Biology: Bachelor of Science Major

Description

The B.Sc. Major in Biology is a foundational degree program strongly grounded in scientific methodology and practical skills. The structure and breadth of courses offered is designed to equip graduates with a high level of competency in the knowledge, skills and experience necessary for competitive entry into the workforce in a wide range of fields. Graduates will also be well prepared for entry into a professional school or graduate studies program.

Central to this program is the provision of a lab intensive experience where students learn first-hand, the appropriate use of equipment and techniques to investigate living organisms and how they function. Upper level courses build upon the core knowledge and skills developed in 1st and 2nd Year, allowing the exploration of more advanced biological concepts and practical techniques. This culminates in a community focused research or directed studies project which requires students to apply the knowledge and skills they have learned.

Important Notes:

First and second year courses required in the program are normally available on both Richmond and Surrey campuses.

Elective courses are not offered every year.  Students are encouraged to plan their courses carefully and to see a degree advisor for guidance.

Student Profile

This degree program will appeal to individuals with a passionate interest in living organisms and how they function. Whether entering from high school, other post-secondary institutions or returning from the workforce to study, this program will appeal to anyone who shares a concern for the future of humanity and the welfare of our planet and who is seeking a career that can make a difference.

Students who are successful in this program are likely to be self-motivated, have a strong work ethic and have well developed oral and written communication skills.

Career Opportunities

Students graduating from this program will be well equipped for employment in government agencies as well as the private sector and may include career opportunities at entry level in the following fields:

• Agriculture
• Animal Science (Dairy/farming industry)
• Biotechnology
• Botany
• Environmental Consultant
• Fisheries Biologist
• Food Science and Technology
• Forensics
• Informatics
• Lab Assistant or Technician in a medical or scientific laboratory
• Marine Biology
• Microbiology
• Molecular Biology
• Natural Resource Conservation and Management
• Naturalist - Park Rangers
• Pharmaceutical sales
• Science Advisor - Government Policy
• Teaching at elementary or secondary level (Requires teacher certification)
• Toxicology - Medical or Environmental
• Zoo and Aquaria - Animal Care

Admission Requirements

The Faculty's Admission Requirements, which consist of KPU's undergraduate English Proficiency Requirement, apply to this program.

Declaration Requirements

Students intending to graduate with this Faculty of Science and Horticulture degree must declare the credential by the time they complete 60 credits of undergraduate coursework. At the time of declaration, the student must satisfy all of the following requirements:

• In good academic standing with the University
• Completion of a minimum of 24 credits of undergraduate coursework, including the following:
  • 3 credits of ENGL at the 1100 level or higher
  • BIOL 1110 with a minimum grade of “C”
  • BIOL 1210 with a minimum grade of “C”
  • CHEM 1110 with a minimum grade of “B” or CHEM 1210 with a minimum grade of “C”
  • MATH 1120 with a minimum grade of “C” or MATH 1130 with a minimum grade of “C”
  • PHYS 1101 with a minimum grade of “C” or PHYS 1120 with a minimum grade of “C”

Curricular Requirements

General Requirements

All students must complete the following general requirements for a Bachelor of Science:

• A minimum of 120 credits and a minimum of 40 courses (at least 3 credits each) at the post-secondary level (numbered 1100 or higher). 
• At least 45 of the credits (15 courses) must be at the 3000- or 4000-level; at least 9 of these credits must be at the 4000-level.
• A minimum of 18 credits of breadth electives (see Electives) including:
  • at least one 3000- or 4000-level course; and
  • at least 12 credits from fields or courses not regarded as science; and
  • a maximum of 6 credits may come from fields of science not already included in the Biology Major requirements.
• Completion of 6 credits of 4000-level Research or 6 credits of 4000-level Directed Studies in Year 4.
• A minimum of a passing grade (D or better) in all courses counting towards the BSc, with a cumulative GPA of 2.0.

To meet residency requirements, at least 50% of all courses for the BSc, and at least 66% of upper level courses for the BSc, must be completed at KPU.

Biology Major

The following outlines the specific course requirements for the Biology Major.  The semester indicates the term in which students should plan to take their courses.

The Biology Major requires the completion of a minimum of 138 credits.

Note: A first-year English course, ENGL 1100, is a requirement of this program. This course has prerequisites that may require a student to complete additional preparatory courses.

Year 1

Fall Semester
All of:
	BIOL 1110	Introductory Biology I	4 credits
	CHEM 1110	The Structure of Matter	4 credits
	ENGL 1100	Introduction to University Writing	3 credits
	MATH 1130*	Calculus for Life Sciences I	3 credits
	PHYS 1101	Physics for Life Sciences I	4 credits
Spring Semester
All of:
	BIOL 1210	Introductory Biology II	4 credits
	CHEM 1210	Chemical Energetics and Dynamics	4 credits
	MATH 1230	Calculus for Life Sciences II	3 credits
	PHYS 1102	Physics for Life Sciences II	4 credits
	English Elective	(any ENGL course numbered 1101 or higher)	3 credits

* MATH 1120 may be used as a substitute for MATH 1130

Year 2

Fall Semester
All of:
	BIOL 2321	Cell Biology	4 credits
	BIOL 2322	Ecology	4 credits
	CHEM 2320	Organic Chemistry I	4 credits
	MATH 2335	Statistics for Life Sciences	3 credits
	Elective	(see Electives below)	3 credits
Spring Semester
All of:
	BIOL 2320	Genetics	4 credits
	BIOL 2421	Cellular Biochemistry	3 credits
	CHEM 2420	Organic Chemistry II	4 credits
	Elective	(see Electives below)	3 credits
	Elective	(see Electives below)	3 credits

Year 3

Fall Semester
All of:
	BIOL 3110	Animal Behaviour	4 credits
	BIOL 3165	Conservation Biology	3 credits
	BIOL 3180	Life Science Research Methods	3 credits
	BIOL 3321	Advanced Cell and Molecular Biology	4 credits
	Elective	(see Electives below)	3 credits
Spring Semester
All of:
	BIOL 3215	Zoology	4 credits
	BIOL 3225	Botany	4 credits
	BIOL 3320	Molecular Genetics	4 credits
	Biology Elective	(any BIOL course numbered 1100 or higher)	3 or more credits
	Elective	(see Electives below)	3 credits

Year 4

Fall Semester
All of:
	BIOL 4140	Animal Physiology (under development)	4 credits
	BIOL 4150	Evolutionary Biology (under development)	3 credits
	Elective	(see Electives below)	3 credits
	Elective	(see Electives below)	3 credits
And one of:
	BIOL 4190	Directed Studies I (under development)	3 credits
	BIOL 4199	Research Project I (under development)	3 credits
Spring Semester
All of:
	BIOL 4235	Marine Biology (under development)	3 credits
	BIOL 4245	Developmental Biology (under development)	4 credits
	Elective	(see Electives below)	3 credits
	Elective	(see Electives below)	3 credits
And one of:
	BIOL 4290	Directed Studies II (under development)	3 credits
	BIOL 4299	Research Project II (under development)	3 credits

Electives

Students are required to complete 11 elective courses (33 or more credits) through their program including:

• At least one ENGL course numbered 1101 or higher; and
• At least one BIOL course numbered 1100 or higher; and
• At least one breadth course (see below) numbered 3000 or higher.

Courses with considerable content overlap may only be counted once towards degree completion.  These include:

• BIOL 1112 or BIOL 1210
• ENVI 1106 or CHEM 1110
• ENVI 1206 or CHEM 1154 or CHEM 1210
• CHEM 2311 or CHEM 3310
• MATH 1120 or MATH 1130 or MATH 1140
• MATH 1220 or MATH 1230
• MATH 2335 or MATH 2341
• PHYS 1101 or PHYS 1120
• PHYS 1102 or PHYS 1220

Breadth Electives

At least 12 credits must come from fields or courses not regarded as science courses. EDUC 4100 may be used as a breadth requirement.

Up to 6 credits of breadth may come from fields of science not prescribed in the specific requirements for the BSc Major in Biology. These may include:

ASTR 1100 ASTR 1105 ASTR 3110

ASTR 3111 ENVI 3112 ENVI 2405

Recommended Science Electives

The following electives are recommended for students completing the Biology Major program. 

• BIOL 2330
• CHEM 2315
• CHEM 3310
• CPSC 1100
• ENVI 2305
• PHYS 3202

Credential Awarded

Upon successful completion of this program, students are eligible to receive a Bachelor of Science, Major in Biology.