Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Political Science

at University of Guelph Canada

The Food Industry Management (FIM) major is a one-of-a-kind program in Canada. It combines a solid background in food science, economics and business, using a mix of theoretical and hands-on learning. Students will graduate with the knowledge, skills and professional network needed for effective management in the food sector.

What is Food Industry Managment
Food industry management bridges food science and business. Combining business practice and industry and market analysis with the science of food safety, processing and food composition, food industry management graduates ensure the success of food businesses.

Professionals in food industry management have broad career options with the ability to focus on either the processing or business side of the industry. They understand the impact of changing a single ingredient on both a product’s flavour and the company’s bottom line.

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 objective of the Sport and Event Management major is to provide students with advanced knowledge of the field, from the business value of sport and events to their contribution to community and society, and to inspire and engage students to become innovative leaders in this dynamic sector of our economy. Building on a strong foundation of commerce courses in marketing, accounting, economics, human resource management and strategy, students in Sport and Event Management will develop depth of knowledge in key aspects of sport, including sponsorship, media, event hosting, stakeholder engagement and organizational leadership.

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. An integral part of the program is experiential learning to balance theory with practice. Experiential courses are embedded in the curriculum, and students are also encouraged to participate in guided learning opportunities outside the conventional classroom through independent study courses, study abroad, and industry networking events. On completion of the program, students have the analytical and communication skills and experience required for a career with government organizations, commercial clubs, professional teams or sport businesses, in Canada and internationally. Graduates are prepared for positions in sport promotion and marketing, facility and event management, sport media and communication, and sport policy development.

Do you want a career where you can make a real difference? In the Environmental Management program, you'll gain the knowledge you'll need to play a significant role in protecting the environment. The program combines the applied aspects of environmental science and technology with extensive business training focused on leadership in environmental maintenance, remediation and regulation.

In the Bachelor of Arts - Sociology program, students will Examine society’s vast influence on the lives of groups and individuals. Discover patterns and relationships in human culture and behaviour. Gain insight into the cause of inequalities and learn the skills needed to tackle societal problems and improve life.

Biomedical Toxicology is the study of dose-response relationships in systems related to mammals with the understanding that the “Dose makes the poison”.

This interdisciplinary program at the University of Guelph combines studies in biomedical science, chemistry, human health and nutritional sciences, molecular and cellular biology and pathobiology, allowing students to understand mechanisms of toxic action and how to apply toxicological testing to assure the safety of new drugs, pesticides and industrial chemicals before they can be released into the marketplace.

In first year, students study the core sciences of biology, chemistry, physics and mathematical science. Second through fourth years are very interdisciplinary and include courses in chemistry, biochemistry, physiology, molecular biology and genetics, nutrition and toxicology. Students take courses that provide a high-quality laboratory experience ranging from analytical and organic chemistry to molecular biology.

All students graduate with exceptional laboratory experience in analytical instrumental laboratories (with instrumentation used in modern analytical, forensic and pharmaceutical labs) as well as molecular biology and biochemistry laboratories.  

Learning Outcomes
You can expect to learn how to:

• Demonstrate a working knowledge of target organ toxicity and the processes involved in absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion of toxicants.
• Apply methods for evaluating the hazards associated with exposure to toxicants.
• Demonstrate an understanding of how to measure and quantify the amount of toxic substances in a variety of matrices including drinking water, blood and urine samples.
• Demonstrate an understanding of how to analyze and interpret results from a dose/response assay used to measure toxicity.

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.

Understand the geographical, political and economic factors that shape environmental issues. Learn how to identify and manage these issues across sectors. Address environmental challenges through creative partnerships between governments, communities and businesses. Train to be an environmental professional at the leading edge of sustainability.

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

The principal aim of the Hospitality and Tourism Management Co-op program is to facilitate the transition of students from academic studies to a professional work life by enhancing the integration of theory and practice. The focus on experiential learning 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. Team work is a significant part of the core courses.

Co-op
The Co-op program in Hospitality and Tourism Management is a five year program, including three 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. 

The Marketing Management major is interdisciplinary, follows a liberal education philosophy, and is built on the Department’s expertise in the field of marketing and consumer research.

The Department of Marketing and Consumer Studies prepares students for a career in marketing but also for educating them so that they can be active and engaged citizens. This is achieved from a balanced curriculum of marketing and liberal education courses that provide students with an understanding of the world they will work and live in. Students will gain knowledge in creating, communicating, and delivering product offerings to create value to stakeholders in a global and connected economy. Students completing this major will be prepared to pursue a variety of marketing career paths and diverse leadership roles.