Bachelor of Arts in General Studies (Major)

at Kwantlen Polytechnic University - Surrey Campus Canada

The Mechatronics and Advanced Manufacturing Technology program prepares graduates for careers in the manufacturing industry. With growing reliance on automated technology in the manufacturing sector, technicians are being challenged to perform higher-level tasks that involve diagnostics, analytics, trouble-shooting and hands-on maintenance and repair. Students will acquire critical theoretical and technical knowledge, and hands-on practical experience in applied trades areas such as machining, welding, metal fabrication and electrical. In addition to these skills, students in this program will acquire the knowledge to enable them to prepare technical reports pertaining to the operation and management of an automated manufacturing facility.

The program supports applied research, product development and commercialization solutions.The program also includes the most current technology in computer numerical control (CNC) programming, renewable energy, and computer controlled autonomous systems; hydraulic, pneumatic, electronic and robotic.

Semesters 1 and 2 are aligned to the internationally recognized Siemens Mechatronic Systems Certification (SMSC) program and provide certificate graduates with the opportunity to obtain Siemens Mechatronic Systems Certification Levels 1 and 2. Certificate graduates from the Mechatronics and Advanced Manufacturing Technology program will be equipped with the knowledge, expertise and skills to operate, maintain, and conduct diagnostics on mechatronic systems at a technician level.

Semesters 3 and 4 incorporate advanced manufacturing principles; sustainability practices, engineering resource planning, lean manufacturing practices, communications and business operations. These principles are augmented by experiential skill development in machining, metal fabrication, welding and electrical which will prepare graduates to meet the demands of the emerging trend known as “Industry 4.0”. Graduates from the Mechatronics and Advanced Manufacturing Technology program will be well prepared to work in numerous occupations in the engineering technician/technologist fields.

Advanced 3D Animation and 3D Modelling is a full-time, two-year, cohort program focused on the fundamentals of 3D Animation and 3D Modelling. Students will study various department specializations, such as 3D animation (character and creature), rigging, 3D modelling and sculpting, and texturing and surfacing. The program also touches on the fundamentals of storytelling through acting and visual composition, look development and the basics compositing. The program also teaches students the fundamentals of pre- and postproduction, critical analysis and review, realistic production schedules, team work, soft skills and how to interact with other departments within the postproduction pipeline. A wide range of industry standard software and tools, processes, and workflows are taught to the students. Students will create and compile a portfolio of shots or still life images in the form of a demo reel.

The 3D animation courses focus on animation principles, while integrating rigging, basic scripting, cloth simulation, body mechanics and animation for characters, inanimate objects and creatures.

In the 3D modelling courses students will learn the latest industry techniques in the fields of hard surface modelling, sculpting, texturing and surfacing.

While starting with the observation of traditional drawing and sculpting techniques, students will take these skills into their 3D models, environments and 3D animations. The integration of look development, shading and compositing fundamentals helps bring both 3D models and animations together for polished, final compositions.

The Advanced 3D Animation and 3D Modelling program is best suited for students that display an artistic or creative background. A foundation in technical and/or software skills is also beneficial.

The Bachelor of Arts Major in Psychology is a traditional degree focusing on core areas in psychology including biopsychology, cognitive psychology, developmental psychology, social/personality psychology, and clinical/abnormal psychology. As KPU’s flagship Psychology degree program, the BA is a flexible degree that allows students to explore many different content areas of psychology as well as other areas within the social sciences and humanities. Because of the flexibility of the program, BA students have the opportunity to consult with advisors, faculty and peers to determine their own degree specialization. The emphasis is on transferrable skills, including critical thinking, writing, group work, and oral presentations. Students also have the option of completing a workplace practicum coordinated by KPU and co-supervised by faculty and employers in relevant fields of employment.

Those interested in further study and graduate school or who prefer more extensive research experience may augment their knowledge and skills by taking the research-focused Honours program in Psychology. The Honours program affords students an opportunity to develop and report on a research project under the direct supervision of a faculty member within the Psychology Department.

This is a comprehensive program including courses in English and Mandarin language, communication, Ancient Chinese philosophy, and Western biomedical sciences which are necessary for the critical understanding and development of complex Traditional Chinese Medicine concepts. The curriculum has been designed to offer an education of significant breadth and rigour within the contexts of TCM/Acupuncture fundamental theory, diagnosis, treatment, and clinical practice. The program includes 460 hours of practice. Through these experiential learning activities, students will actively engage with the community.

Note: To be eligible to write the licensing exam with the College of Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioners and Acupuncturists of British Columbia (CTCMA), 60 university credits are required in addition to the credits attained within the Traditional Chinese Medicine Acupuncture Diploma. These credits may be attained before, during, or after the Traditional Chinese Medicine Acupuncture Diploma.

The Bachelor of Arts, Major in Asian Studies degree will allow you to develop the competencies characteristic of a traditional BA program while preparing you to respond creatively to the challenges you will encounter in an increasingly interconnected world. In this four-year interdisciplinary program, you will not only acquire practical skills that you can employ in your multicultural communities locally, you will also develop the intellectual and cultural competencies required to operate successfully in a world where the nations of East and South Asia are increasingly influential.

As an Asian Studies student you will begin your first year of studies with courses that introduce you to Asian Studies as a discipline and to the countries and cultures of East and South Asia. These courses will begin to build the critical thinking, communication, and intercultural competencies that will allow you to succeed in more advanced courses. As you progress to more narrowly defined regional and thematic courses, you will examine in greater depth the societies, cultures, political systems, economies, and histories of the peoples and nations of South and East Asia, as well as their interactions with Canada and the rest of the world.

Graduates work with Kindergarten through Grade 12 students and assist teachers in providing personal care and behavioural and learning support to a variety of students in public and independent schools.

There is a high demand for Education Assistants and they are employed by every school district throughout the province. The graduates work in a variety of settings, including regular classrooms, resource rooms, work experience sites, and in life-skills activities.

To integrate the knowledge and skills learned in the program, all students complete two four-week, full-time practicums in the schools over the course of their studies, one in an elementary school and one in a secondary school. During this time, a student will observe, assist, and work with children and adolescents with diverse needs under the guidance and supervision of professional staff. This certificate transfers to the BA at KPU. 

The Technical Management and Services (TMAS) program is designed for emerging technical professionals who have completed a Bachelor’s degree in engineering or a technical program such as applied sciences or information technology.

Whether participants have industry experience or are just starting their career, this program equips emerging professionals with the skills needed to address supervisory and managerial needs in a technological environment. The technical manager's role is viewed as the link between business management and technical expertise and involves matching resources in uncoordinated areas to make and implement management decisions while simultaneously formulating technical strategies.

Advanced Game Development is a full-time, two-year, cohort program comprised of industry-level courses covering game development’s core disciplines: art, design, programming and production. Students will create various assignments, projects and games that will be assembled into a portfolio that is fit for working in the games industry.

In the design courses, students will learn crucial skills for designers, such as critical analysis, creative problem solving, communication and collaboration. While covering in-depth design theory, students also get hands on practical software skills with various industry standard engines and design tools, such as Unreal, Unity and the Adobe Creative Suite.

The art courses focus on environment and character modelling, texturing, animation, technical art and procedural art, while also teaching foundational artistic theory that can be applied to any creative medium. Students will be able to produce their own art assets for their games.

In the programming courses, students will learn the latest industry techniques in the fields of game programing, networking, AI, rendering and more. Students will learn to work with Visual Scripting, but also dive into programming languages such s C# and Python. Students will learn how to build full games from the ground up, to make their creative visions a reality and have the practical production skills necessary for their career in game development.

Once sufficient foundational knowledge has been gained, students will work together in teams under tight time and creative constraints to create games and prototypes. This will teach students the importance of production and project management in an agile framework.

The Fine Arts Certificate is a self-contained program that allows students to continue to the Fine Arts Diploma Program, the BFA Visual Arts Degree, or to apply to other art schools or universities. The credits may also be applied and used to build portfolios for other KPU programs such as Foundations of Design, Graphic Design for Marketing, Interior Design or Fashion Design.

The Fine Arts Certificate is a foundation year program of related courses concerned with the fundamentals of visual art and visual communication. Like all Fine Arts programs, it can be taken on either a full-time or part-time basis. It provides a period of study, exploration and intense development of ideas and techniques.

The two-year diploma in Business Administration will provide graduates with foundational business and professional skills, a solid grounding in economics, and a foundation in calculus appropriate for advanced studies and/or research in economics, finance and operations. The program is designed to give graduates a developed portfolio of job-ready skills and a wide range of business principles and concepts to expand the graduate’s career options.

Courses may be applied for credit toward any of the following KPU Business Degrees:

• Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) in Entrepreneurial Leadership
• Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) in Human Resources Management
• Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) in Marketing Management