Declaration of Major Information Session Second-Year Bachelor of Science

Overview How to Declare Your Major – Step-by-Step Degrees in the Bachelor of Science Degree Patterns & Definitions Completing Your Form – Example(s) Academic Advising Contact Info Questions Start presentation by introducing myself, the department and what we do. Ask which program everyone is from – HKIN not really form them, AQUA ask questions, can go over degree pattern at the end.

Steps to Declare your Major Attend an information session - the Academic Advising Office provides valuable information on degree patterns and requirements. Decide which degree to pursue (depending on average)– Major, Advanced Major, Advanced Major with Business, Joint Advanced Major, Honours, Joint Honours. Print off the declaration form and grade report in mesAMIS – forms can be found on the website of the Office of the Dean of Science. Read the calendar – the section for the subject you have chosen as your Science A (major) is very important because it will list all of the course requirements, including required courses from other departments. Fill out the declaration/application form – you have to include the courses you have already completed as well as the courses you plan to complete. Make an appointment with the department chair/faculty advisor – to review your declaration form with the academic department and have your declaration form signed. Submit the declaration form - Signed declaration forms are submitted to the Office of the Dean of Science. *You must be prepared and have the declaration form completed prior to meeting with the department chair or faculty advisor.

Degrees in the Bachelor of Science B.Sc. Major B.Sc. Advanced Major B.Sc. Advanced Major in a Science with Business Administration B.Sc. Joint Advanced Major B.Sc. Honours B.Sc. Joint Honours

Admission & Progression Requirements

Degree Patterns Students are required to complete 120 credits to earn a BSc degree. Typically, students will take 30 credits per year for four years. Declaration forms http://sites.stfx.ca/dean_of_science/Declaration_Forms Explain that students declare their major at the end of the second year. Explain the difference between patterns (i.e. Major, Adv. Major, Honours) Explain what approved electives are in the HKIN degree pattern Explain the difference between streams in Human Kinetics. Explain what open electives are. Lighter Course loads

It is your responsibility to design your own The Basics Major(s) Science B & C Pairs Approved Electives and Open Electives Course Requirements – listed in Academic Calendar Declaring your major does not commit you forever! It is your responsibility to design your own educational experience. -Talk in general about getting a degree. Explain that all students need to earn 120 credits to graduate, with exception of diploma programs and nursing students. -Explain that the four year degree pattern, which many students want to pursue requires students to complete 30 credits each year. -Explain that although the a Bachelor of Arts degree is flexible and provides students with the opportunity to take a wide variety of courses, you cannot just take whatever you want. There is a pattern to your degree and courses requirements that you need to be aware of and fulfilling in order to be eligible to graduate. -All BA and BBA students should declare their major at the end of their second year. Business students have to meet minimum requirements to do a major. We will discuss degree patterns and requirements later. -It is your responsibility to design your own educational experience – this includes understanding degree requirements and making sure those requirements are satisfied for graduation.

Possible Majors Aquatic Resources (only in combination) Biology Chemistry Computer Science Economics * Environmental Sciences * Earth Sciences Mathematics Physics Psychology Concentrations are available in some degree programs in the following subjects: BIOL, ENSC, ESCI, MATH, PSYC * Available in advanced major or honours programs only

Pair CELT 100 Definition Examples PHIL 100 PHIL 230 Twelve credits in one subject, with six credits at the 200 level or higher. As exceptions, language pairs in French, Celtic Studies and Classics may be composed of 12 credits at the 100 level. In the BSc, the pair must be in an arts subject. Examples PHIL 230 PHIL 100 CELT 100 CELT 220 CELT 331 ANTH 111 ANTH 112 ANTH 218 ANTH 223 Remind that the definition of a pair can be found in the glossary of the academic calendar. Remind students that professional courses cannot be used as a pair.

Approved Elective The term approved elective is defined differently for human kinetics students and Bachelor of Science students. For science students, approved electives are normally science or math. Students for whom psychology is Science A (or Science B in a joint program) may use additional PSYC courses as approved electives. Other courses may be used as approved electives with the approval of the department chair. Psychology courses can only be used as approved electives if your major, adv. major or honours is PSYC. PSYC courses can never be used a science electives. PHYS 171/172 can be used a approved or science elective but cannot be used in a science major, adv. or honours.

Faculty of Arts – Department List Anthropology Art (Studio Art & Art History) Catholic Studies Celtic Studies Classical Studies Development Studies Economics English French German History Music Philosophy Political Science Psychology Religious Studies Sociology Spanish Women’s & Gender Studies Remind students these are defined in the glossary of the academic calendar.

Advising Office Make an appointment if you have questions or concerns about… Program patterns/degree requirements Interpreting Academic Calendar Regulations Degree Compliance Dropping Courses Dealing with Academic Difficulty Appealing an Academic Penalty Taking a course at another institution Withdrawing from the University To book an appointment please use the online booking system at https://stfx.mywconline.com/ To contact us for any other reason please email advising@stfx.ca. We are located in Nicholson Tower, Room 207 Website: http://sites.stfx.ca/academic_advising/ There are three people on the academic advising team to help you (Suzanne, Kara, Jennie) The department chairs are there to help as well. You should make arrangements to meet with your department chair if you have specific questions

Questions