Program Information

Answers

Can I add a specialization or change my specialization?

During your studies you may wish to add or change a specialization. For example, you may chose a specialization and decide after taking some courses that you would rather explore a different field of study. Or you may take an elective in a specific discipline and decide you would like to take other courses in that area.

While it is much easier to add or change a specialization at the beginning of your degree program most degree programs do allow you to add or change a specialization at almost any point. When reviewing choices you should also be aware that some specializations do not allow entry before or beyond a specific semester level and some specializations may require a minimum average or the completion of specific courses to be considered for entry. Also keep in mind that it may be more difficult to add or change to very different programs if you change late because you may have to make up required courses.

Normally to change a Major you would have completed the Undergraduate Schedule of Studies Change Request Form. In many cases you can also change a Major within the same degree program (or add a Minor) by emailing your Program Counsellor from your Guelph-issued email account. Please do note that some degree programs have limited enrolment specializations (Majors, Minors) that require a formal application to declare. In those cases there is information in the Program Information section of the Major or Minor in the Undergraduate Calendar. More information may be obtained from the Faculty Advisor for a limited enrolment specialization or your Program Counsellor.

Can I change my degree program (i.e. B.A. to B.A.Sc.)?

In order to change degree programs you must submit an Internal Transfer Students application to Admission Services. Information about application instructions is available on the Internal Program Transfer Quick Fact sheet and/or on the Admission Services website (https://admission.uoguelph.ca/adminfo). You may also wish to speak to the Admission Counsellor for the degree program that you are considering in order to obtain more information.

Do I need to complete both degree and specialization requirements?

Degree requirements are associated with the degree program (i.e. B.A. distribution requirements) and specialization requirements are associated with the specific discipline (i.e. Major in Chemistry in the B.Sc. program). You must satisfy both degree program and specialization requirements.

How do I know what College I am part of?

The College affiliation is normally linked to the specialization being pursued by the student. When there is no specialization (i.e. the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine and the Bachelor of Landscape Architecture Programs) the affiliation is linked to the degree program.

The College affiliation of each specialization (or degree program, if appropriate) is included in the undergraduate calendar as part of the schedule of studies. For example, if you look at the Schedule of Studies for the Applied Human Nutrition Major of the Bachelor of Applied Science Program in Section X of the current Undergraduate Calendar you will note directly under the title that it says Department of Family Relations and Applied Nutrition, College of Social and Applied Human Sciences. This line indicates that the specialization is administered by the Department of Family Relations and Applied Nutrition in the College of Social and Applied Human Sciences. Therefore, AHN Majors are affiliated with the College of Social and Applied Human Sciences.

If a student has declared more than one specialization the college affiliation is to that of the Major (i.e. College of Arts when the student has a Major in History and a Minor in Family Studies within the Bachelor of Arts Program). If a student has declared more than one major then the affiliation is to that of the specialization listed first in the students' academic program (i.e. to College of Biological Science when the student has an academic program such as BSC.BIO+PHY, indicating a Major in Biology and a second Major in Physics).

The student's College affiliation is also noted in the header of the Program/Academic Evaluation on WebAdvisor.

What is a degree program?

A degree program is a defined, integrated course of study leading to an academic degree (i.e. Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science). A degree program may or may not require the declaration of a specialization (i.e. major, minor, area of concentration).

What is a major?

A major consists of a minimum number of credits that must be successfully completed. The number of specific course required and the required number of credits within the discipline will vary between majors. Information about requirements for majors is provided in Section X--Undergraduate Programs of the current Undergraduate Calendar.

What is a minor?

A minor consists of a minimum number of credits that must be completed successfully. The number of specific course requirements and the required number of credits within the discipline will vary between minors and degree programs. Information about requirements for minors is provided by degree program in Section X--Undergraduate Programs of the current Undergraduate Calendar. (Additionally the Lang School of Business has an information page at https://www.uoguelph.ca/lang/new-minors-lang-faq that reviews the new Minors they have had approved for the 2020-2021 Undergraduate Calendar that will be available in February 2020.)

What is a specialization?

Majors, minors, and areas of concentration are types of specializations. A specialization may or may not be required by your degree program. Information about requirements for specializations are provided in Section X--Undergraduate Programs of the current Undergraduate Calendar.

What is an area of concentration?

An area of concentration consists of a minimum number of credits that must be completed successfully. The number of specific course requirements and the required number of credits within the discipline will vary between areas of concentration and degree programs. Information about requirements for areas of concentration is provided by degree program in Section X--Undergraduate Programs of the current Undergraduate Calendar.

When do I declare a major?

If the degree program requires the declaration of a Major the University normally requires a student to make that declaration by semester 3 of their degree program. This information is in the Schedule of Studies sub-section of Section VIII--Undergraduate Degree Regulations and Procedures of the current Undergraduate Calendar.