Bachelor of Science in General Studies

at Mount Saint Vincent University Canada

The Bachelor of Public Relations is a four-year degree that is respected nationally and attracts students from across Canada and beyond. In 1977, the Mount became the first Canadian university to establish a professional degree in public relations, and remains the only institution to grant the Bachelor of Public Relations (Co-operative Education). The Mount has been recognized for excellence in public relations education by the Canadian Public Relations Society (CPRS), and boasts an impressive roster of faculty with interests ranging from change management to social media, literacy and ethics.

Connecting to industry via co-operative education:
Students enrolled in the Bachelor of Public Relations program are required to complete the co-operative education component, taking their knowledge to the real world with hands-on experience. Each year, hundreds of employers across Canada give students the opportunity to gain experience in government, corporate, agency, education and non-profit sectors. By completing three work terms over the course of your degree, students graduate with a full year of work experience. Learn more about co-operative education »

Making theory relevant
Inspired by a desire for public relations excellence, students will explore various theoretical perspectives to gain confidence and understanding of public relations as a practice focused on the ethical and strategic management of relationships. From there, theories become applied to relevant and timely discussions and coursework, deconstructing and analyzing real-world events, crises situations and conversations had in new media. Courses offered »

At the Mount, we are aware that the business world is both thought-provoking and diverse. Our program will equip you with the essential leadership skills. These skills will prepare you for your career in business, whether you choose to become an entrepreneur or work in a large corporation, a small business, or a not-for profit organization.

The tourism industry is an exciting, vibrant and rapidly growing sector. Tourism is the world’s largest service industry and second largest industry overall. Careers in tourism and hospitality are available here in Nova Scotia and around the world.

Understanding the business of tourism and hospitality management offers many rewarding avenues to explore. If applying your accounting or strategic human resource management skills in a tourism organization is what you are looking for, combining a foundation in tourism with a BBA may help you to get that job you want.

BBA with a Concentration in Tourism and Hospitality Management
Complete a BBA with a concentration in tourism by taking four full units of coursework in tourism and hospitality management. The concentration in tourism provides you the opportunity to focus on your business program while gaining a foundation in the field of tourism.

If you want to change things in the present, it helps to know how people changed things in the past. History examines all aspects of recorded human experience (social relations, cultural expressions, political events, economic activities) and seeks to understand how the thoughts, actions, emotions and habits of people have changed over time.

History courses are designed to meet the needs and interests of various students: those who choose to take one or two courses as electives or as part of their program in another course of study; those who decide to minor in the field of history; and those who register to do a concentration, major, or honours degree in history. Courses are offered primarily in the areas of European, North American, and World history with an emphasis on the theme of women’s history. Certain courses adopt a comparative perspective. Many may be taken to fulfill requirements in women’s studies, Canadian studies, cultural studies, peace and conflict studies, and child and youth studies.

Biology is the scientific study of past and present life. The Department of Biology offers programs and courses that introduce students to fundamental and specialized biological knowledge and train students in scientific thinking and biological investigation and communication. The BSc Major, Combined Major and major with Honours programs all provide a thorough grounding in the organismal perspective of biology – that is, in the many ways organisms (including humans) make their livings, grow, develop, interact with other organisms and their environments, regulate internal conditions and processes, and reproduce. Required courses in the BSc programs introduce students to the incredible diversity of the animal, plant and microbial worlds and to the unifying disciplines (cell and molecular biology, genetics, biochemistry and metabolism, developmental biology, ecology and evolutionary biology) that indicate descent of all organisms from a common ancestor. All required courses in these programs have laboratory components in which students learn “hands-on” from nature and develop practical lab skills and techniques of data-analysis and written and oral scientific communication. Students in BSc programs acquire specialized knowledge by completing elective biology courses at the 2000-, 3000- and 4000-levels. A student may choose courses that deepen knowledge of a particular group of organisms (plants, animals, humans, microbes or fungi) or follow a recommended path of required and elective courses that should prepare him/her for careers in

• Health, Veterinary and Plant Sciences
• Evolution, Ecology and Environment
• Neuroscience and Biological Psychology
• Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

Consult the department for advice on following one of these paths or see the large poster on the departmental website and bulletin board.

Graduates can pursue careers in the animal and human health professions, environmental sciences, resource and wildlife management, journalism, public relations, library science, biotechnology, epidemiology and public health, education, public service, conservation and research.

Students interested in research can satisfy their curiosity and learn about scientific culture and communication by becoming involved in faculty research. This may take the form of one or more 4000-level courses in directed literature, laboratory or field research extending over a single term or a full academic year (BSc Honours). Alternatively, students may be part time or full-time research assistants.
Regardless of whether you are in a biology or non biology program, the department’s objectives are the same: (1) to include you in our community of biology scholars and to teach you about scientific philosophy and culture; (2) to share up to date fundamental and specialized biological knowledge; (3) to satisfy your personal and career related interests in biology; (4) to develop your analytical, critical and creative intellectual skills; (5) to make you an effective communicator of science; and (6) to develop some degree of personal responsibility for social welfare as it relates to biology.

Students seeking admission to biology programs and courses are advised to have knowledge of basic chemistry and facility in mathematics and oral and written English.
Any student wishing to complete a major, concentration or minor in Biology should consult a faculty member or contact the Centre for Academic Advising and Student Success for help with planning an academic program.

A graduate degree in Elementary & Middle School education will help you to become a more creative and effective teacher or educational administrator.  In this program, you will focus on curriculum and teaching, discovering how theory affects and informs educational practice. Students can complete an MA or an MEd in Elementary and Middle School Education.

What you will study in Elementary & Middle School Education
Our Master’s programs in Elementary & Middle School Education focus on curriculum in order to help you to become a more effective teacher. You will study the theories that support teaching practices in elementary, middle, and junior high schools focusing on one or more subject areas central to the elementary and middle school curriculum: science, social studies, mathematics, language arts, or French.

Our Sociology and Anthropology program strives to challenge the way students understand and engage with some of the most complexes and pressing social issues of our time. The program's offerings are diverse and well-balanced, with a cross-cultural, comparative focus and strengths in the areas of gender, globalization, and the life course.  Read more about the program »

Skill Development
Mount's undergraduate degree in Sociology and Anthropology is designed to provide you with transferable skills that will serve you well in your future career path or studies.  

• Analytical and critical thinking
• Improved writing and presentation skills
• Understanding the role of research, gaining skills in interviewing and data collection

The Master of Applied Human Nutrition program provides students with the opportunity for advanced level study in nutrition, with an emphasis on issues related to community nutrition, food and human nutrition. The programs explore the theoretical foundations of nutrition through critical reflection on current research and practice within the discipline and drawing from other related disciplines. The Master of Applied Human Nutrition is comprised of five units of coursework.

Mathematics is one of the most original products of the human mind. It has many important applications in science, engineering, and statistics, but mathematics is also an important field of study for its own sake. Throughout history each culture has developed its own mathematics to solve its problems. Today there is an internationally accepted mathematics that is studied and used across the world. Its practitioners work in fields as diverse as astronomy, meteorology, agriculture and banking. With our increasing need for information and technology, mathematics will play an even more important role in most occupations and fields of study. It will also continue to be a critical topic in the history of ideas, documenting fundamental modes of human thought.

Some students may take mathematics courses which apply only to their individual areas of study. Others may wish to minor or major in the subject and pursue careers in teaching, statistics, computer science, actuarial science, or many other areas. Whether studied for its many applications or for the beauty of its logical structure and expressive power, mathematics will reward the effort of students with a deeper understanding of the world and how it works.

Gerontology is the study of issues related to aging and the challenges that older persons encounter.  As health care improves and birth rates decline, the proportion of older adults in Canada and around the world is increasing rapidly.  The faculty in the Family Studies and Gerontology department will help you to learn to recognize aging issues, and understand the dynamics in the health and human service system that must respond to our aging population. 

Diploma in Tourism and Hospitality Management, you’ll receive in-depth education in the many facets of this booming industry. From planning and marketing to operations, you will learn the skills and knowledge you need to forge a career in a multi-billion dollar global industry.

The diploma program is the ideal choice to acquire specialized knowledge in the tourism and hospitality fields.

• If you have work experience in tourism and hospitality and you want to further your education.
• You already have a bachelor’s degree in another discipline.
• You have completed the Certificate in Tourism and Hospitality program and want to further your tourism education.
• You will receive a thorough understanding of the industry, which will prepare you well for a successful career.