Bachelor of Arts (Major) in Psychology

at University of Guelph Canada

The Ontario Agricultural College (OAC) of the University of Guelph is internationally renowned for its research, teaching and knowledge extension. Our community has a strong sense of shared purpose: To Improve Life by inspiring leaders, generating knowledge and creating innovative solutions for food, agriculture, communities and the environment.

Improve agriculture and how we feed the world.
By 2050 there will be nine billion people in the world to feed. Agriculture is about food, science, business and responsibly using land and resources to bring healthy and sustainable food to the world. Agriculture and food industries have more job openings than qualified people to fill them. 

Sample First Year Courses

• Introduction to Agri-Food Systems
• Biology of Plants and Animals in Managed Ecosystems
• Elements of Calculus I
• Economics of the Agri-Food System
• Agroecology
• Introduction to Molecular and Cellular Biology

The common first-year in Agriculture gives you the flexibility to select one of three majors.

• Honours Agriculture
• Animal Science
• Crop, Horticulture and Turfgrass Sciences

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

We share planet Earth with 30 million other animal species, and virtually nothing is known about most. Zoology is the study of the structure, function and ecology of vertebrates and invertebrates.

This major provides you with a broad grounding in animal biology, with courses in physiology, ecology, evolution, and structure and function of invertebrates and vertebrates. In your third and fourth years, there are opportunities to choose elective courses that suit your areas of interest including mammalogy, ornithology and herpetology. You will also have the opportunity to complete a research or field course. Students have participated in field courses on both coasts of Canada, in Algonquin Park or the Churchill area, as well as Australia, Argentina, Iceland and Costa Rica.

Learning Outcomes
You can expect to learn how to:

• Recognize the relationships between structure and function at different levels of biological organization (e.g., molecules, cells, organs, organisms, populations, species) for the major groups of animals.
• Characterize the biological, chemical, and physical features of environments (e.g., terrestrial, freshwater, marine, host) that animals inhabit.
• Explain how animals function and interact with respect to biological, chemical, and physical processes in natural and impacted environments. Collect and assemble biological data and apply mathematical and statistical methods to the interpretation of data to address questions in zoology.
• Demonstrate an advanced understanding and appreciation of living animals and specimens in field and/or laboratory settings through “hands on” experience

This major combines a foundation in the breadth of environmental science while giving students practical experience in integrating the basic science in environmental problem solving. The integration of biophysical sciences with real-world applications provides students with a unique skill set for engaging with current and future environmental issues. The many opportunities in the major for experiential learning and independent research give students an ability to collect, analyze and interpret environmental data, and propose solutions that account for both the biophysical science and the socio-economic context. The second year core curriculum develops a cross-disciplinary understanding of the biophysical environment, while the third and fourth years allow students to engage more deeply with issues of interest to them. Students will graduate from this major ready to address diverse problems such as pollinator conservation, soil and water conservation, greenhouse gas mitigation, plant disease management and chemical movement in the environment. It provides a solid background for careers in environmental protection, resource management and research, in both the public and private sectors.

Environmental governance refers to the processes through which societies make decisions that affect the environment. Governments play an important role in this, however they alone cannot manage our most pressing environmental challenges like climate change, sea level rise, or invasive species. Thus, through environmental governance, we can coordinate governments, community organizations, and businesses to work collectively to affect positive environmental
change.

Through the completion of courses in geography, political science, agricultural economics, and economics, students will gain a solid foundation in the processes and mechanisms of environmental governance, an understanding of geographical, political, and economic factors that shape governance in Canada and around the world, and exposure to innovative approaches to environmental governance that address persistent and emerging societal concerns. Students completing the major will have the skills and experiences needed to participate effectively in environmental governance in a variety of settings.

WHY CO-OP?
As a co-op student, you will gain relevant work experience, build professional networks, and develop essential interpersonal skills needed to succeed in the workplace, all while getting paid and earning your university degree. Guelph’s co-op program is unique due to the exceptional level of support provided, including an online preparatory course, a personal connection with Co-op Coordinators to assist you during the employment process, and access to senior student mentors.

Combine politics, law and business and explore the unique intersection of the public sector with business and economics. Examine issues like whether government should be run in a more “business-like” manner, and equality and justice in decision-making. Develop transferable business skills in law, human resources, marketing, accounting and finance, and pursue diverse career opportunities within the public, private and voluntary sectors. A great choice for students hoping to pursue law school.

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.

The growth in transnational and transcontinental connectedness has emphasized the need for a multi-disciplinary and comparative approach to culture, society, history, politics, and trade, and has created a demand for graduates with language and management knowledge and overseas experience, particularly in Europe.

Our program in European Studies will prepare you for a career in Canadian-European relations. You will concentrate on German, French, Italian or Spanish and choose among history, political science, literature, art history, administration, economics, and business courses in an area of emphasis in either culture and civilization or business. You can also gain cultural immersion in a study year in Europe.

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.

Sample Careers:

• Communication officer
• Language editor
• French teacher
• Technical writer

Explore how writing across genres and media helps us to understand each other and the world in which we live. Discover your ability to write creatively in workshops led by some of Canada’s most acclaimed writers, including Lawrence Hill and Dionne Brand. Hone your skills in thinking analytically about literature, media and film. Writing clearly and effectively is a skill that opens opportunities.