BSc Human Ecology - Family Science Major Approved Program Electives (APE)

Guidelines

Approved Program Electives (APEs) allow students to gain specialized knowledge in an area of interest as part of their degree. Students are encouraged to be thoughtful in their course selection to take advantage of this opportunity. Specialization is a way to distinguish your degree and to develop a specific expertise beyond your major area of study.

Examples

There are a variety of ways to specialize, such as in a discipline or content area.

For example, if you are interested in Sociology, you might take:

  • APEs (12 Units):
    • SOC 212 – Classical Social Theory
    • SOC 301 – Sociology of Gender
    • SOC 335 – Themes in Contemporary Social Theory
    • SOC 363 – Sociology of Work and Industry 

As a content area example, you might want to specialize in Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion by taking:

  • APEs (12 Units):
    • WGS 102 – Gender and Social Justice
    • WGS 360 – Race, Class, and Gender
    • SOC 370 – Racism and Decolonization
    • SOC 371 – Anti-Racism and Decolonization

Or if you wanted to specialize in Social Science Research Methods, you might combine a major requirement with your APEs:

  • Major Requirement (3 Units):
    • SOC 315 – Introduction to Social Methodology
  • APEs (12 Units):
    • PSYCH 212 – Introduction to Research Methods in Psychology
    • WGS 302 – Feminist Research and Methodologies
    • SOC 418 – Qualitative Methods in Social Research
    • SOC 456 – Data Analysis and Research

By design, there is a great deal of flexibility in the APEs. It is a good idea to work with an academic or student advisor when planning your APEs to gain maximum value from this piece of your program.

Approved Program Electives (APE) must be selected according to the following directions:

  • The total 100 and 200 level APEs cannot be greater than 2 courses (*6).
  • Any courses on this list that have already been taken/granted credit for as required program courses cannot be used as an APE.
  • Students need to carefully consider prerequisites when planning their APEs. The purpose of a prerequisite is to provide foundational knowledge necessary to be successful for more advanced study. Some courses allow students to enroll without the prerequisites with consent of the instructor, but it is recommended students take all prerequisites when possible.
  • Not all courses are offered every year. Students must take this into account when planning their programs.
  • If you see a course of interest not on this list, meet with a student advisor to discuss how it could fit with your other APEs to develop a specialization of interest.
  • Always refer to Bear Tracks for the most up to date course information.

Approved Subjects

  • HECOL – Any Course in Human Ecology
  • NS – Any Course in Native Studies
  • PSYCH – Any Course in Psychology
  • SOC – Any Course in Sociology
  • WGS – Any Course in Women and Gender Studies

Approved Courses

Sustainability

Any course from the University of Alberta Sustainability certificate program. For more information, see their website.

Other

Any course from the Community Service Learning certificate program. For more information, see their webite. 

Any course from the Certificate in Interdisciplinary Leadership Studies certificate program. For more information, see their website.