Bachelor of / Baccalaureate in Science (BSc)

The Faculty of Arts and Science offers BSc degrees in the pure and applied sciences. BSc degrees are 90 credits with the exception of Exercise Science/Athletic Therapy. Possible fields of study can include:

Actuarial Mathematics Actuarial Mathematics/Finance Athletic Therapy Behavioural Neuroscience Biochemistry Biology Biophysics Cell and Molecular Biology Chemistry Clinical Exercise Physiology Ecology Environmental Geography

Environmental Science Exercise Science Individually Structured Program Mathematical and Computational Finance Mathematics and Statistics Mathematics and Statistics    and Computer Applications Physics Psychology Pure and Applied Mathematics Statistics

The Faculty of Arts and Science is also home to six colleges, schools and institutes where students can enhance their education while participating in a community of learners on an intimate scale. Some of these units may be of interest to BSc students: the Science College, Loyola College for Diversity and Sustainability, and the Simone de Beauvoir Institute.

Co–operative education programs are also available in the following fields: Actuarial Mathematics, Actuarial Mathematics/Finance, Economics, Mathematics (Pure and Applied), Statistics, and Traduction (français/anglais et anglais/français).

Degree Requirements

If you have a Quebec Diploma of Collegial Studies (DEC) or an equivalent qualification, the BSc degree requires a minimum of 90 credits of course work, consisting of at least one program of concentration — Honours (60 credits), Specialization (60 credits or 96 credits for Exercise Science/Athletic Therapy), or Major (36–48 credits). Each concentration is described below.

The balance of the 90 or 120 credit requirement may be made up of one or more Minors, one or more elective groups, or by courses selected from a broad spectrum of disciplines. A maximum of 36 credits may be taken outside the Faculty, and these should be spread evenly over your program.

If you graduated from a secondary school outside Quebec, you may also study at Concordia through our 120–credit Extended Credit Program.

All students admitted to the Faculty of Arts and Science must also satisfy the General Education requirement in order to graduate. All students are required to take six credits outside of their broad sector of study. For further information, please refer to the Undergraduate Calendar, section 31.004 General Education (PDF file).

For questions on admissions and degree requirements, please contact the Faculty’s Student Academic Services office. The office has academic counsellors to answer your questions and help you through your academic career.

Programs of Concentration

To graduate in a degree program, you must have completed one of the following concentrations: Honours, Specialization, or Major. A Minor can be taken to gain an introductory understanding of an additional discipline.

Honours

Honours involve a minimum of 60 credits in an area of concentration (e.g. Urban Planning, Political Science) and require a high level of performance to enter and remain in the program. Students must maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.30 on a scale of 4.30, as well as a minimum annual GPA of 3.30.

One of the primary purposes of Honours programs is preparation for graduate studies. Students, who have demonstrated a high level of academic performance in their past studies, may apply for direct entry to an Honours program on admission. Students may also apply after the completion of 30 credits.

Specialization

Specialization involves a minimum of 60 credits in a discipline or field. Content is generally similar to that of Honours programs, but a student normally does not have to meet a special performance requirement unless otherwise indicated in the program. The Specialization provides in–depth study in a particular field, while leaving a substantial number of credits to the individual’s choice.

Major

The Major has a lesser degree of concentration. It may require as few as 36 credits in a discipline or field, but the normal range is between 42 and 48. It is possible to take two Majors within a single degree. Often, a Major is combined with a Minor.

Minor

The Minor is a group of courses totaling between 24 and 30 credits which provides a basic introduction to the methodology and key concepts of a discipline or field. Completion of one or more Minors does not meet requirements for the degrees of BA or BSc, and a Minor must be taken in combination with a Major, Specialization or Honours. There is, however, no requirement to take a Minor.

Extended Credit Program

The Extended Credit Program is designed for graduates of secondary schools outside Quebec. It requires the completion of 30 additional credits, beyond the regular 90–credit (three–year) degree program. These credits are either elective courses or specific prerequisites in a discipline.

Degree Program 1st Year Compulsory Courses and Electives:

• All programs (except Mathematics and Psychology) – 30 elective credits (maximum of 12 credits outside the Faculty of Arts and Science)
• Mathematics – 9 credits in Mathematics (Calculus, Vectors and Matrices) and 21 elective credits (maximum of 12 credits outside the Faculty of Arts and Science)
• Psychology – 3 credits in Mathematics, 6 credits in Psychology, 3 credits in Biology, 18 elective credits

Institute for Co–operative Education

Co–operative Education gives students paid, on–the–job experience while studying towards a University degree. Depending on the program, the Co–operative format normally requires six academic terms interspersed with three or four work terms. The following programs offer co–operative education:

• Actuarial Mathematics
• Actuarial Mathematics/Finance
• Biochemistry
• Chemistry
• Mathematics (Pure and Applied)
• Physics
• Statistics

Students must apply to the Office of the Registrar to study the academic discipline (e.g. Specialization in Economics) and at the same time request acceptance into the Institute for Co–operative Education. Co–operative Programs are restricted to students who are enrolled in the Honours or Specialization Programs.