First-Year Registration Advice

These guidelines are designed to help you select courses for your first year of a Bachelor of Science degree at Saint Mary's. Use these links to find specific program information:

Meeting your B.Sc. Degree Requirements

The following are suggested courses for your first 30 credit hours in the Major program you're considering. Students normally take 12 to 15 credit hours per term (4 or 5 courses) during the fall (September-December) and Winter (January-April) terms. For students taking Spring (May-June) and Summer (July-August) courses, we recommend taking no more than 6 credit hours (two courses). Please note: not all courses are offered every semester. Check with the science advisors for any scheduling questions. 

ASTROPHYSICS

   
Course Description Course Code
University Physics I & II PHYS 1210 & PHYS 1211
Introductory Calculus I & II MATH 1210 & MATH 1211 
Introduction to Astrophysics  ASTR 1100
Introduction to Modern Physics  PHYS 1500
Introduction to Computing Science & Programming OR Computer Programming & Problem Solving CSCI 1226 or CSCI 1227
3 credit hours in Humanities You choose!
6 credit hours Science Electives You choose!  Recommended: CSCI 1228 (prerequisite is CSCI 1226 with grade of C or higher), and/or CHEM 1210 & 1211

BIOLOGY

Course Description Course Code
Molecular & Cell Biology BIOL 1211 (formerly 1201)
Organismal & Ecological Biology BIOL 1212 (formerly 1202) 
Applications in Biology BIOL 1213 (students with credit for BIOL 1201 or 1202 should not take 1213)
General Chemistry I & II CHEM 1210 & 1212 (or 1211)
3 credit Hours MATH (Life Science or Intro Calculus) MATH 1250 or 1210
3 credit hours in MATH or CSCI  MATH 1251 or MATH 1211 or CSCI 1227
6 credit hours Humanities Electives You Choose!
3  credit hours Arts Electives You Choose!

CHEMISTRY

Course Description Course Code
General Chemistry I & II CHEM 1210 & CHEM 1211 (or 1212)
University Physics I & II PHYS 1210 & PHYS 1211
Introductory Calculus I & II MATH 1210 & 1211
6 credit hours Humanities electives You Choose!
6 credit hours Arts electives You Choose!

COMPUTING SCIENCE

Course Description Course Code
Intro to Programming & Advanced Programing      CSCI 1226 & CSCI 1228
Introductory Calculus I & II MATH 1210 & MATH 1211
6 credit hours Science electives  You Choose!
6 credit hours Humanities electives You Choose! 
6 credit hours Arts electives You Choose! 

 

 

COMPUTING SCIENCE and BUSINESS and ADMINISTRATION

 

Course Description Course Code
Intro to Programming & Advanced Programing      CSCI 1226 & CSCI 1228
Introductory Calculus I & Intro Math Statistics MATH 1210 & MATH 1216
Quantitative Methods I  MGSC 1205
Introduction to Business Management MGMT 1281
Principles of Economics: Micro ECON 1201
Principles of Economics: Macro ECON 1202
6 credit hours Humanities electives You Choose! 

 

ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE

Course Description Course Code
Environmental Challenges       ENVS 1200 
Physical Processes in the Environment  ENVS 1250
6 credit hours in Math or CSCI  MATH (1250 & 1251) or (1210 & 1211) or CSCI 1226 & 1227 
Organismal & Ecological Biology  BIOL 1212 (formerly 1202)
Applications in Biology BIOL 1213
General Chemistry I & II   CHEM 1210 & 1212 (or 1211) 
People, Place and Environment  GEOG 1200 
3 credit hours in Humanities You Choose!  

GEOGRAPHY

 

Course Description Course Code
Global Perspectives on Land & Life GEOG 1100 
People, Place and Environment  GEOG 1200   
6 credit hours in Math or CSCI  MATH (1250 & 1251) or (1210 & 1211) or CSCI 1226 & 1227 
6 credit hours Science electives  You Choose! 
6 credit hours in Humanities electives  You Choose! 
6 credit hours in Arts electives You Choose! 

GEOLOGY

Course Description Course Code
Understanding the Earth & The Dynamic Earth      GEOL 1200 & GEOL 1201
6 credit hours Math  or CSCI MATH (1250 & 1251) or (1210 & 1211) or CSCI 1226 & 1227
6 credit hours in Science electives  You Choose! 
6 credit hours Humanities electives  You Choose! 
6 credit hours Arts electives You Choose! 

MATHEMATICS

Course Description Course Code
Introductory Calculus I & II   MATH 1210 & MATH 1211
Intro to Computing Science Programming  CSCI 1226    
Problem Solving & Programming   CSCI 1227 or CSCI 1228  
6 credit hours Science electives  You Choose! 
6 credit hours Humanities electives You Choose! 
6 credit hours Arts electives You Choose! 

PHYSICS

Course Description Course Code
University Physics I & II PHYS 1210 & PHYS 1211
Introductory Calculus I & II  MATH 1210 & MATH 1211
Introduction to Modern Physics   PHYS 1500
6 credit hours in Science electives  You Choose! (Recommended: CHEM 1210 & 1211) 
6 credit hours Humanities electives  You Choose! 

PSYCHOLOGY

Course Description Course Code
Introduction to Psychology  PSYC 1000 
3 credit hours in PSYC 1000-level    PSYC 1100, 1120, 1310, 1320, 1400, 1510, 1520
6 credit hours in Math or CSCI  MATH 1250 & 1251 or MATH 1210 & 1211 or CSCI 1226 & 1227 
6 credit hours Science electives   You Choose!
6 credit hours Humanities electives   You Choose!  
6 credit hours Arts electives You Choose!  

 

ENGINEERING

Course Description  Course Code

Introductory Calculus I & II

MATH 1210 & MATH 1211

University Physics I & II

PHYS 1210 & PHYS 1211

Engineering Mechanics I: Statics

EGNE 1203

Technical Communications

EGNE 1206
Engineering Design I: Graphics EGNE 1210
General Chemistry I & II  CHEM 1210 & CHEM 1213
Computer Programming & Problem Solving CSCI 1227

Introduction to the History of Science & Technology 

(*Can be taken in Fall or Winter term)

HIST 1301 

 

FORENSIC SCIENCE (Certificate)*

Course Description  Course Code
Molecular & Cell Biology BIOL 1201  (formerly 1201)
Organismal & Ecological Biology  BIOL 1212 (formerly 1202) 
Applications in Biology BIOL 1213 (students with credit for BIOL 1201 or 1202 should not take 1213)
General Chemistry I & II CHEM 1210 & CHEM 1212 (or 1211)

*Refer to intended major for additional info. 

 

 

Course & Elective Options

SCIENCES

Astronomy, Biology, Chemistry, Computing Science, Environmental Science, Geography (Group B only), Geology, Mathematics, Physics, Psychology (Excluding ASTR 1010, CHEM 1221, MATH 1202, and MATH 1203)

ARTS

Anthropology, Arabic, Asian Studies, Atlantic Canada Studies, Chinese, Ancient Studies (Classics), Criminology, Economics, Education, English, French, German, Geography (Group A, C, D only), Health Wellness and Sport in Society, Hispanic Studies, History, Intercultural Studies, Global Development Studies (International Development Studies), Irish Studies, Japanese, Linguistics, Philosophy,  Public Humanities & Heritage, Political Science, Religion, Sociology, Social Justice and Community Studies, Spanish, Women, Gender Studies & Sexuality

HUMANITIES

Atlantic Canada Studies, Asian Studies, Ancient Studies (Classics), English, History, Intercultural Studies, Irish Studies, Philosophy, Public Humanities & Heritage, Religion, and Modern Languages (courses in literature and/or culture)

*MATH 1210 Placement Test*

 

All new students registered in MATH 1210 are required to take a Mathematics placement test in their first week of classes. This will help us assess your readiness for university calculus. 

Students whose performance on the math placement test does not meet or exceed the minimum required to continue in MATH 1210 are directed instead to MATH 1190 as a better starting point.

Use this Math Placement Practice  material, complete with practice questions and answers, to prepare for your placement test.

Contact us

Faculty of Science
Mailing address:
Saint Mary's University
923 Robie Street
Halifax, Nova Scotia, B3H 3C3

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