Academic Support

Academic Exploration Series


Course registration for returning undergraduate students begins March 21st, 2022 (see dal.ca/dates for the registration date that applies to your faculty) and the 2022/2023 Fall/Winter Timetable will be released on March 3rd, 2022.

With upcoming course registration in mind, we are hosting an Academic Exploration Series of workshops and events. This is your opportunity to explore programs and gain the tools to shape your degree into what you want it to be! Register today for workshops, info sessions, and advisor meetings that can help you determine your major/minor, and many more academic opportunities.

Advising Workshops 
Attend workshops that will give you the tools needed to effectively explore your degree options! 

Date & Time    Location  Workshop Title  Join Event Presenter
Feb. 2, 2022 @ 11:30 am AST Microsoft Teams How to Make the Most of Your Electives Watch now! Sarah Ready, Student Success Advisor

Feb. 2, 2022 @ 2:30 pm AST

Microsoft Teams

Exploring and determining program requirements using your Degree Audit

Closed. 

Craig Larsh, Manager, Degree Progression and Academic Support
Feb. 3, 2022 @ 2:30 pm AST Microsoft Teams  Navigating the Academic Calendar - The Only Document You’ll Ever Need Watch now! Tyler Hall, Student Success Advisor
Feb. 7, 2022 @ 2:30 pm AST Microsoft Teams  Degree Planning: The Big Picture Watch now! Makenna Cooke, Student Success Advisor
Feb. 8, 2022 @ 1:00 pm AST Microsoft Teams  Honours Planning 101 Watch now! Terra Duncan, Student Success Advisor
Feb 9, 2022 @ 1:00 pm AST Microsoft Teams Making the Connection - Majors and Careers Watch now! Moderated by Layne MacPhee, Bissett Student Success Centre Peer Advisor
Feb. 15, 2022 @ 3pm AST Microsoft Teams Building Motivation and Hope in your Academic and Career Planning Closed. Christine Frigault, Career Counsellor
Feb. 24, 2022 @ 2:00 pm AST Microsoft Teams Taking Courses at Another Institution Through Letter of Permission Watch now! Christine Wilson, Assistant Registrar, Transfer Credits and Student Mobility 


Program Workshops 
Explore program options you are interested in. More sessions will be added soon!

Date & Time    Location  Workshop Title  Join Event Presenter(s)
Pre-Recorded Video Health and Human Performance Program Overview

Watch now!

Exploring Careers in HAHP [PDF 1.7 MB]

 Heidi Tracey Baillie and Lindsay Currie from the School of Health and Human Performance
Feb. 14, 2022 @ 11:00 am AST  Zoom Truro Campus Program Overview Watch now! Kamryn Findlay, Assistant Registrar, Faculty of Agriculture
Feb. 15, 2022 @ 11:00 am AST Microsoft Teams Explore the possibilities from Faculty of Management: Minors, Certificates, both?  The choice could be yours! Watch now! Jenny Baechler, Carrie Hunter and Margie Muise from the Faculty of Management
Pre-Recorded Microsoft Power Point Academic Exploration Series Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences Presentation Watch now! [PPT 19.4 MB] Dr. David Matthias, Assistant Dean, Student Matters
Feb. 16, 2022 @ 12:00 pm AST Microsoft Teams Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences Student Panel (with Q&A) Watch now! FASS Senior Year Students, moderated by Dr. Michael Fournier
Feb. 16, 2022 @ 6:00 pm AST Microsoft Teams Engineering Information Session - Panel Watch now! Karyn Hemsworth, Jason Lecoure, Dr. Tim Little, & Student Panelists
Feb. 16, 2022 @ 7:00 pm AST Microsoft Teams Dal Science Major Mixer Closed.  Hosted by the Dalhousie Science Society and D-Level Societies
Feb. 17, 2022 @ 10:00 am AST Collaborate Explore Science Co-op Watch now! Panel (Science co-op students and their employers as well as the Science Employer Development Coordinator)

*This event will be recorded and shared internally with the FASS community afterwards

All Dalhousie faculties have a range of advising supports for students. Advisors across Dalhousie are ready to assist you with degree planning, course selection, and more.

Not sure who to meet with? Visit Where to go for Advising to find an advisor and meet with them to ensure your degree plan is right for you!

Need a refresher on how to register for courses? Check out the links below:

Quick Links:

Academic Exploration Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is academic exploration?

Academic exploration is the process of exploring the different programs and options available to you as a student so that you can customize your academic experience in a way that fits your goals, interests, and strengths. Throughout the month of February and leading up to registration in March, we want to make this process easier for you by offering different sessions that can help give you the tools, the information, and the support you need to make these decisions for yourself. 

2. What is advising?

Advisors are here to help you through your degree every step of the way. They are here to answer questions you have, to bounce ideas off of, to clarify processes and program structure, to help you navigate supports, and to generally support you as a student throughout your time at university.  

To find your advisor or advising team, visit the Where to Go for Advising page.

3. When is the deadline to declare my major?

The requirements for declaring vary by faculty and program, visit the When and How to Declare Your Major website for more information. 

4. What are the steps I need to take if I wanted to change programs? Who do I talk to?

If you want to change programs, we recommend that you speak with an academic advisor from the faculty you are looking to transfer into. To find out more visit the Where to Go for Advising page.

Advisors can help you:

  • explore whether a change is right for you.
  • review the entrance requirements for other degrees.
  • decide if this change is realistic.
  • estimate your remaining requirements (transfer credits).
  • explore other options.

5. What happens if I don’t know what major I want to declare by the end of first year?

Remaining undeclared after your first year isn’t as uncommon as you might think. We recommend meeting with an academic advisor to help you plan your courses and explore what you might like to do with your degree. Visit the Where to Go for Advising page to find who your advisor is.

If you need help connecting your education and career goals, we recommend meeting with our Career Student Success Advisor or our Career Counsellor at the Bissett Student Success Centre. Call 1.902.494.3077 or email career.services@dal.ca to book a career appointment booking. 

6. What minor options are available?

A minor can be added to many 120 credit hour degree programs at Dalhousie. 

Visit the Minors webpage for a list of minors and more info. 

7. What is a prerequisite course?

A prerequisite course is a course requirement that must be fulfilled prior to registering in a specific course.

8. What are the job prospects in the majors I’m interested in?

Dal Career Services has resources that can help you identify career paths you might be interested in. Additionally, you can book an appointment with our Career Advisor to help guide you in your career exploration. Call BSSC at 1.902.494.3077 or email career.services@dal.ca for a career advising appointment booking.

9. Can I do a co-op in my program with my declared major?

The cooperative (co-op) education programs provide students an opportunity to apply classroom learning in a professional workplace. Only some programs have the co-op option. 


Questions?

If you have questions about Academic Exploration Month, contact advising@dal.ca.