Prime Highlights:
Combines both STEM and liberal arts education, providing a balanced foundation in math, sciences, communications, and creative arts.
The program can be completed in just three years, offering a fast-track path to graduation.
Key Background:
The University of Regina (U of R) has introduced a new three-year Bachelor of Arts and Science (BA&Sc) degree, designed to prepare students for the multifaceted challenges of today’s world. The program, created through a collaboration between the faculties of Arts, Science, and Media, Art, and Performance (MAP), aims to provide students with a broad and flexible education that spans both the arts and sciences.
As global issues such as climate change, pandemics, and advancements in artificial intelligence continue to shape society, the BA&Sc degree offers students the opportunity to gain skills and knowledge from multiple disciplines. The program is structured to provide a balanced foundation in both STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) and the liberal arts. Students will complete 7 courses (21 credit hours) in math and sciences and 7 courses (21 credit hours) in communications, literacy, and the creative and liberal arts. In addition, the program includes 16 elective courses (48 credit hours) that allow students to tailor their education according to their interests.
According to Dr. Douglas Farenick, Dean of Science, the program’s high degree of flexibility empowers graduates to develop critical thinking and problem-solving abilities across diverse fields. Dr. Shannon Dea, Dean of Arts, emphasized the importance of combining STEM and arts skills, particularly as demonstrated in the responses to the COVID-19 pandemic and the rise of generative AI. The BA&Sc program is designed for students who wish to study across multiple disciplines, with the option of completing up to two years of coursework off-campus, either remotely or through regional colleges. This flexibility makes the program particularly appealing to both domestic and international students.
Dr. David Dick, Dean of MAP, highlighted that the program is one of the few of its kind in Canada and will equip graduates with the creativity and technical expertise needed to thrive in both existing and emerging careers. Through this innovative approach, U of R’s new BA&Sc degree aims to provide students with the interdisciplinary skills necessary to address complex global challenges and contribute to shaping the future.
