Elective courses are part of the degree requirements for most undergraduate programs at Memorial. Although electives are flexible, each program has its own elective requirements/restrictions and the number of electives you are required to complete will vary depending on your specific pathway through your program of study. 

Elective courses provide you with opportunities to explore your interests, customize your university experience, as well as increase your breadth of knowledge and skills outside of your major. Essentially, you get to choose what you want to learn!

Review your program’s elective requirements in the university Calendar and then check the course descriptions from the courses available in first year. 

For further assistance, consult with an academic advisor at your campus and review some of the benefits electives can provide:

• St. John's campus
• Grenfell Campus

Enhance your selected/intended program of study

Major-related electives can help you develop an in-depth understanding about the area you are studying. For example, BBA students may choose business electives in the area of accounting to prepare for a career path that leads to a professional designation (e.g. C.A., C.G.A., C.M.A.).

Explore a potential major/minor

If you haven’t yet decided on your major/minor, electives are a great way to explore your interests and program options. If you would like to continue with courses in the same subject, you may be able to declare this area of study as your major or minor (depending on your program’s regulations).

Discover an area of interests

Take advantage of electives to explore something new, something fun or something you have always been interested in but never had a chance to learn. For example, you may have always been curious about fossils since childhood. Archaeology courses will open your eyes to this area.

Develop a new skill set

Electives allow you to develop well-rounded knowledge and skills that may help you meet your personal and/or career goals. For example, some HKR courses may introduce you to coping with stress through physical activity. Such courses may help you manage stress, as a student and over your lifetime.