2012-13 University Calendar
 Kwantlen Polytechnic University  Calendar  2012-13  Faculty of Science & Horticulture  Associate of Science Degree Framework

Associate of Science Degree Framework

Description

The Associate of Science degree consists of two years of university course work where students are able to complete their lower division program requirements for a Bachelor of Science degree if they course plan effectively. Holders of an Associate Degree receive full transfer credit of all courses counting towards that degree, even if the receiving institution may not have an articulation in place with any specific course counted by the sending institution towards an Associate Degree. While universities traditionally allow transfer based on GPA cutoffs, some receiving institutions grant a GPA advantage to Associate of Science holders.

The general requirements for the Associate of Science are specified by provincial legislation. To qualify for an Associate of Science, students must complete 60 credits at the first and second year level (typically 20 courses, 3 credits per course). A minimum overall GPA of 2.0 is required, with a minimum passing grade (D or better) in each course counting towards the Associate of Science.

Kwantlen currently offers several pathways for an Associate of Science Degree:

  1. Associate of Science in Biology
  2. Associate of Science in Chemistry
  3. Associate of Science in General Sciences*
  4. Associate of Science in Geography
  5. Associate of Science in Mathematics
  6. Associate of Science in Physics

* Note: there are three articulated pathways under the heading of General Science:

  1. For students wishing a program change to third year of Kwantlen's BBA in Entrepreneurial Leadership
  2. For science students wishing to complete a degree in Environmental Science at Royal Roads University. This provides direct entry to third year of their Environmental Science and Environmental Management Degrees.
  3. For science students transferring to the Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science at UNBC.

Transfer to a Science Degree

Students planning to complete a Bachelor of Science should verify the transfer status at each university when organizing their course profile to ensure they meet the entrance requirements as well as be aware of the specific program requirements. Research has demonstrated that students transferring with an Associate Degree perform better at the receiving institution than students transferring at an earlier completion level, and are at least at par with those students who were solely resident at that degree granting receiving institution.

General information on the requirements for the Associate of Science degree, and how universities receive them, can be found on the BCCAT site at www.bctransferguide.ca/associate

Specific information on course requirements for a Bachelor of Science Degree, and the majors and minors available, should be verified in the Calendars for:

A list of required Kwantlen courses specific to each of UBC, SFU, UVic and UNBC can be found on Kwantlen's Science website at kwantlen.ca/science/associate. As science and mathematics requirements vary from one university to another, for a major in biology, chemistry, geography, mathematics, physics, or psychology, this website offers course requirements per university.

Additional information can be referenced at Kwantlen's Educational Advising website (kwantlen.ca/advising) or by speaking to an Educational Advisor at Kwantlen or at the university where you intend to complete your degree.

Program Admission Requirements

General university admission requirements apply to this program including the undergraduate-level English Proficiency Requirement.

Program Requirements

Students are required to complete 60 credits at the 1st and 2nd year level. A minimum overall GPA of 2.0 is required, with a minimum passing grade (D or better) in each course counting towards the Associate of Science.

Specific Requirements:

  1. English Requirements:
    • ENGL 1100 and
    • One additional first year ENGL course
  2. Math Requirements*:
    • Six credits of university level mathematics, which shall include three credits in Calculus.
  3. First Year Science Requirements:
  4. Second Year Science Requirements
  5. Additional Course Requirements
    • Any two courses in Arts‡, not counting English, plus
    • Any other two university transferable courses

Notes:
* Most Science degrees require both Calculus I and Calculus II.  Institutions have the discretion to set higher standards, including not recognizing MATH 1112.
† Institutions have the discretion to not recognize CHEM 1105, MATH 1112 or PHYS 1100.
‡ Any Arts subject area not noted in the science categories above, and includes all geography courses not specified in the science categories above, i.e. GEOG 1160, 2110, 2120, 2140, 2185, and 2190.

Students lacking the appropriate prerequisites will likely require more than two years to complete the Associate of Science. Since the Associate of Science represents completion of one half of a Bachelor of Science, as long as the right courses are taken at Kwantlen, students should ideally be able to complete their Bachelor of Science in a further two years at the receiving University.

Credential Awarded

Upon successful completion of this program, students are eligible to receive an Associate of Science degree in their chosen subject area.

Last Updated: Aug 9, 2012

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