X. Degree Programs
Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.)
Program Information
B.Sc. Program Requirements
Regulations 1- 9 apply to all B.Sc. students.
1. Entry Credits
In general, the 4U /grade 12 credit or its equivalent is required in a subject area to allow entrance to the initial university course. Students who lack this requirement can remedy the deficiency by successful completion of:
| BIOL*1020 for students lacking biology | ||
| CHEM*1060 for students lacking chemistry |
If more than one of the above courses is taken, students are required to complete additional credits beyond the minimum total required for the degree.
2. 1st Year Science Core
All majors within the B.Sc. degree are required to complete the first year core as outlined within their major. The core consists of courses in biology, chemistry, physics and mathematical science.
3. 1000 Level Credits
If more than 7.00 credits at the 1000 level are completed, students are required to complete additional credits beyond the minimum total required for the degree.
4. 3000 and 4000 Level Credits
There is a requirement for a minimum of 6.00 science credits at the 3000- and 4000-levels with a minimum of 2.00 credits at the 4000 level.
5. Science Credits
A minimum of 16.00 science credits (usually 32 courses) is required for the honours major program. The inclusion of a minor in a non-science area involves the reduction to 14.00 science credits. A minimum of 12.00 science credits is required for the three year general B.Sc. degree. Acceptable science courses means "acceptable to the B.Sc. Program Committee". Lists of acceptable science courses are available at: https://www.uoguelph.ca/bsc/Approved_electives.
6. Liberal Education Requirement
All majors within the B.Sc. degree require a specified number of liberal education credits. The goal of the liberal education requirement is to increase breadth by requiring credits that are outside the disciplines of science with a focus in at least one of the following areas:
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Policy, operational and management practices pertaining to a practical activity, or influence of social, cultural and economic environments on such activities.
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Personal or professional growth including ethical responsibility, leadership and communication.
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Development of historical, cultural, global, artistic, social, and language competencies.
A complete listing of acceptable courses can be found at: https://www.uoguelph.ca/bsc/
7. Free Electives
All majors within the B.Sc. degree have a specified number of free electives. The free elective requirement can be fulfilled by any course on the B.Sc. approved science or liberal education elective list. Courses that are restricted from B.Sc. students are not eligible to fulfill the free elective requirement. This restriction is stated in the course description.
8. Double-Counting of Credits
A maximum of 2.50 credits required in a major program may be applied to meet the requirements of a minor or an additional major.
For a completed minor in a non B.Sc. area, students can apply up to 1.00 credits at the 3000/4000 level from their minor towards the 6.00 credits at the 3000/4000 level required for the degree.
Students cannot declare a major or minor in the three year general B.Sc. degree.
9. Continuation of Study
Students are advised to consult the regulations for continuation of study outlined in detail in Section VIII--Undergraduate Degree & Regulations.
General Program Requirements
The general B.Sc. degree requires the successful completion of 15.00 credits. Normally 2.50 credits (usually 5 courses) are taken in each semester so that the degree may be completed in 6 semesters. The general science program is designed to give a broad general training in biological science, chemistry, physics and mathematical science. This is achieved by requiring each student to take a minimum of 1.00 credits in each of the above areas and an additional 0.50 credits in three of the four above areas. The courses to be taken in semesters 4 to 6 may be selected to allow a broad study of the sciences from the list of approved electives for B.Sc. students.
Honours Program Requirements
In order to graduate from the honours program, students must fulfill all program requirements for the program and have achieved a 60%, or higher, cumulative average over all course attempts. Normally 2.50 credits (usually 5 courses) are taken in each semester so that the degree may be completed in generally 8 semesters. The following types of honours programs are offered:
- Honours Major Programs
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Major in a subject
Major in a subject with a minor or a second major
Honours Major
Majors permit a student to study science in greater depth than is permitted by the general program. The student is required to take a minimum of 1.00 credits (usually 2 courses) in each of biological science, chemistry, physics and mathematical science. In each of semesters 3 to 8, students select science credits so that the total program provides a broad science training with concentration in an area of physical science or biological science.
A major normally consists of certain prescribed courses (minimum of 8.00 credits) and a number of elective courses to complete the requirements for the degree. The composition of science courses selected must contain a sufficient number (minimum of 6.00 credits) of 3000 and 4000 level courses including a grouping (minimum of 2.00 credits) at the 4000 level. A major program may be studied in conjunction with a minor in an area of science, humanities or social science.
Honours Minor
A minor is a group of courses which provides for exposure to and mastery of the fundamental principles of a subject. A minor consists of a minimum of 5.00 credits (normally 10 courses). It may also require courses from other areas to be taken along with the specified courses of the minor. A minor is taken in conjunction with a major.
Students should seek advice from the program counsellor of either the College of Biological Science or the College of Engineering and Physical Sciences dependent upon their primary area(s) of interest. Refer to B.Sc. Program Requirements: Regulation 6 Double-Counting of Credits.