Bachelor of Arts (Major) in International Development Studies

at University of Guelph Canada

Bring about positive change in the world. Explore the nature and impacts of economic and social development in Canada and around the world and gain experience engaging with development organizations. Tackle the big issues like poverty, social justice, food insecurity, gender, inequality and climate change. You can choose from five areas of emphasis: Agriculture and Food Security; Development in the Canadian Context; Development in Fragile Contexts; Environment and Sustainable Development; and Gender and Inclusive Development.

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.

Discover how mathematics and statistics can be applied to the sciences can solve real world issues. Combine your studies with a secondary field of interest to customize your degree to your interests and career goals. Mathematical science is key to understanding and changing the world around us, and will prepare you for a wide range of opportunities. Areas of emphasis: Bioinformatics; Biological Modeling; Computer Science.

Biochemistry is the study of biological processes at the cellular and molecular level. The study of biochemistry showcases the complexity of life.

The Honours B.Sc. major in Biochemistry (BIOC) is offered by the Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, home to many distinguished biochemists, microbiologists, geneticists, and molecular & cellular biologists. The variety of courses will cover everything from the atomic structure of proteins to the organization of cells in humans, plants, and animals. Undergraduate laboratories will provide you with many practical skills in manipulating and analyzing biological molecules. In your upper years, you will also have the opportunity to access some of the University of Guelph’s outstanding research labs and facilities. Our biochemistry program provides you with a degree that is truly interdisciplinary, ensuring that upon graduation you have acquired an expertise and proficiency in great demand by employers.  

Combine practical laboratory training in biochemistry, molecular biology and microbiology with courses in areas such as immunology, enzymology or physiology. Students in biochemistry can focus in the areas plants, nutrition, physiology, immunology or toxicology, just to name a few. Gain real-world experience from co-op work terms and complete an undergraduate research project.  

Learning Outcomes
You can expect to learn how to:

• Apply thermodynamic principles to the molecular basis of biological energy generation, storage and usage  
• Conduct research by applying scientific methods and processes and interpreting data to draw appropriate and scientifically based conclusions. 
• Design and implement experimental procedures using relevant techniques to purify, characterize and quantify metabolites and macromolecules. 
• Describe how cells are capable of producing almost all required metabolites and macromolecules from diverse precursors.  
• Understand the relationship between the structure and the functional properties of proteins, nucleic acids, lipids and carbohydrates.  

Co-Op Options
Biochemistry co-op is a four- and half-year program, which includes four work terms. Below is one example of how the academic and work sequence will look for a biochemistry major.

*Please note this sequence may change. The current undergraduate calendar will house the most accurate sequence that students must follow.   

Students in this co-op major complete a course, COOP*1100, in the winter semester of first year.  This course helps students prepare for their work term by developing professional attitudes and skills for the workplace. This course also provides students with a toolkit of resume and cover letter writing as well as interview skills, which helps students to apply, interview and secure their work term positions

The Department of Political Science is a dynamic, research-intensive and teaching-oriented department, offering students an effective and engaging learning environment. Faculty are leading experts who engage with students to develop their ability to understand and analyze the complex relationships between power, authority and governance, and how these shape the lives of individuals and groups around the world.

As a Political Science student, you’ll explore the forces of power, authority and governance that shape the world. Analyze governmental actions and their effect on a local and global scale. Understand the power of politics and its ability to influence the lives of individuals, families and communities.

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.

Knowledge of statistics is crucial for understanding our world. An understanding of statistics is vital in many disciplines including psychology, sociology, political science, marketing and economics. Students can choose to study statistics as a minor in the B.A. Honours Program or as an area of concentration in the General Program.

Explore the music, literature, cinema, art and politics of France, Quebec and the Francophone world. Do an internship teaching French in a local school, contribute to international research or support organizations in need of translation services. Exercise your knowledge in a small classroom environment, spend a semester in France and become bilingual and acquire intercultural skills.

Design a major to fit your interests and career goals with Biological Science. Foundation courses cover molecular biology and genetics, biochemistry, evolution, physiology, ecology and statistics. Build on this with science electives chosen from a broad range of subject areas. Add a minor in the arts, social sciences, sciences, or business. Pursue an international exchange. Gain the entrance requirements for professional schools including medical and veterinary schools.

Sample Careers

• Public Health administrator
• Sales
• Research and development
• Teacher

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.