Academics
Programs of Study
Western offers more than 400 combinations of majors, minors, and specializations in 12 faculties and more than 90 undergraduate programs.
While Western attempts to accommodate as many requests for courses as possible, certain programs at Western have limited enrolment.
When selecting courses for enrolment, please review the general course restrictions and any further restrictions for each Faculty below:
Faculty of Arts and Humanities
Classical Studies, English, Film Studies, French, Modern Languages and Literatures, Philosophy, Theatre Studies, Visual Arts (includes Art History, Studio Art, and Museum and Curatorial Studies), Women’s Studies, Writing.
Course Information & Restrictions
Faculty of Engineering
Biomedical, Chemical and Biochemical, Civil and Environmental, Electrical and Computer, Green Process, Mechanical Systems, Mechatronic Systems, Software, and General Engineering Sciences.
Course Information & Restrictions
Faculty of Health Sciences
Health Studies and Kinesiology
Course Information & Restrictions
Faculty of Information and Media Studies
Media, Information, and Technoculture (MIT), Media and the Public Interest, and Digital Communications.
Course Information & Restrictions
Don Wright Faculty of Music
Music (Performance, Education, and Research & Composition) and Dance.
Course Information & Restrictions
Faculty of Science
Anatomy and Cell Biology, Applied Mathematics, Basic Medical Sciences, Biology, Biochemistry, Chemistry, Computer Science, Earth Science, Environmental Science, Mathematics, Microbiology/Immunology, Physics and Astronomy, Pathology, and Statistical and Actuarial Sciences.
Course Information & Restrictions
Faculty of Social Science
American Studies, Anthropology, Business Administration, Commercial Aviation Management, Economics, Indigenous Studies, Geography, History, Linguistics, DAN Management and Organizational Studies (MOS), Political Science (includes International Relations), Psychology, Sociology (includes Criminology), and Transitional Justice.
Course Information & Restrictions
Other Faculties/Schools
Brescia University College, Faculty of Education, Faculty of Law, Huron University College, King’s University College, Ivey Business School, the School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies, and Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry.
Course Information & Restrictions
Course Information
Courses are available across a range of faculties and program areas including Management, Medical Sciences, Engineering, Health Sciences, Science, Information & Media Studies, Social Science, Arts & Humanities, Music, and Economics.
Visit Western's Academic Calendar for a detailed list of programs and course information.
Course Timetable
Please note that our course timetable is updated every June for the next academic cycle.Normal Course Load
Exchange students studying for a Full Year term must be enrolled in a minimum of 3.5 credits or more to be considered full-time students. Student can take up to 5.0 credits in an academic year or 2.5 credits in one term. Exchange students studying for one term (Fall or Winter) must be enrolled in a minimum of 2.0 credits or more to be considered full-time students.
Students are not permitted to take more than the maximum course load per semester.
| Length of Study |
Maximum Full Time |
Minimum Full Time |
|---|---|---|
|
One term |
5 half courses (2.5 Western credits) |
4 half courses (2.0 Western credits) |
|
Full Year |
5 Western credits (combination of full and half courses) |
3.5 Western credits (combination of full and half courses) |
For course credit equivalencies, please consult your academic department at your home institution.
Course Numbers and Suffixes
Please carefully note course suffixes when choosing your courses for enrolment.
| Suffix | Term | Example |
| A | 0.5 credit course offered in first term (fall) | Calculus 1000A |
| B | 0.5 credit course offered in second term (winter) | Kinesiology 2032B |
| F | 0.5 credit essay course offered in first term (fall) | Biology 2244F |
| G | 0.5 credit essay course offered in second term (winter) | Geography 1500G |
| E | 1.0 credit essay course offered for full year | History 1810E |
| no suffix | 1.0 credit course offered for full year | German 1030 |
Course offerings vary each year, note that semesters of courses and availability are subject to change.
Hours of Instruction for Courses
The following course prescriptions are established:
- A full (1.0 credit) course at the undergraduate level shall require a minimum of forty-eight and a half (48.5) contact hours
- A half (0.5 credit) course at the undergraduate level shall require a minimum of twenty-six (26) contact hours
