Bachelor of Arts (Major) in Psychology

at University of Guelph Canada

The BA Music at the University of Guelph is geared to students who have a significant interest in music and music studies within a wider liberal arts education. It is a comprehensive and flexible program that offers instruction in music history, theory and criticism and and examines the significance of classical, world, and popular musics. Students develop a high degree of musicianship through skills training, music lessons (for those interested in advanced instrumental and vocal training), and participation in a variety of ensembles. With new facilities in digital technology, we support the increasing importance of technology in musical production, distribution, and listening. Our students go on to further studies and careers in music education (institutional and private), graduate music research, arts administration, performance, and production.

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.

Do you want a career where you can make a real difference? In the Environmental Management program, you'll gain the knowledge you'll need to play a significant role in protecting the environment. The program combines the applied aspects of environmental science and technology with extensive business training focused on leadership in environmental maintenance, remediation and regulation.

Biomedical Toxicology is the study of dose-response relationships in systems related to mammals with the understanding that the “Dose makes the poison”.

This interdisciplinary program at the University of Guelph combines studies in biomedical science, chemistry, human health and nutritional sciences, molecular and cellular biology and pathobiology, allowing students to understand mechanisms of toxic action and how to apply toxicological testing to assure the safety of new drugs, pesticides and industrial chemicals before they can be released into the marketplace.

In first year, students study the core sciences of biology, chemistry, physics and mathematical science. Second through fourth years are very interdisciplinary and include courses in chemistry, biochemistry, physiology, molecular biology and genetics, nutrition and toxicology. Students take courses that provide a high-quality laboratory experience ranging from analytical and organic chemistry to molecular biology.

All students graduate with exceptional laboratory experience in analytical instrumental laboratories (with instrumentation used in modern analytical, forensic and pharmaceutical labs) as well as molecular biology and biochemistry laboratories.  

Learning Outcomes
You can expect to learn how to:

• Demonstrate a working knowledge of target organ toxicity and the processes involved in absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion of toxicants.
• Apply methods for evaluating the hazards associated with exposure to toxicants.
• Demonstrate an understanding of how to measure and quantify the amount of toxic substances in a variety of matrices including drinking water, blood and urine samples.
• Demonstrate an understanding of how to analyze and interpret results from a dose/response assay used to measure toxicity.

Co-op Options
Biomedical Toxicology co-op is a five-year program, which includes four work terms. Below is an example of how the academic and work sequence will look for a Biomedical Toxicology major.*
*Please note this sequence may change. The current undergraduate calendar will house the most accurate sequence that students must follow. 

Students in this co-op major complete a course, COOP*1100, in the winter semester of first year.  This course helps students prepare for their work term by developing professional attitudes and skills for the workplace. This course also provides students with a toolkit of resume and cover letter writing as well as interview skills, which helps students to apply, interview and secure their work term positions

Understand the geographical, political and economic factors that shape environmental issues. Learn how to identify and manage these issues across sectors. Address environmental challenges through creative partnerships between governments, communities and businesses. Train to be an environmental professional at the leading edge of sustainability.

The Real Estate and Housing major in the B.Comm. program is one of only a few undergraduate programs in Canada that specialize in the real estate sector. It takes a multi-disciplinary approach to the study of residential and commercial/investment real estate.

The purpose of this major is to develop the conceptual, analytical and management skills required for careers in real estate and housing. Students graduate with a degree that can lead to a variety of professional positions in the private or public sectors of the Canadian real estate industry or they can continue on to graduate work in business, planning or the social sciences.

A principal aim of the Co-op program in Real Estate and Housing is to facilitate the transition of students from academic studies to a professional career by enhancing the integration of theory and practice. The Co-op program in Real Estate and Housing 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. 

Bachelor of Arts - Mathematics program is designed to prepare you for a wide variety of employment opportunities within the dynamic and ever-growing fields.

We share planet Earth with 30 million other animal species, and virtually nothing is known about most. Zoology is the study of the structure, function and ecology of vertebrates and invertebrates.

This major provides you with a broad grounding in animal biology, with courses in physiology, ecology, evolution, and structure and function of invertebrates and vertebrates. In your third and fourth years, there are opportunities to choose elective courses that suit your areas of interest including mammalogy, ornithology and herpetology. You will also have the opportunity to complete a research or field course. Students have participated in field courses on both coasts of Canada, in Algonquin Park or the Churchill area, as well as Australia, Argentina, Iceland and Costa Rica.

Learning Outcomes
You can expect to learn how to:

• Recognize the relationships between structure and function at different levels of biological organization (e.g., molecules, cells, organs, organisms, populations, species) for the major groups of animals.
• Characterize the biological, chemical, and physical features of environments (e.g., terrestrial, freshwater, marine, host) that animals inhabit.
• Explain how animals function and interact with respect to biological, chemical, and physical processes in natural and impacted environments. Collect and assemble biological data and apply mathematical and statistical methods to the interpretation of data to address questions in zoology.
• Demonstrate an advanced understanding and appreciation of living animals and specimens in field and/or laboratory settings through “hands on” experience

The Major in Biodiversity offers a broad education in the diversity and evolution of life while providing a more specialized understanding of biology at the level of the organism. It is the most flexible of the majors offered by the Department of Integrative Biology and as such, it allows students the opportunity to design a customized program around their interests. The major qualifies students for postgraduate work in biodiversity, botany, zoology, and other life sciences and provides a sound science background for students wishing to pursue professional life science degrees or careers in teaching, government service or the private sector.

Biodiversity impacts every aspect of our planet. To maximize a student’s exposure to biodiversity we strongly encourage students to consider an international exchange in their fifth semester. An increase in global awareness of the diverse issues facing biodiversity from different economic, social, environmental and biological landscapes will help students to critically think, analyze and recognize the inherent complexities within the field.

Students can establish themselves and build successful careers in an emerging and fast-growing field: Nanoscience, the science of the very, very small; an inherently multidisciplinary approach that unites chemistry, physics, biology, and mathematics. Understanding the world at the molecular level is increasingly important for the development of many new technologies.

In this major, you will focus on the understanding and synthesis of nanoscale materials, in an industry that has been recognized as a revolutionary field of science and technology, comparable to the introduction of electricity, biotechnology, and digital information revolutions. Students take an integrated MATH and PHYS course in first year along with the chemistry and biology taken by other Bachelor of Science students. In second through fourth year, focus on the core nanoscience courses along with chemistry and physics. The nanoscience courses combine aspects from different science disciplines, reinforced and extended by the unique laboratory available where students learn to synthesize nanoparticles and nanostructured materials, and characterize the physical properties of these materials using a wide range of research-grade nanotools.

Learning Outcomes
You can expect to learn how to:

• Apply scientific methods and processes by formulating questions, designing investigations and synthesizing data to draw conclusions and make scientifically-based decisions.
• Generate and interpret scientific data using quantitative, qualitative and analytical methodologies and techniques.
• Demonstrate advanced, contemporary and relevant knowledge in the chemistry and physics of materials at the molecular level.
• Apply intermediate level mathematics techniques to enhance understanding in the chemistry and physics of materials at the molecular level.
• Demonstrate advanced laboratory skills to practically realize concepts in the chemistry and physics of materials at the molecular level, and apply these skills in self-directed learning.
• Work safely and effectively in the laboratory to generate reproducible and reliable results.
• Apply modern computational techniques to investigate various physical phenomena and demonstrate proficiency in using mathematical software.