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The Faculty of Arts and Science has been sharing information and gathering input on FAS 2025, a suite of initiatives designed to support the student experience from application to graduation.

Q: FAS has completed the first two phases of the digital academic calendar project. Can you summarize what has been done so far? 

A: Yes, the project was designed to optimize the student registration experience and launched in 2021. It has already transformed the student registration experience because we went from a PDF version of the academic calendar to a digital one that is easy to use and keyword searchable. We are very proud that it started as an FAS project but was expanded into a university-wide project, and that it brought all of the university's faculty and school calendars together into one place, so all courses and regulations are easier to find. The calendar now also includes learning outcomes to help students plan their academic journeys. In the past, students only found out about learning outcomes at the start of the course when they were given the syllabus. Knowing the learning outcomes before registering for courses helps students make better decisions when choosing their courses. 

Q: What we can expect to be completed in the third phase of the project, as a part of FAS 2025? 

A: We are really looking forward to the completion of Phase 3 of the project, called PATH, because it will launch an interface that will improve integration with PeopleSoft, our student record management system, and students will be able to find courses quickly and see their timetable graphically and in real time as they build it. It's also a more personalized experience because students will also be able to run degree audits and personalized course selection and advising reports. I'm pleased to say that students tested the interface last summer and gave us positive feedback, and we are well on the way to being ready to launch PATH in 2025. It is also exciting because ¾ÅÐãÖ±²¥ will be the first university in Canda to offer this kind of registration experience.

Q: What is the Proposed Modular Degree Framework?

A: The proposed Modular Degree Framework is new, but it has been discussed for several years. Our proposal, which is currently in the academic approval process, is to change to the plan structure for the Bachelor of Arts (Honours), Bachelor of Computing (Honours), and Bachelor of Science (Honours) degrees to a Modular Degree Framework. In a nutshell, the three new modular degree plans will be offered to students: a Specialization, a Double Major, and a Major plus a Minor. Students can add a Minor to a Specialization or do a Major plus two Minors, if they wish. While the overall degree requirement of 120 credits will remain unchanged, there will be fewer credits (fewer classes) required for the Specialization, Major, and Minor plans.

Q. What are the benefits of the Modular Degree Framework for students? 

A: The benefits are numerous for students. The Framework will give students more flexibility and the ability to access and combine a wider range of subjects within their degree. Students will also have more choice in their academic journey because there will be fewer requisites overall. Students will have more timetable space to add more minors as well as electives to their study plans. That also means students will be better able to design and pursue their own learning journeys with an eye to their future careers. By pursuing their own learning journeys and having a range of disciplinary and interdisciplinary subjects, breadth of studies, and additional credentials, students will be better prepared to enter the workforce or for further study in graduate or professional programs.

Q. What other benefits does the Modular Degree Framework offer? 

A: The Framework promotes more interdisciplinarity and interdependence between departments, supporting research and teaching integration.

The reduction in the number of credits required for a modular Major means that what is now offered as a minor may be offered as a major in the future, such as for new programs like the Minor in Black Studies or the Minor in Employment Relations. We are also expecting higher enrolments in programs that are not offered in high school, such as in languages, Gender Studies, Religion, Art History, and Classics.

The details of the changes proposed for each program will be developed by the relevant academic unit, since they are the experts on their own curriculum, with support from our Curriculum Team. Departments will continue to manage their own plan enrolments through plan selection.

The move to the Framework leans into the strengths and diversity of our Faculty, which brings together more than 30 programs under one umbrella, by encouraging multidisciplinary degree combinations.

Q: Do other institutions offer Modular Degrees?

A: Yes, for example, University of Toronto offers modular degrees. If approved, moving to a Modular Degree Framework will also align FAS better with the other institutions in the U6 group of research universities, which are Western, McMaster, Ottawa, and Waterloo in addition to U of T and ¾ÅÐãÖ±²¥.

Q: When will The Modular Degree Framework be implemented?

A: We will implement it as soon as it has been approved. A notice of Motion to Faculty Board was approved at the Faculty Board meeting on October 27.

Pending approval of the final submission to Faculty Board in November, the proposal will be submitted to SCADP and Senate for approvals in December 2024 and January 2025, respectively.

If approved, the Modular Degree Framework will be implemented for the plan selection/change of plan period in May 2025.

We are confident in our proposal being approved in this timeframe, because of the positive feedback we have received from students, faculty, and staff so far. Since August 2023, we have engaged over 500 hours of consultations. We have spoken with heads and chairs, as well as with faculty, staff, and students in meetings with departments, the Arts and Science Undergraduate Society (ASUS) and the Department Student Council (DSC) Assembly, and we are collaborating with our colleagues in the central services that support us. We are extremely excited to start working together with everyone involved in the process to implement our proposal as soon as we get the green light!

For more information on the Digital Academic Calendar Project, please see:

• July 12, 2021: Academic Calendar Goes Digital
• September 29, 2022: Students Benefit from Second Phase of Academic Calendar
• June 5, 2024: Enriching the Student Experience
• August 22, 2024: Charting their Own Path

For more information on the Modular Degree Framework, please visit the FAS 2025 webpage.