Liberal programs provide students with the opportunity to study the core of one science discipline along with a breadth component from another area of science or from many other disciplines. In a liberal program, you must complete a Core Science Component (CSC) (45–50 credits), plus a Breadth Component (at least 18 credits). The requirements for the Core Science Components are given under departmental sections of this publication whenever applicable.

For the Breadth Component, you must complete one of the following:

• Minor Program (18–24 credits) – one of the programs listed in Minor Programs.
• Arts Minor or Major Concentration (18 or 36 credits) – one of the programs listed in Faculty of Arts Major and Minor Concentration Programs Available to Science Students.
• A Core Science Component in a second area (45–50 credits) – at least 24 credits must be distinct from the courses used to satisfy the primary Core Science Component. Note that a second Core Science Component can be selected from any of the Science groups.

Major programs are more specialized than liberal programs and are usually centred on a specific discipline or department.

Honours programs typically involve an even higher degree of specialization, often include supervised research, and require students to maintain a high academic standard. Although honours programs are specially designed to prepare you for graduate studies, graduates of the other degree programs may also be admissible to many graduate schools. If you intend to pursue graduate studies in your discipline, you should consult a departmental adviser regarding the appropriate selection of courses in your field.