Bachelor of Media Arts

at University of the Fraser Valley - Abbotsford Campus Canada

In virtually every sector of the economy, businesses of all sizes rely on information technology (IT) professionals to remain competitive. In fact, according to a recent BC Stats Report, average weekly earnings for technology employees are 85% higher than for non-tech workers in British Columbia and the unemployment rate has reached an all-time low.

UFV's intensive, two-year Computer Information Systems (CIS) diploma provides you with the knowledge and experience you need to find employment in the IT sector and prepares you to support single and networked systems to meet the requirements placed by ongoing business demands.

Throughout your studies, you explore key topics such as network and database administration, web design, network security, information systems management, and programming, which allows you to take your career in a number of different directions.

The Computer Information Systems diploma program combines courses from the computing, business, and communications fields to ensure you have the practical skills needed to obtain a first job, as well as a broad base from which to expand your training.

The four-semester program provides theoretical groundwork and specific skill development courses, with major emphasis on practical, hands-on work in UFV's modern well-equipped computer labs.

FEATURES:

• Co-op semester(s) provide paid work experience in your field of study Program eligible for financial aid

Do you have a passion for social justice? Have you always been interested in social issues? 

UFV's Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) degree prepares you to collaborate with individuals, families, groups and communities in diverse envronments and cultural settings. Upon graduation you can apply to register with the British Columbia College of Social Workers (RSW). Or, opt to pursue further studies and complete a Master of Social Work degree at UFV.

You enter the BSW when you are in third year after you've completed 60 credits. Once admitted to the program, you will complete two field placements with one of UFV's community partners. The program offers flexibility so you can carry on with other commitments in your life while earning your degree. 

View the Bachelor of Social Work's program outline in the UFV Academic Calendar

Child Welfare specialization
Choose to specialize your Bachelor of Social Work in the area of child welfare where you may complete a practicum with the Ministry of Children and Family Development or a Delegated Aboriginal Agency.

Gain a framework to understand societal structures and evaluate global social challenges including inequality, poverty, sexism, racism, violence, and climate change.

Sociology major
Study of the development, structure, and functioning of human societies.

Start your studies by delving into sociology's key ideas and concepts, while building an understanding of culture, social change, socialization, stratification, social structure, institutions, race and ethnicity, gender, and age and class. In your third and fourth year, study advanced sociological topics, while gaining practical skills in qualitative and quantitative research.

When you graduate, you have developed the rational thinking, presentation, and  writing skills that are key for academic and professional success.

The Bachelor of Arts in History offers a Major, an Extended minor, and a Minor. A History Honours is also available for students who excel in the History Major. 

The program:

• Study the past to understand the present
• Gain a multitude of skills, including critical thinking, analysis, research, writing, and communication
• Be introduced to Arts-based methodology
• Work with an abundance of sources, whether written or oral
• Enhance your learning in other disciplines
• Learn about the diversity of perspectives on the past
• Enhance your understanding of other cultures
• Gain exposure to the history of people, places, cultures, and ideas
• Prepare for careers in fields such as teaching, public service, law, archives, public history, research, and journalism  

A UFV Bachelor of Arts provides you with an opportunity to discover your passion and gain valuable skills in writing, communications, critical thinking, research, problem solving, and more. With 29 disciplines ready for you to explore, you get to build a breadth of knowledge that prepares you to succeed in a wide range of careers.

In your first and second year, you explore your interest through a range of elective credits  You also create the initial entries of a comprehensive ePortfolio that enables you to document the skills and knowledge you’ve acquired for your résumé or graduate application. After you complete 30 credits, you chart the course for the rest of your degree by selecting from a combination of major(s), extended minors, and minors in the following disciplines:

• Anthropology (extended minor, minor)
• Applied Ethical and Political Philosophy (minor)
• Applied Statistics (minor)
• Art History (extended minor, minor)
• Biology (extended minor)           
• Business (minor)
• Communications (minor)
• Computer Information Systems (extended minor, minor)
• Criminal Justice (extended minor, minor)
• Economics (major, minor)
• English (honours, major, extended minor, minor)
• English — Creative Writing (honours)
• French (major, extended minor, minor)
• Geography (honours, major, extended minor, minor)
• Global development studies (minor and extended minor)
• Graphic + Digital Design (minor and extended minor)
• History (honours, major, extended minor, minor)
• Indigenous Studies (major, minor)
• Kinesiology (minor)
• Latin American Studies (extended minor, minor)
• Mathematics (major, extended minor, minor)
• Mathematics (Statistics option) (minor)
• Media and Communication Studies (extended minor, minor)
• Peace and Conflict Studies (major, minor)
• Philosophy (major, extended minor, minor)
• Political Science (major, extended minor, minor)
• Psychology (honours, major, extended minor)
• Sociology (major, extended minor, minor)
• Sociology/Anthropology (major)
• Theatre (major, extended minor, minor)
• Visual Arts (extended minor, minor)

No matter your choice of major, extended minor, or minor, a Bachelor of Arts prepares you to remain competitive and adaptable in an ever-changing job market.

The Bachelor of Science in Physics allows you to explore the nature of matter, energy, and their interactions, both theoretically and experimentally. 

In this program, you learn early on about fundamental topics like electromagnetism, wave physics, thermodynamics, and relativity. Upper level courses then give you the opportunity to discuss advanced topics like quantum theory and fluid mechanics, applying principles of mathematics to the material world around you.

The Physics program also includes options for Engineering and Mechatronics, if applied sciences piques your interest.

The program:

• integrates classroom theory with a variety of potential lab experiments and hands-on projects.
• encourages exploration of new and current ideas, and challenges you to learn and enquire about the universe in new and complex ways.

The Bachelor of Integrated Studies — UFV's most customizable degree program — lets you choose from over 100 courses from various disciplines and programs, so you can earn an undergraduate degree tailored to your personal career and academic needs. As part of the program, you draw on a mixture of in-class and online learning opportunities, field-based courses, and professional learning experiences to achieve competency in six core areas:

• Effective communications
• Scientific literacy
• Digital
• Use and analysis of numerical information
• Intercultural engagement
• Professional and applied skills

The Bachelor of Integrated Studies is an excellent option if you want to pursue interdisciplinary studies, combine minors, or change your educational focus partway through your degree. You can also include credits earned while completing a certificate or diploma at UFV or other accredited community colleges or universities.

The Associate of Arts, Media and Communication Studies option, focuses on the study of information - how it is created, packaged, distributed, and used.

You will learn about different media industries, including social networks, and how they are changing. You will learn how advertising and other commercial images affect you, how Canadians fit into the global village and what it means to be literate in the new media; in short, you will learn how your life and society are changing in response to innovations in communication.

Students seeking careers in the technical areas of media production will find these courses very valuable, but will need courses from elsewhere to provide instruction in the mechanics of production. For example, while the music industry is studied, sound recording is not.

Graduates of the Associate of Arts, Media and Communication Studies option are prepared to seek employment, to transfer to one of the many degree programs in Canada, or to ladder into the Bachelor of Arts (MACS minor or extended minor) at UFV. Graduates are also eligible to apply to enter into the third year of the Bachelor of Arts in Professional Communication at Royal Roads University.

The Bachelor of Agricultural Science (BAS), Horticulture major emphasizes the academic study of the natural sciences in combination with an applied agriculture curriculum. The program will provide students with an understanding of science and the practical nature of large scale horticulture production. Breadth of knowledge will be enhanced by communication, business, and general elective courses related to agriculture in society, in addition to science and agriculture courses.

The BAS requires 125 credits. To receive a Bachelor of Agricultural Science degree, students must complete an industry-based practicum (AGRI 192) and an applied research project (via a Capstone course) which provides graduates with practical experience with which to enter the workforce and face the challenges associated with the horticulture industry.

The General Studies Diploma can serve as your interdisciplinary introduction to university studies. The two-year (60-credit) program allows you to customize your program of study by choosing from a wide range of courses to select those that match your interests and goals.

If you plan to continue on to complete a degree (BGS, BA, BBA, BCIS, BSc, etc.) once you have completed your diploma, it is highly recommended that you complete the first- and second-year requirements of the degree program. You can also use up to 45 transfer credits within the diploma.