FACULTY OF ARTS OASIS GUIDE FOR NEW STUDENTS - What you need to know about the Bachelor of Arts Degree as an Incoming Student
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F ACULTY OF A RTS OASIS
G UIDE FOR N EW S TUDENTS
What you need to know about the Bachelor of Arts
Degree as an Incoming Student
1
WELCOME TO THE FACULTY OF ARTS! 4
SUMMER CHECKLIST FOR NEW UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS 5
Important Dates 7
During the Summer ..................................................................................................... 7
During the Fall/Winter terms .................................................................................... 9
Where to Start: Advising Resources 9
Arts OASIS (Office of Advising and Student Information Services) ............... 10
Faculty/Student Advisers ......................................................................................... 11
Arts Students Advising Program (ASAP) .............................................................. 12
Departmental Program Advisers ............................................................................ 13
Faculty or Departmental: Which adviser should you see? ................................ 13
Service Point (Student Records Resource) .......................................................... 14
Ready to Go! Your Student Designation 15
U0 or U1? ...................................................................................................................... 15
U1 ................................................................................................................................15
U0 ................................................................................................................................15
Freshman Program (U0) ........................................................................................... 16
Option 1: General Option ............................................................................................16
Option 2: French Option .............................................................................................17
Approved Courses & More Information ......................................................................17
Departmental Program (U1 onwards) ................................................................... 19
Multi-Track System ....................................................................................................19
Honours Program ........................................................................................................20
Joint Honours Program ...............................................................................................21
Declaring Your Major ................................................................................................ 22
Incoming Transfer Students .................................................................................... 23
Incoming Exchange Students .................................................................................. 23
Incoming Visiting Students ..................................................................................... 23
Start Planning: Steps to Register 24
Registering on Minerva ............................................................................................ 24
What to Do When a Course is Full .............................................................................24
What will your schedule look like? ......................................................................... 25
Course Load ................................................................................................................ 26
Scholarship Students ..................................................................................................26
International Students ................................................................................................26
French Placement Tests ........................................................................................... 27
Other Language Courses .......................................................................................... 27
Courses in English as a Second Language ............................................................ 28
2
Course Change (Add/Drop) Period ......................................................................... 28
Course Approval ..........................................................................................................28
Course and University Withdrawal ........................................................................ 29
What is a withdrawal? ................................................................................................29
Why would you want to withdraw? .............................................................................29
Withdrawal Deadlines for 2015-2016 ...................................................................... 29
Planning your B.A. degree 30
Steps to Planning your Degree: .............................................................................. 30
Degree Planning Worksheet: ......................................................................................30
Course selection outside of Faculties of Arts and Science ................................ 31
Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory Option ........................................................................ 31
How to Apply for the S/U Option ................................................................................31
Understanding your Transcript.............................................................................. 32
Grading and Assessment .......................................................................................... 33
Academic Integrity ......................................................................................................36
Level of Classes .......................................................................................................... 37
Course Codes ...............................................................................................................37
First Year Seminars ....................................................................................................38
Academic Opportunities outside of McGill 39
International Education Week ................................................................................ 39
Exchange...................................................................................................................... 39
Independent Study Away ......................................................................................... 40
Internships .................................................................................................................. 40
Field Studies ............................................................................................................... 40
ARIA (Arts Undergraduate Research Internship Award) ................................. 40
Campus/Student Resources 41
Enrolment Services ................................................................................................... 41
Scholarships and Student Aid ................................................................................. 41
Residences and Student Housing ........................................................................... 41
Campus Life & Engagement .................................................................................... 42
Arts Undergraduate Society (AUS) ........................................................................ 42
Office for International Students (ISS) ................................................................. 42
The Counselling Service ........................................................................................... 43
McGill Tutoring Program ......................................................................................... 43
AUS Drop-in Essay Centre ....................................................................................... 43
Study/Writing Skills .................................................................................................. 43
Student Exchanges and Study Abroad Office (SESA) ........................................ 44
myAccess (through the Office of Students with Disabilities) ........................... 44
Career and Planning Services (CaPS) ................................................................... 44
Mental Health Services ............................................................................................. 45
Student Health Services ........................................................................................... 45
Libraries ...................................................................................................................... 46
Credits 48
3
WELCOME TO THE FACULTY OF ARTS!
Congratulations on your acceptance to McGill University! We are very pleased to have
you with us in the Faculty of Arts. As you are about to embark on an exciting journey of
discovery and learning at McGill, it is important for us to ensure that you receive all the
necessary tools to start your degree on the right foot.
We have designed a special step-by-step guide for new Arts students containing important
information for your transition to McGill. Inside you will find everything you need to know
from your arrival until the end of your studies here. This guide takes you through the
important dates and deadlines, what you need to do before you come to McGill, who you
need to contact when you have concerns, and what you need to know about planning your
B.A. degree.
We wish you all the luck in your studies,
McGill Arts OASIS
4
SUMMER CHECKLIST FOR NEW
UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS
□ READ THE NEW STUDENTS AND CAMPUS LIFE & ENGAGEMENT WEBSITES
to get an idea of what you need to do over the summer and the campus resources available to
you throughout the year
New Students: http://www.mcgill.ca/newstudents/welcome-mcgill
CL&E: https://www.mcgill.ca/firstyear/
□ SET UP AND CHECK YOUR MCGILL E-MAIL ADDRESS REGULARLY (or forward
it to an email address that you check regularly). This is the only email address that will be
used for official communications with McGill starting in your first semester
Setting up your McGill email: http://kb.mcgill.ca/kb/?ArticleId=1957&source=article&c=12&cid=2 -
tab:homeTab:crumb:7:artId:1957
□ CONSULT YOUR FACULTY’S WEBSITE AND THE E-CALENDAR for information on
choosing your programs/courses and university regulations
Faculty of Arts: https://www.mcgill.ca/arts/faculty-arts
Arts e-Calendar: https://www.mcgill.ca/study/2015-2016/faculties/arts/undergraduate
□ REVIEW MCGILL’S IMPORTANT DATES where you’ll find registration dates,
Add/Drop deadlines, exam periods, and other dates for the upcoming academic year
Dates to note: http://www.mcgill.ca/newstudents/datestonote
□ LOOK AT THE ACADEMIC ADVISING WEBSITE to familiarize yourself with what
advisers do, the adviser directory, and other resources, such as Ask an Adviser
Arts Oasis: http://www.mcgill.ca/oasis/
□ VIEW THE MCGILL 101 VIDEOS ON MYCOURSES as they become available
throughout the year
McGill 101: https://www.mcgill.ca/firstyear/undergrad-students/beforeyouarrive/mcgill101
□ CEGEP STUDENTS: attend a session of CSI McGill
CSI: https://www.mcgill.ca/firstyear/undergrad-students/csi-mcgill
5□ STUDENTS WITH ADVANCED STANDING: determine which courses you may get an
exemption from/credit for and make sure that your final, official results/test scores are sent
to Service Point
Transfer credits and advanced standing: https://www.mcgill.ca/students/transfercredit/home-page
□ REGISTER FOR YOUR COURSES USING MINERVA: it is recommended that you
register for both Fall and Winter courses now (make sure to add at least one course by the
registration deadline, August 14th). Consult with an adviser if you have specific questions
about course selection. You can make changes to your course selection up to the end of the
first two weeks of classes in each semester, so do your best to choose you classes now and
make changes as necessary later on. (more detailed information on registration in the Steps
to Register section on page 24)
Tutorial video on how to register for courses: https://www.mcgill.ca/students/courses/add
□ U0 STUDENTS: get your Freshman Program courses approved by a faculty adviser
Contact a Faculty Adviser: https://www.mcgill.ca/oasis/contact
□ U1 STUDENTS: choose your program(s) – major, minor, concentration, etc. Contact your
departmental/faculty adviser(s) with questions about course selection
List of Faculty of Arts Departments: http://www.mcgill.ca/arts/departments
□ If you have any PROBLEMS REGISTERING IN MINERVA (error messages, etc) make
sure to read the help text carefully, look over the registration website, and read the tips on
registration problems (applicable to students in all programs)
Common registration problems and tips: https://www.mcgill.ca/students/courses/add/problems
□ COMPLETE THE MANDATORY ACADEMIC INTEGRITY TUTORIAL ON
MYCOURSES
MyCourses: https://mycourses2.mcgill.ca
□ DOWNLOAD THE FREE MCGILL APP FROM THE APPSTORE.
McGill App: https://itunes.apple.com/ca/app/mcgill-app/id909542418?mt=8
6During your studies at the Faculty of Arts, you will come across many important dates that
you will want to keep in mind. It is good to know these well in advance as some dates, such as
Advising, Orientation events, and Examination periods, require preparation. Be sure to note
them in your calendar!
IMPORTANT DATES
During the Summer
Event Date Things to note
Deadline to avoid August 14 Please note that you must
a late registration fee register for at least one course to
avoid the late registration fee.
Parents Tent Aug 28 – 30 Invite your parents to attend
https://aoc.mcgill.ca/network/ Parents Tent: it is a great
parents-association/dates- opportunity for them to ask
events questions and share their
concerns about McGill to the
McGill Parents Association.
Residence Move in Aug 29 – 30 Service Point will exceptionally
Weekend be open during this weekend from 9-4
for you to pick up your student ID if you
Service Point have not already done so.
Weekend Hours
Orientation Week Aug 29 – Sept 6 Orientation Week is full of many fun
https://www.mcgill.ca/firstyea events to attend before you
r/undergrad- hit the books. Take advantage of all
students/week/orientation- these great opportunities to make new
week friends, get important information,
and explore the city of Montreal!
Deadline for cancellation August 31 Please keep in mind that you have
of admission offer until August 31 to cancel your
admission offer
Rez Fest & Off- August 31 Rez Fest is a great way for you to
Campus Fest Day meet other students in Rez and to
show off your Rez spirit! Not in Rez?
Off-Campus Fest is your chance to meet
other first-year students living
off-campus.
7Discover McGill September 1 Discover McGill is a chance for you
to learn more about McGill,
Student Services, and the Students’
Society of McGill University. You will
also have the opportunity to meet
other new students from your
Faculty.
Engage McGill September 1 Engage McGill is a way for you to
learn more about the student clubs
and activities offered on campus. Get
involved as soon as you enter first year!
Discover McGill’s September 2 Attend a variety of workshops that will
Academic provide you with plenty of useful tips to
Expectations Day sharpen your study skills and ease
your transition to University
academic life.
Arts Departmental September 2 The Arts Departmental Advising Fair is a
Advising Fair great way to discover all the programs
offered to you in the Faculty of
Arts. You will be able to meet
departmental academic advisers and
faculty advisers (more on their roles on
page 13) and ask them
questions about your programs of
interest. The fair will be taking place in
the SSMU Ballroom.
Session d’accueil pour September 2 Information session for our newly
étudiants admitted francophone students.
francophones This workshop will help with your
transition to McGill if this is your
first time studying in English.
Info session for September 3 Information session specifically
transfer students designed for transfer students. Not sure
what qualifies as a transfer student?
See page 22
8During the Fall/Winter terms
Event Fall Winter Notes
Classes begin Friday Thursday Don’t forget to attend your
September 4 January 7 lectures!
*MONDAY *MONDAY
SCHEDULE* SCHEDULE*
Add/Drop September 22 January 19 You have until this deadline
(Course Change) to “shop around” for courses
Deadline in which you are not yet
registered. You can also
drop a course if you change
your mind! See page 28
Deadline for September 29 January 26 After the Add/Drop deadline,
course or a course withdrawal will result in
University a grade of W, and University
withdrawal (a Withdrawal will result in a W--.
grade of W or You have until these dates to get
W--) WITH full a refund for your withdrawal,
refund although administrative fees
may be associated with
University withdrawal. More info
on page 29
Thanksgiving October 12 N/A University closed
Deadline for November 3 March 8 Keep in mind that you may
course or still withdraw after the Withdrawal
University (with refund) Deadline, however you
withdrawal (a will not be able to get a refund.
grade of W or Only students in exceptional
W--) WITHOUT situations may withdraw (with no
refund impact on their transcript) after this
point. See Service Point if this
applies to you:
Study break N/A Feb 29 – Mar 4 Have a nice break!
Good Friday & N/A March 25 & 28 Enjoy the long weekend!
Easter Monday University closed
Classes end December 7 April 15
Study day December 8 April 16-17 Take advantage of this day to
study for your final exams!
Examination December 9 April 18 Good luck on your exams!
period begins
Examination December 22 April 29
period ends
Holiday break Dec 24 – Jan 3 Have a nice vacation!
Deadline to defer January 15 May 15 http://www.mcgill.ca/oasis/policies-and-
examinations procedures/course-policies/course-
policies/exams/deferred
9Now that you have the overall picture of what your year will look like, you probably have
questions about advising, registration, and classes. In this section, we will take you through
the different advising resources available to you during the summer and throughout the year.
You will find information here about where to go and who to contact should you have any
questions about advising.
WHERE TO START: ADVISING RESOURCES
Arts OASIS (Office of Advising and Student Information
Services)
Arts OASIS is there to offer you advice and support as an Arts Undergraduate student regarding
your academic trajectory, from entry to graduation. It is your first stop whenever you have
questions about planning your B.A. degree, registration, rules and regulations for Arts students,
and opportunities offered outside of McGill to enhance your degree. Our advising team will be
able to consult you during the summer and throughout the academic year.
Arts OASIS is located in Room 110, Dawson Hall, on the right side of the main entrance
to the Arts building.
Make sure to visit our website for more information about Arts OASIS and the drop-in hours
schedule as it varies throughout the seasons: www.mcgill.ca/oasis/
Arts OASIS is your first stop for all questions or concerns regarding
your B.A. degree, don’t be afraid to come by!
10Faculty/Student Advisers of Arts OASIS
Housed at Dawson Hall, the Advisers of Arts OASIS will provide you information and advice on
all matters pertaining to your overall B.A. degree. Our Faculty Advisers will gladly assist you in
your B.A. degree planning from your first year at McGill to graduation. Student Advisers can
advise you on the Freshman Program or Study Away/Exchange programs. If you have any
questions, please refer to the chart below and contact one of our Faculty or Student Advisers.
Lucyna M. Lach Associate Dean of Arts (Student Affairs)
Demetra Pavlounis Student Adviser, Assistant to the Associate Dean
Mylena Bergeron Faculty Adviser
Ruth Kuzaitis Faculty Adviser
Kanella “Nellie” Voudouris Faculty Adviser
Ines Scharnweber Faculty Adviser
Anne Nudo Student Adviser, Study Away/Exchanges
Monica Hotter Student Adviser, Freshman Advising
Sonia Masand Student Affairs Assistant
Agatha Slupek Student Affairs Assistant
Alejandra Moreira-Cano Administrative Student Affairs Coordinator
If you want to meet with an Arts OASIS adviser in person, please refer to the drop-in schedule
on our website http://www.mcgill.ca/oasis/ as the drop-in hours vary throughout the seasons.
Still can’t find what you are looking for? Please contact Arts OASIS by telephone at 514-398-
1029 or in person at our counter (Dawson Hall Building, Room 110)
11Arts Students Advising Program (ASAP)
During the summer, our ASAPs are available to provide assistance to you in person, by phone,
and by chat. Not only will our ASAPs gladly answer your questions, but they will also help you
feel part of the McGill experience. As senior Arts students, they will be able to understand
exactly what you are experiencing right now. If you feel more comfortable sharing your concerns
with students like you, then do not hesitate to reach out to an ASAP in the following ways:
Chat Online Telephone In Person Email
Monday to Monday to Friday Monday to Friday Anytime
Friday
10 am – 4 pm 10 am – 4 pm 10 am – 4 pm
Dawson Hall, Room 110 adviser.
https://messenger
Faculty of Arts OASIS, arts@mc
.providesupport.c
(514) 398-1029 McGill University gill.ca
om/messenger/aus
mcgill.html
853 Sherbrooke St. W
Montreal, QC H3A 0G5
Don’t forget to follow the ASAPs on:
https://twitter.com/asapoasismcgill https://www.facebook.com/Asa https://www.youtube.co
pArtsOasisMcGillUniversity m/user/McGillArtsOASI
S
12Departmental Program Advisers
Do you have specific questions related to course selection in your program of study? Would you
like to have more information about our Honours programs? Are you curious to know about the
different scholarships and awards offered in your program? If so, you can contact your
Departmental program adviser, who is responsible for a particular degree program administered
by the department, to learn more about your program of study.
Below is a link to the departments, institutes, and schools within the Faculty of Arts:
http://www.mcgill.ca/oasis/programs/arts-departments
And here is a list of all Departmental Academic Advisers within the Faculty of Arts:
http://www.mcgill.ca/oasis/resources/departmental-academic-advisers
Be in touch with your Departmental Adviser throughout your time at McGill to ensure that you
are meeting your program’s requirements and to learn about other opportunities in your
department – don’t wait until your final year!
Faculty or Departmental: Which Adviser Should You See?
Faculty Advisers Departmental Advisers
Arts OASIS: Located in Dawson Hall Find your department’s advisers here:
Website: http://www.mcgill.ca/oasis/contact http://www.mcgill.ca/oasis/resources/departmen
tal-academic-advisers
Can answer questions on: Can answer questions on:
Academic standing Program planning & course selection for
Course load your program option only
Course selection Explaining program requirements
Exchange & study away Verifying & approving registration for
Transfer credits program courses
Faculty & university procedures Verifying program requirements for
Inter-faculty transfers graduation & submit graduation
Program and Freshman Program recommendations for program option
requirements Suggesting courses suitable to your
Reassessments and rereads interests
University & course withdrawals
Supplemental and deferred exams As well, departmental advisers can:
Approve requests for course
As well, faculty advisers can: equivalencies, substitutions, and
Offer advice if you are in academic exemptions
difficulty and suggest courses of action Approve & pre-approve transfer credits
Help you define and develop realistic at the departmental or program level
goals Provide information on internships,
Assist you with immediate problem graduate programs, scholarships,
solving and long-range planning awards, research fellowships, and
Communicate with other advisers exchange & study away programs
within the University and, with your within their field
permission, serve as a direct link
between you and other University
resources
13Service Point (Student Records Resource)
Service Point is where you will pick up your student ID card as a newly admitted student. It is
also where you can ask questions regarding Minerva, housing and dining services, your
transcript, your tuition fees, and important and legal documents.
Located at 3415 McTavish Street, on the corner of Sherbrooke West, Service Point will be
operating on:
Monday to Friday from 10am to 4pm
Wednesdays from 10am to 5pm
Extended hours Aug 24 – Sept 4: 9am to 5pm
Extended Move-in Weekend Hours Sunday August 30: 9am to 4pm
For more information on Service Point, please refer to:
http://www.mcgill.ca/students/servicepoint/
For a full list of services offered at Service Point, see:
http://www.mcgill.ca/students/servicepoint/services
P@ge Me
Service Point can get busy, especially leading up to and during the first week of classes. Avoid
waiting and add yourself to the daily queue via your smartphone or laptop, and from anywhere
on campus with P@geMe. It will send you an email or text-message when there are less than 10
people in queue ahead of you. Make sure to check-in at the reception desk when you arrive!
https://pageme.mcgill.ca/VQ/Selection.aspx
14Now that you are aware of all the advising resources available to you, it is time to start
thinking about your program. First, you must determine your student designation. U0, U1,
U2, and U3 are your university years. Everyone completes years U1 to U3, but depending on
your advanced standing you may also have to complete a freshman year: U0. The program you
follow in your first year will differ depending on whether you are U0 or U1.
READY TO GO! YOUR STUDENT DESIGNATION
U0 or U1?
At McGill, all students come in to a 120-credit degree. In some cases, they have written
university level examinations, so they have been granted advanced standing in their first year.
U1
If you are a CEGEP student, you are exempted from the Freshman Program as you have been
granted 30 advanced standing credits from your DEC. You can automatically register as a U1,
and declare your major and minor while registering on Minerva. You will start the Departmental
Program right away. The same information applies to you if you did the French
Baccalaureate.
If you are a student who did the International Baccalaureate Diploma and Certificate (IB) or
any Advanced Level (AL), Advanced Placement (AP) courses, depending on your
examination results and the number of credits received (at least 24) you may also be qualified as
U1. Double check with a Faculty Adviser so you can get a head start planning your program if
necessary.
Being a U1 student means that you can complete your degree in 3 years instead of 4. This may
seem like a very short amount of time, but don’t panic! A new policy allows non-CEGEP U1
students the option to finish their degree in 4 years instead of 3. You can see a faculty adviser for
more information. Interested to read more on the policy? See here:
http://www.mcgill.ca/study/2015-
2016/university_regulations_and_resources/undergraduate/ug_gi_advanced_standing_transfer_c
redits
U0
If you did not complete any of the above programs before coming to McGill, or you did not receive
the minimum number of transfer credits to enter directly into U1 (24 credits), then you will be
entering as a Freshman student (U0), and will follow the Freshman Program.
Not sure if you qualify for Transfer Credit? Please visit:
http://www.mcgill.ca/students/transfercredit/prospective/
And to understand what transfer credits are, refer to:
http://www.mcgill.ca/students/transfercredit/
15Freshman Program (U0)
The Freshman (U0) program is for students who need to complete 97- 120 credits to finish their
degree. Every program is designed to take no more than 3 years to complete, so you can think of
your U0 year as your chance to explore many different departments before starting the
departmental program! This is a great opportunity if you aren’t sure yet of what you want to
major in, or if you are still deciding between a few programs.
Option 1: General Option
In this option, you will have to take 6 – 18 credits from 3 of the 4 categories: Social Sciences,
Humanities, Languages, and Mathematics & Science. A maximum of 18 credits may be chosen
from any one category but no more than 12 credits may be taken in one department.
Examples of how your credits could be distributed:
Social Sciences Humanities Languages Math and Science
18 credits* 6 credits 6 credits 0 credits or
12 credits 3 credits 6 credits 9 credits or
9 credits 6 credits 12 credits 3 credits or
3 credits 6 credits 9 credits 14 credits*
*Remember only 12 of these credits can be in one department!
Have advanced standing?
Then your advanced standing credits + McGill credits = minimum of 6 credits to a
maximum of 18 credits in 3 of the 4 categories.
For example, if you have 9 AP credits, in US History and Introduction to Psychology, then
you only need 15 credits to complete the Freshman Program. Keep in mind that you have
already met the social science category.
Advanced standing + McGill credits = 24-30 credits for the Freshman Program.
Once you have 24 credits, you may proceed to your U1 year (make sure to double check with a
Faculty adviser!)
16Option 2: French Option
In this option, you will have to do 18 credits of courses conducted in French. The courses you
choose in the French option may be comprised wholly of language courses, wholly of substantive
content courses in French or a combination of the two. Keep in mind that you can take a
maximum of 12 credits of intensive French language courses. For the French Option, you may be
required to take a proficiency test. (See page 27 for details)
Approved Courses & More Information
As a Freshman student, you must select your courses from an approved list. You can find
the list of courses and more information on the Freshman Program here:
https://www.mcgill.ca/oasis/students/new
Click the Freshman U0 tab and explore the information under the following: BA Freshman
Program, Approved Courses, Important Dates, and other headings.
*Remember that Minerva can give you the most up-to-date information on which classes are
scheduled for the upcoming academic year.
How to Read the Approved Course List:
Department Course Code Course Title Number of Credits
17Freshman Course Approval Form
Don’t forget that you need to get your freshman courses approved by an adviser!
The Freshman Course Approval Form will be available from June 12th to August 31st only. If
you have any questions, please contact the OASIS office at 514-398-1029. If you make any
changes after the course approval form closes, see a Faculty Adviser to make sure you are still
meeting the freshman requirements.
https://www.mcgill.ca/oasis/course-approval-form
If at any point you have questions about the Freshman Program, contact Arts OASIS or see the
Freshman Adviser
http://www.mcgill.ca/oasis/
18Departmental Program (U1 onwards)
If you are a student coming in with transfer credits and only need to complete 90 credits out of
your 120-credit degree, you will start as a U1 Departmental Program student. You must
declare your major (see page 22) on Minerva and you will not need to complete the freshman
requirements. Please carefully read about the program options below as you will need to be
familiar with the Multi-Track System while planning your B.A. degree.
Multi-Track System
As a university student, you will find there will be many departments and programs in the
Faculty of Arts that cater to your background and interests.
McGill offers a 90-credit multi-track system that allows you to complete a major
concentration complemented by at least one minor concentration.
Take note that your major and minor concentrations must be in different units, i.e. you cannot
complete a major concentration in Psychology and a minor concentration in Behavioural Science
as they are offered by the same unit (Psychology), unless you add another minor in something
completely different.
The multi-track system may be completed in the following ways:
Major Concentration (36) + Minor Concentration (18) + electives (36)
A History + Hispanic Languages + electives
Major Concentration (36) + Major Concentration (36) + electives (18)
B Political Science + Women’s Studies + electives
Major Concentration (36) + Minor Concentration (18) + Minor Concentration (18)
C + electives (18)
Psychology + Sociology + Behavioural Science + electives
19Honours Program
Doing an Honours program is excellent preparation for graduate study, or if you would like to
specialize in your field of study, as it allows you to take more courses in your department of
interest.
You must meet the specific departmental and Faculty Honours requirements, while also
maintaining a good academic standing.
Regulations:
• To be registered in an Honours program after the first year, you must have
attained a GPA and CGPA of at least 3.00 in the previous year.
• To complete an Honours degree, you must achieve a minimum CGPA of 3.00. The
program GPA (the GPA of all required and complementary courses taken at McGill
which constitute the Honours program) must be a minimum of 3.00, although
academic units may set higher requirements for their program GPA.
• In addition to the completion of the Honours requirements, you must complete at
least a minor concentration in an academic unit other than the one in which the
Honours requirements are satisfied. (If you complete a second degree in the
Faculty of Arts, you do not need to complete a minor.)
• Some Honours programs (Economics, English, and Psychology) have their own
specific requirements and some may require an application. Meet with your
departmental adviser for more information on department-specific Honours
requirements.
Possible Honours Programs:
Honours Mathematics (60) + Minor Philosophy (18) + electives (12)
Honours Economics (42)* + Minor Communications (18) + Minor Political Science (18) +
electives (12)
*note that there are required math prerequisites not included in this total!
20Joint Honours Program
Following a Joint Honours Program allows you to study two disciplines at the honours level. The
same regulations apply:
• To be registered in a Joint Honours program after the first year, you must have
attained a GPA and CGPA of at least 3.00 in the previous year.
• To complete a Joint Honours degree, you must achieve a minimum CGPA of 3.00.
The program GPA (the GPA of all required and complementary courses taken at
McGill which constitute the Honours program) must be a minimum of 3.00,
although academic units may set higher requirements for their program GPA.
Possible Joint Honours Programs:
Joint Honours English – Literature (36 credits) + Joint Honours Canadian Studies (36
credits) + electives (18 credits)
Joint Honours Linguistics (36 credits) + Joint Honours Russian (36 credits) + Minor Art
History (18 credits) + NO ELECTIVES
This example is possible, BUT it is a very good idea to save room for electives; they give you more
flexibility and allow you to make changes in your program if necessary
Thinking about Honours?
If you are considering completing an Honours degree, be sure to talk to the Departmental
Adviser of the program(s) you are interested in. Often, there is a designated Honours Adviser.
Here is the link to all the departmental advisers:
http://www.mcgill.ca/oasis/resources/departmental-academic-advisers
For more information about the Departmental Program, visit:
https://www.mcgill.ca/oasis/students/new
Select the U1 Departmental tab
21Declaring Your Major/Program
U1 students must declare their major upon registration. Don’t forget that you need a minor too
(unless you’re pursuing a double major)!
U0 students declare their major at the end of their first year, once registration for the next
academic year opens (usually mid-April).
How to declare your major:
Go to Minerva
Select the Student Menu
Go to Student Records Menu
Select Change Your Primary Curriculum
Follow the instructions
Want to see a video demonstration? Click here:
http://ics.mcgill.ca/media/videos/Minerva/ChangeCurriculum/Arts/Changing_arts_Curriculum.ht
m
Don’t forget to see you Departmental Advisers at the end of August and attend the Program Fair
for help with your course selection!
22Incoming Transfer Students
If you have transferred to McGill from another university, you need to complete at least 60
credits and two-thirds of your program requirements at McGill in order to complete the residency
requirement for your B.A. degree. Your past student record is evaluated by Enrolment Services.
Most courses you have completed at your past institution will transfer over if you have received a
grade of C or better. However not all courses you have completed previously will transfer over,
and it is best that you see your departmental adviser to determine which of your approved
courses may count for program requirements.
Find more information on the OASIS website by selecting the Transfer tab:
https://www.mcgill.ca/oasis/students/new
Or visit McGill’s page on University Transfer Credits:
http://www.mcgill.ca/students/transfercredit/prospective/university/
Incoming Exchange Students
Exchange students are visiting students who have been accepted to McGill on a formal exchange
program. Their letter of admission from the Enrolment Services specifies their status as
'Exchange'. Normally, exchange students are accepted to McGill for a period of one year. The
adviser reviews the courses that you have already completed elsewhere to ensure that you have
the appropriate preparatory background for your course selection at McGill. Your course
selection should also be approved by your home university, and pre-requisites should be
confirmed by the course instructor at McGill.
More information under the Special/Visiting/Exchange tab here:
https://www.mcgill.ca/oasis/students/new
Incoming Visiting Students
If you are currently registered in a degree program at another university and have completed at
least two semesters of study there, you may apply to take courses at McGill University as a
Visiting Student. Course credits can be applied toward the program of study at your home
university. Admission decisions on visiting applications are final and there is no appeal process.
Your course selection should also be approved by your home university, and pre-requisites should
be confirmed by the course instructor at McGill.
Find out more under the Special/Visiting/Exchange tab here:
https://www.mcgill.ca/oasis/students/new
23Now that you have a good idea of the program you are to follow, you ready to register for your
courses! You will have to register through a system called Minerva. It is good to become
familiar with Minerva as it is also where you will view and pay your tuition fees, and modify
your schedule during the add/drop course change period.
START PLANNING: STEPS TO REGISTER
Registering on Minerva
When it comes to registering for classes, Minerva is your first destination.
1. Go to https://horizon.mcgill.ca/pban1/twbkwbis.P_WWWLogin and log in with your
McGill email address and password. (Still need to set up your email and password? Refer
to the Checklist on page 5)
2. Then go to Student Menu and click Registration Menu
3. Once on the registration menu, follow the steps to register for your courses.
The "Student Registration" tutorial walks you through the course registration process on
Minerva: http://ics.mcgill.ca/media/videos/Minerva/registration_portal.htm
For more information regarding registration process, please visit:
http://www.mcgill.ca/students/courses/add/register and
What to Do When a Course is Full
If a course is full, you may want to check again from time to time to see if space opens up. If the
course is required for your program but is full or "reserved closed," contact the department
offering the course to request a "permit to register."
Another Alternative: Join a Waitlist
Joining a waitlist while the course you want is full (if your course has one) is the best way to
ensure your spot if another student drops the course. Under special circumstances, the
department offering the course may allow you to register even though you normally wouldn't be
able to. If all else fails, try contacting the professor teaching the course. Here is the complete list
of Arts programs, where you can find your professor’s contact information:
http://www.mcgill.ca/oasis/artsadv/advisers
24What Will Your Schedule Look Like?
A great tool to use during registration is the Visual Schedule Builder (VSB). It will show you
any conflicts in your schedule or if a class is full. However, remember that Minerva is still your
most reliable source to determine if a class is still available. Here is the link to the Visual
Schedule Builder: https://vsb.mcgill.ca/
What classes can you take (applicable to U0)? Refer back to the approved course list on page 17
Here is an example of what your schedule could look like on VSB:
The CRN (Course Registration Number) is what you will enter in the Quick Add
registration menu to register for a course
The “Unscheduled” and/or “Temporarily Closed” CRN is your tutorial. This one says
“Opt” because it is optional, but not all are. You will register for these after the start of
classes; your prof will give you more information
The course location – very important!
The name of the professor teaching the course
Don’t forget to take a placement test if necessary! More on those on page 27
25Course Load
The normal course load is 4-5 courses (12-15 credits) per term. It is recommended that
freshman students take 4 courses, at least in their first term. If you register for 12 or more
credits, you will automatically be considered a full-time student. However, if you decide to take
less than 15 credits in a term (5 courses), you will have to make up the missing credits by either
catching up with summer courses or delaying your graduation by staying an extra term or terms.
If you take less than 4 courses (less than 12 credits), you will be considered as a part-time
student. Please keep in mind that being a part-time student might prevent you from having
access to scholarships and bursaries. Additionally, you will have to consult your Faculty Adviser
for any information regarding your graduation.
A normal course load will include two or three courses toward your Major Concentration
requirements, one or two courses toward your Minor Concentration requirements, and one or two
elective courses.
Scholarship Students
Please note that if you received a one-year entrance scholarship or a renewable entrance
scholarship, you are required to complete 27 graded credits during the regular academic year
(Fall and Winter terms). This total does not include classes taken under the
satisfactory/unsatisfactory option. If you are registered for only one term, you must complete at
least 14 graded credits.
International Students
If you are an international student, please note that you must be a full-time student. Therefore,
you must take 4-5 courses per term. Feel free to consult with the international student adviser
should you have any questions or concerns:
https://www.mcgill.ca/internationalstudents/contactus
For more on how to select your courses and plan your schedule, see this link:
http://www.mcgill.ca/students/courses/plan/prepare
26Placement Tests for Language Courses
French Placement Tests
During your time at McGill, you are inevitably going to have many encounters with French!
Learning the language is a great way to help you feel more at home in Montreal. Regardless of
whether you are a complete beginner or wanting to build on your high-school French skills, you
will have to pass a French Placement test in order to determine which course level would be
most appropriate for you. Please note that you will not be able to register for a French language
course if you do not take a French Placement test, as it is mandatory.
For more information about French Placement tests, visit:
http://www.mcgill.ca/flc/prospective-students/placement-tests
Other Language Courses
If you are interested in taking a language course other than French, please keep in mind that
you may also have to take a Placement Test before registering for the course. All language
courses have limited enrolment and, as such, may require departmental approval. For more
information about Language Placement Tests, please contact the department that offers the
language course.
East Asian language courses
http://www.mcgill.ca/eas/undergraduate-programs/east-language-courses-registration-info
Russian, German, Italian, and Spanish language courses
https://www.mcgill.ca/langlitcultures/programs
Hebrew language courses
http://www.mcgill.ca/jewishstudies/placement
Arabic, Persian, Turkish, and Urdu language courses
http://www.mcgill.ca/islamicstudies/undergraduate-studies/forms-and-resources
27Courses in English as a Second Language
If your primary language is not English and you have studied for fewer than five years in an
English-language institution, you are eligible to take courses in English as a Second Language
(CESL courses). You can take up to a maximum of 12 credits of CESL courses. As well, these
courses require you to take a placement test. You can refer to the McGill Writing Centre or meet
with an Arts OASIS adviser if you have any further questions.
Click the following link for more information on placement tests for CESL courses:
http://www.mcgill.ca/mwc/courses/placement-tests/
Course Change (Add/Drop) Period
Deadlines: September 16th for the Fall Term and January 20th for the Winter Term
During the fall and winter terms, McGill offers a Course Change (Add/Drop) period. It is a way to
let you “shop around” for courses that you might be interested in taking, but have not registered
for yet. You may attend as many courses as your schedule permits from the beginning of the
term until the end of the Add/Drop period (See important dates chart).
Remember that all courses are limited by enrolment; do not wait until the last minute to
register!
On your Transcript
Courses dropped during the Add/Drop Period are deleted from your record. Your record will show
only the courses in which you are registered after the Add/Drop Period. If you drop a course
within the deadlines for the Add/Drop Period, you will get a refund for the course; if you add a
course during this period, you will be charged for the course.
Course Approval
If you are a Freshman-program student, you must have changes approved by an Arts OASIS
Faculty adviser. If you are a Departmental program student, you must have your required course
changes approved by the appropriate departmental academic adviser.
Courses cancelled by the University are not automatically deleted from your record; you must
access Minerva and delete the course(s).
28Course and University Withdrawal
What is a withdrawal?
There are two kinds of withdrawals: Course Withdrawal and University Withdrawal.
A Course Withdrawal means you have chosen to discontinue one or more courses. A University
Withdrawal means you have chosen to discontinue your entire term or year of studies.
Depending on the date of withdrawal, you may be entitled to a refund.
Why would you want to withdraw?
You may wish to withdraw for a number of personal and/or academic reasons, which may include
simply not liking the course, not doing well in the course (see Grading procedure), illness,
financial difficulty or personal issues.
On your transcript
You will receive a grade of “W” on your transcript if you choose to do a Course or University
Withdrawal before the Course Withdraw deadline. A grade of “W” does not affect your CGPA as
it does not count towards it, and a few over the course of your academic career will not affect
future studies or career goals. However, keep in mind that you must officially withdraw from
your course or the university on Minerva. You cannot simply stop attending your lectures or
notify your professor about your situation. You must consult your Faculty Adviser, and then
withdraw on Minerva. If you do not declare your withdrawal on Minerva, you will receive a grade
of "J" instead of a "W" for a final grade. A "J" grade is calculated as a 0 in your CGPA, which
means that you have unofficially abandoned the course. See an adviser if this is the case.
For more information on Course and University Withdrawal, please go to:
http://www.mcgill.ca/student-accounts/your-account/withdrawals
Withdrawal Deadlines for 2015-2016
Fall term
With refund: September 29 th Without refund: November 3rd
Winter term
With refund: January 26 th Without refund: March 8th
29Now that we have sorted out your first year, it’s time to look further into the rest of your degree.
Your B.A. degree is the reason you are here at McGill, and knowing how to properly plan for it
can help you stay on track and make the most of the options available to you.
As well, you can always adjust or change your degree plan as your interests develop. Don’t
worry if you are in U0 and aren’t sure of what you would like to major in yet!
PLANNING YOUR B.A. DEGREE
All B.A. degrees consist of 120 credits. You might have entered with Advanced Standing and
already have credits that count towards your degree (see Student Designation on page 15 for
more information).
In addition to completing 120 credits, a minimum of 60 of your credits must be completed at
McGill University. At least two-thirds of all program requirements (see below) must also be
completed at McGill.
Steps to Planning your Degree
More detailed information here: https://www.mcgill.ca/oasis/programs/degree-planning
Step 1. Select your program(s)
Step 2. Plan your courses for each program of study
Review the requirements on the e-Calendar
Use the Degree Planning Worksheet
Make sure that you have completed the correct prerequisites
Step 3. Consult your Departmental Program Advisers
Ask questions and confirm you are meeting the requirements
Sample questions to ask your Departmental Program Adviser
Degree Planning Worksheet
The best way to track your progress in your program is to fill out a Degree Planning Worksheet:
https://www.mcgill.ca/oasis/files/oasis/faculty_of_arts_oasis_degree_planning_worksheet_june_16
_2014.pdf
Things to Note
Required courses must meet a grade of ‘C’ or better
A course cannot count towards more than one departmental program
Don’t forget about prerequisites!
Always see your departmental adviser for course overlap
30Course selection outside of Faculties of Arts and Science
If you would like to take courses outside of the Faculties of Arts and Science, that option is
available to you. However, you need to keep the following regulations in mind:
You are allowed a maximum of 12 credits in elective and/or complementary courses
taken in faculties other than the Faculties of Arts and Science.
Designated programs (Industrial Relations, Minor in Management, and Education for Arts
Students) allow you to take up to 30 credits in other faculties. For a complete list of these
designated programs and further information on courses outside the Faculties of Arts and
Science, click here: http://www.mcgill.ca/study/2015-
2016/faculties/arts/undergraduate/ug_arts_faculty_of_arts_course_reqs
Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory Option
Is there an elective course you would really like to try out, but don’t want it to affect your
GPA/CGPA? The S/U option allows you to take courses without them being calculated in your
GPA/CGPA total.
Keep in mind that courses taken under the S/U option cannot be counted towards your
major or minor requirements. The option may be used for 10% of your total McGill credits,
and may be applied to elective courses only.
If you are a freshman student, please note that you will not be able to select the S/U option until
your U1 year.
How to Apply for the S/U Option
Go to Minerva
Select the Quick Add or Drop Course Sections (as if you were registering for courses)
In the "course grade mode" drop down menu associated with the elective course, select
the Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory grade mode
Click submit to save the change
The deadline to add the S/U option is the same as the Add/Drop deadline!
Be careful! If you accidentally select the S/U option for a required course, you may be required to
complete a substitute course approved by your adviser to fulfill your program requirements. You
should verify with your department if you have any doubts about your course choice.
For more information, see: https://www.mcgill.ca/students/courses/plan/s-u
31Understanding your Transcript
Your Transcript contains all of your attempted work and final grades. To find your Unofficial
Transcript:
1. Log into Minerva
2. Select the Student Menu
3. Select Student Records Menu
4. Select View Your Unofficial Transcript
To obtain an Official Transcript, you will have to place an order. Find more on that here:
http://www.mcgill.ca/students/records/transcripts/
Having trouble understanding what some of the terms on your Transcript mean? Check out
this helpful list: http://www.mcgill.ca/students/records/transcripts/
And for more on your Transcript, see here: http://www.mcgill.ca/study/2015-
2016/university_regulations_and_resources/continuing/gi_regulations_transcript_of_acad_record
32Sample U0 Transcript
Your major
in U0 is the
Freshman Program,
but this will change
once you declare
your major at the
end of the
academic year
Because this student had 6
AP credits, he/she can take 4
classes without having to worry
about making up for lack of
credits later
A diamond
indicates a full- Number
year course, which of credits
will show up under worth
both fall and winter earned
terms. Your grade
will be visible on
your transcript
FYS = First
after the Winter
Year Seminar
term
The difference
between your TGPA and
CGPA is explained on
page 34
Sample U1 Transcript
33Sample U1 Transcript
As a U1
you already have
Full-year 30 credits, so you
course; your only have 90
grade will appear credits left!
at the end of the
winter term
Number
of credits
worth
You don’t have earned
to take 4 courses
towards your
major in first year.
Between 2 and 3 is
normal, depending
on how you plan
your degree
34Grading and Assessment
Key Terms
CGPA Calculation
Your cumulative grade point average (CGPA) is the GPA calculated using all applicable courses
you have taken at McGill at the same level. If you change levels (e.g. from undergraduate to
graduate) your CGPA starts again.
TGPA Calculation
The term grade point average (TGPA) is the GPA for a given term calculated using all the
applicable courses at the same level in that term.
Assessment
Assessments are anything in a class for which you receive you grade. The University Assessment
Policy protects you from unfair assessments.
Grading Scale
Grades Grade Points Numerical Scale of Grades
A 4.0 85-100%
A- 3.7 80-84%
B+ 3.3 75-79%
B 3.0 70-74%
B- 2.7 65-69%
C+ 2.3 60-64%
C 2.0 55-59%
D 1.0 50-54%
F (Fail) 0 0-49%
For more information on grading, please see: http://www.mcgill.ca/study/2015-
2016/university_regulations_and_resources/undergraduate/gi_grading_and_grade_point_average
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