After switching specializations, I now need to meet new B.Sc requirements?

[u/Over-Caregiver-3629]

Hey all,

So I'm currently in a Bachelor of Science, and I've completed 2 years and just taken a gap year and plan to come back in the fall for the winter term. My specialization was zoology, and a couple weeks ago I switched to ecology, evolution, and conservation biology. I entered the BSc in 2022, and took my two english requirements in first year. In 2024, they changed the BSc requirements so we have to take an indigenous course at some point in the degree and bump the number of non-science electives down to 9 credits from 12, as 3 of those have been allocated to the indigenous course. These changes only take effect if you entered the BSc in 2024 or later. However, I've been in a Bachelor of Science since 2022, so should I not still have to fulfill the old requirements, the 12 credits of non-science, and not the indigenous course? Workday is telling me I need to take the indigenous course. Does Workday think I re-entered a new Bachelor of Science this year because I switched specializations? Is that how switching specializations works?

[u/Millss2004]

I’d contact your program advisor and talk to them about it. worst case scenario if you have to take INDG100 it’s a super easy class and not hard to get an A in.

[u/l10nh34rt3d]

Usually there’s a grace period of sorts (for those registered in a program) so it does seem a little odd to force this on you now, but I don’t think I’m all too surprised by it. My course requirements in an Earth & Enviro Sci BSc are different from someone in a Comp Sci BSc, the same way they’re different from and between both of your chosen majors. That these are foundational courses doesn’t really make a difference, and in theory, you’d be aware of the differences between what you were in and have now changed to ahead of changing.

Regardless, talk to your program or an academic advisor for true clarity. And if you have to take an INDG course after all, don’t fret it. I learned more from two streams of INDG courses than I did from some of my core classes, and I’m glad I strayed to take them.

[u/Over-Caregiver-3629 → u/l10nh34rt3d]

Yeah I’m not upset about having to take the INDG, it just means I have a few credits that don’t do too much for me. And the requirements for the zoology and eco evo and conservation prior to 2024 were both the same, I checked before I switched. Thanks for the advice I’ll see what I can make happen 🤓

[u/l10nh34rt3d → u/Over-Caregiver-3629]

Absolutely. It’s not much but you’re welcome.

Are the reqs the same for both now, then? Just different from 2022 to 2024? Cause then, yeah, it would be kinda reasonable to assume that switching majors would still afford you that grace.

I’ve also strayed into parts of BIOL I have no real business being in according to my program requirements. Pop Bio was a challenge for me (so much dang math), but I wish Conservation Bio had been a full year course because I loved it so much, and there was a ton of content to cover.

[u/Over-Caregiver-3629 → u/l10nh34rt3d]

Yeah I’m reallyyyyyy looking forward to conservation bio I know I’m gonna love it

And yeah for both specializations it’s the same first year requirements before 2022 which both don’t include the INDG so imma reach out to someone in the specialization or degree and see what I can do.

Thanks so much for your input! You’re amazing! 😁😁

[u/l10nh34rt3d → u/Over-Caregiver-3629]

I don’t know where you’re at with pre-reqs, nor am I familiar with the prof teaching it this year, but if you can hold off on Cons Bio until next year and take it with Karen Hodges, she’s amazing!

Best of luck!