Overview
Curious, flexible, and built for change – Social Sciences I is McMaster’s general first-year pathway that lets you explore before you choose. Instead of locking into a major on day one, you’ll sample courses across the social sciences, sharpen your writing and data-reasoning skills, and test-drive the questions that light you up.
You’ll learn how systems work (and how to change them), how people make decisions, and how evidence becomes action. Along the way, you’ll pick up in-demand skills like critical thinking, research design, communication and problem-solving – all of which employers love in every field from policy and business to tech and health.
At the end of your first year, you’ll apply to your major or area of study with confidence, backed by real experience, smart advising and a clearer sense of what you want. Think of Social Sciences I as your launchpad: one year to explore widely, build core skills, and design a degree that prepares you for the jobs and challenges of the future.
McMaster’s Faculty of Social Studies offers a number of programs and majors, including:
- Anthropology *co-op option available
- Economics *co-op option available
- Environment & Society *co-op option available
- Health, Aging & Society *co-op option available
- Political Science *co-op option available
- Sociology *co-op option available
- Work and Labour Studies *co-op option available
Students can also choose a specialization that is built into some of our programs – everything from mental health & addictions in Health & Society to public law and judicial studies in political science.
Expandable List
Learn by doing! In the Social Sciences, you’ll be given hands-on experiences and engagement opportunities both inside, and outside the classroom. This learning style is incorporated into many of our undergraduate courses. You can participate in field courses where they go out into the community and are supervised by an industry expert, tackle real world issues and research topics in the classroom and gain volunteer employer experience through an internship.
- Co-op Program Options We offer eight different co-op program options in the Social Sciences. These include:
- Aging & Society Honours BA, Co-op Option
- Anthropology Honours BA, Co-op Option
- Economics Honours BA, Co-op Option
- Environment & Society Honours BA, Co-op Option
- Health & Society Honours BA, Co-op Option
- Political Science Honours BA, Co-op Option
- Sociology Honours BA, Co-op Option
- Work & Labour Studies Honours BA, Co-op Option
You will apply to your co-op program at the end of your first year (just like your regular level II program/major). If you are selected, you will be in your Bachelor of Arts Co-op Option program for five years. You will participate in three professional co-op terms at different businesses or organizations.
The beauty of learning at one of Canada’s top research universities is that you will have access to world renowned researchers and research facilities. We incorporate research elements and research problems into many of our programs and courses – you will get the chance to hone your research skills using real, community-based research problems.
Are you interested in doing research alongside a professor? We have Undergraduate Research Awards! You can apply for a bursary and spend four – six weeks doing research alongside a professor in your field or interest of choice.
From Welcome Week to peer mentor opportunities, Social Sciences is your home away from home.
As an incoming student you will have access to hundreds of clubs across campus, including our Social Sciences program societies and our McMaster Social Sciences Society. These clubs facilitate events and activities and connect you with endless opportunities to meet fellow social sciences students.
Fast Facts
3,000 Undergraduate Students
70+ Study Abroad Destinations
$8k-$10k Average Compensation for Co-Op
2 Concurrent Certificated with Mohawk College
Your Classes
SOC SCI 1SS3 – Inquiry in the Social Sciences
SOC SCI 1SS3 is taught in small seminar classes of about 30 students and provides an opportunity for students to learn how to ask good questions, search out and evaluate evidence, develop well-reasoned conclusions and present their outcomes to the class.
This class provides valuable foundational research and writing skills. Research has shown that?students who complete SOC SCI 1SS3 receive higher grades in university courses, complete their degrees on time?and are more likely to obtain Dean’s Honour List standing.
Recent SOCSCI 1SS3 topics include:
- Human and Animal Trafficking
- Wealth, Poverty & Welfare State
- The Problem with Gender
- Conspiracy Theories
SOC SCI 1T03 – Life, the University and Everything
This course is taught in the fall term, and has a goal of helping our incoming students develop the most crucial skills and habits needed to succeed during their adjustment to university.
Learn more about Social Sciences I requirements.
After Level I you will further develop your academic interests. The Faculty of Social Sciences offers three and four-year Bachelor of Arts and four-year Bachelor of Social Work degrees. You can choose from one (or two) of our innovative programs:
- Anthropology
- Economics
- Environment & Society
- Health, Aging & Society
- Indigenous Studies
- Political Science
- Psychology, Neuroscience & Behaviour
- Social Psychology
- Social Work
- Society, Culture and Religion
- Sociology
- Work and Labour Studies
McMaster / Mohawk Affiliated Certificates
Through our partnership with Mohawk College, you can earn a college certificate while completing your degree. Earn a Mohawk College certificate in one of the following areas:
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- Business Studies
- Disability Management
- Leadership and Management in the Not-for-Profit Sector.
For a full list of courses that can be available in this program, please consult the academic calendar.