Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Biology (Co-op Optional)

at University of Ottawa Canada

Economics
Ever wonder why some countries are richer than others? Ever question why income inequality has been growing? Ever wonder why Canadian politicians worry when other countries may be going bankrupt? Economics can answer all these questions. 

Economics examines how individuals and society make choices in a world where resources are limited. It focuses on the production, distribution and consumption of goods and services. Two important themes are efficiency (the absence of waste in the use of resources) and fairness. Since making choices is central to all human activities, studying economics often helps explain why people and governments behave in certain ways.

Political Science
Politics is omnipresent in our lives. Political science seeks to describe, analyze, understand and assess the principles and power relations that govern social life. It revolves as much around the structures and institutions that define these relations and principles as around the ideas and practices that drive them. It studies everything that influences political life and institutions (ideologies, groups, social movements, etc.) on a local, regional, national and international scale.

Our programs offer in-depth training in political science and encourage critical reflection on pivotal issues like citizenship, identity, political participation, globalization and development, governance and the state, and ethics and democracy. A discipline open to many theoretical and methodological approaches, political science constantly exchanges and shares with other fields. At the University of Ottawa's School of Political Studies, you build your knowledge in four subfields of political science: political thought, Canadian and Quebec politics, comparative politics, and international relations and global politics.

Geology is a modern, dynamic and diverse science that involves investigating the composition and evolution of Earth and other planetary bodies.

Geologists and Earth scientists study the Earth, including its chemical, physical and biological evolution. Our programs teach students how to analyze Earth materials, probe the Earth from surface to core and model the processes that produced and shape its oceans and continents. The Ottawa region is a natural laboratory where students investigate resources (water, metals, minerals, petroleum), hazards (earthquakes, tsunamis, eruptions, landslides) and a variety of geological environments.

The Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences offers programs in geology and, along with the Department of Physics, a program in geology-physics. These programs balance field-based learning with theoretical and analytical investigations directly relevant to the needs of society. The final year involves an independent research project or equivalent units (credits) in advanced courses in the discipline.

The honours requirements meet the professional accreditation requirements of the Association of Professional Geoscientists of Ontario and l’Ordre des géologues du Québec.

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.

Software engineering is a CO-OP only program that emphasizes innovation and teamwork to develop practical, solution-driven thinking. During their fourth-year project, students in this program can form teams and leverage their work experience to create real applications; some students even start their own companies. They learn how to apply engineering principles—including rapid prototyping, requirements analysis, system modelling, design, implementation, testing and project management—to develop software. Software engineers are key professionals in fields such as high tech, finance, telecommunications, government, health care, transportation and entertainment.

The University of Ottawa offers a rich academic environment to study mathematics and statistics under the supervision of professors who have gained an international reputation for their research. Most major fields of research in mathematics and statistics are represented within the Department of mathematics and Statistics. Moreover, the Department is a participating unit in the master's level collaborative programs in bioinformatics and in biostatistics.

This multi-disciplinary program introduces students to the study of international issues, trans-border phenomena and intercultural relations of all kinds. It leads to an in-depth understanding of the complex connections and interactions among local, national, regional and global processes. It exposes students to a wide range of disciplinary viewpoints — including economics, geography, history and world religions — while simultaneously providing a solid and rigorous foundation in political science. 

As a complement to its focus on international studies, the program offers advanced foreign-language training. Students acquire proficiency in Canada's two official languages and in at least one additional modern language, thus preparing them for the demands of an internationally-oriented career. The program also develops fundamental skills in critical-thinking, analysis and synthesis, and teaches students a variety of research methods. Students benefit from extensive international opportunities, including study abroad, international field-research courses, a Model UN course, and international internships. 

In addition to their second official language, students can choose to study one of the following modern languages: Arabic, Chinese, German, Italian, Japanese, Portuguese, Russian or Spanish.

Communication
Ours is the communication and information age. Analyzing how information is gathered, produced and distributed today helps us understand the communication processes that drive a variety of settings: social, cultural, political, organizational, economic and legal. In this program, you will develop critical and analytical skills in order to evaluate the nature and impact of technology and media on society, organizations and interpersonal relations. You will have the opportunity to be exposed to the latest developments in the field of communication (communication strategies, digital media, evolution of the media industry, advertising, crisis communications, negotiations, etc.). The Department of Communication offers courses in two main areas: media studies and organizational communication (internal and external communication in public and private organizations, health communication, organizational change, etc.). Combining theory and practice, our programs develop your critical and analytical skills and prepare you either for a professional career or for advanced studies.

Sociology
Sociology involves the study of societies, specifically their institutions, cultures, and transformations. Sociologists seek to uncover the processes, rules, and norms that govern social relations. They seek to understand issues such as the origins and consequences of social inequalities and collective behaviours. In our programs, students have the opportunity to apply theoretical approaches to real-world cases and learn how to use research tools such as interviewing, discourse analysis, surveys, and statistical analyses. The connection between theory and research enables students to understand a range of contemporary social issues, such as poverty, ethnic relations, deviance, gender relations, international development, power, and technology.

The option in international management is designed to help students develop an understanding of the distinctive problems that arise in international business and to develop strategic decision-making skills in relation to those problems. Students also have the opportunity to broaden their knowledge in a particular area of international management.

Compulsory courses study the global business environment, including general concepts and international institutional framework, as well as the development and implementation of policies and strategies by multinational corporations. Students should note that these concepts are examined from the perspective of Canadian corporations. Students also have the opportunity to begin learning a third language (other than English and French). 

Students in the International Management option must complete at least 12 of the 120-unit program requirement abroad as part of an international exchange with one of the Telfer School of Management's international partner institutions. 

The Honours Bachelor of Commerce in Accounting allows students to build a solid foundation in financial and managerial accounting, auditing and taxation. Students not only learn how to produce accurate financial statements, but also study more complex topics in accounting. 

As part of their program, students are able to specialize and take all the courses required to apply for Ontario's Certified Professional Accountant (CPA) designation, or to be flexible and take a more general accounting stream. 

Since it deals mainly with issues that have no simple solutions, philosophy emphasizes the exchange of ideas and debate, and thus cultivates an appetite for deep and serious reflection. By reading and discussing the works of the world's great thinkers on fundamental topics like truth, justice, morality and existence, you sharpen your own ability to think clearly, critically and independently. The Department's curriculum has a twin approach, historical and analytical, and covers political and social philosophy, ethics, philosophy of science, philosophy of language, philosophy of mind and logic.