Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies

at University of Ottawa Canada

The MHK program in Intervention and Consultation is the only course-based professional Applied Sport Psychology program in Canada. This program rigorously prepares students to meet the certification criteria of the Canadian Sport Psychology Association and its American equivalent, the Association of Applied Sport Psychology, two organizations whose mission is to ensure and promote the competence of mental performance consultants (e.g., by verifying successful completion of graduate studies in sport psychology - or an equivalent program - and a 400-hour supervised internship).

The program is course-based with an emphasis on a supervised internship that seeks to enhance the personal, academic, and career development of students. Academic goals include developing such cognitive skills as problem solving, critical thinking, analysis and synthesis and, most importantly, applying theory to practice through consultation internships.

Biomedical Science is an interdisciplinary program that focuses on the fundamentals of human structure and function, as well as those of other animals. The first two years provide a background in human anatomy and psychology, in addition to more in-depth knowledge in basic sciences like biology, chemistry, biochemistry, and mathematics. At the end of second year, in addition to courses in biology and biochemistry, students may choose from an array of optional courses and obtain a minor in one of many programs offered, OR they can choose an option within the biomedical sciences (Neuroscience, Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Bioanalytical Science, Medicinal Chemistry or Biostatistics).  On graduation, they will be ready for more advanced research training or for admission to a professional program in human health.

Mathematics
Mathematics and statistics are not only powerful problem-solving tools, but also highly creative fields of studies that combine imagination with logic, and precision with intuition. 

Mathematics is much more than numbers! Its basic goal is to reveal and model general patterns to help explain our world, whether they be found in electrical impulses in the human nervous system, the evolution of animal populations in their habitats, fluctuations in stock-market prices, or electronic communications. Mathematics reaches far beyond science and engineering into medicine, business and the social sciences. 

Advances in mathematics and statistics lie behind many discoveries that are now part of our daily lives, such as MRI scanners, digital compression of music and video, secure electronic communications, data mining, genomic algorithms, futures pricing, and many other innovations. 

The Department of Mathematics and Statistics offers Honours, majors and minors both in mathematics and in statistics. Our Honours program in statistics is accredited by the Statistical Society of Canada, allowing graduates to earn the A.Stat. professional designation. Moreover, the Department offers a joint honours program in mathematics and economics, a joint honours program in mathematics and computer science, as well as a multidisciplinary program in financial mathematics and economics. All our honours programs also include the co-operative education option.

Computer Science
Computer science at the School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science combines the study of computation and information processing fundamentals with their application in the world around us. Computer scientists build fast, reliable, scalable and secure software systems to organize and analyze information. The honours curriculum comprises advanced topics in databases, artificial intelligence, computer graphics, security, distributed computing and algorithm design, culminating in an honours project. 

This program teaches graduates how to use their creative and innovative talents to conceive, design and implement software systems. The French Immersion Stream is now available to all students in the Computer Science program. Our degrees are very flexible and include options, minors and a major, which can be used to explore connections between computer science and many other fields of study.

Computer science at the School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science combines the study of computation and information processing fundamentals with their application in the world around us. Computer scientists build fast, reliable, scalable and secure software systems to organize and analyze information. The honours curriculum comprises advanced topics in databases, artificial intelligence, computer graphics, security, distributed computing and algorithm design, culminating in an honours project. 

This program teaches graduates how to use their creative and innovative talents to conceive, design and implement software systems. The French Immersion Stream is now available to all students in the Computer Science program. Our degrees are very flexible and include options, minors and a major, which can be used to explore connections between computer science and many other fields of study.
 

The School of International Development and Global Studies (SIDGS) offers interdisciplinary programs leading to a Master of Arts (MA) in International Development and Globalization and a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in International Development.

The master’s program is offered in collaboration with the Faculty of Arts, the Faculty of Law (common law and civil law), and the Faculty of Social Sciences and includes a co-op option.

The SIDGS offers an interdisciplinary MA program that exposes students to a broad range of development theory, policy and practice, while also permitting specialization in one of four fields: Conflict, Transitions and Peace; Growth, Private Sector and Social Inclusion; Livelihoods, Resources and Sustainability; and Social Movements, Equity and Human Rights.  Students have opportunities for hands-on practice through Co-op and international internships, as well as for networking with development policymakers and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) in the federal capital.

In recent years, organizations have increasingly begun to appreciate the strategic importance of adopting a systematic approach to human resource management (HRM). The purpose of this program is to provide an in-depth knowledge of the three HRM functions that have become most critical in organizations: personnel management, industrial relations and organizational behaviour. This program emphasizes both practical and conceptual skills, to enable students to work in all areas of HRM in the private, public, and not-for-profit sectors. 

Graduates of this program are well-positioned to succeed in the competitive HR labour market, as the majority of our courses have been accredited by the Human Resources Professionals Association of Ontario (HRPAO). Thus, students who successfully complete the HRM program not only receive a BCom with specialized training in HRM, but also fulfill the academic requirements for Certified Human Resources Professional (CHRP) designation. 

Students will acquire knowledge and have opportunities to apply what they learn to interventions in physical activity, education and coaching that enrich peoples’ lives. They will gain theoretical and practical training in why and how to encourage people to become more active and how to better peoples’ experiences in various contexts of physical activity, education and coaching. Students will critically examine how various intervening roles, especially in teaching and coaching, lead to improved health, well-being, development, learning, and performance in individuals and society, and will learn to develop, implement and evaluate programs. Students will receive training informed by social sciences (e.g., psychology, sociocultural, pedagogy, leisure studies). They will have opportunities to acquire motivational and consulting skills to work with individuals in different contexts. For example, they can learn behavioural change techniques to promote physical activity, or how to work with athletes to prepare them for competition.

Students will have opportunities to gain competencies in leading group interventions in sport coaching, recreation programming, and teaching physical activity. They can gain training that will allow them to contribute to the strategic promotion of healthy physical activity in communities, that can be applied to interventions and programming across the lifespan (from young children to older adults), in established and under-represented populations (e.g., persons with disabilities, at-risk youth). Students will have opportunities to gain skills in critical inquiry they will use to question whether interventions or social policies address individual, social and environmental considerations, and to facilitate change in current approaches.

Studies in this area of interest enable our graduates to pursue various career-paths in education, coaching and roles in promotion and programming of physical activity, sport and leisure. The emphasis of our program on both foundational knowledge and also how knowledge translates into action enables our graduates to pursue different occupational roles. For example, our graduates can become leaders in the development of recreation services and fitness programs in the community (e.g., community clubs, campus recreation departments, employee wellness programs), sport coaches, teachers of physical and health education in schools, mental performance consultants in high-performance sport (e.g., sport academies), and exercise consultants and health promoters working in community health centres. Our graduates can find roles in developing persuasive messages for ‘Active Living’ or ‘Get Fit’ media communications, and they can become advocates promoting the health benefits of physical activity, sport and leisure to policymakers in the public, private and non-profit sectors. Our graduates can also pursue research based or professional-based graduate degrees relating to interventions in physical activity, sport and leisure.

The purpose of the Biomedical Mechanical Engineering program is to graduate engineers proficient in the areas of biomedical engineering related to mechanical engineering. These include the design of medical devices such as artificial hearts, implants and prostheses, the development and selection of bio-compatible metallic and non-metallic materials for implants and medical equipment, robotics for medical applications, biomechanics and rehabilitation engineering.

The program structure parallels that of the regular Mechanical Engineering program, replacing eight courses in the regular program with biomedically-oriented courses.

This program has a broad scope, so that graduates may have a wide range of career choices, not only in the biomedical field but also in conventional mechanical engineering. Biomedical systems are among the most complex of mechanical systems; therefore, a strong and comprehensive education in standard mechanical engineering principles is provided, with emphasis on their application in biomedical systems.

Upon completion of a Bachelor of Applied Science in Biomedical Mechanical Engineering, a student who completes the requirements specified below for 30 extra units will be eligible for a BSc in Computing Technology, as a second degree. The remaining 132 units are from their engineering degree; students follow the engineering degree requirements and the Computing Technology degree requirements in parallel. It is not allowed to obtain the Computing Technology degree without also completing the corresponding engineering degree.

The MA in sociology is offered as a full-time and a part-time program, in French and in English. In English, the maximum number of annual admissions is fixed according to the procedure explained in the "Admission Requirements" section. In accordance with the University of Ottawa regulation, students may write their assignments, research papers, theses and examinations in either English or French.

The MBA program is conceived for candidates with at least three years of work experience. The program may be completed on a full-time basis over twelve (12) consecutive months. If the degree requirements are completed on a part-time basis, program duration is then normally twenty-four (24) months.The Telfer School of Management also offers an Executive MBA (EMBA) program which is designed for mid-career and senior level executives who seek a Global, Practical and Relevant experience all while earning a graduate degree. For more information please refer to the EMBA website.

The program provides a strong foundation in all management disciplines, develops management and people skills, and refines the students' ability to view and analyze issues, opportunities and situations from a strategic perspective, allowing them to become responsible agents of change. Emphasis is placed on the applications of relevant, contemporary management concepts, models and philosophies with an integrated approach to problem solving and an appreciation of all aspects of the organization.

The pedagogical approach stresses teamwork and managerial skills development. It allows the student to grapple with real-world challenges facing organizations through industry-based integrating projects that draw upon multiple disciplines.

The student population is drawn from around the world and brings to the program a variety of educational backgrounds as well as professional expertise from the private and public sectors.

The program combines academic excellence with a strong concern for the practical challenges facing modern managers. To this end, it makes significant use of practitioner-oriented teaching materials and business simulations, and allows students to become actively involved with organizations.