Natural Science (NS) Electives

The Natural Science (NS) elective list applies to Mechanical and Industrial engineering students.

If you have any questions regarding NS courses or the best time to take them during your academic career, please contact your Academic Advisor.

Natural Sciences are defined by the Canadian Engineering Accreditation Board (CEAB) as “The natural sciences component of the curriculum must include elements of physics and chemistry; elements of life sciences and earth sciences may also be included in this category. These subjects are intended to impart an understanding of natural phenomena and relationships through the use of analytical and/or experimental techniques.”

The Faculty of Arts & Science uses "distribution" requirements (for students pre-2010) and "breadth" requirements for students post-2010.  The breadths include:

    • Creative and cultural representations
    • Thought, belief and behaviour
    • Society and its institutions
    • Living things and their environment
    • The physical and mathematical universes

Courses with a Breadth, BR = 1, 2 and 3 are not acceptable, regardless of program or prefix.  Also, mathematics courses are not acceptable as NS electives

The student is responsible to ensure they meet the prerequisites (if any).

Faculty-Approved NS Course List

A full list of NS courses can be found through Timetable Builder by selecting 'Natural Sciences' under the Breath Requirements / Elective Categories menu.

Additionally, students have access to the full list of Faculty-approved NS courses which displays a live list updated in real-time. Make sure to click the "NS Courses" button on the top right of the page to view the NS course list.