Bachelor of Arts (Major) in International Development Studies

at University of Guelph Canada

The major in Management provides a balanced foundation of management knowledge and strategic leadership skills that will enable graduates to one day work as professional managers and organizational leaders. The major focuses on broad, transferrable competencies within the academic discipline of management (i.e., planning and goal setting, strategy development and execution, managerial decision making, designing organizational structure, managing change and innovation, motivating individuals and teams, managerial communication, negotiation and conflict management), while simultaneously providing the flexibility to explore a wide range of courses in other business disciplines. This major is well suited to students with a strong interest in the core skills of management who wish to develop a broad understanding and expertise in business management.

Courses extend beyond the traditional lecture based format to include community based group projects, guest lecturers, in-class simulations and case-based learning to help link academic expertise and theory with industry practice. Experiential learning is an integral part of the major, and occurs through the integration of industry examples in the classroom, and a required management capstone course that takes a consulting perspective to address real-world and simulated organizational challenges.

Graduates of the Management major will leave the University of Guelph equipped with a range of knowledge and skills which prepare them to meet management needs of the future in such roles as management consultant, business analyst, talent management specialist or as future general managers.

Become an expert on a current major global issue—the natural production of food and upon graduation, enter a workforce where there are more jobs than qualified people to fill them. Explore all areas of agriculture, resources, and applied economics. Study courses in food, hunger and poverty, economics of the agri-food system, and international trade. Prepare yourself for related graduate programs and to become a decision maker and strong leader in the agri-food sector and public agencies.

Position yourself as an expert in interesting and puzzling issues of our time, like fluctuations in interest rates and oil prices, or the implications of continental free trade. Integrate pure and applied economic theories with modes of thought, techniques and critical analysis drawn from the arts. 

Political Science at the University of Guelph offers a wide-range of undergraduate courses in five major areas: Political Thought; Canadian Politics; Public Policy; Governance and Law; Comparative Politics; and International Relations and Global Studies. Courses provide students with an understanding of important concepts and processes in political science including the role of institutions in parliamentary and presidential systems of government, the role of law and courts in relation to politics and governance, comparative electoral systems, and the role of the political parties, interest groups and social movements. Students are introduced to many debates and issues offering relevant and engaging course content from how governments balance individual and group rights while protecting society, to the use of social networking by political parties and the best ways to promote democracy.

Course offerings help students develop skills in researching and writing that enhances their ability to study and communicate about politics and prepare them for careers in areas such as: political staffers, policy analysts, business-government relations, law, journalism, foreign affairs, regulatory affairs, advocacy and planning for nongovernmental organizations and other careers where analytical and communication skills are required.

WHY CO-OP?
As a co-op student, you will gain relevant work experience, build professional networks and develop essential interpersonal skills needed to succeed in the workplace, all while getting paid and earning your university degree. University of Guelph’s co-op program is unique due to the exceptional level of support provided, including an inclass preparatory course, a personal connection with a Co-op Coordinator to assist you during the employment process, and access to senior student mentors.

Art history is the study of art and architecture as manifestations of human creativity and as valuable forms of historical documentation. Art history students learn to appreciate the fundamental and varied roles the visual arts play in the lives of human beings, as they become familiar with major works in the Western and non-Western traditions. Toward this end, students learn how works of art embody, but also condition and control cultural, economic, social, religious, political, racial, and gender dynamics. The Art History program covers historical perspectives on the visual arts, study of the methodologies of art history and critical theory, and consideration of contemporary issues in the practice and display of art. In this regard, we encourage broad, interdisciplinary exploration of artistic, aesthetic, and visual traditions in their social, historical, and cross-cultural contexts. We respond to the vision of a learner-centered university by engaging in innovative teaching and providing students with opportunities to travel to museums, galleries, and sites and to discuss their work in a supportive and challenging environment.

Students will take courses dealing with a variety of art-related topics from a range of historical eras, including the Medieval, Early Modern, Modern, and Contemporary periods. There are also opportunities for students to pursue Individual and Experiential Learning components and participate in our annual symposium and publication  ARTHAttack!

Unique features of the programs: Paid research Assistantships are available so that our graduates can demonstrate professional experience in primary and secondary research and knowledge creation and dissemination. Small class sizes for premium interaction with faculty, a dynamic annual Speakers Series, and collaborative events with local art and historical collections.

This major combines a foundation in the breadth of environmental science while giving students practical experience in integrating the basic science in environmental problem solving. The integration of biophysical sciences with real-world applications provides students with a unique skill set for engaging with current and future environmental issues. The many opportunities in the major for experiential learning and independent research give students an ability to collect, analyze and interpret environmental data, and propose solutions that account for both the biophysical science and the socio-economic context. The second year core curriculum develops a cross-disciplinary understanding of the biophysical environment, while the third and fourth years allow students to engage more deeply with issues of interest to them. Students will graduate from this major ready to address diverse problems such as pollinator conservation, soil and water conservation, greenhouse gas mitigation, plant disease management and chemical movement in the environment. It provides a solid background for careers in environmental protection, resource management and research, in both the public and private sectors.

Co-op
The Co-op program in Environmental Sciences is a four and a half year program including four work terms. Students must complete a Fall, Winter and Summer work term, and must follow the academic work schedule as outlined below.

To be eligible to continue in the Co-op program, students must meet a minimum 70% cumulative average requirement after second semester, as well as meet all work term requirements. Please refer to the Co-operative Education program policy with respect to work term performance grading, work term report grading and program completion requirements. 

Discover how mathematics and statistics can be applied to the sciences can solve real world issues. Combine your studies with a secondary field of interest to customize your degree to your interests and career goals. Mathematical science is key to understanding and changing the world around us, and will prepare you for a wide range of opportunities. Areas of emphasis: Bioinformatics; Biological Modeling; Computer Science.

Students interested in problems requiring the application of knowledge from both the biological sciences and engineering will find a challenge as a Biological Engineer. This field of engineering is the application of principles, methods and concepts of biology to systems and tools, ranging in scale from molecular to ecosystem level. This field combines engineering principles with life sciences to design creative solutions for biological systems, with applications ranging from pharmaceutical and food manufacturing, bioconversions to reduce waste, and production of sustainable, bio-based materials. For example, a Biological Engineer concentrating on biotechnology might design and manage bioreactors to improve their productivity. A Biological Engineering graduate can pursue a career in a number of exciting fields, including food safety, bio-instrumentation, diagnostics and sensorics in bio-systems, biomechanics and ergonomics.

Co-op
The Co-op program in Biological Engineering is a five year program, including five work terms. Students must complete a Fall, Winter and Summer work term and must follow the academic work schedule as outlined below (also found on the Co-operative Education website: https://www.recruitguelph.ca/cecs/). Please refer to the Co-operative Education program policy with respect to adjusting this schedule.

To be eligible to continue in the Co-op program, students must meet a minimum 70% cumulative average requirement after second semester, as well as meet all work term requirements. Please refer to the Co-operative Education program policy with respect to work term performance grading, work term report grading and program completion requirements. 

The Bachelor of Arts - History program discover the past and create the future. Study a range of thematic courses, including Food History, War and Society, Gender and Sexuality and Rural History. Enjoy small seminars in the first year, access to special archives and courses with community partners such as the Guelph Black Heritage Society, and the Guelph Civic Museum. Graduates are flexible, intelligent, polished communicators, researchers and problem solvers who follow their passions in business, law, education, civil service, journalism, and the arts.

Food is a multi-billion dollar industry that is influenced by changing socio-economic conditions and evolving agricultural and industrial technologies. As a Food Science student, in the Bachelor of Science degree program, you will apply chemistry, microbiology and physics to study the processing and development of food products and processes. The program also covers aspects of law, health, nutrition, and security as they relate to food safety and quality.

You will obtain hands-on experience in the industrial processes such as pasteurization, sterilization, fermentation, and packaging and apply these to commodity groups such as dairy, meats, cereals and beverages. In addition, you will gain experience in sensory evaluation and in the development of new food products and effective food safety and quality assurance programs. Communication skills are also emphasized to help ensure success in your future career.