Bachelor of Arts and Science in Climate and Environment (Co-op Optional)

at St. Francis Xavier University Canada

Students in the StFX Philosophy Department are taught by Plato, Aristotle, Augustine, Thomas Aquinas, René Descartes, David Hume, Immanuel Kant and all great philosophical minds. The goal, however, is not merely to learn what the philosophers have said but to learn the truth and a wisdom by which we ought to live our lives. Great minds do not think alike, but they are the best guides for our own independent thinking.

WHY STUDY PHILOSOPHY AT STFX?
Professors in this department view teaching and research as their primary academic mission. The department has special strengths in the history of philosophy, especially ancient and mediaeval philosophy. As well, the department has strong offerings in ethics, theory of rights, and political philosophy; it offers advanced instruction in areas such as biomedical ethics.

In Religious Studies, students analyze fundamental questions relating to the meaning of human existence. The program provides a strong basis for compassionate global citizenship and global cultural literacy. It interests students associated with a particular religious tradition, and those with no formal religious traditions.

WHY STUDY RELIGIOUS STUDIES AT STFX?
The StFX Religious Studies Department is growing and, in addition to traditional courses, offers you innovative studies covering topics that range from the paranormal to cults and new religious movements.

You learn from dedicated faculty who also work in the areas of ethics and religion and health, who have extensive knowledge in the study of mindfulness, and who bring a strong ability to work in primary languages and a series of modern languages.

Students have presented research papers at the Congress of the Social Sciences and Humanities, and have opportunity to enroll in a one-of-a-kind course offered in cooperation with Gampo Abbey that includes one week residential study at this Buddhist monastery on Cape Breton Island.

Psychology is the scientific study of thoughts, feelings, and behaviour. At StFX, students are taught by active research psychologists studying both human and animal behaviour. Studying psychology at StFX will give you an understanding of the ways that psychological scientists apply their knowledge to solve problems in the real world.

WHY STUDY PSYCHOLOGY AT STFX?
The StFX Psychology Department is led by a team of professors and lab instructors with varying perspectives on behaviour, development, health, social relationships, mental processing, and culture. As a psychology student at StFX, you will have opportunities to gain first-hand experience with psychological research in our lab courses and by working with your professors, lab instructors, and senior honours students. Many of our courses also have service learning options enabling you to apply your knowledge in community settings. In our program, you will receive a foundation in basic psychological science and the opportunity to choose from a wide selection of courses that give you a depth of knowledge in various fields, including forensic, gender, developmental, social and personality, abnormal, cultural, biopsychology, and health, with several courses available in each field. 

The first degree program of its kind at StFX, the Bachelor of Arts and Science in Health is true to its name: a program for students interested in the ever-broadening field of health, including scientific, social and humanistic dimensions. Students in the BASc in Health will take courses in a wide range of disciplines and have the opportunity to focus on either the Biomedical or Social Determinants and Health Equity field as they customize their degree. Additionally, all students will complete courses in Health Humanities – a unique feature of the degree at StFX – a growing and recognized facet of the health landscape that is integral to health problem-solving in the 21st Century.

In Computer Science (CS), students are offered a well-rounded education in the scientific foundations of information and computation together with practical techniques for the implementation of these foundations, applicable to almost every facet of life, through an intensive, hands-on approach.

There are many sub areas (e.g., artificial intelligence, databases, game development, cyber security, graphics, high performance computing, big data, networking, programming languages, robotics, etc.) within the broader discipline of CS, with new areas such as health informatics and the internet of things being created as the discipline evolves.

Why study Computer Science at StFX?
Here, you learn directly from professors, not teaching assistants, who are accomplished scholars -- many that hold National Sciences and Engineering Research Council grants and are very active in research. Together, they provide an education that prepares students well for the opportunities and challenges of the information age whether they wish to go directly into a career, go on to further studies at the graduate level, or go into an education program.

Whether you’re interested in getting your Bachelor of Education or pursuing graduate work, our programs will prepare you to take your place in front of any classroom, anywhere in the world.

Our faculty is dedicated to helping prepare those with a passion for teaching by combining theory and practice to prepare you for the classroom. We make sure you are job-ready by exposing you to a range of electives, from literacy to music to computers, and doing so in a personalized way.

Our two-year B.Ed. program integrates teaching, research and service within an innovative learning environment. You’ll learn from professors who are themselves accomplished educators. B.Ed. students get the opportunity to get hands-on experience teaching abroad in their second year. Our students have done their practicum in destinations including Norway, Australia, Kenya, Iceland and Scotland.

As a StFX Human Kinetics student, you will pursue a four-year integrated program that focuses on human body movement from a variety of perspectives (athletic therapy, biomechanics, disability, exercise physiology, gender, growth, health, history, motor control, philosophy, physical education, sociology, psychology).

You will be well-prepared after graduation to enter the work force or apply to professional programs and medical school, or pursue graduate studies.

WHY STUDY HUMAN KINETICS AT STFX?
Movement is essential to life. Students learn how to create, interact, think, grow, communicate, and connect through physical movement. The department’s reputation attracts some of the foremost experts in the field of Human Kinetics who you will interact and have research opportunities with.

You will study in a program offering breadth, depth and holistic applied approaches (including skill courses like yoga and golf). Opportunities for Service Learning Experiences for physical activity with a variety of individuals: Toddlers (Fit 4 Tots), Children (Fit 4 Life + Gymnastics) Individuals with disabilities (Motor Activities with X: learn to skate for children with autism + sledge hockey) and Seniors (Aging and exercise). This leads to the development of well-rounded graduates who excel in the community directly or in advanced studies.

When you study Biology at StFX, you’ll work in the classroom, the field and the lab. You’ll delve into the science of living organisms to explore the world, and the influence humans have on the global environment.

The StFX campus is five minutes away from rivers, estuaries and other marine aquatic habitats, and we’re equally close to Nova Scotia’s boreal forest. This emphasis on field and lab work means you’ll gain valuable hands-on experience while developing your critical thinking skills.

Ultimately, studying Biology at StFX will give you an understanding of the structure and function of living things - from the cell to global ecological systems.

WHY STUDY BIOLOGY AT STFX?
Here, you’ll get a deep grounding in theory and then have the ability to grow your knowledge in the field. You’ll learn alongside dynamic professors who will encourage you to explore exciting, new perspectives in analyzing the fundamentals of biology.

Psychology is the scientific study of thoughts, feelings, and behaviour. At StFX, students are taught by active research psychologists studying both human and animal behaviour. Studying psychology at StFX will give you an understanding of the ways that psychological scientists apply their knowledge to solve problems in the real world.

WHY STUDY PSYCHOLOGY AT STFX?
The StFX Psychology Department is led by a team of professors and lab instructors with varying perspectives on behaviour, development, health, social relationships, mental processing, and culture. As a psychology student at StFX, you will have opportunities to gain first-hand experience with psychological research in our lab courses and by working with your professors, lab instructors, and senior honours students. Many of our courses also have service learning options enabling you to apply your knowledge in community settings. In our program, you will receive a foundation in basic psychological science and the opportunity to choose from a wide selection of courses that give you a depth of knowledge in various fields, including forensic, gender, developmental, social and personality, abnormal, cultural, biopsychology, and health, with several courses available in each field. 

If you have a passion for the environment, and want to learn more about aquatic resources and sustainability, explore Aquatic Resources at StFX. Within this program, you’ll study aquatic life, climate change, policy and the complexity of human­ ecosystem interactions, all related to our most precious resource - water.

WHY STUDY AQUATIC RESOURCES AT STFX?
StFX is located next to Canada’s rugged Atlantic coastline, so you’ll have plenty of opportunity for hands-­on research exploring freshwater and marine resources first­-hand. It's this research that will give you invaluable experience — a distinct advantage in whatever you choose to do next!  In addition, you’ll develop and hone skills in oral and written communications, organization, and technical abilities like maintaining lab equipment, quality control and safety procedures.