BACHELOR of SCIENCE

The UCFV Bachelor of Science (BSc) is a program of academic study for students pursuing educational or career goals in the natural sciences. The program requirements encourage a breadth of intellectual and academic experience, and at the same time, recognize the importance of concentrated study in a specific field or discipline.     The BSc may serve as an educational goal in itself, as qualification for those who wish to pursue advanced degrees at other educational institutions, or as a qualification for employment.
    The BSc consists of a minimum of 120 credits. To receive a Bachelor of Science degree, students must complete the requirements for either a major, two minors, or combined major and minor.

Program length
With appropriate planning, the Bachelor of Science requirements can be completed in four years of full-time study. Because upper-level courses are offered on a limited basis, students should seek the help of the science advisor to plan their coursework in advance, in order to complete their degree in a timely manner. The choice of which courses are to be offered each year will be made with reference to the needs of students who have declared their BSc major. Students may also request a Letter of Permission to take courses from other institutions that have been approved by the head of the appropriate UCFV department. Students staying for a longer period may wish to pursue the co-operative education option. All graduation requirements must be completed within 10 years of initial entry to the program.

Majors
Majors are offered in:
    • Biology
    • Chemistry
    • Mathematics
    • Physics
Minors
Minors are offered in:
    • Biology
    • Chemistry
    • Computing Science
    • Mathematics
    • Mathematics (Statistics option)
    • Physics

Double minor
A double minor degree is available. Students choose two minors from:
    • Biology
    • Chemistry
    • Computing Science
    • Mathematics or Mathematics (Statistics option)
    • Physics
The double minor BSc degree is designed to accommodate the following combinations:
    • Biology/Chemistry
    • Chemistry/Physics
    • Chemistry/Computing Science
    • Mathematics/Computing Science
    • Physics/Computing Science
    • Physics/Math or Math (Stats)

Combinations in biology, chemistry, computing science, physics, and math other than those listed above are permitted. However, when course requirements and prerequisites for such combinations are considered, students may find that it will take longer to complete the degree.
    Bachelor of Science students are required to formerly declare a major/minor by the time they have completed 60 credits or they may be removed from the program. Students who are undecided should consult with the science advisor regarding their options.

Science major with an Arts, Business Administration, or Kinesiology minor
A student completing the requirements for a major in biology, chemistry, mathematics, or physics may combine this with any arts minor, kinesiology minor, or any business administration minor. The combination(s) of a mathematics major with an Arts minor in mathematics/statistics, or any science minor with a minor in kinesiology for the BSc degree, are excluded. When a minor outside the science faculty is completed, the transcript will specify both the science major and the applicable arts, business administration, or kinesiology minor.
    Students wishing to combine a science major with a non-science minor are advised to seek the help of program advisors to plan their coursework in advance, in order to complete their degree in a timely fashion. Students should be aware that choosing a minor outside the science area will likely demand more than 120 credits in order to fulfill all requirements, and that they will have to satisfy the graduation/program requirements for both the science major and the selected minor.

Co-operative Education option
The Co-operative Education option provides science students with the opportunity to acquire paid, career-related work experience in conjunction with their studies in the Bachelor of Science degree, and Associate degree programs.
    Bachelor of Science degree students should successfully complete the equivalent of 25 second-year credits from courses listed in General Science, Associate of Science degree or the Bachelor of Science degree in order to receive a Co-operative Education designation. To be competitive in Co-op Ed placements, you should select a program of science studies that will prepare you to compete successfully in the current science employment market. Key skills and knowledge include:
    • clear and precise oral, written, and computer communication skills, using the English language
    • an understanding of current management practices
    • problem-solving skills, including the ability to analyze and evaluate a problem, and present a final argument
    • an awareness of the social impact of technology.
A typical study and work schedule is:

* These study and work-term sequences will vary for students entering into a UCFV Co-op Ed option at the third-year level. See the Co-operative Education section of the calendar for more details.

Entrance requirements
In order to be admitted to the BSc program a student must obtain:
1. 28 university-level credits with:
    a) A minimum GPA of 2.0 in all university-level courses attempted,
        and
    b) A minimum GPA of 2.33 in four of the following courses or their equivalents:
            • BIO 111
            • BIO 112
            • CHEM 111 or CHEM 113
            • CHEM 112 or CHEM 114
            • COMP 150
            • COMP 155
            • MATH 111
            • MATH 112
            • PHYS 111
            • PHYS 112
            • Any course numbered 200 or above in biology, chemistry, mathematics, or                physics, or any course numbered 175 or higher in computing science.

University transfer
Students who have completed university-level courses at other post-secondary institutions can apply for the BSc at UCFV. A maximum of 90 transfer credits may be transferred to UCFV for the degree. However, not all courses may be applicable to specific science programs. Please check with the UCFV science advisor or a UCFV educational advisor. Applicants with significantly more than 90 credits might consider completing their studies at their original institution. (See Visiting Students section.)
    Most of the lower-level courses (100- and 200-level) offered as part of the BSc program are transferable to all B.C. universities and university colleges. Students enrolling in UCFV upper-level courses with the intention of completing a degree at another institution should consult that institution for information regarding transferability of these courses.

How to apply
1. Submit the application fee along with your UCFV application for admission form to the Admissions and Records (A&R) office. Application forms are available from any A&R or Student Services office. You can also print an application form from our website at www.ufv.ca/ar, or you can apply directly through the internet at www.pas.bc.ca. See the Admissions Guide for a complete list of application dates and general admission information.

Additional documents required for a complete application:
    official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions you have attended (other than UCFV) showing grade/course achievement as per entrance requirements.

2. Proof of completion of prerequisites is required for registration. It is essential that you submit an official high school transcript at least two weeks before you register.
    You will be advised of an admission decision and, if accepted, will be provided with registration information. A deposit is required when you register (see the Fees and Other Costs section) This money will be applied to the tuition fees and is not refundable. Final payment of all course fees is due the end of the second week of classes.

Fees and additional costs
Fees stated are in effect for 2004/05 and are subject to change for 2005/06.
The fees for a full-time science student taking five courses or 22 credits would be about $2,200 per semester. Books and additional supplies cost $80 to $100 per course. See the Fees and Other Costs section  for more information.

Location
First-year courses can be completed at either the Abbotsford or Chilliwack campus. Currently, all courses beyond first year are only offered at the Abbotsford campus.

Visiting students
Students from other institutions may wish to take courses in the UCFV program in order to complete their studies at their institution. This requires a Letter of Permission from their institution as well as an application to UCFV as a visiting student. Students should consult the Registrar’s office at their institution. Visiting students may not receive the same priority in registration as UCFV students.

Program regulations
Students admitted to the BSc degree should seek advice from the science advisor. Bachelor of Science students are required to declare a major/minor by the completion of 60 credits or they may be removed from the program. Students who are undecided should consult with the science advisor or an educational advisor regarding their options.

Course audit
Students may register as audit students or change to audit status only during the first three weeks of the semester. Instructor’s permission is required. In order for an audit to be entered on a student’s transcript the student must have attended at least 80% of the course. Audited courses are not acceptable for meeting requirements for the BSc degree.

Course challenge
Course challenge is a method by which a student may obtain credit for course material learned elsewhere (i.e., outside UCFV). A maximum of 90 university-transferable credits may be obtained by the combined mechanism of course challenge and transfer credit. For further information, see the regulations for course challenge.

Course withdrawal
Refer here for details.

Courses at other institutions
UCFV BSc students who wish to take academic work at other institutions for credit toward the UCFV BSc degree must obtain permission in advance from the UCFV science advisor. A request for Letter of Permission form may be obtained from the UCFV Admissions and Records office. When approval has been granted, the Admissions and Records office will issue a Letter of Permission to the student. (Also see Visiting Students section on this page.)
    A maximum of 90 transfer and/or course challenge credits may be applied to the BSc. All requirements for the BSc must be met.

Standing required for continuance
All students at UCFV are expected to maintain acceptable standards of scholarship. Specifically, they are expected to maintain a minimum 2.0 cumulative grade point average (CGPA). In addition, a CGPA of 2.0 must be maintained in the upper-division minors or majors when they are considered separately.

Academic warning (probation)
A student who has a GPA lower than 2.0 will be placed on Academic Warning for the next semester. A student on Academic Warning may not register in a course overload. Students who do not achieve a semester GPA of at least 2.0 while they are on Academic Warning will be required to withdraw from the program.
    A student on Academic Warning who achieves a single semester GPA of at least 2.0 will continue on Academic Warning until the minimum CGPA of 2.0 is achieved on a continuing basis.

Course repetition
Students may not register for a course more than twice. No more than five course duplications will be permitted on courses which apply to the BSc. Students with more than five course duplications will be required to withdraw from the program. Where a course has been repeated, only the higher grade is counted in the GPA calculation.

Required to withdraw
Students who have been required to withdraw from the BSc program may continue as General Studies students, but may not register for any upper-division courses which are BSc requirements.

Appeals for readmission
A student who is required to withdraw from the program must submit an appeal for readmission if he/she wishes to resume studies in the program.
    In general, students who have been required to withdraw will be advised to complete a further nine credits of academic work or to repeat a similar amount of academic work taken previously in order to demonstrate their academic abilities. Appeals must be received at least three months before the start of the semester applied for. Re-admission is not automatic.

Standing on readmission
If readmitted, students will be placed on Academic Warning again, subject to the conditions for Academic Warning as described above.

Graduation
It is the student’s responsibility to ensure that all program requirements are met. This should be done by regular consultation with the UCFV science advisor.
    All degree candidates must be approved by the UCFV Science Curriculum and Advisory committee. Request
to Graduate forms are available from Admissions and Records. Students must submit a Request for Graduation form to the Admissions and Records office on or before April 1 with program requirements met by April 30.

General BSc requirements
To be eligible for the BSc a student must satisfy the following general requirements:

1. 120 applicable university-level credits, with a minimum GPA of 2.0. At least 30 of these university-level credits must be completed at UCFV.

2. 44 university upper-level credits (credits obtained from courses numbered 300 and above) with a GPA of 2.0. In addition, a GPA of 2.0 is required in the upper-level credits in each major or minor subject. At least 50% of the upper-level credits in each major or minor subject must be completed at UCFV.

3. At least one computing course with a prefix COMP numbered 100 or above.

4. Two courses selected from:
    • any ENGL courses numbered 105 or above
      CMNS 125
    • any CMNS course numbered 235 or above.

5. Discipline requirements for either a major or a double minor. The major must be in biology, chemistry, mathematics, or physics. The double minor must be a combination of minors in any two of the five science disciplines.
   
 

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