Bachelor of Arts General

at University of Guelph Canada

Computer Engineering is a field of engineering that focuses on the design and organization of computer systems. Graduates in Computer Engineering are able to apply mathematical, scientific and engineering principles to design and integrate computer systems suitable for applications in a wide range of fields. The program provides students with a common base of knowledge essential to computer engineering and then allows them to select from a menu of electives to attain a degree of specialization in one of four areas or to choose electives to broaden their knowledge base. Elective concentrations are available in areas of Electronic Design automation, Software Design, Artificial Intelligence and Robotics, and Microsystems.

Co-op
The Co-op program in Computer Engineering is a five year program, including five work terms. Students must complete a Fall, Winter and Summer work term and must follow the academic work schedule as outlined below (also found on the Co-operative Education website: https://www.recruitguelph.ca/cecs/). Please refer to the Co-operative Education program policy with respect to adjusting this schedule.

To be eligible to continue in the Co-op program, students must meet a minimum 70% cumulative average requirement after second semester, as well as meet all work term requirements. Please refer to the Co-operative Education program policy with respect to work term performance grading, work term report grading and program completion requirements. 

Students will study elements of physics including the exotic aspects of the universe, such as black holes and subatomic particles, or be involved in the development of exciting modern devices such as particle accelerators and gamma-ray spectrometers.

With an emphasis on hands-on lab work, the physics major covers the fundamentals of mechanics, electromagnetism, and quantum physics, grounding students in foundational physics while preparing them for more specialized study in upper years. The strong analytical, computational, and lab skills developed during the degree provide the flexibility to pursue a broad range of careers upon graduation.

The major builds upon nationally recognized expertise in teaching and research with many of our faculty members having received both national and international awards. Students take an integrated MATH and PHYS course in first year along with the chemistry and biology taken by other science students. Second through fourth year, students will focus on physics specialty courses with an emphasis on hands-on, laboratory learning. Unique to the University of Guelph, students will also take a Science Communications course where they develop activities to help people understand the concepts of physics.

Learning Outcomes
You can expect to learn how to:

• Demonstrate mastery in advanced Electricity and Magnetism, Mechanics, Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics, Optics, and Quantum Mechanics
• Apply Intermediate level Mathematics techniques to enhance understanding in the aforementioned major subject areas
• Demonstrate advanced laboratory skills in order to practically realize concepts in Electricity & Magnetism, Mechanics, Thermodynamics, Quantum Physics, Optics, Nuclear Physics, Spectroscopy, and Electronics and apply these skills in self-directed learning
• Apply modern computational techniques to investigate various physical phenomena and demonstrate proficiency in mathematical software such as Maple, MatLab, and/or Mathematica

With an emphasis on mathematical foundations during early semesters, students will gain the advanced mathematical agility required to work in modern theoretical physics. Apply special expertise to fields as diverse as black-hole structure calculations, theory of superconductivity, the physics of nuclei and neutron stars, or stock market analysis.

The theortical physics major has small class sizes to support student learning from internationally renowned, award-winning faculty and researchers. As a result, students graduate with exceptional laboratory experience and this program has a high rate of student award reception and authoring/co-authoring papers in respected physics research journals such as Journal of the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada, Physical Review, and others.

Students take an integrated MATH and PHYS course in first year along with the chemistry and biology taken by other science students. Second through fourth year, students will focus on physics courses but will include mathematics courses as well, giving them the skills needed to understand the fundamental basis of topics such as black holes, the internal quark structure of protons and neutrons, and the underpinnings of high-temperature super-conductivity. Unique to the University of Guelph, students will also take a Science Communications course where they develop activities to help people understand the concepts of physics.

Learning Outcomes
You can expect to learn how to:

• Demonstrate mastery in advanced Electricity and Magnetism, Mechanics, Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics, Optics, and Quantum Mechanics
• Apply Intermediate level Mathematics techniques to enhance understanding in the aforementioned major subject areas
• Demonstrate advanced laboratory skills in order to practically realize concepts in Electricity & Magnetism, Mechanics, Thermodynamics, Quantum Physics, Optics, Nuclear Physics, Spectroscopy, and Electronics and apply these skills in self-directed learning
• Apply modern computational techniques to investigate various physical phenomena and demonstrate proficiency in mathematical software such as Maple, MatLab, and/or Mathematica

Create your own curriculum and explore Physical Science. Focus on chemistry, computing and information science, mathematics, physics or statistics. Build the necessary background for further studies in a specific area of your choice or continue in the major of Physical Science. Choose a minor in subjects like biotechnology, geographic information systems, psychology or business to meet your career goals or pursue professional schools.

Examine law, justice and judicial processes in Canada and in a global context

Evaluate how justice and legal institutions both shape and are shaped by government and society. Learn how the law and legal processes can either enhance or frustrate the pursuit of justice and the goal of improving life.
The Justice and Legal Studies program (JLS) is an interdisciplinary program administered by the Department of Political Science. As such it benefits from being part of one of the premier law and politics departments in Canada.

This innovative program examines a broad range of justice and legal issues in an interdisciplinary fashion. It helps students build a foundation of understanding of the principles of law and justice. Students then choose an area of emphasis to both leverage faculty strengths and focus their studies.

5 Areas of Emphasis to Choose From
The BA in Justice and Legal Studies is an honours major. Take core courses that introduce you to law, justice and legal institutions. Examine case studies that connect to larger socio-economic and political systems. Then choose one of the following areas of emphasis:

• Canadian Politics and Governance
• Global Relations and Governance
• Gender and Sexuality
• Arts and Humanities
• Business and Management

As a co-op student, you will gain firsthand work experience, build professional networks, and develop essential interpersonal skills that are essential for pursuing a career in justice and legal studies. You will also get paid while earning your university degree. Guelph’s co-op program is unique due to the exceptional level of support provided, including a coop preparatory course, and a personal connection with Co-op Coordinators to assist you during the employment process, and access to senior student mentors. 

Sharpen your mathematics skills and solve global economic problems. Mathematical Economics is pivotal to analyzing issues like consumer behaviour, interactions among producers as they compete for market share, macroeconomic outcomes and international trade. Build an understanding of social policy issue and government actions, with courses in mathematics, statistics, economics and econometrics. Get ready for a related career in industry, government or for graduate work. 

The Bachelor of Indigenous Environmental Science and Practice (BIESP) is an interdisciplinary science degree that focuses on the development of leaders in areas of environmental science, land-use and policy development who are grounded in Indigenous ways of knowing and being. This science degree emphasizes the respectful and consensual braiding of Indigenous and Western knowledge systems to address complex environmental issues and challenges. It focuses on the responsible use and protection of the natural environment through practices based on Indigenous ways of knowing and doing and the practice of Indigenous land ethics grounded in Indigenous epistemologies, ontologies, traditions and aspirations. By explicitly recognizing the inherent validity and value of Indigenous ways of knowing and doing, this interdisciplinary program offers a critical, yet constructive, view of environmental science, grounded in Indigenous knowledge systems, methodologies, priorities and values and oriented towards concrete action. In addition to their studies of natural and applied science, students will examine the historical and contemporary relationships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples in Canada and the legal, political and economic context of environmental science and practice.  

Experiential learning is incorporated into each year of study through opportunities to interact and work directly with Indigenous communities and organizations supporting cross-cultural learning and practice. In the final year, students will conduct a group project that focuses on a current environmental issue and provides the opportunity to obtain realistic experiences within the interdisciplinary context of practicing environmental science with Indigenous communities. The BIESP is also offered as a co-op option. 

Learning Outcomes
Graduates of the BIESP degree will have demonstrated they can:

• Build awareness of Indigenous cultural frameworks of environmental science including the role of traditional knowledge keepers, right relations, multi-generational environmental stewardship, and inclusion of non-human beings. 
• Consider the implications of historical and contemporary relationships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities in influencing governance, practices, policies, interactions and decision making in environmental science and practice. 
• Apply a critical and decolonial lens to the existing approach to environmental science and practice in Canada through the exploration of Indigenous principles, aspirations and practices while cognizant of the historical and ongoing legacy of colonization, land dispossession, and intergenerational trauma. 
• Apply the evolving legal frameworks of Indigenous and non-Indigenous environmental science, which include Indigenous People’s inherent, treaty and constitutionally-protected rights, historic and contemporary lands, the minimal standard of free, prior, and informed consent, duty to consult and Indigenous-led practices of protection and restoration of special places and community well-being, to environmental stewardship.  
• Bridge and braid Indigenous and Western knowledge systems to propose and evaluate answers and solutions to environmental questions.  
• Formulate relevant and testable research questions, develop and implement an effective method of inquiry and perform appropriate quantitative and qualitative analyses for use in evidence-based environmental planning, policy development and implementation across different knowledge systems from Indigenous and Western research paradigms and methodologies.  
• Utilize techniques and skills including mapping and GIS, data classification, spatial analysis, map design, Indigenous research methodologies and environmental risk assessment practices to analyze environmental management issues across different knowledge systems. 
• Demonstrate project management skills (leadership, negotiation, communication, problem-solving, decision-making, time and task management, and budgeting) to effectively work within a team to complete multifaceted projects related to environmental management, research, and community engagement. 
• Communicate ideas, arguments and analyses to Indigenous and non-Indigenous audiences accurately and effectively, recognizing the role of language, personal values, strengths and limitations, and respecting diverse perspectives.  
• Demonstrate moral maturity and intercultural competency by considering diverse perspectives on environmental issues and Indigenous world views when acting as a professional and community member in decision making processes related to topics of land use, conservation, sustainability and environmental remediation and restoration. 
• Critically reflect on their personal values, academic and professional goals and determine how they can continue to respectfully engage and sustain relationships with Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities to address environmental challenges utilizing both Indigenous and Western scientific knowledge systems and ethical protocols. 
• Appreciate and support the needs and priorities of Indigenous communities to promote respect, protect and sustain Indigenous knowledge and practice in Indigenous communities.

Co-op
The Co-op program in Indigenous Environmental Science and Practice is a five-year program including four work terms. Students must follow the academic work schedule as outlined below (also found on the Co-operative Education website: https://www.recruitguelph.ca/cecs/). 
Indigenous Environmental Science and Practice Academic and Co-op Work Term Schedule

Develop the foundations for an exciting career working with individuals and families. This interdisciplinary program provides you with an understanding of individual and family health, well-being, and relationships across the lifespan within the context of diverse social and cultural influences. Guaranteed practicum placements of up to 336 hours allow you to practice your skills, and focus your studies in one or more areas including adult development and gerontology, sexuality and relationships, and youth studies.

The Hospitality and Tourism Management (HTM) major prepares students to assume positions of responsibility within the world’s largest industry.

In the first two years of study, students are introduced to foundational business skills and knowledge; and provided with an in-depth overview of the industry’s three sectors: hotel and lodging; restaurant and foodservice; and tourism.

By the end of the second year, students must choose one of those sectors as their area of emphasis. For the remainder of the program, the courses and learning opportunities that students encounter have one goal: to help them cultivate the knowledge, skills and understanding required of a managerial leader in their chosen area.

Topics of study for all three areas of emphasis includes:

• Human resources management;
• Marketing;
• Accounting;
• Communications

The hotel and lodging area includes:

• Operations;
• Event management;
• Design

The restaurant and foodservice area includes:

• Food systems;
• Restaurant management;
• Beverage management

The tourism area includes:

• Planning and development; 
• Sustainability;
• International tourism

An integral part of the HTM major is experiential learning, which means that theory is balanced with practice. Students are encouraged to participate in guided learning opportunities outside the conventional classroom, such as independent study courses, study abroad, and numerous networking events with industry leaders.

Computers play many roles in our lives. At the School of Computer Science, we recognize that relationship and its variable nature. If you enjoy solving problems, nothing is more exciting than working and studying at the leading edge of computer science.  You will develop skills throughout your degree as you explore different course materials within the field of computer science and across other disciplines. The program provides you with a strong foundation in hardware and theory with a particular focus on applied software development. By the time you graduate you will be a sought-after expert with interdisciplinary knowledge and skills that will make you indispensable.

Computer Science
Help explore problems, build innovative computing solutions and contribute to the evolution of technology. This major will provide you with a theoretical foundation in computer science, as well as practical experience in software development and an introduction to hardware. You will explore pressing computer science issues, from large system software development to emerging technologies. This major will focus on programming and the theory of computation, with plenty of flexibility in selecting computer science electives to fit your interests, such as Computational Intelligence, Computer Security, Game Programming and Human Computer Interaction.