Three students sitting together looking at computer

FAQs - Programs

Current students can submit a request to change their program online through their Student Centre. The change of program process typically opens in October and closes February 1st of each year. You may only submit one change of program request at this time. Applications are submitted for the following Fall term.

Change of Program requests are processed depending on the number of courses students have completed. If you have completed fewer than 12 units (2 full-course equivalents), you may be eligible for admission based on your high school grades. If you have completed at least 12 units (2 full-course equivalents), you must meet the transfer GPA average which can be obtained from an advisor. This transfer GPA is calculated using your most recent courses to a maximum of 30 units (5 full-course equivalents). Some specialized majors, honours programs, etc. have exceptions. Please see a program advisor for more information.

For more information please visit our Science Program Advising page.

No. If you are completing a Change of Program request you may only select one program. If, however, you change your mind prior to the deadline, you can go back into your Student Centre and complete a new application. By doing this, you cancel your previous application. 

Applying for a combined degree or double major does not provide you with a second choice, but requests admission into two programs.

Yes. Students can be admitted to the Faculty of Science in a second degree program. Students cannot be admitted to a second degree program in a field in which they have a previous degree. Students can add a double major or minor to a second degree program. A maximum of 60 units (10 full-course equivalents) from the previous degree may be counted towards the requirements of the second degree. These may not include more than half the minimum number of courses required in the new major field. In many cases, second degree programs in the Faculty of Science will require the student to complete more than 60 units (10 full-course equivalents). Upon admission to the After Degree program, students are advised to contact the Undergraduate Science Centre to obtain an assessment of the requirements for the second degree.

A minor program is a secondary area of study that can be taken in addition to a student’s major program. Students are required to complete at least 30 units (5.0 full course equivalents) as well as any specific requirements to fulfill a minor.  If a student completes a minor it will appear on their transcript. A list of available minor programs is available here.

Only non-competitive science minors can be added to your program at any time by an advisor at the Undergraduate Science Centre. Email science.advising@ucalgary.ca using your UCalgary email address. Please make sure to include your UCID. Currently, only the Data Science and Nanoscience minors are competitive and you would need to submit a Change of Program (CoP) application. Please see below to learn more about the CoP process. If you have more questions about CoP or about minors please connect with an advisor at the Undergraduate Science Centre.

If your home faculty is not in science, please check with your Faculty Advisor for additional support.

Most degrees require the completion of 120 units (20 full-course equivalents). Exceptions to this include any combined degree programs, which require a minimum of 150 units. Usually, a program is comprised of courses in your major field, other required courses, and option courses. For more information on your program requirements, you can visit the online Academic Requirements program through your Student Centre.

The most common degree program offered is a single degree program consisting of 120 units (20 full-course equivalents) with one major field of study. In many cases, it is possible to complete this type of degree program with two major fields of study. This is known as a double major. In order to complete a double major, a student is required to fulfill the requirements of both programs. It is important to consult the University Calendar for acceptable combinations of major fields and work with Program Coordinator and Student Advisors to understand requirements for both majors. Upon completion of a double major, a student will receive one parchment with each major listed. A double major can only be completed if both of the programs are offered under the same degree type (e.g. Arts, or Science). Meaning, a student could complete a BSc in Psychology and a BSc in Biological Sciences as a double major, but could not complete a BA in Psychology and BSc in Biological Sciences. Certain double majors may not be permitted. Please check with an advisor for more information.

A combined degree is similar to a double major in that students must complete the degree requirements of both programs. One primary difference is that students must complete a minimum of 150 units (25 full-course equivalents) in a combined degree. A list of possible combined degrees is provided in the University Calendar. Upon completion of a combined degree, a student will receive two parchments with his or her respective majors.

 

A maximum of 30 units (5 full-course equivalents) of total withdrawals are permitted at the University of Calgary. A student may only withdraw from the same course once. If you need to withdraw from a course for the second time, you must request permission from a Program Coordinator, Student Advisor.

Yes. A “D” grade is considered a passing grade for most courses. However, in order for a course to be used as a prerequisite, a grade of “C-“ or higher must be obtained. Students in the Faculty of Science are allowed a maximum of 6 units (1 full-course equivalents) of D or D+ grades in their major field, and a total of 18 units (3 full-course equivalents) of “D” or “D+” grades in their entire program.

Please note “D” grades can have an impact on your overall GPA, and thus affect your Academic Review.

 

Please visit https://www.ucalgary.ca/registrar/graduation for information about graduation.

Yes. Students can take time off their degree but must return to their studies within a 12-month period. For example, if you last took classes in Winter 2020, you must be taking at least one UCalgary course latest by Winter 2021.

If this time is exceeded, then student status is forfeited and you must reapply to the University.  For more information, please see the University Calendar regulations.

The Science Internship Program offers students in the Faculty of Science the opportunity to participate in 8 to 16 consecutive months of work experience. Find out more about the program by visiting the Science Internship Program web pages.

There are many different ways to get involved with research. Many students interested in research will complete an honours program – honours programs feature a research project in a student’s final year of study, under the supervision of a faculty member.  Finally, many research opportunities are created through the receipt of an award or grant. More information about research opportunities can be found on our website.

To complete your honours project, you will need to find a faculty member who will supervise your project. Determine an area of interest and try to find a faculty member with similar interests. Your department will be your primary resource for information about the project.

If you’re interested in applying to the Honours program of you major, log in to your Student Centre and click on “Change of Program.” Once there, click on “Apply for Honours”. In order to be admissible to the honours program, you will need to have completed at least 30 units (5 full-course equivalents). At the time of admission, you must present (i) a GPA of at least 3.30 calculated over the most recent course work to a maximum of 60 units (10 full -course equivalents), and (ii) a GPA of at least 3.30 calculated for all science courses included in (i) above (University of Calgary courses and/or transferable courses taken at other institutions).

Current students can submit a request to change their program online through their Student Centre. The change of program process typically opens in October and closes February 1st of each year. You may only submit one change of program request at this time. Applications are submitted for the following Fall term.

Change of Program requests are processed depending on the number of courses students have completed. If you have completed fewer than 12 units (2 full-course equivalents), you may be eligible for admission based on your high school grades. If you have completed at least 12 units (2 full-course equivalents), you must meet the transfer GPA average which can be obtained from an advisor. This transfer GPA is calculated using your most recent courses to a maximum of 30 units (5 full-course equivalents). Some specialized majors, honours programs, etc. have exceptions. Please see a program advisor for more information.

For more information please visit our Science Program Advising page.

If you would like to change your program to a degree offered by a different faculty, please contact the relevant Faculty Advising office for support.

No. If you are completing a Change of Program request you may only select one program. If, however, you change your mind prior to the deadline, you can go back into your Student Centre and complete a new application. By doing this, you cancel your previous application. 

Applying for a combined degree or double major does not provide you with a second choice, but requests admission into two programs.

Yes. Students can be admitted to the Faculty of Science in an After Degree program. Students cannot be admitted to an After Degree program in a field in which they have a previous degree. Students can add a double major or minor to an After Degree program. A maximum of 60 units (10 full-course equivalents) from the previous degree may be counted towards the requirements of the After Degree. These may not include more than half the minimum number of courses required in the new major field. In many cases, After Degree programs in the Faculty of Science will require the student to complete more than 60 units (10 full-course equivalents). Upon admission to the After Degree program, students are advised to contact the Undergraduate Science Centre to obtain an assessment of the requirements for the After Degree.

Career Services has created degree profiles that identify some possible careers for the various degrees offered by the Faculty of Science. If there is a career you’re interested in pursuing, it’s a good idea to research the qualifications for that career and ensure you are fulfilling necessary requirements with your undergraduate degree.

University degrees are often not specifically tailored towards a specific career the way many college programs are. The knowledge and skills you acquire will help you work toward many careers. Career Services can help you tailor your resume and cover letter for the different careers you hope to pursue.

If you are considering professional or graduate schools after your undergraduate degree, you should research the admissions requirements for these programs. There is support in the Student Success Centre for students considering graduate school.