Significant numbers of SFU applicants appear to be interested in general admission to Applied Sciences without necessarily committing themselves to any particular major program. In Fall 2002, for example, 45 new SFU students were drawn from the pool of applicants to the General Studies program in Applied Sciences. Only 2 of these applicants were admitted to Applied Sciences, while 22 were admitted to Arts and 21 to Science. Admission GPAs were in the mid 90% range.
Rather than turning high-GPA general studies applicants away, it may make sense to accept them into a program of first year studies that offers exposure to coursework in each of the Schools. Provided that the admission GPA is at least as high as that of other Applied Sciences programs, the applicants so selected are likely to represent a good source of potential recruits for any of our programs.
The following proposal introduces a general year of first year studies that can be used as the basis for accepting students into the faculty and exposing them to each of our programs.
| Current Wording | Proposed Wording |
|---|---|
|
This is a nonspecialist bachelor's degree program that offers students a broad education with an applied orientation. This program may be satisfied either through the general applied sciences option or through the double minor option. |
Applied Sciences OneApplied Sciences One is a general program of first year study for those who are interested in the applied sciences. It includes courses relevant to the study of communication, computing science, engineering science and kinesiology. Applied Sciences One consists of two semesters of course work based on the following models. Students may vary these models and make substitutions in consultation with the program advisor. Recommended First Semester Coursework
CMNS 110-3 Introduction to Communication Studies Recommended Second Semester Coursework
CMNS 130-3 Explorations in Mass Communication Upon completion of Applied Science One, it is expected that most students will choose to apply to one of the major programs offered by Schools within the Faculty of Applied Sciences. Students may also wish to pursue a major-minor combination involving two Schools. Alternatively, students may continue on with the general studies program leading to the Bachelor of General Studies (Applied Sciences). Course planning for second and subsequent years should be carried out in consultation with the program advisor. General Studies Degree ProgramThis is a nonspecialist bachelor's degree program that offers students a broad education with an applied orientation. This program may be satisfied either through the general applied sciences option or through the double minor option. |