Bachelor of Science in Environmental Geomatics

at University of Guelph Canada

Understanding how we conserve organisms within an ecosystem by understanding the role they play in the ecosystem. 

Wildlife Biology and Conservation focuses on both the ecological and evolutionary factors that influence the sustainability of species and communities and an understanding of how these factors can be used to manage natural systems or species that are at risk or invasive.

The objective of the Wildlife Biology and Conservation major is to provide students with an integrated foundation in three disciplines necessary to understand the origins, interactions, and protection of plant and animal diversity: evolution, ecology, and conservation biology. The Wildlife Biology and Conservation curriculum reflects the current interdisciplinary nature of the study of plant and animal diversity that builds on the depth and breadth of expertise in the Department of Integrative Biology.

This major will provide students with a unique interdisciplinary opportunity to study the causes, consequences, and conservation of plant and animal diversity. There is currently no other major in Canada that explicitly integrates ecology, evolution, and conservation into a 4-year major. This major also builds on the University of Guelph’s long-standing reputation in the areas of biology and natural resources management. Although there are a series of required courses associated with each of the ecology, evolution, and conservation core themes, the major offers a significant amount of flexibility from years 2-4 that allows students to focus on 1 or 2 streams. In their 4th year, students will take a 1.0 credit capstone course (BIOL*4110 Ecological Methods) that focuses on the development and execution of a research problem by building of the different skills students have acquired in each of these streams.

Learning Outcomes
You can expect to learn how to:

• Recognize the origins and current methods of protection of plant and animal diversity.
• Develop detailed knowledge of ecological and evolutionary factors that influence the persistence of species and communities.
• Understand how to manage natural and impacted systems (e.g., invasive species, species at risk) and apply scientific approaches to adaptive management strategies in wildlife conservation.
• Assess the complex interplay between science, socioeconomic factors and public opinion in the forging of public policy decisions and the value of interdisciplinary approaches to understanding complex problems in wildlife biology.
• Gain “hands on” experience in the field working with plants and animals in a variety of ecosystems.

Study in both the arts and the sciences - at the same time! In BAS, you don't have to choose! You will pick one minor in the arts and one in the sciences, and study courses that consider current and historical issues, integrating the two discplines.  Then you can go on to make a real difference as a veterinarian, archaeologist, doctor, communication and PR professional, lawyer or teacher! You choose your career path.

Sample Minor Combinations and Future Career Choices:

• Chemistry + Art history   
• Computing + Psychology
• Ecology + International Development Studies
• Biochemistry + Criminal Justice and Public Policy
• Physics + Theatre Studies

Participate in unique courses that investigate how cultural, social and scientific endeavours confront world issues. Critically analyze historical and current case studies to complete volunteer placements at local agencies.

Water Resources Engineering focuses on the use and management of land and water resources in rural and urban watersheds.

A growing population and the need for clean water demands Water Resources Engineers to develop solutions that are environmentally sustainable and economically viable.  Water Resources Engineering combines elements of other disciplines such as civil engineering, environmental engineering, agriculture, planning and geography in a unique combination ideally suited to address society's concerns and needs surrounding water.

Students design and develop creative solutions to protect groundwater, soil, wetlands, streams and lakes to ensure that the development of new water supplies not disrupt natural processes.  Students learn to apply engineering analysis and computer models to identify water resources problems and design engineering solutions to these challenges.

Co-op
The Co-op program in Water Resources 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.

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.

Explore the brain, the most poorly understood organ in the human body and the source of many disorders and diseases. Study contemporary problems and research tools in neuroscience and further your knowledge of the nervous system. Structure your program with electives to emphasize aspects of molecular/cellular, behavioural and cognitive, and biomedical neuroscience. 

The Department of Political Science is a dynamic, research-intensive and teaching-oriented department, offering students an effective and engaging learning environment. Faculty are leading experts who engage with students to develop their ability to understand and analyze the complex relationships between power, authority and governance, and how these shape the lives of individuals and groups around the world.

As a Political Science student, you’ll explore the forces of power, authority and governance that shape the world. Analyze governmental actions and their effect on a local and global scale. Understand the power of politics and its ability to influence the lives of individuals, families and communities.

Explore genetics, physiology, behaviour, welfare and nutrition. Obtain a broad overview of animal production systems and animal bioscience, and learn the science of breeding, feeding, care and management of domesticated animals. Expand your knowledge with electives, senior courses and undergraduate research projects. Build a career in veterinary medicine, the nutrition industry, animal care and welfare, or education and research. Also see B.Sc. (Agr.) Animal Science.

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.

Philosophy is the study of general and fundamental academic discipline that allows students to Pursue questions that have stimulated thinkers across eras and cultures. How should we live? What is it to be a person? Explore these and other questions through modern issues in artificial intelligence, politics, sexuality, and the environment in small seminars and field courses. You will acquire skills in reasoning, communication, critical thinking, intellectual independence, and the ability to understand others’ viewpoints and assumptions. 

Choose between 15 areas of concentration in the three years BA General degree. This flexible, multidisciplinary three-year degree involves a generalized study of a broad range of subjects and allows you to tailor your studies to your interests and career plans.

Areas of concentration are:

• Anthropology;
• English;
• French studies;
• Geography;
• History;
• International development studies;
• Mathematics;
• Music;
• Philosophy;
• Political science;
• Psychology;
• Sociology;
• Spanish and Hispanic studies;
• Statistics;
• Theatre studies.

Want a commerce degree, but not ready to commit to a specialized major? Begin with courses that foster a smooth transition to a specialization in second year. Choose your major in the winter semester of your first year. To pursue co-op, we recommend that you apply to the co-op stream of the program that most interests you directly from high school; space in co-op can be limited. Entrance into co-op for in-course students is subject to availability and your University of Guelph average.