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Undergraduate Programs

¶¡ÏãÔ°AV offers three main types of undergraduate programs: honours programs leading to an honours degree, general programs leading to a general degree, and an extended minor degree. Most departments offer all these types of programs.

To be granted a degree, a student must satisfy certain requirements which ensure a depth of study and a coherent combination of courses. These requirements, called a degree program, are expressed in terms of the number of units in lower and upper division courses to be completed in and outside the subject(s) of concentration. Depending on the extent of concentration in a subject area, a degree program may offer an honours program, a major program, a minor program, or certain combinations.

Students are encouraged to sample a wide range of courses before focusing on a particular area of concentration, but normally must commit themselves to their area(s) before entering the second half of the degree program. Students should be aware of any prerequisite courses for their programs that they may need to undertake in the first four levels. (See the Definitions section following.)

Degree Requirements

All students admitted to the University as of fall 2006 must meet writing, quantitative, and breadth requirements in completing their undergraduate degree. See Writing, Quantitative, and Breadth Requirements.

Students should refer carefully to overall requirements of the faculties for degree requirements, as the requirements for a specific degree must be fulfilled. Some departments require specific prerequisite courses for entry to some upper division courses, and some faculties require completion of a minimum number of upper division courses to fulfil degree conditions. Some faculties require completion of a minimum number of units within the faculty to qualify for a degree. If in doubt, seek advice from Academic Advising and Success.

Honours Program

An honours degree is comprised of 132 units in a specified honours program including approximately 48-52 units in specified upper division courses in the honours subject or field. Different honours programs have varying unit requirements in the lower division courses. (See faculty and departmental requirements.)

Joint Honours Program

A joint honours degree requires completion of at least 132 units including the completion of a specific joint honours program, which would normally consist of a total of at least 50 units in upper division courses completed in two or more disciplines, as specified. Different joint honours programs have varying unit requirements in the lower division courses. (See faculty and departmental requirements.)

Major Program

A general degree requires at least 120 units and, normally, completion of a major program. A major program consists of approximately 28 to 30 units in upper division courses as specified in the major subject or field. Varying unit requirements are needed in the lower division courses for different major programs. (See faculty and departmental requirements. With special approval, two minors may be substituted for a major in the bachelor of education degree. The bachelor of general studies degree has broad requirements.)

Joint Major Program

A general degree may be obtained by completing 120 units including the completion of a joint major program. The specific joint major requires at least 30 units in upper division courses completed in two or more disciplines, as specified. Unit requirements in the lower division courses vary for different joint major programs. (See faculty and departmental requirements.)

Double Major Program

A general degree may include completion of two major programs. The student must complete the following.

• the lower division requirements for each of the major subjects selected
• at least 28 units of upper division courses as specified in each of the two subjects in which the majors are to be claimed
• any other requirements of the particular departments concerned
• the requirements of the faculty in which the student will receive the degree

This permits study of two majors within a single faculty or across faculties. The bachelor’s degree awarded will be determined according to the faculty in which all requirements have been met or, if the requirements of more than one faculty have been met, then from the faculty that the student selects. (See Major-Minor Program following.)

Minor Program

A minor requires completion of at least 14 to 18 upper division units as specified in the subject. To qualify for a specific minor, at least seven units of upper division credit used toward the minor must have been completed in ¶¡ÏãÔ°AV courses. A minor program also requires meeting any stipulated lower division requirements and may be used toward the requirements of a degree program.

Extended Minor Program

This program consists of the lower division requirements for a major, and the upper division requirements for a minor. A student must have their program approved by the extended minor program advisor.

Major – Minor Program

A general degree may include the completion of a major program and a minor program. The student must complete at least 28 units of upper division courses as specified in the major subject, and at least 14 to 18 units of upper division courses as specified in the minor subject. The same upper division course may not be used for formal credit in both the major and the minor. The student must complete the lower division requirements for the major subject selected, all other requirements of the major department, the lower and upper division requirements for the minor selected, and the requirements of the faculty in which the student will receive the degree. This permits the undertaking of a major and a minor within a single faculty or across faculties.

Double Major and Major – Minor Programs

Credit Value of Courses

In order to give sufficient weight to both majors in a double major program, the student may not apply the same upper division course for formal credit in both majors. Similarly, a student in a major-minor program may not use the same upper division course for formal credit in both the major and the minor. Also, a student undertaking a program consisting of more than one minor may not use the same upper division courses for credit toward more than one minor.

Where one course fulfils the content requirements of two related areas, additional replacement units in upper division work satisfactory to one of the departments or program committees must be completed to fulfil the overall credit requirements for the double major or major-minor program.

For lower division requirements, one course could fulfil both content and credit requirements as a prerequisite, but no course can carry double credit toward the degree total. In a number of possible combinations in the bachelor of arts or bachelor of general studies degree, certain constraints exist on the use of both lower and upper division courses.

In some instances, therefore, a student seeking a double major or a major-minor involving subjects in more than one faculty may need more than 120 units to fulfil the requirements of the general degree.

Changing Programs

Changing a program of study may prolong enrolment, may result in some completed courses no longer qualifying for the new program, and therefore increasing the number of courses required to graduate .

Students may change their program of study provided that appropriate notification is filed with the department(s) concerned. To access the appropriate change forms,visit http://students.sfu.ca/forms.html and look under the topic called Programs.

Double Degree Program

A double degree program is comprised of 197-201 units, 87 of which are lower division requirements while 110-114 are upper division requirements. Once all requirements are completed, students will graduate with two undergraduate degrees.

Second Bachelor’s Degrees

A student who already holds a bachelor’s degree(s) from an approved institution may complete a second or subsequent bachelor’s degree at the University, subject to the following conditions and regulations.

The basic requirement for a further bachelor’s degree is the completion of the upper division requirements associated with a first bachelor’s degree (except for the BEd degree, see Bachelor of Education as a Second Degree). Prior completion of lower division prerequisites may also be required or may be waived at the discretion of the department or program in which the further degree is being sought.

A student may not enrol in a further bachelor’s degree program in a subject in which she/he already holds a degree. A student who has a minor (or equivalent) in a particular subject may enrol in a further degree with a major or honours program in that subject.

Credit earned towards a previous degree or diploma may not be used toward a further bachelor’s degree. Transfer credit may be given for additional courses completed beyond the previous credential but prior to ¶¡ÏãÔ°AV admission. However, the normal upper division residency requirement applies: at least two thirds of the upper division course work for the degree must be completed at ¶¡ÏãÔ°AV. Some faculties may have additional residency requirements.

Faculties may limit inter-faculty transfer for second degree students.

Students admitted to second degrees are deemed to have met all of the breadth requirements (designated and undesignated), three units of the Q requirements and the lower division W requirement. (The remaining W and Q courses must be three units each. The W course must be upper division.)

For more information, see Writing, Quantitative, and Breadth Requirements.

Post Baccalaureate Diploma Program

A diploma program should, in general, consist of regular upper division university courses; graduate courses may be included. The study program should be the equivalent of one full year or more of university study (30 or more units). A first university degree or the equivalent is normally a prerequisite, but, if stipulated, mature applicants whose experience makes them particularly suited to a program may also be admitted.

Program Requirements

• Successful completion of an approved program comprised of 30 units of third and fourth year courses, and some graduate courses if appropriate.
• At least 15 units must be in a discipline or subject area which most closely fits the learning goals of the student.
• Minimum grade point average of 2.5 on courses applied toward the diploma.
• Completion of lower division prerequisites, if required.
• Completion of the diploma within five years of admission to the program.

Notes

• Students may complete more than one post baccalaureate diploma program.
• Students should consult with the diploma program advisor regarding availability of courses.
• Some of the program courses have prerequisites not included in the diploma requirements. Students are responsible for satisfying the prerequisites of all courses in their programs.
• Program applicants will need to refer to the current University Calendar for detailed information concerning application and enrolment procedures, fees, program requirements, and course descriptions.
• There are program advisors in each department for that department’s diploma programs.

Transfer Credit

• Transfer credit for work done at other institutions, before or after admission to the program, may be approved toward fulfilment of the program provided that at least 18 of the 30 required upper division units, including at least nine units in the student’s area of concentration, be completed at ¶¡ÏãÔ°AV.
• Transfer credit is normally only valid for approved courses completed within ten years of the diploma student’s completion term.
• Transfer credit for use toward the diploma is granted only on approval of the registrar, the appropriate faculty post baccalaureate diploma committee, and the dean of the appropriate faculty.
• Credit for work done at ¶¡ÏãÔ°AV or transfer credit for work done elsewhere prior to admission to the program may be approved provided that at least 15 of the 30 required upper division units, including at least eight units in the student’s area of concentration, normally be completed after admission to the program.
• Units applied to one diploma may not be applied to another ¶¡ÏãÔ°AV certificate or diploma or degree, and vice versa.

Certificate Program

A certificate program consists mainly of regular lower division courses; upper division courses may be included. The program should be the equivalent of between one half and one full year of university study (18-30 units).

Program Requirements

• Students must maintain a minimum grade point average of 2.0 calculated on all courses applied to the certificate that are completed at ¶¡ÏãÔ°AV. Duplicate courses are counted only once.

Note

• Units applied to one certificate may be applied also to major or minor programs of a bachelor’s degree under the normal regulations governing those programs but may not be applied to another ¶¡ÏãÔ°AV certificate or diploma.
• Some of the courses have prerequisites not included in the certificate requirements. Students are responsible for satisfying the prerequisites of all courses in their programs. Prerequisite information can be found in the University Calendar in the course descriptions section.
• There are program advisors in each department or faculty for the certificate programs. Students intending to pursue a certificate should consult with the program advisor.
• Any student admitted to a certificate program who subsequently transfers to a degree program will need to complete the WQB degree requirements. See Writing, Quantitative, and Breadth Requirements.

Co-operative Education

A co-operative education program consists of four or five work terms to be completed while doing regular academic terms. Co-op courses are granted additive credit. See Co-operative Education for more details.

Graduate Programs

Programs of advanced learning and research leading to master’s and doctoral degrees are offered.

Doctoral programs engage students in research, either independently or in collaboration with larger research groups. Master’s programs introduce students to the research process or prepare them with critical and analytical skills for the professions. Graduate diploma programs provide specialized combinations of courses for students who wish to upgrade their knowledge and skills at an advanced level.