Biology – Associate of Science Degree

Program Details

Credential Received

Associate of Science Degree Biology

Overview

Program Summary

Get hands-on experience learning how living beings function, evolve and interact with each other, as you gain a deeper understanding of our world’s biospheres.

Selkirk College offers a great start to an undergraduate degree in biology. Complete your first two years in our learner-centred environment! If biology is not your passion, but you need it for another program or degree that you are interested in, we offer a variety of biology courses that are relevant for non-biology majors as well.

Biology is the science of life, so it is relevant to everyone! If you like biology, you are curious about living creatures. You might be interested in learning about the complex structure of a bacterium, an insect, a plant or maybe you are interested in human health. You might also like exploring how intricate genetic, biochemical and physiological processes work. Or, perhaps you enjoy learning how organisms interact with their environment and how ecosystems function.

Program Outcomes

Upon successful completion of an Associate of Science program, learners will be able to:

1. Explain terms, concepts and theories of introductory-level science
2. Read, write, and communicate effectively and creatively across academic disciplines
3. Demonstrate developing critical, creative thinking and problem-solving skills
4. Follow laboratory guidelines, processes and protocols.
5. Demonstrate developing research skills
6. Apply developing quantitative reasoning skills
7. Apply the scientific method
8. Use current and emerging technology
9. Demonstrate collaborative skills in a multicultural environment
10. Conduct themselves in a professional and ethical manner in an academic environment

Program Admission Requirements

Academic Requirements

In addition to meeting the general admission requirements to Selkirk College, applicants to the University Arts and Sciences program must meet the following requirements to be considered fully qualified:

• Minimum grade of 67% in Math 12 or Pre-Calc 12
• Minimum grade of 60% in English 12 or English 12 First Peoples or equivalent.
• Biology 12 and Chemistry 11 with a minimum grade of 67%

Additional Requirements

• Students whose first language is not English must fulfill the college’s English language proficiency requirement. See Policy 8611: Admissions.
• Students who do not meet this requirement must write the Language Proficiency Index (LPI) test and achieve a minimum of level 4 to attain equivalency.
• Mature students must meet the English 12 requirement.
• Students who lack the admission requirements may still gain admission to the program by taking a combination of Academic Upgrading and university courses during the first year. This mode of entry may extend the length of their program.

Graduation and Promotion

All Associate of Science students are required to complete:

• Six semester courses in science at the 100-level or higher
• Six semester courses in second-year science in two or more subject areas
• Of the above, at least one course must be a lab science. Geology courses and Geography 130 and 232 are considered lab sciences.
• Two semester courses in math. At least one math course must be in calculus. Students may choose statistics for the second math course.
• Two semester courses in first-year English
• Two semester courses in Arts other than first-year English
• Two semester courses in Arts, Sciences or other areas*
• Students must achieve a GPA of 2.00

* Each course must transfer for three or more credits to at least one of SFU, UBC (Vancouver or Okanagan), UNBC or UVIC. See the BC Online Transfer guide at www.bc.transferguide.ca.

Additional Program Policies