Majors and Minors

Majors

There are 20 different majors (2023/24 Undergraduate Calendar) to choose from in the Honours B.Sc. program. Please note that admission into some majors have been suspended efffective 2023 (all students already registered in these majors will be able to continue, as usual). These 20 majors are generally divided into three groups: Biological Science, Physical Science and Additional Science. Each major will have an assigned Program Counsellor and B.Sc. Faculty Advisor. The following list separates all the B.Sc. majors into the three categories. The courses required for each major can be determined by following the links to the Schedule of Studies in the Undergraduate Calendar.

For students in the Biological Science major, please see our Course Planning Support page for some further advice regarding course selection and requirements.

Please note that effective the 2024/25 academic year, the Mathematical Science major will be replaced with the new B.Math. degree.

Biological science:

Physical science:

Additional science:

Switching Majors

Switching to a different major within the Honours B.Sc. program is generally a straightforward process. Students should follow the instructions below if they wish to switch their major (students wishing to switch to the ABIO, BIOM or HK majors must submit an application and meet minimum requirements to be accepted - further information also given below).

Students who are currently registered in the General B.Sc. program may also switch into a major in the Honours B.Sc. program by following the process below. The same is true for students wishing to switch from the Honours B.Sc. to the General B.Sc.

All majors - with the exception of Animal Biology, Bio-Medical Science, Human Kinetics, and all Co-op programs - only require the approval of the Program Counsellor for the new B.Sc. major in order to switch.

Please complete the online Undergraduate Schedule of Studies Change Request form to switch to a new B.Sc. major.

Once submitted, you will receive a confirmation email message from Enrolment Services that the Schedule of Studies Change Request has been received. Your on-line request will then be reviewed for approval. This may take several business days. Requests for ABIO, BIOM and HK will be reviewed by the appropriate Admission Committee (usually only once per year, after the end of the Winter semester).

'Calendar Year' is most often the year you started at the University of Guelph, and indicates the Undergraduate Calendar year requirements that you are following for your major and/or minor. Students may generally move forward to a newer Undergrade Calendar year (for example, if the course requirements have changed, and it is beneficial to do so). The Calendar Year no longer needs to be the same for both major and minor, but cannot be any earlier than the year that you started your B.Sc. program. When in doubt, remain in your current Calendar Year.

B.Sc. students who wish to switch to the Animal Biology major, Bio-Medical Science major or the Human Kinetics major must apply to do so by the last class day of the Winter semester. Please consult the Undergraduate Calendar for entry requirements (ABIO, BIOM or HK), and reach out to the appropriate Faculty Advisor for questions. These majors only admit students at one time during the academic year. To apply, please complete the online Undergraduate Schedule of Studies Change Request form, which will be directed to the appropriate Admission Committee.

If you wish to apply to a Co-op major, please see the information and instructions on the Co-operative Education & Career Services Website.

If you have any questions about switching to a different B.Sc. major, please contact the B.Sc. Academic Counselling Centre at bscweb@uoguelph.ca for assistance.

Switching or declaring a major from a general degree:

If you are currently enrolled in the General B.Sc. program, you will need to follow the same process as above to switch into the Honours B.Sc. degree program and declare a major. Please complete the online Undergraduate Schedule of Studies Change Request form.

Changing Undergraduate Calendar Year

Students who wish to do so may generally move forward to a newer Undergraduate Calendar year for their major and/or minor. Effective June 12, 2023, please complete the online Undergraduate Schedule of Studies Change Request form to change your Undergraduate Calendar Year.

Minors

Minors are available in science, business, arts and social science areas. A minor may include additional prerequisite courses not included in the minor, so it is best to consult the Faculty Advisor with any questions. In the links below, please scroll down to the bottom of the page for the listing of minor requirements. Please note that the Studio Art and Criminal Justice & Public Policy (suspended, see below) minors will require a signature from the Faculty Advisor for the minor before declaring, as there are specific requirements that must be met.

Biological sciences:

Mathematical sciences

Physical sciences:

Environmental sciences:

Additional minors:

The following Liberal Education minors are available:

Declaring a Minor

For most minors, only the signature of your Program Counsellor is required to declare a minor - whether in the Sciences, Arts, or Social Sciences. Please note that the Studio Art and Criminal Justice & Public Policy (suspended) minors will require a signature from the Faculty Advisor for the minor before declaring, as there are specific requirements that must be met. The B.Sc. Program Counsellors can authorize the addition of the Family & Child Studies minor, but only after the admission criteria have been met.

New! Effective June 12, 2023, please complete the online Undergraduate Schedule of Studies Change Request form.

'Calendar Year' is most often the year you started at the University of Guelph, and indicates the Undergraduate Calendar year requirements that you are following for your major and/or minor. Students may generally move forward to a newer Undergrade Calendar year (for example, if the course requirements have changed, and it is beneficial to do so). The Calendar Year no longer needs to be the same for both major and minor, but cannot be any earlier than the year that you started your B.Sc. program. When in doubt, remain in your current Calendar Year. Please contact your Program Counsellor if you have any questions regarding your Undergraduate Calendar year.

Note: If the minor is in a non-science area, then the number of science credits required for the Honours B.Sc. degree is reduced from 16.0 to 14.0 credits. Only 2.5 credits may overlap (double count) between a major and minor. Please make an appointment with your Program Counsellor if you have questions.

You may only declare a minor if you are in the Honours B.Sc. program.

Changing Degree Programs

The University of Guelph offers 15 different undergraduate Degree Programs. Switching between degree programs is based on your high school transcript as well as the marks achieved in specific University of Guelph courses. If you are considering transferring degree programs, you should consult with i) the Program Counsellor for the degree program to which you want to transfer and ii) the B.Sc. Program Counsellor for your currently registered major.

To transfer degree programs, you will need to apply for an Internal Transfer through University Admissions. For full details regarding specific subject requirements, deadlines, and application procedures, please see the Internal Transfer/Re-admission site. Please note that admission to another degree program is not guaranteed.

There are 3 different "Bachelor of Science" degrees: Bachelor of Science in Agriculture [B.Sc.(Agr.)], Bachelor of Science in Environmental Sciences [B.Sc.(Env.)] and Bachelor of Science [B.Sc.]. Each of these is a separate degree program, with their own regulations and requirements. You must apply to transfer between programs.

Note: If you are considering switching degree programs before the start of your first semester, please contact your Program Counsellor for advice.

Current Students

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