Changes to Faculty of Science Undergraduate Degrees

Beginning in Fall 2024, the Faculty of Science is making key changes to our undergraduate degree structures, providing students with more flexibility to meet their unique educational and career goals.

The Faculty of Science currently offers three degree types: BSc General, BSc with Specialization and BSc with Honors. The three degree types have many different structures and requirements, which can make it challenging for students to change programs or customize their degree.

Starting in Fall 2024, students new to the Faculty of Science will choose between just two degree types: a BSc or a BSc with Honors, where they select a primary subject area as their major or Honors. All students can optionally choose to also select a minor and some majors allow students to choose a second science major. With this change, we are standardizing core and breadth requirements across all programs. This offers students a few key benefits, including:

  • More flexibility to change programs — either from a major to Honors or vice versa, or from one subject to another
  • More ways to personalize your degree and explore different interests outside of your major

The FAQ below outlines these changes in more detail and addresses potential next steps for both incoming and current students.

BSc Renewal FAQ

General

What’s the difference between the new vs. current degree programs?
Current Programs New Programs

Subject Areas for Primary Field of Study

(Majors, Specializations, Honors)

There are 30 subject areas available as the primary field of study:

  • 9 of 30 available as a Major
  • 23 as a Specialization
  • 24 as Honors

There are 29 subject areas available as the primary field of study. All subject areas are available as a Major or Honors.

Subject areas that are no longer available:

  • Physical Sciences (major)
  • Mathematics - Computational Science (Specialization)

New subject area:

  • Computing Science - Artificial Intelligence Option

Subject Areas for Secondary Field of Study (Minor or Double Major)

Students in the General program must select a minor (or a second science major). With a few exceptions, students in Specialization and Honors programs cannot select a minor.

All students may select a minor.

Some students with a major may select a second science major.

Students in the General program can choose from 10 science minors, as well as minors in ALES, arts and business.

Students can choose from 9 science subject areas for double Majors.

Students can choose from 15 science minors, as well as minors in ALES, arts and business.


Students can choose from 16 science subject areas for double Majors.

Core and Breadth Requirements

At least 72 science units.

At least 72 science units.

At least 18 arts units, including 6 units junior ENGL and/or WRS.

At least 12 units chosen from outside the Faculty of Science, including 6 units ENGL and/or WRS, plus 6 units chosen from 2 of 4 broad areas of study (applied sciences, business, humanities, fine arts, performing arts, social sciences).

Students in the General program also must complete at least:


  • 6 units laboratory sciences, 
  • 6 units mathematical sciences and
  • 6 units physical sciences.

All students must complete:

  • 3 units basic sciences (BIOL, CHEM, PHYS)
  • 3 units formal sciences (CMPUT, MATH, STAT),
  • 3 units specialized sciences (ASTRO, BIOCH, …, PSYCH, ZOOL) and
  • 3 units Lab/Field Experience.

Minimum Requirements for Courses at the 200, 300 and 400 Level

At least 78 units at the 200 level or above (that is, at most 42 units at the 100 level).

At least 78 units at the 200 level or above (that is, at most 42 units at the 100 level).

Students in the General program must complete at least 18 units at the 300 level or above, including at least 3 units at the 400 level.

Many Specialization and Honors programs require more, but some require less.

Students in the majors program must complete at least 36 units at the 300 level or above; Honors students must complete at least 42 units at the 300 level or above.

At least half (but often more) of the required units at the 300 level or above will be obtained by completing the minimum requirements in the major/Honors subject area and will include a minimum of 6-9 units at the 400 level for majors and a minimum of 15-18 units at the 400 level for Honors.

Graduation Requirements

General program: 

  • GPA of at least 2.0 in the last Fall/Winter.
  • GPA of at least 2.0 on the last 60 units credited to the degree.
  • Major GPA of at least 2.3 (calculated on all courses credited to the Major). 

Specialization program: 

  • GPA of at least 2.3 or 2.7 (and, depending on the program, a GPA of at least 2.3 or 2.7 in the courses specific to the primary subject area as well) in the last Fall/Winter.
  • Depending on the program, potentially also a GPA of at least 2.3 or 2.7 on either the last 60 units or the last 90 units or all 120 units credited to the degree.
  • Depending on the program, potentially also a GPA of at least 2.3 or 2.7 on all science and/or discipline-specific courses credited to the degree. 

Honors program: 

  • A GPA of at least 3.0 or 3.3 (and, depending on the program, a GPA of at least 3.0 or 3.3 in discipline-specific courses as well) in the last Fall/Winter.
  • Depending on the program, potentially also a GPA of at least 3.0 or 3.3 on either the last 60 units or the last 90 units or all 120 units credited to the degree.
  • Depending on the program, potentially also a GPA of at least 3.0 or 3.3 on all Science and/or discipline-specific courses credited to the degree. 

Majors:

  • GPA of at least 2.0 in the last Spring/Summer/Fall/Winter period.
  • GPA of at least 2.0 on the last 60 units credited to the degree.
  • Subject GPA of at least 2.3 (calculated on all courses at the 200 level or above credited to the major subject area).

Honors:

  • GPA of at least 3.0 in the last Spring/Summer/Fall/Winter period.
  • GPA of at least 3.0 on the last 60 units credited to the degree.
  • Subject GPA of at least 3.0 (calculated on all courses at the 200 level or 
  • above credited to the Honors subject area).
How are the new Bachelor of Science degrees structured?

In the new framework, you can choose any science subject area as a major or honors in one of the following degree structures*:

  • Major
  • Double major in two different science subject areas
  • Major and minor — minor may be in a science, arts, business or ALES subject area
  • Honors
  • Honors and minor — minor may be in a science, arts, business or ALES subject area

*Please note:

  • Not all subject areas can be combined as a double major. Acceptable combinations are available in the subject areas table.
  • Some Honors programs do not have enough room to complete the units for a minor. Depending on the Honors/minor combination, there may not be enough room to complete the requirements of the minor within 120 units (if there is no or only little overlap in the Honors and minor requirements). Honors and minors that cannot be  combined are listed in the subject areas table.
Can I add a double minor to my new program?

No, students can choose from the following degree combinations*:

  • Major
  • Double major in two different science subjects
  • Major and minor — minor may be in science, arts, business or ALES subject
  • Honors
  • Honors and minor — minor may be in science, arts, business or ALES subject

*Please note:

  • Not all subject areas can be combined as a double major. Acceptable combinations are available in the subject areas table.
  • Some Honors programs do not have enough room to complete the units for a minor. Depending on the Honors/minor combination, there may not be enough room to complete the requirements of the minor within 120 units (if there is no or only little overlap in the Honors and minor requirements). Honors and minors that cannot be  combined are listed in the subject areas table.

Current Students

Can I complete my current science degree?
Yes, if you entered a BSc General, BSc Specialization or BSc Honors program before Fall 2024, you may continue in your current program but you must complete all program requirements by April 30, 2029.
Can I transfer from my current science degree to one of the new degrees?
Yes! Just keep in mind there are more 300- and 400-level courses required for the new degrees. Depending on where you’re at in your current program, it may take you longer to meet the requirements for the new degree and graduate. Take a look at the new degree requirements before deciding. A combination of the current and new degrees is not permitted — you must choose one. If you switch to a new degree you cannot go back to your old degree structure.
How do I transfer from my current science degree to one of the new degrees?
Visit uab.ca/apply to fill out an application for an internal transfer. The applications will open October 1, 2023 with a deadline of March 1, 2024. Please carefully review the course requirements for your new degree, as the new requirements may delay your graduation beyond what you initially planned.
Is there a time limit for completing one of the new degrees?
No. The new degrees are designed as four-year programs. To finish a degree in four years, you need to complete 30 units per year. However, there are no minimum course load requirements. This means you have the flexibility to complete your degree over a longer time period. However, just like the current programs, if you have completed 120 units or more and have not applied to graduate (or have applied but not met degree requirements), then you are only permitted to register in those courses necessary to complete your current program as quickly as possible. You must have the written approval of the Associate Dean, Undergraduate, for every course beyond 120 units in which you register.
If I switch to a new degree and then change my mind, can I go back?
No. Once you transfer, you are required to complete the new degree program.
If I don’t meet the requirements to graduate from my current degree, can I apply to graduate with one of the new degrees?
Yes! Just keep in mind there are more specific course requirements and a higher number of 300- and 400-level courses required for the new degrees. Take a look at the new degree requirements before deciding. It is best to speak with an advisor before applying to graduate with one of the new degrees. Contact advisor.science@ualberta.ca to book an appointment.
I am registered in a program that I do not intend to graduate from. I missed the application deadline to transfer into my program of choice for the Fall 2023 term. Am I stuck in my current program now?
No. We will provide you with an opportunity to submit a late application to transfer from your current program to your new program of choice. Please keep an eye on your email, the SciLife newsletter, and SciTV for announcements about the process to apply to your program of choice.
I see that there are new minor subjects in the new degrees. Can I complete one of the new minors in my current program?
No, none of the new majors, minors or Honors subjects are available in the current programs. The new programs are completely different degrees both in structure and GPA requirements. You cannot pick and choose requirements from one or the other. You must complete either your current degree program or a new degree program in its entirety.
I see that students in the new Honors programs can add minors that are not available in the current programs. Can I add one of the new minors to my current Honors degree?
No, none of the new minor subjects are available in the current program streams — General, Specialization or Honors. The new programs are completely different degrees both in structure and GPA requirements. You cannot pick and choose requirements from one or the other. Either the current degree programs or the new degree programs must be completed in their entirety.
Can I apply to one of the new science degrees with an undeclared major or Honors?
You can apply to a major degree program with the major subject undeclared. Please keep in mind that you must declare your major if you have at least 60 units of course work completed. You cannot apply to an Honors degree program with an undeclared Honors subject.
Is there still a GPA requirement on the major? Is it the same?
In the new programs, the major GPA has been replaced with a subject GPA. For more details, please reference the “Graduation Requirements” row in the “New vs. Current Degree” comparison table above.

Future Prospective Students

Can I still apply to one of the old General, Specialization or Honors programs?
No. Effective Fall 2024, the old programs will no longer be available to new incoming students.
Where can I find information about the new programs and the areas of study offered?
Please refer to our degrees page to learn more about how you can apply to these new programs and the areas of study offered.