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Choosing a B.A. & Sc. Program
The B.A. & Sc. is intended for students with well-defined interdisciplinary interests. There are several options for the main program, all of which specify 75–80 of the 90 credits, leaving only 10–15 credits for electives. Since there are relatively few electives, students entering a program in the B.A. & Sc. degree should have a clear idea of their objectives, goals, and intended areas of study, so that they can plan their curriculum carefully.
It should be noted that there also exists considerable flexibility within the B.A. (Faculty of Arts) and B.Sc. (Faculty of Science) programs. If you are more interested in Arts, but would like to study some Science, you can do so within the B.A. degree. Similarly, if you are more interested in Science, but would like to study some Arts, you can do so within the B.Sc. degree. For example, B.Sc. students may complete minor concentrations in Arts and vice versa.
There are four ways to complete programs in the B.A. & Sc. degree:
| Multi-Track System |
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The multi-track system is intended for students who want a program that includes significant components from both Arts and from Science. You complete 36 credits of Arts courses, 36–38 credits of Science courses, and a required integrative course (BASC 201, 3 credits). You can either combine an Arts major concentration with a Science major concentration (36–38 credits each) or you can select a major concentration from one faculty and two 18-credit minor concentrations* from the other. Additional guidelines for the multi-track system can be found in Departmental Programs. You will find the program descriptions for the major and minor concentrations in Science, which are unique to the B.A. & Sc. within this section of this publication. * Effective September 2013 the multi-track option to complete two minors or two minor concentrations will no longer be available. Only one multi-track option will remain. Descriptions of programs offered in Arts are located in the eCalendar under Faculties & Schools > Faculty of Arts > Undergraduate. |
| Interfaculty Programs |
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Interfaculty programs are interdisciplinary in nature. There are currently three such programs: Environment; Cognitive Science; and Sustainability, Science and Society. In these programs, you complete 54 credits of the Interfaculty program, a minor of 18 credits, and a required integrative course (BASC 201, 3 credits). You must complete at least 21 credits in the Faculty of Arts and at least 21 credits in the Faculty of Science as part of your interfaculty program and your minor concentration or program. |
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Environment The growth of technology, globalization of economies, and rapid increases in population and per capita consumption have all had dramatic environmental impacts. The Faculty program in Environment for the Bachelor of Arts and Science is designed to provide students with a broad “Liberal Arts/Science” training. In combination with careful mentoring, this program offers a great degree of flexibility, allowing students to develop the skills and knowledge base required to face the myriad of environmental problems that currently need to be addressed. Further information about Environment programs and academic advising can be found at www.mcgill.ca/mse. |
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Cognitive Science The Interfaculty program in Cognitive Science offered within the B.A. & Sc. degree is the only major program currently offered at McGill for students interested in this discipline. The requirements encourage you to choose courses in two of the five subject areas in Cognitive Science (Computer Science, Linguistics, Neuroscience, Philosophy, Psychology) as the focus of your program. In addition, if you are interested in research in this field, you may include up to 12 credits of research courses within your program. Further information can be found at www.mcgill.ca/cogsci. |
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Sustainability, Science and Society Food security, access to clean water, poverty, climate change, biodiversity loss, sustainable energy production—a long list of challenges face human societies in the 21st century. In the face of these multiple challenges, the grand imperative of the 21st century is Sustainable Well-being—in other words, how can we provide for a world population that could stabilize at 9–10 billion, while also maintaining the Earth’s life support systems. Find out more about this interdisciplinary program at . |
| Joint Honours |
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The Joint Honours option is similar to the multi-track system except that you complete two joint honours components, one in Arts and one in Science. Currently, the choice of Science component is restricted to either Math or Psychology. However, there is a great range of choices for the Arts component. To choose the Joint Honours option, you must meet the GPA/CGPA requirements set out in the eCalendar under University Regulations and Resources > Undergraduate > Graduation > Graduation Honours: Honours and First-Class Honours for Faculties of Arts and Science (including B.A. & Sc.). |
| Honours |
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There are three B.A. & Sc. Honours programs. The Honours programs in Environment; Cognitive Science; and Sustainability, Science and Society are similar to their relevant Interfaculty programs, but each has additional GPA requirements and an additional 6-credit required research course. If you are completing an honours program, you must also complete a minor concentration or program, and a required integrative course (BASC 201, 3 credits). You must complete at least 21 credits in the Faculty of Arts and at least 21 credits in the Faculty of Science as part of your honours program and your minor concentration or program. To choose the Honours option, you must meet the GPA/CGPA requirements set out in the eCalendar under University Regulations and Resources > Undergraduate > Graduation > Graduation Honours: Honours and First-Class Honours for Faculties of Arts and Science (including B.A. & Sc.). |
Programs, Courses and University Regulations—2014-2015 (last updated Mar. 4, 2014) (disclaimer)
Bachelor of Arts & Science—2014-2015 (last updated Mar. 4, 2014) (disclaimer)