Welcome to Grenfell’s Portal for Virtual Learning!
Grenfell Campus offers a range of courses that can be taken virtually. These online, remote and flexible courses offer students greater flexibility to complete their degrees and facilitate access for learners who are not currently enrolled in a degree program.
VirtualGC showcases Grenfell’s 21 undergraduate courses that are available in Winter 2024 along with highlights and tips for learners about the virtual course experience.
Online courses are delivered through the Centre for Innovation in Teaching and Learning (CITL), while remote courses are delivered at scheduled dates and times (synchronously), with no fixed dates and times (asynchronously), or through a mix of the two. Flexible courses offer classes in-person, with students able to participate online at the same time (synchronously).
For undergraduate course registration, click here. Non-degree learners are invited to start here.
Grenfell's new Certificate – a fully virtual program
At the start of 2022, a new Certificate program was introduced in Grenfell Campus' School of Arts and Social Science. The Certificate in Sustainable Rural Communities is a 7-course, part-time or full-time Certificate program that can be completed fully remotely. The new program engages students in real-life challenges facing rural communities in Newfoundland and Labrador, Atlantic Canada, and beyond. Students will complete two “core” courses:
- SURC 1800 - Introduction to Sustainable Rural Communities
- SURC 3800 - Independent Community Project
In addition, Certificate students will take five “elective” courses in various subjects such as business and entrepreneurship, tourism studies, environment and sustainability, Indigenous studies, and more.
“We're delighted to offer remote delivery options so that students can complete the Certificate from anywhere, with a focus on relevant practical skills and theoretical understanding that students can use to support sustainability efforts in rural communities.”
-Brady Reid (he/him), former Coordinator, Certificate in Sustainable Rural Communities, and PhD Candidate (University of Waterloo).
Certificate students will gain real-life experience working with rural community partners on Independent Community Projects, based on the students' interests and skills, connected to the priorities and capacities of community partners. Memorial students already enrolled in degree programs are able to complete the Certificate while working towards their degrees. Interested members of the public can upgrade their credentials while addressing issues in their home communities - without having to leave home.
Grenfell’s Undergraduate Virtual Courses
In Winter 2024, Grenfell Campus is offering eleven online courses, twelve remote courses, and one flexible course at the undergraduate level. Courses that are open to participation by non-degree students are indicated with a star (*). The full list of undergraduate virtual courses with descriptions is available here.
How are Virtual Courses Delivered?
Grenfell currently offers three types of virtual courses at the undergraduate level:
- Online courses are facilitated entirely through the internet, with students and the instructor most often engaging with the course at different times, from different locations, using the University's learning technologies through the Centre for Innovation in Teaching and Learning.
- Remote courses are delivered entirely through the internet, and students and the instructor are typically scheduled to meet at the same time (synchronously), often from different locations, using the University's learning technologies. Course material can also be delivered asynchronously (e.g., via pre-recorded lectures).
- Flexible courses offer classes in-person, with students able to participate online at the same time (synchronously).
For a listing of typical undergraduate course delivery methods, please click here.
Online Courses (11)
Managerial Accounting I introduces students to the concepts of preparing and using financial data for managerial decision making. Topics include job costing, process costing, activity-based costing, cost-volume-profit analysis, budgeting, and variance analysis.
Pre-requisite: BUSN 2100
Organizational Behaviour highlights the contribution of the applied behavioural sciences to the study of work in today's organizations with a particular focus on individual and group processes. Students will examine topics in personality, perception, motivation, communication, group dynamics, leadership, workforce diversity, conflict management and organizational culture.
Pre-requisite: Completion of at least 30 credit hours
Organizational Theory emphasizes the fundamental concepts of organizational theory: the nature of organizational structure and its determinants in a complex global economy, the boundaries and impacts of organizational environments, measures of organizational effectiveness, and the roles of organizational learning, culture, innovation, development and change in shaping today's organizations. In addition to exploring the underlying theory of these organization-level phenomena, students will have an opportunity to critically apply course concepts to their own professional experiences.
Pre-requisite: BUSN 2300
Financial Management I introduces the concepts of financial management in Canadian capital markets. Focus will be on financial analysis and forecasting; working capital management; time value of money; and financing options.
Pre-requisite: BUSN 2100, Economics 1010 (or the former 2010), and Statistics 2500 or equivalent
Enterprise Development explores and examines the venture creation process. Emphasis is on the critical role of the entrepreneur and the underlying attributes and norms guiding the steps in creating a new business venture. Students will have the opportunity to experience closely the entrepreneurial process, as well as gain the skills and competencies required in developing a viable business plan and negotiating for start-up financing.
Pre-requisite: BUSN 1020, BUSN 2100 or Business 2111 or the former Business 1101, and BUSN 2250 or Business 2205 or the former Business 221
International Business Management focuses on issues of globalization and the role of business in the global economy. Topics include the role of multinational corporations in economic development, market entry strategies for small- and medium-sized enterprises, the challenges of managing economic, cultural, and technological changes and differences, the role of international investment and FDI, as well as international business strategies required to compete in today's highly interconnected world. Students will gain the skills to function within the international and global business context.
Pre-requisite: BUSN 1010, Economics 1010 (or the former 2010), Economics 1020 (or the former 2020), and the completion of at least 60 credit hours
Strategy II: Implementation and Change Management examines current thinking and research regarding the implementation process and the strategic management of change. Specifically, the course will explore the development and implementation of appropriate strategic action plans in a variety of organizational contexts, the assessment of the change environment and the creation of a culture for change, as well as the role of change agents and organizational leaders in these processes.
Pre-requisite: BUSN 4010
Business-to-Business Marketing and Relationships presents a comprehensive view of the complexities of business-to-business marketing concepts, and the critical role of developing and managing business relationships. Particular attention is paid to organizational buying/purchasing behavior, supplier relationship management, and the analysis of business relationships from both dyadic and network perspectives.
Pre-requisite: BUSN 2250
Atmospheric Chemistry provides a comprehensive study of the chemistry of the Earth's atmosphere. Beginning with an overview of planetary atmospheres, we follow the evolution of the Earth's atmosphere until today. Atmospheric chemical processes are interpreted from the perspectives of chemical kinetics, chemical thermodynamics, molecular orbital theory, and molecular spectroscopy. The mechanisms of stratospheric reactions are studied in the context of the ozone layer, while those of the troposphere are linked to the so-called 'greenhouse effect' and aspects of pollution. The very different upper-atmosphere chemistry is also studied.
Pre-requisite: CHEM 2210 and CHEM 2301 or permission of the instructor and Program Chair
Open to non-degree students on request, if they have the pre-requisites
Women and Science is an investigation of: historical and contemporary contributions of women scientists, especially Canadians; different sciences and how they study women; and feminist and other perspectives on gender and science.
Open to non-degree students
The Foundation of Astronomy represents a general introduction to astronomy. The course emphasizes the scientific method, basic physics, night sky and objects in our solar system. Topics include space science, telescopes, spectroscopy, atomic structure, the formation and evolution of planetary systems, and the detection and properties of exoplanets.
Open to non-degree students
Subatomic Physics is an introduction to nuclear and particle physics. Topics include nuclear properties and models; radioactive dating; fission; nuclear reactors; accelerators; the detection, classification, and properties of subatomic particles. Applications in areas such as ecology, dosimetry, medical physics and nuclear astrophysics are discussed.
Pre-requisites: Level III Advanced Mathematics or Mathematics 1090 or 109B. It is recommended that students have completed at least one of Level II and Level III high school physics courses.
Open to non-degree students on request, if they have the pre-requisites
Introduction to Tourism introduces students to the history of tourism and leisure, and the development of the field of tourism studies. This will include consideration of foundational concepts such as culture and nature, research on the needs and gratifications of tourists, and studies of the functions of tourism.
Open to non-degree students
Remote Courses (12)
Critical Reading and Writing in Prose Forms is an introduction to the essay, short fiction and the novel. Emphasis is placed on critical reading and thinking strategies; composition of essays, including use of quotations and documentation, revision and editing; and literary analysis. All sections of this course follow the CRW guidelines available at www.mun.ca/hss/CRW.
Open to non-degree students
The American Satirical Novel focuses on novels from the twentieth century to the present which examine from a satirical standpoint the vices, follies and shortcomings of American society, presenting critiques of issues such as race, gender, sexuality, education, employment, politics, religion, warfare, consumerism, technology, media, and celebrity.
Pre-requisite: successful completion of at least 6 credit hours in English courses at the second-year level. It is strongly recommended that students take ENGL 2243 prior to taking ENGL 3245
History of Psychology is a study of paradigms and explanations in contemporary psychology in the context of their historical antecedents.
Pre-requisites: 30 credit hours in Psychology courses required in a Majors program. At the Grenfell Campus only, this must include PSYC 2950
Introduction to Sustainable Rural Communities provides students with foundational knowledge of the history and theories of the 'rural'. These broad understandings will be considered as they apply to interdisciplinary sectors in rural Newfoundland and Labrador such as rural tourism, natural resource sectors, economic development, culture, entrepreneurship, governance, and/or Indigenous communities.
Open to non-degree students
The University Experience introduces students to the different modes of enquiry that one finds in the University, the interrelatedness of knowledge and the role of the University in society. It also provides students with tools and techniques of study and research that can lead them to academic success and fulfilling career.
Open to non-degree students upon availability
Introductory Projects in New Media encourages individualized investigation in the potential and possibilities of New Media in the creation of personal artistic works. Techniques for working with vector and pixel based software are demonstrated with the goal of encouraging students to find their own particular approach to a New Media workflow applied to various mediums. Blended and alternative learning approaches are used.
Pre-requisite: 3 credit hours in VART, Science 1808 Open to non-degree students on request
Flexible Courses (1)
Indigenous Health, Healing, and Wellness examines health and wellness from a variety of Indigenous perspectives. The course will explore several key issues: the history of the ongoing impact of colonization on the health of Indigenous people in Canada and Newfoundland and Labrador; underlying cultural and spiritual practices that frame Indigenous understandings of health and healing; and strategies for enhancing the health and well-being of Indigenous people through culturally appropriate, safe, competent approaches grounded in cultural humility.
Note: This course is in-person but has a flexible delivery option for students who may require an online option.
Open to non-degree students: Reserved for Nursing majors, with a limited number of spaces available to community members - use this form to request space as a non-degree community member
How to Enroll – Non-Degree Student
Many of Grenfell’s virtual courses are available for learners who are not enrolled in a degree program. These courses are indicated in the list of courses with a star (*). Watch the explainer video, and then click here for detailed instructions on how to register for these courses as a non-degree student.
A number of Grenfell's virtual courses are open to anyone in the community—and beyond. Choose from twelve engaging general interest and professional development courses offered in Winter 2024, including:
- Indigenous Health, Healing, and Wellness
- Introduction to Entrepreneurship
- Stellar Astronomy & Astrophysics
- Introduction to Sustainable Rural Communities
- Critical Reading & Writing in Poetry & Drama
- Introduction to Business
- Survey of Learning (Psychology)
- Introduction to Creative Writing
Online Learning
The Centre for Innovation in Teaching and Learning (CITL) is Memorial's lead on the delivery of the university's online education offerings, the use of educational technologies in teaching and learning, and the provision of educator development. Each semester, nearly one quarter of on-campus students complete at least one online course, enabling greater flexibility to complement on-campus schedules and life responsibilities. Online learning also gives students the convenience of advancing studies during work terms and summer breaks.