KI core courses

Students completing a Bachelor of Knowledge Integration take 6.5 units of core courses as part of their 20.5 total units. These are taken in parallel to their breadth courses and electives.

Each core course builds on one another to allow KI students to develop a strong understanding of interdisciplinarity and to acquire the necessary transferable skills to apply their knowledge in whatever field or industry interests them. At its core, the KI curriculum equips KI students with the skills needed to understand complex issues from multiple perspectives, and participate in or manage effective interdisciplinary teams to develop novel innovative solutions.

Each term, KI students take 1-2 core courses, in addition to the not-for-credit, community-building, INTEG 10: Knowledge Integration Seminar.

First Year Core Courses

In your first year, you will learn some of the core foundational skills that are the backbone to a KI degree. From scientific research and public speaking to critical thinking, design thinking and collaboration, you’ll start building a portfolio of skills that will be essential in your upper-year courses and in the ways you approach your learning across different faculties and interests.

Second Year Core Courses

In your second year, you will explore and uncover the wide variety and natures of knowledge to gain a better understanding of what it takes to be an interdisciplinary expert, how to balance different perspectives, and the concept of objectivity in relation to theories of knowledge. As KI students start to take elective courses in different faculties, the second year core courses allow for reflection and questioning on how knowledge is produced.

You will also start preparing for your third-year Core courses through INTEG 230 and have the opportunity to go on an 11-day international field trip to study museums.

Third Year Core Courses

In your third year, you will take part in your first 8-month (two-term) group project with the objective to design and deliver a Museum Exhibit centered around the United Nation’s Sustainable Developmental Goals. In this collaboration-intensive and hands-on learning project, you will be combining research, design, classroom and self-directed learning, project management and physical building skills with your interests and passions to deliver an impactful learning opportunity for the public.

Discover some past KI Museum Exhibits (KIX).

Fourth Year Core Courses

In your fourth year, you will participate in an 8-month (two-term) independent project of your choice under the mentorship of a member of the Knowledge Integration Department and in consultation with a faculty member in the discipline related to your project. This is a project representing the culmination of knowledge, skills and experience you have developed during your undergraduate KI degree.

No Seniour Honours Project is the same, from design projects to scientific experiments to philosophy thesis – explore some of the past projects designed by KI students.

About the INTEG 10: Knowledge Integration Seminar

INTEG 10 is a key component of the Knowledge Integration experience; it is considered the living room of the program, where community come together to share ideas, learn about new topics, and be inspired together. Each seminar features a workshop or a transdisciplinary talk by a guest speaker. It is a public talk open to all students, faculty, staff, alumni and members of the public. This is an opportunity for you to learn about something new, connect with your peers and the KI faculty/staff, and connect with guest speakers and possible future employers.

Check out the seminar schedule for the upcoming term.