First-Year Program Requirements: Faculty of Science
The following information is part of Step 1: Program Requirements of the Course Registration Guide for first-year Faculty of Science students. To view the remaining steps, consult the Course Registration Guide.
On this page:
Course Load
To earn an Honours Degree, you will need to complete 20.0 credits:
- 0.5 credit: Normally conducted over one term
- 1.0 credit: Normally conducted over two terms
If you are studying part-time, you can take up to 1.5 credits per term. Full-time status is given to students who take 2.0 or 2.5 credits per term.
If you select 2.5 credits in the fall term and 2.5 credits in the winter term, you can complete an Honours Degree in four years.
For all Faculty of Science single degree programs, you may elect to proceed on a reduced load (2.0 credits per term) or part-time load (less than 2.0 credits per term) and increase the number of terms of study to complete your full degree.
If you select 2.5 credits in the fall term and 2.5 credits in the winter term in each year of study, you can complete an Honours Degree in four years.
GPA-Based Progression
To progress from year one to year two in most Honours programs, you require:
- an overall cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 4.0 (C-) and
- a cumulative GPA of at least 5.0 (C) in the honours subject courses.
There are programs with atypical progression requirements. Refer to the specific program section of the academic calendar for details on progression and graduation requirements.
Calculus Preparation Evaluation (CPE)
Students taking MA100, MA102, MA103, or SC101 must complete the mandatory Calculus Preparation Evaluation (CPE) online before you can register in the course. Based on the results of the CPE, you may be required to complete MA102 before registering in MA103 or SC101 prior to registering in MA100.
Students registering in PC131 must first register in a Calculus course (MA100, MA102 or MA103) before you can register in PC131.
Core Sciences – No Major Declared
This temporary designation allows you to explore disciplines in the Faculty of Science (Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Environmental Studies, Geography, Mathematics, Physics and Psychology) before declaring a major / program at the end of your first year:
- Select one to two programs of interest and take as many of the first year required courses of those programs allowing you to easily transition into a major starting in year two.
- In addition to these courses, we recommend that you take electives from other disciplines.
Most Faculty of Science programs are open to internal transfer. Note that the Honours BSc Health Sciences program and Honours Bachelor of Kinesiology program are highly competitive, limited enrolment programs for which internal transfer after Year 1 is exceptional.
Program Requirements by Major
The 100-level courses for each program, both required and elective, are listed below. Some things to note:
- Your program requirements are presented as a full load of 5.0 credits (2.5 credits in each of the fall and winter terms).
- All Faculty of Science programs have a maximum junior (100-level) credit limit: 6.0-7.0 credits depending on the specific program.
- Consider registering for elective courses that would contribute to a minor or option.
- Most programs must eventually include a minimum number of electives from a discipline outside of those offered by the Faculty of Science. You should consider completing at least one elective course from another faculty in Year 1.
Students interested in BA Policing in combination can find the required courses listed under the Faculty of Human and Social Sciences (online) program requirements.
Definitions
- BA: Bachelor of Arts (honours)
- BKin: Bachelor of Kinesiology (honours)
- BSc: Bachelor of Science (honours)
- Combination-Only BA: A program that must be taken in combination with another BA program
- BBA: Bachelor of Business Administration (honours)
- An asterisk (*) denotes a course worth 1.0 credits
Required First-Year Courses
- BI110, BI111, BI196
- 0.5 credit in Philosophy (PP110 or PP111 recommended)
- 3.0 elective credits
Notes
At least 0.5 credit elective from disciplines offered by the Faculty of Arts may be completed in year 1 to meet overall program elective requirements.
Required First-Year Courses
- BI110, BI111, BI196
- 0.5 credit in Philosophy (PP110 or PP111 recommended)
- 3.0 elective credits
Notes
Electives should include the required Year 1 courses for the other honours discipline.
Electives must eventually include at least 1.5 credits from a discipline outside of those offered by the Faculty of Science.
Required First-Year Courses
- BI110, BI111, BI196
- CH110, CH111
- MA100, MA101
- PC141 (or PC131)
- 1.0 elective credits
Notes
PC141 is recommended over PC131.
Electives (4.0 credits in the program) must eventually include at least 1.0 credit from outside of Biology of which 0.5 credit must be from a discipline outside of those offered by the Faculty of Science. Suggestions for year 1 include PC142 for students planning health related careers. GG101 is recommended for students with interests in environmental sciences or physical geography.
Required First-Year Courses
- BI110, BI111, BI196
- CH110, CH111
- MA100, MA101
- PC141 (or PC131)
- 1.0 elective credit
Notes
PC141 is recommended over PC131.
Electives should include GL101 and GL102 to prepare for senior Physical Geography courses in the option.
Electives must eventually include at least 1.0 credit outside of Biology of which 0.5 credit must be from a discipline outside of those offered by the Faculty of Science.
Required First-Year Courses
- BI110, BI111, CH130, CH131
- Both MA100 and MA101 (or both MA102 and MA103)
- PC141 and PC142 (or PC131 and PC132)
- 1.0 elective credit
Notes
Recommend MA100 and MA101.
Recommend PC141 and PC142. Students interested in senior Physics courses should select PC131 and PC132. Students registering in PC131 must first register in a Calculus course (MA100, MA102 or MA103) before you can register in PC131.
Electives (2.0 credits in the program) must include at least 1.0 credits from outside of the major disciplines of which 0.5 credit must be from a discipline outside of those offered by the Faculty of Science.
Required First-Year Courses
- BI110, BI111
- CH110, CH111
- MA121, MA122
- MA103 and MA104 (unless MA102 is taken)
- 1.0 elective credit
Notes
Electives (2.0 credits in the program) must include at least 1.0 credits from outside of the major disciplines of which 0.5 credit must be from a discipline outside of those offered by the Faculty of Science.
Based on the results of the Calculus Preparation Evaluation (CPE), a student may be required to complete MA102 prior to completing MA103; then MA102 and MA103 would be completed in Year 1 and MA104 would be completed in Year 2.
Recommend MA122 be taken before MA121.
Required First-Year Courses
- BI110, BI111
- PS101, PS102
- CH110, CH111
- MA100 and MA101
- 1.0 elective credits
Notes
Recommend PS101 and PS102 be taken in different terms. In-person lecture sections are recommended for Psychology majors.
Electives must eventually include at least 1.0 credit from outside of the major disciplines of which 0.5 credit must be from a discipline outside of those offered by the Faculty of Science.
Required First-Year Courses
- BI110, BI111
- CH130, CH131
- Both MA100 and MA101 (or both MA102 and MA103)
- PC141 and PC142 (or PC131 and PC132)
- 1.0 elective credit
Notes
Recommend MA100 and MA101.
Recommend PC141 and PC142. Students interested in senior Physics courses should select PC131 and PC132. Students registering in PC131 must first register in a Calculus course (MA100, MA102 or MA103) before you can register in PC131.
Electives must eventually include at least 1.0 credits from outside of the major discipline(s) of which 0.5 credit must be from a discipline outside of those offered by the Faculty of Science.
Required First-Year Courses
- CH130, CH131
- PC141 and PC142 (or PC131 and PC132)
- Both MA100 and MA101 (or both MA102 and MA103)
- 2.0 elective credits
Notes
Recommend MA100 and MA101.
Recommend PC141 and PC142. Students interested in senior Physics courses should select PC131 and PC132. Students registering in PC131 must first register in a Calculus course (MA100, MA102 or MA103) before you can register in PC131.
Electives must eventually include at least 1.0 credits from outside of the major discipline of which 0.5 credit must be from a discipline outside of those offered by the Faculty of Science (recommend at least one of these be taken in Year 1).
Required First-Year Courses
- CH130, CH131
- MA103 and MA104 (unless MA102 is taken)
- MA121, MA122
- PC131, PC132
- 1.0 elective credit
Notes
Based on the results of the Calculus Preparation Evaluation, a student may be required to complete MA102 prior to completing MA103; then MA102 and MA103 would be completed in Year 1 and MA104 would be completed in Year 2.
Recommend MA122 be taken before MA121.
Required First-Year Courses
- CH130, CH131
- PC131, PC132
- MA103 and MA104 (unless MA102 is taken)
- MA122
- 1.5 elective credits
Notes
Based on the results of the Calculus Preparation Evaluation, a student may be required to complete MA102 prior to completing MA103; then MA102 and MA103 would be completed in Year 1 and MA104 would be completed in Year 2.
Electives must eventually include at least 1.0 credit from outside of the major discipline(s) of which 0.5 credit must be from a discipline outside of those offered by the Faculty of Science (recommended these be taken in Year 1). BI110 and CP104 are recommended electives for Year 1.
Required First-Year Courses
- CP104, CP164
- MA122
- MA103
- 2.5 elective credits if MA102 is taken; 3.0 elective credits if only MA103 is required
Notes
Based on the results of the Calculus Preparation Evaluation, a student may be required to complete MA102 prior to completing MA103.
Electives should include the required Year 1 courses for the other honours discipline.
Required First-Year Courses
- CP104, CP164
- MA122
- MA103
- 2.5 elective credits if MA102 is taken; 3.0 elective credits if only MA103 is required
Notes
Based on the results of the Calculus Preparation Evaluation, a student may be required to complete MA102 prior to completing MA103.
Electives must eventually include at least 1.0 credits from a discipline outside of the Faculty of Science (recommend these be taken in Year 1).
Required First-Year Courses
- CP104, CP164
- BU111, BU121, BU127
- EC120, EC140
- MA122
- MA103
- 0.5 elective credit if only MA103 is required
Notes
The program is approximately 4 2/3 years in length.
Based on the results of the Calculus Preparation Evaluation, a student may be required to complete MA102 prior to completing MA103.
Required First-Year Courses
- CP104, CP164
- MA121, MA122
- MA103 and MA104 (unless MA102 is taken)
- PC131 and PC132 (or PC141 and PC142)
- 1.0 elective credit
Notes
Recommend MA122 be taken before MA121.
Based on the results of the Calculus Preparation Evaluation, a student may be required to complete MA102 prior to completing MA103; then MA102 and MA103 would be completed in Year 1 and MA104 would be completed in Year 2.
Students interested in senior Physics courses should select PC131 and PC132.
Required First-Year Courses
- CP104, CP164, PC131, PC132
- MA122
- MA103
- 1.5 elective credits if MA102 is taken; 2.0 elective credits if only MA103 is required
Notes
Based on the results of the Calculus Preparation Evaluation, a student may be required to complete MA102 prior to completing MA103.
Electives must eventually include at least 1.0 credits from a discipline outside of the Faculty of Science (recommend these be taken in Year 1).
Required First-Year Courses
- CP104, CP164
- PS101, PS102
- MA122
- MA103
- 1.5 elective credits if MA102 is taken; 2.0 elective credits if only MA103 is required
Notes
Recommend PS101 and PS102 be taken in different terms. In-person lecture sections are recommended for Psychology majors.
Based on the results of the Calculus Preparation Evaluation, a student may be required to complete MA102 prior to completing MA103.
Electives must eventually include at least 0.5 credit from a discipline outside the Faculty of Science (could be taken in Year 1).
Required First-Year Courses
- CP104, CP164
- PS101, PS102
- MA122
- MA103
- 1.5 elective credits if MA102 is taken; 2.0 elective credits if only MA103 is required
Notes
Recommend PS101 and PS102 be taken in different terms. In-person lecture sections are recommended for Psychology majors.
Based on the results of the Calculus Preparation Evaluation, a student may be required to complete MA102 prior to completing MA103.
Electives must eventually include at least 0.5 credit from a discipline outside the Faculty of Science (could be taken in Year 1).
Core Sciences is an admission pathway rather than a degree-granting program. Academic advising will help you prepare to transfer into a degree-granting program, that best suits your needs and goals, at the end of your first year of studies. This foundational pathway does not have required courses. You will select Faculty of Science courses of interest, as well as general electives, based on your academic background and interests. Core Sciences students will receive detailed registration information in an email (to their myLaurier account) in June.
Required First-Year Courses
- CP104, CP164
- DATA100
- MA103
- MA122,
- MA120 (or MA121)
- BU111 or ENTR100
- EC140 (or 0.5 credit elective)
- 0.5 elective credits if MA102 is taken; 1.0 elective credits if only MA103 is required
Notes
Based on the results of the Calculus Preparation Evaluation, a student may be required to complete MA102 prior to completing MA103.
Recommend MA120. Students interested in MA121 should contact mathadvising@wlu.ca. Recommend MA122 be taken before MA121.
Electives must eventually include at least 0.5 credit from a discipline outside of those offered by the Faculty of Science.
Required First-Year Courses
- BI110, BI111
- CH110, CH111
- ES110, GG101, GL101
- MA100, MA101
- 0.5 elective credit
Notes
Electives must eventually include at least 0.5 credit from outside the Faculty of Science, and outside of the Department of Geography and Environmental Studies.
Required First-Year Courses
- ES110, GG101, GG102
- 3.5 elective credits
Notes
For the BA Combination program, electives should include the required Year 1 courses for the other honours discipline.
Required First-Year Courses
- MA121, MA122, MA170
- EC120, EC140
- MA103 and MA104 (unless MA102 is taken)
- 1.5 non-MA elective credits
Notes
Recommend MA122 be taken before MA121.
Electives must eventually include at least 0.5 Laurier credit from outside of the Faculty of Science and outside the Lazaridis School of Business and Economics.
Based on the results of the Calculus Preparation Evaluation, a student may be required to complete MA102 prior to completing MA103; then MA102 and MA103 would be completed in Year 1 and MA104 would be completed in Year 2.
Required First-Year Courses
- MA121, MA122, MA170
- EC120, EC140
- MA103 and MA104 (unless MA102 is taken)
- 1.0 credit from: both CP104 and CP164; both BI110 and BI111; both CH110 and CH111; both GL101 and GL102; both PC131 and PC132
- 0.5 non-MA elective credits.
Notes
Recommend MA122 be taken before MA121.
Electives must eventually include at least 0.5 Laurier credit from outside of the Faculty of Science and outside the Lazaridis School of Business and Economics.
Based on the results of the Calculus Preparation Evaluation, a student may be required to complete MA102 prior to completing MA103; then MA102 and MA103 would be completed in Year 1 and MA104 would be completed in Year 2.
The 2.0 senior science credits required in Year 3 and 4 of the program will depend on the science foundation courses selected in Year 1.
Required First-Year Courses
- MA121, MA122, MA170
- BU111, BU121, BU127
- EC120, EC140
- MA103 and MA104 (unless MA102 is taken)
Notes
The program is approximately 4 2/3 years in length.
Recommend MA122 be taken before MA121.
Based on the results of the Calculus Preparation Evaluation, a student may be required to complete MA102 prior to completing MA103; then MA102 and MA103 would be completed in Year 1 and MA104 would be completed in Year 2.
Required First-Year Courses
- GG101, GG102
- 4.0 elective credits
Notes
For the BA Combination program, electives should include the required Year 1 courses for the other honours discipline.
Required First-Year Courses
- GG101, GG102
- GL101, GL102
- MA100, MA101
- 2.0 credits from: (BI110 and BI111); (CH110 and CH111); (PC141 and PC142; or PC131 and PC132)
Notes
The 1.5 senior science credits required in the program will depend on the science foundation courses selected in Year 1.
Required First-Year Courses
- AR101, AR102
- GG101, GG102
- GL101, GL102
- MA100, MA101
- 1.0 Credit from: BI110, BI111, CH110, CH111
Notes
Students interested in senior Chemistry courses should select both CH110 and CH111.
Students interested in senior Biology courses will require BI111 or both BI110 and BI111 depending on the Year 2 BI course of interest.
Required First-Year Courses
- GG101, GG102
- GL101, GL102
- CP102, CP104
- MA100, MA101
- 1.0 credit from: (BI110 and BI111); (CH110 and CH111); (PC141 and PC142; or PC131 and PC132)
Notes
The 1.5 senior science credits required in the program will depend on the science foundation courses selected in Year 1.
Required First-Year Courses
- HE100, HE101
- BI110, BI111
- CH110, CH111
- PS101, PS102
- MA100
- 0.5 credit elective
Notes
Recommend completing 0.5 credit English program requirement as an elective in first year.
Required First-Year Courses
- KP100, KP141, KP161, KP181
- BI110, BI111
- PS101, PS102
- 1.0 non-KP elective credits
Notes
Before graduation, two to four Leadership experiences totalling 96 hours are required. Contact the Kinesiology department for further information.
Non-KP electives may be taken from any discipline.
Required First-Year Courses
- BU111 (fall), BU127 (fall or winter)
- EC120 or EC140
Notes
This option is only available to non-BBA (non-business) students. Students enrolled in this option must complete the required business courses and maintain a GPA of 6.0 in BU111 and BU127 in order to progress in the Management Option. Students not enrolled in the Management Option through admissions may apply for the option in their second year.
Required First-Year Courses
- MA121, MA122
- MA103 and MA104 (unless MA102 is taken)
- 3.0 non-MA elective credits
Notes
Recommend MA122 be taken before MA121.
Based on the results of the Calculus Preparation Evaluation, a student may be required to complete MA102 prior to completing MA103; then MA102 and MA103 would be completed in Year 1 and MA104 would be completed in Year 2.
Recommend CP104 as an elective.
Electives must eventually include at least 1.0 credits from a discipline outside of those offered by the Faculty of Science.
Required First-Year Courses
- MA121, MA122
- MA103 and MA104 (unless MA102 is taken)
- 3.0 non-MA elective credits
Notes
Recommend MA122 be taken before MA121.
Based on the results of the Calculus Preparation Evaluation, a student may be required to complete MA102 prior to completing MA103; then MA102 and MA103 would be completed in Year 1 and MA104 would be completed in Year 2.
Recommend CP104 as an elective.
Electives must eventually include at least 1.0 credits from a discipline outside of those offered by the Faculty of Science.
Electives should include the required Year 1 courses for the other discipline.
Required First-Year Courses
- MA121, MA122
- BU111, BU121, BU127
- EC120, EC140
- MA103 and MA104 (unless MA102 is taken)
- 0.5 elective credit
Notes
Recommend MA122 be taken before MA121.
Based on the results of the Calculus Preparation Evaluation, a student may be required to complete MA102 prior to completing MA103; then MA102 and MA103 would be completed in Year 1 and MA104 would be completed in Year 2.
Recommend CP104 as an elective.
Required First-Year Courses
- MA121, MA122
- MA103 and MA104 (unless MA102 is taken)
- At least 1.0 credits from: both BI110 and BI111; both CH110 and CH111; both GL101 and GL102; both PC131 and PC132; both CP104 and CP164.
- 2.0 non-MA elective credits
Notes
Recommend MA122 be taken before MA121.
Based on the results of the Calculus Preparation Evaluation, a student may be required to complete MA102 prior to completing MA103; then MA102 and MA103 would be completed in Year 1 and MA104 would be completed in Year 2. Students registering in PC131 must first register in a Calculus course (MA102 or MA103) before you can register in PC131.
Recommend CP104 as an elective.
Electives must eventually include at least 1.0 credits from a discipline outside of those offered by the Faculty of Science.
The 2.0 senior science credits required in Year 3 and 4 of the program will depend on the science foundation courses selected in Year 1.
Required First-Year Courses
- PC131, PC132
- MA122
- MA103
- 2.5 elective credits if MA102 is taken; 3.0 elective credits if only MA103 is required
Notes
Based on the results of the Calculus Preparation Evaluation, a student may be required to complete MA102 prior to completing MA103. Students registering in PC131 must first register in a Calculus course (MA102 or MA103) before you can register in PC131.
CP104 is recommended as an elective.
Required First-Year Courses
- PS101, PS102, UU150
- BI110 and BI111
- MA100
- 1.0 credit from CH110, CH111, CP103 (or CP104), CP164, GG101, GL101, GL102, MA101, PC141 (or PC131), or PC142 (or PC132).
- 1.0 elective credits from a discipline outside of the Faculty of Science
Notes
Recommend PS101 and PS102 be taken in different terms. In-person lecture sections are recommended for Psychology majors.
The 4.0 senior science credits required in the program will depend on the science foundation courses selected in Year 1. Students interested in senior Chemistry courses must complete both CH110 and CH111. Students interested in senior Computer Science courses must complete CP104 (instead of CP103) as a prerequisite to most senior CP courses.
Electives must eventually include at least 2.0 credits from a discipline outside of the Faculty of Science, 1.0 credits of which should be completed in Year 1.
Required First-Year Courses
- PS101, PS102
- UU150 or MU158
- 3.5 elective credits
Notes
Recommend PS101 and PS102 be taken in different terms. In-person lecture sections are recommended for Psychology majors.
Electives must eventually include at least 2.0 credits from a discipline outside of the Faculty of Science.
Required First-Year Courses
- PS101, PS102, UU150
- 3.5 elective credits
Notes
Recommend PS101 and PS102 be taken in different terms. In-person lecture sections are recommended for Psychology majors.
Electives must eventually include at least 1.5 credits from a discipline outside of the Faculty of Science.
Electives should include the required Year 1 courses for the other honours discipline.
Required First-Year Courses
- PS101, PS102
- BI110, BI111
- MA100
- 1.0 credit from CH110, CH111, CP103 (or CP104), CP164, MA101, PC141 (or PC131), or PC142 (or PC132).
- 1.5 elective credits
Notes
Recommend PS101 and PS102 be taken in different terms. In-person lecture sections are recommended for Psychology majors.
Electives must eventually include at least 1.0 credit from a discipline outside of the Faculty of Science.
UU150 is recommended as it is a pre-requisite for senior Psychology courses with a community service learning placement.
The 4.0 senior science credits required in the program will depend on the science foundation courses selected in Year 1. Students interested in senior Chemistry courses must complete both CH110 and CH111. Students interested in senior Computer Science courses must complete CP104 (instead of CP103) as a prerequisite to most senior CP courses.
Required First-Year Courses
- BI110, BI111
- CH110, CH111
- MA100 and MA101 (or MA102 and MA103)
- 1.0 science credit selected from: (PS101 and PS102), (PC141 and PC142 or PC131 and PC132), (CP104 and CP164) or (GG101 and GL102)
- 1.0 elective credit
Notes
The senior science credits required in the program will depend on the Year 1 science foundation courses completed.
Students interested in senior Mathematics courses and / or Computer Science and /or Physics courses should select MA102 and MA103
Students interested in senior Physics courses should select PC131 and PC132.
Electives must eventually include at least 1.0 credit from a discipline outside of those offered by the Faculty of Science.
Required First-Year Courses
- BI110, BI111
- CH110, CH111
- MA100 and MA101 (or MA102 and MA103)
- 1.0 science credits selected from: (PS101 and PS102), (PC141 and PC142 or PC131 and PC132), (CP104 and CP164) or (GG101 and GL102)
- 1.0 elective credit
Notes
The senior science credits required in the program will depend on the Year 1 science foundation courses completed.
Students interested in senior Mathematics courses and / or Computer Science and /or Physics courses should select MA102 and MA103
Students interested in senior Physics courses should select PC131 and PC132.
Required First-Year Courses
- BI110, BI111
- CH110, CH111
- GG101
- MA100, MA101
- One of: GL101, PC141
- 1.0 elective credit
Notes
Electives must eventually include 0.5 credit outside of the Faculty of Science and outside of physical geography courses offered by the Department of Geography and Environmental Studies.
Next Step: Choose Your Electives
Now that you've determined your program requirements, it's time to move to Step 2: Choose Your Electives to plan and select your electives.