Biology – Associate of Science Degree

Program Details

Length: 2 years

Total Credits: 60

Intake Terms: Fall, Winter, Spring

Delivery Method: In-person

Campus: Castlegar

Credential: Associate Degree

Cost:

Approximate Program Cost

Student Loans:

This program is eligible for student loans

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:

Explain terms, concepts and theories of introductory-level science
Read, write, and communicate effectively and creatively across academic disciplines
Demonstrate developing critical, creative thinking and problem-solving skills
Follow laboratory guidelines, processes and protocols.
Demonstrate developing research skills
Apply developing quantitative reasoning skills
Apply the scientific method
Use current and emerging technology
Demonstrate collaborative skills in a multicultural environment
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, as outlined in Policy 8600: Pre-Admissions Basic Skills Assessment (College Readiness Tool CRT), and Policy 8611: Admissions, Applicants to the University Arts and Sciences Program must meet the following requirements to be considered fully qualified:

Academic

a) Students entering UAS courses, with the exceptions in 2- below, require at least 60% or better in English Studies 12, or equivalent. 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.

b) French 102, Spanish 102, and English 51 do not require B.C. English Studies 12 or equivalent as a prerequisite. However, students enrolled in the English as a Second Language (ESL) Program wishing to take English 51 will be governed by the relevant policies and procedures of the International Education Program.

c) The English Studies 12 prerequisite may be waived for exceptional grade 12 students in the Transitions Program. Credit for transitions courses will be withheld until a grade of 60% or better in English Studies 12 is achieved.

d) Students whose first language is not English must fulfill the College’s English language proficiency requirement. See Policy 8611: Admissions.

e) Additional admission requirements may be necessary for particular certificate programs, diploma programs or associate degrees. Course prerequisites and program admission requirements are defined in the appendices at the end of this document, in the Selkirk College calendar, and on the College website www.selkirk.ca

f) Mature students must meet the English Studies 12 requirement and additional course requirements as specified in the college calendar.

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

Associate of Science students are required to complete¹:

Two three-credit 100-level English courses.
Two three-credit courses in math; at least one course must be calculus². Statistics may be taken for the second math course.
Six three-credit (minimum) courses in science at the 100-level or higher, listed below. Physics 102 or 104 and Physics 103 or 104 are recommended.
Six three-credit science courses at the 200-level in two or more subject areas, listed below. Biology 212 and Statistics 206 are recommended.
Two three-credit courses in arts (humanities or social sciences) other than 100-level English.
A further two three-credit courses in arts, science or “other”³areas.

¹Students are advised to ensure that their course selections will meet the degree requirements of the subsequent institution(s) they plan to attend.

²Note: most BSc degree programs require MATH 100 and MATH 101.

³ Courses must transfer for three or more credits to at least one of SFU, UBC (Vancouver or Okanagan)), UNBC or UVIC.

For course transfer, see the BC Transfer Guide, www.bctransferguide.ca

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.

Associate Degrees

The Associate Degree is a formally established credential recognized province-wide. Graduation from this program requires the completion of sixty (60) credits of university-level study in selected areas with an overall GPA of 2.0. For details, see the B.C. Council of Admissions and Transfers at (www.bctransferguide.ca)

The School of University Arts and Sciences offers an Associate of Arts Degree program and an Associate of Science Degree program. It also offers specialized associate degree programs focusing on particular disciplines. The admission requirements, graduation requirements, and course of studies for each program are defined in the appendices at the end of this document, in the Selkirk College calendar, and on the College website at www.selkirk.ca

Program Courses

Term 1

Code	Title	Credits	Total Hours

Required Courses

Code	Title	Credits	Total Hours
BIOL104	Biology I	3.00	90

CHEM110	Fundamentals Of Chemistry I	3.00	120
	Or
CHEM122	General Chemistry I	3.00	90

ENGL110	College Composition	3.00	45

MATH100	Calculus I	3.00	75
	Or
MATH140	Calculus I for Social Sciences	3.00	75

ELECTIVE	ELECTIVE	3.00	45

The following is a suggested selection of courses. Students are advised to meet with a Selkirk College counsellor to discuss course options.

Take:

one (1) 100 level Science elective

Term 2

Code	Title	Credits	Total Hours

Required Courses

Code	Title	Credits	Total Hours
BIOL106	Biology II	3.00	90
CHEM125	Foundations Of Chemistry II	4.00	105
ENGL111	Introduction to Literature	3.00	45

MATH101	Calculus II	3.00	75
	Or
STAT105	Introduction To Statistics	3.00	75

ELECTIVE	ELECTIVE	3.00	45

The following is a suggested selection of courses. Students are advised to meet with a Selkirk College counsellor to discuss course options.

Take:

one (1) 100 level Science elective

Term 3

Code	Title	Credits	Total Hours

Required Courses

Code	Title	Credits	Total Hours
BIOL204	Cell Biology	3.00	90
CHEM212	Organic Chemistry I	3.00	90
ELECTIVE	ELECTIVE	3.00	45
ELECTIVE	ELECTIVE	3.00	45
ELECTIVE	ELECTIVE	3.00	45

Elective Courses

The following is a suggested selection of courses. Students are advised to meet with a Selkirk College counsellor to discuss course options.

Take:

one (1) 100- or 200-level Arts elective

two (2) 100- or 200-level General elective

See the UAS Courses by discipline page for course selections.

Code	Title	Credits	Total Hours

Term 4

Code	Title	Credits	Total Hours

Required Courses

Code	Title	Credits	Total Hours
BIOL202	Principles of Genetics	3.00	67.5
BIOL206	Introductory Biochemistry	3.00	90
CHEM213	Organic Chemistry II	3.00	90
STAT206	Statistics	3.00	75
ELECTIVE	ELECTIVE	3.00	45

Elective Courses

The following is a suggested selection of courses. Students are advised to meet with a Selkirk College counsellor to discuss course options.

Take:

one (1) 100- or 200-level Arts elective

See the UAS Courses by discipline page for course selections.

Code	Title	Credits	Total Hours

Additional Program Policies

Effective Term: Fall, Winter, Spring

Effective Year: 20240801

Advanced Standing:

A. ADVANCE CREDIT

1. Transfer credit in first and second year UAS courses will be given for equivalent courses taken in the last ten years (five years recommended for Biology) from an accredited post-secondary institution. All prerequisite courses require a minimum grade of 60%. Students who have completed such course(s) more than ten years earlier (five years recommended for Biology) require permission from the School Chair to receive transfer credit at Selkirk College.

B. PRIOR LEARNING ASSESSMENT (PLA) Selkirk College Policy 8614 Advanced Standing: Course Challenge, and Transfer Credit.

1. Students may apply to prove their currency in an individual course by challenging the course(s) in question under the Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) process.

2. The School Chair in consultation with the appropriate faculty member(s) will decide whether a student may undertake a course challenge through PLA. Students should be aware that some universities may not accept credits received through the PLA process.

3. Students must apply for transfer credit or PLA in a timely manner so that they may register for the course in question if transfer credit(s) is denied or PLA is unsuccessful.

Assessment:

1. Grading

a) Grading will be as defined in Selkirk College Policy 8612. The grading table applicable to each course will be identified on the course outline.

a) Students need to complete all the components of a course as indicated on the course outline. Students failing to meet this criterion will receive a maximum grade of 49 percent.

b) Courses with a lab/seminar and lecture may require passing both lecture and lab/seminar in order to pass the course. If this requirement applies to a course, the requirement will be noted in the course outline.

c) For some online courses, students must pass the final exam to receive a passing grade in the course regardless of their grade to date, and students who fail the final exam will receive a maximum grade of 49%. If this requirement applies to an online course, the requirement will be noted in the course outline.

d) If an assignment is not submitted by the due date identified on the course outline, the mark for the assignment could be reduced by as much as 100%. Students seeking an extension must consult with their instructors. It is the right of individual instructors to implement this policy. All instructors will outline their policies with respect to missed or late assignments in their current course outlines.

Grading Table: Standard Academic and Career Programs

Types of Assessments:

Types of Evaluations (i.e., exams, seminar assignments, essays, reports, group projects, presentations, demonstrations, etc.)

a) Students are evaluated and graded in each subject or course topic as indicated in the respective course outline.

b) Exams, essays, projects, reports, assignments, and other evaluative activities are weighted and averaged as indicated in the respective course outline.

Program Specific Regulations:

A. ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: CHEATING AND PLAGIARISM (Policy 8618: Cheating and Plagiarism)

The School of University Arts and Sciences values true academic endeavour, and believes that evaluative events including examinations, essays, reports, and other assignments should honestly reflect student learning. All students are governed by Policy 8618: Cheating and Plagiarism. It is the student’s responsibility to be familiar with content of this policy and to seek clarification from an instructor when needed.

B. ACADEMIC PROGRESS (Promotion)

Students academic progress is governed by Policy 8615:

a) Students must meet all course prerequisites.

b) Students who are found to be without the required grade in the prerequisite course or who have not received permission from the instructor and School Chair may be withdrawn.

C. PROBATION (Policy 8619: Student Probation)

Students may be placed on academic probation, behavioural probation, or both in accordance with Policy 8619: Probation is not intended to be punitive; however, the conditions of the probation must be met to be removed from probation and failure to meet the conditions will have consequences that may include withdrawal from a course or program.

D. WITHDRAWING

Students may choose to, or be required to withdraw from, the course(s), the program or the College as per Selkirk College Policy 8616: Withdrawal. This policy governs procedures, deadlines, refunds, and the consequences of withdrawing.

E. APPEAL (Policy 8400: Student Appeals)

The educational process at Selkirk College incorporates the joint efforts of students and the services provided to the students by the institution. Although in most instances students and the College faculty, administration and staff cooperate during the learning process, Selkirk College recognizes that occasional disputes between students and the College can arise. To every extent possible, disagreements should be resolved through informal discussions between the parties involved. If this discussion does not bring resolution, the procedures outlined in Policy 8400 apply.

Attendance:

1. Attendance at scheduled lectures, laboratories, field trips, seminars, tutorials, and examinations is mandatory.

2. Students absent from class for any reasons are responsible for the work they have missed. They must make up assignments as required, usually within two weeks of the missed class. It is the student’s responsibility to contact the instructor when an absence is required.

Other regulations:

Examination Policy

a) Final examinations are held in most courses during the examination period at the end of each semester. The dates of the examination period are listed on the Selkirk College Website.

b) Students will not be permitted to write final examinations at alternate times unless there is a compelling reason. Examples of compelling reasons include: illness (documented), death in the family (documented), jury duty and traffic accident. Examples of non-compelling reasons: family vacation/reunion, previously arranged travel plans (e.g., seat sales).

c) Academic honesty is expected. Therefore, the following will not be tolerated during exams:

(i) Making use of any books, notes or materials other than those authorized by the examiners.

(ii) Communicating with other candidates.

(iii) Exposing written papers to the view of other candidates.

(iv) Leaving the examination room unescorted during an exam.

(v) Unauthorized use of cell phones or other electronic devices.

(vi) Disciplinary action would, at a minimum, result in the examination paper being given a grade of zero.

(vii) Supplemental examinations are not available for School of University Arts and Science courses.