Bachelor of Commerce - Undeclared Major (First Year Only)

at University of Guelph Canada

Explore the brain, the most poorly understood organ in the human body and the source of many disorders and diseases. Study contemporary problems and research tools in neuroscience and further your knowledge of the nervous system. Structure your program with electives to emphasize aspects of molecular/cellular, behavioural and cognitive, and biomedical neuroscience. 

Examine law, justice and judicial processes in Canada and in a global context

Evaluate how justice and legal institutions both shape and are shaped by government and society. Learn how the law and legal processes can either enhance or frustrate the pursuit of justice and the goal of improving life.
The Justice and Legal Studies program (JLS) is an interdisciplinary program administered by the Department of Political Science. As such it benefits from being part of one of the premier law and politics departments in Canada.

This innovative program examines a broad range of justice and legal issues in an interdisciplinary fashion. It helps students build a foundation of understanding of the principles of law and justice. Students then choose an area of emphasis to both leverage faculty strengths and focus their studies.

5 Areas of Emphasis to Choose From
The BA in Justice and Legal Studies is an honours major. Take core courses that introduce you to law, justice and legal institutions. Examine case studies that connect to larger socio-economic and political systems. Then choose one of the following areas of emphasis:

• Canadian Politics and Governance
• Global Relations and Governance
• Gender and Sexuality
• Arts and Humanities
• Business and Management

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 justice and legal studies. 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 coop preparatory course, and a personal connection with Co-op Coordinators to assist you during the employment process, and access to senior student mentors. 

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.

Students can establish themselves and build successful careers in an emerging and fast-growing field: Nanoscience, the science of the very, very small; an inherently multidisciplinary approach that unites chemistry, physics, biology, and mathematics. Understanding the world at the molecular level is increasingly important for the development of many new technologies.

In this major, you will focus on the understanding and synthesis of nanoscale materials, in an industry that has been recognized as a revolutionary field of science and technology, comparable to the introduction of electricity, biotechnology, and digital information revolutions. Students take an integrated MATH and PHYS course in first year along with the chemistry and biology taken by other Bachelor of Science students. In second through fourth year, focus on the core nanoscience courses along with chemistry and physics. The nanoscience courses combine aspects from different science disciplines, reinforced and extended by the unique laboratory available where students learn to synthesize nanoparticles and nanostructured materials, and characterize the physical properties of these materials using a wide range of research-grade nanotools.

Learning Outcomes
You can expect to learn how to:

• Apply scientific methods and processes by formulating questions, designing investigations and synthesizing data to draw conclusions and make scientifically-based decisions.
• Generate and interpret scientific data using quantitative, qualitative and analytical methodologies and techniques.
• Demonstrate advanced, contemporary and relevant knowledge in the chemistry and physics of materials at the molecular level.
• Apply intermediate level mathematics techniques to enhance understanding in the chemistry and physics of materials at the molecular level.
• Demonstrate advanced laboratory skills to practically realize concepts in the chemistry and physics of materials at the molecular level, and apply these skills in self-directed learning.
• Work safely and effectively in the laboratory to generate reproducible and reliable results.
• Apply modern computational techniques to investigate various physical phenomena and demonstrate proficiency in using mathematical software.

Co-Op Options
Nanoscience co-op is a five year program, which includes five work terms. Below is an example of how the academic and work sequence will look for a Nanoscience 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 fall semester of second 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.. 

Microbiology is the study of organisms invisible to the naked eye. This major explores the diversity of micro-organisms, including bacteria, viruses, archaea, and fungi. Applications of microbiology range from antibiotic development and resistance, to the relevance of the gut micro-flora in diseases, and finally yeast production for beverage and food development.

The variety of courses offered in the program cover a broad range of topics such as medical microbiology, infectious diseases, immunology, and antimicrobials, as well as environmental and food microbiology. Undergraduate laboratories will provide you with many practical skills in working with a variety of microbes and analyzing microbial processes at both the cellular and molecular levels. In your upper years, you will also have the opportunity to access some of the University of Guelph’s outstanding research labs and facilities through coursework or independant research projects.

Learning Outcomes
You can expect to learn how to:

• Integrate the different levels of biological organization, from molecules to cells to organisms.
• Describe the metabolic and cellular diversity of microbes, and explain the critical roles of microbes in health, disease and the biosphere.
• Describe the use of microorganisms in industry, biotechnology and as model organisms for scientific discovery.
• Design and implement experimental procedures using relevant techniques to isolate, characterize and culture microbiological samples.

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.

For the benefit of hybrid learning, physics and chemistry are combined in this major, which includes classes in such areas as materials science and the quantum mechanical basis of molecular structure. Working in the laboratory with state-of the- art equipment, you will acquire the skills and knowledge of a variety of techniques, including x-ray diffraction and nuclear magnetic resonance.

The Child Studies major examines the ways that children learn, develop and grow; the psychological, physiological, and social aspects of development are considered, and ways of working with children in diverse and inclusive settings are explored. You will gain both theoretical knowledge and applied skills through coursework and guaranteed practicum placements—completing over 500 hours of practical experience working with children in a variety of settings. When you graduate, you are eligible to apply for membership in the College of Early Childhood Educators.

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.

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.