Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Communication and Digital Media Studies

at Ontario Tech University Canada

Forensic Science is an interdisciplinary area of science that involves the use of scientific principles to analyze evidence for legal investigations. Our program is fully accredited by the Forensic Science Education Program Accreditation Commission (FEPAC) recognizing that our curriculum, labs, faculty and research have met the rigorous standards set by the American Academy of Forensic Sciences (AAFS).

You will benefit from both a strong general scientific foundation and forensic courses. Students gain real-world experiences and unique hands-on training at the Crime Scene House, Forensic Ecology Research Facility and Forensic Teaching Laboratory.

At the end of first year, you will choose to specialize in one of the following areas:-
Forensic Biology:- Forensic biology spans a multitude of applications of biological evidence, such as blood and other body fluids, hairs, botanical remains, microbes and insects, to criminal, civil and regulatory law investigations and prosecutions. You will learn how forensic biology plays a crucial role in the justice system through courses such as Population Genetics and Forensic Biology.

Forensic Chemistry:- Forensic Chemistry encompasses numerous disciplines including paint analysis, arson and fire debris investigations, explosives analysis, fibre and textile testing as well as the subdiscipline of toxicology, the study of drugs and poisons.You will further your skills in analytical instrumentation, the analysis of fire accelerants and toxicology through courses such as Instrumental Analytical Chemistry and Fire Investigation.

Forensic Physics:- The discipline of forensic physics describes the application of the scientific study of matter, motion and energy to forensic investigations of many types, including ballistics, accident reconstruction, metal strength and damage analysis, and optical and acoustic analyses. Courses such as Electricity and Magnetism, and Forensic Physics will help you understand forensic materials analysis as well as the mechanics of bloodstain patterns and vehicle collision investigations.

Experiential learning:-
Students in their graduating year will complete either an independent Thesis Research project, Directed Studies project, or Mock Crime Scenee Practicum.

The Thesis Research Project provides students with the opportunity, under the supervision of a faculty member or a forensic professional, to integrate and synthesize knowledge gained throughout their program of study. Students will prepare a written and oral thesis defense that includes a literature review, methods, results and significance of the research.

The Directed Studies Project requires independent research of a current topic in a specialized area of forensic science, including, but not restricted to, biology, chemistry, anthropology and the application of science to law. Students select topics from current research literature and prepare a review and critical appraisal of underlying experimental principles.

The Mock Crime Scene Practicum will allow students to investigate a simulated major crime scene, synthesizing the knowledge they have gained throughout the forensic science program. They will participate in all aspects of a forensic science investigation, from crime scene to lab, culminating with expert witness testimony in a mock court setting.

The Mechatronics Engineering program is an interdisciplinary engineering field. It integrates mechanical and electrical systems with real-time control, combining hardware with software to produce new devices such as consumer products, medical devices, high- tech automobile systems and robots.

Foundation year

• All Engineering students begin with a common foundation year, regardless of the program of study. During the foundation year, you will learn about the various Engineering

This program has an interdisciplinary focus, weaving together physiological, sociological and epidemiological perspectives on major health issues.

In the Human Health Science specialization, you will learn the fundamental areas of science related to human health and disease, including anatomy and physiology, pathophysiology, microbiology and neurophysiology.

Individuals interested in this specialization will apply directly to Human Health Science through the Ontario Universities' Application Centre using application code DHH.

This specialization within the Biological Science program consists of an integrated and focused concentration on biology and chemistry, with additional courses in neuroscience, physiology, and human anatomy. You will gain a detailed understanding of the structure and functioning of the human body.

This program provides an excellent basis for writing the Medical College Admission Test® (MCAT®) exam and for satisfying course requirements for applying to professional programs in medicine, pharmacy, and dentistry.

Individuals interested in this specialization will apply directly to Life Sciences through the Ontario Universities' Application Centre using application code DSU.

Co-op Optional
Co-op work terms give you the opportunity to earn a competitive salary that will help pay for your university degree and the work experience to help clarify your career objectives. More importantly, a co-op degree gives you a distinct advantage that will assist your prospects for full-time employment after graduation or for being readily accepted into graduate school to pursue further studies. Studies have shown that university students who graduate with a co-op degree have lower debt loads, are employed faster and have higher starting salaries.

We are committed to providing you with outstanding opportunities to work with today’s highest-quality employers in business and industry. Our university has developed strong partnerships with leading employers in Durham Region and beyond to allow you to connect with experts in the field and gain hands-on, real-world experience.

The Mechatronics Engineering program is an interdisciplinary engineering field. It integrates mechanical and electrical systems with real-time control, combining hardware with software to produce new devices such as consumer products, medical devices, high- tech automobile systems and robots.

Foundation year

• All Engineering students begin with a common foundation year, regardless of the program of study. During the foundation year, you will learn about the various Engineering programs available. 

Experiential learning 

• Optional internship and co-op placements provide you with the opportunity to gain meaningful hands-on experience. 

From the experimental to the theoretical, our program exposes you to all major fields of chemistry: physical, analytical, organic, inorganic and chemical biology.
Students in our program gain important problem-solving skills for the 21st century. Graduates may also pursue advanced degrees in medicine, law, business, education, and research-based Master of Science and PhD programs.

Pursue your studies through the Honours Chemistry program, or choose to specialize in one of the following areas:

• Chemical Biology
  • Chemical biology, at the interface of chemistry and biology, is a rapidly growing interdisciplinary area in science. Through the synthesis and use of small molecules, probes, or chemically?modified biological macromolecules, chemistry is applied to help answer questions of biological importance.
• Pharmaceutical Chemistry
  • Pharmaceutical Chemistry combines the study of drug discovery and development, pharmacology, analytical techniques, and drug chemistry. The chemical design process and evaluation of potential future medications will be a prime focus. 

Biological science is the study of life at its most fundamental level. The foundational areas of cell biology, genetics and molecular biology, physiology, biochemistry and developmental biology are mastered in this program.

You can pursue the Honours Biological Science program or choose to specialize in one of the following areas:

• Environmental Toxicology:- Environmental toxicology is an interdisciplinary applied field involving health, agriculture, urban development and industry. It combines a strong base in biology and chemistry, with a focus on physiology, biochemistry, environmental science and environmental chemistry.
• Life Sciences:- This specialization consists of an integrated and focused concentration on biology and chemistry, with additional courses in neuroscience and human anatomy. You will gain a detailed understanding of the structure and functioning of the human body, how the brain and nervous systems work, and what happened when the brain degenerates and becomes damaged or disorganized.
• Pharmaceutical Biotechnology:- Biotechnology is a rapidly growing area with many applicants in health, agriculture and industry. This specialization combines a primary emphasis on biology and chemistry with molecular and cell biology, pharmacology, biochemistry and physiology. Students in this specialization also benefit from enhanced laboratory experience.
• Science and Management:- If you are interested in managerial and leadership roles, consider applying for the five-year Bachelor of Science and Management (Honours) program in your upper years of study. Graduates gain a solid foundation in the key functional areas of business and management, including finance, accounting, operations, project management and marketing.
• There is a wealth of opportunities for science graduates in industry, government, and in areas of applied science. The combination of a science degree and business and management education will give an added advantage to graduates in establishing careers within these practical fields.

Gain the skills and knowledge required to address global issues of escalating energy consumption and declining resources.

Experiential learning
A five-year Co-operative Education option is available; it satisfies the guidelines of the Canadian Association for Co-operative Education. The program combines an Honours Bachelor of Science program with embedded work terms. The co-op option gives you opportunities to apply your classroom and lab concepts to real-world situations and help you gain valuable, relevant work experience to promote networking and lifelong career success.

Co-op work terms give you the opportunity to earn a competitive salary that will help pay for your university degree, and the work experience to help clarify your career objectives. More importantly, a co-op degree gives you a distinct advantage that will assist your prospects for full-time employment after graduation or for being readily accepted into graduate school to pursue further studies. Studies have shown that university students who graduate with a co-op degree have lower debt loads, are employed faster and have higher starting salaries.

We are committed to providing you with outstanding opportunities to work with today’s highest-quality employers in business and industry. Our university has developed strong partnerships with leading employers in Durham Region and beyond to allow you to connect with experts in the field and gain hands-on, real-world experience.

Gain practical, hands-on learning skills while studying the nervous system at the cellular level and compare it with behaviour amongst different animal groups.

If you're interested in applying to the Integrative Neuroscience program without co-op, apply via the Ontario Universities' Application Centre (OUAC) using OUAC code DSZ.

If you're interested in applying to the Integrative Neuroscience (Co-op) program, apply via OUAC code DZC.

This program offers a unique interdisciplinary approach to the study of neuroscience, with an emphasis on strong foundational science and practical laboratory skills.

Taught by area experts from the Faculties of Science, Health Science, and Social Science and Humanities, you'll study the nervous system at the cellular level, understand its influences on functional circuits at the macroscopic level, and learn how this forms the basis of behaviour, movement and neurological diseases. You will explore neuroscience from an evolutionary perspective, including a comparative analysis of the nervous system and behaviour among different animal groups.  Your understanding of the function of the nervous system at the molecular, structural, behavioral, and cognitive levels, will be developed through interdisciplinary study and hands-on laboratory learning in the sciences. 

Our program puts you one step ahead by combining the latest technology with the most current business and information technology trends. 
Integrating key business functions with the use and understanding of today’s latest technologies, this program provides you with the skills necessary for employment in a competitive market.

The first two years of the program have a common curriculum featuring simulations, teamwork and case studies. In your third year, you may choose one of the following five majors:

• Accounting
• Finance
• Marketing
• Organizational Behaviour and Human Resources Management
• Technology Management

Finance

• This major prepares you for the Canadian Securities Institute (CSI) Global Education Inc. exam, the professional designation of Chartered Financial Analyst, and a successful career in the financial service industry.