Double DEC in Science + Social Science (Before Fall 2023)

St. Lawrence students have the opportunity to register in a program that will allow them to earn two complete DECs in three years.

Our Program

Double DEC in Science + Social Science (200.12)

The Double DEC in Science + Social Science is designed for students who are interested in having access to a wider variety of studies and an opportunity for more profound exploration of topics than a single DEC provides. General education courses (English, French, Humanities and Physical Education) count for both programs, and concentration courses for one program function as complementary courses for the other. In addition, both the Science and Social Science Programs (Commerce or Math Profiles) contain math courses. In your last semester, you will complete the comprehensive assessments for each program.

This Double DEC satisfies the pre-requisites for virtually all university programs. It also gives you extra time and experience to choose a career. By taking a mixture of science and social science courses from the beginning of the program, you will be exposed to many areas of studies and the competencies associated with them. By the end, you should have a better idea of the possibilities for future studies and careers. For some careers, such as environmental law, a more extensive grounding in both the physical and social sciences is also better preparation for further studies than is either the Science Program or the Social Science Program alone.

Other advantages include the fact that the 200.12 program has fewer courses per semester (five or six courses vs. seven or eight courses) and fewer weekly course hours per semester (an average of 22.2 hours vs. an average of 23.5 to 26 hours) than either the Science or Social Science Programs. The Double DEC also has fewer science and math courses per semester (two rather than three). A reduced course load gives the possibility of earning a higher R-score. In addition, you have an extra year to study in English before university.

McGill normally expects students who are seeking admission to medicine and dentistry to complete CEGEP in four semesters, but you are exempted if you take six courses per semester and complete a Double DEC in six semesters.

OUR PROFILE

The following information applies only to those who began this program prior to Fall 2023. If you are beginning or began the program in Fall 2023 or later, please consult the updated course page.

There are no specific profiles in the Science + Social Science Double DEC. However, you can tailor your choice of upper-level Science and Social Science courses to fit your university plans. In addition, the math courses taken for Science also meet the requirements of the Commerce or Math Profiles of the Social Science Program. Here is the sequence of courses to be followed in order to complete these two DECs in three years:  

Consult Courses

For more detailed information about either the Science Program or the Social Science Program, you may visit their program pages.

OUR GRADUATES

All college programs in Québec have a graduate profile. This describes their graduates' competencies. In addition, there is a comprehensive assessment (CA) which evaluates whether students have met the expectations of the graduate profile. In some programs, the comprehensive assessment is linked to a course with an integrative activity (IA), building on what was learned in past courses.

In this Double DEC, you will complete the CA/IA requirements for both the Science and Social Science Programs in the sixth semester.

St. Lawrence Science Program graduates must be able to

  1. Apply the scientific method
  2. Take a systematic approach to problem solving
  3. Use the appropriate information technologies
  4. Reason logically
  5. Communicate effectively
  6. Learn in an autonomous manner
  7. Work as members of a team
  8. Make connections between science, technology and social progress
  9. Identify their system of values
  10. Become familiar with the context in which scientific concepts are discovered and developed
  11. Develop attitudes appropriate for scientific work
  12. Apply what they have learned to new situations.

These goals are not assigned to specific disciplines. All the courses in the program contribute to the development and evaluation of one or more these skills.

Graduates of the St. Lawrence Social Science Program should be able to

  • Analyze and synthesize information about real-life situations by referring to theories, models and schools of thought from relevant Social Science disciplines
    Carry out all the steps of scientific research under supervision and use appropriate qualitative and quantitative methods
  • Use the relevant technological tools, including computers, standard peripherals and software
  • Communicate effectively in English, both orally and in writing, using appropriate vocabulary from the Social Sciences and referencing formats
  • Understand basic Social Science documents in French
  • Learn and work autonomously, by taking into account one's learning processes and by designing , planning, carrying out and evaluating projects to meet one's goals
  • Work effectively as a member of a group
  • Think critically, creatively and independently
  • Approach issues, including those related to research, with sensitivity to ethical concerns
  • Situate, analyze and understand one's cultural heritage, cultural diversity, and the role of an informed, responsible member of society within a global context

What will be assessed?

The comprehensive assessment will be completed in the CA/IA option course that you take in your last semester of study. See the CA/IA course descriptions in either of the profiles of the Science Program.

The comprehensive assessment is based on a CA portfolio you produce during the CA/IA course. The portfolio must demonstrate that you have attained the 12 program goals of the graduate profile. It may contain work (tests, assignments, papers and such) completed during any of the courses that you have taken to fulfill the requirements of the Science Program and documents produced for the exercise on ethical issues, as well as the written report for the integrative activity. Alternatively, the portfolio may be made up of a self-reflective essay that evaluates how you have attained the goals and objectives of the Science Program, citing specific examples of what was done to achieve these goals.

The table below shows how the elements of the graduate profile are tied to the CA/IA course objectives or competencies defined by the government.

 

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    


Graduate Profile

Integration Objective (00UU)                

To apply acquired knowledge to the study of one or more subjects in the sciences

 Science Option Objective (00UV)                

To apply the scientific approach in a given scientific field
1. Apply the scientific method          

2. Take a systematic approach to problem solving              

12.Apply what they have learned to new situations           

 To apply the experimental method

To solve problems                  

To recognize the contribution of more than one scientific discipline to certain situations

 To apply techniques of experimentation or validation specific to science               
               

To solve problems using a method proper to science                

               

To represent various situations, drawing upon relevant concepts, laws and principles of science                

           
3. Use the appropriate information technologies            To use data-processing technologies 
4. Reason logically To reason logically   
5. Communicate effectively              To communicate effectively                      
6. Learn in an autonomous manner
               
10.Become familiar with the context in which scientific concepts are discovered and developed  		 To show evidence of independent learning in their choice of documentation or laboratory instruments  
7. Work as members of a team To work as members of a team
8. Make connections between science, technology and social progress                
           		 To make connections between science, technology and social progress                
           
9. Identify their system of values                
           		            
11.Develop attitudes appropriate for scientific work                
           		            

How will it be assessed?

The CA portfolio will be prepared individually by you and handed in for evaluation. The teacher of the CA/IA course will ascertain with a pass/fail grade the attainment of the program skills using the criteria listed in the graduate profile.

What will be assessed?

The comprehensive assessment will be completed in the IA course that you take in your last semester. See the IA course description in any of the profiles of the Social Science Program.

You must demonstrate your individual ability to integrate the knowledge, skills and attitudes developed throughout your program by preparing, writing and presenting, both orally and in writing, a social science research essay that uses scholarly sources in French and in English and that incorporates at least two disciplinary perspectives. In other words, you are expected to consolidate and demonstrate your achievement of the expectations of the graduate profile.

The subject for the senior research paper will be selected in consultation with the professor. You must do original work. It is forbidden in IA to recycle papers or to use papers prepared for another course.

You may work individually or in small groups of two to four students. For team projects, you will be required to submit a plan for team management and work schedules. Team members are co-responsible for the professional functioning of their team. They will be required to assess and grade the contribution of each team member to the final project. Thus, they will determine whether a group mark or individual marks shall apply. The professor reserves a veto right to impose individual marks for any team that has a student who is “free riding.” In the latter case, out of fairness and respect for the other team members, this student will have a lower final grade than the other team members.

Whether you work individually or in teams, your research paper or contribution to a team paper is to be at least 2,500 words in length. It must be produced using a word-processor and submitted in printed form and electronic form through Turnitin.com. A bibliography of 10 to 15 sources is required with three to five French sources. Three to four sources must be annotated.

How will it be assessed?

The comprehensive assessment will lead to a pass/fail grade based on the attainment of the elements of the graduate profile in the IA course. You must complete all required IA course work in order to pass the comprehensive assessment. Incomplete course work will result in no grade for the final paper, and thus a failing grade for both the IA course and the comprehensive assessment.

YOUR FUTURE

Your studies can lead to a wide range of careers, such as those below. Be sure to check university pre-requisites, since they vary. St. Lawrence students can see the Guidance Counsellor to discuss these options further. The Double DEC in Science + Social Science opens the broadest range of possibilities. By careful selection of option courses, you can ensure that even university programs with specific course prerequisites are open to you.

  • By taking Organic Chemistry and General Biology II as Science option courses, you can be eligible for admission to all health-related university programs at Québec universities.
  • By selecting Human Biology as a Social Science option course, you can be eligible to apply for psychology programs at Québec universities.
  • By choosing Microeconomics as a second-level Social Science option course, you can be eligible to study business administration or economics at Québec universities.

The DEC in Science allows admission to many programs related to the physical sciences and mathematics.

  • The DEC in Science can lead to further studies in health fields such as audiology, dentistry, kinesiology, medicine, microbiology, nursing, nutrition, occupational therapy, optometry, pharmacy, physiotherapy and veterinary medicine.
  • The DEC in Science can lead to further studies in pure and applied fields such as actuarial sciences, architecture, biochemistry, biology, chemistry, computer science, engineering, geology, geomatics, mathematics and physics.

The DEC in Social Science can lead to further studies in fields such as business administration, commerce, communications and journalism, counselling, criminology, economics, education, geography, history, industrial design, industrial relations, international business, international relations, law, political science, psychology, social work, sociology, tourism and urban studies.

 

APPLYING

Students applying for the Double DEC must satisfy the college general admission requirements and have the following pre-requisites:

  • Math TS 5 or SN 5
  • Chemistry 534 or equivalent
  • Physics 534 or equivalent

Apply for Admission