Undergraduate Calendar 2011-2012

Division of Continuing Studies - Academic Programmes

Degree Programmes Offered

The following programmes are offered through DCS:

Bachelor of Military Arts and Science (BMASc)
Bachelor of Military Arts and Science Honours (BMASc Hons)
Bachelor of Arts (BA)
Certificate in Management with Applications to Defence

Environmental Protection Certificate
* DCS will not accept any admission in the Environmental Protection Certificate programme for academic year 2011-2012

Master of Business Administration
Master of Arts in Security and Defence Management and Policy
Master of Arts in War Studies
Doctorate in War Studies

Officer Professional Military Education - OPME

For information on Graduate Studies programmes offered through DCS, please refer to the Graduate Studies and Research Division Calendar or visit the Division of Continuing Studies website on the Internet at DCS - Graduate Studies.

Bachelor of Military Arts and Science

This degree is not open to direct entry by ROTP / RETP cadets.

The Bachelor of Military Arts and Science (BMASc) is a unique degree programme for the CF, is thoroughly grounded in the elements of the military profession, and integrates in-service training with special and standard university courses. It is designed for the serving military member, and recognizes university-level achievement appropriate to the profession of arms.

Though equivalent to a conventional thirty (30) credit degree in terms of quality and quantity of instruction, the BMASc degree is designed to be earned over an extended period, integrating professional training and academic study. It should be noted that this is a terminal degree, in that it has not been designed to support further studies at the graduate level. Students interested in future graduate studies should consider the BMASc Honours programme.

The BMASc degree is designed around a compulsory core, which includes credits for the university-level courses that are part of the Officer Professional Military Education (OPME) Programme that was launched in January 2002.

BAE101: Introduction to Defence Management and Decision Making
HIE208: Canadian Military History: A Study of War and Military History, 1867 to the Present, or another course in Military History, such as HIE205: Canadian Military History: New France to 1870
HIE275: Survey of Technology, Society and Warfare (HIE475: Technology, Society, and Warfare is an acceptable alternative)
POE206: The Canadian Forces and Modern Society: Civics, Politics and International Relations, or POE205: Canadian Civics and Society, or POE216: Introduction to International Relations
PSE402: Leadership and Ethics
2 credits in English: 1 credit in literature, plus 1 credit in either literature or grammar
1 more credit in Military Psychology and Leadership (PSE123: Fundamentals of Human Psychology, or its equivalent)
2 credits in Science (Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry or Computer Science)

At least 15 of the minimum 30 required credits must have military content, as determined by the Continuing Studies Committee, and at least 10 credits must be taken through RMCC. An appropriate number (at least 10) must be at the senior level (300 or 400-level courses), and among these at least 5 must be earned through RMCC.

For the purpose of the BMASc degree, a credit with military content is defined as one in which the learning is directly related to a military topic. There are several ways in which a credit is considered to contain military credit:

the student has completed a course in which the main focus is clearly of a military nature (e.g., CCE304: Military Chemistry, or HIE371: War and the Military Profession)
the student has taken a general course but directed his/her personal research to areas of a military nature (ex: the student is taking a course on the rise of modern Germany but in which papers are focused on military aspects, such as "German Defensive Innovations on the Eastern Front, 1943-44"). In these cases, students are required to submit proof of their research (i.e., a copy of the relevant papers) before any military content credits are granted
the student has completed an academic course which the Continuing Studies Committee deems to be directly relevant to the serving member's military career; and military training courses and proficiency that have been approved by the Continuing Studies Committee for academic credit

RMCC Courses Meeting the Military Course Content Requirements of the BMASc

RMCC Table of Credit Granted

BMASc (30 credit) Assessment Sheet

Please note that those who have registered in the BMASc Programme prior to 1 Sept 2004 have the option of completing their studies following an earlier description of the core credits or this model, which integrates the university-level courses of OPME or their equivalent.

Bachelor of Military Arts and Science (Honours)

The Bachelor of Military Arts and Science (Honours) (BMASc Hons), is equivalent to a conventional forty two (42) credit Honours degree in terms of quality and quantity of instruction. The BMASc (Hons) degree is designed to be earned over an extended period, integrating professional training and academic study. This 42-credit Honours degree, with a specialization in Military Studies, is designed for students registered in the BMASc Programme who intend to pursue graduate studies after completion of their Bachelor's degree. The students who will have completed the Honours Programme will have met one important requirement for admission into a Graduate Studies Programme.

Those interested in registering in the BMASc Honours Programme are required to file the Request to Change Programme form once they have earned at least 20 university credits and maintained an average of not less than B- in their university courses and fax the document to Admissions.

The BMASc (Hons) Programme has the same 10-credit core curriculum as the General Programme, plus a Directed Research Project (MAS400), which counts for 2 credits, for a total of 12 compulsory credits.

At least 20 of the minimum 42 required course credits must have military content, as determined by the Continuing Studies Committee, and at least 20 (i.e., 18 one-term credits, plus 2 for the DRP) of the course credits must be taken through RMCC. An appropriate number (at least 20) must be at the senior level (300 or 400-level courses) of which 10 must be RMCC senior credits. To ensure honours standing, students must achieve at least a B in the Directed Research Project (MAS400) and maintain, as a minimum, a B average in senior-level courses and at least a B- average in 400-level courses.

Directed Research Project (MAS400)

The Directed Research Project (DRP) is seen as a major component of the BMASc (Hons) degree in that it affords the student the opportunity to demonstrate his or her ability to critically analyse some element of his or her military experience. Students are required to submit a proposal to DCS, along with their application to be admitted into the programme. Upon acceptance of the proposal, a supervisor will be assigned and the work will be carried out under the guidance of that individual. If appropriate, this project may take the form of a technical project or a directed reading course with one or two major essays. Directed Readings allow students to explore subjects of particular interest through the execution of a series of assignments, while under the supervision of a university professor.

The proposal (1-3 pages) must identify a general area of interest (e.g., twentieth-century Canadian Naval Strategy). Specifically, it must provide the following information:

why the area is of military interest
why the student is interested in the topic
the overall objective of the project
what issues the student would like to discuss
whether or not the research materials are expected to be readily available (i.e., is the material classified)
any extraordinary sources that might be required to carry out the work
a preliminary bibliography (approximately 20 titles)
the name of an advisor in the local area of the student (if applicable)

During the review period, DCS, in consultation with the appropriate department head, will approve or reject the proposal. If approved, an appropriate supervisor will be selected for the student (or the suggested supervisor will be appointed.

The supervisor will then, in consultation with the student, determine the specific aim of the research and direct the student's efforts towards the completion of a major research paper (generally at least 50 pages) or two or more smaller research papers (between 20 and 25 pages each). These papers must have a definite military content and represent significant individual research and critical analysis. All papers must be submitted according to an essay format deemed acceptable by the supervisor (e.g., The Chicago Manual of Style, or The Modern Language Association).

The student and the supervisor will work out a timetable for the various parts of the work and for final submission. Two copies must be submitted to DCS for final approval of the Directed Research Project credits. The paper(s) will be submitted to a second reader and the second reader, in conjunction with the supervisor, will determine the grade. The Directed Research Project must earn at least a B to be counted as 2 credits towards the BMASc Honours degree.

The DRP is awarded 2 senior credits and should be likened to an Honours thesis, which is normally completed within 2 consecutive terms. Because most DRPs are completed at a distance, there are some delays to be expected due to this circumstance. Thus, a 12-month due date is set for the final draft of the DRP, starting from the date the project has a supervisor and has been approved. An extension beyond this 12-month due date may only be granted by the Dean of Continuing Studies, the Associate Dean of Continuing Studies (Academic Outreach) or the Associate Dean of Continuing Studies (Curriculum), and only due to operational, medical or other exceptional reasons.

Officer Professional Military Education - OPME

This section of the Calendar is designed to give students participating in the CF OPME an overview of the programme. Students are strongly encouraged to contact the OPME Programme Section if they have any questions pertaining to the programme by visiting the OPME Website.

It should be noted that the university-level course components of this programme have been integrated into the 30 credit General BMASc, BA and BSc degrees as well as the BMASc Honours degree (see above).

Background

References:

A. CANFORGEN 082/00 ADM (HR-Mil) 041900Z Jul 2000

B. CANFORGEN 092/01 ADM (HR-Mil) 221200Z Aug 2001

Effective September 2000, the six Officer Professional Development Programme (OPDP) courses were replaced by five CF Military Studies Programme courses for Developmental Period Two (CFMSP O-DP2). This was announced through reference A. The CFMSP O-DP2 programme was developed by RMCC to deliver the DP2 knowledge component of the Officer General Specification (OGS).

MND direction and evolution of the Enhanced Leadership Model (ELM) Project subsequently led to a revised combined DP1/DP2 professional development programme that reduced the workload on the junior officer, eliminated some duplication, and provided for just-in-time learning.

The current OPME Programme, as announced at reference B, described below, replaced the CFMSP O-DP2. The OPME Programme is intended to orient the junior officer to select topics within a common body of knowledge related to the military profession. From this body of knowledge officers will begin to enhance their critical thinking skills and develop innovative responses to a myriad of issues. The OPME programme is supported by a collaborative learning culture to begin an officer's life-long appreciation for professional military development.

Structure of Programme

The OPME courses are classified as either professional-level or university-level and incorporate the body of professional knowledge in subject areas identified, at the DP1 and DP2 levels, in the OGS.

The professional-level courses are:

DCE001: Introduction to Defence Management
DCE002: Introduction to Military Law

the remaining four courses, are at the university level:

HIE208: Canadian Military History
HIE275: Survey of Technology, Society and Warfare
POE206: The Canadian Forces and Modern Society: Civics, Politics and International Relations
PSE402: Leadership and Ethics

A professional-level course is based on the depth of knowledge required of a professional officer and students can expect to allocate a total of 30 to 40 hours to studying, depending on the course.

A university-level course is based on a depth of knowledge commensurate with undergraduate instruction and is designed to provoke independent thought and to enhance an officer's ability in decision-making. Such courses are either junior level (equivalent to a first or second-year university course) or senior level (equivalent to a third or fourth-year university course), and students can expect to allocate a total of 117 to 180 hours to studying, depending on the course.

Please note that DL versions of the OPME courses have been developed in a modular format. A module covers a portion or subset of the course content and normally includes at least one evaluated element, which can be an assignment, a discussion forum, a test or an examination. The number of modules varies depending on the course. In some of the courses students are expected to complete the modules in a specific sequence, while the sequence of modules does not matter in others. All modules must be successfully completed in order to get credit for the course. The modular format develops flexibility within the programme to account for the operational tempo of units and personnel, while still ensuring that the objectives of each course have been met.

The modular format is not normally available in courses offered through the on-site or residential delivery modes.

Military Credit

Students must complete and submit all work to a standard that is deemed acceptable by the instructor. As long as an assignment or any other element of evaluation is missing or has been deemed by the instructor to be inadequate, the course is not considered to have been completed, and hence is not passed.

University-level courses are considered passed (for military credit) when:

all the required assignments or elements of evaluation have been completed and evaluated;
each module has been passed; and
the mark for the whole course is 50% or higher.

Thus, a student may fail one or more of the evaluated elements, yet pass the course.

Professional-level OPME courses are considered passed (for military credits) as follows:

when the student gets a passing grade of 70% or higher in all modules

OPME Eligibility

Regular Force Officers who did not successfully complete one or more CFMSP O-DP2 courses by 1 July 2001 must complete all OPME courses satisfactorily to meet the OGS DP1 & DP2 knowledge requirement.

Personnel who have successfully completed one or more CFMSP O-DP2 courses by 1 July 2001 must complete a total of five distinct O-DP2 or OPME courses for DP2 OPME qualification, including the course in Leadership and Ethics. For example, a student who has completed only CFMSP O-DP2 A - Defence Organization and Establishments - must now complete four (4) OPME courses, including Leadership and Ethics, to finish the programme.

Completion of the OPME Programme, or the equivalent earlier programmes, is a requirement for promotion to Maj or LCdr in the Regular Force and for attendance at CF Command and Staff Course.

Students admitted into any programme offered through DCS - who are neither officers nor members of the CF - may register in OPME university-level courses (or their equivalents) to meet core requirements of their academic programme.

It should be noted that the educational objectives of the OPME professional-level courses are met, in whole or in part, through RMCC undergraduate courses. For instance:

BAE101: Introduction to Defence Management and Decision-Making covers at a university level the subject matter taught in both modules of DCE001 - Introduction to Defence Management;
POE488: The Law of Armed Conflict covers at a university level the subject matter taught in Module 2 of DCE002: Introduction to Military Law.

It should also be noted that some graduate courses and seminars offered by RMCC present other paths toward OPME certification. For more information on these alternate paths, please consult the DCS website or the Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition Section within DCS

OPME Prior Learning Assessments

Appropriate university and college courses and military training can be considered for military equivalencies within the OPME programme. Requests for military equivalency must be directed in writing to the RMCC Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition Section and must include:

member's service number
a copy of appropriate transcripts and course outlines (if available)
student number from the credit-granting institution
a copy of Member Personnel Record Resume (MPRR)
maiden name (if applicable)
current mailing address
current DWAN Email address

Canadian Military College graduates must submit both their college number and MPRR. Transcripts and course outlines are not required.

Please note: Military equivalencies granted in the OPME programme result in military credit toward the completion of the OPME programme. They are not academic equivalencies and do not result in academic credit at RMCC.

The Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition Section of RMCC can be reached at the following address:

Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition
Division of Continuing Studies
Royal Military College of Canada
PO Box 17000, Station Forces
Kingston, ON K7K 7B4

plar@rmc.ca