Course selection

Course Selection and Registration Step 2

• What courses should I take?
• Where can I find a list of elective courses?
• I need to fulfill the Indigenous Course Requirement (ICR), where do I find which courses I can take?
• I am thinking about taking 4 courses this semester, will I still be considered a Full-Time student?
• I have transfer credits; how do I know if I have already completed credit for a required course?
• How do I keep track of my planned courses?

What courses should I take?

If you skipped step 1, it’s important to revisit the Understanding Your Degree Requirements page to ensure you have compiled a list of required courses for your program. Are you new to Trent? Academic Advising has compiled a list of first-year course suggestions (1000 level courses) for each major.

Whether you have chosen a major or not, it is important to take courses that interest you and courses that keep options open for the future. Selecting and registering for your courses will/can/should take some time. Be patient and consider your options.

Course descriptions are found under each program section of the Undergraduate Academic Calendar. If you are looking for more information about a specific course, check out past syllabi for courses under the Syllabus Catalogue icon on the myTrent portal under the Academics tab > Courses section.

Where can I find a list of elective courses?

Elective courses are classes that students take in addition to the required courses they need for their specific program, or in addition to the courses that they are taking for the major - courses they are interested in. 

Here at Trent we believe that interest is the most important factor to consider when choosing electives.  Each University course requires a lot of time and effort, so you would likely get a better grade in a course that you actually enjoy. 

When choosing an elective it is important to choose a course that would interest you, that could complement your major and/or open new options for your future.  In the Academic Calendar you can find the course descriptions and you can review upper year courses in various majors that you may find interesting.  Upper year courses will have prerequisites. Can you take a course now that leads to a course you would love to take later? Students should look at the Academic Calendar in order to read course descriptions, as well as to see the requirements for a major within the specific department.

I need to fulfill the Indigenous Course Requirement (ICR), where do I find courses I can take?

Students must take at least 0.5 credit from the Approved Indigenous Course List (see p. 17 in the Undergraduate Academic Calendar). This credit can be completed any time before you apply to graduate, and courses are offered at the 1000-level and beyond.

I am thinking of taking 4 courses this semester, will I still be considered a Full-Time student?

How many courses should you take each term? What should you consider before dropping a course? Visit the Determining Your Course load page.

I have transfer credits; how do I know if I have already completed credit for a required course?

You can review your Transfer Credit Assessment on the myTrent Portal under the Academics tab and Admissions section. For the transfer credits that have been assigned as Trent course codes (e.g. BIOL 1030H, PSYC 1020H, ADMN 1221H) this means you do not have to take these courses again at Trent. You can cross any of the courses off your list of required courses, or apply them to your elective credits, and register for the additional courses you need.

An Academic Advisor will be able to assist you with planning your degree at Trent with any unassigned transfer credits (e.g. ARTS-YR1, SCIE-YR2). More likely than not, the unassigned transfer credits will work into your degree plan as elective credits to count towards your total 20.0 credits (Honours program) needed to graduate. Visit the Meet with an Advisor page for more information on how to book a degree planning appointment with an Academic Advisor.

Watch this Recording on Understanding Transfer Credits from the Trent Advantage Live Stream series

All other inquiries related to Transfer Credits can be directed to transfercredits@trentu.ca 

How do I keep track of my planned courses?

Check out the My Academic Plan tool section of this website (under Planning Your Degree), which encourages students to map out their courses term by term to assist with future course selection.