll develop a deep and meaningful understanding of the disciplines of communication studies and public relations–the philosophies, the principles, and how these apply to scholarly and professional practice.

Master of Arts (Communication) -This is a thesis-based program. It will prepare you to become a highly-educated communications professional or pursue further research as an exceptional scholar and academic.