FASS One

A connected first year experience

FASS One is designed specifically to help you get connected to other first-year students, professors, advisors, as well as the community at the Surrey campus. With the help of a dedicated advisor and a team of peer mentors ready to help you, your support network is in place for an engaging first year experience at SFU!  If you've already been accepted into the FASS One program, check out your next steps and and FAQs.

Are you:

  • Wondering what university will be like?
  • Imagining all the possibilities for your degree?
  • Looking forward to making new friends?
  • Thinking about your career possibilities?

FASS One will help you get the most out of your first year at SFU!

Students in FASS One will benefit in a number of ways, including:

  • priority registration in FASS One core courses and Surrey Campus elective courses
  • small class sizes
  • close contact with instructors
  • dedicated Faculty advisor for course selection and program planning
  • eligible to participate in FASS FaM (Friends and Mentors)

Students in FASS One are eligible to participate in weekly FASS FaM meetings. These meetings focus on supporting your transition from a high school to a university setting. You will have opportunities to connect with other new students as well as learn about resources and services SFU offers. Topics include time management, study strategies, exam writing, choosing a program of study, volunteer opportunities, career exploration, co-operative education, international opportunities, and more. There will also be recreational and social activities, as well as group study time.

The weekly meetings are led by peer leaders, students who have completed a first year program and are committed and excited to help you to fully enjoy your first year at SFU.

Contact us

If you have been admitted to SFU and would like to be considered for FASS One at the Surrey campus, email rbaik@sfu.ca with the request along with your student number. Call/text 778-798-9384 for additional information.

FASS FaM (Friends and Mentors)

Choose your discipline

You can choose from many FASS disciplines (see below). And if you are not yet sure which major you want, FASS One provides you with an opportunity to explore!

Students in FASS One are encouraged to take their courses all at the Surrey campus in their first term, as this will facilitate the transition process. Since the core courses for each of their intended major program have been reserved for them at the Surrey campus (click on subjects below for reserved course list), it would also make registration easier and provide more opportunities to connect with classmates, advisors and resources on campus.

Here are the reserved courses for the first year:

Anthropology

Reserved first year courses:  Requirements for an anthropology major
Fall Term
Either SA 101 Introduction to Anthropology  OR  SA 150 Introduction to Sociology  
At least two elective courses at Surrey including at least one in FASS
Spring Term
Either SA 101 Introduction to Anthropology  OR  SA 150 Introduction to Sociology (whichever was not taken in the Fall semester).  
At least two elective courses at Surrey including at least one in FASS

Economics

Reserved first year courses:  Requirements for an economics major
Fall Term ECON 103 - Principles of Microeconomics 
At least two elective courses at Surrey including at least one in FASS
Spring Term ECON 105 - Principles of Macroeconomics
At least two elective courses at Surrey including at least one in FASS
Note: it is recommended that students take MATH 157 in their first year.

Criminology  

Reserved first year courses:  Requirements for a criminology major
Fall Term CRIM 101 - Introduction to Criminology
CRIM 131 - Introduction to the Criminal Justice System - A Total System Approach
At least one elective course at Surrey
Spring Term CRIM 104 - Sociological Explanations of Criminal and Deviant Behaviour 
CRIM 135 - Introduction to Canadian Law and Legal Institutions: A Criminal Justice Perspective 
At least one elective course at Surrey

English

Reserved first year courses:  Requirements for an English major
Fall Term ENGL 114W - Language and Purpose
At least two elective courses at Surrey including at least one in FASS
Spring Term ENGL 111W - Literary Classics in English
At least two elective courses at Surrey including at least one in FASS

Gender, Sexuality, and Women's Studies

Reserved first year courses:   Requirements for a major in gender, sexuality, and women's studies
Fall Term GSWS 102 - Feminist Action
At least two elective courses at Surrey including at least one in FASS
Spring Term GSWS 100 - Sex Talk: Introduction to Contemporary Issues in Sexuality Studies 
At least two elective courses at Surrey including at least one in FASS

History

Reserved first year courses:  Requirements for a history major
Fall Term One or both of:
HIST 102W - Canada Since Confederation
HIST 130 - Introduction to Global History 
One or two elective courses at Surrey including at least one in FASS
Spring Term One or both of:
HIST 106 - The Making of Modern Eurpoe
HIST 151 - The Modern Middle East 
One or two elective courses at Surrey including at least one in FASS
Note: these specific courses are not required to complete a history major but do count towards lower division requirements.  All these courses also provide a good foundation for the upper division requirements in History.

International Studies  

Reserved first year courses:  Requirements for an international studies major
Fall Term IS 101 - Global Challenges of the 21st Century: An Introduction to International Studies
At least two elective courses at Surrey including at least one in FASS
Spring Term IS 200 - Security and Global Governance: Interdisciplinary Perspectives
At least two elective courses at Surrey including at least one in FASS

Philosophy

Reserved first year courses:  Requirements for a philosophy major
Fall Term PHIL 150- Great Work in the History of Philosophy
At least two elective courses at Surrey including at least one in FASS
Spring Term PHIL 110 - Introduction to Logic and Reasoning
At least two elective courses at Surrey including at least one in FASS
Note: one of PHIL 110 or 210 AND one of PHIL 150 or 151 are required for the philosophy major.  All these courses also provide a good foundation for the upper division requirements in Philosophy.

Political Science  

Reserved first year courses:   Requirements for a political science major
Fall Term POL 100 - Introduction to Politics and Government
At least two elective courses at Surrey including at least one in FASS
Spring Term POL 221 - Introduction to Canadian Government (Course is to be confirmed)
At least two elective courses at Surrey including at least one in FASS

Psychology

Reserved first year courses:   Requirements for a psychology major
Fall Term PSYC 100 - Introduction to Psychology I
At least two elective courses at Surrey including at least one in FASS
Spring Term PSYC 102 - Introduction to Psychology II
At least two elective courses at Surrey including at least one in FASS

Sociology

Reserved first year courses:   Requirements for a sociology major
Fall Term Either SA 150 - Introduction to Sociology or SA 101 - Introduction to Anthropology
At least two elective courses at Surrey including at least one in FASS
Spring Term Either SA 101 - Introduction to Anthropology or SA 150 Introduction to Sociology whichever was not taken in the Fall semester 
At least two elective courses at Surrey including at least one in FASS

Starting in Fall 2024: Next Steps

Are you starting FASS One at Surrey in Fall 2024? Find out what your next steps are!

Learn more

FASS Friends and Mentors (FAM)

Our FAM program provides a safe and welcoming place to connect with classmates, form meaningful friendships, as well as develop academic and personal skills.

Learn more

Meet your 2024 Peer Mentors

Mentors are there to help you navigate your first year of university through one-on-one support and other social events organized by the mentorship program.

Learn more

Have questions?

Do you have questions about FASS One? Check out the answers to some of our frequently asked questions.

Read FAQs