First-year options
Learn more about the options available to you as a first year student.
An option is a course that allows you to explore an additional area of interest outside of your chosen major or degree. The first year of each program offered at the University of Calgary typically includes a number of options.
How do I know which options to take?
Certain programs specify that options be chosen from specific faculties. To help you select options in your first year, these options are listed below according to the faculty that offers each course.
What is an open option?
An open option means you can take any course you like from the list of courses below.
Please note:
- These options do not apply to the Schulich School of Engineering programs. For further information please see schulich.ucalgary.ca/ and/or see the Engineering Undergrad Studies office.
- First-year students are typically only allowed to register in 200-level courses.
- Some of these courses may be restricted to students who are enroled in particular majors and programs.
- Not all of these courses are offered each year. Check the availability of courses by logging into your Student Centre.
- A detailed description of all courses can be found in the Academic Calendar.
This is a recommended list of courses that can be used to fulfill a first-year open option or Arts option.
- African Studies 201
- Anthropology 201, 203
- Arabic Language and Muslim Cultures 202, 204
- Archaeology 201, 205
- Art 231, 233, 235, 241, 243, 251, 271
- Art History 201, 203, 211
- Canadian Studies 201
- Chinese 205, 207, 229
- Communication and Culture 201, 203
- Communications and Media Studies 201, 203
- Dance 201, 205, 206, 207, 209, 211, 213, 215, 217, 221, 223, 231, 235, 243, 295
- Development Studies 201
- Drama 203, 205, 209, 210, 223, 225, 242, 243
- East Asian Studies 201
- Economics 201, 203
- English 203, 251, 253, 265
- Film 201, 203
- French 209, 211, 213, 225, 227, 291
- Gender and Sexuality Studies 201
- Geography 204, 254, 280
- German 200, 202, 204
- Greek 201, 203
- Greek and Roman Studies 205, 209, 211
- History 200, 201, 202, 203, 204, 209, 211, 213
- Indigenous Studies 201
- Italian 201, 203
- Japanese 201, 205, 207
- Language 200
- Latin 201, 203, 205, 207
- Latin American Studies 211
- Law and Society 201, 203
- Linguistics 201, 202, 221, 223, 225, 227
- Music 203, 209, 213, 214, 255
- Music Performance 201, 203, 205, 211, 213, 215, 221, 223, 225, 227, 229, 241, 245
- Museum and Heritage Studies 201
- Philosophy 201, 249, 259, 264, 279
- Pluralism 201
- Political Science 201, 213, 279, 283
- Psychology 200, 201, 203, 204
- Religious Studies 200, 201, 203, 205
- Russian 201, 209
- Sociology 201
- South Asian Studies 203
- Spanish 201, 203
- Urban Studies 253
* Open only to students in the Arts and Science Honours Academy program
This is a list of recommended courses can be used to fulfill a first-year open option or Science option.
- Astronomy 207, 209
- Biology 205*, 297, 241, 243
- Chemistry 201, 203
- Computer Science 203*, 217, 219, 251
- Data Science 201, 211, 299
- Earth 209*, 210, 299
- Environmental Science 201
- Mathematics 205*, 211, 249, 265, 267, 271, 275, 277
- Physics 211 or 221, 223, 229
- Statistics 205, 213, 217
* Science courses for non-Science majors
This course can be used to fulfill a first-year open option.
- Social Work 201
This list of courses can be used to fulfill a first-year open option.
- Community Rehabilitation 205, 207, 209
- Health and Society 201
This list of courses can be used to fulfill a first-year open option.
- Entrepreneurship and Innovation 201*
*Not available for credit towards the Bachelor of Commerce. Required for the Minor in Management and Society and the Minor in Entrepreneurship and Enterprise Development.
This list of courses can be used to fulfill a first-year open option.
- Architecture 201
- Sustainability Studies 201
This list of courses can be used to fulfill a first-year open option.
- University 201
- University 203
- University 205
Please note: These courses are not attached to a particular faculty.