The Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences, or BAS, is a degree that combines the arts with sciences to create a unique degree that will help you find your path towards your dream career. With this degree, you’ll be able to have an interesting and fulfilling career while simultaneously being able to dabble in the arts as well.
Did you know that only three universities in all of Canada offer this program? It takes everything you love about the arts — painting, drawing, sculpting — and then wraps it up with everything you love about physics — rockets are intricately intertwined into science classes in BAS’ curriculum. This eclectic blend creates a unique experience for students who want something out of the ordinary.
So what makes this degree so special?
In BAS, you’ll study a mixture of art and science, but you’ll also be able to have a substantial amount of time studying the arts. The arts are used throughout the entire curriculum, so it’s important to pick up some foundational knowledge in the areas you want to focus on. An entire class is dedicated to painting — and don’t worry if you don’t think you’re good at drawing. There will be plenty of recorded demonstrations and practice sessions that allow students without the artistic ability to practice their skills with another person or in front of a monitor while seeing how things look from all angles.
BAS is also very flexible, so you’ll be able to take courses that look good on your transcript but aren’t directly related to your degree at all. You can take anything from English literature to programming, video game design or IT sell courses online — anything you want! However, these won’t add a ton of ‘units’ to your degree, and you’ll still need the 180 units required for graduation.
What are the requirements?
Since BAS is a unique degree, you’ll need to meet specific course requirements to graduate. For example, you’ll need to take five courses in the arts and five courses in the sciences spread throughout your various disciplines. You also need 180 units in total, with a minimum of 60 units each year.
Most students can complete their BAS degree in four years by accumulating 90 units each year and taking only one major arts course per semester. However, if you’re going for a second major or are part of an Arts & Science program (BAIArts), it will likely take you longer than four years to finish your degree. And, since your Arts and Sciences credits will count towards your major, you need to consider how many more units you’ll need to take in the arts to complete your program.
What can I study? Are there any prerequisites that I need?
The Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences is offered in seven different disciplines and offers a breadth of program opportunities. There is a great variety of subjects you can choose from in your four-year program. You might choose to focus on the Science department because you want to work in the medical field, or you might pick up a passion for the Arts while learning how to become a designer or animator. If there is something that you’re interested in and want to learn more about, it’s always a good idea to consider taking some prerequisite online courses app first. This will ensure that you get the most out of your degree and can be a huge help when you’re trying to find part-time jobs since employers will look for any experience that can prepare you for a career.
Are there any career paths or opportunities with this degree?
Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences graduates are prepared to enter many fields that require creativity, critical thinking, advanced problem-solving, and communication skills. Graduates from BAS have gone on to work in Information Technology, Analytics (e.g., data mining), graphic design, video game design and development, multimedia projects for film production, post-production and broadcasting within the film industry. Some have used their education in BAS to pursue medicine or genetics research careers. You’ll be trained with many useful skills that will help you find a job no matter what you ultimately decide to do.
What are the requirements for application?
Canadians must apply for one of the other undergraduate degrees offered by the Faculty of Arts. You’ll first need to take an English Language proficiency exam to apply. Some good examples are IELTS, PTE or TOEFL. You’ll also need to have enough money in your bank account to cover living expenses while you’re in school — most Canadian students get a part-time job while they’re at school too. Finally, you’ll need to create a Convocation application.
