Your First year of BGInS

In the first year of the BGInS degree, students will normally take 5.0 credits of courses, including 1.5 credits GINS core courses, the 0.0 credit IER preparation course, up to 2.0 credits Specialization courses, up to 1.0 credit language courses, and the remainder elective courses.  It is strongly encouraged that BGInS students include a First Year Seminar (FYSM) among their elective choices.  Details are below:

  1. Image of a street scene taken in Uganda by a student on an International Placement

    International Placement – Uganda

    Core Courses: All BGInS students must take the three 0.5 credit first year core courses.  Consult the Core Courses page for a listing of all BGInS core courses across the four years of the program, including course descriptions.  The three first year courses are:

  2. Image of student in front of a German University while on a Letter of Permission

    Letter of Permission – Germany

    IER Preparation Course: All students must receive a grade of Satisfactory in GINS 1300 (0.0 credit), International Experience Requirement Preparation, before they will be allowed to participate in the BGInS International Experience Requirement.  This is a zero-credit, on-line, course offered every term, and graded Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory.  Students are strongly encouraged to register for this course in either the Fall or Winter term of their first year.

  3. Specialization Courses: BGInS students should take the first year foundation course or courses in their Specialization.   Depending on the Specialization, this could mean 0.5 to 2.0 credits.  Here is a listing of the first year foundation course(s) in each Specialization.  Consult the Specializations and Streams page for the full course listings for each Specialization.
  4. Image of student and a Llama in Peru. Student was on an International Placement in Peru.

    International Placement – Peru

    Language Courses: BGInS students who do not expect to be exempted from taking language courses should take 1.0 credit in language courses in their first year.  Consult the Language Requirement page for complete details on the BGInS language requirement.

  5. Elective Courses: The remainder of the 5.0 credits first year program can be chosen from amongst elective courses of students’ choice.  It is strongly encouraged, though not required, that students include a 0.5 credit or 1.0 credit FYSM amongst their elective choices.  Consult the First Year Seminars page for more details.

The BGInS first year course selection guide published by the Registrar’s Office is also a good source of information.

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