Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Food Agricultural and Resource Economics

at University of Guelph Canada

Understanding how we conserve organisms within an ecosystem by understanding the role they play in the ecosystem. 

Wildlife Biology and Conservation focuses on both the ecological and evolutionary factors that influence the sustainability of species and communities and an understanding of how these factors can be used to manage natural systems or species that are at risk or invasive.

The objective of the Wildlife Biology and Conservation major is to provide students with an integrated foundation in three disciplines necessary to understand the origins, interactions, and protection of plant and animal diversity: evolution, ecology, and conservation biology. The Wildlife Biology and Conservation curriculum reflects the current interdisciplinary nature of the study of plant and animal diversity that builds on the depth and breadth of expertise in the Department of Integrative Biology.

This major will provide students with a unique interdisciplinary opportunity to study the causes, consequences, and conservation of plant and animal diversity. There is currently no other major in Canada that explicitly integrates ecology, evolution, and conservation into a 4-year major. This major also builds on the University of Guelph’s long-standing reputation in the areas of biology and natural resources management. Although there are a series of required courses associated with each of the ecology, evolution, and conservation core themes, the major offers a significant amount of flexibility from years 2-4 that allows students to focus on 1 or 2 streams. In their 4th year, students will take a 1.0 credit capstone course (BIOL*4110 Ecological Methods) that focuses on the development and execution of a research problem by building of the different skills students have acquired in each of these streams.

Learning Outcomes
You can expect to learn how to:

• Recognize the origins and current methods of protection of plant and animal diversity.
• Develop detailed knowledge of ecological and evolutionary factors that influence the persistence of species and communities.
• Understand how to manage natural and impacted systems (e.g., invasive species, species at risk) and apply scientific approaches to adaptive management strategies in wildlife conservation.
• Assess the complex interplay between science, socioeconomic factors and public opinion in the forging of public policy decisions and the value of interdisciplinary approaches to understanding complex problems in wildlife biology.
• Gain “hands on” experience in the field working with plants and animals in a variety of ecosystems.

The Marine and Freshwater Biology major capitalizes on Guelph’s recognized excellence in aquatic research and provides a broad perspective on aquatic environments based on the physical as well as the biological sciences. In this major, students will build upon core courses in ecology, evolution, genetics, and physiology of aquatic biota as they study freshwater and marine environments and work with aquatic organisms experimentally in the field and in the lab. They will have the opportunity to perform independent research projects under a variety of field and laboratory conditions to enhance their learning experience. The major prepares students for post-graduate work in the aquatic sciences, and provides a sound scientific background for students wishing to pursue careers in academia, government service, private sector (e.g., NGOs, fisheries, aquaculture, biotechnology, consulting), conservation, education and research.

Co-op Options
Biomedical Toxicology co-op is a five-year program, which includes four work terms. Below is an example of how the academic and work sequence will look for a Biomedical Toxicology major.*

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.

Engineering Systems and Computing is a multi-disciplinary field that combines the base fundamentals of general engineering with the strength of computer hardware and software knowledge.

Engineering Systems and Computing is the only program of its kind in Canada that focuses on designing integrated computer based engineering systems.  It includes a mix of courses that cover software development, computer hardware design, mechanics and energy transfer, signal processing and optimization control. 

You will understand the strengths and limitations of hardware, software and their controls in order to develop efficient and reliable systems in a variety of industrial and commercial applications.  This unique mix will empower you to tackle the design of modern systems that requires multi-disciplinary skills and knowledge.

Co-op
The Co-op program in Engineering Systems and Computing 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. 

For the benefit of hybrid learning, physics and chemistry are combined in this major, which includes classes in such areas as materials science and the quantum mechanical basis of molecular structure. Working in the laboratory with state-of the- art equipment, you will acquire the skills and knowledge of a variety of techniques, including x-ray diffraction and nuclear magnetic resonance.

Environmental Engineering is the application of scientific theories and principles to minimize the impact of human activities on the environment.

The Environmental Engineering program at Guelph was designed from the ground up as a complete, comprehensive environmental program.  It provides in-depth knowledge of relevant physical, chemical and biological systems with a strong emphasis on engineering design.  Our students experience the important role Environmental Engineering plays in serving the current and future needs of all humanity.

Face the challenges of our world today, from the development of space age materials to the synthesis of new pharmaceutical products, with Chemistry. Gain practical laboratory training; complete research with the award-winning faculty and participate in the co-op option for work experience. Study physical, theoretical, analytical, organic and inorganic chemistry to harness analytical and practical skills for graduate or professional programs, and your career.

Choose between 15 areas of concentration in the three years BA General degree. This flexible, multidisciplinary three-year degree involves a generalized study of a broad range of subjects and allows you to tailor your studies to your interests and career plans.

Areas of concentration are:

• Anthropology;
• English;
• French studies;
• Geography;
• History;
• International development studies;
• Mathematics;
• Music;
• Philosophy;
• Political science;
• Psychology;
• Sociology;
• Spanish and Hispanic studies;
• Statistics;
• Theatre studies.

The major in Management provides a balanced foundation of management knowledge and strategic leadership skills that will enable graduates to one day work as professional managers and organizational leaders. The major focuses on broad, transferrable competencies within the academic discipline of management (i.e., planning and goal setting, strategy development and execution, managerial decision making, designing organizational structure, managing change and innovation, motivating individuals and teams, managerial communication, negotiation and conflict management), while simultaneously providing the flexibility to explore a wide range of courses in other business disciplines. This major is well suited to students with a strong interest in the core skills of management who wish to develop a broad understanding and expertise in business management.

Courses extend beyond the traditional lecture based format to include community based group projects, guest lecturers, in-class simulations and case-based learning to help link academic expertise and theory with industry practice. Experiential learning is an integral part of the major, and occurs through the integration of industry examples in the classroom, and a required management capstone course that takes a consulting perspective to address real-world and simulated organizational challenges.

Graduates of the Management major will leave the University of Guelph equipped with a range of knowledge and skills which prepare them to meet management needs of the future in such roles as management consultant, business analyst, talent management specialist or as future general managers.

A principal aim of the Co-op program in Management is to facilitate the transition of students from academic studies to a professional career by enhancing the integration of theory and practice. The Co-op program in Management is a five-year program, including 4 four 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. 

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.

Within the School of Computer Science, there are two majors available to you: Computer Science and Software Engineering. Unique to the Bachelor of Computing Degree is the Area of Application. This allows you to study a secondary subject. Computing is often done in conjunction with something else and the Area of Application allows you to choose what you wish to study along with Computer Science or Software Engineering. Your area of application could be in biology, psychology, business, or any other field you are interested in.

Food has a powerful influence on the lives of individuals and populations. The Applied Human Nutrition program provides a thorough understanding of all aspects of human nutrition. Lectures provide core learnings that are grounded in the biological and social sciences. Labs allow for the application of classroom instruction. New topics and emerging research are explored in small group seminars. Students may enrol in an area of emphasis in dietetics. This dietetic education program is accredited under the Partnership for Dietetic Education and Practice (PDEP) and prepares students for eligibility for registration with a provincial dietetics regulatory body.