Bachelor of Public Affairs and Policy Management (Co-op)

at Carleton University Canada

The world of information technology is always evolving. What is now commonplace was once a breakthrough. As a student in one of the Bachelor of Information Technology programs, you will acquire the theoretical knowledge and practical skills needed to address the IT issues of today and the possibilities of tomorrow.

The Bachelor of Information Technology (BIT) offers four distinct programs: Information Resource Management (IRM), Interactive Multimedia and Design (IMD), Network Technology (NET) and Optical Systems and Sensors (OSS). These programs are offered jointly by Carleton’s School of Information Technology and Algonquin College’s schools of Health and Community Studies (for IRM), Media and Design (for IMD), and Advanced Technology (for NET and OSS). You will graduate with a Bachelor of Information Technology degree from Carleton University and one of: a Library and Information Technician diploma (for IRM students), an Advanced Diploma of Applied Arts (for IMD students), an Advanced Diploma in Technology (for NET students) or an Advanced Diploma in Photonics and Laser Technology (for OSS students) from Algonquin College.

Interactive Multimedia and Design
The four-year IMD program is aimed at students who are both artistically inclined and technologically adept and who are interested in all aspects of digital media. You will acquire the tools you need to take an idea or a problem and advance it through the entire process from concept to pre-production, production and post-production. The program provides you with a multidisciplinary education through courses in computer animation, visual effects, game design and development, graphic design and human-computer interaction. The program is then further enhanced with courses in science, mathematics, business and social science. The IMD program also offers streams in Animation and Visual Effects; Game Design and Development; and Web and User Interfaces/Experience. You will graduate fully-equipped to work in and shape the digital world of the future.

From war zones to capital cities, from courtrooms to boardrooms, and in hospitals, police stations, sports arenas and church basements, journalists rush to places where events occur. They ask questions, report what they see and hear, and offer analysis of the changes and issues that shape our society.

As key players in the workings of every democracy, journalists should be well educated, thoughtful, analytical, conscious of the responsibility that comes with their job, and equipped with a moral compass to guide their decisions.

Cognitive science involves the study of cognition, perception, and emotion from a wide range of perspectives. Despite the many different methodologies they use, cognitive scientists are united in their interest in the mind—and the brain.

Researchers in our program (students and faculty members) study the mind by combining the methods and theories of five disciplines: psychology, philosophy, linguistics, neuroscience and computer science. This interdisciplinary approach allows unique insights into human understanding, thought, perception, language and emotion.

The Bachelor of Cognitive Science is offered as an Honours program with either a thesis or coursework option, and as a three year degree.

Sustainability has become a key consideration in both society and engineering. There is a growing need for engineers with expertise in the closely related areas of heritage conservation and sustainable building design. Carleton’s program in Architectural Conservation and Sustainability Engineering teaches students a modern approach for the design and retrofit of buildings that holds sustainability as the guiding objective while respecting architectural history and significance. Students learn to consider the life cycle costs and environmental impacts of building materials, energy demand, and the effective reuse and conservation of existing structures. Students in the program work closely with Carleton’s architecture students.

The influence of public policy is pervasive in our society. It affects the quality of the air we breathe and the water we drink. It affects prosperity and the extent of poverty, as well as our access to education and medical care. It shapes the impact and pace of technological change. It determines the duties and powers of our officials at home and overseas. It influences the pace of technological change, the reach and practical meaning of our rights, and the extent of poverty. As a student in the Bachelor of Public Affairs and Policy Management program (BPAPM), you will examine a wide variety of issues facing society today, as well as institutional challenges, and develop the necessary skills and knowledge to address them.

The BPAPM does this through a curriculum that combines interdisciplinary study of civic institutions and processes with rigorous study of public policy. A selection of courses in political science, economics, law, communications, and history is combined with exclusive courses in public policy. Together, these courses will provide you with a comprehensive understanding of what government, civil and business organizations do, why they do it, and how they might do it better.

The BPAPM program is located in the Arthur Kroeger College of Public Affairs, which provides an academic home for our students who come from across Canada and abroad. The university college is ancient in conception, characteristic of universities such as Oxford and Cambridge, and following this model our students belong to a select scholarly community. They have exclusive and direct access to academic advising, dedicated student meeting space and an electronic resource centre.

With an average of B or better after first year, you can apply for a student exchange. This involves spending one or two terms studying public affairs at one of Carleton’s partner institutions around the world.

Ottawa provides an unparalleled range of practical policy-related co-op opportunities with governmental and nongovernmental organizations. Our students also have access to a wide range of internships, including international placements in locations such as Peru, China, and Ghana.

Explore the Bachelor of Public Affairs and Policy Management at Carleton University
Our program offers four specializations, each containing concentrations that reflect specific policy areas within the broader specialization field.

• Communication and Policy Studies
  • Concentration in Communication Technologies and Regulation
  • Concentration in Strategic Public Opinion
• Development Policy Studies
  • Concentration in Rights and Human Development
  • Concentration in Global Economic Relations
• International Policy Studies
  • Concentration in International Relations and Conflict
  • Concentration in Security and Intelligence
• Public Policy and Administration
  • Concentration in Social Policy
  • Concentration in Economic Policy
  • Concentration in Environmental and Sustainable Energy Policy

In this program, students will analyze responses to questions about identity, history, and the basis of political and ethical commitments that have been posed by the world’s major religions. The study of religion nurtures in students a respect for the complex identities of others, their histories, and their cultures. You can study the history and literature of Christianity, Islam and Judaism; examine Asian religions such as Buddhism and Hinduism; follow the rise and fall of religious leaders and movements; or explore common themes in a variety of religious traditions, such as the environment, the role of women, or death and the afterlife. A degree in Religion will equip you for many career opportunities in our increasingly multicultural world, where religious beliefs play a significant role in human affairs and continue to affect local and global events.

At Carleton University's Sprott School of Business, you will have exceptional opportunities to explore your interests and engage with key issues that are shaping business and communities. Sprott is a close-knit and inclusive community that offers a rich student experience and outstanding support, empowering students to find success and have a positive impact in the world.

Sprott’s Bachelor of Commerce (BCom) is a four-year business degree that delivers a complete business education with options to tailor your program to your individual interests and goals, including co-op.

International Business - Concentration
Gain an appreciation of the global environment; a solid foundation in international finance, marketing, and global expansion strategies; the interpersonal skills to manage in diverse contexts; and first-hand international experience through a practicum and study abroad opportunities.

Computer and Internet security has become a critical issue in society because of the vulnerability of our computing and communication networks to hackers and malicious software such as viruses and worms. You will acquire a solid background in computer science and software engineering, as well as depth in both the foundations and the practice of information systems security, including computer and network security, cryptography and software security.

Psychologists study the mechanisms that underlie our thoughts, emotions and behaviours. They examine a diverse range of topics, such as how we think and learn, how we interact with others and how we can promote healthy development and wellness. This is accomplished by conducting research so that the knowledge gained can help us to better understand the human mind, enhance well-being and performance, and generate additional research questions.

Economics may be a specialized area of knowledge, but it is relevant to almost every aspect of our lives. At its core, it is the study of reasoned choice in the context of scarce resources and competing interests. The need to make such choices pervades the day-to-day lives of all of us—as individuals and in society as a whole.

In Carleton’s Bachelor of Economics (BEcon), you will study the operation of market-based economies, examining the causes of economic growth, inflation, unemployment and international trade. Students who wish to focus their studies in particular areas may choose to complete one or two of the eight available concentrations:

• Computational Analysis
• Development
• Economic Theory (recommended for students intending to pursue graduate studies in economics)
• Economic Data Science
• Financial Economics
• International Political Economy
• Mathematics and Quantitative Economics
• Natural Resources, Environment, and Economy