Interdisciplinary Science
Why limit yourself? Interdisciplinary Science is based more on breadth than on the depth of coverage found in most Science programs.
The program is based more on breadth than on the depth of coverage found in a traditional Bachelor of Science degree. This is the most flexible science degree program at Laurentian and students tailor it to suit their particular career goals. It is geared to students who want to obtain a science related degree but who do not necessarily intend to become working scientists. Students are advised to round out the interdisciplinary science degree by specializing in one area to ensure a well-balanced education.
Academic Advisor
Dr. Hélène Joly
Telephone: 705-675-1151, 2333
Email: hjoly@laurentian.ca
Office: S421
Program Highlights:
- Three-year or four-year (Honours) program leads to a Bachelor of science ( Interdisciplinary)
- Combination of courses in biology, chemistry, computer science, geology, mathematics and physics
- Courses in ethics, philosophy, religious studies, environment, law, ethics, psychology and languages may also be included
Ontario High School Applicants
1 grade 12 English U/M course
5 other grade 12 U/M courses
A minimum overall average of 70% in the 6 best grade 12 U/M courses
Additional information for applicants who have completed Advanced Placement courses.
Additional information for applicants who have completed the International Baccalaureate.
Applicants from outside an Ontario High School
Canadian High School Applicants from outside Ontario
For Current Students
The degree options listed below are for the upcoming academic year, not the current academic year. If you are a current student looking for which courses to take in order to complete your degree options from a previous academic year's curriculum, please consult with an academic advisor.
Interdisciplinary Science (4-year)
Bachelor of Science (Interdisciplinary) 4 year
The Program comprises a minimum of 72 credits in at least 3 different science subjects. The science subjects are defined as a sequence of courses with the code BIOL, CHMI, COSC, ENSC, GEOL, MATH or PHYS. Details are:
a) 54 credits from two main science subjects (minimum of 18 credits each). Each one of these two science subjects consists of 6 credits at the 1000 level, plus a minimum of 12 credits at the 2000, 3000 or 4000 level. See “Other regulations” for exceptions.
b) 18 credits of other science courses, broken down as:
6 credits from one of BIOL, CHMI, COSC, ENSC, GEOL, MATH, PHYS, other than science subjects chosen in a);
12 credits from any of the science subjects listed above.
Note that a minimum of 3 credits in each of MATH and COSC is required.
- Students who do not have U-level credits in “Advanced Functions” or “Calculus and Vectors” should take MATH 1912.
c) 3 credits of science communication or integration:
SCOM 4006E Presenting and Communicating Research
or
LIBS 4006E Science Integration
d) 6 credits from List A*:
ENGL 1511E Academic Reading and Writing for Aboriginal Students I
AND ENGL 1512E Academic Reading and Writing for Aboriginal Students II
ENGL 1540E Reading and Writing - Native
ENGL 1550E Academic Reading and Writing
FREN 1050E Beginner level: Oral and written communications in French as a second language/Communication orale et écrite
FREN 1060E Intermediate-advanced level: Mastering oral and written expression in French as a second language/ Perfectionnement
FREN 1505E Oral and written French supported by technology/Le français oral et écrit appuyé par la technologie
LANG 1005F Grammaire appliquée à la rédaction
INDG 1016E Introductory Nishnaabemwin A
AND INDG 1017E Introductory Nishnaabemwin B
INDG 1025E Introduction to Cree
e) 6 credits from List B*:
COST 2446E The Dynamics of Interpersonal Communication I
COST 2447E The Dynamics of Interpersonal Communication II
COST 2506E Information Technology I: Theory
COST 2507E Representations of Technology
ENGR 4117E Engineering, Technology and Society
HIST 3905E History of Science
INDG 1116E Foundations of Indigenous Peoplehood
INDG 1117E Implications of Indigenous Peoplehood
INDG 2316E Foundations of Indigenous Ecological Knowledge
INDG 2306E Contemporary Issues in Indigenous Environmental Studies
PHIL 2345E Bioethics: Human Life Issues (co-listed as RLST 2345)
PHIL 2217E Environmental Ethics
PHIL 2356F Philosophie de la biologie
PHIL 2506E Critical Thinking
PHIL 2525E Contemporary Moral Issues
PHIL 2746E Communication, media and values
PHIL 2747E Technology, freedom and values
PHIL 2916E Philosophy of Science
RLST 3306E Issues in Religion and Science
*Or 6 credits of other equivalent courses approved by the coordinator.
f) 33 credits of electives
Note that, among these elective credits, students can choose a research project or thesis course in their 4th year if they want to prepare themselves for graduate studies. Students planning graduate studies will have to carefully plan their selection of courses and discuss with academic advisors as this may not be possible in every field. The following courses are available, provided that they have the course prerequisites and they can find a co-supervisor: BIOL 4035, CHMI 4615, COSC 4235, COSC 4086, ENSC 4105, GEOL 4005, MATH 4005, MATH 4086, PHYS 4115.
Other regulations:
- A science subject in Environmental Science (ENSC) consists of ENSC 1406 and ENVI 1507, plus the remainder in ENSC courses at 2000, 3000 or 4000 level.
- A science subject in Mathematics consists of MATH 1036/37, 1056/57 plus the remainder at the 2000, 3000 or 4000 level. The course STAT 2246 Statistics for Scientists may count towards a MATH science subject.
- Students must take at least 30 science credits at the 3000 or 4000 level. A minimum of 24 of these credits must be in the two main declared science subjects chosen in a).
- Students must have a minimum of 9 credits at the 4000 level, including LIBS 4006 or SCOM 4006, or both.
- A student cannot take more than 48 credits in any one of BIOL, CHMI, COSC, ENSC, GEOL, MATH, or PHYS excluding the above mentioned research project or thesis.
- Students may take a maximum of 48 credits at the first-year level.
- Students must have a GPA of 3.5 in each science subject, and 3.5 overall for them to graduate.
Interdisciplinary Science (3 year) (ALSO OFFERED ONLINE*)
Bachelor of Science (Interdisciplinary) 3 year
The Program comprises a minimum of 54 credits in at least 3 different science subjects. The science subjects are defined as a sequence of courses with the code BIOL, CHMI, COSC, ENSC, GEOL, MATH or PHYS. Details are:
a) 36 credits from two main science subjects (minimum of 18 credits each). Each one of these two science subjects consists of 6 credits at the 1000 level, plus a minimum of 12 credits at the 2000, 3000 or 4000 level. See “Other regulations” for exceptions.
b) 18 credits of other science courses, broken down as:
6 credits from one of BIOL, CHMI, COSC, ENSC, GEOL, MATH, PHYS, other than science subjects chosen in a);
12 credits from any of the science subjects listed above.
Note that a minimum of 3 credits in each of MATH and COSC is required.
- Students who do not have U-level credits in “Advanced Functions” or “Calculus and Vectors” should take MATH 1912.
c) 6 credits from this list (List A)*:
ENGL 1511E Academic Reading and Writing for Aboriginal Students I
AND ENGL 1512E Academic Reading and Writing for Aboriginal Students II
ENGL 1540E Reading and Writing - Native
ENGL 1550E Academic Reading and Writing
FREN 1050E Beginner level: Oral and written communications in French as a second language/Communication orale et écrite
FREN 1060E Intermediate-advanced level: Mastering oral and written expression in French as a second language/ Perfectionnement
FREN 1505E Oral and written French supported by technology/Le français oral et écrit appuyé par la technologie
LANG 1005F Grammaire appliquée à la rédaction
INDG 1016E Introductory Nishnaabemwin A
AND INDG 1017E Introductory Nishnaabemwin B
INDG 1025E Introduction to Cree
d) 6 credits from this list (List B)*:
COST 2446E The Dynamics of Interpersonal Communication I
COST 2447E The Dynamics of Interpersonal Communication II
COST 2506E Information Technology I: Theory
COST 2507E Representations of Technology
ENGR 4117E Engineering, Technology and Society
HIST 3905E History of Science
INDG 1116E Foundations of Indigenous Peoplehood
INDG 1117E Implications of Indigenous Peoplehood
INDG 2316E Foundations of Indigenous Ecological Knowledge
INDG 2306E Contemporary Issues in Indigenous Environ. Studies
PHIL 2345E Bioethics: Human Life Issues (co-listed as RLST 2345)
PHIL 2216E Environmental Ethics
PHIL 2356F Philosophie de la biologie
PHIL 2506E Critical Thinking
PHIL 2525E Contemporary Moral Issues
PHIL 2746E Communication, media and values
PHIL 2747E Technology, freedom and values
PHIL 2916E Philosophy of Science
RLST 3306E Issues in Religion and Science
*Or 6 credits of other equivalent courses approved by the coordinator.
e) 24 credits of electives
*Online option offering main sujects only in Biology, Chemistry, Geology and Physics)
Other regulations:
- A science subject in Environmental science (ENSC) consists of ENSC 1406 and ENVI 1507, plus the remainder in ENSC courses at the 2000, 3000 or 4000 level.
- A science subject in Mathematics consists of MATH 1036/37, 1056/57 plus the remainder at the 2000, 3000 or 4000 level. The course STAT 2246 Statistics for Scientists may count towards a MATH science subject.
- Students must take at least 3 science credits at the 3000 or 4000 level from one of the two main science subjects selected in a) above.
- Students may take a maximum of 48 credits at the first-year level.
- Students must have a GPA of 3.5 in each science subject, and 3.5 overall to graduate.
First-year courses
Students must take 6 credits from 3 of the science disciplines below (for a total of 18 credits in 3 science disciplines), plus up to 12 credits of electives. *Note that students are required to take a minimum of 3 credits of Math and 3 credits of Computer Science.
On-campus: BIOL, CHMI, GEOL, and PHYS courses require labs.
Alternate BIOL, CHMI, COSC, GEOL, and PHYS courses are available to students who do not have high school prerequisites or to those taking the online degree. Consult the coordinator.
List of Faculty Members
