Admission & Program Requirements

Popular Music Studies (MJ)

The BA Major in Popular Music Studies prepares students to excel in an increasingly broad creative music industry. From culture studies to songwriting to game scoring and audio engineering to project management, plus all the myriad musical opportunities in between, today’s successful musician requires the sort of technical and creative flexibility that results from the broadest possible training.

By integrating practical and theoretical studies in collaborative, project-based courses, the Popular Music Studies major provides ideal preparation for careers in the creative music industry. Popular-music students hone their musical and technical skills in courses devoted not only to hands-on instruction in songwriting, audio engineering, mixing, and production techniques, but also to training as a complete musician (music theory and history, critical listening skills and analysis).

Find out more here.

Media and the Public Interest 

The MPI program is the only one of its kind in Canada and connects issues of communication and media to social justice issues such as democracy, equity, class, race, and gender. Students in MPI examine social movements and how media can be used to further these causes. Some example courses in the MPI program include Alternative Media, Social Movements and Media, and Activism in Mainstream Media.

Learn more here.

Media, Information and Technoculture 

In MIT, your studies will focus on modern communication and information technologies, and how they influence your life in ways that you may not even recognize. MIT is the largest undergraduate program in FIMS with roughly 900 students. Because enrolment is limited to approximately 250 students per year, MIT is a competitive and challenging program that requires students who are thoughtful and engaged, creative and critical, and willing to push the boundaries of media research. As a student in the program, you would benefit from a broad and balanced approach that combines media theory, history, and research and analysis. 

Learn more here.

Health Sciences (HSP)

Kinesiology (MJ, HSP)

Biology (MJ)

The Department of Biology currently offers modules of study in Animal Behaviour, Biodiversity and Conservation, Biology, Ecosystem Health, Genetics, Genetics and Biochemistry, and Synthetic Biology.

Regardless of the module, the teaching faculty of the Department of Biology have defined twelve learning outcomes that all students should acquire prior to their graduation. Besides gaining an understanding of a wide range of biological concepts, the courses in the curriculum will help to develop your writing and oral communication skills as well as give you opportunities for independent research.

Learn more here.

Chemistry (HSP)

A degree in chemistry is highly versatile and provides a solid foundation for a variety of exciting careers. In particular, it fulfills the requirements to apply for medical school. At Western, Chemistry students interact with an enthusiastic, award-winning faculty, attend small classes in upper years (10-30 students), use state-of-the-art facilities, work on research projects, and network with peers and profs.

Learn more here.

Computer Science (MJ) 

From bioinformatics to social networking, computer science drives innovation in nearly every area of our lives. But it's more than just data and code—it’s also about imagination. How much farther can we go? What kind of impact will we have along the way?

Western’s flagship programs in big data, game development, cybersecurity, financial modelling, and more will send your career in directions you might never imagine. Outside the classroom, you can develop your entrepreneurial and communication skills for start-up projects, or work one-on-one with faculty on a funded summer research project.

Learn more here.

Genetics (HSP)

The most important alphabet on Earth is its smallest — the four letter code of DNA.  How hereditary information is conveyed using such a small code began to be understood by studying organisms in which something was wrong (mutants).  Today this traditional approach is complemented by molecular genetics, which takes advantage of a wealth of DNA sequence information as well as technologies that allows one to easily disrupt and replace specific genes. As a student, you can take a range of courses focused on gene structure, function and regulation that are taught using a range of animal, plant and microbial systems. Courses in genetic engineering, developmental genetics, behavioural genetics, and evolutionary genetics convey the importance of the smallest alphabet has an all aspects of life.

Learn more here.

Mathematics (MJ)

There are numerous mathematics modules that cater to varying degree and career objectives. In recent years, our honours students have gone on to pursue careers in teaching, economics and academia. Medical doctors and lawyers sometimes also obtain undergraduate degrees in mathematics. In the eyes of an employer, a mathematics graduate is someone with strong analytical and problem solving skills, who can reason logically.

Learn more here.

Microbiology and Immunology (MJ) 

The Department of Microbiology and Immunology at the Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Western University is dedicated to the study of microorganisms and the immune system. Faculty explore the structure, chemistry, genetics, and behaviour of bacteria, viruses, protozoa, mammalian cells, and the immune system. They apply the techniques of microbiology, immunology, molecular biology, and cell biology to both fundamental and medical problems. Areas of health research studied include diabetes, arthritis, gene therapy, tumor biology, viral host interactions, resistance of cancer cells to chemotherapeutic agents, pathogens in the hospital setting, genetic control of cell surfaces of microbes, autoimmunity, and cell-to cell communication during the immune response. The Department of Microbiology and Immunology offers courses to explore many of these topics.

Learn more here.

Anthropology (MJ) 

Anthropology, which views human behavior, biology and society (both past and present) in a cross-cultural perspective, combines scientific and humanistic interests in a social science framework. Anthropology involves the study of humans located around the globe, over a span of four to five million years, using perspectives from the social sciences, natural sciences, and humanities (arts), which makes it one of the broadest ranging of all academic disciplines. A degree in Anthropology can prepare you for a wide array of career choices.

Learn more here.

BMOS – Commercial Aviation Management (HSP) 

The Commercial Aviation Management (CAM) program at Western University is a stepping stone to a career in aviation.  CAM students will graduate with a Bachelor’s degree in Management and Organizational Studies (BMOS) with specialized courses in aviation management.  In Canada, this type of aviation education is available exclusively at Western University.

Learn more here.

Climate Change and Society (MJ)

limate change is an evolving universal experience. It requires knowledge of how it has evolved and its future implications for society and the environment. Climate Change & Society degrees cover topics that explore:    the historical perspective of climate change; the climate emergency; vulnerabilities; inequitable and unjust global impacts; sustainable solutions.

Learn more here.

Economics (MJ)

Economics is a social science devoted to the study of scarcity, and how individuals, organizations, and governments make choices. The discipline’s guiding principle is found in the idea that all of these choices can most usefully be seen as decisions to allocate scarce resources across a range of competing uses. This single principle is always in play, and leads economists to study a wide array of social questions.

In the first year Economics courses you will be exposed to the use of this basic principle and the analytical tools that go with them in both the microeconomic and macroeconomic realm. The first of these (micro) refers to the study of choices made by individuals and/or individual firms, and how these decisions interact in markets. The macro segment then looks at how this principle allows us to better understand the behaviour of the economy in the aggregate. This leads to the study of unemployment, inflation, government budgets and international trade balances. These courses then provide the basis for all of the more senior – and more specialized – courses offered by the Department.

Learn more here.

History (HSP, MJ) 

The History Department studies the past to prepare historically informed global citizens for the challenges of today and tomorrow. Our faculty and students produce historical knowledge and interpretations that reveal how and why the past matters.

We have several areas of research focus in history: Canadian, Digital, Environmental/ Science/Medicine, Gender/Women, Indigenous, International/Global, Public History, Social/Cultural, and War/Conflict. Several of our faculty have cross-appointments to other departments or programs.

Learn more here.

International Relations (HSP) 

In an era of rapid global transformations and increasing insecurities, a thorough understanding of international relations with its historical dimensions, theoretical frameworks, and contemporary manifestations is indispensable. Any hope in successfully tackling the myriad of challenges ahead, from peace to climate change and the struggle for global justice, requires solid knowledge and expertise in international relations. 

Since 2006, IR at Western has provided such expertise. The program is a collaborative project by the departments of political science and history and provides exceptionally talented students with a well-founded grounding and coherent understanding of world affairs in two interdisciplinary modules: an Honours Specialization in International Relations and an Honours Specialization IR/HBA/in collaboration with the Ivey School of Business.  

Learn more here.   

Political Science (HSP, MJ) 

Almost every aspect of our lives requires some sort of political activity. The policies and principles which governments endorse and follow determine how our society deals with issues such as education, welfare, housing, health care, and crime. Whether countries are at war or at peace depends both on what governments do and who supports them. Our values, our careers, our freedoms, and our responsibilities are all formed in a political context. Therefore, to study politics is to study the real world. Political science courses will help you develop the skills necessary to make sense of that world.

A degree in political science prepares students for a wide range of jobs in many different fields, including but not limited to: federal/provincial/local government, business, journalism, broadcasting, public relations, international relations, policy analysis, market research, interest group advocacy, law and education. A political science degree offers not just the knowledge and background needed for these jobs, but a complex set of skills as well. Research, analysis, critical thinking, writing, problem-solving, and public speaking skills figure highly in our courses.

Learn more here.

Politics, Philosophy, and Economics (HSP) 

Be part of the interesting and exciting PPE program by taking courses in three departments, providing a multi-faceted education and preparing you to take on leadership roles in domestic or international politics, law, public policy, economics and business, and it is a pathway to professional and graduate programs in public policy, law, journalism, philosophy, political science, economics, and business.

Learn more here.

Psychology (HSP, MJ) 

People who study Psychology are interested in explaining normal and abnormal behavior. They search for clues about why we behave the way we do in our biology, feelings, thought processes, and social experiences. Using a variety of research strategies, they seek a scientific understanding of behavior at various levels ranging from micro (brain functioning, genes, hormones, drugs) to macro (peer groups, culture).

Learn more here.

Sociology (MJ) 

Sociology is the study of social life, social change, and social inequality. Sociologists investigate the structure of groups, organizations, and societies and how people interact within these contexts. Sociology looks at a wide range of issues from the intimate family to the hostile mob; from environmentalism to religious traditions; as well as race, Indigeneity, gender, sexuality, and social class.

Learn more here.

With approval from Academic Counselling, students may enhance their double major module by adding a minor (MN) or certificate program. Many current and former students have successfully pursued combinations with the following programs:

Biology
Classical Studies
Dance
French Studies
Gender, Sexuality and Women's Studies
History
Italian
Media, Information and Technoculture
Philosophy
Psychology
Political Science
Sociology
Spanish
Transitional Justice and Post-Conflict Reconstruction