General Information
The BSc Sciences degree program is a program for students interested in creating their own customized program of study in the Sciences. A BSc Sciences degree will carry no major or area of concentration. This program allows students to pursue courses in multiple scientific disciplines without the restrictions that accompany degree programs with specified majors. This program provides an opportunity to develop a personalized study plan to acquire the knowledge and skills necessary to pursue further undergraduate or postgraduate studies or careers.
This BSc Sciences program also provides an alternative pathway to major programs for students not initially qualified at the time of admission to the University. Students may choose to apply to a major program after the second year. Students should be aware that in transferring to another program, course prerequisites may be enforced.
The requirement for graduation with a BSc Sciences (Pass) is a minimum 60 percent average in all qualifying credits (see program note 1) taken from the Faculty of Mathematics and Science and a minimum of 60 percent overall average on completion of program requirements. The requirement for graduation with a BSc Sciences (Honours) is a minimum 70 percent average in all qualifying credits taken from the Faculty of Mathematics and Science and a minimum 60 percent overall average on completion of program requirements.
Students electing to pursue the BSc Sciences program should develop a program plan in consultation with an Academic Advisor in the Faculty of Mathematics and Science.
Program Notes
- The majority of credits earned must be eligible for major credit in programs offered by the Faculty of Mathematics and Science. The following courses may only be counted as elective credits: ASTR 1P01, 1P02, BIOL 1P23, 1P24, 1P27, 1P28, 1P30, CHEM 1P00, ERSC 1P92, 1P94, MATH 1P20, 1P70, NEUR 1P01, SCIE 1P50, 1P51, 1P52.
- It is recommended that students take one Humanities context credit, one Social Sciences context credit, and three credits from the Faculty of Mathematics and Science in Year 1 (refer to program note 1).
- FMSC 1P00 is required for all year one students.
- For the Pass degree, a student may select a maximum of five credits from any combination of Applied Health Sciences, Business and Education courses (including courses cross listed with those faculties.)
- For the Honours degree, a student may select a maximum of seven credits from any combination of Applied Health Sciences, Business and Education courses (including courses cross listed with those faculties.)
- Students may choose up to two minors in the pass degree and up to three minors in the Honours degree.
- In 20 credit degree programs a maximum of eight credits may be numbered 1(alpha)00 to 1(alpha)99; at least three credits must be numbered 2(alpha)90 or above; at least three credits must be numbered 3(alpha)90 or above; and the remaining credits must be numbered 2(alpha)00 or above. In 15 credit degree programs a maximum of eight credits may be numbered 1(alpha)00 to 1(alpha)99; at least three credits must be numbered 2(alpha)90 or above; and the remaining credits must be numbered 2(alpha)00 or above.
In some circumstances, in order to meet university degree and program requirements, more than 20 or 15 credits may be taken.
This program is consistent with the institution’s mission and academic plan in the following ways:
Providing a transformational and accessible academic and student experience
– The program is highly accessible to students from various backgrounds and academic pathways.
– The openness of the program allows students to design customized degree pathways which can
lead to a transformational experience.
Increasing the University’s research capacity
– Some of the students who pursue this program will contribute to Brock’s research capacity
through the Honours pathway by completing Honours research projects.
Enhancing the life and vitality of communities across Niagara region and beyond
– The interdisciplinarity of the program is a feature that supports students emerging from the program to
contribute in a positive way to community ties.
Fostering a culture of inclusivity, accessibility, reconciliation and decolonization
– It is expected that education around these topics can be addressed among the courses selected by students in the BSc Sciences
program. The course will include a unit on Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion as well as Decolonization in Science.
The program requirements include a majority of science courses along with non-science context
credits.
The course will cover acquisition, understanding, methodology, communication and
application of knowledge. Experiential learning includes laboratory experiments, field trips,
internship, modelling studies, and other projects.
An important opportunity for experiential learning at the fourth-year level is undertaking original research under the supervision of a faculty member.
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In Year 1 students in this BSc program are recommended to take:
Students may choose to declare a major, in a subject area of interest, or remain in this program and follow the program requirements outlined below. Honours
Pass
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Students entering from high school require three courses from: SB14U (Biology), SC4U (Chemistry), SPH4U (Physics),
MCV4U (Functions), MHF4U (Calculus and Vectors), SES4U (Earth and Space Science), ICS4U (Computer
Studies).
The flexibility of choices for students reflects the broad interests of students in the program, and is inclusive of students with
different high school backgrounds.
The curriculum is extremely flexible, students may create a degree program in line with their
interests. Students can access the current state of several disciplines through this program with
appropriate course selection.
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Students must check to ensure that prerequisites are met. Students may be deregistered, at the request of the instructor, from any course for which prerequisites and/or restrictions have not been met. FACULTY OF MATH AND SCIENCE COURSE Transitioning to University Science Foundational mathematics and topics from introductory science. Time management, learning skills, and library research skills. Data analysis and presentation using spreadsheets; lab report preparation. Lectures, 4 hours per week; tutorial, 1 hour per week. Restriction: open to BSc Sciences students until date specified in Registration guide. Note: this course may be offered in multiple modes of delivery. The method of delivery will be listed on the academic timetable, in the applicable term. SCIENCE COURSE Work Experience Provides students with a work integrated learning experience with an approved employer relevant to the student’s degree learning outcomes. Restriction: Open to students with a minimum of 10.0 credits and who have attained 70% major and 60% non-major average. Prerequisite(s): Permission of the Instructor (students are required to successfully complete online professional training modules designed and delivered by Co-op, Career and Experiential Education (CCEE) prior to the start of their work experience term). Note: Full-time work experience employment, 35-40 hours per week for 12 to 16 weeks. This course may be offered in multiple modes of delivery. The method of delivery will be listed on the academic timetable, in the applicable term. CO-OP COURSE Co-op Professional Preparation Provides students with the tools, resources and skills to maximize co-op employment and professional development opportunities. Lectures, presentations, site visits, 1.5 hours per week. Restriction: open to Science Co-op students. Note: see Director of Co-op, Career and Experiential Education. This course may be offered in multiple modes of delivery. The method of delivery will be listed on the academic timetable, in the applicable term. |
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Pathway examples to help guide students in their course selection.
Please note: Students should be mindful that these are suggestions only and do not in any way guarantee their success in specific fields. They are advised to look at other sources as well. If they are planning to apply to a professional school, it would be better for them to contact the school directly.
Pathway 1:
Students who aim to apply to a professional program such as Pharmacy, Medical School, Optometry, or Dentistry find the BSc Sciences program to be an attractive choice as it allows them to complete all necessary prerequisite requirements, without having to take any courses that deviate from their plan. We will use the example of Pharmacy to demonstrate a typical course plan. These courses are outlined in Table 4.1.
Pathway 2:
If a student is removed from their Honours program, they often choose to declare their major as BSc Sciences as a way to use the credits that they have already completed. One example of this is the Biomedical Sciences program. It is an Honours only program, and if a student is not able to achieve the average required, they do not have the option to pursue a pass degree in Biomedical Sciences. In this case, they can choose to use their credits earned toward focus areas in Biological Sciences and Health Sciences. The courses highlighted below in blue are the required courses for the first and second years of the Biomedical Sciences program. As illustrated, all courses fit in the requirements of the BSc Sciences degree, and allow a student to stay on track with their preferred deadline.
Pathway 3:
Below is a sample program plan for students interested in pursuing Brock’s concurrent Bachelor of Nursing/Master of Nursing (BN/MN) program. Admission to the program requires completion of a four-year bachelor’s degree with a minimum average of 75% over the final two years of study. Admission also requires credits in certain topics to be completed. The plan below highlights potential courses that can be taken during the Honours BSc Sciences program that could be used towards admission requirements for the BN/MN program. Please note, that successful completion of the Honours BSc Sciences program and/or completion of the suggested courses does not guarantee admission into the BN/MN program. Students are advised to meet with their academic advisor when selecting courses and to reach out to the appropriate department for more information on admission requirements. More details on the BN/MN program can be found here.
The primary educator for FMCS 1P00 in BSc Science:
IDEA links for FMSC 1P00
- The link between perception of ability and intelligence, and communication
- https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/j.1559-1816.2007.00181.x (about perceptions of those who learned English as a second language)
- https://saylordotorg.github.io/text_introduction-to-psychology/s13-intelligence-and-language.html (an interesting read on the assessment of intelligence)
- On the dangers of blindly trusting statistics without critical thinking
- Two papers: one research paper from 1983, and one commentary in 2017
BSc Sciences follows governmental and university policies on Inclusivity, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility.
The two primary documents referenced include:
- The Faculty of Mathematics and Science at Brock University has endorsed the Dimensions: Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion charter.
- The Faculty of Mathematics and Science at Brock University has endorsed the Canadian Research Chairs EDI plan.
The core principals include:
Brock’s EDI strategy consists of five identified goals:
- Ensure that equity, diversity, and inclusion are embedded in institutional strategic planning.
- Regularly gather relevant data regarding the needs of designated employment equity-seeking groups.
- Promote diversity across the complement of Canada Research Chairholders.
- Create a supportive and inclusive study and workplace all those within the Brock Community.
- Support the research aspirations of and engagement with racialized students and scholars, with a focus on supporting Indigenous and Black students and scholars.
Access the full document here.
The FMS Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Accessibility Strategic Planning document is currently under review by FMS Chairs and Directors.
Upon completion it will be made publicly available here.
Key IDEA principles within the Faculty of Mathematics and Science
The Faculty of Mathematics and Science (FMS) of Brock University strongly believes that access to research knowledge and participation in the research enterprise must be available to people irrespective of their race, culture, age, ability, experience, gender identity, sexual orientation, or stage of life. To promote accessibility, the FMS has developed this Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Accessibility (IDEA SP) Strategic Plan. It is based on the spirit of the UNESCO 2017 Recommendation on Science and Scientific Researchers, which promotes equity, diversity, and inclusion as well as the importance for open science. The IDEA Strategic Plan relates to the various activities of the faculty, including the process of hiring, teaching, research, and management. The plan also recognizes, acknowledges, and accepts that there are different ways of knowing, leading to greater reconciliation of worldviews, cultures, and identities.
Vision
The Faculty of Mathematics and Science recognizes that excellence in all aspects of the academic world requires respect for the inclusion of diverse identities, meaning that various races, and cultures, those with differing abilities and experiences and at different stages of life have access to the FMS facilities at Brock University.
Mission
The mission of the FMS is to pursue excellence in research, to promote the transfer of up-to-date knowledge, and to ensure that knowledge and creative works are accessible, inclusive, and equitable to the world from the local to the global for the sustainability of our world.
Key Principles
Fundamental principles rather than institutional policies and objectives are to be upheld. Policies and action items in the strategic plan should all be rooted in the following fundamental principles for they represent the values that each member of the academic community strives to uphold to ensure that the mission is being fulfilled. Brock’s FMS IDEA strategic plan is based on the following principles:
- Respect for Truth and Reconciliation with Indigenous peoples and other cultures
- Inclusion
- Diversity
- Equity and Equality
- Accessibility
- Human Rights
- Intersectionality
