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Honours degrees provide students with an opportunity to pursue greater depth in a field of study. An important objective is to prepare the student for possible entry to graduate-level degree programs. High standards of performance are required.

While the point of their studies at which students are eligible to enter Honours varies considerably across programs, students are advised to apply for Honours as early as their programs permit. Delay may result in additional time to complete prerequisite courses and/or additional coursework beyond the normal 20 full-course equivalents.

Application deadlines fall between March 1 and May 1 annually, depending on the program. Consequently, interested students should consult with the Subject Advisor or Honours Co-ordinator for their program well in advance of March 1.

As part of an application to Honours, some programs require the submission of a research proposal, confirmation of supervisory and/or laboratory arrangements, etc. Students must submit all required materials to the Subject Advisor for their program and confirm their requests for Honours using the Change of Program option in the online Student Centre by the deadline. Using the Student Centre alone is generally not sufficient.

Notes:

• Programs may elect to consider late applications if they can accommodate additional students.
• It is generally an advantage to complete application items such as a research proposals, confirmation of supervisory and/or laboratory arrangements, etc. as early as possible, especially where space in an Honours program is limited.

Admission to Honours is based on three criteria:

1. Completed Courses: For each Honours program, a minimum number of courses must be successfully completed by the end of the Winter Term in the year that a student applies. This minimum number of courses for each program, which is reported in the 4. Program Details section, is between 5.0 and 12.5 full-course equivalents. Students may also be required to have taken a minimum number of courses, or particular courses, in the Major Field.

2. Academic Performance: For each Honours program, a minimum grade point average must be attained on all courses subject to assessment and on all courses in the major among those subject to assessment. The minimum grade point average for each Program will be at least 3.30 and may be higher in Programs where student demand exceeds the program capacity. If between 5.0 and 10.0 full-course equivalents have been taken, then all courses are subject to assessment whereas if more than 10.0 full-course equivalents have been taken, then only the most recent 10.0 full-course equivalents are subject to assessment.

3. Program Consent: While Programs in the Faculty of Arts are committed to encouraging high-achieving students, the enrolment capacity of some Honours Programs may be limited by the availability of undergraduate thesis supervisors, laboratory spaces, etc. To obtain consent of a Program, students must also satisfactorily complete any application procedures set out in the 4. Program Details section. These procedures may include the submission of a research proposal, confirmation of supervisory and/or laboratory arrangements, etc.

Notes:

• Courses from other institutions as well as the University of Calgary can be used in a student’s grade-point calculation.
• Programs will announce annually by October 1 on their websites if their qualifying averages for Honours will be set above 3.30 for the following academic year.

The academic standing of each Honours student will be reviewed each year following the Winter Term. Continuation in an Honours program is contingent upon students achieving a GPA of at least 3.30 over all courses completed and all courses completed in the major since the last review.

The following requirements apply to all Bachelor of Arts Honours and Bachelor of Science Honours Degrees with a Major Field:

1. Overall Program: Successful completion of an approved program consisting of 20 full-courses equivalents.

2. Program Focus: Successful completion of the “Major Field with Honours Requirements” and any associated “Other Requirements” for the relevant degree.

3. Academic Achievement:

(a) Over the final 15 full-course equivalents, a minimum GPA of 3.30 must be achieved on all courses and on all courses in the Major Field.

(b) A maximum of one full-course equivalent "D" or "D+" grade in the Major Field and a maximum of three full-course equivalent "D" or "D+" grades overall.

4. University of Calgary Study:

(a) A maximum of 10 full-course equivalents in eligible post-secondary transfer credits from other institutions may be counted toward the degree.

(b) A maximum of four full-course equivalents in eligible post-secondary transfer credits from other institutions may be counted toward the Major Field.

5. Depth: A maximum of eight full-course equivalents at the junior or 200 level.

6. Breadth: A minimum of one full-course equivalent from the Faculty of Science.

7. Physical Activity Courses: A maximum of one full-course equivalent may be taken from: Dance Education Activity/Theory, Outdoor Pursuits Activity/Theory, and Physical Education Activity/Theory.

Note:

• For each degree program, the “Major-Field with Honours Requirements” and any associated “Other Requirements” are defined under 4. Program Details. For each BA or BSc Honours degree at least 9.0 and not more than 10.0 full-course equivalents in the Major Field are normally required. Students can choose to include additional courses in the Major Field to a maximum of 12.0 full-course equivalents. The completion of some programs requires additional supporting courses from outside the Major Field.

The notation “First-Class Honours” will be inscribed on the permanent record and graduation parchment of any students completing an Honours Program with a grade point average of at least 3.60 over the last 15 full-course equivalents taken for the degree. Courses from other institutions as well as the University of Calgary can be used in this calculation. In cases in which the last fifteen must include some but not all of a group of courses taken concurrently, the selection will be made in the manner most advantageous to the student.