Bachelor of Arts in New Media Studies and Public Relations

at Thompson Rivers University - Kamloops Campus Canada

Students in the Visual Arts at Thompson Rivers University can have the best of two worlds: courses can be counted toward a Certificate, a Diploma and toward a Bachelor of Fine Arts and a Bachelor of Arts with a Minor in Visual Arts, or other university degrees at the same time. The Certificate gives students an introduction to current art practices, in 2D and 3D media, with emphasis on 2D design, drawing, painting, colour theory, printmaking, photography, 3D design, sculpture and ceramics. The Certificate is useful on a resume for job applications or entrance to academic programs that require some practical knowledge in visual arts.

The TRU Visual Arts Diploma program consists of 30 credits of first and second year Visual Arts studio classes, usually taken over 2 years, all of which may be taken singly, if desired.

Complement your strong technical expertise with the knowledge and skills required to become an effective workplace manager. Learn to communicate and lead effectively, manage large-scale projects and emerging technologies, operate sustainably, function in a global economy, and perform research. Some courses count as prerequisites of the Master of Business Administration.

The Bachelor of Journalism degree blends theory and skill development to train students for jobs as journalists and communication specialists. The practical side of the program focuses on writing, editing, interviewing, taking photographs, and working with new technology to produce print and online publications. The theory side of the program emphasizes media law, journalistic ethics, decision-making, and critical thinking.

Obtain knowledge on the practical applications in many areas such as physical and life sciences, finance and economics, computing and information theory, social sciences, and even fine arts. Gain an understanding of math as the science of patterns, which have evolved from roots in simple arithmetic to a complex language.

Students will acquire a strong foundation in tourism studies including tourism experience marketing, environmental issues, community and cultural issues, applied research methods, and product development and innovation. Building upon this base, students will then explore tourism experience management topics such as understanding and influencing tourist behaviour, business strategy, small business management, information technology, and managing service operations in a global setting. Students will also gain valuable field experience with a two-semester consulting assignment in a tourism-related organization.

Power up your future as a software engineer today. Through our program, you will learn to apply engineering principles to computer software. You will gain technical knowledge and skills in how to design, develop, maintain, test and evaluate software. As you move through the program, your courses will include areas such as engineering, business, computing science and project management.

Software engineer grads do more than program. They bring creative solutions to manufacturing, transportation, health care, government and digital media. These sectors rely on computer tools and applications, which our grads manage.

Software engineering is the study of how software is built and maintained and includes project management and testing. Our students like the program’s practical, hands-on approach.

Co-op program:-
Co-operative education is a requirement of the degree. During your Co-op experience you will receive paid and relevant work experience, allowing you to apply theory learned in the classroom, explore interests related to the field of study and advance skills as a professional while strengthening your resumé. In the fourth year of study, students are required to complete two mandatory co-op work terms.

Our program is designed to meet the criteria of the Engineers Canada Accreditation Board. Graduates will meet all of the educational requirements for registration as a professional engineer through APEGBC. Up to 12 months of co-op work may count towards the work experience required for professional designation.

Develop the skills to work with people who have exceptional needs, helping them acquire educational, social, vocational, recreational and personal life skills. This employment-ready eight-month certificate will prepare you for a career working in schools and community agencies.

Students will gain a foundation of basic knowledge and skills for working in the general field of tourism, as well as developing more specialized knowledge and skills relevant to event and festival planning and management. In the first year of the program, they will gain an overview of the industry; demonstrate understanding of issues fundamental in tourism planning, marketing, and service provision; and gain an awareness of central issues related to tourism’s engagement with culture and the natural environment, as well as exploring the experiential dimensions of this phenomenon. In the second, specialized year, they will master research skills; gain competencies relevant for creating, designing, operating, and evaluating events and festivals; and develop an understanding of the place of festivals and events within the larger tourism field and within contemporary culture.

Economics and politics is "the study of choices" and so is concerned with all areas of our lives. It provides rigorous analysis of many real world subjects: government institutions, taxes, unemployment, financial markets, international trade, development, and economic growth but also poverty, crime, pollution, healthcare, education, the environment and many other areas.

The Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) degree in Visual Arts is shaped around a core curriculum of Studio and Art History/Theory courses. There is also the option to pursue a program stream in Gallery Studies. The BFA degree encourages an interdisciplinary approach to learning which takes advantage of the many facets of the university community. A student completing the degree may pursue a variety of employment opportunities or further educational studies.

Gallery studies:-
Students interested in Gallery Studies are able to take courses in and, if they choose, specialize in this area. Courses such as Gallery Management and Public Art provide the student with an understanding of gallery infrastructures and programming at the local, regional, national, and international levels, as well as the economic structure and impact of Arts communities. Other courses in curating and exhibition installation deal more specifically with the planning and implementing of exhibitions. The TRU Visual Arts Gallery and the Kamloops Art Gallery are potential teaching spaces. Directed Studies in Gallery Studies at the fourth year level allow students to pursue this area in greater depth.

Studio and art history offerings:-
The Visual Arts Program is equipped with extensive studios for courses in Ceramics, Drawing, Foundation, Painting, Photography, Printmaking (etching and silkscreen), and Sculpture, as well as Directed Studies. While instruction is offered in each studio area, we encourage students to work across these disciplines as well, particularly in the fourth year Graduating Studies offerings. Courses in these areas, as well as courses in historical, modern and contemporary Art History and Theory make up the core of the BFA.

TRU’s Visual Arts facilities also include an Art Gallery for student, faculty and other exhibitions. Students are encouraged to take part in Gallery activities through the submission of work for scheduled exhibitions, and are invited to consider proposing exhibitions for the Gallery as well. The Gallery is also used as a venue for presenting the work of artists from across Canada who come to TRU as part of our Visiting Artist program.