In Level I, a student who wishes to pursue either of the Commerce programs establishes a foundation in behavioural science, computer science, economics and mathematics, and also undertakes elective work. While this course of study is prescribed in Business I, a student who establishes a similar background in the Level I program of another Faculty may be considered for admission to Level II (Commerce II).
A student must gain admission to Commerce II in order to proceed towards the Honours B.Com. or B.Com. degrees. In Level II a wide range of business subjects including accounting, finance, marketing, human resources, information systems and operations management are introduced and further course work in economics is required. Elective work is taken from non-Commerce courses.
While the same core of required Commerce courses is completed in Level II, the Commerce programs diverge at Level III. In the Honours Commerce program, about two-thirds of the work is in Commerce courses, with the remainder of the load coming from electives outside the Faculty. In the Commerce program the work is approximately evenly divided between Commerce and non-Commerce courses.
International/Cross-Cultural/Language Menu
In its revised programs, the School of Business is stressing the importance of breadth of knowledge. Students are required to take courses in a variety of business disciplines, thus giving them a sound understanding of business functions and their relationships. They also obtain exposure to international and cross-cultural issues. This will provide them with the knowledge needed for the world of global organizations. Prior to graduation, students are required to successfully complete two courses from an International/Cross-Cultural/Language menu. Note: Students who participate in an official McMaster University exchange are required to successfully complete one course from an International/Cross-Cultural/Language menu prior to graduation. Students must satisfy the normal prerequisites for the courses listed on the menu. Students follow the menu requirements of the Calendar in force when they enter Business I, however, when a later Calendar expands the menu options, students may choose from those additional courses as well.
The menu for 2012-2013 is as follows:
- All Anthropology courses except ANTHROP 1AA3 or 1AB3 if completed as part of the Business I requirements.
- All courses in the Faculty of Humanities open to Commerce students, with the exception of all Multimedia courses, PHILOS 2N03 and English courses other than those listed below.
- All Indigenous Studies courses
- All Political Science courses, except POL SCI 1G06, 3F03, 3FF3, 3S03, 4O06
- All Religious Studies courses except RELIG ST 1B06 if completed as part of the Business I requirements
All courses included under the Peace Studies Minor (see Minor in Peace Studies in the Faculty of Humanities section of this Calendar)
Full-Time/Part-Time Studies
Students can take Business I and the Commerce programs on a full-time or part-time basis. Progression to the next level is at the end of the successful completion of the 24 units of course work that pertain to the lower level. It should be noted that only a few Commerce courses are offered in the evenings or in the summer sessions.
Continuing Students
Graduates of McMaster's Commerce programs or one of the Engineering and Management programs may take, as part-time students, Level III and IV Commerce courses (not previously taken, to a maximum of 18 units), subject to space availability, excluding COMMERCE 4AG3*, 4AH3*, 4AI3*. (See Continuing Students in the Admission Requirements section of the Calendar.)
*These courses are available as BUS&COM 500, BUS&COM 501, BUS&COM 502 through the School of Business, subject to sufficient enrolments and availability of qualified instructors.
Other than those graduates specified above, Commerce courses are not open to Continuing Students.
Second Undergraduate Degree
A student with an undergraduate degree will not be admitted or readmitted to either of the Commerce programs. Such a student may wish to apply for admission to the M.B.A. program.
Credit Towards Professional Designations
Educational requirements toward a variety of professional designations can be met in varying degrees within the Commerce programs and the Engineering and Management programs. The professional accounting designations C.A., C.M.A. and C.G.A. are awarded by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Ontario, the Society of Management Accountants of Ontario and the Certified General Accountants Association of Ontario, respectively, while the designation C.H.R.P. is awarded by the Human Resources Professionals Association.
Further opportunities for meeting educational requirements for professional designations are available to students in all Commerce and Engineering and Management programs. Additional course work may be taken while in the program. Further units of credit may also be taken after graduation (see Continuing Students above). Information concerning credit towards these professional designations can be obtained from the Academic Programs Office in the School of Business.
Minor
A Minor is an option available to a student enrolled in a four- or five-level program. A Minor consists of at least 18 units of Level II, III or IV courses beyond the designated Level I course(s) that meet the requirements set out in the program description of that Minor. A student is responsible for ensuring that the courses taken fulfill these requirements. Those who have completed the necessary courses may apply for recognition of that Minor when they graduate. If recognition is granted for a Minor, a notation to that effect will be recorded on the student's transcript. For further information, please refer to Minors in the General Academic Regulations section of this Calendar.
