Science Guidelines for Second Degree

If you are interested in completing a second degree within Western Science, the guidelines below will help you understand what is required. Courses used in your second degree will be determined and approved by the Science/BMSc Advising Team. Other policies, besides the guidelines below, may apply so it is important to work with an Academic Advisor on your plan as soon as possible to determine if your second degree choice is allowed.

Students must be in good standing to start a second degree and remain in good standing throughout their second degree.

You will be registered as a Special Student when you start your second degree.

If you are a Western graduate who plans to complete a second degree, your first step is to connect with one of our advisors. You can do this by submitting a request through our Help Portal and letting us know that you plan to complete a second degree. An advisor will review your eligibility for the second degree. If approved, you will be provided an outline to follow.

Students who completed their first degree at another university need to apply to Western through the Admissions Office before we can advise them.

Second degree students are not eligible for exchange or letter of permission. Discovery Credits may be approved with special permissions (can not be modular courses).

First degree at another institution
  • The second degree can be at the same, higher, or lower level than your first degree
  • Students must take a minimum 10.0 additional senior courses to fulfill second degree
  • Students may receive prerequisite standing for courses they previously have taken
  • Graduate level courses will not be considered for prerequisite standing
First degree at Western
  • The second degree can be at the same, higher, or lower level than your first degree
  • Students must take a minimum of 5.0 modular courses after graduation from first degree. We will not use extra courses taken during first degree.
  • No upgrades from 3 year to 4 year degree within the same module (i.e. 3 year major bio to 4 year major bio).
Third module/triple counting
  • Students will be allowed to take a module with up to 1.0 triple required courses as long as the subject areas are substantially different
  • Substitute courses must be taken for these courses but follow standard common course substitutions.
  • If more than 1.0 course(s) need to be triple counted the combination is not allowed.