Majors and Minors

Majors

There are 27 different majors (2018/19 Undergraduate Calendar) to choose from in the Honours B.Sc. program. These 27 majors are generally divided into three groups: Biological Science, Physical Science and Additional Science. Each major will have an assigned Program Counsellor [1] and B.Sc. Faculty Advisor [2]. 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.

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 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 Bio-Medical Science, Human Kinetics, and all Co-op programs - only require the approval of the Program Counsellor [1] for the new major in order to switch.

Please follow these three easy steps:

1. Complete an Undergraduate Schedule of Studies Change Request [42] form (also available from the B.Sc. Academic Counselling Centre - SCIE 1329 and the Registrar's Office)
2. Bring the form to the Program Counsellor [1] for the new major, and have them authorize the change (please come to SCIE 1329 - an appointment is not necessary if all you require is a signature, our front desk will be able to assist you)
3. Take your completed form to the Registrar's Office (Level 3, University Centre) for processing

For example, if you are switching from the Biological Science major to the Zoology major, you would write the following into the corresponding spaces on the form (no quotes):

Degree Program (top line): "BSCH"

Current Schedule of Studies:
Program Type: "Honours"
Specializations Type #1: "Major"
Specializations Subject #1: "Biological Science"

Revised Schedule of Studies:
Program Type: "Honours"
Specializations Type #1: "Major"
Specializations Subject: #1 "Zoology"

'Calendar to be used' 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 program. Leave blank if you are unsure. Please contact your Program Counsellor if you have any questions regarding your Undergraduate Calendar year.

'College' may be left blank if you are unsure.

In most cases, the sections dealing with Course Substitutions, Exemptions and Waivers will be left blank.

If you are trying to switch from a Physical Science major to a Biological Science major, or the Psychology: Brain & Cognition major, please see Rob Guthrie [43], Cheryl Macevic [44], Deanna Lundmark [45] or Kelly Lucas [46].

If you are trying to switch from a Biological Science major to a Physical Science major, or the Environmental Geoscience and Geomatics, Food Science or Biomedical Toxicology majors, please see Bonnie Lasby [47].

B.Sc. students who wish to switch to the Bio-Medical Science major [48] or the Human Kinetics major [49] must apply to do so by the last class day of the Winter semester. Please consult the Undergraduate Calendar for entry requirements (BIOM [50] or HK [10]). These majors only admit students at one time during the academic year. Apply directly to the Department of Biomedical Science [51] or the Department of Human Health and Nutritional Sciences [52] by submitting a Schedule of Studies Change Request form to Kim Best (BIOM - OVC Room 2633) or Anne Lovett-Hutchinson (HK - ANNU 353).

If you wish to apply to a Co-op major, please see the information and instructions on the Co-operative Education & Career Services Website [53].

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 Schedule of Studies Change Request form to switch from the General B.Sc. to the Honours B.Sc. with a major.

Changing Undergraduate Calendar Year

Students who wish to do so may generally move forward to a newer Undergraduate Calendar year for their major and minor (if applicable). For example, if the requirements for the major or minor have changed and you wish to follow the new requirements. However, both major and minor must normally follow the same Undergraduate Calendar year. Moving backward in Undergraduate Calendar year is usually not an option. To change Undergraduate Calendar year, please complete an Undergraduate Schedule of Studies Change Request [42] form and submit to the B.Sc. Academic Counselling Centre for authorization.

Minors

Minors are available in science, 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 [54] with any questions. In the links below, please scroll down to the bottom of the page for the listing of minor requirements.

Biological sciences:

Biochemistry [4]
Biology [55]
Biotechnology [56]
Microbiology [11]
Molecular Biology and Genetics [13]
Neuroscience [16]
Nutritional & Nutraceutical Sciences [17]
Plant Science [18]
Zoology [20]
- List of Additional Acceptable Electives [57] (1.0 credits) for the Zoology minor.

Mathematical sciences

Physical sciences:

Chemistry [27]
Physics [33]

Environmental sciences:

Additional minors:

Agriculture [64]
Psychology: Brain & Cognition [41] (2016/17 Calendar and previous)

The following Arts or Social Science minors are available:

Anthropology [65]
Art History [66]
Arts, Culture and Heritage Management [67] (effective 17/18)
Business [68] (effective 16/17)
Business Administration [69] (15/16 Calendar & previous)
Business Economics [70] (effective 16/17)
Classical Studies [71]
Creative Writing [72] (effective 17/18)
Criminal Justice and Public Policy [73]
Economics [74]
English [75]
European Culture & Civilization [76]
Ethics in Life Sciences [77] (15/16 Calendar & previous)
Family and Child Studies [78]
French Studies [79]
Geography [80]
German [81]
History [82]
International Development [83]
Italian [84]
Marketing [85]
Media & Cinema Studies [86] (effective 16/17)
Museum Studies [87]
Music [88]
Philosophy [89]
Political Science [90]
Psychology [91]
Sociology [92]
Spanish and Hispanic Studies [93]
Studio Art [94] (effective 17/18)
Theatre Studies [95]

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 and Public Policy minors will require a signature from the Faculty Advisor [96] for the minor.

Three easy steps to declaring a Minor:

1. Complete an Undergraduate Schedule of Studies Change Request [42] form (also available from the B.Sc. Academic Advising Centre - SCIE 1329 and the Registrar's Office)
2. Bring the form to your Program Counsellor [1] and have them authorize the change (please come to the B.Sc. Academic Counselling Centre - SCIE 1329 - an appointment is not necessary if all you require is a signature, our front desk will be able to assist you)
3. Take your completed form to Enrolment Services at the Registrar's Office (Level 3, University Centre) for processing

For example, if you are a Human Kinetics major and are wanting to add a minor in Nutritional & Nutraceutical Sciences, you would write the following into the corresponding spaces on the form (no quotes):

Degree Program (top line): "BSCH"

Current Schedule of Studies:
Program Type: "Honours"
Specializations Type #1: "Major"
Specializations Subject #1: "Human Kinetics"

Revised Schedule of Studies:
Program Type: "Honours"
Specializations Type #1: "Major"
Specializations Subject #1: "Human Kinetics"
Specializations Type #2: "Minor"
Specializations Subject #2: "Nutritional & Nutraceutical Sciences"

'Calendar to be used' 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 program. This must be the same for both major and minor. Leave blank if you are unsure. Please contact your Program Counsellor if you have any questions regarding your Undergraduate Calendar year.

'College' may be left blank if you are unsure.

In most cases, the sections dealing with Course Substitutions, Exemptions and Waivers will be left blank.

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 (updated from 2.0 credits in October 2012) 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 12 different undergraduate Degree Programs [97]. 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 [98] to which you want to transfer and ii) the B.Sc. Program Counsellor [1] 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/Re-admission [99] 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 [1] for advice.