Bachelor of Arts in Culture and Expression

at York University - School of Continuing Studies Canada

The field of psychology is dedicated to the scientific study of behaviour including thought, feeling and action, and viewed from social, developmental and biological perspectives. You can study virtually all the areas of psychology since our department is the largest – and one of the best – in Canada.

Undergraduate students have the option of working toward either a Bachelor of Arts or a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology. Students may choose to focus on specific areas of interest such as neuroscience or abnormal psychology or follow a more generalized program that covers a wide variety of aspects of the discipline. The Psychology program is structured so that you are exposed to the breadth of psychology but may also tailor your degree program to focus on specific areas of interest.

• The BA psychology program exposes you to a full range of psychological concepts and applications.
• The BSc option adds a focus on the physical sciences (chemistry, physics, and biology) to a full range of discipline-specific courses.

Reasons to choose Psychology at YORK U

• Our Specialized Honours Psychology Program (both BA and BSc) provides advanced training in research methods, statistical analysis, as well as guaranteed one-on-one thesis supervision and prepares students wishing to go on to graduate school. 
• We offer an extensive and diverse selection of courses taught both in classroom settings and on the Internet. There are also evening and summer courses offered for working students who wish to pursue their studies on a part-time basis.
• Learn from leading researchers in the field: Joel Katz, Canada Research Chair in Health Psychology; J Douglas Crawford, Canada Research Chair in Visual-Motor Neuroscience; and Gordon Flett, Canada Research Chair in Personality & Health
• Participate in research in one of our many research centres, including the renowned Centre for Vision Research, the LaMarsh Centre for Child and Youth Research, and the York University Psychology Clinic.
• Engage in active research alongside your professors. Psychology students often contribute to the Trauma and Attachment Report, a weekly online research report.
• Bridging courses are available for those missing either a math or science prerequisite for entry to the BSc degree.
• The courses Writing in Psychology (2010) (for all Psychology majors), Professionalism and Communication in Psychology (3000) (Specialized Honours Students only), and Critical Thinking in Psychology (4180) (Honours students only) provide transferable skills that employers are looking for.

In AMPD's Department of Cinema and Media Arts students experientially learn to understand, think and work in the language of the moving image across all media. From idea to screenplay, camera to screen, screen to critical inquiry, our integrated curriculum offers exceptional training across the spectrum.

The BFA in Production offers a comprehensive curriculum in all aspects of filmmaking. Courses in the creative crafts of cinematography, editing and sound are offered alongside studies in the concepts and practices of screenwriting, directing and producing. Students work in a full range of digital and film formats, utilizing industry-standard production and post-production facilities, to produce work of fully professional calibre.

The program combines in-depth technical instruction with a strong emphasis on the creative aspects of film as a medium of storytelling, social engagement, and self-expression.

Small classes, ranging from 25 students in first year to 10 – 15 students in third and fourth year, allow for strong mentoring by the department's internationally recognized faculty.

The rich Cinema and Media Studies component included in the BFA in Production gives students an edge, developing their ability to not only make moving images but to think, talk and write about cinema and other screen-based media, and to understand the historical and theoretical framework in which they are produced.

Computer Security is a multi-faceted and challenging field. Ensuring the privacy of personal data, preventing unauthorized access to computer systems, ensuring back-up contingency plans in the event of data loss and protecting systems from malicious activity such as viruses and worms are just a few areas you can get involved in.

What You'll Learn 
In our Computer Security program you will build a solid background in computer science and math. You will study a variety of courses, including cryptography and operating systems. Computer security is the specialized part of computer science that studies threats to computer systems and networks. It is the science and practise of how to mitigate them. You will become an expert on all those topics. 

We offer both BA and BSc degrees, which share the same computer science and math requirements. In the BA program, you will complement your studies with courses from the Liberal Arts (e.g., humanities, social sciences). In BSc, the complimentary courses will be in the sciences (e.g., biology, chemistry, physics).

After third year, you can put your knowledge to the test by taking part in our paid internship program. We have teamed up with a variety of major companies to ensure you gain valuable professional experience. 

Some Courses You'll Take  

• Object Oriented Programming 
• Mobile App Development 
• Design and Analysis of Algorithms 
• Computer Security Management 
• Applied Cryptography 
• Computer Security Management and Forensics

Statistics is a field that provides the foundations and techniques to collect, analyze, and present information in an effective and efficient manner. Recent trends involve a resurgence of interest in methods for informal exploratory analysis of data. This relies increasingly on friendly computing environments supported by efficient algorithms. York's Statistics program is an exploration of the nature of measurement, chance variation, probability, uncertainty, inductive logic and inference, and combines naturally with studies in the life and social sciences.

An increasingly important aspect of modern statistics is the design of experiments and surveys — as well as analyzing the resulting data — in areas of application ranging scientific studies to the insurance industry. Statisticians use surveys to predict the patterns of behaviour of large groups based on relatively small samples.

Through its applications in almost every branch of modern professional life and research, statistics is a fast-growing discipline that provides a statistician with a variety of career opportunities. Statistics is offered as both a Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science options. Why take one instead of the other? All Mathematics students (Mathematics, Applied Math, Statistics, Math for Commerce) take common first- and second-year courses. It is in the third and fourth years that the programs begin to differentiate.

For a Bachelor of Science (BSc) math degree, you will combine your math courses with other science courses such as physics, earth and atmospheric science, biology or computer science.

Study this multidimensional discipline that includes design engineering, renewable energy, developing medical diagnostic devices, advanced manufacturing and materials, robotics and automation. Students will develop a broad range of technical skills and the knowledge to complete diverse engineering tasks for a cleaner and healthier environment. Career paths include: engineer and/or specialist in clean energy, aerospace, automotive, and manufacturing sectors.

Our Mechanical Engineering program is accredited by the Canadian Engineering Accreditation Board (CEAB).

What You'll Learn
You will start with learning the fundamental knowledge that serves as the foundation for mechanical engineering.
After first year, you will have the chance to focus in and explore what you are most passionate about – Mechanism Design, Manufacturing Engineering, Instrumentation, Electrical Systems, Fluid Dynamics, Solid Mechanics and CAD (computer-aided design).

Some Courses You'll Take  

• Engineering Graphics and CAD Modelling
• Machine Elements Design
• Instrumentation and Measurement Techniques
• Fluid Mechanics
• Application of Simulation Tools for Design and Analysis
• Solid Mechanics and Materials Lab
• Macro and Micro Manufacturing Methods
• Electrical Systems for Mechanical Engineers

There are three streams within the Physics and Astronomy program:

• Physics
• Applied Physics
• Astronomy and Astrophysics

Physics is the most fundamental science discipline. It attempts to understand nature at its deepest level. It develops an understanding and description of all forms of energy and matter and can be said to occupy the middle ground between mathematics and engineering.

Astronomy is the science that deals with the origin, evolution, composition, distance and motion of all bodies and scattered matter in the universe. It includes astrophysics, which discusses the physical properties and structure of all cosmic matter. Participate in world-class research projects led by our professors in fields as diverse as atomic and molecular physics, laser physics, elementary particle and subatomic physics and engineering physics. Students from this program routinely win prestigious grants to support them in all areas of graduate research.

You will gain a strong grounding in physics, astronomy and computer-based physics with a strong experimental physics component. You will not only learn the subject matter, but also learn how to write scientific reports, and deliver oral presentations on a topic of your choice. The physical world is open to you!

• Work with professors in our research groups like those in experimental high-energy (particle) physics and astronomy and the Centre for Research in Earth & Space Science.
• It's natural to combine Physics with other disciplines, such as Earth and Atmospheric Science, Chemistry, Computer Science or Biology. Given that physics teachers for high schools are difficult to find, why not combine Physics & Astronomy studies with a teaching degree?
• York's Astronomical Observatory is actively engaged in a long-term variable star monitoring program. Although clear and dark skies are not as frequent as one would like in Toronto, the results from this on going research have yielded relatively "clean" and valid scientific results. Results are presented at the annual Canadian Astronomical Society meetings each year. Come to a public viewing on Wednesday night or take a virtual tour.
• The Astronomy Club brings together all those who look to beauty, those who seek knowledge and those who are simply curious to meet, discuss and learn about the cosmos in which we live.

Do you know that Spanish is spoken by more than 400 million people in over twenty-one countries? Of the 56 million people who speak languages on the Internet other than English, Spanish speakers represent almost a quarter.

Spanish is the fourth most spoken language in the world. Both globally and locally, fluency in Spanish is a valuable asset in any career.. University graduates with a knowledge of Spanish and the Spanish-speaking world are in demand not only in the international business community, diplomatic circles, and international agencies and Non-governmental organizations such as the World Bank, the World Health Organization and the United Nations, but also throughout Canada and the United States. Spanish is a common home language in urban Canada and is the de facto second language of the United States.  Spanish is useful in careers from Social services and medical fields, to media and the arts: any fields that engage with the public.

The Spanish program introduces you to the language and literature of Spain and the Spanish-American world. Spanish represents many cultures and countries. The rich cultural heritage and ethnic diversity of the language is discovered through literature and linguistics and you can develop a strong command of the language itself through intensive training in listening, reading writing and speaking.

• Our professors are experts in their respective fields, dynamic and responsive teachers who look forward to sharing their perspectives on the Spanish-speaking world. 
• Our courses explore a range of topics from the development of the Spanish language to an examination of Renaissance and Baroque literature when Spain's prolific playwrights rivaled Shakespeare; from the literature of the Spanish Civil War to the vast, innovative work of Latin America's writers.
• Our program offers opportunities for experiential education and co-curricular activities, including opportunities to edit and publish creative work in Spanish and experience working with professors to conduct primary research. You will benefit from our respected Centre for Research on Latin America and the Caribbean on the economic development, political and social organization and cultural contributions of the region.

The School of Kinesiology & Health Science at York University is an integrated unit which offers undergraduate and graduate degree programs and is responsible for co-curricular (practica) and service programming in Athletics & Recreation for all students of the University.

Kinesiology & Health Science is the study of human movement and the relationship between physical activity and health. Most students enter the Kinesiology and Health Science Program because they have a keen interest in physical activity and health and plan to work in an applied health or education field.

York has one of the largest course offerings in Kinesiology in Canada, including more than 50 professionally focused practicum courses that let you apply your studies to everything from game strategy and injury assessment to event management.

The Financial & Business Economics program in the Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies is specifically designed for students who are interested in understanding the workings of financial markets, such as the stock market and the financing of companies. You'll gain a broad understanding of the economic framework upon which financial theory is based and gather the tools needed for navigating financial markets and business decisions.

The program combines a rigorous quantitative and analytical approach with practical application. Through a blend of economic theory and applied tools of modern finance, you will develop a solid knowledge of the microeconomic principles underlying financial markets and instruments, the macroeconomic role of finance, and the quantitative tools commonly used for analyzing financial markets.

You'll take courses such as: Corporate Finance, International Monetary Economics and Financial Econometrics to gain insight into important subject areas including:

• Budgeting
• Saving
• Investing
• Borrowing
• Lending
• Insuring
• Hedging
• Diversifying
• Asset management.

Your degree will prepare you for careers in the financial sector or graduate studies in finance or financial economics.

• You'll study with professors who are actively engaged in the theoretical and empirical analysis of financial markets.
• This highly structured and focused program equips you with highly marketable skills, readying you for a career in the financial sector.

What are the roots of international terrorism? How is world trade affecting the balance of rich and poor nations? What is the effect of the Internet on diplomacy and social movements? This program, offered by our renowned Political Science Department, helps you answers questions such as these.

Global Political Studies encompass international relations, foreign politics and domestic government policy. Topics include:

• Foreign and security policy
• Political economy
• Democratic reform
• War and conflict (including internal strife)
• New social movements
• An examination of the changing "world order" in its economic and political forms

The Global Political Studies program allows students to specialize in international or global politics by combining courses in two of the Department's fields:

• International Relations
• Comparative World Politics

Through this program, you will gain the skills required to analyze global political forces, as well as a broad education. This program provides an excellent background for future public service work abroad, for private sector employment in areas dealing with international issues or for graduate studies in international relations or comparative world politics.

• You'll learn to conceptualize and think critically about global politics and issues such as the uses and abuses of power; rights and responsibilities; and the intersections of community and nation-state with globally defined realities.
• Engage in open discussions with your peers on some of the most contentious political issues and learn to identify the possibilities of acting politically to bring about change.