Bachelor of Commerce in Food and Agricultural Business

at University of Guelph Canada

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.

Plant science is the study of the intricacies of plant diversity, growth and development, plant-environment interactions, advances in molecular biology, and the wide variety of economic uses for plants.

Explore the intricacies of plants through the study of their diversity, growth, development, environmental interactions, and various economic uses. Gain knowledge of advances in molecular biology, plant ecology, systematics, physiology, botany, genetics, agriculture, ethnobotany and biotechnology. Opportunities exist for hands-on experience in labs, field courses and individual research projects, and access to an active herbarium, special growth facilities and a renowned arboretum. Become a leader in the field of plant science and contribute to society's need for the efficient production of healthy foods and improved environmental management.

Learning Outcomes
You can expect to learn how to:

• Demonstrate knowledge in mechanisms related to the molecular, biochemical, physiological, organismal and ecological levels of plant organization from systems-based approaches
• Demonstrate knowledge in the fundamental vegetative, reproductive and genetic attributes of plants
• Demonstrate knowledge in the ecological interaction of plants with biotic and abiotic factors in natural and agricultural systems
• Demonstrate knowledge in plant diversity and genetic variability and their relationship to evolution, speciation and adaptation
• Demonstrate knowledge in the role of plants and their improvement to impact global, cultural and societal issues

Biological Science focuses on the study of living organisms, their evolution, interactions with other organisms and the ecosystems that they live and rely on. The many areas of study under the umbrella of biological science allows for flexibility within the major and allows you to tailor the major to your interest.   

The B.Sc. major in Biological Science (BIOS) will provide you with opportunities to acquire the skills you need to be successful in a variety of careers. This major allows you to choose courses that fit your interests and career goals. Foundation courses cover molecular biology and genetics, biochemistry, evolution, physiology, ecology and statistics which will allow you to explore multiple areas of biology or focus in on one more specifically. The breadth of science that we offer at the University of Guelph provides students a unique opportunity to discover what fields of biology truly connects with their interests and professional goals. 

Classical Studies is the study of cultural achievements of the ancient Greeks and Romans from the earliest records to the Middle Ages. Their development of critical thinking, political organization and the arts was of the greatest importance in forming the cultural tradition of the West. The Classical Studies student will come to understand the value of the Greek and Roman contribution to modern humanism.

This investigation involves various kinds of inquiry into language, history, literature, philosophy and fine art, among others. The variety of this inquiry imparts a fuller understanding of its subject-matter than any single line of inquiry could, and the student develops the various skills appropriate to the investigation of the different areas.
For this reason Classics is the “discipline of disciplines;” it is the original, and remains the pre-eminent, interdisciplinary study. The study of Classics accordingly makes a central and comprehensive contribution to the integration of many separate disciplines.

Become an expert on a current major global issue—the natural production of food and upon graduation, enter a workforce where there are more jobs than qualified people to fill them. Explore all areas of agriculture, resources, and applied economics. Study courses in food, hunger and poverty, economics of the agri-food system, and international trade. Prepare yourself for related graduate programs and to become a decision maker and strong leader in the agri-food sector and public agencies.

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.

Food is a multi-billion dollar industry that is influenced by changing socio-economic conditions and evolving agricultural and industrial technologies. As a Food Science student, in the Bachelor of Science degree program, you will apply chemistry, microbiology and physics to study the processing and development of food products and processes. The program also covers aspects of law, health, nutrition, and security as they relate to food safety and quality.

You will obtain hands-on experience in the industrial processes such as pasteurization, sterilization, fermentation, and packaging and apply these to commodity groups such as dairy, meats, cereals and beverages. In addition, you will gain experience in sensory evaluation and in the development of new food products and effective food safety and quality assurance programs. Communication skills are also emphasized to help ensure success in your future career.

The Environmental Biology major, offered as part of the Bachelor of Science degree program, emphasizes biological diversity at the molecular, population, community and biosphere levels. You will become familiar with how organisms, such as plants, insects, fungi and bacteria, interact with the physical environment (water and soils) and respond to human activities.

Methods of measuring and monitoring the impact of human activities on natural and agricultural ecosystems will be presented. To counter negative impacts, solutions, such as bioremediation of effluent, waste management, restoration of stream quality, and agroforestry will be applied. Upon graduation, you will have an awareness of the social and economic implications of environmental bio-sciences and be prepared to initiate solutions for a diversity of environmental problems.

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.

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.

Software Engineering
Contribute to innovative and cutting-edge software design. Providing a foundation in computer science concepts, this program focuses on team-based software development and professional standards. This major provides an excellent background in design and development, as well as the implementation and the evolution of software. Students’ soft skills such as communication and teamwork will be enhanced and strengthened. You will have a unique opportunity to take courses on different aspects of software engineering, including design methods, team interactions, communications and managing real-world software engineering projects.

Co-op Option
The Co-op program in Software 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.

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.