Bachelor of Science in Biodiversity

at University of Guelph Canada

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.

The BA Music at the University of Guelph is geared to students who have a significant interest in music and music studies within a wider liberal arts education. It is a comprehensive and flexible program that offers instruction in music history, theory and criticism and and examines the significance of classical, world, and popular musics. Students develop a high degree of musicianship through skills training, music lessons (for those interested in advanced instrumental and vocal training), and participation in a variety of ensembles. With new facilities in digital technology, we support the increasing importance of technology in musical production, distribution, and listening. Our students go on to further studies and careers in music education (institutional and private), graduate music research, arts administration, performance, and production.

Create your own curriculum and explore Physical Science. Focus on chemistry, computing and information science, mathematics, physics or statistics. Build the necessary background for further studies in a specific area of your choice or continue in the major of Physical Science. Choose a minor in subjects like biotechnology, geographic information systems, psychology or business to meet your career goals or pursue professional schools.

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.

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

Landscape Architecture is a profession committed to the creation of meaningful and vital outdoor places and to the sustainable management of our environment.  Landscape Architects strive to establish a balance between our use and enjoyment of the land with the conservation and health of the environment.  The Profession is committed to improving our quality of life by applying creative, technical and scientific skills to manage and create environments that are attractive, functional, innovative and appropriate.  The full accredited BLA program at Guelph leads to a professional degree that meets the educational requirements for entry into professional associations across Canada, North America and abroad.

In our four year professional program you will take lecture, seminar, field trip and studio courses. The intensive studio courses, taken every term, allow you to practice and master what you have learned. You will work on design solutions alone or in teams, with input and critique from faculty. Through frequent presentations you will develop abilities in verbal and graphic communication of your design ideas. Students find our BLA program to be an intense and enjoyable way to learn.

The BLA program of studies addresses both the learning objectives of the University and the needs of the profession of landscape architecture. Half of the required credits are through courses given in the Landscape Architecture program; other required courses are taken from departments throughout the University. You are also able to choose nine electives from other departments on campus. This allows you to take courses in a number of disciplines or concentrate on one or two areas of interest.

There are a number of unique learning opportunities provided through the BLA program. You may earn academic credit for work in professional offices, take advantage of our international exchange program that allows students to study in many foreign countries, assist community groups by participating through the Community Outreach Centre, or become involved in social and professional life through annual conferences, field trips and events. Our program is well equipped with computer and video facilities, and all students are assigned their own studio workspace with 24/7 access. 

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.

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.

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 an Economist, you may be called on to explain or predict some of the most interesting and puzzling issues of our time, such as the fluctuations in interest rates and oil prices, the value of the dollar or the implications of continental free trade. Studying Economics within the Bachelor of Arts degree integrates pure and applied economics theories with areas of thought, techniques and critical analysis drawn from the arts. A knowledge of economics helps you understand the implications of global trends and changes to the tax system or health insurance plans. As a student in the Economics major, you will be provided with excellent preparation for a
management career in business or government, or the background you need to pursue graduate studies

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 inclass preparatory course, a personal connection with a Co-op Coordinator to assist you during the employment process, and access to senior student mentors.