X. Degree Programs

Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.)

Program Information

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

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) particularly 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 certain other 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.

B.Sc. Program Requirements

Regulations 1, 2, 3 and 4 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

In each of the first 2 semesters B.Sc. students must take one (1) of the specified courses in each of biology, chemistry, physics and mathematical science, and 1 other course which is normally an Arts or Social Science elective.

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 (usually 28 courses) with the approval of the program counsellors. Acceptable science courses in the following programs means "acceptable to the B.Sc. Program Committee". Lists of acceptable courses are available in the offices of the faculty advisors and the program counsellors and on the world wide web at the following address: http://www.bsc.uoguelph.ca/Approved_electives.shtml.

6. 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, from their minor, at the 3000/4000 level towards the 6.00 credits at the 3000/4000 level required for the degree.

7. Continuation of Study

Students are advised to consult the regulations for continuation of study outlined in detail in Section VIII--Undergraduate Degree Regulations & Procedures.

University of Guelph
50 Stone Road East
Guelph, Ontario, N1G 2W1
Canada
519-824-4120