Going to university isn’t just about getting a degree or a job - it’s about growing as a person and reaching your potential. Your success as a Gryphon is very important to us. We offer both academic and wellness supports to help you to succeed throughout university.
The University of Guelph offers physical and mental well-being resources and programming to support students. Supports include, but are not limited to, on-campus physicians, counsellors, accessibility advisors and therapists.
The departments that support the B.Sc. degree, along with Library Services, provide a range of academic supports including one-on-one and group academic supports led by faculty, teaching assistants and peers.
An advantage of the University of Guelph's B.Sc. program is the flexibility in switching majors after your first year. All students entering into first year will take a similar set of core courses in the first and second semesters. This allows students to switch between majors within and after first year with relative ease and without having to start over again.
The B.Sc. degree program offers 18 different majors (2023/24). With such diverse offerings students are bound to find the discipline that works for them. Within the first year students will explore the fundamentals of science but in more depth than experienced in high school. This allows students to gain a stronger understanding of what opportunities exist in the field of science.
Undergraduate students are exposed to the research process from first year through to fourth year. In first year, many fundamentals of research are stressed including how to read and summarize research articles and communicate research findings. Second- and third-year students are exposed to scientific techniques and technology relevant to their major, increasing their skills and preparing them to engage with research first-hand. Within our courses we also stress the importance of the collection, management and analysis of data which are key skills in research. Finally, in fourth year, students can apply their knowledge in culminating or capstone research courses.
Other ways for students to get involved in research include summer research assistantships or volunteering with faculty.
Summer Undergraduate Research Assistantship Information
Curricular Experiential Learning Opportunities Including Research Courses
Co-operative education options, combine classroom learning with work terms in business, government, or industry. These programs allow you to alternate your semesters on campus and in the work force to help you gain valuable work experience, develop technical and communication skills, and network with professionals.
Guelph's Co-operative Education & Career Services supports you by facilitating your transition between academic studies and work experiences, providing you with employment related services and helping you to define your career goals. Please follow the links to the Undergraduate Calendar for the co-op programs.
View Co-Op Programs for Bachelor of Science Students
The B.Sc. degree offers two flexible majors: the Biological Science major and the Physical Science major. Both of these majors start off with the same core courses as the other majors within the B.Sc. degree, however, the number of specified courses in upper years decreases. This allows you to build a major that is unique to you and your interest.
If you are in the Honours program, you also have the option of declaring a minor. You do not declare a minor when you apply to the University of Guelph - but you can do so at any time once you have started your degree. A minor is an additional specialization in an area that is outside of your major. Most students declare a minor in an area that complements their major, or is something that is of interest to the student.
The University of Guelph boasts a welcoming, vibrant campus community that welcomes its student body and celebrates their uniqueness. We recognize that every student’s journey is unique. Our Student Experience Office has a number of programs to ensure your transition to university is a memorable one!
Whether you're in first year or a graduate student, getting involved on campus and in our community is a great way to add practical experience to your learning, gain new skills, and meet other like-minded students. The University of Guelph offers both volunteer and work experiences on and off-campus! For more information about how to get involved, check out Student Experience.