ACTUARIAL STUDIES
The preliminary actuarial examinations jointly sponsored by the Society of Actuaries and the Casualty Actuarial Society deal with the mathematics prerequisites for the technical material covered by the later examinations. These examinations require a level of knowledge in mathematics at the level of a mathematics major. Further information may be obtained from the Department of Mathematics and Statistics.
ARCHITECTURE
Students who intend to study architecture may qualify for entrance to the two-year Bachelor of Environmental Design Studies program offered by Dalhousie University by successfully completing 60h of any degree program. Included must be 6h mathematics. Admission to the Master of Architecture program is subject to maintaining a good grade point average in the Bachelor of Environmental Design studies program. Further information may be obtained from the director of the School of Engineering.
PRE-EDUCATION
To be considered for admission to Acadia’s School of Education applicants require a recognized bachelor’s degree with a minimum B- average in the major area of study and satisfactory performance in other academic work. Admission is highly competitive and candidates are advised to undertake bachelor’s degrees that prepare them for the elementary and second programs, and the specializations in music and technology education.
Elementary program
One-half (60h) of bachelor’s degree courses must be within the teachable areas of the public schools of Nova Scotia (mathematics, English, science and social studies). Courses in developmental psychology, French or other language, computers, physical education and art are also desirable. Minimum requirements and suggested courses in the teachable areas are:
· Mathematics: Math 1503 (or equivalent) or a minimum of 6h in other courses including foundational and statistical topics
· English: a minimum of 6h. Courses in creative writing (e.g. Engl 2013), children’s literature (e.g. Engl 3973/3983, Engl 3903, Thea
3983/3993) and general survey courses (e.g. Idst 2413/2423) will be most useful
· Science: a minimum of 6h in pure sciences (e.g. biology, chemistry, geology, physics) preferably in two different sciences. At least one 3h
course must include a laboratory component
· Social Studies: a minimum of 9h, 6h of which must be in history or courses with a geography component. Selected courses in sociology,
economics, political science and other social sciences may also count towards the required courses.
A detailed list of recommended courses is available from the School of Education.
Secondary program
Secondary teachers require a sound background in a minimum of two teachable areas (science, mathematics, English or social studies). It is necessary for students to have 30h in their first teachable area and 18h in all additional teachable areas. Candidates should attempt to acquire as broad a background as possible. A course in developmental psychology is desirable.
Music Education
Candidates need an undergraduate degree in music with a concentration in music instruction and demonstrated proficiencies in: primary instrument or voice, functional keyboard, and conducting. You should also have experience in: music theory and ear training, music history, pedagogy of band and string instruments, child developmental approaches (i.e. Orff , Kodaly), music technology, choral music, and large and small performing ensembles (i.e. jazz/concert band, orchestra, choir, etc). In addition, candidates should meet the entrance requirements for either the elementary program or for a second teachable in the secondary program.
Technology Education
Candidates should have a strong background in a minimum of one of the technology strands: energy, power and transportation, communication, or production. Students are expected to have a BSc, BEng or equivalent relevant degree. In addition, candidates should meet the entrance requirements for another teachable areas in the secondary program.
PRE-LAW
Students looking forward to law as a profession should consult the calendar of the law school they plan to attend. The Dalhousie Law School, for example, requires either:
1. The degree of Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Business Administration or their equivalents, from a recognized university, or
2. The completion, with standing satisfactory to the admissions committee of 60h of a university degree program.
3. All candidates must present the results of the Law School Admission Test (LSAT).
HEALTH AND VETERINARY PROFESSIONS
Students interest in the health and veterinary professions are strongly advised to consult with Acadia’s Health Science Advisor for further information on programs, residency requirements, etc.
Information is provided here on minimum academic requirements for entry to health and veterinary professional programs at the English-language Canadian universities closest to Acadia; information on programs at other universities and on other health professions is available from Acadia’s Health Science Advisor. For all programs, students should consult the calendars of the appropriate universities.
PRE-CHIROPRACTIC
Minimum academic preparation for the Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College is at least three full years (90 credit hours) of undergraduate university study in Canada; or two years of appropriate study in a CEGEP program with successful completion of the DEC, and at least two full years (60 credit hours) of undergraduate university study in Canada.
To be academically competitive, candidates should have a B to B+ average (cumulative GPA of 3.00 to 3.30).
Although not required, it is recommended that applicants have completed 6h with labs in each organic chemistry and biology, 3h in introductory psychology and at least 9h in humanities and/or social sciences.
The Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College entrance requirements may vary from those of other chiropractic colleges and may affect a student’s application to certain national and state board examinations. Students should inquire from the licensing body of the jurisdiction in which they wish to practice regarding their eligibility.
PRE-DENTAL
Students seeking admission to the Faculty of Dentistry of Dalhousie University are encouraged to proceed to a bachelor's degree although possession of a degree is not an absolute requirement. All courses should be chosen to conform to the degree requirements of Acadia University.
The minimum academic requirements for admission are successful completion of 6h with lab in each biology, general chemistry, organic chemistry, physics, microbiology, biochemistry and vertebrate physiology; 18h from the humanities and social sciences, 6h of which must involve a significant written component.
All applicants must submit test results from the Canadian Dental Association Aptitude Test (CDAT).
PRE-MEDICINE
The Admissions Committee at Dalhousie University Faculty of Medicine recognizes that appropriate preparation for the study of medicine can be acquired through many varied educational backgrounds. The major objective is that premedical education encompasses broad study in the physical, life and social sciences and the humanities. The minimum academic requirement for entry, however, is a baccalaureate degree, with grades averaging 77% or higher (Maritime residents) or 80% or higher (non-Maritime residents). There are no absolute prerequisite courses for admission to the Dalhousie University Faculty of Medicine (NOTE: Most other medical schools do have specific course requirements. Interested students should consult the calendars of the appropriate universities and Acadia’s Health Sciences Advisor. Background in the physical and life sciences will help a student to deal with the considerable load of scientific information involved in undergraduate medical study.
Courses in the social sciences and humanities will be helpful in understanding human behaviour in health and illness. Ability to communicate effectively, both oral and in writing, is essential. The committee believes that attracting students with a rich variety of educational backgrounds is in the interest of all students. Such preparation supports the training of outstanding physicians.
The medical undergraduate has to deal with more information per unit of time than is usually the case in university undergraduate programs in arts or science. Therefore, the Admissions Committee will consider not only the academic grades of applicants but the type and degree of difficulty of university courses completed. Students applying for admission to medical schools must present the results of the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT), taken no later than August of the year prior to admission.
PRE-NATUROPATHY
The Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine is committed to a high standard of education. Each candidate is evaluated by the Admissions Committee with regard to academic achievement, motivation, character, community service, and life experience.
To be considered for admission to the program, applicants must have completed 90h (approximately three years) at a university in Canada or its equivalent. A minimum number of prerequisite courses is required for admission: 6h in each of biology, general chemistry (with lab), and psychology; and 3h (with lab) in each of organic chemistry and biochemistry (6h strongly recommended). The biology requirement may be fulfilled by either a 6h general biology course or by 3h of cell biology and 3h of anatomy, botany, genetics, microbiology, physiology or zoology. It is recommended that applicants complete courses in some or all of the following areas: anatomy, environmental science, genetics, human physiology, microbiology, physics, sociology and statistics.
PRE-NURSING
The School of Nursing at Dalhousie University offers three accelerated delivery options for the BScN Program, enabling students with previous university experience to graduate in a shorter period of time than the regular four years. All students must meet the minimum admission requirements for the BScN Program. Additional requirements include: completion of courses in anatomy, physiology, general chemistry, organic chemistry, biochemistry, microbiology, psychology, sociology, and statistics, with a minimum GPA of 3.0. Interested students should consult the Dalhousie calendar or Acadia’s Health Sciences Advisor for more information.
PRE-OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY
Applicants to the occupational therapy program at Dalhousie must have completed 30h of 1000 level or higher university approved courses that represent a suitable array. Although not required, it is suggested that students complete a psychology, a sociology or anthropology, and biology course. These 30h must represent at least three disciplines with no more than 12h in any one discipline. Students interested in applying to the Occupational Therapy Program at Dalhousie University are advised that national qualification standards will require a Master's degree in Occupational Therapy by 2010. Accordingly, admission consideration to this program will require a 4-year undergraduate degree commencing in 2005.
PRE-OPTOMETRY
To be considered for admission to the University of Waterloo's School of Optometry, the following courses are required: 6h in each of biology, general chemistry, physics (all with labs), calculus, English and physiology; and 3h in each of introductory psychology, genetics, ethics, organic chemistry, microbiology, biochemistry, and statistics. It is recommended that applicants complete 3h in each of human anatomy, embryology, histology, immunology, virology, sociology, linear algebra and/or geometry and trigonometry, to be considered academically competitive.
PRE-PHARMACY
Applicants to the BSc Pharmacy program at Dalhousie University must fulfill the requirements of a first-year BSc student at Dalhousie, with 6h in chemistry (with lab), calculus, biology (with lab), 6h in one humanities or language, and 6h in one social science. 6h from the above courses must satisfy a writing requirement. The same class/subject cannot be used to satisfy both the humanities/language and the social science requirement.
Applicants must write the Pharmacy College Admission Test (PCAT) no later than October of the year prior to admission.
PRE-PHYSIOTHERAPY
Required courses for admission to the Bachelor of Science program in Physiotherapy at Dalhousie University are: 30h with an overall average of at least 70%, (6h in biology or chemistry; 6h in physics; psychology or sociology; 3h in statistics, 6h in English (writing course) 3h elective. Most students gaining admittance have more than one year of university study.
PRE-SOCIAL WORK
The minimum academic requirements for entrance to the Bachelor of Social Work program at the Maritime School of Social Work (Dalhousie University) are completion of 30h of university level courses in subjects other than social work which provide suitable academic preparation for social work, with a cumulative average of B- or 70% has been obtained. The Dalhousie University calendar should be consulted for information concerning additional selection criteria.
PRE-SPEECH-LANGUAGE PATHOLOGY & AUDIOLOGY
All applicants to the School of Human Communication Disorders at Dalhousie University must possess a minimum of a baccalaureate degree from a recognized institution of higher education. A minimum of one 3h course in the area of introductory linguistics is prerequisite for admission to the School. Preference will be shown for students whose academic background includes at least a 3h course in each of the following four categories:
1. Research methods (e.g. statistics, research design);
2. Physical and biological sciences (e.g. anatomy, physiology, physiological psychology, human biology);
3. Psychology (e.g. developmental psychology, gerontology, abnormal psychology, learning theory);
4. Perception and psychophysics (e.g. speech perception, psychoacoustics)
The School requires a minimum of “B” average overall in previous university coursework.
PRE-VETERINARY
Minimum admission requirements to the Atlantic Veterinary College, University of Prince Edward Island, include completion of 60h prerequisite courses which must include the following:
· Mathematics, 6h including statistics
· Biology, 12h including genetics and microbiology;
· Chemistry, 9h including organic chemistry;
· Physics, 3h;
· English, 6h including 3h with emphasis on writing;
· Humanities and social sciences, 9h;
· Electives, 15h from any discipline.
Science courses will normally have a laboratory component.
Students are required to have the following veterinary related experience: (1) at least one week (40h) working with a veterinarian in a small animal practice; and (2) at least one week (40h) working with a veterinarian in a large animal practice.