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First-Year Academic Advising

Welcome to MSVU!

You are at the beginning of an exciting educational journey. We are excited and proud that you have joined our community and look forward to supporting you throughout your program!

The information you will find on this page will help you make a smooth transition to the Mount. You’ll access the first-year course selection guide for your program, read about what to do after being accepted, learn about steps to take throughout your first year, discover how to use the academic calendar, and review some university terminology.

What To Do After Being Accepted

Confirm your attendance: Confirm your attendance by paying your confirmation deposit. Confirming your attendance will guarantee you a seat in your program and allow you to register for courses. Visit our Payment Centre and select the confirmation deposit that applies to you from the drop-down menu. Have any questions about the confirmation deposit? Contact our Financial Services office.

Review your First-Year Course Selection Guide: Every program has required courses as well as electives. Download your first-year course selection guide (below) to learn what courses you should take. You can view course descriptions and program information in the Academic Calendar.

Get to know myMount: myMount is the online student portal where you can register for courses, view financial information, access moodle courses and your student email account, and read about Mount news and events. You will receive a username and password for myMount after you have been accepted.

Plan your Ideal Schedule: Before registering for courses, you should create a draft schedule by searching for the courses you wish to take in myMount and adding them to your schedule in the Registration Centre. You can also use a blank schedule template to map out your ideal schedule for the upcoming year.

Seek Academic Advising: We encourage you to attend our Early Advising and Registration event in the Spring for assistance choosing your first-year courses and registering. If you are unable to attend or have additional questions, you can book an appointment with an academic advisor any time. An advisor can help you select and schedule courses, plan your program, refer you to other on-campus student support services, and more. Academic Advisors are here to support you at every stage of your program. Go to our booking page or email advising@msvu.ca to book an appointment.
Helpful Tip: Be sure to take your ideal schedule to your academic advising appointment to review with an advisor.

Register for your courses via myMount: All course registration is completed online via the Registration Centre in myMount. Check out our video on how to register for courses in the “How to Register for Courses” section of this webpage.

Check out our Next Steps Hub for new students. The Hub covers next steps for all aspects of university life.

Review Your First-Year Course Selection Guide (Listed by Program)

All programs have specific requirements. Use the course selection guide for your program to help you choose your first-year courses.

Bachelor of Science Applied Human Nutrition

Bachelor of Arts

Bachelor of Science

Bachelor of Arts or Science in Psychology

Bachelor of Arts Communications

Bachelor of Public Relations

Bachelor of Business Administration

Diploma in Business Administration

Bachelor of Tourism and Hospitality Management

Diploma in Tourism and Hospitality Management

Bachelor of Arts Child and Youth Study

Beyond your first year, you can use your program checklist to determine your remaining requirements.

Explore Courses Open To First-Year Students

The courses listed below are open to first-year students.

Courses marked with an asterisk (*) have a prerequisite (either first semester or concurrent) or require permission of the instructor. Check the Undergraduate Academic Calendar for further information.

first year courses

APPLIED HUMAN NUTRITION

NUTR 1010*Introduction to the Profession (prerequisite: Admission to BSc AHN)

NUTR 1102*Intro Foods: Plant Origin (NUTR 102L lab required) (prerequisite: Grade XII Chemistry or CHEM 1005)

NUTR 1103*Intro Foods: Animal Origin (NUTR 103L lab required) (prerequisite: Grade XII Chemistry or CHEM 1005)

NUTR 1106 Introduction to Nutrition NUTR 2240 Child Care Health, Nutrition and Safety

BIOLOGY

BIOL 1114 Human Reproduction, Growth & Maturation (not a credit towards a major in Biology)

BIOL 1152 Introductory Biology I (BIOL 152L lab required)

BIOL 1153 Introductory Biology II (BIOL 153L lab required)

BIOL 2213* Environmental Science (prerequisite: 1.0 u of any 1000 level university course)

BUSINESS

BUSI 1112 Introduction to Business Administration

BUSI 2011 Introduction to Entrepreneurship

BUSI 2012 Work and Career in the Modern Global Environment

BUSI 2060 Personal Finance

BUSI/THMT 2202 Communications and Self-Management Skills

BUSI 2214 Organizational Behaviour: Individuals in Organizations

BUSI 2215 Organizational Behaviour: Groups, Structure and Culture

BUSI 2230 Principles of Marketing

BUSI 2231 Marketing Management and Ethics (prerequisite: BUSI 2230)

BUSI 2250 Business Ethics

BUSI 2259 Legal Aspects of Business

BUSI/THMT 2307 Mi’kmaw/Indigenous Tourism

BUSI 2321 Introduction to Accounting I

BUSI 2322* Introduction to Accounting II (prerequisite: BUSI 2321)

BUSI 2430* Social Media for Business & Tourism (prerequisite: BUSI 2230)

BUSI 2601 Introduction to the Nonprofit Sector

CANADIAN STUDIES

CANA/POLS 1001 Introduction to Politics: The State and its Institutions

CANA/POLS 1002 Introduction to Politics: Society and Culture

CANA/POLS 1102 Citizenship, Identity, and Diversity in Canada

CANA/HIST 1121 Canoes and Colonialism: A History of Canada to Confederation

CANA/HIST 1122 Consolidation and Conflict: A History of Canada from Confederation

CANA/POLS 2201 Government, and Politics in Canada

CANA/POLS 2202 People, Power, and Politics in Canada

CHEMISTRY

CHEM 1003 Chemistry of Everyday Life

CHEM 1005* Chemical Concepts (CHEM 105L lab required) (prerequisite: Grade XI or XII academic Math ,Math 0027 or Math 1102)

CHEM 1011* General Chemistry I (CHEM 111L lab required) (prerequisite: Grade XII Chem and Grade XI and XII academic Math)

CHEM 1012* General Chemistry II (CHEM 112L lab required) (prerequisite: CHEM 1011)

CHILD & YOUTH STUDY

CHYS 1110 Introduction to Child and Youth Study

CHYS 1120* Essentials of Child and Youth Care Practice (open only to students enrolled in the CHYS degree)

CHYS 1130 Theoretical Frameworks in Child and Youth Study

CHYS 1140* ECE: Introduction to Play and Creative Expression (open only to students enrolled in the CHYS degree)

COMMUNICATION STUDIES/PUBLIC RELATIONS

COMM 1015 Introduction to Communication Technology

COMM/PBRL 2013 Communication: Theory and Practice

COMM 2016 Audiovisual Communications

COMM 2025 Introduction to Social Media

COMM 2101 Relational Communication

COMM/PBRL 2211 Introduction to Public Speaking

COMM 3102 Organizational Communication

COMM 3023 Communication Design

PBRL 1010* Foundations of Public Relations (prerequisite: Admission to the Bachelor of Public Relations program)

PBRL 2012* Writing: Theory & Practice (prerequisite: Admission to the Bachelor of Public Relations program)

COMPUTER SCIENCE

CMPS/INTE 1024 Information Technology Fundamentals

CMPS 1155* Introduction to Computer Programming (prerequisite: Grade XI or XII academic math)

CMPS/INTE 1161* Introduction to Media Computing (prerequisite: Grade XI or XII academic math)

CULTURAL STUDIES

CULS 1101 Cultural Studies: An Introduction

CULS 2201 Critical Debates in Cultural Studies

CULS 2202 Music and Culture

CULS 2203 History of Rock and Roll

CULS 2205 Art in Halifax Now

CULS/POLS 2246 Image and Power

CULS 2293 Understanding Movies

CULS 2294 Film Genres

CULS 2297 Animated Film

CULS/PHIL/RELS 2501 Animal Studies

CULS 3306 Rap and Resistance

ECONOMICS

ECON 1101 Introduction to Microeconomics (prerequisite: Grade 12 Mathematics)

ECON 1102 Introduction to Macroeconomics (prerequisite: ECON 1101)

ECON/POLS 2215 Political-Economy for Social Justice

ENGLISH

WRIT 1120 Writing Theory and Practice

ENGL 1155 Introduction to Literature: Gender and Form (This course is 1.0 unit so it will run from Sept until April)

ENGL 1170 Introduction to Literature: Literary Genres

ENGL 1171 Introduction to Literature: Literary Transformations

NOTE: Students may not take both ENGL 1155 (1.0 unit) & ENGL 1170/1171 for credit. WRIT 1120 cannot be used toward the major or minor in English.

FAMILY STUDIES AND GERONTOLOGY

FSGN 1100 Introduction to Family Studies

FSGN 1101 Introduction to Gerontology

FSGN 2100 Health Aging

FSGN/PHIL 2202 The Roots of Peace and Conflict

FSGN 2212 Perspectives on Parent-Child Relations Across the Life Course

FSGN 2312 Resilient Families

HISTORY

HIST 1121 Canoes and Colonialism: A History of Canada to Confederation

HIST 1122 Consolidation and Conflict: A History of Canada from Confederation

HIST 1131 World History: Early Civilizations in Africa, Asia, Europe and the Americas

HIST 1132 World History: Colonization and Commodities

HIST 2200 History of Greece

HIST 2201 History of Rome

HIST 2208 From Optimism to Destruction: Europe 1890-1933

HIST 2209 Catastrophe and Rebirth: Europe 1933-1989

HIST 2210 North American Indigenous State Relations

HIST 2216 Allies and Anti-Americanism: A History of Canadian-American Relations

HIST 2230 History of the Atlantic Colonies to Confederation

HIST 2231 History of the Atlantic Colonies Since Confederation

HIST 2251 Plagues and Peoples: A World History of Epidemics

HIST 2255 History of Food from Gatherers to Gourmands

HIST 2261 A History of Pirates

HIST 2265 An Introduction to African Civilizations

HIST 2285 Love, Sexuality and the Body in European History

HIST 2300 A History of Ancient Egypt

HIST 2303 Medieval Renaissances: The European Late Middle Ages

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

INTE/CMPS 1024 Information Technology Fundamentals

INTE/CMPS 1161 Intro to Media Computing (prerequisite: Grade XI or XII academic math)

LIBRARY

LIBR 2100 Library Research

MATHEMATICS

Students must take the Math placement test to register for Pre-calculus (MATH 1102), Calculus (MATH 1113), or Math 2500 (Statistical modeling and data analysis). Visit www.msvu.ca/mathematics for information on how and when to write the placement test. Students who will be taking MATH 2208 are advised to take a self-test online at www.msvu.ca/mathematics. Contact MSVUMath@msvu.ca if you have questions. NOTE: Students taking MATH 2208 and MATH 2209 via distance are required to register for a lab offered via distance. The distance labs are identified as MATH 208D and MATH 209D.

MATH 0027 Statistics and Math Preparation (non-credit)

MATH 1102 Pre-calculus I: Algebraic Functions

MATH 1103* Pre-calculus II: Transcendental Functions (prerequisite: MATH1102)

MATH 1113* Introductory Calculus I (prerequisite: high school precalculus mathematics and mathematics placement test, or MATH 1103)

MATH 1114* Introductory Calculus II (prerequisite: MATH 1113)

MATH 2208* Introduction to Statistics I (lab required-MATH 208L or MATH 208D) (prerequisite: Grade XI or XII academic Math or Math 0027 with a grade of C or higher)

MATH 2209* Introduction to Statistics II (lab required-MATH 209L or MATH 209D) (prerequisite: MATH 2208)

MATH 2500* Statistical Modeling and Data Analysis (prerequisite: Math placement test or MATH 1102)

MODERN LANGUAGES (CHINESE)

CHIN 2288 Introduction to Chinese Culture

MODERN LANGUAGES (FRENCH)

Students are advised to take a placement test to determine which course they should take. Email languagelab@msvu.ca to write the placement test.

FREN 1101 Basic Practical French I

FREN 1102 Basic Practical French II

FREN 2201 Practical French I

FREN 2202 Practical French II

FREN 2205 Practical French III

FREN 2206 Practical French IV

FREN 2214 Intermediate Grammar & Composition I

FREN 2215 Intermediate Grammar & Composition II

FREN 2253 Introduction to French Literature I

FREN 2254 Introduction to French Literature II

MODERN LANGUAGES (MI’KMAW)

MIKM 1101 Intro to Mi’kmaw Language I

MODERN LANGUAGES (SPANISH)

SPAN 1101 Beginning Spanish I

SPAN 1102* Beginning Spanish II (prerequisite: SPAN 1101 or equivalent)

PHILOSOPHY

PHIL 1010 Introduction to Philosophy

PHIL 2201 Knowledge, Truth and Opinion

PHIL/FSGN 2202 The Roots of Peace and Conflict

PHIL/POLS 2208 Introduction to Political Philosophy

PHIL 2209 Introduction to Ethics

PHIL/POLS 2210 Theories of Human Nature

PHIL/RELS 2217 Reason and Religious Belief

PHIL/CULS/RELS 2501 Animal Studies

PHYSICS

PHYS 1101* General Physics I (PHYS 101L lab required) (prerequisite: Math 1103 or high school precalculus Math and placement into MATH 1113)

PHYS 1102* General Physics II (PHYS 102L Lab required) (prerequisite: PHYS 1101)

PHYS 1120 Introduction to Astronomy I: The Sky and Planets

PHYS 1130 Introduction to Astronomy II: Stars and Galaxies

POLITICAL STUDIES

POLS/CANA 1001 Government, Law, and Leaders

POLS/CANA 1002 State, Democracy, and Change in the Global Era

POLS/CANA 1102 Citizenship, Identity, and Diversity in Canada

POLS/CANA 2201 Law, Government, and Politics in Canada

POLS/CANA 2202 People, Power, and Politics in Canada

POLS 2203 Introduction to Public Policy and the Public Interest

POLS/PHIL 2208 Introduction to Political Philosophy

POLS/PHIL 2210 Theories of Human Nature

POLS/ECON 2215 Pol-Econ for Social Justice

POLS/HIST 2216 Allies and Anti-Americanism: A History of Canadian American Relations

POLS/WOMS 2223 Women and Politics

POLS 2227 Contemporary North American Politics

POLS 2244 Intro to Global Politics

POLS/CULS 2246 Image and Power

PSYCHOLOGY

PSYC 1110 Intro: Psychology as a Natural Science

PSYC 1120 Intro: Psychology as a Social Science

PSYC 2206 Drugs and Behaviour (prerequisite: PSYC 1110)

PSYC 2213 Emotion and Motivation (prerequisite: PSYC 1120)

RELIGIOUS STUDIES

RELS/PHIL 2217 Reason and Religious Belief

RELS/PHIL/CULS 2501 Animal Studies

RELS/WOMS 3313 Women, Culture and Food

RELS/PHIL 3380 History of Atheism

SOCIOLOGY/ANTHROPOLOGY

SOAN 1502 Questioning Society

SOAN 2500* Introduction to Social Theory (prerequisite: SOAN 1502)

SOAN 2520* Family Marriage & Kinship (prerequisite: SOAN 1502)

SOAN 2531* Making a Living (prerequisite: SOAN 1502)

SOAN 2540* Power, Inequality & Social Justice (prerequisite: SOAN 1502)

SOAN 2560* Becoming Social: Self & Society (prerequisite: SOAN 1502)

SOAN 2580* Deviance (prerequisite: SOAN 1502)

TOURISM & HOSPITALITY

THMT 1101 Introduction to Tourism and Hospitality

THMT 1116 Introduction to Food Service Management (THMT 116L lab required)

THMT 1201 Health and Safety Regulations in Tourism Management

THMT 2201*Alternate Forms of Tourism (prerequisite: THMT 1101)

THMT/BUSI 2202 Communications and Self-Management Skills

THMT 2205 Human Geography for Tourism and Business

THMT 2216* Planning and Management of Food Service Operations (THMT 216L lab required) (prerequisite: THMT 1201 and either THMT 1116 or NUTR 1103)

THMT 2221 Hotel Management (prerequisite: THMT 1101)

THMT 2244* Sustainable Tourism (prerequisite: THMT 1101)

THMT 2301* Tour Operations and Management (prerequisite: THMT 1101)

THMT/BUSI 2307 Mi’kmaw/Indigenous Tourism

THMT/BUSI 2430 Social Media for Tourism (prerequisite: BUSI 2230)

WOMEN’S STUDIES

WOMS 1110 Focus on Women I

WOMS 1112 Focus on Women II

WOMS 1114 Introduction to Queer Studies

WOMS 2221 Women and Health

WOMS/POLS 2223 Women and Politics

WOMS 2231 Women and Culture

WOMS/PSYC 2265 Psychology of Gender (prerequisite: WOMS 1110 or PSYC 1110 & 1120)

WOMS 2281 Women and Caregiving

WOMS/SOAN 2570* Gender & Society (prerequisite: SOAN 1502)

How To Select and Schedule Your Courses

1. Select your courses: Use the first-year course selection guide above, along with the list of courses open to first-year students (also above) to select the courses you will take in your first year.

Helpful Tip: Select two or three back-up choices for each semester…sometimes, courses fill up quickly.

2. Schedule your courses: Use myMount to search for the courses you want to take. Some courses have required labs and they must be scheduled (and registered for) separately. Some courses and labs will have multiple sections. Choose the section at the time that works best for you.

Helpful Tip: When you select courses in the Registration Centre in myMount, you can view your schedule to ensure there are no conflicts before registering for courses. If you prefer, you can use a blank schedule template to map out your ideal schedule for the upcoming year.

More Helpful Information

Click on the courses you wish to take in myMount to read the course descriptions. You can also read the course descriptions in the Academic Calendar. This will help you decide which courses you wish to take.
Most courses are 0.5 unit. This means they run for one semester. Some courses are 1.0 unit. This means they run from September to April.
Most courses take place two times per week for one hour and fifteen minutes. Some courses only take place once per week for two and a half hours.
We offer a variety of online courses every semester. Typically, online courses are identified by their section numbers (ex. 18, 19, 20, etc.). Online courses may be offered in a variety of ways. Visit our online learning department to learn more about the different course delivery modes.
See the video below on how to use myMount to register for your courses.

How To Register for Courses

You can register for courses through the Registration Centre in your myMount account. Follow the steps in this video for assistance.

myMount Registration

Steps To Take Throughout Your First Year

Complete Mount 101: Mount 101 is a free, online program designed to help you learn more about the Mount and build on what you already know about being a student. Mount Mentors are students who can answer your questions about Mount 101 and other aspects of university life. Learn more about the Mount 101 and Mount Mentor program.

Learn your program requirements: Being aware of what your program entails in your first year will help you plan your program successfully. Knowing your requirements will ensure you take the appropriate prerequisites and give you the opportunity to take interesting electives. You can keep track of your progress using your program checklist. While you are responsible for keeping track of your degree requirements, an academic advisor will help you with the process. Go to our online booking page or email advising@msvu.ca to book an appointment. On-Campus, Online and Telephone appointments are available.

Ask for help: If you are having trouble adjusting to university course loads, are unsure about what courses to take, or have general questions about university, there are many people on campus you can ask for help, including academic advisors, professors, counsellors, tutors, etc. We are all here to support you throughout your time at the Mount.

Prepare for additional study time: For every hour you spend in class, expect to spend 2-3 additional hours working on homework.

Meet with an academic advisor: You should meet with an academic advisor before you register for your first-year courses and again when you are about to declare your major and/or select your second year courses. You can also meet with an advisor at any time throughout the year when you have questions or would like to talk about your program. While you are responsible for keeping track of your degree requirements, an academic advisor will help you with the process. Go to our online booking page or email advising@msvu.ca to book an appointment. On-Campus, Online and Telephone appointments are available.

Start thinking about your major: You will be required to declare your major before you begin your sixth unit of coursework. If you are unsure what to major in, book an appointment with an academic advisor to discuss it or check out our section on choosing a major.

Get to know the Mount community: Check out the services available to you such as the Learning Strategist, Career Planning Centre, Writing Centre.

Take time for yourself: It is important to stay balanced while at university. Extracurricular activities can help you relax after a day of studying. Find something that you enjoy, whether it be listening to or playing music, spending time with friends, joining a club or society on campus, or playing a sport or joining the gym, there is something for every student at the Mount. Try something new and have fun!