Please note: the information on this page is a summary – for official and complete requirements, always refer to the Undergraduate Academic Calendar.
All programs have the following key components:
What are General Education courses?
General education courses are one component of all degree programs.
For BSc degrees, it provides you with both the general foundation you need in science, mathematics, and computing, as well as some non-science courses intended to enhance your critical skills in reading, writing, and thinking while broadening your perspective on scholarship and the diversity of human experience.
For BA degrees, it provides a general foundation in the broad disciplines of social science and humanities, as well as exposure to scientific thought, processes, and impact on society. These courses are also intended to enhance your critical skills in reading, writing, and thinking.
The requirements are occasionally modified. Current requirements are for those beginning degrees in Fall/Winter 2012-2013.
BA and iBA programs
A minimum of 24 credits chosen from the areas of Humanities, Modes of Reasoning, Natural Science, and Social Science as it follows:
- a minimum of 6 credits but no more than 9 credits of the required 24 must be from Humanities.
- a minimum of 6 credits but no more than 9 credits of the required 24 must be from Natural Science.
- a minimum of 6 credits but no more than 9 credits of the required 24 must be from Social Science.
Please refer to the Undergraduate Academic Calendar for details on this requirement according to your program.
BSc, iBSc, and BSc Tech programs
27 credits in total as it follows:
- Non-Science: 12 credits from at least 2 different non-science disciplines chosen from the approved list of courses. No more than 9 credits in one subject area will be counted towards the general education requirements.
- Mathematics: 6 credits in mathematics at the 1000 level (excluding SC/MATH 1510 6.00, SC/MATH 1515 3.00, SC/MATH 1520 3.00).
- Computer Science: 3 credits in computer science at the 1000 level.
- Foundational Science: 6 credits from courses with laboratories at the 1000 level in any of the following areas: biology, chemistry, and physics (excluding SC/BIOL 1500 3.00, SC/CHEM 1500 4.00, SC/PHYS 1510 3.00).
Your major program requirements specify which mathematics, computer science, and foundational science courses are required. For details on the courses you need to take for your program, please refer to the Undergraduate Academic Calendar.
What are Major Requirements?
Major requirements are the specific, mandatory courses, credits, and academic standards a student must complete in their chosen field of study to earn a degree. Typically covering 30-72 credit, these requirements focus on depth, often including specialized 300/400-level classes.
Majors & Minors
Study what inspires you and shape your degree to fit your goals. The Faculty of Science offers flexible program combinations, including Specialized, Double Majors, Major/Minor, Honours degrees or Bachelor degree.
| Degree Type | Allowed Program Combinations |
|---|---|
| Honours Bachelor Degree (120 credits) | Specialized Honours Honours Honours Double Major Honours Major/Minor Honours Minor |
| Bachelor Degree (90 credits) | Major - 90 Credits |
| Professional Certificate | Concurrent, Consecutive |
To find out which combinations are available for your program—and which subjects can be paired together—visit the official Undergraduate Calendar - Undergraduate Degree and Certificate Programs
Note: some combinations of Double Major or Major/Minor programs may require more than 120 credits. Honours programs may also include a stream which further specialises the program of study within the declared subject.
Students are responsible for reviewing the Official Faculty of Science Academic Rules to ensure they understand program requirements, course eligibility, and restrictions.
Please note that some majors, minors, or double‑major options listed may only be offered by the Faculty of Science. Other Faculties may have different availability, admission requirements, or policies.
If you have questions about majors or minors offered by another Faculty, please connect with the appropriate Academic Advising office.
What are Science Breadth (BSC, iBSC) courses?
Science degree programs require a total of 24 credits in science disciplines outside your major area of study, of which three credits must be at the 2000 level or above. Courses used to fulfill this requirement cannot be from your major.
Some Science Breadth credits may be satisfied by other required components of your degree—such as General Education courses or credits outside the major—depending on your program structure.
Example:
For example, if you are a Biology major, you cannot use BIOL courses or ANY course that is cross‑listed to BCHM or BIOL (e.g. SC/BCHM 2020 3.00 Biochemistry does not satisfy this requirement) to meet your Science Breadth requirement.
Some potential Science breadth Area:
To ensure you are selecting eligible courses, please refer to the official Undergraduate Academic Calendar for detailed guidelines and approved course codes.
| Science breadth Area | Course Code |
|---|---|
| Biology | SC/BIOL excluding SC/BIOL1500 |
| Biochemistry | SC/BCHM |
| Biophysics | SC/BPHS |
| Chemistry | SC/CHEM excluding SC/CHEM 1500, 1509 |
| Computer Science | LE/EECS |
| Earth and Atmospheric Science | LE/ESSE |
| Environmental Biology | SC/ENVB |
| Geography | SC/GEOG excludes courses listed as AP/GEOG or GL/GEOG (must have SC prefix). |
| Kinesiology and Health Science | HH/KINE excluding courses that are identified as being non-science in the course description (has something like the following in the course description: “Note this course does not count for science credit”) Faculty of Health Courses - Not Approved Science Courses |
| Mathematics and Statistics | SC/MATH excluding SC/MATH 1510, 1520, 1532, 1581 |
| Psychology | HH/PSYC excluding courses that are identified as being non-science in the course description (has something like the following in the course description: “Note this course does not count for science credit”) Faculty of Health Courses - Not Approved Science Courses |
| Physics and Astronomy | SC/PHYS excluding SC/PHYS 1510 |
| Science and Technology Studies | SC/STS |
What are Upper-level Credits?
Upper‑level credits are academic credits earned from courses at the 3000‑ or 4000‑level. Upper‑level credits include both major and non‑major courses—essentially, any 3000‑ or 4000‑level credits completed toward your degree.
| Degree type | Upper-level Credits Requirement |
|---|---|
| Honours Bachelor Degree (120 credits) | At least 36 credits are at the 3000 level or above, at least 18 of which must be at the 4000 level. |
| Bachelor Degree (90 credits) | A minimum of 18 credits must be at the 3000 level or above |
What are Credits Outside the Major?
Credits outside the major are courses which are intended to broaden the educational experience of students beyond their area of specialization.
Credits outside the major include most courses which are not used to fulfil the general education requirements or major/minor requirements.
Example:
For Mathematics - Bachelor of Arts - Honours:
For Biology (Biomedical Science) - Bachelor of Science - Honours:
What are Additional Elective Credits?
Additional elective credits are the credits you take to reach the overall total of 90 credits (for a Bachelor degree) or 120 credits (for an Honours degree).
Electives can be any courses you choose—they may be inside your major or outside your major, as long as they fit your program rules and you meet the course prerequisites.
Elective credits can also count toward your upper‑level (3000/4000‑level) credit requirements, if the courses you select are at those levels.
What are GPA requirements?
Rules concerning academic standing are intended to ensure that students meet these GPA requirements by the end of their program.
| Degree Type | GPA requirement |
|---|---|
| Honours programs | Generally require an overall cumulative GPA of at least 5.0 to graduate (some require a higher OCGPA, for example neuroscience, please refer to the Graduation Requirement on the Academic Calendar). |
| Bachelors programs | require an OCGPA of at least 4.0 to graduate. |
Example:
For Neuroscience (Behavioural & Cognitive) - Bachelor of Science - Specialized Honours:
Please note: the information on this page is a summary. For official and complete degree requirements, students must always refer to the Undergraduate Academic Calendar for the year they started their program. Program rules, regulations, and requirements are tied to your entry year, and the Academic Calendar is the authoritative source. If there is any difference between this summary and the Academic Calendar, the Academic Calendar takes precedence.
The Faculty of Science has a number of services to help you understand your degree requirements and plan your studies. Degree Checklists, which layout your degree requirements and the various required credit totals, are available from Science Academic Services (SAS). The SAS office also offers Degree Audits. Your home department can also provide Advising and assistance.