Ottawa Valley (Pembroke)

Our Program

This program provides students with a general education in the arts and sciences and assists them in gaining the prerequisites needed for entry into a program at Algonquin or another institution. Students also have the opportunity to explore their career choices and experience college delivery of course material.

Students can begin this program in either the Fall Term or the Winter Term.

SUCCESS FACTORS

This program is well-suited for students who:

• Want to explore their education and career options.
• Want to further develop their interpersonal communication skills.
• Want to experience studying at the postsecondary level.
• Want to gain the prerequisites required for other college programs.

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Your Career

A General Arts and Science Ontario College Certificate shows employers, colleges and universities that graduates have a demonstrated ability to learn at a postsecondary level, have enhanced skills in oral and written
communication, can conduct research in a systematic manner and are flexible and open to meeting new challenges. These are important qualifications in a world where change is rapid and adaptability is an asset.

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Courses

Programs at Algonquin College are delivered using a variety of instruction modes. Courses may be offered in the classroom or lab, entirely online, or in a hybrid mode which combines classroom sessions with online learning activities. Upon registration, each full-time student is provided an Algonquin email account which is used to communicate important information about program or course events.

Level: 01		Hours
CST7291	Introduction to Computers In this course, students are introduced to computers and related hardware, and practice through the Windows environment with word processing and spreadsheet programs.	45.0
ENL7777	Communications I Communication remains an essential skill sought by employers, regardless of discipline or field of study. Using a practical, vocation-oriented approach, students focus on meeting the requirements of effective communication. Through a combination of lectures, exercises, and independent learning, students practise writing, speaking, reading, listening, locating and documenting information, and using technology to communicate professionally. Students develop and strengthen communication skills that contribute to success in both educational and workplace environments.	45.0
PRL7532	College and Career Success This course develops and expands student's abilities as lifelong learners. These abilities are essential to learners as they take their place in college, community, family and working life. Course content includes awareness of self as a learner and study of learning, motivation and problem-solving theories. Important throughout are attitudes which help learners to deal with a complex, changing world. Teaching/learning methods include classroom discussion and exercises, reflective journals to monitor, evaluate and guide the student's development, as well as lectures.	45.0

Electives: 2 with Departmental Approval		Hours
PSY7603	Introduction to Psychology This course is designed to promote an understanding of the following important contemporary psychological concepts: the biological basis of behaviour, sensation and perception, consciousness, learning, memory, thought and language, development, motivation and emotion, personality, intelligence and assessment, health, stress and coping, psychological disorders, approaches to treatment and social psychology.	45.0
SCI7606	Biology This course is designed to give students the prerequisite background in biology for admission to other postsecondary programs. Students take a core biology unit and two optional units. The core unit includes the study of the structure and function of the cell and the nervous system. Small group discussions and independent study are the main mediums of delivery in this course.	45.0
SSC7651	Social Science Elective I A 45-hour course from another program of study which is approved by the department as an appropriate elective for the General Arts and Science program.	45.0
SSC7652	Social Science Elective II A 45-hour course from another program of study which is approved by the department as an appropriate elective for the General Arts and Science program.	45.0

Level: 02		Hours
ENL7778	Communications II This course develops and refines applied communication skills including writing, speaking, reading, listening, researching, documenting, and synthesizing information and using technology to communicate effectively. Prerequisites: ENL7777	45.0
MAT7642	Mathematics This course is designed to develop the necessary skills in mathematics to help ensure success in other postsecondary programs that have math content. Topics include ratio and proportion, elementary algebra, formula manipulation, exponents and radicals, linear equations, quadratic equations and functions, logarithms, trigonometry and graphing. The student develops skills in using a scientific calculator to perform multiple operations. Small group discussions and independent study are the main mediums of delivery in this course.	45.0
SSC7617	Interpersonal Skills, Group Dynamics and Conflict Management In being accountable for the welfare of all people in the workplace, workers must have strong interpersonal skills. They must be able to communicate and listen effectively in a collegial and pro-active manner. In this theory course, students apply knowledge from interpersonal relations and group dynamics theories to working as part of a team. They learn effective communication skills that they can use with individuals and groups. Students also engage in problem solving, group decision making and building group cohesiveness. They develop the ability to intervene in conflict and crisis situations with competence and confidence. They also develop skills to anticipate and prevent conflict and crisis situations.	45.0
SSC7640	Career Planning This course is designed to validate or explore your life/career decisions. Students experience extensive self-assessment exercises including values, personality, interest and skills inventories. Up-to-date world of work information and decision-making strategies are explored. Job search strategies including how to market yourself are presented, culminating in an integrated life career path.	45.0

Electives: 2 with Departmental Approval		Hours
ENL7643	Literature and the Environment In this general education course, students examine the relationship between humans and their environment as portrayed in short stories, poetry, essays and visual media. Through readings, research and discussions with their peers, students explore the following themes: human oneness with nature, nature as enemy, humans as exploiters and humans as caretakers. Students also have an opportunity to create their own artistic work on a environmental theme.	45.0
ENV0002	Environmental Citizenship Based on the general principles of national citizenship, environmental citizenship goes beyond national borders to emphasize global environmental rights and responsibilities - to focus on both conservation of and planned sustainable use of our planet's resources, as well as the recognition that environmental health is a prerequisite to human health. Environmental citizenship is a personal commitment to learning more about the environment and to taking responsible environmental action. This course is a journey into adopting attitudes and behaviours that foster global environmental responsibility.	45.0
GED1896	The Middle East: an Understanding of Media Sources & Their Impact We live in an age where influential messages about pressing events and social issues are delivered through mass media. It is essential that people consciously analyze and evaluate media messages when interpreting history and current events. In this course, students learn how to seek out current, accurate and credible sources of information and examine the influence that media messages have on their understanding of the world. Through the analysis of readings and audio and video materials, students develop critical-thinking skills while gaining an understanding of historical and current events in the Middle East.	45.0
GED5002	Victimology An increased awareness of the ripple effect of crime has given rise to victimology as a significant field of study. In this course, particular emphasis is given to victims of crime and its impact on their lives, their families and on society. The history of victimology and the victims' movement, the nature and extent of victimization, its emerging theories and resulting legislation are traced. Victims' services, accessibility to services, rights of the victim and the victim in the criminal justice system are examined. Students learn about crime in the workplace, schools, and campuses and the importance of recognizing those at risk.	45.0
GED5004	Living Green The need to lead healthy, environmentally conscious lives is becoming increasingly important. In this course, students learn the practical knowledge and skills they require to explore current environmental challenges and identify personal plans for living in an environmentally responsible manner. Students learn the history and development of current environmental concerns, the environmental impact of our choices and behaviours and finally, the strategies involved in living green.	45.0
GED5005	Greek Mythology Greek Mythology introduces students to intriguing characters, important places, and famous myths of Classical Greece. By examining a variety of popular myths, students discover how the Ancient Greeks crafted narratives of gods, goddesses, monsters, and heroic figures to make sense of their lives and the world around them. Using examples from art, science, and industry, students explore how these epic stories from oral tradition have evolved and endured to influence the intricate artistic and literary fabric of contemporary society.	45.0
GED5006	World Religions In Canada, our society embraces people from many cultures of the world. By exploring different religious beliefs about the world, the individual, the meaning of life and death and how individuals are encouraged to conduct themselves, we can begin to appreciate the underlying forces that shape followers' lives. Students in this course explore the history and basic teachings of six of the major religions of the world: Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism, Christianity, Islam and the Baha'i Faith. Each religion's distinctive features are highlighted, and their similarities and shared values examined. Students have the opportunity to broaden their worldview in light of their understanding of divergent religious traditions.	45.0
GED5009	Digging Into Ancestral Roots In this general education course, students learn how science and technology can help them become amateur genealogists. They learn how scientists use DNA evidence to trace one's origins back to the beginning of humankind's existence and to determine how contemporary individuals might be related to one another. They examine microfilm technology and computer databases that are used to store and retrieve data, such as birth, death, and marriage records and land transactions. Through discussion, forum activities and individual research, students use both microfilm and the computer to retrieve genealogical records. They examine the privacy issues associated with putting one's family tree online. Finally, they construct a four-generational family tree that is supported by genealogical evidence.	45.0
GED5200	Learning Disabilities, the Invisible Disability This course is Web based. It introduces the field of learning disabilities by providing an historical overview, definitions, characteristics, and various models of the causes of learning disabilities. Students have an opportunity to learn about the impact a learning disability has on a person's day-to-day life and the strategies that may be used to compensate for it. Students experience a variety of online learning activities facilitated by an expert in the field of learning disabilities. Activities also include group work, independent research, reflection and case studies. Course participants are encouraged to share personal experience and knowledge. Some experience in using the Internet and doing online searches is recommended.	45.0
GED5300	The Science of Everyday Life Students consider basic concepts from a number of scientific disciplines, such as biology, physics and chemistry. Through the examination of everyday occurrences the student is introduced to scientific ways of thought and to the problem-solving methods used by scientists. A background in science and math is not required for this course.	45.0
GED6022	A Sense of Humour This course leads the learner to an understanding of the development, use, and value of humour in Canadian visual and creative arts. Varieties of humour (e.g. irony, satire, farce) are positioned in the context of Canadian culture to enhance the learner's appreciation of humour and self-awareness.	45.0
GEN1001	Ethics: What's the Big Deal? Some would say that "there is a hole in the moral ozone and it's getting bigger." This course is designed to examine and address the ethical challenges we face every day. It assists students to clarify their own values and understand how these values impact the course of their lives. The course provides students with a number of tools and decision-making models to deal with personal and professional ethical dilemmas.	45.0
GEN1957	Science Fiction This course examines science fiction as a genre of popular entertainment. Learners explore the formal conventions and the history of the genre, consume and analyze a representative range of science fiction, and strive to heighten their critical appreciation of the role and place of science fiction in society. Learners also have an opportunity to create their own piece of science fiction.	45.0
GEN2000	Film and Multiculturalism This course aims to enhance learners' inter-cultural understanding by studying films that explore universal human issues. Learners watch a selection of films that each address a particular facet of the 20th century phenomenon we call multiculturalism (or cultural diversity). Some of the films celebrate the triumphs and joys of our increasingly multicultural world; however, others deal with the darker, uglier side of human co-existence. Issues, such as racism and discrimination are addressed directly rather than obliquely. Learners are required to question their initial emotional reactions to the films and to arrive at a reasoned, critical evaluation of each film.	45.0
GEN2003	Healthy Lifestyle Through self-evaluation, weekly journals, research and hands-on exercises students gain the knowledge and skills necessary to lead a healthy lifestyle.	45.0
GEN2007	Community Service In this course, the student is exposed to, and learns first hand, the importance of volunteer organizations and community programs offered by local agencies. The student learns how a community program works and contributes to such a program by volunteering for that agency. This course offers the student the opportunity to become familiar with the diversity of the community and discover how community programs are organized.	45.0
HIS2000	Good Times and Bad - 70 Years in the Life of Canada During the 70 years from 1897 to 1967, Canadians experienced times of prosperity and progress, as well as periods of depression and war. There were times of optimism and moments of crisis. Through it all we have built a nation and contributed across the world. This course explores the political framework of Canada, recurring social issues and the place of Canada in the world.	45.0
HOS2228	Wine, Food and Culture This online general education course leads students on a cultural journey around the globe, introducing them to the wines and traditions of regions which produce some of the finest wines in the world, providing them with knowledge and appreciation of wine.	45.0
LIB1982	Reading for Recreation Students examine the appeal of different genres of fiction and non-fiction commonly read for fun and recreation. Genres include mainstream fiction, romance, fantasy, science fiction, horror, westerns true crime, travel, history, memoirs and adventure. Students examine the history and classics of each genre and weekly exercises emphasize currently available books.	45.0
MGT7330	Trends in Today's Workplace In today's work culture, every employee needs to be knowledgeable of current trends and issues in the workplace. In this course, students learn about emerging issues facing employees in today's technology-driven workplace and explore the realities of social networking, diversity in the workplace and work mobility.	45.0
MVM8800	The Impact of the Car on North American Culture This course provides learners with an opportunity to explore the social, economic, political and environmental impact of the automobile on our lives. It traces the history of the automobile from its introduction to the present day, and allows learners to explore the changes it has introduced to manufacturing, lifestyles, design principles, transportation systems, the environment, labour-management negotiation and economic organization.	45.0
PSI0003	Globalization and Sustainability The rapid growth of the global economy raises fundamental questions: How does trade and politics affect development and the environment? What are the effects of free trade and the rise of multi-national corporations on local cultures? What are the effects of the 'clash of cultures' produced by international travel, migration, and new social, collaborative technologies that send film, books, television, music and other 'proprietary' content spinning around the world instantly? Is globalization environmentally sustainable? This course is designed to examine these and other questions and to provide students with the skills to analyze the day-to-day choices raised by globalization in an increasingly interconnected world.	45.0
RAD2001	Popular Culture This introductory Internet-based course examines recent North American popular culture including trends, fads, styles, theories and the cult of the new. This course explores our perceptions of culture, the trivialization of society and how the media has inexorably helped to shape today's values. Students are, through online research, assigned readings and participation in self-directed learning, critically study popular culture's place in North American society concentrating on their decade of choice. One dictionary definition of popular culture is the "totality of socially transmitted behaviour patterns, arts, beliefs, institutions, and all other products of human work and thought." That definition allows us great freedom and scope.	45.0
SCI7602	Chemistry Students study a wide range of units designed to give the prerequisite background in chemistry for admission to other postsecondary programs. Chemistry units include concepts, such as atomic structure, physical and chemical changes and bonding, periodic law, chemical formula and nomenclature. Small group discussions and independent study are the main mediums of delivery in this course.	45.0
SOC2003	Understanding Human Sexuality This course presents an interdisciplinary introduction to the study of human sexuality. It examines the basic understanding of human sexuality through an investigation of history, culture, physiology, sexual development, sexual behaviours, sexually transmitted diseases, attitudes, sex, deviance and sexual relationship.	45.0
SOC7605	Principles of Sociology This survey course introduces students to the major concepts and theories of sociology, which is the study of human society and social behaviour. The Canadian perspective is taken. Students study topics, such as the sociological approach, society, culture, socialization, groups, social stratification, and social class and social change.	45.0
SSC7653	Social Science Elective III A 45-hour course from another program of study which is approved by the department as an appropriate elective for the General Arts and Science program.	45.0
SSC7654	Social Science Elective IV A 45-hour course from another program of study which is approved by the department as an appropriate elective for the General Arts and Science program.	45.0

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Fees & Expenses

Approximate 1st Year Costs

Tuition/Fees: $ 3,159
Books/Supplies: $ 800
Incidental Fees: $ 0
Total: $ 3,959



Tuition Fees listed are in effect for the 2011-2012 academic year.

Tuition Fees: $1,212.20 per term.

Information Technology Fee: $62 per term. *

Student Activity/Sports Fee: $190.50 per term.

Student Centre Building Fee: $17.50 per term.

Health Service Fee: $10 per term.

Health Plan Fee: $114.50 paid once annually. **

A $35 graduation fee is payable in the final term.

A $25 transcript fee is payable in the first term a student attends Algonquin College.

International Students pay all relevant Canadian fees plus an International Premium of $4,400 per term.

* Students paying the Information Technology fee are provided with a network account, an email address, and Internet access. For more information please visit our website at www.algonquincollege.com/its/services/it_fee.htm

** Students who have coverage with another plan can request a refund by supplying the Students' Association with documentation supporting the
request. This request will have to be made annually.

Books and supplies cost approximately $800 and can be purchased in the campus bookstore.

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Admission Requirements  2012/20132011/2012

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Application Information

Applications to full-time day programs must be submitted with official transcripts showing completion of the academic admission requirements through:

ontariocolleges.ca
60 Corporate Court
Guelph, Ontario
N1G 5J3
1-888-892-2228

Students currently enrolled in an Ontario secondary school should contact their Guidance Office to apply. For all other applicants, applications are available online at ontariocolleges.ca. A $95 fee applies.

Applications for Fall Term, Winter Term and Spring Term admission received by February 1 will be given equal consideration. Applications received after February 1 will be processed on a first-come, first-served basis as long as places are available.

International applicants applying from out-of-country can obtain the
International Student Application Form at
https://xweb.algonquincollege.com/FormIE/index.aspx or by contacting the Registrar's Office.

For further information on the admissions process, contact:

Registrar's Office
Algonquin College in the Ottawa Valley
315 Pembroke Street East
Pembroke, ON K8A 3K2
Telephone: 613-735-4700 ext. 2708
Toll-free: 1-800-565-4723

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Additional Information

This Full-time day program is offered on the Pembroke Campus.

For more information, please contact Shawn Pentecost, Program Coordinator, at 613-735-4700 ext. 2766 or pentecs@algonquincollege.com.

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