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

at University of Guelph Canada

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.

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.

CTS offers a unique and flexible path to explore the role of culture and creativity in an increasingly digital world, using various technologies as part of the process. It emerges from the understanding that technology is inextricably linked to human experience, culture, and society. CTS courses tackle the complex relationships among power, knowledge, digital cultures, the representation of data, and the ethical questions surrounding the development, application, and accessibility of technologies. CTS students learn to intervene in and contribute to the contemporary world as agile creators, curators, communicators, and citizens.

In addition to completing the Bachelor of Arts with a Major in CTS, you can add an optional Areas of Emphasis in: Performance, Making & Design | Storytelling & Public Humanities |  Power, Identities, & Equity.  Each emphasis curates a unique set of courses that will allow you to apply and explore digital methods in a way that is meaningful to you. These may inspire interest in a specific career path, further research, or allow you to combine your studies in CTS with another subject (Minor or Double-Major).

Performance, Making & Design
Students in this area of emphasis learn to integrate their knowledge from core CTS classes into a variety of methods of making, creating, and performance.
Using digital technologies, students explore everything from printmaking to 3D design, from podcasting to the production of digital music. Students in this area develop skills in critique and creation: they learn to develop digital projects in a range of contexts while also developing a critical vocabulary by which to articulate the goals and achievements of the things they make.

Storytelling & Public Humanities
Students in this area of emphasis focus on the relationship between digital culture, data, public discourse, and narrative.
Analyze digital forms of storytelling from a variety of perspectives while also thinking critically about how narrative can be used to publicly disseminate knowledge. Investigate a range of digital forms of storytelling including podcasts, video games, and electronic literature. Seize opportunities to develop projects using emerging, digital technology to tell stories. In addition to thinking about how technology transforms ideas of narrative—what is a digital text and how can we read one—students also engage with the public on projects related to history, public discourse, and community work.

Power, Identities & Equity
Students in this area of emphasis focus on the intersection of identities such as gender, sexuality, race, class, (dis)ability and Indigeneity as they are reimagined in digital culture and by digital technology.
Both investigations of the past and analyses of power and difference in the present provide an important framework for understanding the role and potential of technologies. Students in this area of emphasis learn how to frame analysis of digital artifacts, digital production of knowledge, and exploration of modes of civic engagement to bring considerations of equity and diversity to the fore.

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.

The Studio Art program at Guelph is designed to provide a progressive alternative to existing post-secondary programs; one that combines equal strengths in studio practice and its conceptual and critical underpinnings. This approach has had a very positive impact on all graduates by providing them with a substantial working knowledge of both contemporary art history and studio practice, regardless of their career plans.  In fact, our program is designed as a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Studio Art, rather than a Bachelor of Fine Arts. The BA allows students to more easily combine their studies in Studio Art, as Majors or Minors, with major and minor programs of study in a variety of other disciplines. The permutations are endless in terms of building your career path: our graduates are successful contemporary artists, gallerists, teachers, and art therapists, among other things.

Learning Approach

• Studio Art combines the best of two worlds, providing a fundamental understanding of art history, theory and criticism with the opportunity to explore a range of media in the studio. You'll learn through lectures and discussions. Diverse audio-visual materials, from digital images to videos and films, will be regular components of most courses.
• Studio courses emphasize hands-on experience in art making. You'll develop not only technical and manual skills but also an awareness of historical and contemporary contexts, and formal and expressive strategies.
• You'll do much of your learning in the renovated studios and facilities of historic Zavitz Hall and the Alexander Hall. Trips to major collections, galleries and museums will augment your learning experience.

The Marine and Freshwater Biology major capitalizes on Guelph’s recognized excellence in aquatic research and provides a broad perspective on aquatic environments based on the physical as well as the biological sciences. In this major, students will build upon core courses in ecology, evolution, genetics, and physiology of aquatic biota as they study freshwater and marine environments and work with aquatic organisms experimentally in the field and in the lab. They will have the opportunity to perform independent research projects under a variety of field and laboratory conditions to enhance their learning experience. The major prepares students for post-graduate work in the aquatic sciences, and provides a sound scientific background for students wishing to pursue careers in academia, government service, private sector (e.g., NGOs, fisheries, aquaculture, biotechnology, consulting), conservation, education and research.

Co-op Options
Biomedical Toxicology co-op is a five-year program, which includes four work terms. Below is an example of how the academic and work sequence will look for a Biomedical Toxicology major.*

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.

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. 

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. 

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.

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.