Bridging Program for ECON Undergraduates
The information on this page is
for current Bridging Program students, BP-ECON cohort
If you are a prospective student looking for information on the Bridging Program and application procedures, please visit University of Alberta International.
In collaboration with the Department of Economics at the University of Alberta, we are offering a special Bridging Program cohort for students majoring in Economics: BP-ECON Cohort.
Beginning in September 2020, we are seeking academically strong students who are planning to major in Economics to join a special Bridging Program cohort group designed specifically to meet the needs of Economics majors. In addition to utilizing materials, themes and vocabulary of interest to Economics majors in EAP 140 and 145, students will also take a special, smaller BP 3 section of Economics 101. The goal is to provide a more focused experience and better outcomes for students majoring in Economics.
Here are some words from the Associate Chair of Economics, Dr. Valentina Galvani, about the importance of considering this BP cohort option for Econ majors:
“In my capacity of professor and Associate Chair for Undergraduate Studies with the UofA Economics department I have extensive experience in measuring the academic performance of our international students. I find that international students who are not very familiar with the specialized language of economics, in English, tend to underperform other Economics students. I therefore strongly urge BP students who wish to specialize in Economics or Business to take advantage of this special Bridging Program Cohort opportunity.”
Associate Prof. Valentina Galvani
Please note:
- If you become a member of this special BP-ECON cohort group, you will be required to take EAP 140 and 145 in Fall semester and to enroll in a special closed cohort of ECON 101 in Winter semester.
- There is no extra charge to students for this BP cohort.
- Students interested in applying to join this special EAP group of Economics majors should contact the English Language School at elsinfo@ualberta.ca as soon as possible to secure one of the limited places in the cohort.
UAlberta Bridging Program stages
Stage 1 EAP 135
Stage 2 EAP 140
+ EAP 145
+ up to two academic courses
you have an option to take one UAlberta academic course in Fall term, and one in Winter term.
exceptions:
Economics (ECON)
English (ENGL)
Writing Studies (WRS)
Any language course
Stage 3
Continue as a UAlberta undergraduate degree student
You are also eligible to enroll into "BP3 sections" of select UAlberta undergraduate courses.
These sections are similar to other sections of the same course but with added benefits:
- – Smaller class size
- – Instructors who understand international students’ needs
- – In-class tutor/assistant
You have 12 months to complete all of the Bridging Program requirements.
Typical weekly schedule:
Monday |
Tuesday |
Wednesday |
Thursday |
Online Component |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
EAP 135 |
EAP 135 | EAP 135 | EAP 135 | EAP 135 | Grammar for Accuracy I |
EAP 140 |
EAP 140 | EAP 140 | EAP 140 | EAP 140 | Grammar for Accuracy II |
EAP 145 |
EAP 145 | EAP 145 | EAP 145 | EAP 145 | Pronunciation for Classroom Communication |
Focuses on the development of language fluency and accuracy and on building the necessary vocabulary for further studies. Listening, reading, speaking, and writing skills are emphasized by engaging students in a variety of academic activities.
This course, which precedes EAP 140, will enable students to lay the foundations for successful academic writing. Students will be introduced to language learning strategies and will develop study skills that are crucial to their success in an English-language University.
Focuses on beginning to develop the language skills necessary to interact within a university setting. This is done by building listening, reading, writing, and speaking vocabulary and comprehension, while emphasizing language accuracy as the primary focus for all second-language learners. Students will be introduced to some basic reading and writing strategies, and will start to put into practice the study skills which will help them to succeed in a North American setting.
Continues to build and polish the language skills necessary to succeed in a Canadian university. In this course, the research and library skills introduced in EAP 140 are further developed, emphasizing academic methods of integrating source materials into an argument. Skills for critical thinking and argument building will also be emphasized throughout.
At the completion of EAP 145, students will have acquired the language skills and understanding of the North American academic system necessary for them to continue their studies with confidence.
'BP3' sections
Listed below are the UAlberta courses that offer BP3 sections:
These sections are 100-level (first year) credit courses open exclusively to BP students after they successfully complete BP Stage 2. They are similar to other sections of the same course but with added benefits:
- Smaller class size
- Instructors who understand international students’ needs
- In-class tutor/assistant
You can enroll in BP3 sections on Bear Tracks. Contact the BP Advisor by e-mail at bpadvisor@ualberta.ca with any questions about the sections or registration.
On the first day of class, you should go to the ELS Office and confirm your class location prior to attending.
Winter 2020
Course |
Class |
Section |
|---|---|---|
| WRS 101 |
92604 | B1 |
| WRS 101 |
92606 | B2 |
| WRS 101 |
92608 | B3 |
| WRS 101 | 92610 | B4 |
| WRS 101 | 92612 | B5 |
| ECON 101 | 92658 | B4 |
| ECON 101 | 92662 | B5 |
| ENGL 102 | 90008 | G1 |
| ENGL 102 | 90010 | G2 |
Spring 2020
Course |
Class |
Section |
|---|---|---|
| ENGL 102 | 23160 | E1 |
| ENGL 102 | 24110 | E2 |
| WRS 101 | 22628 | A1 |
| WRS 101 | 22778 | A2 |
| WRS 101 | 23412 | A3 |
Fall 2020
Course |
Class |
Section |
|---|---|---|
| WRS 101 | 86266 | A1 |
| WRS 101 | 86267 | A2 |
| WRS 101 | 86268 | A3 |
| WRS 101 | 86269 | A4 |
EAP 135, EAP 140, and EAP 145 registration
The cost for EAP classes is the same for domestic students as it is for international students – there is no fee differential.
You can pay for EAP courses on Bear Tracks after you are enrolled. Information on payment can be found on the Student Tuition Payment Options page in the Financial Services web site. Information on deadlines can be found on the Registration Dates and Deadlines page in the Office of the Registrar website.
| New students | After you have been given admission to the Bridging Program (BP) on your Beartracks, you should first accept the offer online. The BP Advisor will contact you with instructions on how to register. All correspondence will be sent to your UAlberta e-mail account. |
| Returning students | You can sign up for your subsequent EAP course at the end of each term. The BP staff will provide you with more information in class at the end of the term. |
BP3 sections registration
Please ensure that the academic course schedule is not in conflict with your EAP class (EAP class schedule cannot be changed). As a BP student, your priority is the completion of your EAP classes and you will need build your schedule around your EAP classes. If you are having trouble finding a course that works, please contact your faculty directly for advice.
| Stage 1 students | You are not eligible to enroll in BP3 classes until you complete Stage 1. |
| Stage 2 students | While you are not eligible to take BP3 classes in Stage 2, you are eligible to enroll in BP3 classes for future terms on Bear Tracks. For example, if you are in Stage 2 in September, you can enroll in BP3 classes for the Winter term or any subsequent terms. |
| Stage 3 (BPCM) students | You can enroll in BP3 classes on Bear Tracks. |
Payment
You will be able to pay your course tuition on Bear Tracks once you register in courses.
Arrival and Registration
Students who arrive a week after the first day of class may not be permitted to join class.
Change of Registration
The English Language School will only transfer registration to the next term if there is a legitimate reason (medical, personal emergency, study permit problems and so on).
If you request your registration be transferred to a different term before courses begin, there is a $75 transfer fee. You must bring your receipt of payment to the ELS Student Engagement Centre (Room L 300 Enterprise Square) during normal office hours and provide a reason for transferring to the next term. Transfers will not be allowed after classes have started.
Withdrawals
In order to withdraw from class, you need to complete a withdrawal form at the ELS Student Engagement Centre. If you withdraw before the first day of class, you will receive a refund minus $500 (withdrawal fee). If you withdraw on or after the first day of class, you will not receive a refund.Grade
If you withdraw from a course before the withdrawal deadline, a grade of W (withdrew) will appear on your transcript. If you withdraw from a course after the withdrawal deadline, a grade of NC (failure, no grade point value assigned) will appear on your transcript.
Withdrawal Deadlines
Program term |
Withdrawal deadline |
| January - February 2020 | February 7, 2020 |
| March - April 2020 | April 1, 2020 |
| May - June 2020 |
June 3, 2020 |
| July - August 2020 | August 5, 2020 |
Authorized Leave
International Students attending the University of Alberta English Language School and holding full-time student visas are permitted to request a short “leave” from their program of study. Students may request medical leave, maternity leave, or personal leave to return temporarily to their home country.
Authorized leave from ELS should normally be scheduled after completing a regular term of study. In order to properly notified Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), and to ensure continuity of student visas, it is important to note the following:
- For a planned authorized leave (returning home for vacation), students must submit an "Authorized Leave Form" to ELS administration at least 2 weeks before their planned departure date.
- Unplanned emergency leave requests (returning home for urgent medical procedure) should be accompanied by supporting documentation and will be expedited.
Leaving the Bridging Program before completion
You cannot use any official test scores that UAlberta accepts (IELTS) after the document deadline, or while you are in BP (e.g. in the middle of a term taking EAP).
If you want to submit an IELTS score instead of completing EAP 145 while you are in BP, you will have to withdraw from BP, submit a new application, and meet all the criteria for admission.
You are not allowed to attempt the Bridging Program more than once (i.e. you cannot withdraw from and apply to BP again). If you are struggling with your studies, please see the ELS staff for advice and assistance.
Submitting transcripts of EAP classes to the University of Alberta
The BP staff will update your status in Bear Tracks – we will submit a transcript of all the EAP classes you've taken while you were admitted into the BP program.
However, if you have done a portion of the EAP coursework as a non-BP student, you are required to submit a transcript for that portion. For example, if you took EAP 140 as a non-BP student and EAP 145 as a BP student, you need to submit a transcript of your EAP 140 class to the University.