Tips for Choosing Non-Commerce Electives

Here are some tips for choosing non-commerce electives. They are included as helpful suggestions, but remember that everyone’s situation is different. You get to choose which electives you take.

• First year students are strongly recommended to only take first year electives.
• Do not choose an elective just because someone told you it is a “bird” (easy) course.
  • What comes easy to one person might be difficult for someone else.
  • The course may have changed since the person took it, or it may be taught by another professor this semester.
  • It is a good idea to check the course out for yourself.
• Check out the course outline.
  • If you are interested in a course, see if its course outline is posted on the department’s website.
  • Outlines from past semesters might give you a rough idea about the course if the current one is not available.
  • If the outline is not available online, contact the department and ask if they can send you a copy.
• Consider electives in different disciplines.
  • Add diversity to your degree.
• Consider electives in subjects you enjoy or find interesting.
  • If you are interested in the topic, you will be more motivated to do well.
• Use electives to earn a minor.
  • If you are interested in getting a minor in a different subject area, research the requirements in the Academic Calendar.
• Choose electives which will help you along your planned career path.
  • Interested in law school? Consider taking complementary subjects like philosophy, history, or political science.
  • Interested in teacher’s college? Consider courses in “teachable subjects.”
  • If you are interested in a particular business career, consider non-commerce electives which are related, such as economics, psychology, sociology, or communication studies.
  • Of course, there are other possibilities as well. If you are interested in a career in law or education, the Student Success Centre can provide you with more information.

Make sure that you meet all the requirements for a course before you register (check for any pre-requisites, anti-requisites, or co-requisites.) You can find information about course requirements in the Academic Calendar.