Kwantlen University College currently offers the first two years of mathematics and science courses towards a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics or Physics. Students wishing to complete their Bachelor of Science can readily transfer to UBC, SFU, UVic, UNBC, or any other university college in British Columbia that offers a Bachelor of Science.
In this arrangement, Kwantlen is regarded as the “sending institution” and the post-secondary institution accepting the transfer is regarded as the “receiving institution.” All of Kwantlen’s mathematics and science courses have been formally articulated for transfer credit on a course-by-course basis with these institutions. Specific information on how each course transfers can be obtained on the Internet at BCCAT www.bctransferguide.ca. Kwantlen students may apply for transfer to a university or elsewhere at any stage in order to complete a Bachelor of Science, but are encouraged by receiving institutions to complete the first two years here.
Kwantlen offers a Diploma of Science and a variety of options within an Associate of Science Degree, both of which are described in further detail below. See the following websites www.bctransferguide.ca/associate and www.kwantlen.ca../programs/sci-ad.html for further details on the Associate of Science degree and the options Kwantlen offers.
The general Kwantlen admission requirements apply for Science. Under the open admission model, it is possible to be admitted into the Science program with English 12 (C or better) and only the bare minimum of mathematics and science required for high school graduation. Nevertheless, it is strongly preferable that students come with a preparation much stronger than that. Science and mathematics at the college/university level demand a quantitative and theoretical comprehension not necessarily obvious if one has not suitably tested this capability at high school.
A limited number of seats are reserved for selective entry and early registration to the Associate of Science for applicants with English 12 (B or better), Principles of Mathematics 12 (B or better), and another Science 12 (C+ or better). The “Science 12” must either be Biology 12, Chemistry 12 or Principles of Physics 12.
Applicants with a minimum grade 4 on Advanced Placement Program www.kwantlen.ca/policies/B-Education/b08.pdf or a minimum grade 5 on International Baccalaureate Program www.kwantlen.ca/policies/B-Education/b09.pdf courses (6 for mathematics) will be granted advanced standing for the respective course equivalencies in Mathematics, Science and other areas. Applicants with a calculus course from secondary school who have passed the Calculus Examination Certificate exam offered either by UBC, SFU, UVic or UNBC, will gain credit for Calculus I (MATH 1120 or MATH 1130) upon showing proof of this certificate. Kwantlen does not offer this test, as it recognizes the outcome from the universities. Students with the required minimum score on the AP or IB Mathematics/Calculus course do not need to write the Calculus Examination Certificate test.
Applicants should recognize that a Bachelor of Science generally requires taking most, if not all, of Biology, Calculus, Chemistry and Physics at the first year level, and that individual first-year courses within the science program have specific prerequisite requirements as follows:
-
Principles of Mathematics 12 (B or better) is required to qualify for direct entry into first-year calculus (MATH 1120); Principles of Mathematics 12 (C+ or better) for the life science version (MATH 1130)
-
Principles of Physics 12 (C or better) and Principles of Mathematics 12 (B or better) are required for first-year physics (PHYS 1120); Principles of Physics 12 (passing grade) and Principles of Mathematics 12 (C+ or better) for the life science version (PHYS 1101)
-
Chemistry 12 (C+ or better) is required to qualify for direct entry into first-year chemistry (CHEM 1110)
-
There is no prerequisite for first-year biology (BIOL 1110), but possessing Biology 11 and/or Biology 12 offers a stronger preparation
Specific grade prerequisite requirements for all science and mathematics courses, and any other governing conditions, are listed by department in the Kwantlen Calendar description. Courses and/or grades below the standards noted will necessitate appropriate upgrading, which will ultimately extend the time required to complete a Bachelor of Science degree. Students currently attending secondary school are therefore strongly encouraged to take Principles of Mathematics 12, and be aware of the other Grade 12 science requirements, when selecting their senior level courses in high school.
Kwantlen offers the appropriate upgrading courses for students missing prerequisites for all courses required in the Science program. Preparatory courses at the provincial grade 11 and 12 level are offered within the Science program as CHEM 1094; as MATH 1093, MATH 1112 and as PHYS 1100. A wider range of courses at even lower preparatory levels is offered under the ABEB, ABEM, ABEP, MATP and PHYP course headings located in the Kwantlen Calendar.
“Applications” (as opposed to “Principles”) courses, which are generally classified under the heading of Applied Academics and targeted for students not intending to pursue a Bachelor of Science, are recognized, but at a standard below the pathway of “Principles” courses. Details on how Application courses are accepted by Kwantlen and other post-secondary institutions can be found at the Ministry of Education’s website at www.bced.gov.bc.ca/careers/aa/students/artic.htm
A traditional full course load would consist of five courses per semester, but many students opt to take a reduced load with the understanding that it will take longer to complete a Bachelor's degree.
Science programs typically have a core of common courses in the first two years. However, to ensure that courses are taken in the correct sequence, or to properly match the course profile required for completion of a Bachelor of Science in the chosen specialization, students are encouraged to consult the Calendar or speak to admissions or advising at the university or university college where they plan to complete a degree. Contacting an Educational Advisor or science instructor at Kwantlen, or visiting the Educational Advising site at http://www.kwantlen.ca/advising/ can also be very helpful.
All of
Plus two courses chosen from:
Plus any other elective
Students lacking prerequisites for any of these courses would have to modify their course package accordingly. Students not wishing to take a full course load should plan their courses wisely to avoid being blocked from progression by prerequisite requirements.
English and elective courses are standard components of any Bachelor of Science degree. Students should be aware of the English and elective requirements at the post-secondary institution where they plan to complete their Bachelor of Science degree. Prerequisites for English are listed under the English courses section of Kwantlen’s Calendar. Students who are not proficiently fluent in English are strongly advised to register in the appropriate level of English courses each semester, or until suitable fluency is achieved.
Some mathematics and science courses have been replicated for specific purposes:
-
MATH 1120 and MATH 1220 are the traditional choice for physical sciences (majors in chemistry, mathematics and physics) and engineering, while MATH 1130 and MATH 1230 are suitable for students wishing to pursue a life science pathway (majors in biology, horticulture, pharmacology or medicine). MATH 1140 and MATH 1240 are designed for students in business or social science. Where unsure, it is always safer to take MATH 1120 and 1220.
-
MATH 2232 is a linear algebra course for science, while MATH 1152 is the linear algebra course for engineering or for science students planning to transfer to engineering.
-
For physics, PHYS 1120 and PHYS 1220 are for physical science and engineering students, while PHYS 1101 and PHYS 1220 (or 1102) are suitable for life science students. (Where uncertain, PHYS 1120 and PHYS 1220 are the safest route).
First year science and mathematics courses:
-
APSC 1151*
-
BIOL 1110, 1210
-
CHEM 1105, 1110, 1210
-
CPSC 1100, 1103, 1204, 1205
-
GEOL 1210
-
MATH 1112, 1115, 1120, 1130, 1220, 1230
-
PHYS 1100, 1101 or 1120, 1102 or 1220, 1170
Second year science and mathematics courses are:
-
ASTR 2101, 2102
-
BIOL 2320, 2321, 2322, 2421
-
CHEM 2310 or 2311, 2315, 2320, 2410, 2420
-
MATH 2232, 2315, 2321, 2331, 2335, 3322, 3421
-
PHYS 2101, 2201, 2330, 2335, 2420, 2421, 2424
Note:
* For Engineering students or Science students planning to transfer to Engineering
Course Credit Assignments
Each post-secondary institution determines the method in which it assigns credit value to its courses. What’s important with transfer credit is recognition of what is learned comparatively between the sending and receiving institutions, not how many credits are assigned. Nevertheless, the variations in credit assignment between post-secondary institutions can create confusion and misconception for the student seeking transfer.
Science Credits for Non-Science Students
There are currently courses, with more under consideration, available that satisfy science or lab-science requirements for non-science degrees and for the elementary education program at SFU and UBC. These courses, ASTR 1100, ASTR 3110, ASTR 3111, BIOL 1112, CHEM 1101, ENVI 1112, MATH 1116, and PHYS 1112 are also fascinating choices as electives for non-science students wishing to gain a stronger understanding of the scientific principles that impact our daily lives. Further commentary on the importance of a science literate society is found on Kwantlen’s Science Dean’s website at www.kwantlen.ca/science/dean.html
UBC’s Elementary Teacher Education program accepts as science requirements BIOL 1110, BIOL 1112, BIOL 1210, CHEM 1105, CHEM 1110, PHYS 1100, PHYS 1101, PHYS 1120, and GEOL 1210. UBC does not currently accept ENVI 1112, or ASTR 1100 to fulfill a science requirement for the Elementary Teacher Education program.
SFU’s Elementary Teacher Education program accepts all the courses that UBC’s program accepts, as well as ASTR 1100, BIOL 1112 and GEOG 1120. SFU does not accept ENVI 1112 for this program.
Quantitative and Liberal Education Requirements
The Bachelor of Arts degree at Kwantlen requires a specified number of course credits that meet Quantitative Requirements. All Kwantlen degrees require a specified number of Liberal Education requirements, and some of these must be at the third or fourth year level of discussion and expectation. Currently ASTR 1100, ASTR 3110, ASTR 3111, BIOL 3112, CHEM 1101, ENVI 1112, ENVI 3112 and MATH 1190 satisfy this requirement, and many other choices may be identified with each degree Kwantlen offers.
NEW A Bachelor of Science in Integrated Pest Management will be offered at Kwantlen with years 1 and 2 commencing in September 2007. The best and safest ways to find controls for plant infestations lies within an approach known as Integrated Pest Management (IPM). What is integrated pest management? Simply put, it is a comprehensive strategy to solve pest problems. Among the more common types of pests in horticulture are insects, mites, rodents, viruses, fungi, bacteria, and weeds. Instead of just trying to eradicate a pest using potentially dangerous insecticides or chemicals, an IPM approach considers all of the information and experience available and makes informed decisions to achieve optimum results that provide safe, effective, economical, environmentally sound, and socially sensitive outcomes. This four year degree will combine the basics in science and horticulture for the fist two years, with an introduction to pest management strategies. The third and fourth years will concentrate on integrated pest management approaches, including a research project. This is an exciting career in science for anyone interested in helping to ensure a sustainable, healthy environment, in the control of damaging pests, in the greenhouse production of flowers and vegetables, the care and maintenance of lawns and grounds at housing, industrial and municipal sites, parks and recreational facilities, the landscaping industry in general, or in more diverse areas such as forestry infestation or the inter-jurisdictional shipment of goods and materials.
The Faculy of Science, Mathematics and Applied Sciences does not currently offer a four year degree majoring in Astronomy, Biology, Chemistry, Geography, Mathematics, Physics or Psychology. Rather, it offers two credentials designed either for transfer to complete a Bachelor of Science or as an exit level recognition – the Associate of Science Degree and a Diploma in Science. Pathways have been articulated with the British Columbia universities and university colleges for completion of a Bachelor of Science, and the Associate of Science Degree pathway is the best route for this purpose. Kwantlen’s offering in Science and Mathematics additionally transfer outside British Columbia on a course-by-course basis.
NEW - A Bachelor of Arts Degree with a Mathematics Minor will also commence in September 2007. This is an ideal program for someone considering a teaching career in the K-12 system, or for someone seeking an Arts degree with a quantitative/analytical slant.