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FAQ

FAQ

What types of degrees do you offer?

All departments and programs offer Bachelor’s degree. There are two types: Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) and Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) degrees. Some departments also offer graduate degrees.

How long will it take me to complete my undergraduate degree?

Students admitted on the basis of a completed CEGEP degree will need a minimum of 3 years of full-time study; those admitted on the basis of a Grade 12 degree will require a minimum of 4 years of full-time study.

How many credits do I need to graduate?

Your letter of admission and your transcript (available on myBU) will clearly indicate how many credits are needed to graduate. Usually, students admitted after completing CEGEP will need 93 while students admitted after completing Grade 12 will need 123.

How many courses per semester should I take?

A normal load is five 3-credit courses per semester. Students with a part-time job for more than 10 hours a week are encouraged to take only four 3-credit courses, which is still considered full-time study. Three courses or less per semester is considered part-time.

What is a Major?

A Major is a group of courses in a particular academic discipline. All students must have a major, and some students chose to have two. Majors are usually around 48 credits, with some variation across disciplines. The Major will define your degree, for example: B.Sc. Major in Biochemistry; B.A. Major in History.

What is a Minor?

A Minor is a group of courses in a particular academic discipline; it is a complement to the Major. Minors are usually around 24 credits, and having a Minor is optional. There is no limit to the Major/Minor combinations you can have, for example: Major in Philosophy and Minor in French; Major in Physics and Minor in Religion; etc.

What is an Honours degree?

An Honours degree is a group of courses in a particular academic discipline that is greater than a major; it usually also includes more advanced and more difficult courses. Most Departments offer an Honours degree, and most have specific admission requirements (for example, an average over 70 or 75%). The Honours degree is especially recommended for students wishing to pursue their studies in graduate school.

How do I change my Major, declare a second Major, declare or change my Minor or join an Honours program?

This is remarkably easy to do. The first step is to meet with the Departmental Chair of the program you wish to join. Note that many Departments have average requirements to accept students into Majors (often 65%) and into Honours (often 70 or 75%).

How can I get academic advising?

The Chair of your Department is responsible for providing you with the advising you need. Do not hesitate to make an appointment with your Chair to discuss any issues that you may be having.

I’ve failed a course; does that mean that my academic career is ruined?

It can happen to anyone to fail a course. The best way to make up for it is to retake the course at the first available opportunity. If you do so, only the mark you obtain the second time around will be counted in your cumulative average.

I have been put on Academic Probation. What should I do?

You need to start taking your studies seriously. Meet with your Departmental Chair as soon as possible and agree on a plan that will help you get out of probation as soon as possible. This includes retaking failed courses, choosing courses wisely and, in all likelihood, seriously changing your study habits.

I have been asked to withdraw from the University. What can I do?

Well, this only happens if your academic performance has been truly unsatisfactory for a while. You should first ask yourself if you truly want to be here. If that’s the case, then you can appeal the decision and ask to be allowed to come back. Your first step is to contact the Registrar’s Office and they’ll let you know how to appeal.

I am sick or I am facing very difficult personal circumstances. What can I do?

You should contact your Departmental Chair as soon as possible to make sure that appropriate actions are taken. It is very helpful if you can produce supporting documentation (e.g. doctor’s note).