Note: This is the 2013–2014 edition of the eCalendar. Update the year in your browser's URL bar for the most recent version of this page, or click here to jump to the newest eCalendar.
Program Requirements
Students who need to complete 97-120 credits to fulfil their degree requirements are admitted to the Freshman Program. Students with specific career goals should consult an academic adviser about their choice of program within the B.A. & Sc. However, students intending to pursue further studies following the B.A. & Sc. should refer to the admissions requirements of particular programs for the appropriate prerequisite courses.
In particular, students should note the following:
- The minimum freshman science requirements in the B.A. & Sc. may not satisfy the introductory science requirements of all medical/dental schools.
- The Major Concentration in Psychology may not provide a sufficiently focused background for admission to many graduate programs in Psychology.
- The Major Concentration in Chemistry is not certified by the Ordre des Chimistes du Québec. Students interested in pursuing a career in Chemistry in Quebec are advised to take an appropriate B.Sc. program in Chemistry.
For further details, refer to information about the B.A. & Sc. Freshman Program on the website at .
Foundational Courses
The Freshman Program requirements include foundational courses in both Science and Arts which must be selected as follows:
MATH
At least two mathematics courses:
At most one of a First Calculus:
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MATH 139 Calculus 1 with Precalculus (4 credits)
Overview
Mathematics & Statistics (Sci) : Review of trigonometry and other Precalculus topics. Limits, continuity, derivative. Differentiation of elementary functions. Antidifferentiation. Applications.
Terms: Fall 2013
Instructors: Chen, Linan (Fall)
Fall
4 hours lecture, 1 hour tutorial
Prerequisite: a course in functions
Restriction: Not open to students who have taken CEGEP objective 00UN or equivalent.
Restriction Note B: Not open to students who have taken or are taking MATH 122, except by permission of the Department of Mathematics and Statistics.
Students continue in MATH 141
Each Tutorial section is enrolment limited
-
MATH 140 Calculus 1 (3 credits)
Overview
Mathematics & Statistics (Sci) : Review of functions and graphs. Limits, continuity, derivative. Differentiation of elementary functions. Antidifferentiation. Applications.
Terms: Fall 2013, Winter 2014, Summer 2014
Instructors: Hundemer, Axel W; Disegni, Daniel (Fall) Drury, Stephen W (Winter) Zwicker, Justine (Summer)
3 hours lecture, 1 hour tutorial
Prerequisite: High School Calculus
Restriction: Not open to students who have taken MATH 120, MATH 139 or CEGEP objective 00UN or equivalent
Restriction: Not open to students who have taken or are taking MATH 122 or MATH 130 or MATH 131, except by permission of the Department of Mathematics and Statistics
Each Tutorial section is enrolment limited
-
MATH 150 Calculus A (4 credits)
Overview
Mathematics & Statistics (Sci) : Functions, limits and continuity, differentiation, L'Hospital's rule, applications, Taylor polynomials, parametric curves, functions of several variables.
Terms: Fall 2013
Instructors: Roth, Charles (Fall)
Fall
3 hours lecture, 2 hours tutorial
Students with no prior exposure to vector geometry are advised to take MATH 133 concurrently. Intended for students with high school calculus who have not received six advanced placement credits
Restriction: Not open to students who have taken CEGEP objective 00UN or equivalent
Restriction Note B: Not open to students who have taken or are taking MATH 122 or MATH 130 or MATH 131, except by permission of the Department of Mathematics and Statistics
MATH 150 and MATH 151 cover the material of MATH 139, MATH 140, MATH 141, MATH 222
At most one of a Second Calculus:
-
MATH 141 Calculus 2 (4 credits)
Overview
Mathematics & Statistics (Sci) : The definite integral. Techniques of integration. Applications. Introduction to sequences and series.
Terms: Fall 2013, Winter 2014, Summer 2014
Instructors: Topaloglu, Ihsan (Fall) Brandenbursky, Michael; Hundemer, Axel W; Conlon, Ronan (Winter) Candelori, Luca; Brandenbursky, Michael (Summer)
Restriction: Not open to students who have taken MATH 121 or CEGEP objective 00UP or equivalent
Restriction Note B: Not open to students who have taken or are taking MATH 122 or MATH 130 or MATH 131, except by permission of the Department of Mathematics and Statistics.
Each Tutorial section is enrolment limited
-
MATH 151 Calculus B (4 credits)
Overview
Mathematics & Statistics (Sci) : Integration, methods and applications, infinite sequences and series, power series, arc length and curvature, multiple integration.
Terms: Winter 2014
Instructors: Roth, Charles (Winter)
Winter
3 hours lecture; 2 hours tutorial
Each Tutorial section is enrolment limited
Prerequisite: MATH 150
Restriction: Not open to students who have taken CEGEP objective 00UP or equivalent
Restriction: Not open to students who have taken or are taking MATH 122 or MATH 130 or MATH 131, except by permission of the Department of Mathematics and Statistics
Restriction: Not open to students who have taken MATH 152
At most one of a Linear Algebra course:
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MATH 133 Linear Algebra and Geometry (3 credits)
Overview
Mathematics & Statistics (Sci) : Systems of linear equations, matrices, inverses, determinants; geometric vectors in three dimensions, dot product, cross product, lines and planes; introduction to vector spaces, linear dependence and independence, bases; quadratic loci in two and three dimensions.
Terms: Fall 2013, Winter 2014, Summer 2014
Instructors: Brakocevic, Miljan; Kelome, Djivede; Bailey, Michael; Anderson, William J (Fall) Banks, Jessica; Trudeau, Sidney (Winter) Novytska, Yuliya (Summer)
3 hours lecture, 1 hour tutorial
Prerequisite: a course in functions
Restriction A: Not open to students who have taken MATH 221 or CEGEP objective 00UQ or equivalent.
Restriction B: Not open to students who have taken or are taking MATH 123, MATH 130 or MATH 131, except by permission of the Department of Mathematics and Statistics.
Restriction C: Not open to students who are taking or have taken MATH 134.
-
MATH 134 Enriched Linear Algebra and Geometry (3 credits)
Overview
Mathematics & Statistics (Sci) : Complex numbers. Systems of linear equations, matrix algebra, determinants. Subspaces of euclidean space, linear dependence and independence, bases. Bilinear and quadratic forms. The Gram-Schmidt process. Eigenvalues and eigenvectors, diagonalization. Orthogonal diagonalization of symmetric matrices. This course is intended for students in mathematics and physical sciences.
Terms: Fall 2013
Instructors: Lei, Antonio (Fall)
Restriction: Not open to students who are taking or have taken MATH 133
SCIENCE
At least three foundational science courses:
Any number of:
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BIOL 111 Principles: Organismal Biology (3 credits)
Overview
Biology (Sci) : An introduction to the phylogeny, structure, function and adaptation of unicellular organisms, plants and animals in the biosphere.
Terms: Fall 2013
Instructors: Krahe, Rudiger; Dhindsa, Rajinder S; Hendry, Andrew (Fall)
Fall
2 hours lecture and 3 hours laboratory
Restriction: Not open to students who have taken CEGEP objective 00UK or equivalent; or BIOL 115.
This course serves as an alternative to CEGEP objective code 00UK
May require departmental approval.
Open to all students wishing introductory biology.
Attendance at first lab is mandatory to confirm registration in the course.
This class will use a Student Response System (clicker) which can be obtained from the Bookstore.
-
BIOL 112 Cell and Molecular Biology (3 credits)
Overview
Biology (Sci) : The cell: ultrastructure, division, chemical constituents and reactions. Bioenergetics: photosynthesis and respiration. Principles of genetics, the molecular basis of inheritance and biotechnology.
Terms: Winter 2014
Instructors: Dent, Joseph Alan; Schöck, Frieder (Winter)
-
CHEM 110 General Chemistry 1 (4 credits) **
Overview
Chemistry : A study of the fundamental principles of atomic structure, radiation and nuclear chemistry, valence theory, coordination chemistry, and the periodic table.
Terms: Fall 2013
Instructors: Gauthier, Jean-Marc; Kakkar, Ashok K; Butler, Ian Sydney; Fenster, Ariel (Fall)
Fall
Prerequisites/corequisites: College level mathematics and physics or permission of instructor; CHEM 120 is not a prerequisite
Each lab section is limited enrolment
-
CHEM 115 Accelerated General Chemistry: Giants in Science (4 credits) **
Overview
Chemistry : An advanced combined version of CHEM 110 and CHEM 120 that will emphasize developments in the chemical sciences that changed the way nature was understood, focusing, where possible, on examples that led to Nobel Prizes.
Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2013-2014 academic year.
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2013-2014 academic year.
Fall
Prerequisite: Grade 12 Chemistry
Restrictions: Enrolment is restricted to students who have obtained a grade greater than 95% in their high school university preparatory chemistry course (e.g., the Ontario Grade 12 University Preparation Chemistry Course [SCH4U]). Not open to students who are taking or have taken CHEM 110 or CHEM 120.
Note: CHEM 115 and (CHEM 110 plus CHEM 120) are considered equivalent from a prerequisite point of view. If you are planning on applying to medical school, note that some medical schools require applicants to have two general chemistry courses; at McGill you would have to take an additional physical chemistry course like CHEM 204 or equivalent to meet this requirement.
-
CHEM 120 General Chemistry 2 (4 credits) *
Overview
Chemistry : A study of the fundamental principles of physical chemistry.
Terms: Winter 2014
Instructors: Gauthier, Jean-Marc; Huot, Mitchell; Pavelka, Laura; Butler, Ian Sydney; Siwick, Bradley (Winter)
Winter
Prerequisites/corequisites: College level mathematics and physics, or permission of instructor: CHEM 110 is not a prerequisite
Each lab section is limited enrolment
* Note: CHEM 120 is not open to students who have taken CHEM 115.
** Note: Students may select CHEM 110 or CHEM 115 but not both.
At most one of a First Physics:
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PHYS 101 Introductory Physics - Mechanics (4 credits)
Overview
Physics : An introductory course in physics without calculus, covering mechanics (kinematics, dynamics, energy, and rotational motion), oscillations and waves, sound, light, and geometrical optics.
Terms: Fall 2013
Instructors: Ragan, Kenneth J (Fall)
Fall
3 hours lectures; 2 hours laboratory; tutorial sessions
Restriction: Not open to students taking or having taken PHYS 131, CEGEP objective 00UR or equivalent
Laboratory sections have limited enrolment
-
PHYS 131 Mechanics and Waves (4 credits)
Overview
Physics : The basic laws and principles of Newtonian mechanics; oscillations and waves.
Terms: Fall 2013
Instructors: Ragan, Kenneth J (Fall)
At most one of a Second Physics:
Note: PHYS 101 is a prerequisite for PHYS 102; and PHYS 131 is a prerequisite for PHYS 142.
-
PHYS 102 Introductory Physics - Electromagnetism (4 credits)
Overview
Physics : Electric field and potential. D.C. circuits and measurements. Capacitance. Magnetic field and induction. A.C. circuits Semiconductor devices and their application. Electromagnetic waves.
Terms: Winter 2014
Instructors: Provatas, Nick (Winter)
-
PHYS 142 Electromagnetism and Optics (4 credits)
Overview
Physics : The basic laws of electricity and magnetism; geometrical and physical optics.
Terms: Winter 2014
Instructors: Moore, Guy (Winter)
Winter
3 hours lectures, 3 hours laboratory in alternate weeks; tutorial sessions
Prerequisite: PHYS 131.
Corequisite: MATH 141 or higher level calculus course.
Restriction: Not open to students taking or having taken PHYS 102, CEGEP objective 00UR or equivalent
Laboratory sections have limited enrolment
At most two of another Foundational Science:
-
COMP 202 Foundations of Programming (3 credits) *
Overview
Computer Science (Sci) : Introduction to programming in a modern high-level language, modular software design and debugging. Programming concepts are illustrated using a variety of application areas.
Terms: Fall 2013, Winter 2014, Summer 2014
Instructors: Pomerantz, Daniel; Tremblay, Jonathan (Fall) Tremblay, Jonathan; Kemme, Bettina; Ada, Anil (Winter) Ada, Anil (Summer)
3 hours
Prerequisite: a CEGEP level mathematics course
Restrictions: COMP 202 and COMP 208 cannot both be taken for credit. COMP 202 is intended as a general introductory course, while COMP 208 is intended for students interested in scientific computation. COMP 202 cannot be taken for credit with or after COMP 250
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ESYS 104 The Earth System (3 credits)
Overview
Earth System Science : Earth system science examines the complex interactions among the atmosphere, biosphere, geosphere and hydrosphere. It focuses on physical, chemical, and biological processes that extend over spatial scales ranging from microns to the size of planetary orbits, and spans time scales from fractions of a second to billions of years.
Terms: Winter 2014
Instructors: Minarik, William; Lapointe, Michel F (Winter)
-
PSYC 100 Introduction to Psychology (3 credits) *
Overview
Psychology : Introduction to the scientific study of mind and behavior, including basic concepts and methods in psychology while also highlighting the relevance of psychology to everyday life; attachment, aggression, depression, parenting and personality change.
Terms: Fall 2013, Summer 2014
Instructors: Levitin, Daniel (Fall) Pruessner, Jens (Summer)
Fall
2 lectures; 1 conference
Restriction: Not open to students who have passed an Introductory Psychology course in CEGEP: 350-101 or 350-102 or equivalent
* Note: Students in a minor or major concentration where COMP 202 or PSYC 100 is a required course will need to take an alternative COMP or PSYC course if using COMP 202 or PSYC 100 to satisfy the Freshman Program requirement.
ARTS
At least three Arts courses (or 9 credits) to be chosen in two of the following three categories: Humanities, Languages, and Social Sciences.
A maximum of two courses (or 6 credits) may be chosen from one category, and no more than two courses (or 6 credits) can be taken in any one department.
Note: No course may fulfil the requirements for more than one program, including the B.A. & Sc. Freshman Program.
Humanities (Literature and Civilization):
Courses selected from the following subjects:
- Art History and Communications Studies (ARTH and COMS)
- Classics (CLAS)
- East Asian Studies (EAST)
- English (ENGL)
- French Language and Literature (FREN)
- German Studies (GERM)
- Hispanic Studies (HISP)
- Islamic Studies (ISLA)
- Italian studies (ITAL)
- Jewish Studies (JWST)
- Music for Arts (MUAR only)
- Philosophy (PHIL)
- Religious Studies (RELG)
- Russian Studies (RUSS)
Languages:
Courses may be taken in this category to improve language skills.
Languages include:
- Classics (Latin, Ancient Greek, Modern Greek) (CLAS)
- East Asian Studies (Chinese, Japanese, Korean) (EAST)
- English as a Second Language (CEAP, CESL)
- French as a Second Language (FRSL)
- French Language and Literature (FREN)
- German Studies (GERM)
- Hispanic Studies (Spanish) (HISP)
- Islamic Studies (Arabic, Persian, Turkish, Urdu) (ISLA)
- Italian (ITAL)
- Jewish Studies (Hebrew, Yiddish) (JWST)
- Russian and Slavic Studies (Polish, Russian, Armenian, Czech) (RUSS)
Social Sciences:
Courses selected from the following subjects:
- Anthropology (ANTH)
- Economics (ECON)
- History (HIST)
- Linguistics (LING)
- Political Science (POLI)
- Sociology (SOCI)
Advanced Standing/Transfer Credits
Students who have completed the Diploma of Collegial Studies, Advanced Placement exams, Advanced Levels, the International Baccalaureate, the French Baccalaureate, or McGill placement examinations may receive exemption and/or credit for all or part of the Mathematics and foundational science courses as well as exemption from all or part of the Arts courses requirement of the Freshman Program. Similarly, students who have completed courses at other universities or colleges may receive exemptions and/or credits.
Advanced Placement Examination results with a score of 4 or 5 must be declared by the student at the time of initial registration at the University.
For more information about advanced standing, please consult: . Students must carefully select their mathematics and science Freshman courses so that they have all the required prerequisites for their intended departmental programs.