193
Programs of Study
193.3
BSc General Program
193.3 BSc General Program
Please note that the Faculty of Science is revising the Bachelor of Science in the General Program degree requirements for all students admitted in Fall 2014 and thereafter. Please see http://www.science.ualberta.ca/en/UndergraduateStudents for a detailed listing of the approved program requirements.
The BSc General program provides students with a diverse education in more than one branch of study. Students must major in a Science subject area of concentration (as defined either by a single course designator or by groupings of course designators – see below). Students may elect to minor in a Science subject area of concentration, in an Arts subject area of concentration (see §44), in one of a select number of Agricultural, Life and Environmental Sciences subject areas of concentration (see §193.3.1), or in Business (see §193.3.2). In addition to providing a path to the BSc General Degree, this program of study allows for subsequent transfer to Specialization and Honors programs. Students intending to transfer to Honors or Specialization programs should consult the appropriate admission requirements for the program of interest (see §15.15), select carefully their first-year core courses in accordance with the requirements of the specific Honors or Specialization program, and pay close attention to course load and GPA requirements for transfer. Students in the combined BSc/BEd program should consult Education Chart 2 (see §75.4) when choosing courses for their major and minor.
Admission
See §15.15.1 for admission requirements for the BSc (General) programs.
Selection of Courses
Note: For success in your chosen program, ensure you have satisfied the pre/corequisite requirements for all courses. Departments have the right to remove students from courses for failing to present a passing grade (or higher, where stipulated) in the prerequisite course(s) and/or for failing to be enrolled in the corequisite course(s). Please see www.science.ualberta.ca/en/ProspectiveStudents/ScienceDegrees.aspx for more information.
The following regulations govern the General program:
To obtain a BSc General Degree, a student must receive credit in 120. At least 72 and not more than 102 must be in courses offered by the Faculty of Science. At least 18 and not more than 48 must be in courses offered by the Faculty of Arts. | |||||||||
The General program includes a core of courses which must include the following:
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Not more than 42 may be taken at the junior level. | |||||||||
Each student must complete a Science major. See below for specific course requirements in each major subject area of concentration. With the exception of the Physical Science major, which requires 42, all Science majors require a minimum of 36 with at least 12 in 300-level or higher courses taken while registered in the Faculty of Science at the University of Alberta. | |||||||||
Each student must also either:
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A maximum of 18 may be taken from faculties other than Arts or Science. For applicants to the BSc General who have already taken courses from faculties other than Arts or Science, potential transfer credit for such courses will be assessed at the time of admission to the program. Such subjects are not included as part of the major or minor (with the exception of those courses meeting the requirements for a Business minor or one of the allowable minors from Agricultural, Life and Environmental Sciences), nor toward the minimum requirement of 18 in Arts, nor toward the minimum requirement of 72 in Science. |
Majors
A Science major consists of Science courses taken from one of the following nine subject areas of concentration
Biological Sciences
A major in the Biological Sciences (see Note 1) consists of at least 36 with at least 12 at the 300-level or higher. The major must include the following:
BIOL 107, 108, and one of BIOL 207 or 208 | |||||||
At least 9 in courses at the 200-level or higher with a lab component and offered by the Department of Biological Sciences. The 3 from BIOL 207 or 208 in Requirement (1) above may not be used to fulfill this program requirement. | |||||||
At least 3 from each of the following three areas of study:
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At least 12 at the 300-level or higher, of which at least 3 must be at the 400-level. Many of the senior Biological Sciences courses require either BIOL 207 or 208 as a prerequisite so both courses are highly recommended. |
Chemistry
A major in Chemistry consists of at least 36 with at least 12 at the 300-level or higher. The major must include the following:
CHEM 101, 102, 261 (or 164) and 263 | |
At least 3 from CHEM 211, 241, 282. | |
At least 12 in CHEM at the 300-level or higher, of which at least 3 must be at the 400-level | |
Any additional courses required to meet the minimum 36 may come from CHEM or BIOCH. |
Although it does not count toward the major, students completing a Chemistry major are recommended to take MATH 113 (or 114) and 115. Some senior CHEM courses require MATH 115 as a prerequisite, so students must plan accordingly.
Computing Science
A major in Computing Science consists of at least 36 with at least 12 at the 300-level or higher. The major must include the following:
CMPUT 174 and 175 | |
At least 6 from CMPUT 201, 204, 229, 272 and 291 | |
At least 12 in CMPUT at the 300-level or higher, of which at least 3 must be at the 400-level. |
Many of the CMPUT courses have MATH or STAT prerequisites so students must plan accordingly.
Earth and Atmospheric Sciences
A major in Earth and Atmospheric Sciences consists of at least 36 with at least 12 at the 300-level or higher. The major must include the following:
EAS 100 | |
At least 12 at the 300-level or higher, of which at least 3 must be at the 400-level. Courses may be chosen from Science EAS, GEOPH or PALEO (see Note 4) |
Mathematical Sciences
The major in Mathematical Sciences is no longer available. Students admitted to the BSc General program before Fall 2014 and wishing to complete the Mathematical Sciences major have until April 30, 2018 to do so.
Mathematics
A major in Mathematics consists of at least 36 with at least 12 at the 300-level or higher. The major must include the following:
MATH 114 (or 113 or 117), 115 (or 118), 214 (or 217) and 215 (or 317) | |
MATH 125 (or 127) and 225 (or 227) | |
At least 3 from MATH 228 and 334 | |
At least 12 in MATH at the 300-level or higher, of which at least 3 must be at the 400-level. If taken to meet Requirement (3) above, MATH 334 may be used toward Requirement (4) |
Physical Sciences (see Note 7)
A major in Physical Sciences consists of at least 42 with at least 12 at the 300-level or higher. The major must include the following:
CHEM 101, 102 and 261 (or 164) | |
PHYS 124 (or 144), 126 (or 146) and one of PHYS 208 or 271 | |
At least 3 from CHEM 211, CHEM 241 and PHYS 294 | |
At least 12 at the 300-level or higher | |
At least 12 in each of Chemistry and Physics courses |
Chemistry courses may be chosen from BIOCH (see Note 5) or CHEM, and Physics courses may be chosen from ASTRO, GEOPH, MA PH (see Note 6), or PHYS. Many of the courses have MATH pre- or corequisites so students must plan accordingly.
Physics
A major in Physics consists of at least 36 with at least 12 at the 300-level or higher. The major must include the following:
PHYS 144 (or 124) and PHYS 146 (or 126); PHYS 144 and 146 are recommended | |
PHYS 244, 281; PHYS 294 or 295; and PHYS 271 (or PHYS 208 with a grade of B+ or higher) | |
At least 3 from PHYS 310, 362, 372, 381 plus an additional 9 at the 300-level or higher |
Courses may be chosen from ASTRO, GEOPH, MA PH or PHYS. Many of the courses have MATH pre- or corequisites so students must plan accordingly and might wish to pair the Physics major with a minor in Mathematics.
Science Psychology
A major in Psychology consists of at least 36 with at least 12 at the 300-level or higher. The major must include the following:
PSYCO 104 and 105 | |
At least 6 chosen from PSYCO 258, 275, 282 | |
At least 6 chosen from PSYCO 233, 239, 241 | |
At least 6 in PSYCO at the 300-level or higher (minimum of 3 from Science and 3 from Arts). | |
At least 6 in PSYCO at the 400-level or higher (minimum of 3 from Science and 3 from Arts). |
Although it does not count toward the major, students completing a Psychology major must also take STAT 141 or 151. Many senior PSYCO courses require STAT 141 or 151 as a prerequisite so students must plan accordingly.
Statistics
A major in Statistics consists of at least 36 with at least 12 at the 300-level or higher. The major must include the following:
STAT 151 and 252 | |
STAT 265 and 266 | |
At least 12 in STAT at the 300-level or higher, including STAT 312 and STAT 378, and of which at least 3 must be at the 400-level |
The required STAT courses have MATH pre- or corequisites so students must plan accordingly and might wish to pair the Statistics major with a minor in Mathematics
Notes:
Biological Sciences courses include BIOIN (see Note 2), BIOL, BOT, CELL (see Note 3), ENT, GENET, IMIN, MA SC, MICRB, PALEO (see Note 4) and ZOOL courses offered by the Department of Biological Sciences; and BIOCH (see Note 5), MMI (with the exception of 133), NEURO, PHYSL and PMCOL courses offered by the Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry. Students should be aware that it is not possible to combine a major or minor in the Biological Sciences with a minor or major in one of the specific subject disciplines in the Biological Sciences. For example, students may not select a major in the Biological Sciences and a minor in Microbiology. For additional Biological Science courses and information see §194. | |
BIOIN courses are offered jointly by the departments of Biological Sciences and Computing Science and may be counted as Biological Sciences or Computing Science. | |
CELL courses are offered jointly by the Department of Biological Sciences and the Faculty of Medicine. | |
PALEO courses are offered jointly by the departments of Biological Sciences and Earth and Atmospheric Sciences and may be counted as Biological Sciences or Earth and Atmospheric Sciences. | |
BIOCH courses may be counted as Biological Sciences or Physical Sciences or Chemistry. | |
MA PH courses may be counted as Physical Sciences or Physics. | |
EAS 323 may be used as a Physical Science or Chemistry course. | |
Courses in the major and minor may not overlap. For example, the Physical Sciences major or minor may not be paired with a Chemistry or Physics major or minor. |
Minors
A Science minor consists of Science courses taken from one of the following subject areas of concentration:
Biological Sciences
A minor in the Biological Sciences (see Note 1) consists of at least 24 with at least 6 at the 300-level or higher. The minor must include the following:
BIOL 107, 108, and one of BIOL 207 or 208 | |||||||
At least 3 from each of the following three areas of study:
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At least 6 at the 300-level or higher |
Many of the senior Biological Sciences courses require either BIOL 207 or 208 as a prerequisite so both courses are highly recommended.
Chemistry
A minor in Chemistry consists of at least 24 with at least 6 at the 300-level or higher. The minor must include the following:
CHEM 101, 102, 261 (or 164) and 263. | |
At least 3 from CHEM 211, 241, 282. | |
At least 6 in CHEM at the 300-level or higher. | |
Any additional courses required to meet the minimum 24 may come from CHEM or BIOCH. |
Computing Science
A minor in Computing Science consists of at least 24 with at least 6 at the 300-level or higher. The minor must include the following:
CMPUT 174 and 175 | |
At least 6 from CMPUT 201, 204, 229, 272 and 291 | |
At least 6 in CMPUT at the 300-level or higher. |
Many of the CMPUT courses have MATH or STAT prerequisites so students must plan accordingly
Earth and Atmospheric Sciences
A minor in Earth and Atmospheric Sciences consists of at least 24 with at least 6 at the 300-level or higher. The minor must include the following:
EAS 100 | |
At least 12 at the 300-level or higher. |
Courses may be chosen from Science EAS, GEOPH or PALEO (see Note 4).
Mathematical Sciences
The minor in Mathematical Sciences is no longer available. Students admitted to the BSc General program before Fall 2014 and wishing to complete the Mathematical Sciences minor have until April 30, 2018 to do so.
Mathematics
A minor in Mathematics consists of at least 24 with at least 6 at the 300-level or higher. The minor must include the following:
MATH 114 (or 113 or 117), 115 (or 118), 214 (or 217) | |
MATH 125 (or 127) and 225 (or 227) | |
MATH 228, or both MATH 215 (or 317) and MATH 334 | |
At least 6 in MATH at the 300-level or higher. Any 300-level courses taken to meet Requirement (3) above may be used toward Requirement (4). |
Physical Sciences (see Note 7)
A minor in Physical Sciences consists of at least 27 with at least 6 at the 300-level or higher. The minor must include the following:
CHEM 101, 102 and 261(or 164) | |
PHYS 124 (or 144), 126 (or 146) | |
At least 9 in each of Chemistry and Physics courses | |
At least 6 at 300-level or higher |
Courses may be chosen from ASTRO, BIOCH (see Note 5), CHEM, GEOPH, MA PH (see Note 6), or PHYS.
Physics
A minor in Physics consists of at least 24 with at least 6 at the 300-level or higher. The minor must include the following:
PHYS 144 (or 124) and PHYS 146 (or 126); PHYS 144 and 146 are recommended | |
PHYS 244, 281; PHYS 294 or 295; and PHYS 271 (or PHYS 208 with a grade of B+ or higher) | |
At least 3 from PHYS 310, 362, 372, 381 plus an additional 3 at the 300-level or higher |
Courses may be chosen from ASTRO, GEOPH, MA PH or PHYS. Many of the courses have MATH pre- or corequisites so students must plan accordingly and might wish to pair the Physics minor with a major in Mathematics.
Psychology
A minor in Psychology consists of at least 24 with at least 6 at the 300-level or higher. The minor must include the following:
PSYCO 104 and 105 | |
At least 3 chosen from PSYCO 258, 275, 282 | |
At least 3 chosen from PSYCO 233, 239, 241 | |
At least 6 in PSYCO at the 300-level or higher (minimum of 3 from Science and 3 from Arts) |
Although it does not count toward the minor, students completing a Psychology minor must also take STAT 141 or 151. Many senior PSYCO courses require STAT 141 or 151 as a prerequisite so students must plan accordingly.
Statistics
A minor in Statistics consists of at least 24 with at least 6 at the 300-level or higher. The minor must include the following:
STAT 151 and 252 | |
STAT 265 and 266 | |
STAT 312 and 378 |
The required STAT courses have MATH pre- or corequisites so students must plan accordingly and might wish to pair the Statistics minor with a major in Mathematics
Non-Science Minors
Science students may also complete a minor outside of the Faculty of Science. For information about the BSc General – minor in Arts, see §44 (all Arts minors are available to Science students with the exception of Arts and Cultural Management). For information about the BSc General – minor in Agricultural, Life and Environmental Sciences, see §193.3.1. For information about the BSc General – minor in Business, see §193.3.2. In all cases, the faculty and/or department-specified requirements for the minor must be met.
Notes:
Biological Sciences courses include BIOIN (see Note 2), BIOL, BOT, CELL (see Note 3), ENT, GENET, IMIN, MA SC, MICRB, PALEO (see Note 4) and ZOOL courses offered by the Department of Biological Sciences; and BIOCH (see Note 5), MMI (with the exception of 133), NEURO, PHYSL and PMCOL courses offered by the Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry. Students should be aware that it is not possible to combine a major or minor in the Biological Sciences with a minor or major in one of the specific subject disciplines in the Biological Sciences. For example, students may not select a major in the Biological Sciences and a minor in Microbiology. For additional Biological Science courses and information see §194. | |
BIOIN courses are offered jointly by the departments of Biological Sciences and Computing Science and may be counted as Biological Sciences or Computing Science. | |
CELL courses are offered jointly by the Department of Biological Sciences and the Faculty of Medicine. | |
PALEO courses are offered jointly by the departments of Biological Sciences and Earth and Atmospheric Sciences and may be counted as Biological Sciences or Earth and Atmospheric Sciences. | |
BIOCH courses may be counted as Biological Sciences or Physical Sciences or Chemistry. | |
MA PH courses may be counted as Physical Sciences or Physics. | |
EAS 323 may be used as a Physical Science or Chemistry course. | |
Courses in the major and minor may not overlap. For example, the Physical Sciences major or minor may not be paired with a Chemistry or Physics major or minor. |
Course Load Requirements
Students in the General program should normally take 30 during the Fall/Winter of each year of the program if they wish to complete the program in four years. Although not held to a minimum Fall/Winter course load requirement while registered in the General program, students intending to transfer to an Honors or Specialization program should pay close attention to course load and GPA requirements for transfer to their program of interest.
Academic Standing and Graduation
The following regulations govern General Programs:
To obtain a BSc General degree, a minimum 2.0 GPA must be attained on the last 60 credited to the degree. Moreover, a minimum 2.3 GPA must be attained in all courses in the major. Students must be in Satisfactory Standing in the General program in order to graduate (a minimum 2.0 GPA in the final Fall/Winter). | |
BSc General degrees with Distinction are awarded when students achieve a GPA of 3.5 or higher over the last 60 if the students have satisfactorily completed at least a normal academic load of a minimum of 24 during the Fall/Winter periods of the last two years at the University of Alberta. |
Residence Requirement
A student transferring to the Faculty of Science with advanced standing must complete at least 60 applicable to the BSc program while registered at the University of Alberta. Normally, at least 30 of the last 60 must be completed while registered in the Faculty of Science.
Time Limits for Program Completion
The Faculty of Science may permit a student to complete the requirements for a General degree over a period longer than four years or meet the requirements in a shorter time by attending Spring/Summer.
193.3.1 BSc General—Minor in Agricultural, Life and Environmental Sciences
Students may choose a minor in Agriculture, Human Ecology or Nutrition. All other restrictions and requirements of the BSc General program, as outlined in §193.3 apply.
Minor in Agriculture
The minor in Agriculture consists of at least 24 and no more than 30 in Agriculture courses as follows:
AN SC 200 | |
AREC 200 (Prerequisite of ECON 101 or consent of Department) | |
PL SC 221 | |
REN R 210 (Prerequisite: Must have completed a university-level course in life or natural sciences. A university-level chemistry course is strongly recommended.) | |
12 to 18 in additional courses at the 300-level or higher to be chosen from AN SC, AREC, ENCS, PL SC or REN R 307, 360, 364, 376, 441, 442, 443, 444, 445, 446, 462, 464, 465, 467, 474, 476, 482, and 483, can also be chosen as options. |
Minor in Human Ecology
The minor in Human Ecology consists of at least 24 and no more than 30 in Human Ecology as follows:
HECOL 100 | |
21 to 27 in HECOL courses, with at least 9 at the 300-level or higher. |
Minor in Nutrition
The minor in Nutrition consists of at least 24 and no more than 30 in Nutrition as follows:
NUTR 100 | |
NU FS 305, 356, 373 | |
12 to 18 from the following: NUTR 480, NU FS 200, 223, 363, 374, 377, 427, 428 Note: CHEM 261 and 263 are prerequisites for NU FS 373. |
193.3.2 BSc General—Minor in Business
Note: For requirements, see §193.3. Students admitted to the program lacking one or more prerequisites will be required to make up the deficiency during the first Fall/Winter in the Business minor program.
BSc General program students admitted to the minor in Business quota must complete the following:
ECON 101, 102 | |
18 to 30 in courses offered by the Faculty of Business including ACCTG 311; SMO 301; two of FIN 301, MARK 301, OM 352, SMO 321 |
Notes | |
Several of the above courses have one or more Arts or Science courses as prerequisites. These prerequisites must be met. | |
Students completing a minor in Business must still choose a major in Science and must satisfy the requirement that at least 72 of the 120 credited to the degree be in Science. | |
Students minoring in Business must still complete at least 18 in Arts. ECON 101 and ECON 102 constitute six of those required Arts units. |
Once admitted to the minor in Business, students in the BSc General program will be allowed to continue in the Business minor as long as they remain in good standing in the BSc General program. BSc General program students who have been admitted to the minor in Business and who subsequently apply to transfer to a Specialization or Honors program which has a Business component controlled by quota will have to apply and compete for admission to that quota.