- McMaster Arts and Science
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Arts and Science Programme 
Established 1981 Director Jean Wilson Undergraduates 250 Location 
Hamilton, ON, CanadaDegree Granted B. Arts Sc. Mascot SASSquatch Website McMaster Arts & Science The Arts and Science Program (also known as: ArtSci, Mac Arts Sci, or Arts & Sci) is a highly exclusive interdisciplinary undergraduate programme at McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario. It is one of the smallest and most prestigious direct-entry programmes in the university, and within Canada,[1] admitting only 60 students per year,[2] with a total size of about 250 students.
Due to the small size, reputation and popularity of this programme, it has for many years been one of the most selective undergraduate programs in Canada, requiring a competitive high-school GPA [3] in addition to a detailed supplementary application.
Contents
History[4]
After the Second World War, McMaster University, like many other universities around the world, saw dramatic increases in student enrollment and degrees granted in the newly developing sciences. Initiatives to revive the liberal arts in the university were proposed in the ensuing years but did not leave the drawing board.
In the mid-1970s, there was a growing sense at McMaster that although 4 year honours degrees were exceeding expectations, the 3 year bachelor degrees did not. In 1977, a university report recommended that McMaster explore the formation of an interdisciplinary program. In the spring of 1979, an ad hoc committee formed to investigate the recommendations, chaired by Dr. Dugal Campbell, reported to the university Senate. The Campbell Committee report was then endorsed by the university Senate in late June, 1979.
In the late summer of 1979, the Vice President (Academic) at the time, Leslie J. King, asked Dr. Herb Jenkins, a professor in McMaster's psychology department, to form a council to discuss, and serve as the director of a new baccalaureate programme in general studies. The Planning Council presented the "Outline of a New Baccalaureate Degree Programme in Arts and Science" in mid-March 1980. After criticisms were heard at the general faculty meeting on March 27 of that year, the Council revised the outline and presented it to the university Senate in May 1980. In September 1981, the Arts & Science Programme welcomed its first year of students.
The Arts & Science Programme awards its students with a B. Arts Sc. Students may earn the degree in 3 years, although most students complete the degree in 4 years and earn the "Honours" appellation. At the general faculty meeting of March 1980, the professors from the faculty of Health Sciences were particularly enthusiastic about the outline presented. This led to the formation of the small, inquiry and interdisciplinary-based Health Sciences undergraduate program in 1999. After Dr. Herb Jenkins retired as the first director of the Arts & Science Programme, he, along with Dr. Bob Hudspith went on to found the Engineering and Society program at the Faculty of Engineering. McMaster's Integrated Sciences Program has also been modeled after the Arts & Science Program
Curriculum/Structure
Arts & Science stresses the development of skills in writing, speaking, research, and critical and quantitative reasoning. Its curriculum also aims to provide a foundational university-level knowledge base in the natural sciences and the social thought of the Western world. The program's small size facilitates its strong sense of community and interdisciplinary learning, with students taking a diverse range of courses through their four years. Many of the students specialize in a field by completing a combined honours in addition to the Arts and Science programme requirements (effectively a double major). Some combined honours require a fifth year of study, unless the student takes courses during summer school or an "overload" course complement. A large proportion of graduates go on to pursue higher learning through either graduate or professional school.
Curriculum Humanities & Social Sciences Mathematics & Physical Sciences Interdisciplinary Electives Western Civilization Biology/Chemistry/Environmental Science Inquiry (3rd World Development Issues & elective(s)) Modern Western Civilization Calculus Writing & Informal Logic Literature Physics Technology & Society Eastern Studies Statistics Individual Study/Thesis Economics 5 courses 4 courses 5 or 6 courses 6 or 7 Elective courses Core Program Structure Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4 Western Civilization Modern Western Civilization Literature Eastern Studies (East & South Asian philosophy and religion) Writing & Informal Logic Physics Technology & Society Thesis/Individual Study Inquiry of 3rd World Development Issues Statistics Upper-year Inquiry (topics variable, see course listings Upper-year Inquiry or elective Calculus Economics Elective Elective Biology/Chemistry/Environmental Science Elective/Science requirement (if not done in Year 1) Elective Elective Expansion
During the mid-'00s, the McMaster administration began putting pressure on the programme to increase its size from 60 to 100 students per year. This campaign is part of a University-wide expansion of all smaller programs such as Medicine and Health Sciences. The idea was met with opposition from most students and professors in the program. Arguments against programme expansion include concerns that the sense of tight-knit community would be lost; that larger classes would reduce the quality of education; and that it would place added pressure on professors. The last increase in class size was in 1996, with an increase in intake from 50 students to 60. This increase was met with similar resistance, and many students and faculty regarded this as the beginning of the end of the intimate learning environment that had gained the Arts and Science Programme its strong reputation. Although the issue has not been resolved with finality, measures have been taken to address the issue for the coming few years with the ultimate aim of bringing enrolment back to a maximum of 60 students per year.
Community
Students are part of the Society of Arts and Science Students (SASS). SASS is responsible for running social and community events, facilitating inter-programme communication, and making educational recommendations to the director of the program. SASS also runs a student website (SASSweb), which can be used to chat with Arts and Science students and find out about the programme. Arts & Science students have consistently identified the sense of community in the program as one of its main strengths.
Crest of SASS
Directors
Director Term Prof. Jean Wilson 2011- Prof. Gary Warner (interim) 2010–2011 Prof. Peter Sutherland 2005–2010 Prof. Gary Warner 2000–2005 Prof. Barbara Ferrier 1990–2000 Prof. Herb Jenkins 1981–1990 Noted alumni
- Dan Milisavljevic
- Samantha Nutt
- Evan Jones
External links
References
- ^ "McMaster as one of the top Canadian programs". http://www.macinsiders.com/. Retrieved on 15 September 2010.
- ^ "Arts & Sci admissions". http://www.mcmaster.ca/artsci/. Retrieved 15 September 2010.
- ^ "McMaster ArtSci Program Details". http://www.mcmaster.ca/artsci/about_the_program/about_the_program.html. Retrieved on 15 September 2010.
- ^ Ferrier, Barbara; Jenkins, Herb; Ross, Michael (2004). Combining Two Cultures: McMaster University's Arts and Science Programme: A Case Study. University Press of America. ISBN 0761829296.
McMaster University Faculties Schools School of the Arts · School of Computational Engineering and Science · School of Geography and Earth Sciences · School of Nursing · School of Rehabilitation Science · School of Social WorkSpecial Programs McMaster Arts and Science · McMaster Integrated Science · McMaster Divinity College · McMaster Institute of Environment and HealthStudents Unions Categories:
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