The four-year honors program in Integrated Science will combine the focused coursework of a traditional science honors degree with a unique set of courses in Integrated Science. Through novel classroom and laboratory experiences, students in the Integrated Science program will refine their critical thinking and problem-solving skills while at the same time strengthening teamwork, leadership abilities and community engagement.

Besides courses in Integrated Science, students in the program will specialize in a defined discipline (e.g. Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Earth Sciences, Mathematics, Physics). This will provide graduates with the necessary focused education to further develop the expertise valued by both industry and academia. Since many of today’s most pressing scientific problems are interdisciplinary (e.g. climate change), graduates of Western’s Integrated Science program will have a unique skill set allowing them to work more effectively on problems that span a number of science disciplines.

The interdisciplinary Major in Disability Studies creates spaces for rethinking the dominance of traditional, individualized and medicalized models of disability by identifying the systemic barriers to full participation in society experienced by disabled people. It examines the historical and cultural roots of today’s categories of thought, and offers innovative theories, cases and best practices for moving towards a more inclusive society. The program combines rigorous academic foundations with an inquiry-based learning approach that values the contributions of people with disabilities themselves, and acknowledges the breadth and complexity of the large and diverse field being studied (over 15% of the population has some form of disability, including intellectual, developmental, learning, physical, sensory, and mental health).

The curriculum aims to: (1) foster strong analytical, research, writing and verbal expression skills grounded in social science and humanities approaches; (2) provide students with a thorough grounding in specific DS topics and issues; and (3) enhance students’ ability to be effective, ethical, and creative actors in educational, civic and private organizations, who can change the structural conditions that disable people. The degree meets a growing local, national and international need for professionals capable of addressing disability-related social challenges, such as aging population, war- and sports-related physical impairment, and increasing rates of diagnosis for learning disability and mental health.

The Bachelor of Management and Organizational Studies (BMOS), Nonprofit Management Program is a four year interdisciplinary program that combines courses in General Management, Nonprofit Management, Community Development and Leadership in order to prepare students to make a difference in society, lead organizations, and make recommendations for positive change. Graduates of the program will be prepared to work in community organizations in social services, arts and other nonprofit settings.

The program will enable students to develop leadership capabilities and management skills through experiences both in and outside of the classroom.  Inside the classroom students will be exposed to various pedagogies including case studies, simulations, exercises, field studies, live problems, and lectures to facilitate the application of knowledge, development of arguments and alternatives and ultimately proposed solutions reflecting sound judgement.   Outside of the classroom students will have the opportunity to participate in two practicums where they will work directly with staff and leaders in community, nonprofit and other organizations.  In addition, students will have the option to apply to the Management and Organizational Studies paid Internship Program.

This program provides students with a deep insight into the practice and reception of theatre studies. It begins with a foundational year, i.e., the first year of the module, that enables students to analyze the forms and meanings of performance in national and international contexts. In subsequent years, students tailor their learning to achieve their own intellectual and career goals. Courses include topics in audience reception, performance archives, arts journalism and the playwright’s art.  The degree emphasizes hands-on learning and its capstone is Destination Theatre, with students immersing themselves in theatre cultures outside of London to experience live performance, theatrical spaces, and cultures of reception.

The Honours Specialization in Epidemiology and Biostatistics program in the Bachelor of Medical Science program is intended to provide a unique alternative to other Honours Specializations, particularly for students who are interested in health economics, health systems policy, and health technology assessment.

The Major in Arts and Humanities forms the core of the new School for Advanced Studies in the Faculty of Arts and Humanities. The School will provide a research-intensive, interdisciplinary academic experience for a select group of high achieving students. This program  will focus on writing, research skills and methodologies in Arts and Humanities, culminating in a thematic, integrated fourth-year seminar.

The new Bachelor of Engineering Science in Chemical Engineering (International Collaboration) is a dual-degree program to be offered collaboratively by Western University and Zhejiang University. Designed as a “2 + 2” program, students will take their first two years of the program at Zhejiang University before transferring to Western University for Years 3 and 4. The two universities have collaborated on the curriculum of Years 1 and 2, and two additional bridging courses will ensure that students from Zhejiang University are prepared for the final two years of the program at Western University. Courses in Years 3 and 4 of the program are the same as Western’s current Bachelor of Engineering (Chemical Engineering).

Similar to Western’s existing chemical engineering program, the “2+2” program will focus on the depth of core courses such that students are able to formulate  chemical engineering  problems  encountered  in  real life  using  first principles. However, in today’s ever-diversified applications of chemical engineering ranging from traditional petrochemical industries to those recently emerged (such as biomedical and nanotechnology), depth of knowledge should be complemented with a breadth that enables graduates to apply these principles into other related problems. The program thus will equip graduates with critical thinking and broad understanding in translational problem-solving skills.