Bachelor of Commerce in Management Economics and Finance (Co-op)

at University of Guelph Canada

Philosophy is the study of general and fundamental academic discipline that allows students to Pursue questions that have stimulated thinkers across eras and cultures. How should we live? What is it to be a person? Explore these and other questions through modern issues in artificial intelligence, politics, sexuality, and the environment in small seminars and field courses. You will acquire skills in reasoning, communication, critical thinking, intellectual independence, and the ability to understand others’ viewpoints and assumptions. 

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.

Co-op Option
The Co-op program in Chemistry is a four and a half year program including four 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.

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.

Biological and Pharmaceutical Chemistry is a fascinating interdisciplinary area of growth. Located at the interface of chemistry and biology, this discipline brings opportunities to combine the powers of chemistry with exciting developments in biology.

This major combines the University of Guelph’s strength in the biological sciences whilst maintaining a strong chemistry-oriented understanding of the molecular basis for biological structure and function. At the University of Guelph, Learning Centres are staffed by teaching assistants to support students in addition to classes sizes in modern, well-equipped laboratories. U of G is well known for the breadth of its biological science programs, and students can avail themselves of the opportunity to take biology courses in a number of areas as part of the Biological and Pharmaceutical Chemistry Program. All students graduate with exceptional laboratory experience in analytical instrumental laboratories and exploring molecular structures with the undergraduate nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectrometer.

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 take courses that focus on organic synthesis and analytical tools of relevance to both chemistry and biology. The major provides an option in third year to select hands-on training in pharmaceutical analysis, pharmacology and applied toxicology biopharmaceuticals through Seneca College.

Learning Outcomes
You can expect to learn how to:

• Gather, critically assess, and utilize primary scientific literature to research a topic
• Evaluate the limitations of and troubleshoot experimental approaches.
• Demonstrate advanced, contemporary and relevant knowledge in chemistry
• Demonstrate knowledge of the environmental, health implications of scientific discovery and technological innovation.
• Work safely and effectively in the laboratory to generate reproducible and reliable results
• Conduct research effectively and reliably with relevant computational tools and modern chemical instrumentation

Co-Op Options
Biological and Pharmaceutical Chemistry co-op is a four-and-a-half-year program, which includes four work terms. Below is an example of how the academic and work sequence will look for a Biological and Pharmaceutical Chemistry 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.

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.

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

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.

Students in the Geography program study human interactions with the environment across geographic scales, from local to global, and master the important computer, cartographic, writing, GIS, and statistical skills required of a professional geographer. Within the program of studies, students take courses in the physical and social sciences and are able to pursue a particular line of interest, for example in environmental conservation, climate change, environmental justice,
food security, geomorphology, urban-rural change, or watershed management. 

Learning takes place in a variety of settings in the program. In addition to classroom settings, students learn through hands-on research in labs and in the field. Labs are part of numerous courses, from first year to fourth year, and allow students to design and conduct experiments, and solve problems using state-of-the-art computing and analytical tools. Field research is also an important component of geographic research. Research, writing, critical thinking and problem solving are emphasized throughout the program.

WHY CO-OP?
As a co-op student, you will gain firsthand work experience, build professional networks, and develop essential interpersonal skills that are essential for pursuing a career in geography. You will also get paid while earning your university degree. Guelph’s co-op program is unique due to the exceptional level of support provided, including a co-op preparatory course, a personal connection with Co-op Coordinators to assist you during the employment process, and access to senior student mentors.

The Real Estate and Housing major in the B.Comm. program is one of only a few undergraduate programs in Canada that specialize in the real estate sector. It takes a multi-disciplinary approach to the study of residential and commercial/investment real estate.

The purpose of this major is to develop the conceptual, analytical and management skills required for careers in real estate and housing. Students graduate with a degree that can lead to a variety of professional positions in the private or public sectors of the Canadian real estate industry or they can continue on to graduate work in business, planning or the social sciences.

A principal aim of the Co-op program in Real Estate and Housing 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 Real Estate and Housing 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. 

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.