Bachelor of Science in Biological Science

at University of Guelph Canada

Landscape Architecture is a profession committed to the creation of meaningful and vital outdoor places and to the sustainable management of our environment.  Landscape Architects strive to establish a balance between our use and enjoyment of the land with the conservation and health of the environment.  The Profession is committed to improving our quality of life by applying creative, technical and scientific skills to manage and create environments that are attractive, functional, innovative and appropriate.  The full accredited BLA program at Guelph leads to a professional degree that meets the educational requirements for entry into professional associations across Canada, North America and abroad.

In our four year professional program you will take lecture, seminar, field trip and studio courses. The intensive studio courses, taken every term, allow you to practice and master what you have learned. You will work on design solutions alone or in teams, with input and critique from faculty. Through frequent presentations you will develop abilities in verbal and graphic communication of your design ideas. Students find our BLA program to be an intense and enjoyable way to learn.

The BLA program of studies addresses both the learning objectives of the University and the needs of the profession of landscape architecture. Half of the required credits are through courses given in the Landscape Architecture program; other required courses are taken from departments throughout the University. You are also able to choose nine electives from other departments on campus. This allows you to take courses in a number of disciplines or concentrate on one or two areas of interest.

There are a number of unique learning opportunities provided through the BLA program. You may earn academic credit for work in professional offices, take advantage of our international exchange program that allows students to study in many foreign countries, assist community groups by participating through the Community Outreach Centre, or become involved in social and professional life through annual conferences, field trips and events. Our program is well equipped with computer and video facilities, and all students are assigned their own studio workspace with 24/7 access. 

Biochemistry is the study of biological processes at the cellular and molecular level. The study of biochemistry showcases the complexity of life.

The Honours B.Sc. major in Biochemistry (BIOC) is offered by the Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, home to many distinguished biochemists, microbiologists, geneticists, and molecular & cellular biologists. The variety of courses will cover everything from the atomic structure of proteins to the organization of cells in humans, plants, and animals. Undergraduate laboratories will provide you with many practical skills in manipulating and analyzing biological molecules. In your upper years, you will also have the opportunity to access some of the University of Guelph’s outstanding research labs and facilities. Our biochemistry program provides you with a degree that is truly interdisciplinary, ensuring that upon graduation you have acquired an expertise and proficiency in great demand by employers.  

Combine practical laboratory training in biochemistry, molecular biology and microbiology with courses in areas such as immunology, enzymology or physiology. Students in biochemistry can focus in the areas plants, nutrition, physiology, immunology or toxicology, just to name a few. Gain real-world experience from co-op work terms and complete an undergraduate research project.  

Learning Outcomes
You can expect to learn how to:

• Apply thermodynamic principles to the molecular basis of biological energy generation, storage and usage  
• Conduct research by applying scientific methods and processes and interpreting data to draw appropriate and scientifically based conclusions. 
• Design and implement experimental procedures using relevant techniques to purify, characterize and quantify metabolites and macromolecules. 
• Describe how cells are capable of producing almost all required metabolites and macromolecules from diverse precursors.  
• Understand the relationship between the structure and the functional properties of proteins, nucleic acids, lipids and carbohydrates.  

The objective of the Sport and Event Management major is to provide students with advanced knowledge of the field, from the business value of sport and events to their contribution to community and society, and to inspire and engage students to become innovative leaders in this dynamic sector of our economy. Building on a strong foundation of commerce courses in marketing, accounting, economics, human resource management and strategy, students in Sport and Event Management will develop depth of knowledge in key aspects of sport, including sponsorship, media, event hosting, stakeholder engagement and organizational leadership.

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. An integral part of the program is experiential learning to balance theory with practice. Experiential courses are embedded in the curriculum, and students are also encouraged to participate in guided learning opportunities outside the conventional classroom through independent study courses, study abroad, and industry networking events. On completion of the program, students have the analytical and communication skills and experience required for a career with government organizations, commercial clubs, professional teams or sport businesses, in Canada and internationally. Graduates are prepared for positions in sport promotion and marketing, facility and event management, sport media and communication, and sport policy development.

This program is designed for students wishing to concentrate on Geography. It introduces the basic concepts in human, physical and environmental geography and requires everyone to master the important computer, cartographic, writing, GIS, and statistical skills required of a professional geographer. Within this program, it is possible to include a balanced mix of Geography courses or to specialize in techniques, human, physical or environmental topics. Careful selection of electives from complementary programs can enhance specializations within this program.

Students in the Department of Geography can participate in the student led Geography Society. Which organizes special events throughout the year, including trips, parties, and career nights. The Geography Society has its own room in the Hutt Building, which provides a place for members to meet, to study, and to plan events.

Program Highlights
Learning takes place in a variety of settings in the program. In addition to classroom settings, students learn through hands-on research in labs and in the field. Labs are part of numerous courses, from first year to fourth year, and allow students to design and conduct experiments, and solve problems using state-of-the-art computing and analytical tools. Field research is also an important component of geographic research. Research, writing, critical thinking, and problem solving are emphasized throughout the program.

Computers play many roles in our lives. At the School of Computer Science, we recognize that relationship and its variable nature. If you enjoy solving problems, nothing is more exciting than working and studying at the leading edge of computer science.  You will develop skills throughout your degree as you explore different course materials within the field of computer science and across other disciplines. The program provides you with a strong foundation in hardware and theory with a particular focus on applied software development. By the time you graduate you will be a sought-after expert with interdisciplinary knowledge and skills that will make you indispensable.

Software Engineering
Contribute to innovative and cutting-edge software design. Providing a foundation in computer science concepts, this program focuses on team-based software development and professional standards. This major provides an excellent background in design and development, as well as the implementation and the evolution of software. Students’ soft skills such as communication and teamwork will be enhanced and strengthened. You will have a unique opportunity to take courses on different aspects of software engineering, including design methods, team interactions, communications and managing real-world software engineering projects.

The Studio Art program at Guelph is designed to provide a progressive alternative to existing post-secondary programs; one that combines equal strengths in studio practice and its conceptual and critical underpinnings. This approach has had a very positive impact on all graduates by providing them with a substantial working knowledge of both contemporary art history and studio practice, regardless of their career plans.  In fact, our program is designed as a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Studio Art, rather than a Bachelor of Fine Arts. The BA allows students to more easily combine their studies in Studio Art, as Majors or Minors, with major and minor programs of study in a variety of other disciplines. The permutations are endless in terms of building your career path: our graduates are successful contemporary artists, gallerists, teachers, and art therapists, among other things.

Learning Approach

• Studio Art combines the best of two worlds, providing a fundamental understanding of art history, theory and criticism with the opportunity to explore a range of media in the studio. You'll learn through lectures and discussions. Diverse audio-visual materials, from digital images to videos and films, will be regular components of most courses.
• Studio courses emphasize hands-on experience in art making. You'll develop not only technical and manual skills but also an awareness of historical and contemporary contexts, and formal and expressive strategies.
• You'll do much of your learning in the renovated studios and facilities of historic Zavitz Hall and the Alexander Hall. Trips to major collections, galleries and museums will augment your learning experience.

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.

In the Bachelor of Arts - Sociology program, students will Examine society’s vast influence on the lives of groups and individuals. Discover patterns and relationships in human culture and behaviour. Gain insight into the cause of inequalities and learn the skills needed to tackle societal problems and improve life.

The Theatre Studies program at Guelph is a degree option within the B.A. Program and is dedicated to the integrated study of both academic and practical applications of performance and theatre. 

Our curriculum is based on the philosophy that the study of performance at the university level engages various disciplinary practices, both practical and academic, and therefore we attempt to provide both practical theatre experience and classroom study.  We offer a wide range of courses in dramatic literature, theatre history, performance research, theory and criticism, together with directing, acting, dramaturgy, performance creation, scenography, production and technical theatre, playwriting and screenwriting, as well as media studies.  The program has a special interest in the drama and theatre of Canada, and course offerings reflect this concentration where appropriate.

The Theatre Studies Bachelor of Arts program will provide student who graduate with the following program learning outcomes:

• To develop artists who thrive on intellectual curiosity, openness to ideas and take measured risk through creative experiences.
• To develop informed and creative citizens, empowered to contribute to the world through writing and performance.
• To apply critical sensibilities through a familiarity and understanding of a range of significant performance and media work past and present.
• To develop well-rounded performance artists, who possess the research tools and disciplinary skills to model their own productive performance practices.
• To develop meaningful ways to integrate theory, technology and practice where critical thinking and creativity are equally embraced.
• To learn techniques for communication and collaboration, build relationships and to listen and respect different thought processes. 

Biochemistry is the study of biological processes at the cellular and molecular level. The study of biochemistry showcases the complexity of life.

The Honours B.Sc. major in Biochemistry (BIOC) is offered by the Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, home to many distinguished biochemists, microbiologists, geneticists, and molecular & cellular biologists. The variety of courses will cover everything from the atomic structure of proteins to the organization of cells in humans, plants, and animals. Undergraduate laboratories will provide you with many practical skills in manipulating and analyzing biological molecules. In your upper years, you will also have the opportunity to access some of the University of Guelph’s outstanding research labs and facilities. Our biochemistry program provides you with a degree that is truly interdisciplinary, ensuring that upon graduation you have acquired an expertise and proficiency in great demand by employers.  

Combine practical laboratory training in biochemistry, molecular biology and microbiology with courses in areas such as immunology, enzymology or physiology. Students in biochemistry can focus in the areas plants, nutrition, physiology, immunology or toxicology, just to name a few. Gain real-world experience from co-op work terms and complete an undergraduate research project.  

Learning Outcomes
You can expect to learn how to:

• Apply thermodynamic principles to the molecular basis of biological energy generation, storage and usage  
• Conduct research by applying scientific methods and processes and interpreting data to draw appropriate and scientifically based conclusions. 
• Design and implement experimental procedures using relevant techniques to purify, characterize and quantify metabolites and macromolecules. 
• Describe how cells are capable of producing almost all required metabolites and macromolecules from diverse precursors.  
• Understand the relationship between the structure and the functional properties of proteins, nucleic acids, lipids and carbohydrates.  

Co-Op Options
Biochemistry co-op is a four- and half-year program, which includes four work terms. Below is one example of how the academic and work sequence will look for a biochemistry 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