Bachelor of Applied Science in Occupational Health and Safety (Co-op)

at Toronto Metropolitan University Canada

Students in the Politics and Governance and Sociology double major will learn how we shape and are shaped by formal and informal social and political institutions, norms, and practices from the local to the global level. They will learn to evaluate and analyze decisions, practices, and policies that emerge from a variety of sources, and to understand/assess them using a range of criteria, including empirical, theoretical and ethical bases. The program has a strong emphasis on practical research methods and offers a number of opportunities for experiential learning. These tools will give students the knowledge to strengthen our society and initiate progressive changes through formal and informal structures and institutions.

The core goals of the double major are to graduate students who will be able to:

• Discuss and explain how important decisions are made in today’s society – at the international, national, provincial and local level – by both governmental and non-governmental organizations and informal political institutions.
• Demonstrate knowledge of the socio-historical and global context of contemporary social relations and knowledge production, including ways in which a) structural inequalities and social injustice are manifested in individual and group identities; and b) social injustice, inequalities and identities have been legitimated, normalized, and institutionalized over time and c) people individually and collectively resist discrimination and inequality.
• Demonstrate knowledge and comprehension of classical and contemporary sociological theories and related interdisciplinary perspectives and debates.
• Evaluate and analyze political decisions, administrative practices, and policies that emerge from a variety of formal and informal institutions.
• Employ a variety of empirical, theoretical and normative approaches to evaluate and analyze global, national, and local political processes and events.
• Discuss the structure and function of global, national, and sub-national political institutions.
• Critically read, interpret, assess, conduct and evaluate research methods and methodologies, while demonstrating an informed knowledge and respect for epistemological and ethical issues.
• Demonstrate reflexivity; specifically, an awareness and comprehension of one’s own location in society as well as the different subject positions of the many individuals that make up our diverse society. Implicit in this process is an ongoing critical skepticism and awareness of the production, and the limits of knowledge.
• Exhibit effective communication skills in a variety of formats, including essay writing and oral presentations; demonstrate a facility with words and numerical language as well as the ability to debate cogently, discuss and exchange ideas.
• Demonstrate an ability to understand and critically interpret a wide range of texts in a variety of media, including both scholarly and popular writings.
• Demonstrate social engagement by bridging academic thought and research in relation to practical challenges, policies and strategic organization in local, national and global communities and forums.

The growth of the sport industry in Canada has been the result of the exponential growth of new sport media outlets. Sport media companies are providing content on multiple traditional and digital platforms. The industry requires motivated and well trained individuals who possess a passion for sport and wish to enter the field in a production, on-air or executive position.

An appropriate academic background for this program would include required skills developed in a traditional secondary/post-secondary curriculum along with media courses of interest and a demonstrated passion for sport, from direct participation or activities related to sport.

The Sport Media program provides an integrated series of courses to equip students with practical skills and a foundation of theoretical knowledge.

The first two years of the program provide foundation in both production and theory, combining hands-on production training with study in sport theory, marketing, business and journalism.

During the latter two years students begin to specialize in areas of interest, taking advanced courses in all areas of the sport industry. Students may concentrate on writing/journalism, video/audio production, business, broadcast or marketing.

The fourth year provides both practical experience while continuing to develop in students a sense of their place in the sport industry, their community and the world-at-large. A variety of sport projects in the practical courses will apply theoretical elements from other courses to allow student to effectively communicate ideas across all media platforms.

The curriculum is designed to foster the development of a high level of competency in a focused specialization while providing every student with a macro understanding of all facets of the sport industry. Student will leave the program equipped with the ability to produce quality sport content on multiple platforms within a group dynamic. Sport Media courses are taught concurrently with Open Elective and Liberal Elective courses which serve to enhance and enrich a student's four years of study.

The curriculum in the School of Image Arts is designed to educate artists, storytellers and digital media practitioners. The programs lead to careers in film, photography, digital media, visual arts and the cultural industries.

Graduates are capable of performing responsibly in the relevant industries as professionals in both creative and managerial positions, ranging from the commercial to the artistic and experimental.

The curriculum provides students with the necessary grounding to pursue graduate studies in a variety of media-related academic and artistic disciplines. The Film and Photography Studies Programs and the Integrated Digital Option provide an experiential education with a foundation in design, art history, and cultural studies.

There is a strong link between theory and practice in each of these programs. The curriculum is enhanced by a broad offering of liberal studies courses, and professional and professionally related electives. In the third year of the Film and Photography Programs students can decide to pursue the Integrated Digital Option. The focus of this Option is on cross-disciplinarity, hybridity and digital fluency.

The School of Image Arts houses both analogue and digital resources and students are expected to develop a professional proficiency in these tools. Access to facilities is governed by School policies and curriculum. Students will be required to own certain items of equipment appropriate to the program they enter. Please refer to the sections on Special Department Charges and on the Cost of Attending Ryerson in the Student Services portion of this calendar.

Photography Studies Program
The Photography Studies Program offers an integrated academic framework for undergraduate studies in the theory and practice of photography and related media, leading to career possibilities in the many creative, artistic and commercial fields that use the photographic image, or to further study at the graduate level. The aim of the program is to produce graduates capable of working effectively in traditional and digital image-making systems. The curriculum is designed for maximum flexibility. The foundation years provide a base for working in an interdisciplinary mode at the upper year levels. An atmosphere of creative and critical inquiry across all four years gives students a rich awareness of the visual, aesthetic, technological, and cultural issues affecting the creation of images, as well as an enhanced appreciation of the rapid and radical changes occurring in the professions they will be entering.

Integrated Digital Option
The Integrated Digital (ID) Option is available to film and photography majors starting in third year. The Option is comprised of studio and lecture courses in image-based media and visual studies. The Option is designed to expand creative and analytical skills beyond the borders of film and photography. Areas such as multi-channel, titling, web-based image book design are among the many cross-platform, interactive art practices offered within the Integrated Digital Option.

Professional and Professionally-Related Courses
From second year, students choose electives from the professional and professionally related offerings. These courses are designed to enhance and deepen a student’s professional practice and critical-theoretical knowledge. For example, professional courses include studio and location lighting, sound design, art direction, screenwriting. Professionally related courses include advanced courses in photo and film history, visual culture, national cinemas, history of animation and gaming, curatorial practices and advanced topics in film and photo criticism.

The baccalaureate degree program prepares graduates to be eligible to apply for registration as midwives in Ontario, and meets recognized national and international standards. Graduates work as registered health-care professionals who provide primary care to people with low-risk pregnancies, conduct births in home, birth centre and hospital settings, and provide care after birth for the birthing parent and their babies up to six weeks of age.

The Midwifery Education Program prepares graduates to engage in lifelong learning. Working as a midwife requires a keen intelligence combined with flexibility and compassion. Midwives need a thorough understanding of normal and complex conditions affecting pregnancy, birth and the postpartum care of the birthing parent and the newborn and at times may need to make clinical judgements under stressful or emergency situations.

The Midwifery Education Program equips students with the clinical and communication skills needed to work effectively and competently as primary maternity care providers. Students learn critical thinking and problem solving skills, how to apply research evidence to provide high quality care, and develop an understanding of the relevance of cross-cultural issues to midwifery work. The Midwifery Education Program sees its role in education and in the midwifery profession as part of a broader commitment to social justice.

The architectural science program promotes an integrated approach to architectural science, through studio and lecture courses. Students have the opportunity to apply theory learned in the lecture courses to studio projects which engage with real-life problems in design, construction, management, and the environment.

The Architecture Option/Concentration offers a focus on in depth exploration of architectural design principles in society today. Through lectures, seminars, and hands-on studio projects, students learn program planning, design, presentation techniques, research, planning and the role of architecture today.

The Building Science Option/Concentration offers a more detailed technical base of studies including the selection and design of building construction assemblies, the evaluation of their suitability and performance, and the development of construction and technical drawings.

The Project Management Option/Concentration examines the managerial and economic aspects of construction projects, including the planning, organization, management, supervision and control of the process.

Graduates of this program will find career opportunities in:

• the design, documentation, and management of projects in architectural, engineering, environmental management, and planning firms
• the production, marketing, sales, research, development, testing, and evaluation of building products or systems in material fabrication, product manufacturing, and construction firms
• office and field supervision in trade and general construction organizations
• development and management of real estate/planning/conservation feasibility studies; environmental and management strategy planning
• local, regional, provincial, federal, and international government agencies
• post graduate education and research

This program will prepare you to drive economic progress by leveraging cash flow and creating wealth. You’ll acquire in-depth knowledge of economics, financial instruments and statistical techniques, and establish a foundation in modern mathematics, financial accounting, managerial finance and computer science. Participate in case studies, an optional paid co-op, industry-relevant research projects be prepared to make an immediate impact in the financial sector.

The Business Technology Management (BTM) program provides students with the analytical and problem solving capacities to develop business solutions that leverage Information and Communication Technologies (ICT). Our graduates help drive business strategies using ICT solutions, making the program a leading contributor to Canada’s ICT economy. 

The School also offers an optional co-op program which provides graduates with 20 months of work experience integrated into their academic program. Students wishing to be considered for this program must apply for admission into the co-op option after the second semester of the program. Admission into the co-op program is based on the following three items:

• An expected CGPA of 2.80 (or higher), subject to competition
• Evidence of superior oral and written communication skills
• A Resume/CV and interview

Students begin work terms upon completion of second year of the program and the co-op program extends the BTM program to five years from four. The School cannot guarantee work term jobs, but the Business Career Hub (BCH) will prospect for employers and make every effort to locate suitable positions, as well as be available to advise students on their search for program-related jobs. The co-op program enables students to earn prevailing wages for the level of responsibility and contribution of the jobs they perform and thus finance at least part of their university education.

The Department offers a competitive co-operative program which provides top-performing students who have completed their third year in the architectural science program, with 16 months of work experience that enhances their acumen in the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry. Although neither the Department nor the Co-operative Education Office can guarantee a placement, they provide major assistance in locating suitable positions and counselling of students in their search for suitable jobs. This co-operative program enables students to earn competitive wages to offset the costs of a university education. Students will work directly with architects, engineers and other skilled professionals from the AEC industry, gaining experience in several different settings.

The architectural science program promotes an integrated approach to architectural science, through studio and lecture courses. Students have the opportunity to apply theory learned in the lecture courses to studio projects which engage with real-life problems in design, construction, management, and the environment.

The Architecture Option/Concentration offers a focus on in depth exploration of architectural design principles in society today. Through lectures, seminars, and hands-on studio projects, students learn program planning, design, presentation techniques, research, planning and the role of architecture today.

The Building Science Option/Concentration offers a more detailed technical base of studies including the selection and design of building construction assemblies, the evaluation of their suitability and performance, and the development of construction and technical drawings.

The Project Management Option/Concentration examines the managerial and economic aspects of construction projects, including the planning, organization, management, supervision and control of the process.

Graduates of this program will find career opportunities in:

• the design, documentation, and management of projects in architectural, engineering, environmental management, and planning firms
• the production, marketing, sales, research, development, testing, and evaluation of building products or systems in material fabrication, product manufacturing, and construction firms
• office and field supervision in trade and general construction organizations
• development and management of real estate/planning/conservation feasibility studies; environmental and management strategy planning
• local, regional, provincial, federal, and international government agencies
• post graduate education and research

As a Ryerson-trained child and youth care practitioner, you will design and implement theoretically sound and evidence-informed therapeutic interventions, programs and services that aim to partner with young people, their families and their communities in the process of bringing about positive change — for young people, families, neighbourhoods and communities. Your practice will include life-space work, advocacy at the individual and system levels, and a children’s rights perspective that seeks to ensure young people’s participation in the decisions that affect them.

Workplaces in Canada are safer than ever before, thanks in large part to occupational health and safety professionals. Ryerson graduates working in this progressive field help prevent injury and illness by anticipating, evaluating and controlling physical, biological, chemical and other hazards in workplaces. Drawing on their specialized knowledge, these professionals help develop and implement initiatives that improve health, safety and well-being in work environments across every sector.    

Why Occupational Health and Safety at Ryerson?

• Occupational Health and Safety at Ryerson is the only degree-level program of its kind in Canada.
• Our curriculum integrates a strong foundation in occupational health and safety with relevant courses in the sciences, law, epidemiology, and a range of specialist areas (e.g. occupational hygiene, ergonomics, physical agents, control measures, safety management systems, toxicology and risk assessment). A balanced education prepares you to become the well-rounded and highly skilled professional that industry demands.
• You’ll have access to outstanding learning opportunities in the classroom and in the workplace. Qualified students can apply to gain important real-world experience through paid co-operative education opportunities.
• Plus, we support your success with:
  • Workplace visits
  • Opportunities for laboratory testing and analysis
  • Presentations and seminars
  • Independent research project