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Undergraduate Programs

¶¡ÏãÔ°AV offers three main types of undergraduate programs and credentials: degree programs leading to a bachelor's degree, diploma programs leading to a post baccaulaureate diploma, and certificate programs. Degree programs may be honours programs leading to an honours degree or general programs leading to a general degree.

To be granted a credential, a student must satisfy certain requirements which ensure a depth of study and a coherent combination of courses. These requirements 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 study. In general, requirements for a credential are specified at three levels: university-wide requirements as described in this section, faculty-wide requirements as set by the faculty offering the credential, and subject requirements as set by the department, school or program defining the area of study. Students must satisfy the requirements of all three levels.

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Degree Requirements

All students admitted to the University as of fall 2006 must meet writing, quantitative, and breadth requirements in completing their undergraduate degree. All students admitted to bachelor's degree programs at the University must satisfy certain university wide requirements as well as faculty and subject requirements. All bachelor's degree programs for a first bachelor's degree require successful completion of a minimum of 120 units including at least 44 upper division units. Degree requirements must be met at an acceptable performance standard.

Typically, faculties structure degree programs in terms of individual honours, major or minor programs for one or more subjects. An honours degree requires the completion of at least one honours or joint honours program, while a general degree normally requires the completion of at least one major or joint major, or two minor programs. Honours degrees are distinguished by the depth and intensity of study in the honours subject.

Requirement Term

The requirements that apply to a particular student are generally those in effect at the time of admission, known as the requirement term. The requirement term for university-level requirements is the time of university admission: the requirement term for faculty-level requirements is the time of faculty admission; and the requirement term for a specific subject or concentration is the time of approved declaration of the subject or concentration. However, the ability to use the requirements at the time of admission is not indefinite. University and faculty level requirements apply for at most 8 years, while subject or area of study requirements apply for at most 6 years. If a graduation check determines that a student has not completed requirements within these limits, the term of the graduation application becomes the requirement term.

Students may take advantage of new curriculum by changing their requirement term at any time.

Changing Programs

Changing a program of study may prolong enrollment, 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, see  and look under Programs.

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Honours, Major and Minor Programs

Programs of study in an individual subject are generally structured as one of three program types, depending on the intensity of upper division study.

• Honours programs require completion of a minimum of 60 upper division units including a minimum of 48 units in the honours subject or field.
• Major programs require completion of a minimum of 44 upper division units including a minimum of 28 units in the major subject or field.
• Minor programs require completion of a minimum of 14 units of upper division work in the minor subject or field.

Each type of program also requires lower division work, with varying unit requirements in the lower division courses. (See faculty and departmental requirements.) In some faculties a type of minor program known as an extended minor is offered, consisting of the upper division requirements of a minor and the lower division requirements of a major.

Joint Programs

Programs defined to include two or more subject areas are known as joint programs.

• Joint honours programs require a minimum of 50 units of specified upper division work in the joint honours subjects.
• Joint major programs require a minimum of 30 units of specified upper division work in the joint major subjects.

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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. A minimum of 44 units of upper division work is required.

Faculties may offer specific second bachelor's degree programs. Otherwise, the basic requirement for a further bachelor's degree is the completion of the upper division requirements associated with a first bachelor's degree. 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 exempt from all of the breadth requirements (designated and undesignated), three units of the Q requirements and the lower division W requirement. (The remaining Wand Q courses must be a minimum of three units each. The W course must be upper division in the student's subject or field.) For more information, see Writing, Quantitative, and Breadth Requirements. 

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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.

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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 enrollment 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.

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