Bachelor of Science in Marine and Freshwater Biology (Co-op)

at University of Guelph Canada

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

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. 

Anthropology explores human societies and cultures within contemporary global structures. Students complete courses such as Kinship, Family, and Power; Culture, Rights and Development; and the Anthropology of Health, and gain a critical understanding of multiculturalism and the globalization of our daily experience and explore diverse contemporary questions and debates within Canadian and international contexts, including environment and resource use, food, agriculture, and agribusiness, indigenous issues, labour and work, youth and homelessness, indigenous issues, police and society, and social movements in developing countries. The program offers a solid foundation for a wide variety of careers in policy, development, government, and community sectors.

WHY CO-OP?
As a co-op student, you will be able to gain relevant work experience, build professional networks, and develop essential transferable 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 to students, including a job search preparatory course, a personal connection with a Co-op Coordinator to assist you during the employment process, and targeted work term reports to help you develop relevant skills.

Bachelor of Arts - Mathematics program is designed to prepare you for a wide variety of employment opportunities within the dynamic and ever-growing fields.

In the Bachelor of Arts - Sociology program, students will Examine society’s vast influence on the lives of groups and individuals. Discover patterns and relationships in human culture and behaviour. Gain insight into the cause of inequalities and learn the skills needed to tackle societal problems and improve life.

Understand the geographical, political and economic factors that shape environmental issues. Learn how to identify and manage these issues across sectors. Address environmental challenges through creative partnerships between governments, communities and businesses. Train to be an environmental professional at the leading edge of sustainability.

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. 

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.

Geomatics, the science of spatial analysis using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and remotely sensed imagery, is a core component of the rapidly growing information sector worldwide. The Environmental Geomatics program at Guelph offers students the opportunity to study the processes and properties of the biophysical environment and provides them with a core foundation in the analytical techniques used for interpretation, analysis and presentation of geographical data. Students will combine field research with image analysis and computer modeling to specialize in the spatial analysis of environmental systems and will apply these techniques to examine human-environment interactions and address human impacts on the environment.

Why Co-op?
As a co-op student, you will gain relevant paid work experience, build professional networks, and develop essential interpersonal skills needed to succeed in the workplace, all 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 a Co-op Coordinator to assist you during the employment process, and access to senior student mentors.

Course Sequencing