You can book an appointment with your departmental academic advisor, consult your degree audit, or take a look at the undergraduate calendar to determine your required courses.
Find courses offered in each department: Biology | Chemistry & Biochemistry | Physics | Computer Science | Mathematics & Statistics | School of the Environment | Economics | Forensics Science
Each department in the Faculty of Science has dedicated Departmental Academic Advisors that can help you understand your degree audit, explain what courses you need to graduate, and help you deal with other academic inquiries specific to your program. To request an appointment with your academic advisor in your department, please visit the Faculty of Science Academic Advising page for specific departmental contact information.
To seek a campus wide academic advisor (not specific to your department or program) please visit the Student Leadership and Success Centre in Dillon Hall Rm. 111, or visit their appointment booking website for more information.
Course codes have recently changed to a new format and they are now composed of a four letter subject code which identifies the discipline and a four digit catalogue number where the first digit indicates the level of study. The other three digits of the catalogue number have been determined by the academic area. An example is the course code BIOL-1101 where the subject code is BIOL and the catalogue number is 1101. For more information on course codes go to the UWinsite Project Website or to the Course Code Translator accessible from the Registrar’s web pages.
A minor is a secondary academic discipline that usually requires 6 courses in that particular discipline. Minors are listed in the Academic Calendar under each program area. It is always advisable to check with an academic advisor regarding both minor and major course requirements. You can change your minor by accessing your account at student.uwindsor.ca. Click on “My Academics” and then click “Add/Change Minor” on the first page that opens.
Students can drop a course using the self-serve UWinsite Student portal. Within the free add/drop period (first 2 weeks of the semester), a student who drops a course is completely removed from the class list. Following this period and until the close of the ninth week of class (VW deadline date), a student who drops a course is assigned a grade of VW (voluntary withdrawal) on their transcript. A student cannot drop a course after the VW deadline date and will receive a final grade as appropriate.
Find VW deadline dates for current and upcoming semesters at Important Academic Dates.
For more information about dropping a course or voluntary withdrawal please visit the Office of the Registrar.
The first thing you should do is to consult with your professor and inform them of your illness. Most instructors also have information regarding illness and missing assessments in their course syllabi. You may also need to complete a Student Medical Certificate for the Faculty of Science and present it to the instructor.
If you have an final exam conflict due to observance of religious holidays you may apply for an alternate examination through the Office of the Registrar Alternate Examination Page.
If you have three or more final exams scheduled within a 24 hour period, you may apply for an alternate examination either directly with your course instructor or through the Office of the Registrar Alternate Examination Page.
Your textbook list can usually be found in the course syllabus. You may want to attend the first class before buying any textbooks in case your professor gives you more information on what textbook they expect you to have. New editions are available at the UWindsor Campus Bookstore and you can order them online (UWindsor Bookstore). In case your class uses an online homework system (e.g., Mastering Chemistry or My Econ Lab), the access code will usually be included with new textbooks. Students who have a used book or choose not to purchase a textbook can purchase stand-alone access to these systems direct from the publisher. You can visit the campus bookstore or email your professor for more information about the textbook and online materials for the course.
You can purchase lab coats and safety glasses anytime during the semester from the Campus Bookstore (located in the basement of CAW) or during the first few weeks of classes from the Graduate Chemistry Club (located in room 173-2 of Essex Hall). As a bonus, you can Tie Dye your lab coat with Science Society during Windsor’s Welcome Week (first week of classes) or Frost Week (first week of classes after Winter Break).
All appeals processes have rules that are provided in Senate Bylaw 51.
Informal Appeal - Before any formal appeals process it is important that students approach their professors to discuss any concerns they have about how they have been graded or their marks recorded. This may be done by attending professors set office hours, making an appointment directly with the professor, or contacting the department office to arrange a meeting with the professor. In many situations, the informal conversation process is preferable to the formal process, so it is recommended you try this first.
Formal Appeal - If an informal process breaks down or a student remains unsatisfied following a discussion with the professor, the formal appeal process through UWinsite can be undertaken. It is important that any formal appeal includes documentation regarding the appeal, such as a letter including detailed reasons for the appeal. If available, scanned copies of the relevant assessment(s) can be included. Any supporting documentation should also be included (for example, notes from health care providers). A formal appeal is not initiated by emailing the Associate Dean, Dean, or President of the University. The Dean (or designate) reviews all appeals, after they have been reviewed by a professor (or two) and the head of department. The decision at that stage is final. If nothing is heard regarding the formal appeal after a few weeks it is advisable to contact the professor to see if they received it, or following that contact scienceundergrad@uwindsor.ca to investigate the status of the appeal.
Advice on formal appeals may be sought from professors, department offices, registrar’s office, associate dean’s offices, Student Leadership and Success Centre, or the UWSA.
- MySci Advisors is a science-based mentoring program that matches incoming Faculty of Science students with an upper year student in the same program. You can gain valuable advice while also making connections.
- Connecting4Success (C4S) is a campus mentoring program that also matches you up with an upper year student and they host a variety of outings and events throughout the year.
- SOS (Students Offering Support) is a tutoring resource available for the majority of first and second year science courses (as well as courses in other faculties). You will receive a package and also be able to attend an on-campus session, and all proceeds go towards sustainable education projects in Central America.
- Skills To Enhance Personal Success (STEPS) program offers workshops throughout the year to enhance student study and learning skills. There is no charge, and registration is not required.
- Student Leadership and Success Centre provides general advising and can help you understand your Advisement Report. They are also a good source of information for all services available on campus.
- Student Accessibility Services (SAS) is an organization that aims to provide an equal access of education for all academically qualified students who have disabilities.
- The Peer Support Center is a good resource if you want to express your mental health concerns to other students. Their office is located in the second floor of the CAW.
- Therapy Assistance Online (TAO) is an online library of engaging, interactive programs to learn life skills and to help you bounce back from disappointments or stumbling blocks in life. As you watch videos and engage with our interactive components, you'll gain the knowledge, self-awareness, and skills you need to achieve your goals.
- Student Counselling Centre at the University of Windsor provides registered students free, confidential mental health counselling delivered by trained mental health professionals. Students in crisis will be provided support and counselling.
The first step is to familiarize yourself with the different types of research being conducted by professors in the Faculty of Science. Visit our Undergraduate Research page to gain access to individual departmental webpages, and the research areas of the professors. Once you have identified a few research areas you are interested in, then work to develop a relationship with these professors. Initial contact may be made through email, visiting them during their office hours, or by setting up an appointment to discuss potential student research positions (paid or unpaid) in their lab. Advisors in program areas may also be able to offer some suggestions about getting started in research experiences.
Visit Ignite, the University's work study program page, to find out about paid opportunites.
Visit the Outstanding Scholars program (Invitation based at the end of first year).
The Outstanding Scholars program provides paid research opportunities to high-achieving students. Scholars work closely with faculty, often in a lab or field setting, and may have the opportunity to publish their work or present at conferences. For further details visit the Outstanding Scholars website.
The Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) Undergraduate
Student Research Award (USRA) aims to encourage students to pursue graduate studies in their fields by providing eligible students scholarships for working on a research project during a period of 16 weeks during the Fall, Winter, or Summer semester. In order to apply for an NSERC USRA, you must first find a professor with a research lab who will supervise you as you work on an available research project (professor must also hold active NSERC research grant). Application deadlines vary depending on the department and the selection criteria is based on academic performance. For more information, please contact your departmental office or visit the NSERC website.
The Faculty of Science is pleased to provide support for undergraduate and graduate students to present a paper or poster at regional, national, and international conferences. For more information please see the Student Travel Fund.
High Impact Experiential Learning courses provide students the opportunities to apply what they have learned in the classroom and gain critical transferrable skills in the areas of communication, collaboration, organization and management. Below are a few of the courses in science that offer such high impact experiential learning.
- Science Service Learning: Students work with community partners to address community needs related to science and students will also have the opportunity to obtain first-hand experience in matters related to their curriculum. (Course Code: SCIE-3800).
- Science Internship: Twelve week work placement programs with an internship report due upon completion. Allows students to gain work experience while developing writing skills, interpersonal skills and it also opens up several potential career pathways. (Course Code: SCIE-3990).
- Science Undergraduate Research: Students work under supervision of a faculty member to help them with the research they are working on. Allows students to learn techniques and gives them first-hand experience on how to conduct research. (Course Code: SCIE-3900).
- Cancer Undergraduate Research Education (CURE): Students have a unique opportunity to work together with professional researchers and clinicians to brainstorm ideas to communicate cancer research to the public. It also opens up the door to volunteer with the Windsor Cancer Research Group (Course Code: SCIE-3750).
Visit the Undergraduate Calendar or more information on these courses and other general science courses.
The Faculty of Science introduced the LEAD Medallion Scholars program to recognize students in good standing who have excelled beyond the classroom. To earn a medallion, recipients will have demonstrated Leadership, Engagement, Application and Discovery during your time in the Faculty of Science at the University of Windsor. For more information please see the Faculty of Science LEAD Medallion Scholars Program.
The USci Network brings together students, faculty and staff from across all the Faculty of Science programs to work collaboratively in providing a unique integrative support system with the goal of enriching the student experience. Located in Rm. 335 Essex Hall, students can participate in many of our initiatives including Careers in Science, Science Meets Art (SMArt), Women in Science (WinS), Destination Science, Sci of Relief and Science Living Learning Community. Information can be found in the USci Blackboard folders or by visiting the USci Network page. You can also email usci@uwindsor.ca or follow USci Network on Twitter and Instagram
Science Society is an organization that represents and advocates for all undergraduate students in the Faculty of Science. They manage many of the Science related events during Welcome Week and throughout the year. They host academic meet and greets like Meet the Profs and GA’s Night, Pi Day, etc. Visit the Science Society's website for more information.
Let’s Talk Science is an award-winning national organization that aims to encourage youth to pursue careers in STEM fields. As a volunteer, you’ll have the opportunity to go on various classroom visits and community events to present fun and interactive science activities to kids. You will always be paired up with other volunteers for the visits and you only have to sign up for visits that you are available to go on so it’s very flexible. They help manage events such as Science Olympiad, Science Rendezvous, LTS Challenge, etc. Visit the Let's Talk Science website for more information.
- Departmental Student Associations
- Physics Club
- Undergraduate Chemistry Club (UGCC)
- Behaviour, Cognition and Neuroscience Students Association (BCNSA)
- Heart and Stroke Foundation
- Stem Cell Club
- Blood Club
- Student Medical Response Services (SMRS)
- Friends of MSF
- Premed Society
Information about these clubs as well as other groups can be found by visiting the Campus Vibe site and logging in to your UWindsor account.