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Faculty of Science
Home » Academic Advising » Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Find out whether you’re taking the right courses for your degree, learn how to choose a major or change programs, get the details on grades and more.

Degree & Program Planning

  1. Use the Degree Progress Report. (If eligible).
  2. Check your Academic Calendar for requirements, or contact your assigned advisor here for a degree checklist and any further questions.
  3. Note: Transfer credits may not appear; refer to your transfer credit statement.

Follow the requirements in the Academic Calendar for your start year (Scroll down, it is at the bottom of the Calendar).

  1. You can also click here for a quick summary.
  2. Non-science course list (For BSc only).

First, read the Academic Calendar to explore programs, courses, and degree requirements. This will help you understand what interests you and what each major involves. Then connect with your assigned academic advisor or attend drop‑in advising sessions. Advisors can help you understand program pathways, compare options, and make an informed decision.

  • Eligibility: Students are allowed one program change per academic year. Once a change is approved, you must wait 12 months before another request can be processed.
  • Requirements:
    • You must meet the general admission requirements for the new program (e.g., Grade 12 prerequisites, academic standing).
    • You must have completed at least 24 credits at York University.
    • You must have a minimum GPA of 5.0 to transfer into an Honours program, or 4.0 for a Bachelor program.
    • Review program-specific admission requirements in the Academic Calendar to ensure eligibility.
  • Fees: A program change may affect your tuition and fees. Please check student fee details for more information.
  • Availability: Approval is not guaranteed and depends on the availability of the program.
  • Graduation Note: If you are currently in an Honours (120 credits) program but plan to graduate with a Bachelor’s degree (90 credits), you do not need to change your program. However, you must still apply to graduate.

To request a change to your program, please submit a program change request here. If you have further questions, I recommend contacting the office of the program you wish to transfer into or speaking with a faculty advising office.

Yes. Whether you are a visiting student from another university or are taking courses at York on a non-degree basis, the program office offering the course can provide you with information about course prerequisites.

For information about registering and enroling in courses, follow the links below:
Visiting students
Non-degree students

Please request to reactivate your registration here. If you've been away for more than 18 months, you may need to reapply.

Enrolment & Credits

Undergraduate students have an assigned date and time to begin their enrolment process.

For many new students, enrolment begins at the enrolment appointment.

  1. First, explore the  Undergraduate Enrolment and Registration Guide  or our Courses & Enrolling page
    for detailed instructions.
  2. And explore pro-tips for enrolling in courses from an upper-year York student.
  3. Check enrolment access date.
  4. Choose your courses.
  5. Plan your schedule with the Visual Schedule Builder.
  6. Use the Registration and Enrolment Module to add, drop, transfer, or exchange courses.
  7. Check your schedule for errors or time conflicts.

Adding a course:

Please contact the department offering the course here.
Note that our office does not manage courses directly and cannot grant permission for students to enroll.

Add and drop deadlines:

Please check the Sessional Dates here for strict add and drop deadlines. If you are trying to add or drop a course past the deadline, speak to an academic advisor.

Fall/Winter session:

A full course load is defined as 30 credits during the Fall/Winter Session. Students may take a maximum of 33 credits overall (and 18 credits per term) without petitioning. Students with substantial familial or financial responsibilities outside the University are advised to consider taking fewer courses in a session. It is recommended that students take their personal circumstances and academic standing into consideration before taking a course load of 36 credits in the Fall/Winter session.

Summer session:

A full course load is defined as 15 credits in the Summer session. Students may take a maximum of 18 credits overall without petitioning. Students with substantial familial or financial responsibilities outside the University are advised to consider taking fewer courses in a session. It is recommended that students take their personal circumstances and academic standing into consideration before taking a course load of 18 credits in the Summer session.

  1. Select only electives.
  2. Courses that cannot be pass/fail.
    • Courses used to satisfy major or minor requirements (including for-credit practica not already designated Pass/Fail).
    • Required courses outside the major.
    • Courses taken to meet certificate requirements.
    • required 1000‑level science courses for students in:
      • Faculty of Science
      • Lassonde School of Engineering
      • Faculty of Health
    • Courses that fall under the Transfer Credit Guidelines, which must be taken on a graded basis unless the host institution only provides Pass/Fail assessment.
  3. Review more details and a quick summary.

Once a student is accepted to York, the University conducts an assessment for transfer credits. This statement outlines how much transfer credit a student will receive and whether or not there are any waivers or exclusions of their degree requirements at York.

More information about transfer credits.

Grades & Academic Records

Grades are based on your performance in each course. Please learn more about grade determination here.

  1. Students may repeat a passed or failed course up to two times, for a maximum of three attempts at any course.
  2. Only the latest attempt will count for degree or certificate credit.
  3. All repeats are subject to the University’s Policy on Repeating Passed or Failed Courses For Academic Credit.

Please maintain the required GPA as outlined in your Academic Calendar. If your GPA falls below the threshold, you may be moved to a Bachelor program. You can learn more about academic standards and GPA requirements here under the "Academic Standards (Continuing GPA Requirements) for Bachelor and Honours Programs' tab.

Please find helpful information on grade reports and academic decisions here.

For official transcripts contact the Registrars Office. You can order a transcript online here.

Graduation

Once enroled in the final required courses for your degree, you may apply to graduate here. The Registrar's Office will audit your record and confirm that you are potentially eligible to graduate (a final audit will be conducted once grades for your final courses are released). Before you apply to graduate, please make sure you meet the degree requirements for the year you entered your program.

If you are unsure whether you are eligible to graduate, contact Academic Advising. Convocation ceremonies take place in June and in October.

How to Reach us

Faculty of Science

For inquiries about our programs, admission requirements, your application, and more please reach out to our Recruitment Team.

science@yorku.ca

416-908-2408

Academic Advising

For inquires about your mandatory enrolment appointment or academic advising, please reach out to our Science Academic Services Team.

sciquest@yorku.ca