Bachelor of Arts in Women Studies

at Mount Saint Vincent University Canada

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.

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.

Management
You will gain the knowledge and experience necessary to manage businesses, non-profit and public sector organizations. To earn a BBA with a management major, you must complete a total of six full units of management courses in your degree program. If you plan on earning professional designations in management, you may want to complete a major in management, rather than a minor. The more management courses you complete, the greater the chances of getting course exemptions in post-grad professional studies.

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.

The objective of the certificate is to give the student a basic introduction to the concepts of business administration.

Learn how to determine an organization’s human resource needs and guide both employees and management through the internal and external demands of an ever-changing environment we all must operate within with a major, concentration, or minor in Human Resource Management. You can choose this specialty area within the Bachelor of Business Administration degree at Mount Saint Vincent University.

This specialty area of study provides relevant knowledge in the areas of human resource management strategy, recruitment, training and development, compensation management, labour relations, managing diversity, organizational topics, organizational behaviour, values in a business society, international human resource development, and organizational change.
A sample of courses offered include human resource management, Organizational Behaviour, Labour Relations, Strategic Compensation, Managing Diversity: Gender and Other Issues, Recruitment and Selection, Strategic Human Resource Development, International Human Resource Management.

A specialty in human resource management can prepare you for many career opportunities. The list of positions job is extensive. Examples include human resource consultant, human resource executive or manager, training and development officer, organizational development manager, payroll specialist, labour relations officer, human resources recruiter, talent acquisition manager and any multitude of jobs that require strategic input from a human resource professional that can help plan, direct, and coordinate the administrative functions of an organization.

As you pursue a graduate degree in Literacy Education, you’ll develop advanced skills to help you meet the complex demands of fostering literacy learning in schools, in community sites, and in a variety of workplaces from corporate offices to arts and not-for-profit organizations.

Professional Skills
Our Master’s programs will help you develop the knowledge and skills you need to become an educator in literacy education. Whether you want to pursue a career as a classroom teacher or an educator outside the traditional classroom, we can help you develop the background and professional skills you need.

Educational Psychology is the study of the mental processes that allow people to learn—to acquire new knowledge and develop new skills. As you pursue a graduate degree in Educational Psychology, you will develop a deep understanding of the ways that people learn—the processes that allow us to acquire new information, and to develop new skills. This knowledge will help you to become a more effective educator.

The Mount's Cultural Studies program is the only degree program of its kind to be offered in Eastern Canada. In this program, you will study the nature and criticism of culture in its multiple forms and expressions, including literature, film, visual art, and popular culture. This interdisciplinary program fosters inquiry into the social and political conditions in which thought and expression take place. Forms of cultural expression such as films, literature, and paintings are thus analyzed both as texts and as practices in context. 

Our thesis-based, interdisciplinary Master of Arts degree is offered cooperatively by Mount Saint Vincent University and Saint Mary’s University. At Mount Saint Vincent University, the program is offered through out Department of Women's Studies. As a student in this program, you’ll have the opportunity to work with faculty and graduate students at both. Your studies in feminist and gender theory may be engaged in media and literature; community and society; law, politics and social justice; health and the body; sexuality and gender; race, ethnicity and class; history; education; and many more aspects of our everyday lives. Learn more about the program »

Meaningful Research
To earn your Master of Arts in Women and Gender Studies (MA WGS), you will complete six graduate courses and a thesis.  Your thesis will allow you to research and explore a topic that relates to a focused area within the field of women and gender studies. You will work closely with your supervisor—a faculty member at either university—to develop your thesis topic, and to research and write your thesis.

The Department of Women’s Studies at the Mount is home to the Nancy’s Chair in Women’s Studies. Endowed by well-known Toronto-based feminist and philanthropist Nancy Ruth, the Chair raises awareness of women's issues by bringing to campus distinguished scholars in women's studies and activists who have contributed to the advancement of women. As a graduate student in Women & Gender Studies, you may have the opportunity to participate in Nancy’s Chair research initiatives. Each year, a limited number of paid research assistantships are available to graduate students.

If you want to change things in the present, it helps to know how people changed things in the past. History examines all aspects of recorded human experience (social relations, cultural expressions, political events, economic activities) and seeks to understand how the thoughts, actions, emotions and habits of people have changed over time.

History courses are designed to meet the needs and interests of various students: those who choose to take one or two courses as electives or as part of their program in another course of study; those who decide to minor in the field of history; and those who register to do a concentration, major, or honours degree in history. Courses are offered primarily in the areas of European, North American, and World history with an emphasis on the theme of women’s history. Certain courses adopt a comparative perspective. Many may be taken to fulfill requirements in women’s studies, Canadian studies, cultural studies, peace and conflict studies, and child and youth studies.

Tourism is the world’s largest service industry and the second largest industry overall. At Mount, we know that tourism is about hotels, restaurants, and resorts, but it does not stop there! It is also about customer engagement, adventure tour companies, destination planning and marketing, and boutique inns – creating experiences and memories that last a lifetime. Careers in tourism and hospitality are available locally and around the world. Here in Nova Scotia, the tourism and hospitality industry is an exciting, vibrant and rapidly growing sector. Students in our program benefit from small class sizes, flexible learning options, experiential learning, and faculty who have a wide range of research interests and industry experience.

Over the four years, you study for a Bachelor of 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.

There is a growing need for university-educated professionals in the tourism and hospitality industry. With Mount’s Bachelor of Tourism & Hospitality Management program, you will get a strong foundation in business while you learn about tourism development and hospitality management. You will graduate with a thorough understanding of the key areas of the industry.

You must complete 20 units of academic course work and three co-operative education work experiences. If you have previous industry-related experience and are admitted to the work experience route, you must complete 20 units of academic course work and two work experience terms as part of your program. You will be required to maintain a minimum GPA of 2.0 in 8 units of required courses including 4 units of tourism and hospitality electives. You must also meet all requirements for co-operative education to graduate.