Bachelor of Arts in Biology (Co-op)

at Wilfrid Laurier University - Waterloo Campus Canada

Mathematics is a dynamic, evolving subject with many fascinating applications. Mathematics is often used to solve problems from the sciences, the arts and business – once put within the framework of mathematics, real-world problems can be solved in an efficient and reliable manner.

As a Mathematics student, you’ll study why modern business models heavily depend on probability and statistics, first developed in analyzing astronomical and census data and gambling. This is just one example why mathematics has been, and will continue to be, of vital importance to the world we live in.

Our Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Mathematics focuses on the mathematics and statistics used in the social sciences, the humanities and business. You can combine our Mathematics program with many other disciplines, including Economics. We also offer a program specifically in Financial Mathematics, in addition to a Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Mathematics, which emphasizes the role of mathematics and statistics in the natural and computer sciences.

CONCENTRATE YOUR STUDIES:

• You can select elective courses in mathematics and statistics within six optional concentrations:
  • Analysis and Geometry
  • Discrete Mathematics and Algebra
  • Mathematical Modelling
  • Statistics and Data Analytics
  • Financial Risk Management
  • Computational Finance

The Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Biology program provides a firm foundation not only in Biology, but also in Chemistry and Math. The BSc program is ideal for those looking to move on to graduate work in Biology or to professional postgraduate programs in environmental or health sciences.

Courses combine theoretical fundamentals with hands-on practices, allowing you to strengthen your proficiency in essential scientific-technical and reasoning skills. Senior students can become involved in ongoing research programs at the cutting edge of our discipline.

Laurier's Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Financial Mathematics program is structured to teach you mathematics and its financial applications with a focus on how mathematics is connected with natural, physical and computer sciences.

Laurier’s Financial Mathematics program is structured to teach you mathematics and its financial applications at the same time. Our core courses cover many topics that are fundamental to financial mathematics, including:

• calculus
• analysis
• linear algebra
• differential equations
• numerical analysis
• optimization
• probability theory and statistics
• stochastic processes
• stochastic calculus

You will obtain extensive experience solving real-world problems in financial mathematics and risk management in our math labs, where you will use appropriate mathematical and statistical software.

ABOUT THE BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN FINANCIAL MATHEMATICS

• Our Bachelor of Science (BSc) program is focused on how mathematics is connected with natural, physical and computer sciences. You’ll have the opportunity to complete one or two minors in science subjects.
• For example, the concentration in Computational Finance (see below), enhanced with additional courses in Computer Science, will teach you advanced numerical techniques pertinent to financial and risk management problems and will help prepare you for a future career as a quantitative analyst.
• We also offer a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Financial Mathematics, which focuses on how mathematics is connected with social science and business.

CONCENTRATE YOUR STUDIES:-
You can select elective courses in mathematics and statistics within six optional concentrations:

• Analysis and Geometry
• Discrete Mathematics and Algebra
• Mathematical Modelling
• Statistics and Data Analytics
• Financial Risk Management
• Computational Finance
• You also have the opportunity to complete an option in Management

We believe a successful Economics program provides a combination of sound mathematics, strong statistical analysis and the ability to powerfully convey these findings. Our Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Economics provides rigorous training that will give you both theoretical and empirical methods to understand, interpret and communicate the key issues in today’s society.

Laurier’s Economics department is uniquely positioned within our Lazaridis School of Business and Economics to provide you with the option to complete your degree in Economics and Accounting or Economics and Financial Management. The end result is an Economics graduate that has the tools and skills to make a huge impact in the workforce.

LEARN AND EARN:-
As an Economics student, you can take part in our business degree co-op program – the largest in the country – where you can explore different career options and develop skills for your future during three work terms.

Chemistry touches every aspect of our lives. The study of the complex molecular world, a world that exists at the submicroscopic level, is a discipline of enormous scope.

Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Chemistry at Laurier, you will have the opportunity to work with professors who are both devoted to teaching and active in research. The broad chemical principles learned are the basis of many of today's unique products, providing a foundation for a variety of career options.

Classroom and laboratory time are balanced to provide you with solid theoretical foundations and mastery of experimental techniques. Also, the small size of the department means there are plenty of opportunities to interact with faculty. 

If you're successful in your application to the BA + Master's program in History, you'll receive two conditional offers of admission:

• One to undergraduate studies (BA) in History
• One to graduate studies (master's) in your undergraduate program.

This means that if you decide to continue your studies at the graduate level, you don’t need to apply to the master's program at Laurier, because you’ve already received a conditional offer of admission. You will begin your master's program after you graduate from your BA degree program.

BENEFITS OF THE BA + MASTER'S
Students accepted into the BA + Master's program receive mentoring and skills development opportunities throughout their undergraduate degree that will help them achieve the admission requirements for the graduate program, and help turn the conditional offer into an acceptance.

BA - History

Laurier’s History department teaches all periods from ancient to modern and is especially strong in the following areas:

• Global history (both regional and transnational courses);
• War and its impact;
• Social, cultural and gender history; and
• Innovative thematic courses (music, crime, business).

Our program encourages you to specialize in what interests you, whether it’s cultural or art history, social or military history, or the history of crime or politics. We focus on developing analytical and communication skills. These skills are invaluable in such varied professions as law, education, journalism and public and international service.

ABOUT ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AT LAURIER
In our Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Environmental Science program, you will learn and understand how concepts from biology, chemistry and geography can be integrated to explain the processes that affect the physical environment and how these processes influence the biotic performance, from individual organisms to whole ecosystems.

The Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Environmental Science will give you the skills needed to understand how to use analytical tools, including lab and field methods, to quantify and assess the physical and chemical properties of soil, water and air for assessing and monitoring populations of organisms.

You will develop a broad range of techniques that will allow you to identify and devise solutions to environmental problems caused by human activities. You will be able to communicate these issues to diverse audiences for a number of purposes, such as helping to restore ecosystems or advocating for environmental issues.

Students in Environmental Science take one mandatory field course, and have opportunities to take others through the Ontario Universities’ Program in Field Biology.

Faculty members hire students as research assistants to work help with studies in the lab and field.

HONOURS THESIS OPTION
Students completing an honours thesis will conduct a yearlong research project that includes data collection, analysis and write-up.

Examples of honours thesis topics include:

• "Relating intensity of forest fires to caribou herd depletion in the Northwest Territories"
• "Effects of climate change on frozen landscapes in the north"
• "Effects of atmospheric processes on the movement and fate of pollutants"
• "Identification and conservation of rare and threatened plant species"

STUDY MUSIC AT LAURIER
Built around world-class instructors and a supportive learning environment, you’ll start your Bachelor of Music as a common first-year student, giving you the flexibility to delve deeper into all areas of music before choosing a major. Concentrations are chosen in second year and are offered in:

• composition
• comprehensive
• integrated music arts
• music education
• music history, theory and critical analysis
• performance

As a first-year student, you’ll receive weekly one-hour private lessons, ensemble experience and masterclasses plus access to professional coach-accompanists. We admit 100 students annually in winds, brass, percussion, piano, harp, organ, voice, strings, classical guitar and historical instruments.

As a student in the Water Science and Environmental Health program, you'll learn the underlying scientific principles, processes and theories concerning the physical, chemical and biological properties of water and the factors that play a critical role in maintaining ecosystem and human health.

Through a combination of training and practical work experience, including co-op, you'll identify and solve ongoing threats to our water resources including those caused by human activities and climate change. You'll be able to recognize that the availability of safe, clean water and its resources is a fundamental question of social justice.

This program will help you develop the skills needed to apply quantitative and computer analysis to assess, monitor and sustainably manage land and water resources. You'll understand the critical need of government responsibility for managing and protecting water and Earth's resources.

Throughout your studies, you will feel empowered to contribute to the quest to improve the availability, security and reliability of human water supplies, while ensuring the whole ecosystem and human health.

Biochemistry is a fundamental multidisciplinary science that explores the molecular aspects of life and is the basis for many other disciplines in life sciences, including cell and molecular biology, microbiology, genetics, and molecular medicine.

Biotechnology is the application of biochemistry to develop technologies, materials and products that help improve, replenish and sustain the health of our planet.

ABOUT BIOCHEMISTRY AND BIOTECHNOLOGY AT LAURIER
In our program, we emphasize the health and pharmaceutical sciences, which constitute more than 50% of the total activity in biochemical research and biotechnology in Canada.

You’ll take several courses in mathematics, physics, chemistry, biology and biochemistry, along with courses in applied biochemistry, and gain the practical skills and the academic knowledge you’ll need to succeed in a career in research, service, industry or academia.

You’ll benefit from a research-intensive environment. In your fourth year, you'll have an option to complete a senior thesis research project. The thesis option will provide you with hands-on experience using state-of-the-art equipment in a new and challenging area of biochemical research.