Department of Family Relations and Applied Nutrition, College of Social and Applied Human Sciences.

The Child Studies major, administered by the Department of Family Relations and Applied Nutrition, examines the growth and development of children and adolescents, and the psychological, social and physical conditions which influence human development. A background in the social and biological sciences provides a base for more focused study on particular areas of child development. Through the effective use of elective courses, the core requirements in the major can be supplemented to create a program of study which will prepare graduates for a variety of career patterns in children's services. Graduates are pursuing child-related careers in a variety of settings, including family and community service agencies, children's treatment facilities, paediatric wards in hospitals, elementary schools, and child care centres. Further academic preparation may be required for certain careers. Many graduates go on to pursue graduate education in fields such as family studies, human development, psychology, social work, speech pathology, and physiotherapy.

Articulation Agreements

The University of Guelph is a partner in several Articulation Agreements concerning the Child Studies major. Students who enter the B.A.Sc. Child Studies major with advanced standing through an articulation agreement should identify themselves to the B.A.Sc. Program Counsellor for specific guidance around their Schedule of Studies (see Section IV of this calendar).

Students in the Child Studies major who are interested in proceeding to teachers college should refer to Section IV--Admissions Information, Articulation Agreements for information about admission to the Bachelor of Education program at Nipissing University.

Program Requirements

All students in the Child Studies major must include the following core of 13.50 required credits and 1.00 restricted electives to a minimum of 20.00 passed credits. Students are encouraged to plan their use of electives carefully in order to focus their program on one or a combination of the career options open to graduates. Active discussion with a departmental advisor regarding the various choices possible from within the major is strongly recommended. Students will normally register for courses according to the semesters indicated below for Fall and Winter sequencing. Students who register for Summer semesters and other students for whom the semester offerings present difficulty may, where they have the approval of their departmental advisor, take some courses in alternative semesters.

Major

Semester 1

PSYC*1100 [0.50] Principles of Behaviour

PSYC*1200 [0.50] Dynamics of Behaviour

SOC*1100 [0.50] Sociology

0.50 elective or restricted elective

One of:

ENGL*1200 [0.50] Reading the Contemporary World

FREN*1200 [0.50] Intermediate French I

Note: One course in Semester 1 must be BIOL*1020 if the student does not have standing in OAC Biology or equivalent.

Semester 2

FRHD*1020 [0.50] Couple and Family Relationships

FRHD*2260 [0.50] Infant Development

MBG*1000 [0.50] Genetics and Society

NUTR*1010 [0.50] Nutrition and Society

0.50 elective or restricted elective

Semester 3

BIOM*2000 [0.50] Concepts of Physiology

FRHD*2270 [0.50] Development in Early and Middle Childhood

NUTR*2050 [0.50] Family and Community Nutrition

STAT*2080 [0.50] Introductory Applied Statistics I

One of:

CIS*1000 [0.50] Introduction to Computer Applications

CIS*1200 [0.50] Introduction to Computing

COST*2020 [0.50] Information Management

Semester 4

FRHD*2040 [0.50] Play and Programming for Young Children

FRHD*2060 [0.50] Adult Development and Aging

FRHD*2110 [0.50] The Exceptional Child in the Family

FRHD*3080 [0.50] Adolescent Development

STAT*2090 [0.50] Introductory Applied Statistics II

Semester 5

FRHD*3040 [0.50] Parenting: Research and Applications

FRHD*3070 [0.50] Research Methods - Family Studies

FRHD*3200 [1.00] Practicum--Child Studies I

FRHD*3400 [0.50] Communication in Family Consultation

Semester 6

FRHD*3180 [0.50] Observation and Assessment

2.00 electives or restricted electives

Semester 7

FRHD*4170 [1.00] Practicum--Child Studies II

FRHD*4180 [0.50] Assessment and Intervention

1.00 electives or restricted electives

Semester 8

2.50 electives or restricted electives

Restricted Electives

In addition to the 13.50 required credits, 1.00 must be taken from the Department of Family Relations and Applied Nutrition at the 4000 level.

Electives

There are 5.50 electives throughout the major which may be fulfilled by electing courses in any subject provided that the student has the prerequisite courses and can schedule them. Courses which complement the major and which may be taken as electives include the following:

ANTH*3400 [0.50] The Anthropology of Gender

HIST*2800 [0.50] The History of the Modern Family

PHIL*2060 [0.50] Philosophy of Feminism

SOAN*2400 [0.50] Introduction to Gender Systems

WMST*1000 [0.50] Introduction to Women's Studies

Some elective courses are intended to contribute to a liberal education while others permit students to work towards specific academic and career goals by making their own selection of electives to coordinate with the core requirements.