College of Arts & Science

Degree Requirements – Arts and Science

Following is a list of the faculty requirements needed to satisfy degree programs in the College of Arts and Science. Details of these requirements can be found on the pages following these lists. Departmental requirements can be found in the appropriate department/faculty listing in the Dalhousie Undergraduate Calendar, or in the case of King’s combined honours programs, in this calendar. Please note that students must satisfy both department and faculty requirements. Before registering for the second year, each student in the College of Arts and Science should declare a subject of concentration and obtain program advice from a faculty advisor in the appropriate department.

Requirements for degree programs other than College of Arts and Science and Journalism can be found in the appropriate department/ school/ college/ faculty listing of the Dalhousie Undergraduate Calendar.

I. College of Arts & Science – General Degree Requirements

A. Subject Groupings

Course offerings within the College of Arts and Science are placed into three subject groupings: (1) Languages and Humanities, (2) Social Sciences and (3) Life and Physical Sciences. All BA and BSc programs must include a minimum of six credit hours from each of the three subject groupings.

1. Languages and Humanities:
• Arabic
• Black and African diaspora studies
• Canadian Studies
• Chinese (Mandarin)
• Cinema and Media Studies
• Classics
• Comparative Religion
• Contemporary Studies
• Creative Writing
• Early Modern Studies
• English
• European Studies
• French
• Gender and Women’s Studies
• German
• Greek
• History
• History of Science and Technology
• Italian Studies
• King’s Foundation Year Program
• Latin
• Music
• Performance Studies
• Philosophy
• Religious Studies
• Russian
• Spanish
• Theatre

2. Social Sciences:
• Black and African diaspora studies
• Canadian Studies
• Contemporary Studies
• Early Modern Studies
• Economics
• European Studies
• Gender and Women’s Studies
• History
• History of Science and Technology
• International Development Studies
• King’s Foundation Year Program
• Law, Justice and Society
• Political Science
• Psychology
• Sociology and Social Anthropology
• Sustainability (for BSc only)

3. Life Sciences and Physical Sciences:
• Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
• Biology
• Chemistry
• Computer Science
• Earth Sciences
• Economics
• Engineering
• Environmental Science
• Human Physiology* (for BA only)
• Informatics
• Marine Biology
• Mathematics
• Microbiology & Immunology
• Neuroscience
• Oceanography
• Physics
• Psychology
• Science
• Statistics
• Sustainability (for BA only)

*Offered by the Faculty of Medicine. See section “E. Electives” for limit on courses from other faculties.

PLEASE NOTE:
(a) In cases where a subject is listed in more than one of the groupings, any credit taken in that subject may be used to satisfy only one of the grouping requirements. A second credit in the same subject cannot be used to satisfy another subject grouping requirement. The exceptions are the Dalhousie Integrated Science Program and King’s Foundation Year Program. King’s Foundation Year Program (KING 1001.12&1002.12, 1101.09&1102.09) satisfies the humanities-language and social science groupings and students must take six credit hours in a single life/physical sciences subject to complete the subject grouping requirements.

The Dalhousie Integrated Science Program satisfies the Life Sciences and Physical Sciences and Social Sciences subject grouping. Integrated Science students are required to take another three credit hours of languages and humanities in addition to PHIL 1050.03 to satisfy the Languages and Humanities requirement.

(b) The subject groupings requirement should normally be completed in the first 60 credit hours.

B. Writing Course Requirements

An approved writing course or set of courses is required for all BA and BSc degrees. Courses and course combinations that can be used to fulfill the writing requirement are listed below. It is recommended that students complete the writing requirement early in their programs, preferably in their first year of studies.

  • CLAS 1011.03 and CLAS 1012.03
  • CLAS 1103.03 and CLAS 1104.03 (both must be completed)
  • ENGL/CRWR 1030.06
  • Any two of ENGL 1005.03, 1015.03, 1025.03, 1040.03, 1050.03, 1060.03, 1100.03
  • GERM 1026.03 and GERM 1027.03 (both must be completed)
  • GERM 1080X/Y.06
  • HIST 1022.03 and HIST 1023.03 (both must be completed)
  • HIST 1510.06
  • Any two of HIST 1503.03, 1504.03 or 1006.03
  • HSTC 1800.03 and 1801.03 (both must be completed)
  • JOUR 1001X/Y.06 or JOUR 1002.03 and JOUR 1003.03* (both must be completed)
  • Integrated Science Program (SCIE 15XX)
  • King’s Foundation Year Program (KING 1XXX)
  • OCEA 1001.03 and OCEA 1002.03 (both must be completed)
  • PERF 1000.03 and one of PERF 1001.03 or PERF 1002.03
  • PHIL 1810.03 and PHIL 1820.03 
  • POLI 1001.03 and POLI 1002.03 
  • RELS 1201.03 and RELS 1202.03 (both must be completed)
  • RUSN 1020.03 and 1070.03 (both must be completed)
  • SCIE 1111.03 (satisfies writing requirement for BSc students only)
  • SUST 1000.06

*Offered by the School of Journalism, Writing & Publishing. See section “E. Electives” for limit on courses from other faculties.

The Writing course may also be used to satisfy one of the subject groupings.

C. Mathematics Requirement (Bachelor of Science)

A minimum of six credit hours in mathematics or statistics other than MATH 1001.03, MATH 1002.03, MATH 1003.03, MATH 1110.03, MATH 1120.03, MATH 1115.03, or MATH 1315.03 are required for all BSc programs. A course taken to satisfy the mathematics requirement may not be used to also satisfy the subject groupings requirement.

Students may also satisfy this requirement by passing the test which is administered by the Department of Mathematics and Statistics. Such students must nevertheless complete 90 or 120 credit hours to graduate.

D. Language Course (Bachelor of Arts)

Students should consider becoming fluent in French. BA students are required to obtain six credit hours from the following language courses:

• ARBC 1021.03 and ARBC 1022.03 (Arabic, both must be completed)
• CHIN 1030X/Y.06 (Mandarin)
• CHIN 1031.02 and 1032.03 (Mandarin, both must be completed)
• CLAS 2401.03 and CLAS 2402.03 (Latin)
• CLAS 1901.03 and CLAS 1902.03 (Hebrew)
• CLAS 2505.03 and 2506.03 (Greek)
• FREN (any course taught in French)
• GERM 1003.03 and GERM 1004.03 (German)
• GERM 2046.03 and GERM 2047.03 (German for Reading)
• INDG 2901.03 and INDG 2902.03 (Mi’kmaw)
• ITAL 1000.03 and 1001.03 (Italian)
• RELS 1600.03/CLAS 1600.03 and RELS 2600.03/CLAS 2600.03 (Sanskrit, both must be completed)
• RUSN 1000X/Y.06 (Russian)
• RUSN 1002.03 and RUSN 1003.03 (Russian, both must be completed)
• SPAN 1021.03 and 1022.03 (Spanish, both must be completed)
• SPAN 1035X/Y.06 (Spanish)

For students with advanced language skills, upper-level language courses may be substituted. Consult the Registrar’s Office if you require further information. A course taken to satisfy this requirement cannot also satisfy the requirement of a course from section 1. Languages and Humanities.

Students may satisfy this requirement by passing one of the tests administered by the language departments. Such students must nevertheless complete 90 or 120 credit hours in order to graduate.

BA students who choose to major in Economics, Philosophy, Law Justice and Society, Political Science, Psychology or Sociology & Social Anthropology may substitute for a language course at least six credit hours in Mathematics and/or Statistics taught by the Department of Mathematics and Statistics, other than MATH 1001.03, MATH 1002.03, MATH 1003.03, MATH 1110.03, MATH 1115.03 or MATH 1120.03 to meet this requirement; or they may meet it by passing the test administered by the Department of Mathematics & Statistics.

A course taken to satisfy this requirement cannot also satisfy the requirement of a course from section 3. Life Sciences and Physical Sciences.

E. Electives

Students may choose electives from any of the courses offered by teaching units within the College of Arts & Science, College of Sustainability, Faculty of Agriculture and the Faculty of Computer Science. In addition, without prior permission, electives are permitted as follows provided prerequisites are met and that the consent of the instructor(s) is obtained when necessary:

Bachelor of Arts

  • 18 credit hours from courses offered outside Faculty of Arts & Social Science, Faculty of Science, College of Sustainability, Faculty of Computer Science or Faculty of Agriculture plus up to 12 credit hours in Commerce
Please note that BA students registered for minors in Business, Law and Society, Health Studies, Community Design, Journalism, or other minors approved for students within the College of Arts and Social Sciences are permitted to take the courses necessary to satisfy the requirements for the minor. In addition, 12 credit hours from courses offered in other faculties are permitted.

Bachelor of Science

  • 18 credit hours from courses offered outside the Faculty of Arts & Social Science, Faculty of Science, College of Sustainability, Faculty of Computer Science or Faculty of Agriculture plus up to 12 credit hours in Commerce OR
  • 30 credit hours in Engineering or Food Science courses and 18 credit hours from courses offered in other faculties

Please note that BSc students registered for any approved minor are permitted to take the courses necessary to satisfy the requirements for the minor. In addition, 12 credit hours from courses offered in other faculties are permitted.

F. Crosslisted courses

Please note that cross-listed courses will count as one subject only for the purpose of satisfying degree requirements, e.g., ECON 2260.03 cross-listed with MATH 2060.03 may count either as a mathematics course or economics course but not both.

G. Major/Honours Conversion

Upgrading of BA or BSc (90 credit hour) to a BA or BSc Major (120 credit hour)

A person who holds a King’s/Dalhousie BA or BSc (90 credit hour) degree may apply through the Registrar’s Office for admission to a major program. On completion of the required work with proper standing, a conversion parchment will be awarded which has the effect of upgrading the degree to major status.

Upgrading of a BA or BSc (90 or 120 credit hour) to a BA or BSc Honours (120 credit hour)

A person who holds a King’s/Dalhousie BA or BSc (90 or 120 credit hour) degree may apply through the Registrar’s Office with the appropriate department advisor(s) approval, to an Honours program. On completion of the required work with proper standing, a parchment will be awarded which has the effect of upgrading the degree to honours status.

II. College of Arts & Science Programs

A. BA/BSc (120 Credit Hour) Programs

The 120 credit hour degree is the standard BA or BSc degree. There are a variety of programs within the 120 credit hour degree. Each is designed to develop some level of concentration of knowledge and expertise.

1. Major Programs

A major program focuses a student’s studies, but not to the extent that an honours program does. Unlike the honours degree, the major degree may not be adequate for admission to graduate programs. Students interested in a major program are advised to seek detailed information from the department in which they wish to concentrate their studies.

1.a. BA Major (120 Credit Hour)

• First year: no more than 18 credit hour equivalents of the first 30 credit hours taken may be in a single subject.
EITHER ASSC 1300.03 (Intro to the Humanities) OR ASSC 1400.03 (Intro to the Social Sciences), to be taken during the first 30 credit hours of the degree. *Students who take King’s Foundation Year Program (FYP) are exempt from this requirement as FYP counts as an equivalent for either course. 
• 6 credit hours in an approved writing course
• 6 credit hours in one or more language/humanities subjects
• 6 credit hours in one or more social science subjects
• 6 credit hours in one or more or life or physical science subjects
• 6 credit hours in a single language subject
• A minimum of 30, maximum of 54 credit hours in the major subject beyond the 1000 level, including 18 credit hours beyond the 2000 level.
• Within the last 90 credit hours, complete 6 credit hours in each of two subjects other than the major
• Total credit hours required above 1000 level – 72
• Total credit hours required for degree – 120
• Required GPA for graduation – 2.00
• Graduation with distinction – 3.70
• May be combined with minor(s)

Bachelor of Arts major subjects:
• Cinema and Media Studies
• Classics
• English
• European Studies
• French
• German
• Gender and Women’s Studies
• History
• International Development Studies
• Law, Justice and Society
• Music
• Philosophy
• Political Science
• Religious Studies
• Russian Studies
• Sociology and Social Anthropology
• Spanish
• Theatre
• any of the BSc major subjects

1.b. BSc Major (120 Credit Hour)
• an approved writing course
• 6 credit hours in one or more language/humanities subjects
• 6 credit hours in one or more social science subjects
• 6 credit hours in math
• A minimum of 30, maximum of 60 credit hours in the major subject beyond the 1000 level, including 18 credit hours beyond the 2000 level.
• Total credit hours required above 1000 level – 72
• Total credit hours required for degree – 120
• Required GPA for graduation – 2.00
• Graduation with distinction – 3.70
• May be combined with minor(s)

Bachelor of Science major subjects:
• Actuarial Science
• Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
• Biology
• Chemistry
• Earth Sciences
• Economics
• Environmental Science
• Marine Biology
• Mathematics
• Microbiology & Immunology
• Neuroscience
• Ocean Sciences
• Physics
• Psychology
• Statistics

1.c. BSc Major (120 Credit Hour) Science Co-operative Education

Requirements are as for the major program with the addition of the following:

• A minimum of three co-op work terms

The following Departments currently offer co-op programs:
• Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
• Biology
• Chemistry
• Earth Sciences
• Marine Biology
• Microbiology & Immunology
• Physics and Atmospheric Science

For details on these programs, consult the calendar entries for the departments and the Science, Information Technology and Engineering (S.I.T.E.) Cooperative Education section of the Dalhousie Undergraduate Calendar.

2. Double Major Programs

The double major program allows study in two disciplines of equal or comparable interest.

2.a. BA Double Major (120 Credit Hour)
• First year: no more than 18 credit hour equivalents of the first 30 credit hours may be taken in a single subject
EITHER ASSC 1300.03 (Intro to the Humanities) OR ASSC 1400.03 (Intro to the Social Sciences), to be taken during the first 30 credit hours of the degree. *Students who take King’s Foundation Year Program (FYP) are exempt from this requirement as FYP counts as an equivalent for either course. 
• 6 credit hours in a writing course
• 6 credit hours in one or more language/humanities subjects
• 6 credit hours in one or more social science subjects
• 6 credit hours in one or more life or physical science subjects
• 6 credit hours in a single language subject
• A minimum of 60, maximum of 84 credit hours in the major subject beyond the 1000 level are to be in the two allied subjects, with no more than 48 credit hours and no fewer than 30 credit hours in either, including 18 credit hours beyond the 2000 level in each of the two major subjects. The major subject with the most advanced credits appears first on the record.
• Within the last 90 credit hours, complete 6 credit hours in a single subject other than the two major subjects.
• Total credit hours required above 1000 level – 72
• Total credit hours required for degree – 120
• Required GPA for graduation – 2.00
• Graduation with distinction – 3.70
• May be combined with minor(s)

Bachelor of Arts double major subjects: Choose both subjects from the Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science major subjects; or combine one BA major subject with Environment, Sustainability and Society. In addition to the BA major subjects listed in section 1.a., Canadian studies, music and creative writing are also available as one of the subjects in a double major. European studies is not available in the double major program.

2.b. BSc Double Major (120 Credit Hour)
• an approved writing course
• 6 credit hours in one or more language/humanities subjects
• 6 credit hours in one or more social science subjects
• 6 credit hours in approved mathematics/statistics courses
• A minimum of 60 and a maximum of 84 credit hours in the two major subjects beyond the 1000 level, with no more than 54 credit hours and no fewer than 30 credit hours in either, including at least 18 credit hours beyond the 2000 level in each of the two major subjects.
• The major subject with the most advanced credit hours appears first on the record.
• If a BSc major subject is combined with a BA major subject, the BSc subject must have more credit hours than the BA subject.
• Total credit hours required above 1000 level – 72
• Total credit hours required above 2000 level – 36
• Total credit hours required for degree – 120
• Required GPA for graduation – 2.00
• Required GPA for graduation with distinction – 3.70
• May be combined with minor(s)

BSc Double Major subjects:
• Choose two BSc major subjects (Actuarial Science, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Biology, Chemistry, Earth Sciences, Economics, Environmental Science, Marine Biology, Mathematics, Microbiology and Immunology, Neuroscience, Ocean Sciences, Physics, Psychology, or Statistics)
• Combine one BSc subject with Environment, Sustainability and Society.
• Combine one BSc major subject with one of the BA major subjects (except European Studies) or with Canadian Studies, Creative Writing or Music. The BSc subject must have the greater number of credit hours.

3. Honours Programs

Honours programs require a higher quality of work than is required by the other undergraduate programs of the college (such as the 90 credit hour degree and 120 credit hour major). Able and ambitious students are urged to enter these programs. There are two types of honours programs in the BA (concentrated and combined) and three types in the BSc (concentrated, combined and multidisciplinary).

Applications for admission to honours programs must be made to the departments concerned on forms available in the departments, at the Registrar’s Office or online at dal.ca/honours.

Students should apply in their second year. If application is made later, it may be necessary to make up some work not previously taken.

For each individual student the entire honours program, including elective credit hours, is subject to supervision and approval by the department or departments concerned, or in the case of multidisciplinary honours, by an interdisciplinary committee.

NOTE: The last day to apply to an honours program is September 19.

3.a. BA Concentrated Honours (120 Credit Hour)
• First year: no more than 18 credit hour equivalents of the first 30 credit hours may be taken in a single subject
EITHER ASSC 1300.03 (Intro to the Humanities) OR ASSC 1400.03 (Intro to the Social Sciences), to be taken during the first 30 credit hours of the degree. *Students who take King’s Foundation Year Program (FYP) are exempt from this requirement as FYP counts as an equivalent for either course. 
• 6 credit hours in a writing course
• 6 credit hours in one or more language/humanities subjects
• 6 credit hours in one or more social science subjects
• 6 credit hours in one or more life or physical science subjects
• 6 credit hours in a single language subject
• A minimum of 54, maximum of 66 credit hours beyond the 1000 level in the Honours subject, grade must be ‘C’ or better, otherwise course will not count toward the degree.
• Within the last 90 credit hours, complete 6 credit hours in each of two subjects other than the major
• Total credit hours above the 1000 level – 72
• Total credit hours required for degree – 120
• Required GPA for graduation – 2.00
• Honours Qualifying Examination: At the conclusion of an honours program a student’s record must show a grade which is additional to the grades for the courses taken to obtain the required 120 credit hours. This grade may be obtained through a comprehensive examination, the presentation of a research paper (which may be an extension of one of the courses), or such other method as may be determined by the committee or department supervising the student’s program. The method by which this additional grade is obtained is referred to as the Honours Qualifying Examination. Departments may elect to use a pass-fail grading system for this examination. Unless pass/fail grading is employed, the grade must be “B-” or better for Honours, and “A-” or better for first class Honours.
• Required standing for graduation: Arts and Social Science subjects require a GPA of 2.70 (3.70 for first class) on courses in the honours subject. Science subjects (see below) require a GPA of 3.00 (3.70 for first class) in the honours subject.
• May be combined with minor(s)

Note: If the student has a minor, courses in the honours subject and the minor are included in the GPA.

 

Bachelor of Arts, concentrated honours subjects:

• Classics
• English
• European Studies
• French
• German
• History
• International Development Studies
• Law, Justice and Society
• Music
• Philosophy
• Political Science
• Religious Studies
• Russian Studies
• Social Anthropology
• Sociology
• Spanish
• Theatre
• any of the BSc honours subjects

3.b BSc Concentrated Honours (120 Credit Hour)
• an approved writing course
• 6 credit hours in one or more language/humanities subjects
• 6 credit hours in one or more social science subjects
• 6 credit hours in math
• Minimum of 54 credit hours with a grade of C or better, maximum of 66 credit hours beyond the 1000-level in the honours subject
• Total credit hours required for degree – 120
• Total credit hours required above the 1000 level – 72
• Required GPA for graduation – 2.00
• Honours Qualifying Examination: At the conclusion of an honours program a student’s record must show a grade which is additional to the grades for the courses taken to obtain the required 120 credit hours. This grade may be obtained through a comprehensive examination, the presentation of a research paper (which may be an extension of one of the courses), or such other method as may be determined by the committee or department supervising the student’s program. The method by which this additional grade is obtained is referred to as the Honours Qualifying Examination. Departments may elect to use a pass-fail grading system for this examination. Unless pass/fail grading is employed, the grade must be “B-” or better for honours, and “A-” or better for first class honours.
• Required standing for graduation: GPA of 3.00 (3.70 for first class) on courses in the honours subject.
• May be combined with minor(s)

Bachelor of Science concentrated honours subjects:
• Actuarial Science
• Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
• Biology
• Chemistry
• Earth Sciences
• Economics
• Environmental Science
• Marine Biology
• Mathematics
• Microbiology & Immunology
• Neuroscience
• Ocean Sciences
• Physics
• Psychology
• Statistics

3.c. BA Combined Honours (120 Credit Hour)
• First year: no more than 18 credit hour equivalents of the first 30 credit hours taken may be in a single subject
EITHER ASSC 1300.03 (Intro to the Humanities) OR ASSC 1400.03 (Intro to the Social Sciences), to be taken during the first 30 credit hours of the degree. *Students who take King’s Foundation Year Program (FYP) are exempt from this requirement as FYP counts as an equivalent for either course. 
• 6 credit hours in a writing course
• 6 credit hours in one or more language/humanities subjects
• 6 credit hours in one or more social science subjects
• 6 credit hours in one or more life or physical science subjects
• 6 credit hours in a single language subject
• Total credit hours required above 1000 level – 72
• Total credit hours required for degree – 120
• Required GPA for graduation – 2.00
• Minimum of 66, maximum of 84 credit hours beyond the 1000-level in two allied subjects, not more than 48 credit hours nor fewer than 30 credit hours being in either of them. Grade must be “C” or better, otherwise, course will not count toward degree. The honours subject with the most advanced credit hours appears first on the record.
• Within the last 90 credit hours, 6 to 24 – depending on the number selected in the honours subjects – elective credit hours.
• Honours Qualifying Examination: see concentrated honours program above for details
• Required standing for graduation: Arts and Social Science subjects require a GPA of 2.70 (3.70 for first class) in courses in the honours subjects. Science subjects (see below) require a GPA of 3.00 (3.70 for first class) in courses in the honours subjects.
• May be combined with minor(s)

Note: If the student has a minor, courses in the honours subject and the minor are included in the GPA.

Bachelor of Arts combined honours subjects:
• Canadian Studies
• Cinema & Media Studies
• Classics
• Contemporary Studies
• Creative Writing
• Early Modern Studies
• English
• French
• Gender and Women’s Studies
• German
• History
• History of Science & Technology
• International Development Studies
• Law, Justice & Society
• Music
• Philosophy
• Political Science
• Religious Studies
• Russian Studies
• Social Anthropology
• Sociology
• Spanish
• Theatre
• Environment, Sustainability and Society
• any of the BSc honours subjects

3.d. BSc Combined Honours (120 Credit Hour)
• an approved writing course
• 6 credit hours in one or more language/humanities subjects
• 6 credit hours in one or more social science subjects
• 6 credit hours in approved mathematics /statistics courses
• Minimum of 66, maximum of 84 credit hours beyond the 1000- level in two subjects, not more than 54 nor fewer than 30 credit hours being in either, including at least 18 credit hours above the 2000 level in each subject. Grades in honours subject courses must be “C” or better.
• The honours subject with the most advanced credit hours appears first on the record.
• If a BSc honours subject is combined with a BA honours subject, the BSc subject must have more credit hours than the BA subject.
• Total credit hours required above the 1000 level – 72
• Total credit hours required above the 2000 level – 36
• Total credit hours required for degree – 120
• Required GPA for graduation – 2.00
• Honours Qualifying Examination: see concentrated honours program above for details.
• Required standing for graduation: GPA of 3.00 (3.70 for first class) in courses in the honours
subjects.
• May be combined with minor(s)

Bachelor of Science combined honours subjects:
• Choose two BSc honours subjects (Actuarial Science, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Biology, Chemistry, Earth Sciences, Economics, Environmental Science, Marine Biology, Mathematics, Microbiology and Immunology, Neuroscience, Ocean Sciences, Physics & Atmospheric Science, Psychology and Statistics).
• Combine one BSc honours subject with Environment, Sustainability and Society provided the larger number of credit hours is in the science subject.
• Combine one BSc honours subject with one of the BA honours subjects (except European Studies), or with Canadian Studies, Cinema & Media studies, Creative Writing, Law, Justice & Society or Music. The larger number of honours credit hours must be in the BSc subject.

3.e BSc Multidisciplinary Honours (120 Credit Hour)
• an approved writing course
• 6 credit hours in one or more language/humanities subjects
• 6 credit hours in one or more social science subjects
• 6 credit hours in math
• A total of 72 credit hours beyond the 1000 level in three or more subjects. A minimum of 18 and maximum of 30 credit hours in each of three subjects. Grades must be “C” or better.
• Total credit hours required for a degree – 120
• 18 elective credit hours.
• Honours Qualifying Examination: see Concentrated Honours program above for details.
• Required standing for graduation: GPA of 3.00 (3.70 for first class) on courses in the honours subjects.
• May be combined with minor(s)

Bachelor of Science multidisciplinary honours subjects:

At least 54 credit hours of the 120 selected must be from the following subjects:
• Biochemistry
• Biology
• Chemistry
• Computer Science
• Earth Sciences
• Economics
• Environmental Science
• Mathematics
• Microbiology & Immunology
• Neuroscience
• Physics
• Psychology
• Statistics

3.f. BA, BSc Honours Co-op (120 Credit Hour)

Requirements are as for appropriate honours program (described above) with the addition of the following:
• A minimum of three co-op work terms

3.g Joint Honours: Dalhousie University – Mount Saint Vincent University

Special arrangements exist under which students may be permitted to pursue an honours program jointly at Dalhousie and Mount Saint Vincent universities. Interested applicants should consult the appropriate department of their own university at the beginning of the second year. Prospective joint honours students must be accepted by the honours departments concerned at both institutions. These departments supervise the entire program of study of accepted applicants. Students should be aware that not all courses available for credit at Mount Saint Vincent University can be given credit at Dalhousie and vice versa. In order for students to gain a joint honours degree they must satisfy all requirements of both institutions.

4. College of Sustainability Degree Programs

The College of Sustainability offers a Double Major and Combined Honours program with any subject in the College of Arts and Science. For complete details about the College, its programs, major/honour requirements and courses please see the College of Sustainability section of the Dalhousie Calendar.

5. Minor Programs

Minor programs comprise a minimum of 18 and a maximum of 27 credit hours in a defined subject area, above the 1000 level. Students minoring in a Faculty of Science subject may take up to 36 credit hours in the minor subject. Minors can be added to any 120 credit hour BA, BMus or BSc degree. If a minor is added to a double major or a combined honours program, students may find that they need to take more than 120 credit hours to complete all of their degree requirements. For BA students, when a minor subject is taken in conjunction with an honours program, grades in the minor subject must be ‘C’ or better. Please also note that a course cannot be used to satisfy both the major or honours subject requirement and the minor requirement.

Please refer to the list below for minor options.

5.A. Minor Options – College of Arts and Science

The following minor options are available in the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences or the Faculty of Science:
• Abrahamic Religions
• Actuarial Sciences
• American Studies
• Ancient History
• Applied Ethics
• Aquaculture
• Arabic Studies
• Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
• Bioethics
• Bioinformatics
• Biology
• Black and African Diaspora Studies
• Business
• Canadian Studies
• Chemistry
• Chinese Studies
• Classical Literature
• Classics
• Classics: Ancient Philosophy
• Classics: Medieval Philosophy
• Community Design
• Computer Science
• Contemporary Studies
• Creative Writing
• Early Modern Studies
• Earth Sciences
• Economics
• English
• Entrepreneurship & Innovation
• Environmental Science
• Environment, Sustainability and Society
• Environmental Studies
• Esoteric and Occult Traditions
• European Studies
• Film Studies
• Food Bioscience
• French
• French: Linguistics and Translation
• French Literature and Culture
• Gender and Women’s Studies
• Geography
• German
• German Philosophy
• German Studies
• Health Studies
• Hispanic Cultures
• Hispanic Literature
• History
• History of Science and Technology
• Indigenous Studies
• Informatics
• International Development Studies
• Italian Studies
• Journalism Studies
• Latin American Studies
• Law, Justice and Society
• Management
• Marine Biology
• Mathematics
• Medieval Studies
• Microbiology and Immunology
• Middle East and South Asian Studies
• Music
• Musicology
• Neuroscience
• Ocean Sciences
• Philosophy
• Physics
• Political Science
• Popular Culture Studies
• Psychology
• Religious Studies
• Russian Studies
• Security Studies
• Sociology and Social Anthropology
• Sociology and Social Anthropology of Critical Health Studies
• Sociology and Social Anthropology of Economy, Work and Development
• Sociology and Social Anthropology of Social Justice and Inequality
• Spanish
• Statistics
• Theatre

*Minor Requirements- Consult specific department pages in the Dalhousie Undergraduate Calendar for minor requirements.

B. BA, BSc (90 Credit Hour) Programs

A 90 credit hour degree requires less specialization in a single subject, and is usually completed in three years. Students graduate with a Minor rather than a Major subject.

1. BA with Minor
• First Year: No more than 18 credit hour equivalents of the first 30 credit hours taken may be in a single subject
EITHER ASSC 1300.03 (Intro to the Humanities) OR ASSC 1400.03 (Intro to the Social Sciences), to be taken during the first 30 credit hours of the degree. *Students who take King’s Foundation Year Program (FYP) are exempt from this requirement as FYP counts as an equivalent for either course.
• 6 credit hours in a writing course
• 6 credit hours in one or more language/humanities subjects
• 6 credit hours in one or more social science subjects
• 6 credit hours in one or more life or physical science subjects
• 6 credit hours in a single language subject
• Minimum of 18, maximum of 27 credit hours in the minor subject at the 2000 level or higher.
• Within the last 90 credit hours, complete 6 credit hours in each of two subjects other than the minor subject.
• Total credit hours required above 1000 level – 42
• Total credit hours required for degree – 90
• Required GPA for graduation – 2.00
• Graduation with distinction – 3.70

Bachelor of Arts minor subjects for the 90 credit hour degree: any of the following approved minors in either the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences or the Faculty of Science:

• Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
• Biology
• Canadian Studies
• Chemistry
• Classics
• Earth Science
• Economics
• English
• Environment, Sustainability and Society
• Environmental Science
• French
• Gender and Women’s Studies
• German
• History
• International Development Studies
• Law, Justice and Society
• Mathematics
• Music
• Philosophy
• Physics
• Political Science
• Psychology
• Religious Studies
• Russian Studies
• Sociology and Social Anthropology
• Spanish
• Statistics
• Theatre

2. BSc with Minor
• An approved writing course
• 6 credit hours in one or more language/humanities subjects
• 6 credit hours in one or more social science subjects
• 6 credit hours in math
• Minimum of 18, maximum of 36 credit hours in the minor subject at the 2000 level or higher.
• Total credit hours required above 1000 level – 42
• Total credit hours required for degree – 90
• Required GPA for graduation – 2.00
• Graduation with distinction – 3.70

Bachelor of Science (90 credit hour) degrees are available with the following Faculty of Science minors:

• Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
• Biology
• Chemistry
• Earth Science
• Environmental Science
• Economics
• Mathematics
• Microbiology and Immunology
• Physics
• Psychology
• Statistics

C. Concurrent Programs

Not available to King’s students.

D. Individual Programs

In cases where students feel their academic needs are not satisfied under the above requirements, individual programs may be submitted to the Academic Development Committee of the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences or to the curriculum committee of the Faculty of Science prior to or during the student’s second academic year. The Dean shall act as advisor for such students.

E. Bachelor of Music

See the Dalhousie Undergraduate Calendar under the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences and the Fountain School of Performing Arts for details of the Bachelor of Music program. The program requires 96 of 120 credit hours to be taken in Music.

King’s and Dalhousie have also approved a modified version of the BMus which allows students to do the Foundation Year Program and two single semester music courses in their first year and then continue on in Music. Please consult the Registrar’s Office.

F. Certificate Programs

Students can build skills in specialized areas when they complete a certificate. Although in most cases a student will complete a certificate alongside their regular degree requirements, some certificates do not require concurrent enrolment in an undergraduate program.

Certificates vary in their goals and requirements. Many have a research or practicum component. Some are interdisciplinary, requiring work in more than one department, while others focus on a specialization within a single program. Some Certificates are designed for students enrolled in particular programs, while others are broadly applicable to students in any program.

Certificates are one way to recognize that graduating students have achieved a level of proficiency or specialization in a particular area or subject. Certificates will be recorded on the student’s academic transcript and completion of the requirements are confirmed in June and October. Certificates are not conferred during Convocation but are included with any other degree parchment. Certificates awarded as a stand-alone credential are available for pick up from the Registrar’s Office. Please refer to the Dates section of the Convocation website for the date your certificate will be available.

To add a certificate program concurrent with a degree, submit the Declare Major/Minor/Certificate form in Dal Online under Student Records. For stand-alone certificates, submit an Admissions Application and consult the certificate coordinator for advice. A separate application to graduate is required.

The Certificates listed are specific to the Faculty of Arts & Social Science and Faculty of Science:

Certificate in Actuarial and Financial Mathematics
Certificate in Animal Behaviour
Certificate in Applied and Computational Mathematics
Certificate in Aquaculture and the Environment
Certificate in Art History and Visual Culture
Certificate in Computing in Arts & Social Sciences
Certificate in Dance and Movement
Certificate in Data Analytics
Certificate in Environmental Impact Assessment
Certificate in Genetics
Certificate in Geographic Information Science (GIS)
Certificate in Heritage Studies
Certificate in Indigenous Studies
Certificate in Information Technology
Certificate in Intercultural Communication
Certificate in Materials Science
Certificate in Medical Humanities
Certificate in Medicinal Chemistry
Certificate in Neurotechnology Innovation
Certificate in Science Leadership and Communication
Certificate in Theatre Creation

For certificate requirements, please consult the Dalhousie Academic Calendar.

License

2023/2024 University of King's College Academic Calendar Copyright © 2023 by University of King's College. All Rights Reserved.