Biological Sciences

Bachelor of Science

Introduction

Congratulations on being accepted into the Bachelor of Science degree program. Science is a cornerstone of today’s developments in technology, medicine, agriculture and more. Throughout your program you will explore scientific concepts and engage with leading scientists who conduct cutting-edge research in their fields. Through inquiry-based programs in the Faculty of Science you will have multiple opportunities for hands-on learning experiences in our research facilities, and continually develop the critical thinking skills necessary to create, discover and innovate.

The Bachelor of Science degree is offered as either a B.Sc., or B.Sc. (Honours). They both require the completion of 20.0 full course equivalents (120 credits) and normally four years of full-time study. An internship program is available for students majoring in Computer Science and students in Actuarial Science, Applied Chemistry or Ecology can combine their degree with cooperative education. Students interested in pursuing a career as a K-12 teacher can complete a five-year concurrent degree with the Werklund School of Education. More information on the concurrent BSc/BEd degree is provided below, in the Education section of the First-Year Degree Guide and in the University Calendar.

Courses required in your first year

Note

*Junior Science Breadth fulfilled by ONE of the following pairs 5:

1. MATH 249 is open only to students without MATH 31.

2. Students intending to pursue ECOL or ZOOL are advised to take MATH 211. Students intending to pursue BCEM must select MATH 211 or 267.

3. A non-science option is any course from faculties other than the Faculty of Science, excluding courses in Table 1.

4. Any course offered by any Faculty.

5. Students intending to pursue BCEM must select PHYS. Students intending to pursue ZOOL must select either GLGY or PHYS.

Either fall or winter semester

Chemistry 201

Chemistry 203

Non-Science Option 3

Open Option 4

Winter semester

Biology 243

MATH 211 or 267 or STAT 327 2

Junior Science Breadth*

Fall semester

Biology 241

Math 249 1 or 265

Junior Science Breadth*

Tip

Tip:
Remember to register for both fall and winter semesters at the same time

Recommended courses for four years
Download the recommended four year course sequence for Biological Sciences.

Your Bachelor of Science degree means that you are a student in the Faculty of Science. The Faculty of Science offers a broad range of majors, minors, specializations and concentrations, from actuarial science to zoology. In general, your major refers to the subject area you would like your Bachelor of Science degree to focus on (ex. Bachelor of Science, major in Physics).

Explore all the different majors, specializations and concentrations the Faculty of Science has to offer.

If you are still deciding on your major area of interest, you should take courses from a number of different areas in your first year. The courses on this list will help you choose courses for first year registration. It is best to decide your focus as soon as possible so that you take the prerequisite courses for second-year classes in your area of interest and do not have to take extra courses to complete your program. Remember that you may not be able to register in some courses unless you are admitted to that major.

If you are coming to UCalgary with Advanced Placement credit or International Baccalaureate credit, you will follow the same registration process as any first time university student. You may be eligible to use your transfer credit in your degree program depending on the program you have entered and whether or not the courses are applicable. Look for International Baccalaureate credit information at www.ucalgary.ca/admissions/ib and Advanced Placement information at ucalgary.ca/admissions/advanced_placement_credits.

You may view your transfer credit by logging in to your online Student Centre. Once you know the transfer credit you have received, you may contact the academic advisor in your faculty to get advice on course selection.

Generally, students must complete 3.0 full course equivalents (6 half course equivalents or 18 units) at the junior (200-level) before they are allowed to register in 300-level courses. However, if you received IB or AP credit for a 200-level course, you may take the 300-level course that has your 200-level course listed as a prerequisite. For example, if you received IB credit for CHEM 203, you can take CHEM 351, as CHEM 203 is a prerequisite for CHEM 351.

Science Internship Program: Get a head start on your career through our internship opportunities. You will gain valuable work experience in your industry – all before you graduate.

International Study Opportunities: Experience different cultures, gain a better understanding of world issues, and travel around the globe, all while earning credit towards your degree. UCalgary offers exchanges and study abroad programs in 61 different countries.

Community Service-Learning: Combine your classroom learning with volunteer work that achieves community goals, and see first-hand how your academic learning relates to social issues.

Co-Curricular Record: The first of its kind in Western Canada, have your out-of-classroom experiences such as volunteer work, leadership training and club involvement documented on an official record.

Arts and Science Honours Academy: Be part of a unique program that combines collaborative study, global opportunities and academic challenge. The ASHA program brings together 25 like-minded high achieving students to learn and study in six distinct scholars courses. As an Arts and Science Honours Academy student, you will be one of a class of the best and brightest at UCalgary.