Pre-core course guide: 2023-24

Welcome to the pre-core years! Years 1 and 2 are the years in our BCom program before you begin your foundation business courses (Year 3, core year), and are referred to as the pre-core years.

1. Know your timeline

2. Consciously shape your pre-core years

Make the most of your first two years. In addition to your required courses, you should choose electives that fit with your goals and interests. At Gustavson we believe great leaders are conscientious, global citizens first and business professionals second. This is your time to broaden your knowledge through a diverse selection of topics, to dive into areas of curiosity and challenge, and to build a foundation for your business knowledge and tools later on. 

Take one or more of these course bundles to gain knowledge in topics and areas you find interesting and that are relevant for all business leaders. Each Elective Focus consists of 5 courses (7.5 units). You will not earn a formal credential by completing one but it can be a great way to shape your first two years in BCom and prepare you for core. Some courses appear in more than one Elective Focus. You can also use the list below for inspiration to select individual electives.

Business For Good Focus

Develop awareness around non-profit organizations, social justice issues and ethics in business.

Strongly recommended

  • SJS 200 - Introduction to the Practice of Social Justice
  • PHIL 232 - Moral Problems of Contemporary Society
  • PHIL 330 - Professional and Business Ethics

Plus any two courses below

  • ADMN 200 - International Community Development Through Capacity Building
  • ADMN 316 - Public Sector Communications
  • ADMN 409 - Non-profit Governance and Management
  • ADMN 422 - Ethical Public Management
  • ANTH 200 - Cultural and Social Anthropology
  • ENSH 304 - Writing for Government and the Public Sector
  • ER 314 - Ethical, Legal and Policy Aspects of Environmental Restoration
  • HSTR 120 - History of Human Rights
  • PHIL 337 - Ethics: Theory and Practice
  • SJS 100 - Introduction to Theories of Social Justice
  • TS 300 - Networking, New Media and Social Practices

Digital And Technical Tools Focus

Develop knowledge of creativity, data analysis and technology tools to improve your business messages with impactful images, numbers and words.

Strongly recommended

  • One of:
    • AE 322 - Digital Arts
    • AE 330 - Visual Design for Marketing, Advocacy and Persuasion 
    • ART 105 - Foundation Photography and Video Art
    • ART 106 - Foundation Core Media Technologies and Arts
  • One of:
    • CSC 100 - Elementary Computing
    • CSC 105 - Computers and Information Processing
  • One of:
    • DHUM 150 - Tools, Techniques, and Culture of the Digital Humanities
    • TS 200 - Introduction to the Human Uses of Technology
    • TS 300 - Networking, New Media and Social Practices
Plus any two courses below
  • AE 422 - Advanced Digital Arts
  • ART 261 - Digital Media Arts I
  • ART 262 - Digital Media Arts II
  • ECON 205 - Managerial Economics
  • ENSH 303 - Writing for Business and the Private Sector
  • ENSH 304 - Writing for Government and the Public Sector
  • ENSH 305 - Visual Rhetoric for Professional Writers
  • ENSH 403 - Digital Communication and Social Media
  • HINF 350 - Human Aspects of Health Care Information Systems
  • STAT 359 - Data Analysis

Global Communication Focus

Develop communication skills to help you not only be well prepared for core but also for the real world challenges and opportunities you will likely face overseas for your exchange and/or co-op work terms.

Strongly recommmended

  • Any course in language acquisition (except English); if you have completed French immersion in high school, we encourage you to deepen your knowledge of advanced French or pursue an additional language.
  • ISP 200 - Introduction to Intercultural Studies
  • LING 159 - Indigenous Language I
  • LING 397 - Issues in Cross-Cultural Communication
  • THEA 150 - Public Speaking

Plus any two courses below

  • ANTH 200 - Cultural and Social Anthropology
  • ENSH 303 – Writing for Business and the Private Sector
  • ENSH 304 – Writing for Government and the Public Sector
  • GEOG 101B - Space, Place and Society
  • GNDR 100 - Gender, Power and Difference
  • GNDR 332 - What's Race Got To Do With It?
  • HSTR 329B - Race, Racism and Ethnicity in Canada since 1900
  • LING 290 - Encoding Language in Writing
  • LING 377 - Global Contexts of Language
  • LING 395 - Language and Society
  • PHIL 232 - Moral Problems of Contemporary Society
  • SOCI 100A - Introduction to Sociology: Understanding Social Life

Indigenous Focus

Develop awareness about the contemporary and historical issues our Indigenous peoples have faced. This focus is intended to provide both Indigenous and non-Indigenous students with a program incorporating Indigenous world views and ways of knowing, being and doing.

Strongly recommended

  • IS 101 - Indigenous Foundations
  • IS 201 - Introduction to Indigenous Studies

Plus any two courses below

  • ADMN330 - Indigenous Governance in Canada
  • ANTH 200 - Cultural and Social Anthropology
  • ANTH 433 - Coast Salish Culture and Contemporary Life
  • GEOG 304 - Coastal Conservation
  • GNDR 203 - Indigenous Womxn in Canada
  • HSTR 330 - Topics in Canadian History
  • IS 100 - Responsibilities and Reciprocity in the Place You Are Now
  • IS 400 - Research Seminar in Indigenous Studies
  • LING 290 - Encoding Language in Writing
  • POLI 263 - The Politics of Indigenous Peoples
  • POLI 363 - Indigenous Politics in Canada
  • SPAN 304 - Indigenous Latin America, Social Justice and the Environment (in English)
  • Any course approved in the Indigenous Studies minor

JEDI Focus – Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion

Develop increased awareness and sensitivity to the wide variety of differences that exist among people, including race, ethnicity, nationality, gender and sexual identity, disability, neurodiversity, and beyond. Learn how these differences not only make us unique, but shape and impact lived and future experiences. Welcome, respect and value this diversity along your BCom journey as a UVic student and beyond in your personal and professional life. 

Strongly recommended

  • GNDR 100Gender, Power and Difference
  • HSTR 329A -Race, Racism and Ethnicity in Canada to 1900
    or HSTR 329BRace, Racism and Ethnicity in Canada since 1900
  • SJS 100Introduction to Theories of Social Justice
  • SOCI 235 - Racialization and Ethnicity

Plus any two courses below

  • AHVS 312Gender, Identity and Film
  • ASL 100AAmerican Sign Language I
  • CS 102Introduction to Canadian Contemporary Issues
  • GDS 201 - Global Development 
  • GDNR 203 -  Indigenous Womxn in Canada
  • GNDR 204Gender, Health, Power and Resistance
  • GNDR 206Monstrous Women
  • GNDR 244Queer Film
  • GNDR 340Indigenous Cinema Decolonizing the Screen
  • HSTR 100History, Power and Justice
  • IS 100Responsibilities and Reciprocity in the Place You Are Now
  • PSYC 205Psychology of Diversity
  • SOCI 103Settler Colonialism and Canadian Society
  • SOCI 215Class and Social Inequality
  • SOCI 281Sociology of Genders

Planet Focus

Develop awareness of sustainability and environmental issues that shape triple bottom line decisions in business.

Strongly recommended

  • CS 201 - Issues and Ideas in Canadian Environmentalism
  • GEOG 101A - Environment, Society and Sustainability
  • HDCC 200 - Introduction to Human Dimensions of Climate Change

Plus any two courses below

  • ADMN331 - Governance for Planetary Health
  • ANTH 302 - Globalization, Health, and the Environment
  • ECON 111 - The Economy and the Environment
  • EOS 110 - Oceans and Atmosphere
  • EOS 120 - The Dynamic Earth
  • ES 200 - Introduction to Environmental Studies
  • ES 240 - Ecological Processes
  • GEOG 101A - Environment, Society and Sustainability
  • GEOG 103 - Introduction to Physical Geography
  • GEOG 130 - Climate Change
  • GEOG 209 - Introduction to Environmental Management
  • GEOG 252 - Introduction to Coastal Geography
  • GEOG 314 - Global Environment Change and Human Response
  • GNDR 207 - Gender, Globalization and the Love Industry
  • GNDR 306 - Gender and International Development
  • HSTR 101E - Environmental History of the World
  • PHIL 333 - Philosophy and the Environment
  • SOCI 355 - The Corporation, Capitalism, and Globalization

Worldview Focus

Develop perspectives regarding international relations, politics and your own role in our complex world. This focus will help you not only be well prepared for core, but also for the real world challenges and opportunities you will likely face overseas for your exchange and/or work terms.

Strongly recommended

  • HSTR 329B - Race, Racism and Ethnicity in Canada since 1900
  • ISP 200 - Introduction to Intercultural Studies
  • POLI 103 - The Worlds of Politics
  • POLI 240 - International Politics

Plus any two courses below

  • ANTH 200 - Cultural and Social Anthropology
  • EUS 100 - Introduction to European Studies
  • EUS 200 - Introduction to European Cultures and Identities
  • FRAN 265 - Global French Connections
  • GEOG 101B - Space, Place and Society
  • GEOG 211 - Political and Economic Geography
  • GEOG 347B - Geographies of Development
  • GNDR 100 - Gender, Power and Difference
  • GNDR 332 - What's Race Got To Do With It?
  • HSTR 324C - British Columbia in the 20th Century
  • PHIL 201 - Critical Thinking
  • PHIL 232 - Moral Problems of Contemporary Society
  • POLI 210 - Comparative Politics
  • POLI 344 - International Political Economy
  • SOCI 202 - Constructing Social Problems

Earn an additional credential alongside your BCom degree. Any of these optional 10.5-unit certificates can be added to your BCom degree. Simply take the courses in your pre-core years and declare your certificate. In your fourth year you will apply to graduate for the certificate at the same time that you apply to graduate from Bcom! Talk to a BCom Advisor if you need help declaring your certificate.

Certificate in Language and Cultural Proficiency

If you really like a specific language, consider focusing your studies toward a Certificate in Language and Cultural Proficiency for 10.5 units, offered through the Faculty of Humanities.

Currently available in 6 languages (with course prefix):

  • French (FRAN)
  • German (GMST)
  • Japanese (PAAS)
  • Mandarin (PAAS)
  • Russian (SLST)
  • Spanish (SPAN)

Certificate in the Human Dimensions of Climate Change

UVic offers an interdisciplinary Certificate in the Human Dimensions of Climate Change for 10.5 units. Note that the Certificate is currently under consideration for suspension, but the courses should still be offered in the 2022-23 academic year.

Structure of this certificate
• HDCC 200 -  Introduction to Human Dimensions of Climate Change
• HDCC 300 - Climate Change: An Opportunity for Social Transformation
• HDCC 400 - Seminar on Human Dimensions of Climate Change
• HDCC 490 - Experiential Learning
• + 4.5 units approved electives

American Sign Language Certificate

UVic offers an American Sign Language Certificate for 10.5 units. 

Structure of this certificate

  • ASL100A - American Sign Language I
  • ASL100B - American Sign Language II
  • ASL200A - American Sign Language III
  • ASL200B - American Sign Language IV
  • + 4.5 units approved electives

Gender Studies Certificate

UVic offers a Gender Studies Certificate for 10.5 units. 

Structure of this certificate

  • GNDR100 - Gender, Power and Difference (1.5)
  • + 9.0 units approved electives
Take courses that connect with a career you might be interested in!

Accounting

  • ECON 104 - Principles of Macroeconomics
  • MATH 102 - Calculus for Students in the Social and Biological Sciences
  • STAT 359 - Data Analysis

Business Analysis

  • ECON 111 - The Economy and the Environment
  • ENSH 303 - Writing for Business and the Private Sector
  • PHIL 201 - Critical Thinking

Consulting

  • ANTH 304 - Technology and Culture
  • ECON 111 - The Economy and the Environment
  • ECON 205 - Managerial Economics
  • ENSH 202 - Technical Communication, Written and Verbal
  • PHIL 201 - Critical Thinking
  • POLI 211 - European Integration and the European Union
  • POLI 327 - Political Economy in the Global South
  • SOCI 100A - Introduction to Sociology: Understanding Social Life
  • SOCI 100B - Introduction to Sociology: Understanding Contemporary Society

Finance

  • ECON 305 - Money and Banking
  • ECON 306 - International Economics
  • MATH 102 - Calculus for Students in the Social and Biological Sciences
  • STAT 359 - Data Analysis

Government and Policy

  • ADMN 311 - Intro to Public Administration
  • ADMN 314 - Public Sector Research and Analysis
  • ADMN 411 - Public Sector Project Management
  • ADMN 420 - The Public Policy Process
  • ENSH 304 - Writing for Government and the Public Sector
  • POLI 101 - Canadian Politics
  • POLI 202 - An Introduction to Political Theory
  • POLI 210 - Comparative Politics
  • POLI 233 - Contemporary Political Problems
  • POLI 240 - International Politics
  • SJS 100 - Introduction to Theories of Social Justice

Human Resources

  • ANTH 200 - Cultural and Social Anthropology
  • SOCI 204 - Self, Identity and Society
  • PSYC 231 - Introduction to Social Psychology

Law

  • PHIL 201 - Critical Thinking
  • SJS 100 - Introduction to Theories of Social Justice
  • SOCI 204 - Self, Identity and Society

Management

Marketing and Communications

  • AE 200 - Design
  • AE 310 - Introduction to Applied Design
  • AE 330 - Visual Design for Marketing, Advocacy and Persuasion
  • ART 105 - Foundation Photography and Video Art 
  • ART 106 - Foundation Core Media Technologies and Arts
  • DHUM 150 - Tools, Techniques, and Culture of the Digital Humanities
  • ENSH 202 - Technical Communication, Written and Verbal
  • ENSH 302 - Copy Editing
  • ENSH 303 - Writing for Business and the Private Sector
  • ENSH 305 - Visual Rhetoric for Professional Writers
  • ENSH 400 - Technical Communication
  • ENSH 401 - Web Design
  • ENSH 403 - Digital Communication and Social Media
  • ENSH 405 - Print Media Genres and Techniques for Professional Communication
  • ENT 100 - Introduction to Entrepreneurship
  • SOCI 100A - Introduction to Sociology: Understanding Social Life
  • SOCI 100B - Introduction to Sociology: Understanding Contemporary Society
  • SOCI 204 - Self, Identity and Society
  • TS 300 - Networking, New Media and Social Practices
  • WRIT 102 - Introduction to Professional Nonfiction

Non-profit

  • ADMN 312 - Leading and Managing in Public and Non-Profit Sectors
  • ADMN 316 - Public Sector Communications
  • ECON 329 - Development and Economics
  • ENSH 304 - Writing for Government and the Public Sector

Operations

  • DHUM 150 - Tools, Techniques, and Culture of the Digital Humanities
  • MATH 102 - Calculus for Students in the Social and Biological Sciences
  • STAT 359 - Data Analysis

Public Relations

  • TS 300 - Networking, New Media and Social Practices
  • TS 400 - Technologies of the Future
  • WRIT 102 - Introduction to Professional Nonfiction

Social Entrepreneurship

  • ECON 329 - Development and Economics
  • SJS 100 - Introduction to Theories of Social Justice

Sustainable Business

  • CS 201 - Issues and Ideas in Canadian Environmentalism
  • ECON 111 - The Economy and the Environment
  • EOS 110 - Oceans and Atmosphere
  • EOS 120 - The Dynamic Earth
  • ES 200 - Introduction to Environmental Studies
  • GEOG 101A - Environment, Society and Sustainability
  • HDCC 200 - Introduction to Human Dimensions of Climate Change
These courses are highly recommended for all BCom students:
  • CSC 105 - Computers and Information Processing
  • ECON 104 - Principles of Macroeconomics
  • ECON 205 - Managerial Economics
  • ES 200 - Introduction to Environmental Studies
  • PHIL 201 - Critical Thinking
  • SOCI 100A - Introduction to Sociology: Understanding Social Life
  • THEA 122 - The Acting Experience
  • THEA 150 - Public Speaking
  • COM 100 - Understanding World-Class Organizations and ENT 100 - Introduction to Entrepreneurship (two business electives in pre-core)

3. Pick your Fall and Spring courses

Be flexible with your course planning: the courses in this guide may not be offered every academic session and some courses may have prerequisites. Find a list of courses without prerequisites. Check the UVic calendar for course availability.

Below is a recommended study plan for the BCom pre-core years: the 6 required courses listed below and blank spaces for your 21.0 units of electives. The order in which the required courses are displayed is recommended for a balanced schedule and academic success. Use a blank timetable or the Plan Ahead tool, and map out a conflict-free schedule that fits your learning style, including alternate courses and/or sections if some are full or unavailable. Remember that some courses have more than one required component, including lectures (A), labs (B) and tutorials (T). Find more tips for building your timetable

Mock schedule

Fall Term Courses (September-December)

  • ECON 103 - Principles of Microeconomics
  • One of:
    • ATWP 135 - Academic Reading and Writing
    • ENSH 101 - Contemporary Literature (AWR)
    • ENGL 102 - Literary Traditions (AWR)
  • Elective
  • Elective
  • Elective

Spring Term Courses (January-April)

  • MATH 151 - Finite Mathematics
  • Elective
  • Elective
  • Elective
  • Elective

Refer to our Program Planning Worksheet for more information.

Fall Term Courses (September-December)

  • STAT 252 - Statistics for Business
  • ATWP 250 - Genres of Business Writing*
  • COM 200 - Strategy and Business Fundamentals*
  • Elective
  • Elective

Spring Term Courses (January-April)

  • Elective
  • Elective
  • Elective
  • Elective
  • Elective

Refer to our Program Planning Worksheet for more information.

*Note: the above progression conditions are valid for students planning to start Year 3 core in September 2024 (e.g. students starting Year 1 of BCom in September 2022).

Good to know

  • You are not restricted to 100-level courses in your 1st year and 200-level courses in your 2nd year. Explore courses based on your interest and their prerequisites, even at the 300 or 400-level if you wish! Courses without prerequisites are listed.
  • Don’t see a course in an area you’re interested in, like Science? Never hesitate to go beyond this list and look at courses in other subjects! Ask a BCom Advisor if you are not sure.
  • Do not take ED-D 302: you will take COM 204 instead in 2nd year of BCom

What do BCom students think?

ECON 305: Money and Banking

“It was very informative about the history of economics and presented real examples about economic scenarios happening in modern times.”
Kasey Ingham, 3rd year BCom

HUMA 120 A and B: An Introduction to Humanities

“This course is a timeline of human thought and development. It looked into how humans think during our evolution, and touched on several important figures that contribute to a change in thought. I liked learning the human aspect to our history and it taught us to look at implications from the past and touches on critical thinking now and how to develop new ideas without serious effects.”
Anika Leist, 3rd year BCom

POLI 345: Ethics in International Relations

“Excellent way to inform an international perspective on contemporary issues.”
Alejandra Flo, 3rd Year BCom

SOCI 355: The Corporation, Capitalism, and Globalization

“The course discusses the social, economic, and political implications of capitalism in a multi-scalar level from the individual, to the workplace environment, up the globalized effect. In result, it encourages individuals to engage in and be educated about ethical alternatives that combats inequality and the climate crisis. It shifts the motivation of a business student away from “making a lot of money” to wanting to make a impactful contribution to the community and society.”
Mai Nguyen, 3rd year BCom

GNDR 100: Gender, Power and Difference

“Surprisingly very relevant for the workplace and professional
relationships. Applicable to any course of study you do. Helps individuals to be better educated on all topics 
relating to GNDR and minority groups.”
Emma Weiland, 3rd year BCom

SOCI 100: Introduction to Sociology

“Interesting expansion of what we know as normal within our society. Important topic as it teaches you to look past normal boundaries and think outside the box. This is especially intriguing for entrepreneurs such as myself who are constantly pushing professional boundaries to be successful.”
Emma Weiland, 3rd year BCom

THEA 150: Public Speaking

“Teaches students the vital tool of public speaking. In any type of business being able to articulate and communicate is of utmost importance. This class teaches you how to present properly and pushes you out of your comfort zone.”
Emma Weiland, 3rd year BCom

4. Register!

5. Ask for help if you need it

Get to know the BCom Advisors and don’t hesitate to book an appointment or send an email whenever you have a question. Come prepared to your advising appointments: write down your questions. Here are a few examples of frequently asked questions to the BCom Advisors

• I am not sure my course schedule is well balanced...
• Where on campus can I get help with my MATH 151 course?
• I am not sure I am studying in the most effective way...
• I am interested in Accounting: which courses should I take?
• I have a learning disability: where on campus can I get the right support?