Bachelor of Science in Microbiology

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.

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.

Computer Science
Help explore problems, build innovative computing solutions and contribute to the evolution of technology. This major will provide you with a theoretical foundation in computer science, as well as practical experience in software development and an introduction to hardware. You will explore pressing computer science issues, from large system software development to emerging technologies. This major will focus on programming and the theory of computation, with plenty of flexibility in selecting computer science electives to fit your interests, such as Computational Intelligence, Computer Security, Game Programming and Human Computer Interaction.

The major in Management provides a balanced foundation of management knowledge and strategic leadership skills that will enable graduates to one day work as professional managers and organizational leaders. The major focuses on broad, transferrable competencies within the academic discipline of management (i.e., planning and goal setting, strategy development and execution, managerial decision making, designing organizational structure, managing change and innovation, motivating individuals and teams, managerial communication, negotiation and conflict management), while simultaneously providing the flexibility to explore a wide range of courses in other business disciplines. This major is well suited to students with a strong interest in the core skills of management who wish to develop a broad understanding and expertise in business management.

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. Experiential learning is an integral part of the major, and occurs through the integration of industry examples in the classroom, and a required management capstone course that takes a consulting perspective to address real-world and simulated organizational challenges.

Graduates of the Management major will leave the University of Guelph equipped with a range of knowledge and skills which prepare them to meet management needs of the future in such roles as management consultant, business analyst, talent management specialist or as future general managers.

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.

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.

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. 

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.

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.

Students interested in problems requiring the application of knowledge from both the biological sciences and engineering will find a challenge as a Biological Engineer. This field of engineering is the application of principles, methods and concepts of biology to systems and tools, ranging in scale from molecular to ecosystem level. This field combines engineering principles with life sciences to design creative solutions for biological systems, with applications ranging from pharmaceutical and food manufacturing, bioconversions to reduce waste, and production of sustainable, bio-based materials. For example, a Biological Engineer concentrating on biotechnology might design and manage bioreactors to improve their productivity. A Biological Engineering graduate can pursue a career in a number of exciting fields, including food safety, bio-instrumentation, diagnostics and sensorics in bio-systems, biomechanics and ergonomics.

Co-op
The Co-op program in Biological 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 (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. 

Designed around a framework of sustainability, Mechanical Engineering empowers you to design and develop processes and systems that improve our environment, technology and quality of life.

Our innovative Mechanical Engineering program has been built to prepare you for a challenging and rewarding career in this versatile field. This program emphasizes the principles of physics and materials science for analysis, design, manufacturing, and maintenance of mechanical systems. It involves the production and usage of heat and mechanical power for the design, production, and operation of machines and tools. By emphasizing collaboration and integration, you will experience practical design-based learning and develop the tools to create new and effective solutions to issues in our world.

The Co-op program in Mechanical Engineering s 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.