Bachelor of Arts (Major) in Political Science

at University of Guelph Canada

Geomatics, the science of spatial analysis using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and remotely sensed imagery, is a core component of the rapidly growing information sector worldwide. The Environmental Geomatics program at Guelph offers students the opportunity to study the processes and properties of the biophysical environment and provides them with a core foundation in the analytical techniques used for interpretation, analysis and presentation of geographical data. Students will combine field research with image analysis and computer modeling to specialize in the spatial analysis of environmental systems and will apply these techniques to examine human-environment interactions and address human impacts on the environment.

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

Course Sequencing

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.

Want an Engineering degree but not yet sure of a specialization? Choose the Undeclared option: your first semester will be the same as all other Engineering majors, then select your major by the start of Semester 3. To pursue Co-op, we recommend that you apply to the Co-op stream of the program you’re most interested in directly from high school; space can be limited.

Note: It is possible to apply for Co-op once you're a registered student. However, entrance into Co-op for in-course students is subject to your University of Guelph average and availability in the program and major.

This major focuses on the development of leaders in the areas of Food Industry Innovation and Operations. The program combines a solid background in food science, economics and business, using a mix of theoretical and applied study. Students in this major will be able to create a curriculum uniquely tailored to their career goals. The flexibility provided in semesters 5 through 8 enables students to develop their understanding of specific areas of food science and business. Student participation in international exchanges and international summer research programs is encouraged and supported through academic advising on course selection and substitution. Students have the opportunity to incorporate a variety of field trips, experiential learning in the workplace and independent research projects into their program. The combination of a solid understanding of food science and current business practice with specialized skills and experience provided by this program is unique and greatly valued by prospective employers in this important sector of the Canadian and global economies.

CO-OP

The Co-op program in Food Industry Management is a five year program, including 4 work terms. Students must complete a Fall, Winter and Summer work term and must follow the academic work schedule as outlined below

Food Industry Management Academic and Co-op Work Term Schedule

To be eligible to continue in the Co-op program, they 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 and work term report grading.

Develop your aptitude for mathematics by considering its application to economic problems. Mathematics is an invaluable element of economic analysis to open up large areas of inquiry. These areas include problems involving consumer behaviour, the interactions among producers as they compete for market share, macroeconomic outcomes such as inflation and unemployment, and international trade and competitiveness. Courses in mathematics, statistics, economics and econometrics will sharpen your analytical skills for a career in industry, government or graduate work, and will provide a solid understanding of social policy issues and government actions.

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. 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.

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.

Sharpen your mathematics skills and solve global economic problems. Mathematical Economics is pivotal to analyzing issues like consumer behaviour, interactions among producers as they compete for market share, macroeconomic outcomes and international trade. Build an understanding of social policy issue and government actions, with courses in mathematics, statistics, economics and econometrics. Get ready for a related career in industry, government or for graduate work. 

Face the challenges of our world today, from the development of space age materials to the synthesis of new pharmaceutical products, with Chemistry. Gain practical laboratory training; complete research with the award-winning faculty and participate in the co-op option for work experience. Study physical, theoretical, analytical, organic and inorganic chemistry to harness analytical and practical skills for graduate or professional programs, and your career.

Examine law, justice and judicial processes in Canada and in a global context

Evaluate how justice and legal institutions both shape and are shaped by government and society. Learn how the law and legal processes can either enhance or frustrate the pursuit of justice and the goal of improving life.
The Justice and Legal Studies program (JLS) is an interdisciplinary program administered by the Department of Political Science. As such it benefits from being part of one of the premier law and politics departments in Canada.

This innovative program examines a broad range of justice and legal issues in an interdisciplinary fashion. It helps students build a foundation of understanding of the principles of law and justice. Students then choose an area of emphasis to both leverage faculty strengths and focus their studies.

5 Areas of Emphasis to Choose From
The BA in Justice and Legal Studies is an honours major. Take core courses that introduce you to law, justice and legal institutions. Examine case studies that connect to larger socio-economic and political systems. Then choose one of the following areas of emphasis:

• Canadian Politics and Governance
• Global Relations and Governance
• Gender and Sexuality
• Arts and Humanities
• Business and Management

As a co-op student, you will gain firsthand work experience, build professional networks, and develop essential interpersonal skills that are essential for pursuing a career in justice and legal studies. You will also get paid while earning your university degree. Guelph’s co-op program is unique due to the exceptional level of support provided, including a coop preparatory course, and a personal connection with Co-op Coordinators to assist you during the employment process, and access to senior student mentors. 

Criminal Justice and Public Policy is offered as a minor in the honours program and as a major in the honours program. It is designed to provide students seeking a career in the criminal justice system, or planning to pursue an advanced degree with a knowledge base that will enable them to pursue their career objectives. The program offers a unique blend of sociological courses dealing with the criminal justice system as well as courses in Political Science dealing with public policy formation and implementation. It also provides students with the conceptual and methodological tools needed for further study.