The Science Advising Centre offers academic advising services to current and prospective Saint Mary’s students. Book an appointment through our online booking system (virtual and in-person options available), attend a drop-in advising session (details below), or email questions directly to advisor.science@smu.ca. Availability for regular appointments opens 14 days in advance.
Please use your @SMU email account when booking. For prospective students who do not yet have an @SMU account, we recommend using a non-Gmail email when booking.
July 31, 2026
We are getting closer to the start of your time at Saint Mary’s... and we're excited to meet you!
RSVP Now for our Faculty of Science & Engineering Academic Welcome Session🗓️ Tuesday, September 8📍 RSVP here!
A must-attend event to meet your professors, connect with other students, and start strong!
👕 Plus: you’ll get a free Faculty of Science t-shirt when you attend!
What can you do this summer to get prepared?
Connect with Your Peer Success CoachCarlos or Lyra are your go-to upper-year students who can:- Help you adjust to university life- Share insider tips- Connect you with resources- Answer your “is this normal?” questions
Explore “New to SMU-Online” in BrightspaceYou’re already enrolled—just open Brightspace and start exploring helpful mini-modules!❓ Can’t find it? Email Carlos or Lyra with your A-number and they’ll hook you up.
Get a Head Start at SMU!
Before classes even start, there are fun events to help you:✅ Explore campus✅ Meet other Science students✅ Get involved
See what’s happening on the SMU Events & Activities page!
Try JumpStartGet a jump on academic success:
- JumpStart Live: Tuesday, September 2 on campus📌 Register now
Need Help or Have Questions?We’re always here for you:- 🗓️ Book an appointment- 💬 Join our virtual drop-ins- 📧 Email us anytime
July 14, 2026
You’re invited to join us at this year’s Science & Engineering Academic Welcome Session! 📅 Tuesday, September 8th 🕙 10:00 a.m. – 12:00pm 📍 Loyola 290
✅ RSVP
Get ready to meet the people who will shape your university experience—your Deans, Professors, and Academic Advisors—and start building connections with fellow Science students just like you!
This fun, interactive session is your inside scoop on everything you need to know to thrive in your first week of classes. You’ll discover how to get involved in your program, where to find support, and what exciting opportunities await in the Faculty of Science.
Whether you started in May or July, are beginning in September, or transferring from another school—this welcome is for you.
Here’s what you can look forward to: 🤝 Fun group activity to help you meet classmates 🔍 Guided tours of Science buildings led by current students
Make sure to RSVP so we can save you a spot.
We can’t wait to welcome you in person!
June 18, 2026
Hi Science & Engineering Students,
Trying to pick the right math course? Use this quick guide to help make the right choice:
📅 Taking MATH 1210 this fall?Before classes begin, you'll need to complete the MATH 1210 Placement Test. The test will be available at the end of August on Brightspace and helps ensure you're registered in the course that best matches your math background. We recommend completing it before your first MATH class.
🧪 Are you majoring in…
Astrophysics, Chemistry, Computing Science, Mathematics, Physics, or Engineering?➡ You’ll want MATH 1210 – Introductory Calculus I
Passed the MATH 1210 placement test?✅ Great — you’re likely in the right course.
🌿 Are you majoring in…
Biology, Earth Science, Environmental Science, Geography, or Psychology?➡ MATH 1250 – Calculus for Life Sciences I may be the best fit.
Biology major?⚠ You’ll need MATH 1250 or MATH 1210 for your program.
📚 Need a stronger math foundation?
If you:• Took Math 12 or Pre-Calculus 11 (but not Pre-Calculus 12)• Want a refresher before calculus• Didn’t get the MATH 1210 placement test result you hoped for
➡ Consider MATH 1190 – Fundamental Mathematics
Good news: switching to MATH 1190 won’t affect your timetable because it runs at the same time as MATH 1210.
💡 Still unsure?
Choosing your first university math course can be confusing — Science Advising is here to help if you have questions about your program requirements or which course is right for you.
May 27, 2026
Welcome to the Faculty of Science at Saint Mary’s!
Your journey as a Science student is just getting started, and we’re excited to be part of it! As your Academic Advisors, we’re here to support you, cheer you on, and help you feel confident as you navigate your first year.
📅 Need help with registration or choosing courses? If you haven’t completed your registration yet—or you’re not sure if you picked the right courses—come meet with us! You can book an in-person or virtual appointment through our online system: www.smu.ca/scienceadvising. Prefer email? That works too!
We recommend connecting with an advisor at least once per term to make sure you’re on track with your program and academic goals. To help you get started, here are a few helpful resources:
💡 Stay Connected on Brightspace
Make sure you’re enrolled in the Science Advising Brightspace page and have your notifications turned on. To sign up:
You’ll be using Brightspace a lot throughout your degree, so it’s great to get familiar early. You can also manage notification settings by clicking your name (top right) and selecting Notifications.
📬 Check Your SMU Email
Keep an eye on your SMU inbox for important updates—from us and from the university. We’ll also be sending you emails over the summer with helpful resources and more details about our Science & Engineering Academic Welcome in September!
Science Advising offers both in-person and virtual drop-in academic advising. Virtual drop-ins take place via Zoom. The academic advisor will let students in one by one from the waiting room, throughout the drop-in session. For in-person drop-in advising, students can come to the Science Advising Centre in Atrium 301.
The Faculty of Science also has a variety of academic program advisors who can help answer questions about courses, research interests, or other aspects of your degree.
As Academic Advisors, our job is to help you: • Make informed decisions about which courses to take and how to sequence your courses; • Determine an academic plan to achieve your educational goals;• Explore program options (majors, minors, certificates); • Understand University regulations and processes; and• Learn about University services, resources, and supports available to you
Your Science Advising Centre Team
Courtenay Kyle
Senior Science Academic Advisor
Laura Johnston
Science Academic Advisor
Tara Whitney
Alexis Chute
Administrative Assistant, Science Advising CentreAtrium 301
advisor.science@smu.ca902-420-5661