Site Navigation
Welcome
Important Notice and Disclaimer
Academic Schedule
Types of Credentials and Sub-Degree Nomenclature
Undergraduate Degrees with a Major
Combined Degrees
Minor Programs
Student and Campus Services
Admissions
Academic Regulations
Co-operative Education/Internship
Tuition and General Fees
Awards and Financial Assistance
International Foundations Program
School of Architecture, Planning and Landscape
Faculty of Arts
Cumming School of Medicine
Faculty of Graduate Studies
Haskayne School of Business
Faculty of Kinesiology
Faculty of Law
Faculty of Nursing
Qatar Faculty
Schulich School of Engineering
Faculty of Science
1. Summary of Programs
2. Faculty Student Affairs
3. Faculty Regulations
3.1 Terminology
3.2 Admission
3.3 Enrolment Limitations
3.4 Program Requirements
3.5 Course Selection and Registration
3.6 Assessment
3.7 Student Standing
4. Program Details
5. Administration
Faculty of Social Work
Faculty of Veterinary Medicine
Werklund School of Education
Embedded Certificates
Continuing Education
COURSES OF INSTRUCTION
About the University of Calgary
Who's Who
Glossary of Terms
Contact Us
Archives
University of Calgary Calendar 2019-2020 Faculty of Science 3. Faculty Regulations 3.4 Program Requirements
3.4 Program Requirements

The following general requirements apply to all programs administered by the Faculty of Science. In addition, there are the course requirements for the individual programs. These are listed in Section 4 (Program Details).

Table I

The following courses may form part of a student's degree program in Science, but may not be used to satisfy the requirement of 18 units from outside the Faculty.

Anthropology 309, 413, 425, 435, 451, 552, 571

Archaeology 417, 555

Business Technology Management 321, 331

Chemical Engineering 427, 501, 535, 537

Civil Engineering 461

Computer Engineering 339, 369, 467

Electrical Engineering 327, 353, 469, 475, 563, 565, 575, (if both 563 and 565 are taken, one may be counted as from outside Science)

Engineering 201, 233, 311, 317, 319, 349, 407

Energy and Environment, Engineering 355

Geography 308, 310408, 510

Kinesiology 259, 260, 263, 363, 463

Mechanical Engineering 479, 485

Medical Science (all courses in this category)

Political Science 399

Psychology 300, 301, 312, 407, 478, 531

Sociology 311, 315

A. Major Degree Programs

A student must present an approved list of courses completed with passing grades. This list will be referred to as the program. The program must satisfy the following conditions.

(a) The program must contain at least 120 units with a maximum of 48 units at the 200 level.

(b) The program must contain at least 45 units in a Science field. Maximum allowable courses limits are specified in program regulations for each degree. The field chosen for a program will be referred to as the "major field." The Science fields are listed in Section 4 (Program Details). Only 6 units in the major field may be a "D" or "D+".

(c) The GPA calculated over the program must be at least 2.00, and the GPA for courses in the major field must also be at least 2.00. The program may not contain more than 18 units with "D" or "D+" grades.

(d) Breadth Requirement: The program must contain at least 54 units from outside the major field, of which at least 18 units must be courses selected from Faculties other than the Faculty of Science. Of these 18 units, students must take at least 6 units from the Faculty of Arts.

The 18 units from other faculties may not be chosen from among the courses listed in Table I. The requirement to include 18 units in other areas is intended to broaden the student's perspective beyond ones offered by the Faculty of Science.

Science 311 may be counted among the 18 units from other faculties.

(e) The program must include certain specified courses. The specified courses required for individual programs are listed in Section 4 (Program Details).

(f) No more than 60 units taken at other institutions and acceptable for transfer credit may be included in the program. A maximum of 24 units taken at other institutions and acceptable for transfer credit may be included in the major field.

(g) Credit will not be granted toward Science degrees for Physical Activity courses (i.e., Dance Education Activity/Theory, Outdoor Pursuits Activity/Theory, and Physical Education Activity/Theory).

Notes:

  • These requirements may change with every Calendar issue. A given Calendar issue applies to the academic year beginning on July 1 and ending on the following June 30. The time of entry into a program in the Faculty of Science is defined as the first session after admission to the program during which a student successfully completes any courses applicable to the program. A student's program is subject to the course requirements which are in the Calendar current at the time of entry into the program, and a student is allowed five years counted from the time of entry into the program to graduate under these requirements. Students in Co-operative Education or Internship programs have six years counted from the time of entry into the program to graduate under these requirements.
  • Students who exceed this five-year limit must consult with the Head of the Department (or designate) or Program Director (or designate) concerned who will decide on an acceptable set of course requirements for the proposed date of graduation. The Head (or designate) or Program Director (or designate) will communicate the decision to the Associate Dean (Undergraduate), or designate, in writing.
  • Course work that forms part of the requirements from a student's major field as listed in Section 4 (Program Details) and which is more than six years old at the time of graduation may be included in the program only with written permission of the Head (or designate) of the Department or Program Director (or designate) concerned.
  • Courses taken in the University of Calgary Cummings School of Medicine or Faculty of Veterinary Medicine (and, at the discretion of the Associate Dean, courses taken as part of a degree in Dentistry or Optometry or Medicine or Veterinary Medicine outside of Calgary) may be counted towards a BSc degree in the Faculty of Science if at least 90 units have been taken in a Science program, and if the Science course requirements for a Science Major are met by those 90 or more units. Honours degrees and degrees with distinction will not be granted in this manner. Not all Major programs can be completed in this way in three years.
B. Degrees "With Distinction"

The notation "With Distinction" will be entered in the permanent record and on the graduation parchment of a student successfully completing a Major program with a grade point average of at least 3.60 over the last 90 units taken for the degree. In cases in which the "last 90" must include some but not all of a group of courses taken concurrently, the selection will be made in the manner most advantageous to the student.

A student who has taken part of their course work at another university or who has transferred into the Faculty at a relatively late stage may be granted a degree "With Distinction" at the discretion of the Faculty.

C. Honours Degree Programs

Degrees with Honours are awarded in two classes: Honours and First Class Honours.

The requirements are the same as for the Major Programs, except for the following additions or changes.

Honours Requirements

  • A minimum GPA of 3.30 over the last 90 units.
  • Completion of Honours requirements as outlined in Section 4 (Program Details).
  • The program must contain at least 54 units and no more than 78 units in the major field.

Note: A student who fails to maintain the necessary performance standards or who decides not to continue in an Honours program may transfer to a Major program.

First Class Honours Requirements

In addition to the Honours requirements, successful completion of a department-approved program equivalent to 120 units, with a GPA of at least 3.60 over the last 90 units. A student who has taken part of their course work at another university may be granted a degree with First Class Honours at the discretion of the Faculty.

D. Co-operative Education/Internship Degree Programs

Co-operative Education and Internship programs are five-year degree programs which include 12 to 16 months of supervised work experience. Co-operative Education/Internship programs provide students with the opportunity to experience the links between academic knowledge and employment opportunities. Students who complete the requirements of the Co-operative Education/ Internship program will graduate with "Co-operative Education" or "Internship" designated on their transcripts and degree parchments.

Admission Requirements

Students who wish to enter the Co-operative Education/Internship program are urged to discuss their pre-admission course selection with a Program Advisor in the Undergraduate Science Centre (USC) as early in their program as possible. Co-operative Education/Internship programs are offered to students admitted to the following programs:

  • Actuarial Science (Co-op)
  • Ecology (Co-op)
  • Computer Science (Internship)

To apply to the Co-operative Education/Internship programs students must submit an online application through CareerLink, once they have registered in and/or completed the required courses and have achieved the required GPA. Students should discuss program requirements and sequence prior to completing an application. Course requirements found specified in the Calendar must be completed prior to commencing the first work term. Admission to the Co-operative Education or Internship programs in the Faculty of Science may be competitive and meeting the minimum program requirements does not guarantee admission.

The application deadline is February 1.

Further details about the program sequence may be discussed with a Program Advisor at the Undergraduate Science Centre.

In order to be granted admission to a Co-operative Education/Internship program student must have a full-time academic term; minimum of 9 units remaining in their degree program. Students who have fewer than 9 units remaining to complete their degree requirements are not eligible for admission to a Co-operative Education/Internship program.

Work Term Assessment

The mandatory work term courses are graded on a credit (CR) or fail (F) basis. A positive assessment requires satisfactory performance on each of the following items:

    1. The Co-operative Education/Internship Coordinator’s evaluation of job performance, which is based on an on-site visit.
    2. The employer's evaluation of job performance.
    3. A work term report prepared by the student and evaluated by the Faculty.

Note: Developing and implementing job-search skills is a part of the Co-operative Education/Internship Program. The program does not guarantee that students will obtain work term placements.

Program Sequence

Co-operative Education:

The Co-op work terms may be completed while alternating between academic terms. The first work term is normally taken shortly after completing the courses required for admission. This typically occurs after year two (minimum 60 units) but before completing year four (maximum 105 units). Students must end their Co-operative Education program with a full time academic term; minimum of 9 units.

The combination of Co-op work terms and academic terms will allow completion of the program in five years.

Internship:

The Internship period, consists of the consecutive Internship 503.01, 503.02, 503.03 and optional 503.04 Internship work terms. This typically occurs after year three (minimum 90 units) but before completing year four (maximum 105 units). Students must end their Internship program with a full time academic term; minimum of 9 units.

The combination of Internship and academic terms will allow completion of the program in five years.

Regulations
  1. Bachelor of Science Co-operative Education/Internship students must be actively engaged in the Co-operative Education/Internship program. Active engagement is defined by securing a work term within 18 months of gaining admission to the program. Students who do not successfully secure a work term within 18 months of gaining admission to the program will no longer be eligible to participate in the Co-operative Education/Internship program.
  2. Bachelor of Science Co-operative Education/Internship students are required to complete a minimum of three four-month work terms. Internship work terms are taken consecutively.
  3. Students must end their Co-operative Education/Internship program with a full time academic term (minimum of 9 units). Additionally, students who are admitted to a Co-operative Education/Internship program but do not complete their work terms before they have fewer than 9 units remaining to complete their degree requirements will be removed from the Co-operative Education/Internship program.
  4. The Co-operative Education and Internship courses are in addition to the normal requirements for each degree, i.e., students must complete the same number of required courses as students completing the traditional degree programs, as well as the Co-operative Education/Internship courses.
  5. While on a four-month work term a student may take one 3-unit course, provided it does not interfere with their work term placement. Students must ensure they still have a minimum of 9 units to complete in their last academic term.
  6. Once students have met graduation requirements, they are no longer eligible to participate in the Co-operative Education/Internship program.
  7. If a student's academic performance results in the student being required to withdraw from the Faculty of Science, or being placed on probation, the student will be required to withdraw from the Co-operative Education/Internship program. If the student is required to withdraw from the Co-operative Education/Internship program but has already accepted a work term, the employer will be informed that the student is no longer registered in the Co-op/Internship program. Termination of the student's employment will be at the employer's discretion.
  8. Students who receive a Failure (F) on a work term will be required to withdraw from the Co-operative Education/Internship program and will not receive the Co-operative Education/Internship designation.

For further information please contact the office below:

Undergraduate Science Centre (USC)
Location: Science B 149
Phone: 403.220.8600
Email address: usc@ucalgary.ca
Website: http://www.ucalgary.ca/science/undergraduate/co_op_internship

E. Double Major and Double Honours Degree Programs

These are single degree programs. A student in a Major program whose program also meets the requirements for a second Major in a different field, in either the Faculty of Science or another faculty, may declare a second Major in this field. The same is true for Honours programs. It is not possible for one of the two programs to be an Honours program and for the other one to be a Major program.

Declaration of the second Major or Honours may be made no later than at the time of the last registration. Special restrictions apply to certain double Major or Honours combinations. Consult the relevant Department in Section 4 (Program Details). All such double Major or Honours combinations must be able to be accommodated under the same rubric (either BSc or BA).

F. Combined Degree Programs Within the Faculty of Science

Students may pursue a combined program of at least 150 units that leads to two degrees from the Faculty of Science. The two degrees will be awarded simultaneously. Interested students should consult with program advisors in the Undergraduate Science Centre and the Associate Dean (Undergraduate).

The two programs may not be from the same Department, except for combinations of Geophysics with Geology or Environmental Science.

G. Second Degree Programs

The graduation requirements for a second degree are the same as those for a degree with a Major field except for the following:

Major Degree Requirements

(a) Up to 60 units counted towards any previous degrees may be counted towards requirements in the second degree. These may not include more than half the minimum number required in the new Major field.

(b) Courses not used toward previous degrees (as determined by the institution awarding those degrees) may be used to reduce the number required in the second degree where applicable.

(c) Students normally will not be admitted to a second degree program in any field in which they already possess a degree. Students with a degree in the Natural Sciences should consult the Undergraduate Science Centre to find out whether they would be permitted to enrol in a program that covers the same subject matter as their Concentration One.

Upon admission to the program, students are advised to contact the Undergraduate Science Centre to discuss their academic plans and obtain general advice regarding the requirements of the second degree. The Undergraduate Science Centre will then prepare a detailed formal assessment outlining the remaining requirements in each individual case.

The second degree will be awarded "With Distinction" if a GPA of at least 3.60 is achieved over the courses completed in the second degree program, excluding those used in point (a).

Note: Departments are under no obligation to compress their course offerings in such a way as to minimize the time spent on a second degree.

Honours Degree Requirements

The graduation requirements for a second degree in Honours is the same as a degree with Honours, with the following modifications:

(a) Admissibility will be based on the overall grade point average obtained in the first degree, and grade point averages required for graduation will be calculated using courses completed in the second degree program.

(b) The student must obtain approval of the Department or Program concerned.

(c) The permissible duration of the second degree program will be determined by the Associate Dean (Undergraduate), or designate, at the start of the program in conformity with the spirit that governs the duration of a first degree honours program, taking into account what courses remain to be taken in the second degree program.

(d) The degree will be awarded as First Class Honours if a GPA of at least 3.60 is obtained over the courses completed in the second Honours degree program.

H. Combined and Concurrent Degree Programs with Other Faculties

Students may pursue a combined program of at least 150 units that leads to two degrees, one from the Faculty of Science and one from another faculty. The two degrees will be awarded simultaneously.

Students must meet the admission and graduation requirements of both Faculties involved, as described in the Faculties' sections of this Calendar.

These programs require careful selection of courses to complete the requirements of both faculties. Interested students are urged to contact the Advising Offices of both faculties for advice in choosing their courses, beginning in first year, and should see the Associate or Assistant Deans of the two Faculties involved.

With the Faculty of Arts

BSc or BA (Science) and BSc or BA (Arts) Program

Students intending to pursue this program may enter either the Faculty of Science or the Faculty of Arts. At the time of admission to either faculty, students must apply for the combined degree program and declare two major fields as described in each faculty's section of this Calendar.

Degree Requirements for the BSc or BA (Science) and BSc or BA (Arts) Program

(i) The Faculties of Science and Arts require the successful completion of at least 42 and not more than 66 units in the Major Field. Faculty and departmental requirements for graduation in a program with a Major Field must be met.

(ii) Courses taken to satisfy the major field requirements for one of the two degrees may be counted towards the breadth requirement for the other degree.

(iii) The number of junior courses taken must not exceed 54 units in total.

(iv) A maximum of 60 units taken at other institutions and acceptable for transfer credit may be included in the combined programs. A maximum of 24 units taken at other institutions and acceptable for transfer credit may be included in the major field of each program.

With the Haskayne School of Business

BComm and BSc (Actuarial Science) Program

For program details, see the Haskayne School of Business section of this Calendar and the Department of Mathematics section in Section 4 (Program Details).

BComm and BSc (Computer Science) Program

For program details, see the Haskayne School of Business section of this Calendar.

BComm and BSc (Mathematics) Program

For program details, see the Haskayne School of Business section of this Calendar and the Department of Mathematics section in Section 4 (Program Details).

Concurrent Degrees with the Werklund School of Education

BSc (General Mathematics in Education) and BEd

For program details, see the Department of Mathematics and Statistics section in Section 4 (Program Details).

BSc (Natural Sciences) and BEd

For program details, see the Natural Sciences section in Section 4 (Program Details).

With the Schulich School of Engineering

BSc (Engineering) and BSc (Science) Program

Students intending to pursue this program may enter either the Faculty of Science or the Schulich School of Engineering. Students may either be admitted to both degree programs when they first apply to the University or may seek admission to a second degree program after being admitted. Students must satisfy the requirements for admission to both Faculties and Programs. (See the Admissions section of this Calendar.)

This combined program leads to a Bachelor of Science in Engineering from the Schulich School of Engineering and a Bachelor of Science from the Faculty of Science. The Schulich School of Engineering provides complementary information on Combined Programs in their section of this Calendar.

Note: Because engineering degrees are highly structured, more than 150 units are typically required. Further, students who opt out of this Combined Degree program, particularly if they do so after first year, often require more than four years to complete a single degree.

I. Minor Programs

The course requirements for the Minor Programs are listed in Section 4 (Program Details) under the appropriate Department. Students are cautioned to check the Calendar descriptions of the courses required for the Minor and to include the necessary prerequisites for these courses in their programs.

For a Minor, passing grades must be obtained in at least 30 units in the minor field of which at least 18 units must be numbered 300 or above. For certain major/minor combinations there will be considerable overlap between fields. The degree of permissible overlap must be discussed with the Associate Dean (Undergraduate), or designate, before proceeding. The GPA over all courses counting towards the Minor must be at least 2.00 and only 3 units with a "D" or "D+" grade will be allowed.