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Science Overview

DESCRIPTION

Bachelor of Science degrees are under development at Kwantlen. Subject to government approval and appropriate funding, it is anticipated to offer a B.Sc. in Applied Psychology as soon as Fall 2009, to be followed by the undertaking of several additional science degrees unique to Kwantlen in September 2010 (B.Sc. in Health Science; B.Sc. in Sustainability Science; BSc. in Integrated Pest Management; and B.Tech. in Sustainable Horticulture). Stay tuned to Kwantlen’s web pages at www.kwantlen.ca regularly to keep up-to-date on developments.

Kwantlen 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 degree 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 degree, 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 within this calendar. See the following websites www.bctransferguide.ca/associate and www.kwantlen.ca/calendar/programs/sci-ad.html for further details on the Associate of Science degree and the options Kwantlen offers.

ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS

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 degree 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 these 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:

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 CHEQ 1094; as MATQ 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.

CONTENT

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 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 numbered 1100 or higher.

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. 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:

First year science and mathematics courses:

*NOTE: For Engineering students or Science students planning to transfer to Engineering.

Second year science and mathematics courses are:

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 a variety of science and mathematics courses that were specifically designed for students who are not enrolled in science or engineering. These courses deal with topics of interest in today’s world where science and technology have had, or could have, an impact. Content depth and breadth is kept at a level where there are no science or mathematics prerequisites beyond high school learning.

While all science and mathematics courses could satisfy the requirements listed below, the science for non-science courses are tailored specifically to non-science students seeking to address:

ASTR 1100, ASTR 1105, ASTR 3110, ASTR 3111, BIOL 1112, CHEM 1101, ENVI 3112, MATH 1116 and PHYS 1112 are good choices as electives for non-science students wishing to gain a stronger understanding of the science and mathematics that impact our daily lives.

UBC’s Elementary Education program (http://teach.educ.ubc.ca/bachelor/cohorts/elementary.html) 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 ASTR 1110 to fulfill a science requirement for the Elementary Teacher Education program.

SFU’s Elementary Education program (http://www.edu.sfu.ca/pdp/admissions/requirements.html) accepts all the courses that UBC’s program accepts, as well as ASTR 1100.

For a complete list of Kwantlen approved quantitative courses, please visit www.kwantlen.ca/_shared/assets/BA_Quantitative1859.pdf.

CREDENTIALS

The Faculty of Science and Horticulture 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 degree or as an exit level recognition – the Associate of Science degree and a Diploma in Science. Pathways have been articulated with British Columbia universities for completion of a Bachelor of Science degree; the Associate of Science degree pathway is the best route for this purpose. Kwantlen's offerings in science and mathematics additionally transfer outside British Columbia on a course-by-course basis.

Bachelor of Arts degree with a Mathematics Minor
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.


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