Explore Your Interests. Build New Skills. Start Next Semester.
Whether you're exploring a potential career, preparing for a future program, or simply curious, General Interest studies let you experience university-level courses without committing to a degree, diploma, certificate, or full program. Explore a variety of courses and discover what sparks your curiosity.
Is This for You?
General Interest is a great option if you're:
- Exploring career/program options
- Not ready to apply for a full program
- Upskilling or changing careers
Quick Facts
- Take up to 4 credits per term (one course)
- Maximum 12 undergraduate credits total (3-4 courses)
- Registration opens first day of classes but check course seat availability leading up to the term
- Some courses require instructor permission with a Permission to Register Form (PTR form; check individual courses below)
How It Works
Step 1: Choose a Course
On the first day of each semester, check the class schedule for available seats by clicking Browse Classes, selecting the current or upcoming term, choosing the subject, and clicking Search. The Status column will show whether seats are still available.
Step 2: Submit Your Forms
If seats are available, complete the General Interest Registration Form and submit it to Student Enrolment Services (SES) at studentinfo@kpu.ca. If the course requires prerequisites, also complete a Permission To Register (PTR) Form.
Step 3: Register
After SES processes your forms, they will email you your myKPU login information. If you submitted a PTR Form, it must be approved before you can register for courses that have prerequisites. Once you have your login information and any required PTR approval, you can register for courses through myKPU.
Step 4: Pay Your Tuition
Pay your tuition and fees by the deadline to secure your spot.
Where Could You Start?
Biology
BIOL 1492: Indigenous Perspectives in Biology
Credits: 3 | Term: Fall
This course introduces Indigenous ways of knowing in biology, emphasizing traditional ecological knowledge (TEK), Indigenous relationships with land, and the impacts of colonization. Topics include plant knowledge, medicinal and food uses, human health, land stewardship, and science communication. Cross-listed with INDG 1492; credit for one course only.
Brewing
Must be 19+ years of age by first day of class for all Brewing courses.
HOPS 1100: Introduction to Brewing
Credits: 3 | Term: Fall
Students will be introduced to the history of beer and brewing. They will study the evolution of the brewing industry and the role played by individuals, organizations and governments. They will learn about the historical role of beer in nutrition, the impact of alcohol on the human body and the responsible use of alcohol.
HOPS 2310: Beer Evaluation & Judging
Credits: 3 | Term: Spring
Students will evaluate a beer's sensory properties under the categories of style profiles, quality and potential defects. Students will develop the necessary skills to organize and manage basic sensory panels within a brewery setting. They will be introduced to consumer sensory science practices. Students will develop strategies for participation in beer competitions.
Requires Permission to Register Form.
Health Sciences
HSCI 1115: Introduction to Health Science
Credits: 3 | Term: Fall or Spring
This course introduces the foundations of health science and health promotion. Students explore health and wellness through biological, clinical, cultural, environmental, political, and socioeconomic perspectives, while examining the Canadian health system and community-based strategies that support health and well-being.
HSCI 2220: Medical Terminology
Credits: 3 | Term: Fall or Spring
Learn the Greek and Latin foundations of health and biomedical terminology. Develop skills to identify, articulate, spell, and apply medical prefixes, suffixes, and word roots while building the vocabulary needed for effective communication in a variety of healthcare and biomedical contexts and settings.
Requires Permission to Register Form.
HSCI 3110: Applications of Health Science
Credits: 3 | Term: Fall or Spring
Explore health science career pathways through self-assessment, resume development, and job application preparation. Complete a six-week practicum placement in a healthcare setting, gaining hands-on experience while documenting learning, reflecting on professional growth, and developing workplace readiness skills.
Requires Permission to Register Form.
Horticulture
HORT 1110: Introduction to Sustainable Horticulture
Credits: 3 | Term: Fall or Spring
Explore horticulture through the lens of sustainability and social responsibility. Compare conventional and sustainable practices while examining water, soil, energy, waste, air quality, and land use. Topics include food systems, urban planning, crop diversity, biotechnology, and ecological cultivation methods.
HORT 2327: Sustainable Design I
Credits: 3 | Term: Fall
Develop skills in residential landscape design through drafting, site analysis, and design communication. Students create scaled concept and planting plans while learning to measure, document, and analyze landscape sites for design ideas. Sustainability principles are explored through their application to urban landscape design.
Requires Permission to Register Form.
HORT 3320: Plant Pathology
Credits: 3 | Term: Fall
Working with fresh and preserved specimens, students diagnose plant diseases using laboratory tools and resources. Examine plant parasitism and evaluate control strategies, measure disease, and predict spread. Topics include horticultural practices to reduce losses and plant protection legislation applied to current plant health issues.
Requires Permission to Register Form.
Mathematics
STAT 1170: Introduction to Data Science: An AI Approach
3 Credits | Spring Term
This course introduces core data science and AI tools with applications across disciplines such as science, business, and social fields. Students use Python to analyze and visualize data, explore machine learning, and communicate insights effectively to non-technical audiences through real-world examples and practical applications.
Ready to Explore?
Whether you're exploring a potential career path, developing a new skill, or simply learning something new for the joy of it, General Interest makes it easy to get started. You don't need to commit to a full program to start learning. Choose a course, discover a new interest, and see where it takes you.
view general interest details Download Registration Form
Questions?
Contact Student Enrolment Services (SES) or the Future Students Office (FSO).
