Last updated: February 27, 2024 @ 09:27PM

Sciences
This program is offered through the Faculty of Mathematics and Science with participating academic units currently including Biological Sciences, Biochemistry, Biomedical Sciences, Biotechnology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Data Sciences and Analytics, Earth Sciences, Engineering, Mathematics and Statistics, Neuroscience, and Physics.

Dean
Dr. Peter Berg

Associate Dean, Undergraduate Programs
Dr. Miriam Richards

Academic Advisors
Janelle Montague, Heather VanVolkenburg

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
  1. 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.
  2. 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).
  3. FMSC 1P00 is required for all year one students.
  4. 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.)
  5. 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.)
  6. Students may choose up to two minors in the pass degree and up to three minors in the Honours degree.
  7. 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.


Program Requirements

Honours Program

Year 1
·   FMSC 1P00
·   two and one-half credits from the Faculty of Mathematics and Science APCO 1P93 and STAT 1P98 recommended; (see program notes 1, 6, and 7
·   one Humanities context credit
·   one Social Sciences context credit

Year 2
·   two and one-half credits from the Faculty of Mathematics and Science (see program notes 1, 6, and 7)
·   two and one-half elective credits (see program notes 4, 5, 6, and 7)

Year 3
·   two credits from the Faculty of Mathematics and Science numbered 2(alpha)90 or above (see program notes 6 and 7)
·   one-half credit from the Faculty of Mathematics and Science (see program notes 1, 6, and 7)
·   one elective credit numbered 2(alpha)90 or above (see program notes 4, 5, 6, and 7)
·   one and one-half elective credits (see program notes 4, 5,6, and 7)

Year 4
·   two credits from the Faculty of Mathematics and Science numbered 3(alpha)90 or above (see program notes 6 and 7)
·   one credit from the Faculty of Mathematics and Science (see program notes 1,6, and 7)
·   one elective credit numbered 3(alpha)90 or above (see program notes 5, 6, and 7)
·   one elective credit (see program notes 5, 6, and 7)

Pass Program
Satisfactory completion of the first three years of the Honours program entitles a student to apply for a pass degree.

Course Descriptions

Note that not all courses are offered in every session. Refer to the applicable term timetable for details.

# Indicates a cross listed course
* Indicates primary offering of a cross listed course

Prerequisites and Restrictions

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.
FMSC 1P00
Transitioning to University Science
Science as a way of knowing. Scientific method, scientific theories, hypothesis testing and prediction. Empirical, observational, and theoretical approaches to science. Data management, analysis, and visualization. Principles of science communication and contrasts with other knowledge systems.
Lectures, seminar, 4 hours 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.