pathways to university
TRANSCRIPT
Pathways to University
Dr. Mahdi Qasqas
1. Purpose and Motivation Essentialsa. Mustivation versus Wantivation
2. “Ask those who know”a. Bottom Up or Top-Inb. Trial and Error versus Evidence Based Practice
i. Ex: SSHRC, NSERC, CIHR
3. Read 1 Write 1a. Best deeds are done with consistencyb. Self Trust and Discipline c. Perfectionist versus Progressionist
4. Step 0: The applications’ (yes plural) processa. Prerequisitesb. Objective and Standardized Indicators of Success
Begin with the Best in Mind: A Psycho-Spiritual First Aid® Application to Academic Success Planning
Our Panellists
NursingHafsah Syed
EducationMariam Amin
KinesiologyTaha Butt
Biological Sciences & Psychology
Sarah Naseer
Health SciencesSadia Ahmed
EngineeringKhaled Elmalawany
Software EngineeringAbdullah Sattar
Actuarial ScienceBareerah Rab
AccountingAmena Abid
FinanceMohammed Kardar
EconomicsAhmad Khawaja
Political SciencesZarif Ahmed
Bachelor of Nursing (BN)Entrance (Competitive) Avg: 90% and above
Degree Breakdown:● Course Topics:
○ Anatomy and Physiology○ The Science of Health○ Supporting Health○ The Discipline and Profession of Nursing○ Integrating nursing roles and practices [ie.
practicum]
● Degree Requirements: ○ On-going practicum, which is already
incorporated into the curriculum ○ Preceptorship: the last semester, where you
work 388 hours alongside a nurse
Useful Extra-Curriculars:● Working / volunteering with public health (ie.
vaccinations!)● Working as an undergraduate nursing employee
(UNE) or health care aide● Research; contact your professors to do so
Next Steps:
● Career Options - You can work anywhere! ○ Acute care (in hospitals and urgent care
centres)○ Travel nursing ○ Military nursing ○ Rural nursing○ Public health (clinics, schools, home health,
long-term care, rehab centres, etc.)○ Hospital administration
● Graduate school○ Masters in Nursing → PhD → professor○ Masters in Nursing → nurse practitioner (NP)○ Masters in Nursing → hospital administration○ Medical school → doctor
Resources participants can access to learn about post-degree career opportunities
● https://alumni.ucalgary.ca/grow-your-career● https://nursing.ucalgary.ca/nursenetwork
Contact Me: Hafsah Syed | 587 703 1116 (text only please) | [email protected] 1
Bachelor of Education (BEd)Entrance Avg: 75%-80%
Degree Breakdown:● Course Topics:
○ STEM○ Assessment○ Specialization (ie. Social Studies, Math, etc.)○ Ethics & Law in Education○ Diversity in Learning○ Indigenous Education○ Comprehensive School Health & Wellness
● Degree Requirements:○ Field Experience/Practicum – Mandatory (4 in
total)
Useful Extra-Curriculars:● Volunteering● Tutoring
Next Steps:● Graduate School● Career Options: Early Childhood Educator,
Elementary/High School Teacher, Principal, ESL/Special Education Teacher, Counsellor, Professor
Resources participants can access to learn about post-degree career opportunities
● https://werklund.ucalgary.ca
Contact Me: Mariam Amin | 587-436-3682 | [email protected] 2
Bachelor of Kinesiology (BKin) / BSc in KinesiologyEntrance Avg: High 80s
Degree Breakdown:● Course Topics: Anatomy and physiology, biomechanics,
neuromotor behavior, fundamentals of movement, nutrition, human growth and development
● Degree Streams: BKin: Kinesiology, Mind sciences, Leadership in. Pedagogy & Coaching (practicum required) ↠ Various combined degrees. BSc: Kinesiology, Biomechanics, Exercise & Health.Physiology (practicum OR honours required), Mind Sciences
Useful Extra-Curriculars:● Volunteering (ex: Thrive Centre)● Research● Leadership (ex: Kinesiology Student Society)● Peer Tutoring Program
Contact Me: Taha Butt | (403) 401-9508 | [email protected]
Next Steps:● Graduate Options: MKin, MSc, PhD● Career Options: Physiotherapy, occupational therapy,
athletic therapy, exercise physiology, coaching/training, research
Resources participants can access to learn about post-degree career opportunities
● https://kinesiology.ucalgary.ca/sites/default/files/Kinesiology%20careers%20paths.pdf
● https://alis.alberta.ca/occinfo/occupations-in-alberta/?s=kinesiology
- ShanghaiRanking’s Global Ranking of Sport Science and Departments
3
Bachelor of Science - Biological Sciences (BSc)Entrance Avg: High 80sDegree Breakdown:
● Course Topics○ Chemistry (2) → Foundations of Chemistry &
General Chemistry ○ Biology (2) → Energy Flow in Biological Systems &
DNA, Inheritance, Evolution○ Math (2) → Introductory Calculus & Linear Methods I○ Either Computer Science (2), Physics (2) or Geology
(2)○ 2 non-science options ○ OChem, Genetics, Comp. Bio of Plants & Animals,
Ecology, Cell & Molecular Bio, Biochemistry● Degree Specialization
○ Biochemistry○ CMMB (cellular, molecular, micro biology)○ Ecology○ Plant biology○ Zoology○ Biology
● Optional: Honours / Thesis, Internship, double majors, minors Useful Extra-Curriculars:
● Research ● Science Internship Program ● Volunteering & club involvement (CCR hours)
Next Steps:● Graduate school:
○ Masters ○ PhD
● Professional degrees:○ Medical school○ Dentistry ○ Veterinary school
● Career Options:○ Environmental management○ Conservation○ Biotechnology○ Scientific research ○ Lab/research technician○ Academia
Resources participants can access to learn about post-degree career opportunities
● https://grad.ucalgary.ca/future-students/explore-programs/biological-sciences-msc-thesis
● https://grad.ucalgary.ca/future-students/explore-programs/biological-sciences-phd
● https://www.ucalgary.ca/student-services/careers
Contact Me: Sarah Naseer | [email protected] | 4
Bachelor of Science - Psychology (BSc)Entrance Avg: Mid 80s
Degree Breakdown:● 2 streams
○ Bachelor of Arts○ Bachelor of Science
● Course Topics○ Intro (2) → Principles of Psychology I & II○ Research (2) → Research Methods & Data Analysis I & II○ Foundation (5) → Social Psych, Brain & Behavior, 3 of
Industrial Psych, Language Development, Developmental Psych, Aging Psych, Cognitive Psych, Sensation & Perception, Motivation & Emotion, Personality, Abnormal Psych
○ Applying research methods (1)○ Bio (2)○ Chem (2)○ Math (2)○ Physics (2)
● Optional: Honours, double majors, minors ,combined Bachelor of Community Rehabilitation (BCR)
Useful Extra-Curriculars:● Research ● Co-operative education internship ● Volunteering & club involvement (CCR hours)
Next Steps:● Graduate school:
○ Thesis-based Masters○ Thesis-based Phd
● Professional degrees:○ Law ○ Medicine○ Education○ Social work
● Career Options:○ Clinical psychologist○ Academia/professors○ Applied researchers○ Organizational consultants ○ Addictions counsellor
Resources participants can access to learn about post-degree career opportunities
● https://grad.ucalgary.ca/future-students/understanding-graduate-studies
● https://arts.ucalgary.ca/psychology/future-students/graduate/programs/psychology
● https://www.ucalgary.ca/pubs/calendar/grad/current/psychology-psyc-program.html
Contact Me: Sarah Naseer | [email protected] | 5
Bachelor of Health Sciences (BHSc)Entrance Avg (mid-high 80’s)
Degree Breakdown:● Course Topics: health research literacy, biology, research
methods/approaches, statistics & research design (required for all streams)
● Degree Streams:○ Biomedical Science: chemistry, math, physics,
immunology, genetics, ○ Health and Society: determinants of health, health
services & health systems, health research methods, global health
○ Bioinformatics: chemistry, calculus, computer science, human genetics, software engineering
● Degree Requirements: Honors Thesis (minimum 3.3 GPA)
Useful Extra-Curriculars:● Volunteering (e.g Hospital, Animal Shelter, Community
Organizations like Duhaa Foundation)● Joining clubs on campus (e.g University of Calgary Red
Cross Club)● Research (e.g Wolbpack)
Next Steps:● Graduate School: Community Health Sciences, Public
Health, Cancer Biology, Neuroscience, Public Policy, Social Work, and many more!
● Career Options: Medicine, Law, Optometry, Dentistry, Business Administration, Pharmacy, and many more!
Resources participants can access to learn about post-degree career opportunities
● Careers of Health & Society Alumni● Careers of Biomedical Sciences Alumni● Careers of Bioinformatics Alumni
Contact Me: Sadia Ahmed | [email protected] 6
Bachelor of Electrical Engineering and Biomedical Minor (BEng)Entrance Avg: Mid 80s (with Math 30-1)
Mid 90s (without Math 30-1)
Degree Breakdown:● Course Topics: Calculus, Physics, Chemistry, Signal
Analysis, High-level hardware design, Bioengineering, and Biology
● Degree Requirements: Internship (optional but highly recommended)
Useful Extra-Curriculars:● Executive positions in Clubs on Campus● Engineering Representative at the SU● Research at the University● Tutoring Education Centre president
Next Steps:● Graduate with Honours● Biomedical Engineering Career● Research at the University
Resources participants can access to learn about post-degree career opportunities
● Job Bank Canada - Electrical Engineer● U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Contact Me: Khaled Elmalawany | (403) 970-1499 | [email protected] 7
Bachelor of Engineering - Software Engineering (BEng) Entrance Avg: Mid 80s (with Math 30-1)
Mid 90s (without Math 30-1)
Degree Breakdown:● Course Topics: Calculus, Physics, Coding,
Algorithms, Logic, Software Testing/Design● Degree Requirements: Internship is encouraged but
not mandatory
Useful Extra-Curriculars:● Hackathons, Coding Competitions, Technical Clubs,
Bootcamps.
Next Steps:● Software Engineer, Software QA, UI/UX Designer,
Project Management, Systems Architect, App Development, Web Development, Game Development
● Masters Software Engineering - Academia
Resources participants can access to learn about post-degree career opportunities
● https://www.prospects.ac.uk/careers-advice/what-can-i-do-with-my-degree/software-engineering
Contact Me: Abdullah Sattar | +1(587) 581-1194 | [email protected] 8
Bachelor of Science - Actuarial Science (BSc)Entrance Requirements:
● Overall GPA: 80% +● Required subjects: Mathematics & 3 Additional
Sciences (Biology, Physics, Calculus, Chemistry, etc.)
● Mathematics and Calculus: ~85% +
Degree Breakdown:● Course Topics:
○ Statistics: 213, 321, 323, 429, 505, 507, 533, 543
○ Actuarial Science: 325, 327, 427, 527○ Computer Science: 217
● Degree Requirements: ○ Co-ops: At least two terms (8 months total)○ Board exams: SOA (if pursuing life/health
insurance, employee benefits & pensions, quantitative finance), CAS (is pursuing technology, property/casualty insurance, quantitative finance, etc.)
Recommended Extracurricular Activities:● Join the University of Calgary’s Actuarial Society
(UCAS)!● Be true to yourself! Join clubs that cultivate your
passion -- regardless of whether they directly correlate to your career.
Next Steps:● Continuing the boards to exams to achieve your
ASA/ACAS (Associate path)● Different Career Outlooks (besides Actuary):
Management Consultant, Quantitative Finance Analyst, Wealth/Asset Management, Commercial/Investment Banking, etc.
Resources participants can access to learn about post-degree career opportunities
1. https://www.soa.org/education/exam-req/edu-asa-req2. https://www.ucalgary.ca/pubs/calendar/current/sc-4-5
-3.html3. https://www.beanactuary.org/
Contact Me: Bareerah Rab | 587-225-9695 | [email protected] 9
Bachelor of Commerce - Accounting (BComm)Entrance Avg (general) - Mid 80s (with Math 30-1)
Degree Breakdown:● Course Topics: financial accounting, personal and
corporate tax, managerial accounting, statistics, economics,
● Degree Requirements: Co-ops and Internships - not mandatory but very helpful to secure full-time work upon graduation
Useful Extra-Curriculars:● Accounting Student Association (ASA)● Women in Business (WIB)
Next Steps:● CPA● Career Options - Internal/External Auditor, Financial
Accountant, Compliance Analyst, Tax Accountant, Consultant, Treasury Analyst
Resources participants can access to learn about post-degree career opportunities
● https://www.cpaalberta.ca/Services/Career-Centre/Job-Board
● https://jobs.cpaalberta.ca/
Contact Me: Amena Abid | [email protected] 10
Bachelor of Commerce - Finance (BComm)Entrance Avg: Mid 80's
Degree Breakdown:● Course Topics: Financial Management, Personal
Financial Management, Security Analysis and Investments, Futures and Options, Corporate Finance.
● Degree Requirements: ○ High School Requirements:
■ English Language Art 30-1, ■ Mathematics 30-1■ Two Approved Courses; Aboriginal
Studies 30, Social Studies 30-1, Biology 30, Mathematics 31, etc.
○ Co-op not required but highly recommended
Useful Extra-Curriculars:● Calgary Portfolio Management Trust (CPMT) ● Haskayne Finance Club● Finesse Finance Club
Next Steps:● Graduate School
○ Master of Business Administration (MBA) ○ Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA)
● Career Options○ Corporate Finance ○ Portfolio Management ○ Financial Planning ○ Commercial Banking
Resources participants can access to learn about post-degree career opportunities
● https://haskayne.ucalgary.ca/future-students/bcomm/concentrations/fnce
Contact Me: Mohammed Kardar | 587-700-9690 | [email protected] 11
Entrance Avg: High 70s to Low 80s
Degree Breakdown:● Course Topics: Microeconomics, macroeconomics, Econometrics
(heavily stats based), computational and data methods in economics (Excel), business applications, industrial organization, health economics, economic analysis of the law, and many more!
● Degree Requirements: High school requirements: English 30-1, Math 30-1, 2 Approved Courses, and 1 Approved Option.Co-ops are not mandatory for the completion of your degree.
○ UofC Cumming School of Medicine, Student Researcher○ Vecova, Marketing Team Lead
Useful Extra-Curriculars:● EUS: Economics Undergraduate Society
○ Will provide guidance on how to approach courses most economics students find difficult, hold networking events, and hold mock exams for various courses.
● Bank of Canada Challenge (Governor’s Challenge): Teams must analyze and forecast economic developments and recommend whether to raise the Bank’s key interest rate, lower it, or leave it unchanged.
Next Steps:● Graduate Options:
○ Masters of Economics (MA)○ Public Health (MPH)○ Masters of Business Administration (MBA)
● Career Options:○ Analyst (Economic, financial, business development,
data, etc.)○ Consultant ○ Supply Chain/Procurement
Resources participants can access to learn about post-degree career opportunities
● https://arts.ucalgary.ca/economics
Contact Me: Ahmad Khawaja | (587)-700-8282 | [email protected]
Bachelor of Arts - Economics (BA)
12
Bachelor of Arts - Political Science (BA)Entrance Avg: Mid 70s
Degree Breakdown:● Course Topics: political philosophy, comparative
politics, international relations, public policy● Degree Streams: Co-op/Internships (optional);
Honours (optional)
Useful Extra-Curriculars:● Model UN/Debate ● Volunteering (politics, NPOs, etc.) ● Writing (school newspaper, journals, etc.)
Next Steps:● Postgraduate Education: Master’s, PhD, law● Career Options: government, journalism,
international organizations/NGOs, politics, law, teaching, consulting, lobbying, public relations
Resources participants can access to learn about post-degree career opportunities
● What can you do with a political science degree?● Top jobs for political science majors ● What can I do with a degree in political science?
Contact Me: Zarif Ahmed | [email protected] 13
More Resources
The University of Calgary: Career Services
The University of Calgary: Degree Program Requirements and Expectations
The University of Calgary: Enrollment Services
The University of Calgary: High School Counsellors and Advisors
Mount Royal University: Offered Programs List
The University of Alberta: Undergraduate Programs’
The University of Lethbridge: Undergraduate Programs and Degrees
Click the links to Explore!