Integrated Studies

Bachelor of Integrated Studies degree

The Bachelor of Integrated Studies (BIS) provides students with a flexible, multidisciplinary program. Students develop and demonstrate core competencies required for a variety of careers and work environments. Prior learning can be used, by assessment, to meet one or more of the competencies. Students can work with an Academic Advisor to select courses designed to meet their individual educational and/or career goals.

Quick links

• Entrance requirements
• How to apply
• Program requirements
  • Degree requirements
  • Core competencies
  • Themes, minors, concentrations, and other specializations
• Courses at other institutions
• Relevant policies
• Residency
• Graduation requirements

Assessment of professional experience

BIS students are encouraged to meet with an Academic Advisor to review how best to access Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR). This is a process that allows students the opportunity to have previous learning and work experience assessed for credit.

Entrance requirements

Option 1: Secondary school (for students with secondary school graduation only)

B.C. applicants

1. B.C. secondary school graduation or equivalent.
2. A minimum grade of C+ in English Studies 12 or English First Peoples 12 (see Note) and a minimum of a B average in two additional Approved Grade 12 courses.

   Note: Students may also present English 12, English Literature 12, English 12 First Peoples, AP English, IB English A (standard level or higher level), or out-of-province equivalent.

Out-of-province applicants

Students will be considered on the basis of courses equivalent to Approved Grade 12 courses. See the Admissions section of the calendar for more information on equivalents to B.C. secondary school graduation.

Out-of-country applicants

Students must have B.C. secondary school graduation equivalency, meet the prerequisites for ENGL 105 or CMNS 125, and have completed an equivalent average of B (equated to the UFV grading system) in two academic Grade 12 subjects.

Students who do not meet these requirements might consider Qualifying Studies.

Alternatives to secondary school graduation

Students who have completed the International Baccalaureate diploma program, the B.C. Graduation diploma (B.C. Adult Dogwood), or the General Educational Development (GED) certificate may be considered to have the equivalent of B.C. secondary school graduation for admission purposes.

Option 2: University entrance (for students who have attended some post-secondary school)

1. Post-secondary applicants may be considered for admission to the BIS if they have the equivalent of B.C. secondary school English Studies 12 or English First Peoples 12 with a final grade of C+ or better; or
2. Otherwise meet the prerequisites for ENGL 105 or CMNS 125, and have completed one of the following:
• A minimum of 30 post-secondary credits with a minimum CGPA of 2.00, including a minimum of nine transferable university-level credits;
• A minimum of nine transferable university-level credits, with a minimum CGPA of 3.00, calculated on all credits attempted;
• A UFV diploma (e.g. General Studies diploma, Liberal Arts diploma, etc.) or B.C. Associate degree in Arts or Science with a minimum CGPA of 2.00; or
• A post-secondary vocational, career, or technical certificate or diploma (with minimum of 24 credits) from a recognized Canadian or international post-secondary institution, with a minimum CGPA of 2.50, calculated on all courses taken.

Note: Students applying under category 1 above, with fewer than 30 credits applicable for BIS entrance at the time they apply for admission, but who have a minimum CGPA of 2.00 on all post-secondary courses attempted, may be considered for admission based on secondary school requirements. 

Option 3: Non-traditional student entrance

A limited number of seats will be available for students who are starting or returning to university after five or more years in the work force. Applicants must have B.C. secondary school graduation or equivalent, meet the requirements for ENGL 105, and submit a written statement of interest with their application. Students granted entrance under this application category are required to meet with the BIS Academic Advisor prior to registration.

Students who do not meet these requirements might consider Qualifying Studies and/or a meeting with an Academic Advisor.

When to apply

Applications are accepted for entrance to the Fall, Winter, and Summer semesters. For application deadlines, see Specific intake application process.

How to apply

1. Apply online at ufv.ca/admissions/apply.

   Additional documents required for a complete application:

   • Official transcripts (or interim transcripts) from all post-secondary institutions attended (excluding UFV) showing grade/course achievement as per entrance requirements. To be considered official, transcripts must be sent directly to UFV from the originating institution; see the Transfer Credit section for details. To retain their original application date, students should order early so transcripts arrive within two weeks of the date the application is mailed or submitted.
   • For secondary school entrance, a final official transcript (if graduated). For students currently in Grade 12, final grades are due August 3.
2. Applicants will be advised of an admission decision and, if accepted, will be provided with registration information. A deposit is required prior to registration (see the Fees and Other Costs section) and will be applied toward tuition fees.
3. In cases where course work is in progress, an admission decision may be made conditional upon completion of academic requirements.

Basis for admission decision

Applicants who meet the entrance requirements will be admitted in order of their application date. This date is set when an application, all required documentation, and the application fee have been submitted.

Fees and additional costs

See the Fees and Other Costs section. Books and additional supply costs vary according to course subject matter and mode of delivery.

Program duration

The BIS program can be completed in four years of full-time study, with students taking 10 courses per calendar year. A reduced course load is permitted.

Subsequent degree

Students who have already completed a degree at the bachelor’s level may be granted an additional bachelor’s degree, provided that the two degrees are significantly different and that the program requirements are met. At least one third of the total credits required for the additional degree, including at least 30 upper-level (300- or 400-level) credits for the subsequent degree beyond the credits taken in the first or concurrent degree, must be taken at UFV. See UFV's Subsequent and Concurrent Bachelor Degree policy (98) for more information.

Program requirements

There are three sets of requirements for the BIS.

• Degree requirements
• Core competencies
• Themes, minors, concentrations, and other specializations

Degree requirements

To receive a Bachelor of Integrated Studies degree students must complete the following minimum requirements:

• 120 credits with a minimum cumulative grade point average (CGPA) of 2.00, of which 30 must be completed at UFV.
• 45 upper-level credits, of which 24 are completed at UFV.
• CGPA of 2.00 in the BIS degree.
• CGPA in courses for minor(s), as specified by minor program.
• CGPA of 2.00 in all upper-level credits.
• The 120 credits must incorporate the breadth requirement.

Core competencies

Students must complete course work in six core competency areas:

• Effective communications (two courses, or one course and one credential)
• Numeracy (two courses, or one course and one credential)
• Scientific practice (one course or credential)
• Digital literacy (one course or credential)
• Intercultural engagement (one course)
• Professional practices (two courses, or one course and one credential)

Effective communications

Writing foundation

One of the following courses:

Written, oral, or visual communication

One of the following courses or credentials:

Note: A single CMNS or ENGL course can be used to meet only one program requirement.

Numeracy

Mathematics/Statistics

One of the following courses:

Use and interpretation of numerical data

One of the following courses or credentials:

Note: A single MATH or STAT course can be used to meet only one program requirement.

Scientific practice

One of the following courses or credentials:

Note: Teacher education programs have specific lab science requirements. Students planning to apply for Teacher Education programs should check each programs' admissions requirements.

Digital literacy

One of the following courses or credentials:

Intercultural engagement

One of the following courses:

Note 1: A single course can be used to meet only one program requirement.

Note 2: EAP courses are considered developmental level and are not awarded university credit.

Note 3: Some additional sections of IDS 300 or IDS 400 may be used to meet this requirement, depending on topic. Students interested in using an IDS 300 or IDS 400 course should check with their BIS advisor.

Professional practices

Required course:

One of the following courses or credentials:

Themes, minors, concentrations, and other specializations

Students can choose from the following degree pathways: themes, minors, concentrations, Co-operative Education, and General option (no specialization).

Students wishing to declare a minor or theme should indicate their intent to do so by 60 credits or, for transfer students with more than 60 credits, at time of entry.

Themes

Themes allow students to create a customized program of study in an area for which UFV does not offer a major or minor. Students must receive approval from the BIS Advisor or Chair before selecting courses that build towards a theme, Students complete their theme using upper-level courses from two or more disciplines.

Students cannot create a theme related to a regulated profession, such as occupational therapy, social work, accounting, or engineering.

All themes must meet the following requirements:

• A minimum of 24 upper-level credits approved for use in the theme.
• A minimum of 12 upper-level credits approved for use in the theme to be completed at UFV.
• Upper-level credits from a minimum of two distinct disciplines used within the theme.
• A minimum 2.00 GPA, or minimum C grade in all courses.

Please see the Bachelor of Integrated Studies website or the Advising Centre website for information and forms on completing a theme.

Applied Management concentration

Note: This program is unavailable until further notice.

For more information on this program, see the Applied Management concentration section of the calendar.

Minors and extended minors

Students select electives to complete one or more minors or extended minors. Refer to the appropriate calendar details for the minor or extended minor requirements.

Students may not complete both a minor and an extended minor in the same program.

Note: For students completing a theme option, only two upper-level courses (maximum of eight credits) of a minor or extended minor can be used toward the theme.

General option

Students select courses to complete a minimum of 120 credits, of which at least 45 credits must be upper-level. Students are eligible to select any course for which they meet the prerequisites. Choice should include courses that enhance a career path, or meet prerequisites for professional programs, or for expanding academic knowledge. The program is developed according to the intended learning goals of the individual.

Co-operative Education option

The Co-operative Education option provides students with the opportunity to acquire paid, career-related work experience in conjunction with their studies in the Bachelor of Integrated Studies degree program. See the Co-operative Education section for more details.

Declaration of minors or themes

Students may formally declare minors or intention to complete a theme after they have been accepted. Unless otherwise stated, to be eligible to declare minors, students must have a minimum CGPA of 2.00 on all credits attempted and earned a minimum grade of C on each of the required courses for the subject discipline. (Some areas have specific requirements; these are listed in the calendar under the relevant discipline.) Students are encouraged to declare minors or their intention to complete a theme as soon as possible.

Students will be required to make this declaration by 90 credits, or upon entry to degree program, whichever is later. Students may request to declare a minor or theme after 90 credits on a case-by-case basis. Students who do not meet the requirements of their planned minor or theme may be able to graduate with a BIS, general option (no specialization).

Please note that the number of students wanting to enter any minor program may exceed capacity. Departments reserve the right to select competitively if necessary. UFV cannot guarantee available seats in required program courses on demand.

Courses at other institutions

UFV students who wish to take academic work at other institutions for credit toward the degree must obtain permission. A Letter of Permission request is available at ufv.ca/registrar/forms or can be obtained from the Office of the Registrar. Students must be in good standing (CGPA > 2.00) to receive a Letter of Permission. When approval has been granted, the Office of the Registrar will issue a Letter of Permission to the student.

Except as noted below, total transfer and course challenge credits, including prior learning credit, may not exceed 90. A minimum of 30 credits must be completed at UFV. A minimum of 24 upper-level credits must be completed at UFV. Within these limits, transfer credit may be applied to the BIS with courses passed with a grade of D or better. A D grade may not be sufficient for prerequisite purposes. Transfer credit is not used in the calculation of the institutional cumulative grade point average.

Relevant policies

Course Repeat policy (86): Students are not permitted to register for the same course more than three times. Students wishing to register for a course for a fourth time should connect with the Student Rights and Responsibilities Office. All attempts will be recorded on the transcript, but only the highest grade will be included in the GPA. Transfer courses are considered in the number of attempts. A “W” or “AU” course is not counted as a duplication. Multiple repeats of the same course count as a single duplication.

Undergraduate Continuance policy (92): Students must have a CGPA of at least 2.00 to remain in good academic standing. Failure to meet or maintain a 2.00 will result in restrictions on registration and may lead to academic suspension.

Subsequent and Concurrent Bachelor Degree policy (98): Students who have already completed a degree at the bachelor’s level may be granted an additional bachelor’s degree provided that the two degrees are different, and that the student has met the program requirements. Students will complete at least one third of the total credits required for the additional degree, including at least 30 additional upper-level credits, beyond the credits taken in the first or concurrent degree. All 30 upper-level credits must be obtained through completion of UFV courses.

Transfer Credit policy (107) and Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR) policy (94): Students who successfully complete academic course work at another post-secondary institution may be able to transfer this credit to UFV to satisfy BIS degree requirements. Students will need to have earned a grade of C- or better in their transfer courses to use these to meet prerequisite requirements for UFV courses, unless otherwise specified. Students may also be able to earn academic credit through an assessment of prior learning.

Residency

Students can complete academic course work at another post-secondary institution and transfer this credit to UFV to satisfy BIS degree requirements, under the following restrictions:

1. Of the 120 credits for the BIS, 30 must be completed at UFV.
2. Of the 45 upper-level credits for the BIS, 24 must be completed at UFV.
3. For a minor program, at least 50% of the required upper-level credits in the specific discipline must be completed at UFV.

Provided those requirements are met, up to 50% of credits required for the degree may be met through recognition of non-formal credit through the PLAR process (including course challenges). Total transfer credit and prior learning credit must not exceed 90 credits.

Graduation requirements

It is the student’s responsibility to ensure all program requirements are met. This should be done by regular consultation with the BIS Academic Advisor. Degree candidates who qualify to receive a UFV degree must be approved by the BIS Academic Advisor and Senate.

Students must apply for graduation in the first month of their final semester. Visit the Graduation webpage for more information. The final deadline for students who wish to attend the June Convocation ceremony is April 1 of each year, with all program requirements completed by April 30.

Course listings

For complete details on courses see the course descriptions section.