Choose your courses and plan your schedule

Normal course load

Full-time students are expected to register for the equivalent of 30 credits in the Fall and Winter terms, normally 15 credits per term. 

Most courses are 3-credit courses offered in one term. Refer to Academic Calendar 11.0 – Course Numbering and Credit Values. 

If you intend to carry a normal course load you should register for 10 courses in total - five courses (15 credits) in the fall term, and five courses (15 credits) in the winter term. 

Every degree program requires completion of 120 credits in total:

15 credits per term X 2 terms = 30 credits per year
30 credits per year X 4 years = 120 credits

Nine credits per term is the minimum course load required to be considered a full-time student. Registration in three to six credits per term is considered part-time enrollment. 

Keep in mind, in addition to the regular class (lecture), a number of courses also involve a mandatory lab or tutorial component. Labs/tutorials do not count as separate courses or credits in your registration. 

Reduced course load

Here are some things to consider as you determine the number of courses you will take in a term:

• If you have a University scholarship you are most likely required to enroll in 15 credits per term (Fall and Winter) in order to meet criteria for renewal in the following year. This is the case even if you enter with transfer credits / advanced standing.
• Other types of funding agencies normally have a course load requirement (e.g. Government Student Loans). Check directly with your funding agency if you have questions about this.
• There is a course load requirement to qualify for Dean's List standing.
• International students considering a part-time load should consult with the International Student Advisor (intadvisor@mta.ca) to discuss immigration implications.
• International students who speak English as an additional language may wish to consult with the International Student Advisor (intadvisor@mta.ca) to discuss course load recommendations.
• Students with disabilities may wish to consult with the Meighen Centre for a course load recommendation.
• Taking fewer courses may help to reduce stress, maintain or improve mental health, and ease the transition to university. It can also allow more study time for each course to improve grades.
• Consider other commitments you may have such as co-curricular involvement, volunteer or paid work, or family commitments. Varsity athletes sometimes take a reduced course load in season.
• Think about what makes sense for you and find a balance that works. Everybody has a different learning experience, and you have options. Plan for what will meet your needs.
• Keep in mind, if you take less than 15 credits per term plan how you will 'make up' for the missed credits (spring/summer courses, overloading, returning for an additional year of study).

Questions? Email advisor@mta.ca.

Course overload

The permission of the appropriate Academic Dean is required for registration above 18 credits per term. To access the permission request form, go through Self-Service.

• Students with first-year standing are not permitted to register for more than 15 credits per term. Under exceptional circumstances first-year students may be permitted to overload in the Winter term if they achieve a TGPA of at least 3.5 in the Fall term.
• Students with second- or third-year standing who are in Good Standing may register for up to 18 credits per term, provided they have attained a TGPA of at least 2.0 in the previous Fall or Winter term. Students in Good Standing who do not meet this requirement must have permission from the appropriate Academic Dean in order to register for overload credits.
• Students with fourth-year standing who are in Good Standing may register for up to 18 credits per term. Students who are not in Good Standing must have permission from the appropriate Academic Dean in order to register for overload credits.

Questions? Email regoffice@mta.ca.

Many courses require skill levels and/or knowledge of material covered in other courses to ensure that a student has the background necessary to complete the course successfully. Most courses at the 2000 level and above require prerequisites (or prereqs for short). Some 1000 level courses also have prerequisites (typically those offered in the Winter term). 

A prerequisite course is one that must be successfully completed before you begin a second course.

You may register for courses that have prerequisites in the winter term provided that you are registered for the prerequisite course in the fall (or have successfully completed it in a previous term).

A grade of C- or better must be obtained in order to use a course to fill a prerequisite.

A corequisite is a course which must be taken at the same time as another course.

A prerequisite states the requirement that must be completed or waived before registration in a course is permitted. This requirement may consist of one or both of the following:

• having a certain registration / enrollment status (i.e. you must be enrolled in a particular program or have a specified year-standing).
• having earned credit for a course or combination of courses. Students must obtain a grade of at least C- in each course used to fulfill this requirement.  

Keep in mind, year-standing is determined by the number of credits completed as defined in Academic Calendar Regulation 10.3.4. Any courses with a passing grade will be counted towards the credits used to determine year-standing.

When reading prerequisites, note that semi-colons (;) indicate items in a list. The list indicates that a student must complete all items unless there is an ‘or’ following the semi-colon. 

Most prerequisites will end with ‘; or permission of the Department’. This indicates that students may register in the course if the prerequisites are waived by the department head, program director, or in some cases the course instructor. Written permission to waive a prerequisite and register in a course must be sent to reghelp@mta.ca.

If you aren’t sure why you don’t meet a prerequisite or need clarification on how to interpret a course prerequisite, reach out directly to the department head or program director, program advisor, course instructor, or an academic advisor (advisor@mta.ca).

Here are some examples from the Academic Calendar to help you understand what course prerequisites mean: 

Prereq: CHEM 2211; or permission of the Department
This text explains that the prerequisite for the course is CHEM 2211. Students must complete CHEM 2211 with a grade of C- or higher before taking this course. 

Prereq: Second-year standing; or permission of the Program Director 
This text explains that the prerequisite for the course is second-year standing. Students must complete 24 credits before taking this course. These credits do not need to be completed with a grade of C- or higher. 

Prereq: Second-year standing; BIOC 1001; or permission of the Department
This text explains that the prerequisite for the course is both second-year standing, and BIOC 1001. Students must complete a minimum of 24 credits including BIOC 1001 before taking this course. A grade of C- or higher must be earned on BIOC 1001. 

Prereq: 3 credits from VMCS 1201, 1301; or second-year standing; or permission of the Department
This text explains that the prerequisite for the course may be filled in one of two ways. The first way includes an option. To take this course, students may complete either VMCS 1201 or VMCS 1301 (with a grade of C- or higher) OR students may complete 24 credits to achieve second-year standing. 

Prereq: PHYS 1551; MATH 1121; or permission of the Department 
This text explains that the prerequisite for the course is both PHYS 1551 and MATH 1121. Students must complete both PHYS 1551 and MATH 1121 with a grade of C- or higher before taking this course. 

Prereq: 3 credits from Humanities 1600 Series; or permission of the Department
This text explains that the prerequisite for the course is any course from the Humanities 1600 series. This is a series of courses in Classical Studies, History, Philosophy, and Religious Studies coded CLAS 16XX, HIST 16XX, PHIL 16XX, or RELG 16XX. One course from the series must be completed with a grade of C- or higher.

Prereq: 3 credits from CANA 1001, 1011, INDG 1001; or permission of the Program Director
This text explains that the prerequisite for the course is one course chosen from either CANA 1001 or CANA 1011 or INDG 1001. Students must complete one course from the list with a grade of C- or higher before taking this course. 

Prereq: 3 credits from BIOL 1001, 1501; 3 credits from MATH 1111, 1151, 1311; or permission of the Department
This text explains that there is a series of course requirements, but within these there are options. The prerequisite for the course is one of either BIOL 1001 or BIOL 1501, AND one of either MATH 1111, MATH 1151, or MATH 1311. Students must complete one of the BIOL courses listed and one of the MATH courses listed with a grade of C- or higher on both before taking this course. 

Prereq: 6 credits from CLAS, LATI, GREK; or Permission of the Department
This text explains that the prerequisite for the course is six credits from any courses in Classics, Latin or Greek. The courses can be from any level, and any combination of subjects. It may be completed through taking two 3-credit courses, or one 6-credit course. The course(s) must be completed with a grade of C- or higher before taking this course. 

Any student may register for a course without prerequisites. First-year students, keep in mind that there may be additional winter term courses available to you if you fill a prerequisite in the fall.

• Courses without prerequisites Fall 2024 (pdf)
• Courses without prerequisites Winter 2025 (pdf)

If you would like to take a French course, and have not already done so at Mount Allison, you must complete the French placement test to help us place you in the appropriate course. You will not be able to register for a French course until you receive written permission from the department.

The French placement test is available on Moodle > Placement tests.

If you experience any difficulties logging into Moodle please email helpdesk@mta.ca or phone (506) 364-2473.

Once your test has been assessed you will receive an e-mail notifying you of course placement.

To register for your French course(s), send an e-mail to reghelp@mta.ca indicating clearly the section of the course you wish to register for. The registration helpdesk personnel will verify your name against the French placement list and register you in the appropriate course and section.

Should you have any questions or comments about the assessment, please feel free to contact the Department of Modern Languages and Literatures at mll@mta.ca.

If you have experience with the Spanish or German languages and don’t believe the introductory courses would be appropriate to your skill level, you may write the placement assessments.

Placement tests are available in Moodle > Placement tests.

For students wanting to register for  MATH 1151.

The Math Assessment Test is used to determine your present mathematics ability.

Any student may proceed to register for MATH 1151 but will have to write the assessment test in person during the first week of classes, during the scheduled Lab time. Students are required to pass the Math Assessment Test in order to remain registered in MATH 1151.

If you don’t pass the test, you may take Functions (Math 1011) instead of calculus in the fall term (you can then proceed with MATH 1151 in the winter term).

To help prepare for the test:

The Department has prepared a practice test and free online self-guided course. Both of these, as well as more information about the test, are available on the Math Assessment Test Moodle page.

What is the A-Term?
The A-Term is a two-week intensive course period at the beginning of the fall term (normally the last two weeks of August). During this session, students may complete an entire 3-credit course or an intensive portion of a fall term course that continues through to December.

Are A-Term courses part of the spring/summer term or the fall term?
A-Term courses are part of the fall term.

Are additional tuition and fees charged for A-Term courses?
Tuition for A-Term courses are factored into fall term fees. Some A-Term courses may incur additional fees and expenses (travel, accommodations, etc.)

How many A-Term courses can I register for?
You can register for a maximum of one 3-credit A-Term course each academic year.

What is the registration deadline for A-Term courses?
Please consult the Academic dates and deadlines page for the deadline to register for specific A-Term courses. Late registrations will not be considered.

What is the withdrawal deadline for A-Term courses?
Please consult the Academic dates and deadlines page for the deadline to withdraw without academic penalty from specific A-Term courses.

Do I have to participate in the A-Term?
No, registration in an A-Term course is optional. You will not have to complete an A-Term course to satisfy mandatory degree or program requirements.

If I take one A-Term course, and 6 credits in the fall term, will I still be considered full-time?
No, in addition to an A-Term course you must be registered for at least 9 credits in the regular fall term to be considered a full-time student.

If I take an A-Term course, do I still have to register for 15 credits in the fall term to have a full course load?
No. Your A-Term course counts towards your fall registration. If you register for an additional 12 credits in the fall term, this will be considered a full course load.

How will an A-Term course impact my course load requirements for scholarship renewal? If I meet all other criteria, will I still be eligible for renewal if I take one A-Term course as part of my required course load?
Yes, an A-Term course counts as 3-credits in your fall registration towards your course load requirements for scholarship renewal.  

I am not eligible to overload. Can I still take one A-Term course and 15 credits in the fall term without special permission?
No, this would require approval of a Dean. Registration in an A-Term course, and 12 additional credits in the Fall term would be considered a full course load.

How will taking an A-Term course affect my eligibility as a varsity athlete?
You should discuss this with your coach and the Athletics staff. The course would be registered as a fall term course, but your practice schedule may impact your ability to participate in the A-Term.

I am an international student. If I take one A-Term course, and 6 credits in the fall term, will I still be considered a full-time student for immigration purposes? How many hours can I work off-campus if I take one A-Term course, and 6 credits in the fall term?
Yes, international students registered in 3-credits in the A-Term and 6 credits in the regular fall term will be considered full-time for immigration purposes, and reporting to IRCC. In this case, international students are still limited to working 20 hours per week off-campus.

How will registration in an A-Term course appear on my academic transcript?
An A-Term course will appear as a fall term course on your transcript and will not be distinguishable from regular fall term registrations.

When are grades available for A-term courses?
Grades will be available at the end of the fall term.

How will I know if a course is scheduled for the A-Term?
A-Term courses will be designated by the specific section codes P and Q (e.g. SUBJ-X991-P) on the timetable and in the course registration system. We will also publish an annual list of A-Term course offerings.

Do all A-Term courses require me to be on campus?
Not necessarily. Because there are no other course conflicts, this session allows for courses to happen anywhere. Some courses may involve travel or learning experiences away from campus.

Will any A-Term courses be offered in an unscheduled online-only format?
A-Term courses can be offered in any format.

Students interested in taking an A-Term course should email the course instructor for permission to register, and more information about the course format and requirements.

FINA-3991-P
Studies in Site and Place
Prereq: FINA 1921; FINA 1931; 12 credits from FINA at the 2000 level; and permission of the course instructor
This studio course considers the relationship of art, places, and perspectives. Investigating the topics of geography and place as an important facet of artistic practice, this course helps students understand both the potential and complexities of low-impact, site-specific work in both local and regional environments. The foundation of Studies in Site and Place is based on opportunities to explore ideas of cultural experience and retreat in relationship to the natural environment through investigations in various media in combination with light sensitive media. The practical framework of the course will focus on site-specific exercises, the research and planning of projects, and the creation of work during class field trip. (Format: Studio, Field Course)

Course instructor: Karen Stentaford (kstentaford@mta.ca)

Start Date: Monday, August 18
End Date: Friday, August 29 with some meetings through the Fall term
Registration Deadline: Sunday, August 17
Withdrawal Deadline: Friday, August 22

CENL/INDG-1101-P
Indigenous Community Assets
Prereq: Permission of the course instructor
This course explores Indigenous community strengths as the starting point to authentic community building. This course explores asset based community development principles and practices and embed an experiential learning component that will require students to be active participants within First Nation communities. [Note 1: This course is cross-listed  and may therefore count as three credits in either CENL or INDG.] (Format: Experiential) (Exclusion: CENL/INDG 1991 Indigenous Community Assets)

Course instructor: Sacha DeWolfe (sdewolfe@mta.ca)

Start Date: Monday August 18
End Date: Friday August 22
Registration Deadline: Sunday, August 17
Withdrawal Deadline: Tuesday, August 19

ARTH-3991- Z (3 CR)
FILM NOIR
Prereq: ARTH 2101 (or FINH 2101); ARTH/MUSE 2111 (or FINH 2111); or permission of the Department
This course examines the cinematic genre of film noir. It will consider films ranging from the genre's classic cycle of the 1940s and 50s to the “neo-noir” revival of the 1970s and beyond. Topics will include noir's literary roots in hard-boiled detective fiction, its cinematic and aesthetic antecedents in German Expressionism, its social and political preoccupations, and its pervasive and enduring legacy in art and media. Questions about genre, visual style, narrative form, sexuality, gender, and race will inform readings and discussions. Close textual analysis of individual films will be supplemented with critical, theoretical, and historical readings. [Note 1: This course is cross-listed with SCRN 3991 Film Noir and may therefore count as three credits in either discipline.]

COMM-3991-Z (3 CR)
MANAGEMENT SKILLS
Prereq: Third-year Standing; or permission of the Department
This course focuses on building skills in managing yourself, managing others, and managing teams. The course utilizes reflection about your own personal style when approaching work, and helps students to understand how this impacts their ability to work in various careers as well as teams. Students will learn strategies to communicate effectively and build better teams. Experiential learning includes case studies, class discussions, and workshops. Upon completion of the course, students will have a better understanding of themselves and the people around them, and know how to use that to be a better employee, manager, entrepreneur, etc.

SCRN-3991- Z (3 CR)
FILM NOIR
Prereq: Prereq: Third-year standing in the Interdisciplinary Drama Program; SCRN 1001; or permission of the Program Director
This course examines the cinematic genre of film noir. It will consider films ranging from the genre's classic cycle of the 1940s and 50s to the “neo-noir” revival of the 1970s and beyond. Topics will include noir's literary roots in hard-boiled detective fiction, its cinematic and aesthetic antecedents in German Expressionism, its social and political preoccupations, and its pervasive and enduring legacy in art and media. Questions about genre, visual style, narrative form, sexuality, gender, and race will inform readings and discussions. Close textual analysis of individual films will be supplemented with critical, theoretical, and historical readings. [Note 1: This course is cross-listed with ARTH-3991 Film Noir and may therefore count as three credits in either discipline.]

VMCS 3991-Z (3 CR)
MATERIAL CULTURE AND SOCIAL MEDIA
Prereq: 3 credits from VMCS 1201, 1301; or permission of the Department
This course presents an overview of the structure of social media platforms and how social media is enmeshed with material culture through different arenas of human behavior, including consumption, friendship networks, identity practices, life course rituals, political behavior, and exchange. Examples and case studies are drawn from a variety of social media platforms and both Western and non-Western cultural contexts.

ARTH 3991
Digital Art
Prereq: ARTH/MUSE 2101 (or FINH 2101); ARTH/MUSE 2111 (or FINH 2111); or permission of the Department
This course explores the art histories at the intersections of art and technology and digital art. Using a chronological and thematic approach, this course covers early digital and computational art; technology, the body and cyborgs; AI and machine learning in art and its impact; and cyberutopian visions on the visual world. This course asks important questions about who has a voice in digital art and technology spaces, who these artworks are for, whether art can be “optimized” and examines the place of digital art in the current art world.

BIOC 3991
Synthetic Biology
Prereq: BIOC 2001; BIOL 2201; or permission of the Department
This course explores the exciting and multi-disciplinary field of synthetic biology. Synthetic biology applies principles from engineering, biology, and computer science to design and construct new biological parts, devices, and systems, or re-design existing biological systems. New functions or applications are created that do not occur naturally, leading to advances in medicine, agriculture, energy, environmental protection, and manufacturing. Emphasis is placed on fundamental concepts including; standardized biological parts, the application of engineering principles to biology, DNA synthesis and assembly techniques, genetic construct design, principles of biological circuitry, engineered gene expression, gene editing and CRISPR/Cas9, engineering of metabolic pathways, the creation of artificial life, and synthetic genomes. The future direction of the field will be discussed, touching on the impact of AI and machine learning. Lastly, social and ethical implications of the field are addressed.

CHEM 3991
Research and Communication in Chemistry and Biochemistry
Prereq: Third-year standing; or permission of the Department
This course explores the basics of research, searching databases, and what to look for when reading articles.  It examines the open access movement, research data management, and research impact tracking (bibliometrics/altmetrics). Scientific research takes place at a number of different institutions and this course asks how it is conducted, distributed, vetted, and searched in the scientific literature.

BIOL 3991
Omics in Microbiology
Prereq: BIOL 2201; BIOL 2811; or permission of the Department
This course explores how omics—genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, and metabolomics—transform our understanding of the microbial world. Designed for students interested in modern microbiology techniques and bioinformatics, it provides both theoretical knowledge and practical skills for using omics in research. Students will engage in a variety of hands-on exercises and interactive discussions to process and interpret real omics datasets, and to learn how omics approaches inform our understanding of microbial functions, interactions, and ecological roles.

COMM 3991
Digital Marketing
Prereq: COMM 2211; or permission of the Department
This course provides an understanding of the theoretical underpinnings for digital marketing strategy, and examines the various tools available on the Internet to communicate with consumers. The modern marketplace is full of fragmented media, many of which are digital. Digital marketing communications are different from traditional media in many ways, including the interactive element and the algorithms utilized in order to select the audience for different messages. Many organizations are struggling to keep up with the constant changes in digital marketing. The course covers website development, search engine optimization, social media, and digital newsletters and critically analyzes how organizations are using these tools in order to improve effectiveness. (Format: Lecture/ Experiential Learning Exercises/Simulation 3 Hours)

DRAM 2991
Creative Expression
Prereq: DRAM/ENGL 1701; or permission of the Department
This course explores the physical body as a powerful instrument of creative expression. Drawing from movement practices, performance art, personal well-being, and interdisciplinary arts, students will investigate how physicality communicates emotion, identity, narrative, and abstract ideas. Through studio-based exercises, performance projects, and critical reflection, participants will develop a personal movement vocabulary while examining cultural, historical, and contemporary approaches to embodied creativity. No prior dance or performance experience is required—just a willingness to move, explore, and express.

ECON 2991
Food Economics
Prereq: Second-year standing; or permission of the Department
This course will start with a discussion of the role of grains in our socio-economics structures and will end with cake. In between we will visit grocery stores and food banks to understand how families put food on their plate, hear presentations from farmers and food producers about our agri-food industry, discuss the industrial-agricultural processes that leave many growers with out a subsistence living, and study the environmental and health impacts of our existing fast-food lifestyles. This course will be experientially or work-integrated learning based and students will expect to contribute actively towards a final project that engages our community.

ENGL 3951
You Are the Universe: Literature, Nature, and Self
Prereq: 6 credits from ENGL at the 2000 level; or permission of the Department
We are all made of stardust—you, me, animals, plants, and every other living organism. How does this knowledge affect how we relate to and treat one another and the natural world? This course explores this question and others through a range of fiction, poetry, criticism, literary non-fiction, music, and film from the eighteenth century to the present.

ENGL 4991
The Ethics of Reading
Prereq: 9 credits in ENGL at the 3/4000 level; or permission of the Department
This course explores the myriad ways in which reading literature is complex set of ethical behaviours and what the implications that might be for us personally and the world around us. Working from the premise that reading and writing can have real impacts on us as individuals, and thereby on the world we live in, we will examine various ways, positive and negative, literate culture acts in the real world. The specific contexts we will discuss will include empathy and antipathy, political and social action, personal and collective mental health, and environmental ethics. “Reading” is a metaphor or shorthand for all forms of engagement in literate culture and its related forms and media, including the visual arts, music, film, and digital culture. Students are expected to be able to work in literary and cultural analysis at a high level, with strong skills in the social and professional work of the in-person classroom.

FGST 4991
Feminist Politics of Care
Prereq: Permission of the Instructor
This course provides the opportunity to engage with feminist deliberations on practices of care. In the course we are challenged to think critically about care and accountability. Course materials will draw from the overlapping fields of abolition feminism, feminist political economy, and queer, trans, and disability justice movements. Course topics include: care work and social reproduction, care ethics, mutual aid and coalition building, transformative justice, and abolition feminist approaches to community-based care. We will look at care in the workplace, in healthcare, and in homes, but mostly we will focus on the place of care in social movements with an emphasis on the challenges and possibilities of practicing and imagining radical forms of feminist care.

FINA 3991
Studies in Site and Place
Prereq: FINA 1921; FINA 1931; 12 credits from FINA at the 2000 level; and permission of the Department
This studio course considers the relationship of art, places, and perspectives. Investigating the topics of geography and place as an important facet of artistic practice, this course helps students understand both the potential and complexities of low-impact, site-specific work in both local and regional environments. The foundation of Studies in Site and Place is based on opportunities to explore ideas of cultural experience and retreat in relationship to the natural environment through investigations in various media in combination with light sensitive media. The practical framework of the course will focus on site-specific exercises, the research and planning of projects, and the creation of work during class field trip. (Format: Studio, Field Course)

FREN 3991
The Suburbs in Literature
Prereq: Permission of the Course Instructor
This course explores the literary representation of contemporary French Suburbs. Usually considered as the part of the city where social conflicts, violence and delinquency emerge, the suburbs are also associated with the emergence of postcolonial minorities and locations of cultural diversity. A new generation of French and Francophone writers have developed a corpus of fiction named ‘littérature de la banlieue’, where questions related to the suburbs such as childhood, education, religion and traditional family values are confronted with social integration in a land of immigration. The analysis of four novels from these writers will help students discover this new aspect of current literature and broaden their reflection of the function of literature in denouncing social injustice.

GENS 3991
Beaches: Hazards & Management
Prereq: GENS 2101; GENS 2431; or permission of the Department
This course is an introduction to beaches. Beaches are an important driver of tourism, a valued recreational resource, and habitat for various animals. They can also present a variety of hazards to users. The course starts with an overview of the physical processes that create and shape beaches. Various hazards are then covered, from rip currents to tsunamis. The course concludes with consideration of beach management approaches and practices, including consideration of the accelerating impacts from climate change.  [Note 1: This course is cross-listed as GENV 3991 Beaches: Hazards & Management and may therefore count as 3 credits in either discipline.] (Format: Lecture/Laboratory 3 Hours)

GENV 3991
Beaches: Hazards & Management
Prereq: GENS 2101; GENS 2431; or permission of the Department
This course is an introduction to beaches. Beaches are an important driver of tourism, a valued recreational resource, and habitat for various animals. They can also present a variety of hazards to users. The course starts with an overview of the physical processes that create and shape beaches. Various hazards are then covered, from rip currents to tsunamis. The course concludes with consideration of beach management approaches and practices, including consideration of the accelerating impacts from climate change. [Note 1: This course is cross-listed as GENS 3991 Beaches: Hazards & Management and may therefore count as 3 credits in either discipline.]  (Format: Lecture/Laboratory 3 Hours)

INDG 3991
Indigenous Community Engagement
This course provides the opportunity to learn how to better engage and work with First Nation communities. Students will be tasked with creating a plan for community engaged learning with First Nation communities in New Brunswick. This plan must honor free, informed and prior consent, and include First Nation people’s knowledge and advice. 

MATH 3991
Optimization
Prereq: MATH 2111; MATH 2221; 3 credits from COMP 1631, MATH 1311; or permission of the Department
This course covers techniques for unconstrained and constrained optimization, and includes both local decent-based and global optimization methods. The course focuses on the formulation of optimization problems, studying their characteristics, and applying appropriate methods to solve them. Specific topics may include linear, quadratic and nonlinear programming; steepest descent methods; Newton's method; quasi-Newton methods; the conjugate gradient method; projection, Lagrangian, barrier and penalty methods for constrained problems; the simplex algorithm; metaheuristic global optimization methods; Monte Carlo sampling; multi-objective optimization; optimality conditions; and convergence metrics.

MUSE 4991
Displaying Disability
Prereq: ARTH/MUSE 2101; ARTH/MUSE 2111; or permission of the Department
This course examines how disability is displayed and interpreted in art spaces. From critically analyzing representations in artworks to how museums and heritage sites claim they are making spaces more accessible, this course asks if art and museum spaces are accessible and what accessibility means in these contexts. Combining art historical and museological approaches with critical disability studies, this course interrogates who has a voice in how disability is displayed, beyond just building a ramp or having an image of a legible disabled figure.

PHIL 3991
Kant on Freedom and Knowledge
Prereq: 3 credits from PHIL; 3 credits from PHIL at the 2000 level; or permission of the Department
Kant is a highly systematic thinker, and this course looks at aspects of his epistemology, metaphysics, ethics, social philosophy, and anthropology. The goal is to see how they fit together, but also to observe tensions and difficulties along the way. The course follows a throughline of Kant’s views on human freedom and how we try to make sense of a chaotic world. This course counts toward the History of Philosophy requirements for Philosophy and PPE majors. (Format: Lecture 3 Hours) (Exclusion: PHIL 3240)

PHIL 4111
Contemporary Ethical Theory
Prereq: PHIL 2701; or permission of the Department
This seminar will investigate contemporary discussions of the main approaches to ethical theory.  Topics discussed will include deontology, utilitarianism and virtue theory, as well as other approaches (depending on student interest) including: feminist ethical theory, world ethics, philosophy as a way of life, etc. Attempts will be made to bring in visiting speakers (digitally or in person) whose work will be discussed in the course. (Note 1: Prerequisite PHIL 2701 or Permission of the Department. Note 2: Students may register for PHIL 4111 more than once, provided the subject matter differs.)

POLS 4991
Arctic Politics
Prereq: 3 credits from POLS at the 32/3300 level; or permission of the Department
This course provides an overview of Arctic Politics, using a comparative approach to explore a broad array of thematic and country-specific issues associated with the region. The region that we know as ‘The Arctic’ represents a vast geographic space, a wide array of environments, and is home to thousands of people. The Arctic has often been considered peripheral to global politics, and yet it remains a central component of international attention, springing back into public consciousness in the context of President Trump’s overtures relating to Greenland. This course looks at what constitutes ‘the Arctic’, distinctions between the way in which the Arctic is governed and governance in other regions, the key issues driving policy-making around and in the region, how different states and groups understand and approach the Arctic, and the potential future(s) of Arctic policy and politics.

POLS 4991
Charter of Rights and Freedoms
Prereq: 3 credits from POLS at the 3100 level; or permission of the Department
This course explores rights in Canada, with a central focus on the Charter of Rights and Freedoms and its impact on governance, citizenship, and the judiciary. Students will critically examine how rights are defined, contested, and enforced through legal institutions, particularly the courts, and how these processes shape public policy and democratic participation. The course examines how the Charter of Rights and Freedoms shapes the relationship between Canadians and the governments of Canada, highlighting the legal and political constraints it places on government decision-making. Students will examine landmark cases and contemporary controversies to better understand questions of political power, justice and identity in Canadian society.

PSYC 3991
Developing Changemakers: The Psychology of Agency in Action
Prereq: Third-year standing; PSYC 1001; PSYC 1011; 6 credits from PSYC at the 2000 level; or permission of the Department
This lecture course focuses on agency: the sense that we control our own thoughts, emotions, and actions. The course examines psychological approaches to how we can make change in the world and in our own lives.

VMCS 3991
Professional Development
Prereq: 3 credits from VMCS 1201, 1301; or permission of the Department
This course is designed to provide students with an opportunity to build their professional profile and sharpen their visual and material literacy, intercultural communication skills, social media engagement, cultural heritage understanding, and project management essentials. Through class presentations and hands-on, customised workshops, students will receive practical training that is key in today’s global economy and digital age. The course has a weekly unscheduled complement that will expose students to career opportunities and postgraduate study/volunteer options.

VMCS 4991
Anime, Comics, Graphic Novels
Prereq: 3 credits from VMCS 1201, 1301; or permission of the Department
By focusing on a selection of visually enticing and globally impactful mediums of expression (anime, comic books, and graphic novels), this course examines topical themes and issues in visual popular culture, including: the representation of gender and sexuality in digital media; the power of visual expression to animate and transform public spaces and social media; the transnational circulation of cultural representations and beliefs; inclusion and exclusion in social structures and interactions; the effects of globalisation, technology, and consumerism; and the process of cultural adaptation or resistance and the cognitive strategies undergirding these responses. Special attention will be paid to generic conventions, aesthetic features, narrative motifs, thematic emphases, socio-cultural relevance, as well as marketing strategies and fan engagement. Students will analyse anime, comic books, and graphic novels as visual forms with global circulation and as products of adaptation, while relating them to global culture and critical context.

BIOC 3991
Inorganic Chemistry: Metalloproteins
Prereq: CHEM 2311; CHEM 3111; BIOC 2001; or permission from the department
This course will cover fundamental concepts of metalloprotein structure and function, with a particular focus on how metalloprotein function can be explained via an understanding of the structure and bonding of transition metal coordination compounds. [Note 1: This course is cross-listed with CHEM 3991 Metalloproteins and may therefore count as three credits in either discipline.]

BIOL 4991
Adapting to the Anthropocene
Prereq: BIOL 3811; or permission of the Department
This course examines the ecological and evolutionary resiliency of life when faced with the threat of in increasingly anthropogenic world. In particular, the course focuses our attention to the field of urban evolutionary biology and invasion science to examine how wild, free-living populations are able to overcome the challenges that are brought on by rapid ecological and environmental change. This course combines lectures with student-led discussions of recent and seminal literature, as well as assignments that motivate students to imagine what the biodiversity of a future world might look like. The course covers themes that span the breadth of behaviour, ecology, evolution, morphology, and physiology, as well as how these facets interrelate. (Format: Lecture 3 Hours)

CHEM 3991
Inorganic Chemistry: Metalloproteins
Prereq: CHEM 2311; CHEM 3111; BIOC 2001; or permission from the department
This course will cover fundamental concepts of metalloprotein structure and function, with a particular focus on how metalloprotein function can be explained via an understanding of the structure and bonding of transition metal coordination compounds. [Note 1: This course is cross-listed with BIOC 3991 Metalloproteins and may therefore count as three credits in either discipline.]

COMM 4991
International Management
Prereq: COMM 4311; or permission of the Program Director
This course deals with the challenges of working in multinational environments and managing strategic issues that arise in rapidly growing multinational organizations of different sizes and sectors. The course aims to help students develop a multinational leadership mindset while considering the specific features of local environments. The topics covered in the course may include understanding institutional contexts across the world, multinational strategies, internationalization of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), organization design for multinational organizations, international business negotiations, and people management in multinationals. The central theme of the course is adapting to the ever-increasing multinational diversity of organizations through fostering managerial and cultural intelligence.  (Format: Lecture/Seminar/Field project 3 Hours)

DRAM 3991
Queer Performance
Prereq: DRAM 1701; third-year standing in the Interdisciplinary Drama Program; or permission of the Program Director
This course aims to dismantle heteronormative performance traditions and allow students to express themselves authentically and truthfully. Students will develop a strong understanding and foundation of “self” based on Queer theatre history, diverse identities, lived experiences, and other socio-cultural considerations with an emphasis on defining and expressing “Queer” identities and forms on the stage.

ECON 4991
Historical Origins of Economic Growth
Prereq: ECON 1001; ECON 1011; or permission of the Department
Economic growth examines the significant variation in levels of income, education, and health across countries. Key questions include: Why are some countries so rich while others are so poor? Why do some grow quickly while others grow slowly? This course explores the historical origins of economic growth, focusing on factors such as culture, institutions, geography, and the enduring impacts of colonialism. It also considers historical factors influencing the economic growth of Canadian Indigenous populations. (Exclusion: ECON 3501)

ENGL 3991
INTRO TO E-PUBLISHING
Prereq: Second-year standing
A 21st century digital economy has become so all-pervasive that a grounding in the basics of online content generation as a sub-set of digital humanities knowledge is necessary for re-energizing the arts. While this introductory course focuses on the editorial and literary publishing aspects of online content generation, it also discusses general principles in the production of genre-specific online content (such as blogposts and marketing copy) and their appropriate formats, deploying Canadian style. In that regard attention will be given to the Canadian govt content-generation requirements for its Egovernment website – and its emphasis on plain language and the conversion of [sample] scientific content into plain non-jargonistic language. While this is not a web design course, a basic understanding of website architecture is necessary for online content formatting. Similarly, the course will incorporate basic html coding to facilitate Website backend content loading and editing on a WordPress content management system. This course covers: Literary publishing on the web; Web writing principles; Editing with Content Management Systems; Writing for Social Media Marketing (Twitter, Facebook, Instagram etc.); Writing for e-government (Canada.ca); Interfacing book publishing with digital tools (Publish on Demand - Espresso Book Machine); Digital Shopfloor management/ Digital vis-à-vis Book Publishing process; HTML/ Coding (for back-end WordPress editing).

ENGL 4931
Posthuman Futures: Bodies, Technology, and Identity
Prereq: Third-year standing; permission of the Department. Preference is given to students pursuing a course-based Honours
This seminar will explore the boundaries between human and machine. We will read texts and watch films that examine how technology reshapes our understanding of ourselves and that challenge conventional definitions of personhood in a world of artificial intelligence, genetic engineering, and digital consciousness.

FINA 3991
Repeatable
Pre-req: FINA 1921; FINA 1931; 12 credits of 2000 level studio courses; 6 credits of 3000 level studios; or permission of the Department
This course focuses on making unique images, objects, or installations using the techniques and practices of repeatable images and objects. Participants utilize printmaking techniques and three-dimensional multiples to complete singular art projects. The course emphasizes technical exploration and critical discussion in the development of new artworks. Experience in print media is recommended.
 
FINA 3991
Painting in the Expanded Field
Prereq: FINA 1921; FINA 1931; 12 credits of 2000 level studio courses; 6 credits of 3000 level studios; or permission of the Department
This course examines the idea of “Painting in the Expanded Field”, an idea that relates to the production of painting in relationship to constructed or existing three-dimensional spaces and materiality. Students experiment with colour and process-based methods, non-traditional means of painting, found materials, alternative colour sources, installation, and textile/fibre-based practices.
 
FINA 3991
Performance: On-Site
Prereq: FINA 1921; FINA 1931; 12 credits of 2000 level studio courses; 6 credits of 3000 level studios; or permission of the Department
This course explores performance art practices, through individual and group actions in a studio context. Engaging performance art in technical, critical, and theoretical ways, the course investigates the diverse possibilities of performance art and its direct relationship to (time-based) digital technologies. Exploring performance as a distinct discipline and tool, students expand the use of performance in an intricate way, primarily using their voices, their bodies, and immediate digital platforms. 

FREN 3991
EVOLUTION AND GENDER
Prereqs: FREN 2601; or permission of the Department
This course examines the rhetorical intersections between various discourses dealing with gender and evolutionary thought. Key oppositions are explored in various traditions of representation. These include fixism vs. transformism, existentialism vs. essentialism and idealism vs. materialism. Textual and nontextual sources will be used to demonstrate how gender tropes (and precursors to these) are conceptualized across medicine, literature and philosophy, among other disciplines. Special attention will be paid to events, discoveries, and behaviours that challenge or disrupt epistemological boundaries.

GERM 3501
German Fairy Tales
Prereq: GERM 2011; or permission of the Department
This course explores the fascinating tradition of the German Fairy Tale. It will examine the Märchen in its various forms – as a popular oral narrative and as a crafted literary tale – highlighting the innovative potential of the genre and its emergence as a literary convention. By the end of this course students will have a focused understanding of the literary, historical and cultural significance of fairy tales for German reading culture and will be able to analyze the genre accordingly. Readings will include original texts as well as critical commentaries. Throughout the course special attention will be given to the development and improvement of critical written expression. The main language of instruction for this course is German with essential class discussions taking place in both English and German.

PHIL 3991
Incommunicability
Prereq: 3 credits from PHIL; 3 credits from PHIL at the 2000 level; or permission of the Department
This course examines philosophical contexts of incommunicability. The notion of a transcendental realm, a metaphysical nature, or a mode of knowledge that can be experienced but not communicated has a looming presence in the history of philosophy. We review puzzles about incommunicability in logic (on inference), epistemology (on deep disagreement), metaphysics (on limit), ethics (on moral education). We will consider some models of thought and language that attempt to explain the source of ineffability, some social implications of the concept of incommunicability, and some accounts of philosophical practice centered on the task of expressing the inexpressible

POLS 4991
Multiculturalism in Canada
Prereq: 3 credits from POLS at the 3100 level; or permission of the Department
This course critically examines the development and challenges of minority rights and multiculturalism within the Canadian context. Focusing on its foundations and contemporary debates, students will explore the legal, political, and social dimensions of Canada’s multicultural framework. The course will examine and discuss multiculturalism as sociological fact, philosophical critique & perspective, and public policy. Students will be asked to think critically about the politics of multiculturalism, including the ways ethnicity, race and religion define important political concepts like the nation and citizenship. Topics may include language rights, religious accommodation, reconciliation, as well as alternatives and challenges to multiculturalism.

PSYC 3991
Exercise and Cognitive Function
Prereq: Third-year standing; PSYC 1001; PSYC 1011; 6 credits from PSYC at the 2000 level; or permission of the Department
This course addresses the physiological and psychological changes that occur in the context of acute and chronic exercise in various populations. It will introduce selected principles, research findings, and theories relevant to how exercise affects cognition. Topics will include cardiovascular fitness, measurement issues, cognitive performance, sex differences, aging and cognitive decline.

PSYC 4991
Unusual Experiences at Life's End
Prereq: Third-year standing; 6 credits from PSYC at the 2000 level; or permission of the
Department
This course focuses on the extraordinary things that can happen when someone is approaching death (e.g., dying persons seeing and interacting with deceased loved ones that no one else present can see), at the time of death (e.g., clocks and watches stopping at the exact time of a person’s death), or after death (e.g., a person sensing or feeling that a loved one who has died is present). In this course, we will compare various types of end-of-life experiences (e.g., near-death experiences, deathbed visions, terminal lucidity, after-death communications), look at current research in this area, examine possible explanations (e.g., psychological and medical theories) for these experiences, and discuss the implications of these experiences for the dying, their families, and those who work with the dying and their families.

RELG 2991
Religion and Politics in North America
This course investigates the various ways religion and politics interact within the North American context. The course introduces a range of critical perspectives relevant to the study of religion and politics, covering important topics such as: religion and identity politics, religion and labour, distinct voting behaviors among religious groups, and the intersections between church, state & modern civil society. In addition, this course covers divergences in American and Canadian civil society/politics, by examining the rise of religious populism in the U.S. and the challenge of pluralism in both nations.

RELG 4991
Religion, Populism and Nationalism in the Modern World
Prereq: Second-year standing; or permission of the Department
This course introduces the historical intersections between religion, populism, and nationalism in the 20th century. It explores the political philosophy behind nationalism, religious-nationalism, and populism. The course also examines global case studies of these movements and assesses how they have shaped the geopolitical landscape of the last century. From the First World War to the present-day rise of ‘illiberal democracies’ this class examines the ‘why’ and ‘how’ of political theologies and their real-world implications.

SPAN 3991
Testimonial Literature
Prereq: SPAN 3101; or permission of the Department
Testimonial literature in Latin America is a genre that combines personal narratives with historical and social events, giving a voice to those who are typically marginalized or silenced. In this genre, authors recount lived experiences during periods of conflict, injustice, or social change, often involving dictatorships, revolutionary movements, or struggles for human rights. Delivered in Spanish.

VMCS 3991
The Picture Book Project
Prereq: 3 credits from VMCS 1201, 1301; or permission of the Department
This course examines children’s literature read in schools, libraries, homes, and other literacies learning contexts in our rural region. Studying these materials together with scholarship produced by experts in fields such as Disability Studies, Queer Studies, and Women and Gender studies, class members will leverage their learning about the ways picture book representations of diverse lives matter to collaboratively imagine, design, and implement an intergenerational literacies initiative with innovators in our Tantramar community.

VMCS 3991
Queer VMCS
Prereq: 3 credits from VMCS 1201, 1301; or permission of the Department
This course aims to acquaint students with a lively theoretical and critical literature that has developed in parallel, as well as in concert with, drifts in queer liberation over the course of the twentieth and twenty-first centuries. The course is inflected by dialogues between queer theory and film studies, feminist theory, art history, fashion, design theory and others. Case studies will include film, video, photography, performance, online video and others. The course seeks to encourage interdisciplinary learning about topics in queer theory and culture in a safe,
motivating environment.

Exclusions are listed because some courses cover similar material. Students should not earn credit for taking two courses which are quite similar. However, the exclusion does not imply that the courses are interchangeable. Programs often require a specific course selection.

The exclusion means that the course you want to take has significant overlap with the course you have already taken (or are currently taking) and therefore you may not take both courses for credit towards your degree. If you do take both courses you will only be able to use credits from one of the courses taken, not both, towards your degree requirements.

Please take note of the following courses with exclusions that are offered frequently:

PHYS 1041 Physics for the Life Sciences (exclusion PHYS 1051)
PHYS 1051 General Physics I (exclusion PHYS 1041)
MATH 1151 Applied Calculus (exclusion MATH 1111)

Students should seek academic advising in all cases by emailing advisor@mta.ca.

Self-Service will not prevent you from enrolling in a course that is an exclusion with one you have already taken, or are currently taking. Also, your transcript will not indicate if an excluded course is completed.