Welcome to the Bachelor of Science!
First-year course selection for the Bachelor of Science offers a lot of options. Whether you know exactly what you want to study in first year, or you are looking for ideas and want to explore new subjects, the BSc program can accommodate you.
First-Year Course Pattern
There are only two required courses for all Bachelor of Science degree programs. All students must complete Calculus I and II - MATH 106 and 107.
In first-year BSc, this is the basic course pattern for a full course-load of 30 credits.
MATH 106 | Calculus I – 3 credits (first term) |
MATH 107 | Calculus II – 3 credits (second term) |
Science courses | 12 credits (6 credits in each of two science subjects) |
Arts courses | 6 credits (in one subject or in different subjects) |
Arts or Science courses * | 6 credits (if a science, normally in one subject) |
* Most first-year science courses have labs. Only students with a superior high school record (recommended minimum average of 85) should opt for three such science subjects in first year. Students who do not want to take three sciences with labs should choose additional arts courses, or Earth and environmental sciences, for which intro courses have only biweekly tutorials (though they read as "labs" on the timetable).
Science Courses
Your choice of science courses will depend upon your intended major. If you are as yet unsure what that will be, choose courses that will allow you to consider various science program options, and the flexibility to choose among your options at a later date. For a full list of science subjects, and links to the relevant subject pages, see below.
Applied Forensic Psychology
If you have been admitted to the BSc with Major in Applied Forensic Psychology, you will be pre-registered in PSYC 101 (1st term), 102 (2nd term), and 110 (1st term). You will choose 6 credits of introductory courses in any one or two of the other sciences: biology, chemistry, climate and environment, data science, Earth and environmental sciences, or physics. (Note that data science has only one 3-credit intro course.) Because your program has 9 credits of intro courses rather than the standard 6 credits, your first-year course pattern will be a little different from most. You will choose 3 credits fewer from one of the arts or science categories outlined above.
Biology
You will choose BIOL 111 and 112, and CHEM 101 and 102 (or CHEM 121 and 122). Options for a third science are climate and environment, computer science, data science, Earth and environmental sciences, or physics. Data science has only one 3-credit intro course; if you choose this as a third science, you will need to choose another arts or science course to fill out your first-year schedule. (Economics and psychology are additional options as science courses, but are normally used by science students as arts subjects. If you would like to choose one of these as a science option, you should confer with an academic advisor to ensure that you understand how that discipline can be used as a science subject in your program. Note also that students are permitted only to use one or the other of these two "arts" subjects, and not both, as "Science B or C"; see "Questions" section below for further discussion of "Science B" and "Science C".)
Chemistry
CHEM 121 and 122 are recommended; if you are unsure of your degree path, however, CHEM 101 and 102 are acceptable options. Physics (101 and 102, or 121 and 122) is a good option for your second science, as the intro courses are required for chemistry majors and must be completed before the end of second year. However, if you would prefer to take biology, climate and environment, computer science, data science, or Earth and environmental sciences in first year, and take PHYS 101 and 102 (or 121 and 122) in second year instead, you may do so. (Note that data science has only one 3-credit intro course; if you choose this as a third science, you will choose another arts or science course to fill out your first-year schedule.) For students who wish to complete a chemistry program with a concentration in biochemistry, BIOL 111 and 112 should also be completed within the first two years, so would be good choices for first year. Students who plan to pursue an honours degree in chemistry, with a biochemistry concentration, should consider taking the 18 credits of lab-based intro CHEM, intro PHYS, and intro BIOL in first year. (Economics and psychology are additional options as science courses, but are normally used by science students as arts subjects. If you would like to choose one of these as a science option, you should confer with an academic advisor to ensure that you understand how that discipline can be used as a science subject in your program. Note also that students are permitted only to use one or the other of these two "arts" subjects, and not both, as "Science B or C"; see "Questions" section below for further discussion of "Science B" and "Science C".)
Computer Science
You will choose CSCI 161 and 162. The other primary science subject for computer science students is math and you are already taking MATH 106 and 107 as part of your first-year course pattern. You will choose 6 credits of introductory courses in any one or two of the other sciences: biology, chemistry, climate and environment, data science, Earth and environmental sciences, or physics. Note that data science has only one 3-credit intro course; if you choose this as one of your sciences, you will choose another 3 credits of arts or science to fill out your first-year schedule. (Economics and psychology are additional options as science courses, but are normally used by science students as arts subjects. If you would like to choose one of these as a science option, you should confer with an academic advisor to ensure that you understand how that discipline can be used as a science subject in your program. Note also that students are permitted only to use one or the other of these two "arts" subjects, and not both, as "Science B or C"; see "Questions" section below for further discussion of "Science B" and "Science C".)
Data Science
You will choose DSCI 101. There is only one 3-credit intro course in data science; you will choose another arts or science course to fill out your first-year schedule. The other primary science subject for data science students is math and you are already taking MATH 106 and 107 as part of your first-year course pattern. You will choose 6 credits of introductory courses in any one or two of the other sciences: biology, chemistry, climate and environment, computer science, Earth and environmental sciences, or physics. (Economics and psychology are additional options as science courses, but are normally used by science students as arts subjects. If you would like to choose one of these as a science option, you should confer with an academic advisor to ensure that you understand how that discipline can be used as a science subject in your program. Note also that students are permitted only to use one or the other of these two "arts" subjects, and not both, as "Science B or C"; see "Questions" section below for further discussion of "Science B" and "Science C".)
Earth and Environmental Sciences
You will choose EESC 171 or 173; EESC 172; CHEM 101/102 or CHEM 121/122. (CLEN 102 may be used as a substitute for EESC 172 with permission of the department chair.) If you wish to take a third science, biology or physics would be good options. Earth and environmental sciences programs require 6 credits from BIOL 111, 112, PHYS 101, 102, 121, 122, so taking 6 credits from this group would fulfill that requirement. (Students may choose 6 credits from BIOL, 6 credits from PHYS, or 3 credits from each discipline. This requirement can also be completed in a future year.) Other options for a third science are climate and environment, computer science, or data science. Note that data science has only one 3-credit intro course; if you choose this as a third science, you will choose another arts or science course to fill out your first-year schedule. (Economics and psychology are additional options as science courses, but are normally used by science students as arts subjects. If you would like to choose one of these as a science option, you should confer with an academic advisor to ensure that you understand how that discipline can be used as a science subject in your program. Note also that students are permitted only to use one or the other of these two "arts" subjects, and not both, as "Science B or C"; see "Questions" section below for further discussion of "Science B" and "Science C".)
Economics
You will choose ECON 101 and 102, and 6 credits of introductory courses in any one or two of the other sciences: biology, chemistry, climate and environment, computer science, data science, Earth and environmental sciences, or physics. Note that data science has only one 3-credit intro course; if you choose this as one of your sciences, you will choose another 3 credits of arts or science to fill out your first-year schedule.
Mathematics
You are already taking MATH 106 and 107, which are the foundational courses for students intending mathematics as their major field of study. If you plan to do an honours in mathematics, you will eventually need to take one of CSCI 161 or DSCI 204; if CSCI 161 will be your choice, you may wish to take that this year. You will choose 6 credits of introductory courses from two or three of the science options: biology, chemistry, climate and environment, computer science, data science, Earth and environmental sciences, and physics. Note that data science has only one 3-credit intro course; if you choose this as one of your sciences, you will choose another arts or science course to fill out your first-year schedule. (Economics and psychology are additional options as science courses, but are normally used by science students as arts subjects. If you would like to choose one of these as a science option, you should confer with an academic advisor to ensure that you understand how that discipline can be used as a science subject in your program. Note also that students are permitted only to use one or the other of these two "arts" subjects, and not both, as "Science B or C"; see "Questions" section below for further discussion of "Science B" and "Science C".)
Physics
You will choose PHYS 121 and 122. The other primary science subject for physics students is math and you are already taking MATH 106 and 107 as part of your first-year course pattern. Your remaining science should be computer science (CSCI 161 and 162) or chemistry (CHEM 121 and 122). Your program will require both CHEM 121 and CSCI 161, but also requires 6 credits in one of these disciplines, so taking the two CSCI or the two CHEM courses this year will fulfill that 6-credit requirement. The second of those requirements can be taken in a later year, or you can choose to take it this year, also, as another science course. (Only 3 credits - one course - is required in each of CHEM and CSCI, but you are welcome to take 6 credits in each, if you wish.) Other science options for this year are biology, climate and environment, data science, and Earth and environmental sciences. Note that data science has only one 3-credit intro course; if you choose this as one of your sciences, you will choose another 3 credits of arts or science to fill out your first-year schedule. (Economics and psychology are additional options as science courses generally, but will not fit into the physics programs as "Science B or C". Physics students interested in these disciplines can take them as arts subjects, which is how most science students use them anyway.)
Psychology
You will choose PSYC 101 and 102, and 6 credits of introductory courses in any one or two of the other sciences: biology, chemistry, climate and environment, computer science, data science, Earth and environmental sciences, or physics. Note that data science has only one 3-credit intro course; if you choose this as one of your sciences, you will choose another 3 credits of arts or science to fill out your first-year schedule.
Arts Courses
If you are taking 12 credits of arts subjects this year, you will normally choose 6 credits in each of two subjects below.
Most disciplines have 6 credits of introductory courses at the 100-level. Most departments have two 3-credit courses (one in each term) that together provide 6 credits of introductory study in that subject. (WMGS has one full-year, 6-credit course that provides that foundational content.) In most cases, those 6 credits are the prerequisites for upper-level courses. Therefore, completing 6 credits of intro courses lays the academic foundation for students to take more courses in those disciplines in subsequent years. It is therefore important to try to complete the full 6 credits of intro courses in subjects in which you are interested, and in which you think you may wish to take more courses in future years.
There are three disciplines that have only one 3-credit course at the 100-level: Development Studies, English, and Public Policy and Governance. These subjects are equally viable options for you, and the lack of a second intro course is not an issue at all. (See Question 1 below if you might want to take 6 credits of English in first year.)
Please note that the subjects displayed in the following table are also links to their respective pages on this website. If first-year, 100-level courses are offered in a particular subject, their course descriptions are displayed at the bottom of the applicable subject page.
** Economics and Psychology are normally arts subjects in the BSc. However, for students not pursuing economics, psychology, or applied forensic psychology as a major or honours subject, one or the other (not both) of these subjects can be chosen as Science B or Science C, if it can fit the student's specific program. (Talk to an academic advisor if you wish to use one of these disciplines as a science subject.)
Notes re Arts Courses
When making your arts choices for this year, explore your options! You may decide to choose courses in subjects that are familiar to you, but don’t hesitate to be adventurous and try something new.
The Bachelor of Science requires you to complete 12 credits from the Faculty of Arts. These courses can be completed in any year of study, but students are strongly encouraged to complete at least 6 credits in first year. These 12 credits can all be from one subject, or can be from several subjects.
Most students complete several additional arts courses as open electives over the duration of their programs
Questions You Might Have
1. I am interested in taking 6 credits of English in first year, but there is only one 3-credit course available at the 100-level. Are there other English courses that I can take this year?
If you choose ENGL 111 in the first term, you can also choose any 200-level English course that is offered in the second semester, subject to availability. However, second-term 200-level English courses may be full before first-year registration opens, so this option may not be a possibility for you.
2. What if I am interested in taking a course in a subject that is not mentioned above?
The other subjects offered at StFX are in our professional or applied science programs: Aquatic Resources; Business Administration; Engineering; Health; Human Kinetics; Human Nutrition; Nursing. Most courses in these departments are restricted to students in the relevant degree programs. Such courses can be used only as science or open electives in the BSc (with the exception of Human Nutrition courses that fulfill the requirements for an optional Food and Nutrition minor). Even if you are able to get an override into any of these courses, you are strongly advised against taking such courses in first year, with the following exceptions.
AQUA 101 and 102 are open to students in all programs. These courses can be used as science or open electives in the BSc programs. If you are interested in exploring the option of the BSc in Aquatic Resources program, you should contact the Aquatic Resources coordinator or program manager, and should plan to take these courses in first year.
BSAD 111 and 112 are available to non-business students, if there are seats available after registration has concluded for first-year students, but these courses are only usable as open electives in the BSc program. If you are planning the BSc with Major in a Science with Business Administration, you could consider taking these courses in first year, though most students in that program take them in second year. You will need to request a program override if you wish to be considered for registration into these courses.
HNU 142 has three sections. The first-term on-campus section is restricted to students in the Human Nutrition programs. The two online sections (one in each term) are open to students in all other programs. If you plan to complete a Food and Nutrition minor in your BSc, or if you simply would prefer the on-campus option, you may want to apply to the HNU chair for a degree override. (The chair may be willing to grant an override if there are seats available in the course after all HNU students have registered.)
3. The Academic Calendar refers to “Science A”, “Science B” and “Science C”. What do these mean?
“Science A” is your major (or honours) subject. It is your primary area of study.
“Science B” is a second science in which you will need to complete a total of 12 credits (with 6 credits above the 100-level). Normally, you will take 6 credits of 100-level “Science B” courses in your first year. (For students planning a joint major or joint honours degree, Science B is the secondary subject of study. For students planning an optional minor in a science subject, Science B is that subject.)
“Science C” is a third science in which you will need to complete a total of 6 credits.
One of your three required science subjects (Science A, Science B, Science C) must be from the department of Mathematics and Statistics, and must include MATH 106 and 107. (Students who do not major in mathematics will require Science B or Science C to be mathematics.)
4. Can I do a minor in my Bachelor of Science degree?
The BSc programs (with major or honours) do allow an optional minor. Students may opt to do a minor in a science subject or in an arts subject. Minors are not available in Business Administration or in the professional / applied sciences subjects of Aquatic Resources, Engineering, Health, Human Kinetics, or Nursing.
5. What if I am interested in an honours degree?
Course selection is no different for first year. You may wish to check table 7.1.5 in the Academic Calendar for grade and average requirements, so that you are aware of the grades you will need for admission to that program at the end of first or second year.
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