Considering the honours program in IDS?  This is the place to start!

 (Please read this all of this information and FAQs carefully before completing your honours application form.)

 STEP 1: Decide whether an honours degree is right for you

What is an honours degree?
The honours degree is a four-year, 20 credit degree. An honours degree is the most rigorous and demanding academic degree offered by the IDS department. The honours degree is designed for students with a demonstrated aptitude for advanced study in the field. It is intended for students who plan to proceed on to graduate work and for others who want the experience of an intensive research project. Students must apply to the program in their 3rd year. Only students whose applications meet the entrance requirements (see below) are admitted into the IDS honours program.

Why do an honours degree in IDS?
An honours degree is the most challenging degree the IDS department offers, thus it is suitable for students who are looking for greater intellectual challenge and further opportunity for independent study. 

Do I need an honours degree to go on to future study (grad school, law school, teachers’ college, etc)?
No. Many students with high GPAs and non-honours degrees still get into these kinds of programs. However, as the honours degree is the most rigorous option within the undergraduate program, achieving success in this endeavour will only enhance a student’s candidacy for future study.

STEP 2:  Is IDS your primary subject of study?

If IDS is your primary subject of study, then you will need to apply to the IDS department for honours admission. Go to Step 3.

If IDS is not your primary subject of study, then you do not need to apply to the IDS department for admission.  Instead, you will need an IDS Undergraduate Advisor to approve and sign the honours admission form issued by your primary discipline. Please contact the IDS Undergraduate Advisors directly who will be happy to help with this.

STEP 3:  Decide which honours stream is right for you (thesis or coursework):

There are two distinct streams within the IDS honours program:

A.  Thesis stream
Students who opt for the thesis stream will undertake a full year undergraduate thesis under the supervision of a faculty member from IDS or another department. Students must register for the IDS honours thesis course (INTD 4012), which will help guide them through this process.  Students in the thesis stream also take one additional half-credit INTD 4000-level seminar course of their choosing.

B.  Coursework stream
Students who take the coursework-stream will take two INTD 4000-level half-credit seminars of their choosing. The coursework stream has no thesis component.

How do I know whether the thesis-stream or the coursework stream is right for me?
The undergraduate thesis is the most challenging option within the IDS undergraduate program. It requires a significant amount of background preparation, work, energy and commitment to produce a successful thesis. Students interested in the thesis stream should be very self-disciplined and able to work independently on a major research project over the course of an academic year. They should also have some academic background on their thesis topic (i.e. through previous coursework or practical experience) and should be excited about an opportunity to delve deeper into an area of study that they find intellectually stimulating. 

What are the admission standards for each of these streams?
The minimum standard required for admission to the honours program is a GPA of 3.3 and a B+/A- average in all IDS and IDS-approved courses.  However, admittance to the IDS honours program is very competitive and is generally restricted based on the number of students allowed in. 

A.  Thesis stream
Generally only students with an overall GPA above 3.7 will be admitted.  Please note that meeting these minimum standards does not guarantee admission.

B.  Coursework stream
Generally only those students with an overall GPA above 3.3 will be admitted. Please note that meeting these minimum standards does not guarantee admission. 

Can I apply for the thesis-stream but still be considered for the coursework stream if I am not successful?
Yes.  Simply check both boxes on the honours application form.

STEP 4: Decide which type of honours degree is right for you

After deciding which stream is right for you, you’ll need to decide on the type of honours degree you’d like to undertake. The IDS department offers two types of honours degrees:

A.  Combined honours degree allows the student to study IDS as the primary subject of study and another discipline of the student’s choosing as the second subject of study. The degree requirements for the combined honours degree are available here. 

B. Concentrated honours degree focuses exclusively on study within IDS.  The degree requirements for the concentrated honours degree are available here. 

STEP 5: Apply to the IDS honours program

Students wishing to be admitted to the honours program for 2012/2013 need to submit their IDS honours application form to the IDS office by January 31 2012. 

The application form is available here.  FAQs on completing the form are available here.