Bachelor of Science in Environmental Sciences (Co-op)

at University of Guelph Canada

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.

Within the School of Computer Science, there are two majors available to you: Computer Science and Software Engineering. Unique to the Bachelor of Computing Degree is the Area of Application. This allows you to study a secondary subject. Computing is often done in conjunction with something else and the Area of Application allows you to choose what you wish to study along with Computer Science or Software Engineering. Your area of application could be in biology, psychology, business, or any other field you are interested in.

Bring about positive change in the world. Explore the nature and impacts of economic and social development in Canada and around the world and gain experience engaging with development organizations. Tackle the big issues like poverty, social justice, food insecurity, gender, inequality and climate change. You can choose from five areas of emphasis: Agriculture and Food Security; Development in the Canadian Context; Development in Fragile Contexts; Environment and Sustainable Development; and Gender and Inclusive Development.

The Ontario Agricultural College (OAC) of the University of Guelph is internationally renowned for its research, teaching and knowledge extension. Our community has a strong sense of shared purpose: To Improve Life by inspiring leaders, generating knowledge and creating innovative solutions for food, agriculture, communities and the environment.

Improve agriculture and how we feed the world.
By 2050 there will be nine billion people in the world to feed. Agriculture is about food, science, business and responsibly using land and resources to bring healthy and sustainable food to the world. Agriculture and food industries have more job openings than qualified people to fill them. 

Sample First Year Courses

• Introduction to Agri-Food Systems
• Biology of Plants and Animals in Managed Ecosystems
• Elements of Calculus I
• Economics of the Agri-Food System
• Agroecology
• Introduction to Molecular and Cellular Biology

The common first-year in Agriculture gives you the flexibility to select one of three majors.

• Honours Agriculture
• Animal Science
• Crop, Horticulture and Turfgrass Sciences

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.

Explore the biological aspects of human movement, function, and performance in health, aging, and chronic disease. Study nutrition, physiology, biomechanics, anatomy, genetics, and genomics. Experience comprehensive hands-on laboratories in exercise testing and assessment of human movement, and an in-depth dissection-based anatomical study of the human body. Gain the requirements to become a certified Kinesiologist. Pursue graduate work or a variety of related professional programs. If you're interested in Kinesiology, please see the University of Guelph-Humber B.A.Sc. Kinesiology program.

Biomedical Engineering is a field of engineering that deals with health and medicine. (e.g.: electronic and mechanical devices used on biological materials, animals and humans, medical implants and instruments, ergonomics, bioinstrumentation, imaging and pharmacology). Graduates in Biomedical engineering are able to apply mathematical, scientific and engineering principles to a wide variety of fields and find employment across the private and public sectors of the health care industry. The program provides students with a common base of knowledge essential to engineering, and then allows them to select from a menu of electives to attain a degree of specialization in one of three areas, or to choose electives which broaden their general knowledge base. Elective concentrations are available in the areas of biomechanics; biosignal processing; and pharmaceuticals. The program is built around the concept of interdisciplinary application of engineering principles to health related problems.

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.

The Management Economics and Finance major is designed to offer students an appreciation of business and economic problems particularly in the area of finance.

The major provides a suitable education for a career in the business world or in the public service. It also constitutes a useful preparation for more advanced studies, including graduate studies in Economics, Finance, Business Administration, Accounting, Industrial Relations, Law, and Public Policy. The major is administered by the Department of Economics and Finance and students are urged to consult the faculty advisor.

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

Co-op
The Co-op program in Management Economics and Finance 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. 

The Bachelor of Indigenous Environmental Science and Practice (BIESP) is an interdisciplinary science degree that focuses on the development of leaders in areas of environmental science, land-use and policy development who are grounded in Indigenous ways of knowing and being. This science degree emphasizes the respectful and consensual braiding of Indigenous and Western knowledge systems to address complex environmental issues and challenges. It focuses on the responsible use and protection of the natural environment through practices based on Indigenous ways of knowing and doing and the practice of Indigenous land ethics grounded in Indigenous epistemologies, ontologies, traditions and aspirations. By explicitly recognizing the inherent validity and value of Indigenous ways of knowing and doing, this interdisciplinary program offers a critical, yet constructive, view of environmental science, grounded in Indigenous knowledge systems, methodologies, priorities and values and oriented towards concrete action. In addition to their studies of natural and applied science, students will examine the historical and contemporary relationships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples in Canada and the legal, political and economic context of environmental science and practice.  

Experiential learning is incorporated into each year of study through opportunities to interact and work directly with Indigenous communities and organizations supporting cross-cultural learning and practice. In the final year, students will conduct a group project that focuses on a current environmental issue and provides the opportunity to obtain realistic experiences within the interdisciplinary context of practicing environmental science with Indigenous communities. The BIESP is also offered as a co-op option. 

Learning Outcomes
Graduates of the BIESP degree will have demonstrated they can:

• Build awareness of Indigenous cultural frameworks of environmental science including the role of traditional knowledge keepers, right relations, multi-generational environmental stewardship, and inclusion of non-human beings. 
• Consider the implications of historical and contemporary relationships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities in influencing governance, practices, policies, interactions and decision making in environmental science and practice. 
• Apply a critical and decolonial lens to the existing approach to environmental science and practice in Canada through the exploration of Indigenous principles, aspirations and practices while cognizant of the historical and ongoing legacy of colonization, land dispossession, and intergenerational trauma. 
• Apply the evolving legal frameworks of Indigenous and non-Indigenous environmental science, which include Indigenous People’s inherent, treaty and constitutionally-protected rights, historic and contemporary lands, the minimal standard of free, prior, and informed consent, duty to consult and Indigenous-led practices of protection and restoration of special places and community well-being, to environmental stewardship.  
• Bridge and braid Indigenous and Western knowledge systems to propose and evaluate answers and solutions to environmental questions.  
• Formulate relevant and testable research questions, develop and implement an effective method of inquiry and perform appropriate quantitative and qualitative analyses for use in evidence-based environmental planning, policy development and implementation across different knowledge systems from Indigenous and Western research paradigms and methodologies.  
• Utilize techniques and skills including mapping and GIS, data classification, spatial analysis, map design, Indigenous research methodologies and environmental risk assessment practices to analyze environmental management issues across different knowledge systems. 
• Demonstrate project management skills (leadership, negotiation, communication, problem-solving, decision-making, time and task management, and budgeting) to effectively work within a team to complete multifaceted projects related to environmental management, research, and community engagement. 
• Communicate ideas, arguments and analyses to Indigenous and non-Indigenous audiences accurately and effectively, recognizing the role of language, personal values, strengths and limitations, and respecting diverse perspectives.  
• Demonstrate moral maturity and intercultural competency by considering diverse perspectives on environmental issues and Indigenous world views when acting as a professional and community member in decision making processes related to topics of land use, conservation, sustainability and environmental remediation and restoration. 
• Critically reflect on their personal values, academic and professional goals and determine how they can continue to respectfully engage and sustain relationships with Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities to address environmental challenges utilizing both Indigenous and Western scientific knowledge systems and ethical protocols. 
• Appreciate and support the needs and priorities of Indigenous communities to promote respect, protect and sustain Indigenous knowledge and practice in Indigenous communities.

Environmental Engineering is the application of scientific theories and principles to minimize the impact of human activities on the environment.

The Environmental Engineering program at Guelph was designed from the ground up as a complete, comprehensive environmental program.  It provides in-depth knowledge of relevant physical, chemical and biological systems with a strong emphasis on engineering design.  Our students experience the important role Environmental Engineering plays in serving the current and future needs of all humanity.