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Science and Engineering – Undergraduate Degree and Certificate Programs

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Undergraduate Degree Programs

Honours Bachelor of Applied Science (Honours BASc) program, which requires at least four years of full-time study and at least 120 credits, and involves study in one of five engineering streams: computer engineering, engineering physics, geomatics engineering, software engineering or space engineering. The engineering streams may be combined in the engineering/international development studies dual degree.

Honours Bachelor of Arts (Honours BA) program which requires at least four years of full-time study and at least 120 credits:

  • Specialized Honours with one declared major in applied mathematics, computer science, computer security, digital media, mathematics, mathematics for education and statistics.
  • Honours Major with one declared major in applied mathematics, computer science, mathematics, mathematics for commerce, mathematics for education and statistics.
  • Honours Double Major (intra-Faculty) with a declared major in applied mathematics, mathematics, mathematics for education and statistics and a second major in applied mathematics, earth and atmospheric science, mathematics, mathematics for education, physics and astronomy, science and technology studies and statistics.

Note: computer science can combine with any of applied mathematics, mathematics, mathematics for education or statistics.

  • Honours Double Major (Science/Environmental Studies inter-Faculty) with a declared major in applied mathematics, computer science, mathematics and statistics and a second major in environmental studies.
  • Honours Double Major (Science/Fine Arts inter-Faculty) with a declared major in applied mathematics, computer science, mathematics and statistics and a second major in one of dance, film, music, theatre, visual arts.
  • Honours Double Major (Science/Health inter-Faculty) with a declared major in applied mathematics, computer science, mathematics, mathematics for education and statistics and a second major in one of health studies, kinesiology and health science or psychology.
  • Honours Double Major (Science/Liberal Arts and Professional Studies inter-Faculty) with a declared major in applied mathematics, computer science, mathematics, mathematics for education and statistics and a second major in one of African studies (mathematics or statistics only), anthropology, Canadian studies, children’s studies, classical studies, classics, cognitive science, communication studies, creative writing, criminology, culture and expression, disaster and emergency management, East Asian studies, economics, English, European studies (mathematics or statistics only), French studies, geography, German studies, health and society, Hellenic studies, history, humanities, human rights and equity studies, international development studies, Italian studies, Jewish studies, labour studies, Latin American and Caribbean Studies (mathematics or statistics only), law and society, linguistics, philosophy, political science, professional writing, race, ethnicity and indigeneity, religious studies, science and technology studies, sexuality studies, social and political thought (mathematics and statistics only), social science, sociology, South Asian studies (mathematics and statistics only), Spanish, urban studies, women’s studies.

Note: in addition, students in applied mathematics, mathematics, mathematics for education or statistics may combine their major with a second major in information technology.

  • Honours Major/Minor (intra-Faculty) with a declared major in applied mathematics, computer science, mathematics, mathematics for education, and statistics and a minor in applied mathematics, biology, chemistry, computer science, earth and atmospheric science, mathematics, mathematics for commerce, mathematics for education, physics and astronomy, science and technology studies or statistics.
  • Honours Major/Minor (Science/Environmental Studies inter-Faculty) with a declared major in applied mathematics, computer science, mathematics, mathematics for education and statistics and a minor in environmental studies.
  • Honours Major/Minor (Science/Fine Arts inter-Faculty) with a declared major in applied mathematics, computer science, mathematics, mathematics for education and statistics and a minor in one of dance, film, music, theatre, visual arts.
  • Honours Major/Minor (Science/Health inter-Faculty) with a declared major in applied mathematics, computer science, mathematics, mathematics for education and statistics and a minor in one of health informatics, health management, health policy, kinesiology and health science or psychology.
  • Honours Major/Minor (Science/Liberal Arts and Professional Studies inter-Faculty) with a declared major in applied mathematics, computer science, mathematics, mathematics for education and statistics and a minor in one of African studies, anthropology, business, Canadian studies, children’s studies, classical studies, classics, creative writing, culture and expression, disaster and emergency management, East Asian studies, economics, English, European studies, French studies, geography, German studies, health and society, Hellenic studies, history, humanities, human rights and equity studies, international development studies, Italian culture, Italian studies, Jewish studies, labour studies, Latin American and Caribbean studies, linguistics, philosophy, political science, Portuguese studies, public administration, race, ethnicity and indigeneity, religious studies, science and technology studies, sexuality studies, social and political thought, sociology, South Asian studies, Spanish, urban studies, women’s studies.

Note: in addition, students in applied mathematics, mathematics, mathematics for education or statistics may combine their major with a minor in information technology.

International Bachelor of Arts (iBA) program, which requires at least four years of full-time study, at least 120 credits, and one or two exchange terms abroad as a full-time student at an institution with which York has a formal exchange agreement:

  • Honours with one declared major in computer science.
  • Honours Major/Minor with a declared major in computer science, and a minor in applied mathematics, biology, chemistry, earth and atmospheric science, mathematics, mathematics for commerce, mathematics for education, physics and astronomy, science and technology studies or statistics. In addition, the declared major in computer science may be taken with an inter-faculty minor from the Faculties of Environmental Studies, Fine Arts, Health or Liberal Arts and Professional Studies.

Bachelor of Arts (BA) programs, which are usually completed in three years of full-time study, require at least 90 credits and usually involve limited concentration in only one declared subject area:

  • Bachelor with one declared major in applied mathematics, computer science, mathematics, mathematics for commerce, statistics.

Honours Bachelor of Science (Honours BSc) programs, which are usually completed in four years of full-time study, require at least 120 credits and may involve varying degrees of concentration in one or two declared subject areas:

  • Specialized Honours with one declared major in applied mathematics, biochemistry, biology, biophysics, chemistry, computational mathematics, computer science, computer security, earth and atmospheric science, environmental science, geography, international dual degree - computer science, international dual degree - mathematics and statistics, mathematics, mathematics for education, physics and astronomy, science and technology studies or statistics.
  • Honours Major with one declared major in applied mathematics, biology, chemistry, computer science, environmental biology, mathematics, mathematics for education, physics and astronomy or statistics.
  • Honours Double Major (intra-Faculty) with declared science majors in two of applied mathematics, biology, chemistry, computer science, earth and atmospheric science, environmental biology (may not be combined with biology), geography (in combination with earth and atmospheric science only), mathematics, mathematics for education, physics and astronomy, science and technology studies, statistics.

Note: some combinations may require more than 120 credits.

  • Honours Double Major (Science/Health inter-Faculty) with a declared science major in applied mathematics, biology, chemistry, computer science, earth and atmospheric science, environmental biology (with kinesiology and health science or psychology only), mathematics, mathematics for education, physics and astronomy, science and technology studies, or statistics and a declared health major in health studies, kinesiology and health science or psychology.
  • Honours Double Major (Science/Liberal Arts and Professional Studies inter-Faculty) with a declared science major in applied mathematics, earth and atmospheric science, mathematics, mathematics for education, physics and astronomy, science and technology studies or statistics and a declared liberal arts and professional studies major in one of anthropology, Canadian studies, children’s studies, classical studies, classics, communication studies, cognitive science, creative writing, criminology, culture and expression, disaster and emergency management, East Asian studies, economics, English, French studies, German studies, health and society, Hellenic studies, history, humanities, human rights and equity studies, international development studies, Italian studies, Jewish studies, labour studies, law and society, linguistics, philosophy, political science, professional writing, race, ethnicity, and indigeneity, religious studies, sexuality studies, social science, sociology, Spanish, urban studies, women's studies.

Note: choice of majors is subject to timetabling constraints. Some combinations may require more than 120 credits. In addition, students in applied mathematics, mathematics, mathematics for education or statistics may combine their major with a second major in information technology.

  • Honours Major/Minor (intra-Faculty) with a declared science major in one of applied mathematics, biology (including the biomedical science stream), chemistry, computer science, earth and atmospheric science, environmental biology (may not be combined with biology), geography, mathematics, mathematics for education, physics and astronomy, science and technology studies, statistics and a declared science minor in one of applied mathematics, biology, chemistry, computer science, earth and atmospheric science, geography, mathematics, mathematics for commerce, mathematics for education, physics and astronomy, science and technology studies, statistics.

Note: major/minor combinations with the major and minor in the same subject area are not permitted.

  • Honours Major/Minor (Science/Environmental Studies inter-Faculty) with a declared science major in one of applied mathematics, biology, chemistry, earth and atmospheric science, environmental biology, mathematics, mathematics for education, physics and astronomy, science and technology studies, statistics and a declared minor in environmental studies.
  • Honours Major/Minor (Science/Fine Arts inter-Faculty) with a declared science major in one of applied mathematics, biology, chemistry, computer science, earth and atmospheric science, environmental biology, mathematics, mathematics for education, physics and astronomy, science and technology studies, statistics and a declared fine arts minor in one of dance, film, music, theatre, visual arts.

Note: choice of major and minor is subject to timetabling constraints.

  • Honours Major/Minor (Science/Health inter-Faculty) with a declared science major in one of applied mathematics, biology, chemistry, computer science, earth and atmospheric science, environmental biology, geography, mathematics, mathematics for education, physics and astronomy, science and technology studies, or statistics and a declared health minor in health informatics, health management, health policy, kinesiology and health science or psychology.
  • Honours Major/Minor (Science/Liberal Arts and Professional Studies inter-Faculty) with a declared science major in one of applied mathematics, biology, chemistry, earth and atmospheric science, environmental biology, mathematics, mathematics for education, physics and astronomy, science and technology studies, statistics and a declared liberal arts and professional studies minor in one of African studies, anthropology, business, Canadian studies, children’s studies, classical studies, classics, creative writing, culture and expression, disaster and emergency management, East Asian studies, economics, English, European studies, French studies, German studies, health and society, Hellenic studies, history, humanities, human rights and equity studies, international development studies, Italian culture, Italian studies, Jewish studies, labour studies, Latin American and Caribbean studies, linguistics, philosophy, political science, Portuguese studies, public administration, race, ethnicity, and indigeneity, religious studies, sexuality studies, social and political thought, sociology, South Asian studies, Spanish, urban studies, women's studies.

Note: in addition, students in applied mathematics, mathematics, mathematics for education or statistics may combine their major with a minor in information technology.

  • Honours Science with no declared major, for the student who wishes to enrol in a broader range of courses at the 3000 and 4000 levels than can normally be undertaken in Specialized Honours, Honours Double Major or Honours Major/Minor programs.

International Bachelor of Science (iBSc) programs, which require at least four years of full-time study, at least 120 credits, and one or two exchange terms abroad as a full-time student at an institution with which York has a formal exchange agreement:

  • Specialized Honours, with one declared major in biology; Honours Major with one declared major in biology (can include the biomedical stream); Honours Major/Minor with biology as the major (can include the biomedical stream).
  • Honours Major with one declared major in computer science.

Bachelor of Science (BSc) programs, which are usually completed in three years of full-time study, require at least 90 credits and usually involve limited concentration in only one declared subject area:

  • Bachelor with one declared major in applied mathematics, biology, chemistry, computer science, earth and atmospheric science, environmental biology, geography, international dual degree - computer science, international dual degree - mathematics and statistics, mathematics, physics and astronomy, science and technology studies or statistics.
  • Bachelor with no declared major for the student who wishes to enrol in a broader range of courses at the 3000 and 4000 levels than can normally be undertaken in BSc programs.
  • Students may choose to major in a specific subject when they enter the University or they may wait until they have completed up to 24 credits. At this point, students must choose a major, but subsequent changes are possible. In selecting courses, students who are undecided should try to take introductory courses in a number of potential major subjects. This will allow them to proceed in their subject of choice without the possibility of a delay. Some departments will not permit undecided majors to enrol in their courses.

Bachelor of Science in Technology (BSc (Tech)). Bachelor in applied biotechnology, offered jointly with Seneca College.

Joint Study Programs

Inter-Faculty Double Major and Major/Minor Programs

The Faculty of Science and Engineering jointly offers Honours Double Major programs with the following Faculties: Environmental Studies (with BA options only), Fine Arts (with BA options only), Health and Liberal Arts and Professional Studies. The Faculty of Science and Engineering also jointly offers Honours Major/Minor programs with the Faculties of Environmental Studies, Fine Arts, Health and Liberal Arts and Professional Studies.

A student in the Faculty of Science and Engineering who has completed 24 credits in an Honours program and satisfies the Faculty of Science and Engineering academic standards to proceed in Honours may combine the study of a major in the Faculty of Science and Engineering, and a major or minor in the other Faculty. All Honours programs require a minimum of 120 credits which can normally be completed in four years of full-time study.

Corresponding programs involving a first major in the other Faculty and a major or minor in the Faculty of Science and Engineering lead to Honours BA, BES or BFA degrees in the other Faculty.

For a list of possible subject combinations, refer to Undergraduate Degree Programs above. For details of the major or minor requirements in the Faculty of Science and Engineering, refer to the Faculty of Science and Engineering Programs of Study section. For details of the major or minor requirements in the other Faculty, refer to the Programs of Study section of the appropriate Faculty.

Science and Education

A student wishing to obtain the professional certification required to teach in Ontario schools may take both teacher training and an undergraduate academic program concurrently. This does not shorten the time required to gain the qualification but provides a better chance for the student to relate theory and practice and to have more opportunity to gain practical experience than is possible in a one-year program.

A student in the Faculty of Science and Engineering who is presently enrolled in first year (at least 24 credits) or has a minimum of 36 credits remaining in the BSc, Honours BSc, BA or Honours BA with an overall standing of at least 5.00 (C+) may apply to coregister in the Faculty of Education. A coregistered student normally takes one and a half or two full courses in the Faculty of Education in an academic year concurrent with courses for the BSc, Honours BSc, BA or Honours BA. The specific study program of each student is subject to the approval of both Faculties.

Upon successful completion of the course requirements for the degree in the Faculty of Science and Engineering, and of the required education courses, a coregistered student is awarded a BSc, Honours BSc, BA or Honours BA and a BEd.

Certificate Programs

York University undergraduate certificate programs are open to all undergraduate students, subject to student eligibility and course availability. The following certificates are offered by departments affiliated with the Faculty of Science and Engineering and can be taken concurrently with an Honours BSc degree program. Several of the certificates can also be taken concurrently with a BSc degree program. Some are open to visiting students. Refer to the information below.

Certificate in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Remote Sensing

Registered Honours BSc and BSc candidates, and visiting students, may work towards a Certificate in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Remote Sensing, offered jointly by the Department of Earth and Space Science and Engineering of the Faculty of Science and Engineering, the Department of Geography of the Faculty of Liberal Arts and Professional Studies and the Faculty of Environmental Studies. The certificate program includes three streams, one offered through each of the three units above. Honours BSc or BSc candidates majoring in earth and atmospheric science, environmental science or geography can work concurrently towards the certificate and an Honours BSc or BSc degree.

The certificate requirements for BSc and Honours BSc candidates are as follows.

Earth and Atmospheric Science Stream

Geography Stream

For the requirements for the environmental studies stream, refer to the environmental studies section of the York Undergraduate Programs Calendar.

To be eligible to receive the certificate, students must achieve a minimum credit-weighted grade point average of 6.00 (B) over the 24 York University credits required for the certificate in one of the three streams. Degree candidates must also achieve and maintain Honours standing in their academic degree program.

Note: students who have been exempted from the 1000-level requirement in the geography stream may substitute six additional credits which must be approved by the Department of Geography and which must be chosen from the following list: SC/GEOG 2130 3.00, AP/GEOG 3140 3.00, AP/GEOG 4240 3.00, SC/EATS 4220 3.00 or SC/EATS 4230 3.00.

For additional information, consult on the three units mentioned above.

Certificate in Meteorology

Registered Honours BSc candidates and visiting students, who are interested in atmospheric science (meteorology) and who satisfy the certificate program admission requirements may work towards a Certificate in Meteorology offered by the Department of Earth and Space Science and Engineering. Normally, a student registered in the atmospheric science stream of the department works concurrently towards a certificate and an Honours BSc degree. However, the program is open to any student who satisfies the program admission requirements. Entrance to the program requires the candidate to have successfully completed at least 54 approved credits (nine approved full courses) in the areas of physical science and mathematics.

The certificate requirements are as follows:

In order to receive the certificate, the student must achieve a minimum credit-weighted grade point average of 4.00 (C) or better over the 30 credits required for the certificate.

For additional information, consult the Department of Earth and Space Science and Engineering.