2007/2008 - Registrar - McMaster University

34 ARTS & SCIENCE PROGRAMARTS & SCIENCE PROGRAMDirectorP.G. Sutherland/B.Sc., M.S., Ph.D.Program AdministratorWEB ADDRESS: http://www.mcmaster.ca/artsciCommons Building, Room 105Ext. 24655,231 53D. Crnac1B.A.The Arts & Science Program has been designed for studentswho wish to use their university years to further their intellectualgrowth through study of significant achievements in both artsand sciences and in practice of methods of inquiry. The programalso allows for substantial specialization in a discipline or areathrough the use of electives. The philosophy of the Arts & ScienceProgram can be expressed by quoting A.N. Whitehead:"What education has to impart is an intimate sense for the powerof ideas, for the beauty of ideas, and for the structure of ideas,together with a particular body of knowledge which has peculiarreference to the life of the being possessing it."- The Aims of Education and ,Other Essays, 1929 .The core curriculum consists of courses offered by the Councilof Instructors of the Arts & Science Proaram, toaether with othercourses offered by Departments. The c&e currichm is designedto meet three major objectives:I. to increase understanding of achievements and methods usedin selected arts and science disciplines;2. to [ncrease skills in writing, speaking, and in critical and quantitativereasoning; and3. to increase skills in the art of scholarly inquiry into issues ofpublic concern.Meeting the last of these objectives is the aim of inqhry seminarswhich begin in Level I and continue in upper levels. To investigatewith skill and insight a complex public issue, such asworld population growth in relation to food supply, requires anunderstanding of the methods and find,ings of many disciplines;it calls on a liberal education. Moreover, acquiring skill in suchinvestigations requires practice in formulating questions, searchingout evidence, and bringing the insights of academic disciplinesto bear on the interpretation of evidence.The Program offers preparafion for advanced study in manyprofessional schools, including those of business, health administration,journalism, law, medicine anb teaching; and for researchin 'many disciplines and interdisciplinary ar,eas.Students in this program who wish to prepare for graduate studyin an academic discipline sfiould consult with the appropriatedepartment concerning requirements. In general, preparationfor graduate study inay be accomplished by combining ,the coreHonours Arts & Science curriculum with a concentration ofelectives in the intended area of graduate, study. Combined Honoursprograms, which are available in many subjects (see below),combine the core curriculum of the Arts & Science Programwith a prescribed set of courses in a subject and can be expectedto satisfy course requirements for admission to graduatestudy in the particular subject.ACADEMIC REGULATIONSSTUDENT ACADEMIC RESPONSIBILITYYou are responsible.for adhering to the,statement onstudent academic responsibility found in thedeneral~cademic Regulations section of this Calendar.I ACCESS TO COURSES - . I,All undergraduate courses at McMaster have anenrolment capacity. The University is committed tomaking every effort to accommodate students inrequired courses so that their program of study is not .extended. Unless otherwise specified, registration ison a first-come basis and in some cases priority isgiven to students from particular programs or Faculties., All students are encouraged'to register as soonas MUGSIISOLAR is available to them.The Arts & Science Program is governed by the General AcademicRegulations of the University, (see the General Academic Regulationssection in this Calendar) and the regulations described below.The Program begins in Level I and leads to the degree, Bachelorof Arts & Science (Honours) on completion of Level IV. Thefour-level program provides an opportunity for specializationthrough electives and through an individual study or thesiscourse. Students who decide to conclude their studies in theprogram on completion of Level Ill may qualify to graduate withthe degree, Bachelor of Arts & Science (B.Arts Sc.).Students must have a CA of at least 6.0 to continue in the program.In the case of some Combined Honours programs, theaverage must include specified courses.Registration in Level I of the Arts & Science Program is limitedto approximately 60 students.INQUIRY SEMINAR-REQUIREMENTSlnquiry seminars comprise ARTS&SCI 1C06 and 4 set of upper-levelinquiry seminars on a variety of topics that change fromtime to time. The upper-level inquiry seminars are designated .as 3C at the beginning of the course~code (3CE6, 3CF3, 3CG3,etc.) and are described in the program listing as upper-levelInquiry. See the course listing for topic designations. ARTS&SCI1 C06 must be completed in Level I. One upper-level inquiry seminaris requii-ed and is normally taken in Level II or Ill.COMBlN,ED HONOURSStudents in the Arts & science Program may undertake Combined.Honours programs in many disciplines within the Faculties of Humanities,Science and Social Sciences. The combined program,with Biology needs five years for completion. Combined programs, that are already established are listed below. Students should consultthe Director of the Arts & Science Program for consideratibn ofother possible.combinations. Application for Admission to Level II(March) is required for all Combined Honours Programs. .Individual StudylThesis: Students in the B.Arts Sc. (Honours)Program are required to complete either Individual Study or Thesis(ARTS&SCI 4A06 or 4C06). For students in some'combinedHonours programs, this requirement must be met by a Departmentalcourse.For further information, please see Academic standing andProgram Requirements in the General Academic Regulationssection in this Calendar.INTERNATIONAUCANADIAN EXCHANGE PROGRAMSOne calendar year before study abroad: Interested studentsshould consult the Director, Arts & Science ,Program.Calendar year of planned travel: No later than the end ofDecember, students must propose a program of study for approvalby the Director. Credit will be confirmed only after tran--scripts are received and academic achievements are reviewed .on the student's return.To be eligible for study abroad students must have completed60 units with a CA of at least 7.0. The B.Arts Sc. (three-year)degree is not granted on the basis of international study; the 30final units of work must be done at McMaster.Information concerning student. exchanges can be found in theAcademic. Facilities, Student Services and Organizations sectionof this Calendar under the heading Centre for Student Development,International Student Services. Inquiries can be di-'rected to the office at:CENTRE FOR STUDENT DEVELOPMENTINTERNATIONAL STUDENT SERVICESGILMOUR HALL, ROOM 104TELEPHONE: (905) 525-9140, EXTENSION 24748