Honours Bachelor of Commerce

The Honours Bachelor of Commerce Program at the Thunder Bay Campus is a AACSB-Accredited, four-year undergraduate program intended for students that wish to have an education focused on business management, with an emphasis on a particular specialization.

Curriculum


The curriculum for the Honours Bachelor of Commerce program at the Thunder Bay campus includes learning experiences in:

  1. General knowledge and skill areas that include communication abilities, ethical understanding and reasoning abilities, analytic skills, use of information technology, understanding of multicultural and diversity issues, and reflective thinking skills.
  2. Management-specific knowledge and skill areas that include ethical and legal responsibilities in organizations and society; financial theories, analysis, reporting and markets; creation of value through the integrated production and marketing of goods, services, and information; group and individual dynamics in organizations; statistical data analysis and management science as they support decision-making processes throughout an organization; information technologies as they influence the structure and processes of organizations and economies, and as they influence the roles and techniques of management; domestic and global economic environments of organizations.
  3. Developing capacities to lead in organizational situations; to apply knowledge in new and unfamiliar circumstances through a conceptual understanding of relevant disciplines; to adapt and innovate to solve problems, to cope with unforeseen events, and to manage in unpredictable environments.
  4. Developing a commitment to an area of specialization and acquiring advanced knowledge in that area; developing advanced theoretical or practical skills for that area; devoting explicit attention to the role of the specialization area in managerial and organization contexts.

Areas of Specialization


There are several areas of specialization, or "majors", that students can take during the Honours Bachelor of Commerce degree. These are:

Accounting

The Accounting major focuses on the principlesCPA Logo and techniques to record, analyze, and report financial transactions and information. In the Accounting major, students will build core knowledge in accounting by exploring concepts in financial reporting, assurance, taxation, management accounting, and performance management.

Students interested in becoming a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA) will benefit from the Accounting major’s accreditation with CPA Ontario. Accounting major graduates meet all the requirements of the CPA Prerequisite Education Program (PREP) and can pursue Lakehead University’s three-month Graduate Diploma in Accounting (GDA) to earn advanced standing in CPA Ontario’s Professional Education Program (PEP).

An accounting major can lead to various career paths in audit and assurance, tax consulting, management accounting, forensic accounting, corporate finance, or business valuation. Many organizations, including for-profit, non-profit, and governments, require the expertise of accountants to manage their finances, ensure compliance, and make informed decisions.

Business Analytics and Information Systems

The Business Analytics and Information Systems (BAIS) major prepares students to address organizational challenges using advanced analytics and modern technologies. With BAIS, you will gain confidence in managing data and technology for the organization, deploying new and innovative technologies in ways that increase the competitive advantages of a business, and employing analytics techniques on existing data to generate new and actionable insights.

A major in BAIS equips graduates with both analytical skills and a deep understanding of business operations, making them suitable for a variety of roles such as IT consulting, business analytics, Data Scientist, Information Systems Manager, Operations and Supply Chain Analyst, Data Engineer, Customer Relationship Management Analyst, and Business Intelligence (BI) Developer.

Business Economics

The Business Economics major provides the foundation and develops the critical thinking necessary to solve complex economic problems. Business Economics applies economic theories and statistical techniques to the study of business administration and analyzes the decision-making processes of organizations. This major examines the environmental, financial, market-related and organizational aspects encountered by organizations in domestic and international markets. Business Economics also studies the role of governments, central banks, and global economic institutions in the economy, and analyzes the individual and social effects of public policies.

A Business Economics major can lead to careers in business, banking, and government. Business Economics graduates play a crucial role in the strategy and policy formation of private firms and public organizations.

Finance

Finance is at the forefront of business strategy, penetrating all aspects of the business world. The Finance major provides students a strong understanding of three distinct areas of focus - corporate finance, banking, and investment management. With the purpose of maximizing the value of a firm, corporate finance involves obtaining and managing a firm's funds, seizing new opportunities, minimizing risk, and driving strategic change. Investment management involves making informed decisions about financial securities by utilizing bond pricing models, stock valuation techniques and portfolio management theory.

CFA Logo

The Finance major program participates in the CFA Institute University Affiliation Program. The Finance major incorporates at least 70% of the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA®) Program Candidate Body of Knowledge (CBOK) and places emphasis on the CFA Institute Code of Ethics and Standards of Professional Conduct.

The potential career paths for a Finance major include financial analysis, credit analysis, business analysis, investment banking, financial planning, investor relation management, and loan management. Graduates with finance expertise are in demand by large institutions, organizations in different industries, as well as the public sector to conduct various analyses on business operations, provide investment suggestions or maintain good relationships with investors.

General Management

The General Management major offers students a versatile foundation in the principles of effective leadership and organizational administration. Students develop crucial skills in decision-making, problem-solving, communication, and team collaboration, essential for leading diverse teams and driving organizational success. The curriculum combines theoretical insights with practical applications, preparing graduates to navigate the complexities of modern business environments. With a focus on fostering strategic thinking and adaptability, this major equips students to excel in a wide array of industries, from corporate enterprises to nonprofit organizations.

A student majoring in general management can embark on a diverse and promising career path. They often start as management trainees or entry-level supervisors, where they hone their leadership and decision-making skills. As they gain experience, they can progress to roles such as department managers, operations managers, project managers, or general managers, and eventually aspire to executive positions in the organizations, leading teams and driving strategic initiatives to achieve business success.

Human Resources Management/Industrial Relations

Human Resources Management (HRM) focuses on the strategic oversight of an organization's workforce. It encompasses a comprehensive approach to acquiring, developing, and managing a competent and diverse workforce to effectively execute tasks essential for achieving an organization's goals.

In the Human Resources Management/Industrial Relations major, students will learn the design and implementation of tailored initiatives such as planning, staffing, compensation, and training and the integration of them into a coherent system aimed at optimizing employee well-being and productivity. Students will also develop crucial skills for effective leadership and management. These skills include motivation, change management, emotional intelligence, problem-solving and decision making, conflict resolution.

Employment opportunities in the HRM/Industrial Relations field exist in private business enterprise, public institutions, labour unions, and not-for-profit organizations. Graduates are currently employed as human resource managers, labour relations specialists, occupational health and safety coordinators, and recruitment specialists. Graduates may start in a number of areas such as planning, staffing, compensation, training, health and safety, or collective bargaining, or serve as general practitioners.

HRPA LogoHRM/Industrial Relations majors graduate with all the required courses that have been approved by the Human Resources Professionals Association (HRPA) for use toward one of the Certified Human Resources designations (CHR Professional, CHR Leader, CHR Executive). 

International Business

International Business offers students a comprehensive understanding of the dynamic global marketplace and equips them with the essential skills to navigate its complexities. This major delves into the details of cross-border trade, international finance, global supply chains, global marketing strategies, cultural diversity, and the legal and regulatory frameworks governing international commerce. With a focus on fostering adaptability and a global mindset, this major prepares graduates to excel in a wide range of industries, from multinational corporations to startups aiming to expand their operations internationally.

The International Business major opens doors to a global career, encompassing roles like international trade analyst, international marketing manager, global supply chain manager, export manager, cross-cultural communication specialist, or international business consultant. Graduates can find opportunities with multinational corporations, and international trade organizations, or even launch their own global ventures.

Marketing

Marketing is an activity and set of processes for creating, communicating, and exchanging valuable offerings among organizations, consumers, stakeholders, and society more broadly. In other words, marketing is a mindset aimed at delivering value that is at the core of business practice.

The Marketing major begins with a curriculum focused on the development of marketing strategies pertaining to the creation, differentiation, and delivery of an organization’s products and services to consumers and other stakeholders, as well as related decisions surrounding the price, promotion, and distribution of these offerings. As students progress in the Marketing major, they will acquire a more specialized knowledge of advanced marketing topics including consumer behaviour, branding, and digital and social media marketing. Throughout the coursework, students will learn to utilize a creative, strategic mindset to solve marketing problems within firms and society, as supported through market research, and applied through the perspectives of corporate social responsibility and business ethics.

Students graduating from the Marketing major graduate to careers in social media marketing, public relations, brand management, retailing, consumer banking, fast moving consumer goods, and more.

In addition to the majors, there are minor areas of specialization that the student can choose to undertake. These are:

 

Eligibility and Admission Requirements


For more information, including eligibility and admission requirements, please visit the Business Programs Information section in the Lakehead University Academic Calendar.

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