Proposed calendar changes: General Studies Program

John Jones, Associate Dean, FAS

Sept 23, 2008

Summary of Changes

This proposal removes the "Applied Sciences One'' program description and modifies the requirements for the BGSAS degree to take account of the consequences of faculty restructuring.

Rationale

Once FAS has been reduced to the Schools of Computing and Engineering Science, incoming students should be guided into one program or the other. Both programs are quite demanding, so there is little to be gained by taking a mixture of courses from the two Schools. However, it is worth retaining the BGSAS degree to provide a route to graduation for students who find themselves unable to complete the CMPT or ENSC programs with the required minimum GPA's.

Revised Wording

Changes to General Studies Program (p. 125, 2008/9)
CurrentProposed
General Studies Program

8800 Technology and Science Complex 2

778.782.4724 Tel, 778.782.5802 Fax, http://fas.sfu.ca/programs/bgs

Advisor

Ms. L. McGregor BComm (McM), 778.782.5332

Applied Sciences One

This challenging program of first year study for those who are interested in the applied sciences includes courses relevant to the study of communication, computing science, engineering science and kinesiology. Applied Sciences One consists of two terms of course work based on the following models. Students may vary these models and make substitutions in consultation with the program advisor.

Recommended First Term Course Work

CMNS 110-3 Introduction to Communication Studies

CMPT 101-4 Introduction to Computer Programming

ENSC 150-3 Introduction to Computer Design

KIN 142-3 Introduction to Kinesiology

MATH 151-3 Calculus I

Recommended Second Term Course Work

one of

CMNS 130-3 Explorations in Mass Communication

REM 100-3 Global Change

all of

ENGL 199-3 University Writing

MACM 101-3 Discrete Mathematics I

MATH 152-3 Calculus II

and one of

BISC 101-4 General Biology

CHEM 121-4 General Chemistry and Laboratory I

PHYS 120-3 Modern Physics and Mechanics

Upon completion of Applied Science One, most apply to an applied sciences major program. Students may also wish to pursue a major-minor combination involving two schools, or continue on with the general studies program leading to the bachelor of general studies (applied sciences). Consult a program advisor for course planning for second and subsequent years.

Bachelor’s Degree Program

The non-specialist bachelor of general studies offers a broad education with an applied orientation and is available as a general applied sciences option or a double minor option.

General Applied Sciences Option

Students complete 30 36 upper division Faculty of Science and Faculty of Applied Sciences units subject to the following.

• no more than nine units of these courses may be from the Faculty of Science

no more than 12 units may be completed from any one school in the Faculty of Applied Sciences

• Faculty of Applied Sciences residency requirements must be satisfied. See “Residency Requirements” on page 111.

• a 2.00 GPA is required on the courses used for the general applied sciences option.

For this requirement, MACM courses are counted as School of Computing Science courses.

Double Minor Option

Students may satisfy the double minor option by completing two minors (or extended minors), at least one of which must be in the Faculty of Applied Sciences. If the only minor from the Faculty of Applied Sciences is in the School of Communication, the second minor must be from the Faculty of Science or the Faculty of Applied Sciences.

Overall Degree Requirements

Students complete 120 units overall for the degree, including 45 upper division units. A 2.00 graduation CGPA and UDGPA is required.

Admission Requirements

Faculty of Applied Sciences students may apply for admission to either the general applied sciences option or the double minor option at any time. Students in other faculties may apply for the double minor option upon acceptance into two qualifying minors by the schools or departments concerned.

Limited spaces are available for students transferring to the general applied sciences option from other faculties. Admission is competitive, based on a GPA in upper division applied sciences courses. At least nine units of upper division applied sciences courses with a 2.25 GPA is required for admission.

Enrolment in the upper division courses of a particular school may be limited to those bachelor of general studies students who also meet the admission standards of that school. Admission to the BGS program may not be used to bypass the enrolment limitations of any other applied sciences program.

Bachelor of General Studies Program

The non-specialist bachelor of general studies offers a broad education with an applied orientation.

Students complete 36 upper division Faculty of Science and Faculty of Applied Sciences units subject to the following.

• no more than nine units of these courses may be from the Faculty of Science

• Faculty of Applied Sciences residency requirements must be satisfied. See “Residency Requirements” on page 111.

• a 2.00 GPA is required on the courses used for the general applied sciences option.

For this requirement, MACM courses are counted as School of Computing Science courses.

Overall Degree Requirements

Students complete 120 units overall for the degree, including 45 upper division units. A 2.00 graduation CGPA and UDGPA is required.

Admission Requirements

Faculty of Applied Sciences students may apply for admission to the general applied sciences option at any time.

Limited spaces are available for students transferring to the general applied sciences option from other faculties. Admission is competitive, based on a GPA in upper division applied sciences courses. At least nine units of upper division applied sciences courses with a 2.25 GPA is required for admission.

Enrolment in the upper division courses of a particular school may be limited to those bachelor of general studies students who also meet the admission standards of that school. Admission to the BGS program may not be used to bypass the enrolment limitations of any other applied sciences program.