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Program Requirements for the Faculty of Science
The Faculty of Science offers a vast array of study and research opportunities at the undergraduate level, and it is very important that you familiarize yourself with all the alternatives open to you before deciding on a program of study. For an overview of programs offered in the B.Sc., see the Faculty of Science Programs of Study at www.mcgill.ca/science/programs.
Liberal, Major, and Honours Programs
Liberal, Major, and Honours Programs
As a Science student, if you need 96 or fewer credits to complete your degree requirements, you are required to select your courses in each term with a view to timely completion of your degree and program requirements. You must register in one of the following types of departmental programs leading to the degree of Bachelor of Science:
Liberal Programs
Liberal Programs
Liberal programs provide students with the opportunity to study the core of one science discipline along with a breadth component from another area of science or from many other disciplines. In a liberal program, you must complete a Core Science Component (CSC) (45–50 credits), plus a Breadth Component (at least 18 credits). The requirements for the Core Science Components are given under departmental sections of this publication whenever applicable.
For the Breadth Component, you must complete one of the following:
- Minor Program (18–24 credits) – one of the programs listed in Minor Programs.
- Arts Minor or Major Concentration (18 or 36 credits) – one of the programs listed in Arts Major and Minor Concentrations Open to Science Students.
- A Core Science Component in a second area (45–50 credits) – at least 24 credits must be distinct from the courses used to satisfy the primary Core Science Component. Note that a second Core Science Component can be selected from any of the Science groups.
Major Programs
Major Programs
Major programs are more specialized than liberal programs and are usually centred on a specific discipline or department.
Honours Programs
Honours Programs
Honours programs typically involve an even higher degree of specialization, often include supervised research, and require students to maintain a high academic standard. Although honours programs are specially designed to prepare you for graduate studies, graduates of the other degree programs may also be admissible to many graduate schools. If you intend to pursue graduate studies in your discipline, you should consult a departmental adviser regarding the appropriate selection of courses in your field.
Minor and Minor Concentration Programs
Minor and Minor Concentration Programs for the Faculty of Science
In addition to the liberal, major, and honours degree programs, as a student in the Faculty of Science, you may select a minor or approved minor concentration program. These are coherent sequences of courses in a given discipline or interdisciplinary area that may be taken in addition to the courses required for the degree program.
Science minors consist of up to 24 credits.
Arts minor concentrations consist of 18 credits.
A minimum of 18 new credits must be completed in the Minor or Minor concentration.
For a list of "Minor Programs," see Minor Programs; for minor concentrations that are approved for Science students, see Arts Major and Minor Concentrations Open to Science Students.
Other Second Programs
Special Designations
Special Designations for Bachelor of Science Students
The Faculty of Science recognizes Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) students who have gone beyond a typical B.Sc. experience by awarding certain special designations to their student record and degree at graduation.
B.Sc. Global Designation
B.Sc. Global Designation
For details on the B.Sc. Global Designation, students should refer to www.mcgill.ca/science/programs/bsc-global.
Internship Program Designation
Internship Program Designation
All B.Sc. programs can include an internship component. For more details, students should refer to Science Internships and Field Studies and www.mcgill.ca/science/student/internships-field.
McGill School of Environment
McGill School of Environment
The Faculty of Science is one of the four faculties in partnership with the McGill School of Environment. For more information, see McGill School of Environment.
