Diploma in Arts and Science (Asian Studies)

at Langara College Canada

If you're looking for some new ways of looking at the world, if you want something fresh, challenging or relevant - try Women's Studies. Critical theories based on lived experiences, diverse global perspectives, an interdisciplinary approach - all these can help you make sense of a complex world.

The interdisciplinary Women's Studies Program at Langara is designed to introduce you to a diversity of perspectives on women's histories, contemporary experiences, analyses and movements for change. Women's Studies builds on evolving knowledge and methodologies to integrate the many forms of feminist scholarship and activism. The core courses provide a thorough overview of critical concepts for understanding how change in and maintenance of the status quo impact the lives of women personally and collectively, locally and globally. Through course content and teaching methodologies, Women's Studies focuses on the concerns and experiences of those women traditionally outside the scope of mainstream thought, and therefore makes visible a wide range of female experience. This 'centering the margins' is part of our ongoing commitment to broaden and deepen understandings of gender.

The Asian Studies Program is unique in Canada. Beginning in 1983, it was the first two-year program in a Canadian community college to focus on the Asia-Pacific region. Having evolved substantially, the program is currently designed for university-transfer students who seek a better understanding of the cultures of the Asia-Pacific region.

The courses and seminars that give students in-depth insight into the cultures of China, Japan, and Southeast Asia. South Asia and BC Asian societies are also surveyed in some courses. Students who take Asian Studies courses are very well prepared for transfer to Asian Studies and other social science departments in university.

The program is popular with people who have worked or traveled in Asia, and who desire a deeper appreciation of the cultural patterns they have experienced. Many first generation Asian-Canadians and international students find the program insightful regarding their own backgrounds, and how western social science perceives their native culture.

The greatest economic growth in the world is occurring in the Asia-Pacific. These nations are powering the new globalized economy, a situation that will not change in the foreseeable future. Knowledge of their international situations, their lifestyles and their cultural values is the key to creating and maintaining solid relationships with our Pacific neighbours.

Welcome to Langara College's Early Childhood Education Diploma Program, where we believe quality child care nurtures early learning.

This stimulating program balances academic studies on campus and practical experiences in licensed childcare centres. Students develop a strong theoretical foundation for working with children and families and take on increasing responsibility in their practical work. Upon completion of the program they are prepared and able to confidently and competently enter the profession of early childhood education.

The Early Childhood Education Diploma Program prepares students beginning careers as Early Childhood Educators in a variety of childcare settings (primarily within the province of British Columbia). Langara College also offers an Early Childhood Education: Special Education Post Basic Citation, which is part time and in the evenings. This special needs educator credential program is suited for Early Childhood Educators already holding a diploma or certificate.

The Early Childhood Education Department at Langara College has been educating Early Childhood Educators since 1966. Langara College has a long history of preparing Early Childhood Educators to work with children from birth to five years of age. The original program has grown from a small six-month program to a double intake three semester diploma program offering high quality instruction. 

The College offers a variety of computing science programs of study with a significant component of academic courses that carry transfer status with the universities. Graduates of our programs can always build on what they know and may take advanced courses from Langara or a university once they have completed the necessary prerequisites. These programs have many common courses in the first and second terms which allow students to enter the Arts and Science Program in Computer Science without committing to one specific option. We specialize in both academic studies and hands-on skills development by teaching in both the classroom and the lab.

The Associate of Science Degree in Computer Science allows students to transfer easily to the third year of Computer Science programs at major BC universities. The Diploma in Computer Studies enables students to take a broad range of computer science, information systems, and other courses.

The Biology Department offers a Citation in Ecology, which recognizes students who have completed a number of ecology-related Biology courses while working toward an Associate of Science Degree, a Diploma in Arts and Science, or another university-transfer program.

• Citation in Ecology

When you study ecology and biology at Langara, you will examine all aspects of living things: from the molecules that make up your cells to entire ecosystems. The courses that focus on ecology include an overview of living organisms (microorganisms, plants, invertebrates and vertebrates), an introduction to terrestrial and aquatic ecology, physiological ecology, behavioural ecology, community structure and dynamics, ecosystem ecology, and an introduction to plant and animal population ecology (population dynamics, interaction, conservation ecology, and modelling.)

Langara offers a wide range of first- and second-year courses in the fields of science and mathematics. Students benefit from lower tuition rates and smaller class sizes as compared to larger universities. Whether students are planning to transfer to earn their BSc, or simply wish an Associate of Science degree or other diploma, many of the requisite courses are available at Langara.

The Chemistry department offers courses from introductory and preparatory, to first year and second year University transfer courses. Second year studies include analytical, organic, inorganic and physical chemistry. Students benefit from our well equipped laboratories and dedicated teachers.

The Chemistry program at Langara College offers an Associate of Science Degree (Area of Concentration: Chemistry) The A.Sc. can be used as an exit degree or as the first credential in a longer academic program. SFU and UBC give admission priority to students with an A.Sc.

The Associate of Science Degree in Food and Nutrition provides a broad education in arts and sciences with an emphasis on food, nutrition, and health subject areas. It is designed to meet the requirements of the food and nutrition programs at the different universities across Canada.

The Associate of Science, Food and Nutrition is a common entry for both of Langara's transfer programs to UBC nutrition programs. Students wishing to apply to UBC Dietetics should consider applying to the Food Nutrition and Health Transfer program at the end of first year, according to the requirements listed on that program website.

Accounting and Financial Management professionals are the backbone of any organization and Langara grads are ready to meet that challenge. The BBA Accounting Concentration includes the requirements needed to maximize exemptions for the professional accounting associations (CGA, CMA, CA). In addition, business and general education courses are incorporated to ensure graduates receive a well-rounded business education, with an emphasis on business decision-making and analysis, strategic management, and teamwork. The Financial Management Diploma offers students who are not planning on pursuing an Accounting designation (CGA, CMA, CA) the flexibility to choose electives from other business areas and/or non-business courses.

First-Year Entry
By applying to the School of Management BBA programs and entering in year 1, you have the option of completing a BBA Degree, exiting after two years with a diploma, or earning both the BBA and a diploma. All our programs offer Co-operative Education options.

Third-Year Entry
Students with previous business education may enter the School of Management BBA programs in year 3. Some bridging courses may be required. Please contact the School of Management for details

Health Sciences is an interdisciplinary field in which graduates can find careers in science, global health, or public policy, or can continue their studies in graduate school.

When successfully completed, the general and specific requirements of this diploma will prepare students for entry into the third-year of Simon Fraser University's BSc in Health Sciences.

Students interested in pursuing SFU's BA in Health Sciences may also want to consult this Calendar for the Associate of Arts Degree in Health Sciences or the Diploma in Arts and Science (Health Sciences: Arts). Students may also want to consult this Calendar for details of the Associate of Science Degree in Health Sciences.

Political Science is a multi-faceted discipline covering many areas of specialization. While students can choose from a wide variety of first and second year Political Science courses at Langara College, they will develop a common set of skills designed to enable them to gain an enriched appreciation of the complexity of political life, while developing an enhanced ability to think critically about the world in which we live. Political Science courses at Langara are also intended to provide a preparation for subsequent courses at the senior undergraduate level which build and reinforce levels of experience gained at this stage.