Natural Sciences
Bachelor of Science
Introduction
Congratulations on being accepted into the Bachelor of Science degree program.
The Bachelor of Science degree is offered as either a B.Sc., or B.Sc. (Honours). They both require the completion of 120 units (equivalent to 40 courses) and normally four years of full-time study (10 courses per year).
Courses required in your first year
Concentrations
- Fall semester
- Biology 241
- Mathematics 2491 or 265
- Concentration Two Requirement:
(C2: CHEM): Chemistry 201 or 203
(C2: CPSC): Option not in the Field of Biological Science2
(C2: GEOS): Earth 210 or Chemistry 201 or 203
(C2: MATH): Option not in the Field of Mathematics
(C2: PHYS): Physics 211 or 2212 - Non-Science Option (Breadth Requirement)4
- Either Semester
- Computer Science 217
- Option not in the Field of Biological Sciences or Field of Concentration Two*
- Winter semester
- Biology 243
- Chemistry 201 or 203
- Mathematics 267
- Concentration Two Requirement:
(C2: CHEM): Chemistry 201 or 203
(C2: CPSC): Computer Science 219 or 233
(C2: GEOS): Earth 210 or Chemistry 201 or 203
(C2: PHYS): Physics 223
(C2: MATH): Mathematics 211 - Non-Science Option (Breadth Requirement)4
1. Mathematics 249 is open only to students without MATH 31.
2. Philosophy 279 is recommended for Computer Science Concentration Two but not required.
3. Physics 221 requires PHYS 30 & MATH 31. Students who do not meet these prerequisites may take Physics 211.
4. A non-science option is any course from faculties other than the Faculty of Science, excluding courses in Table 1.
*(C2) CONCENTRATION TWO
Field of Concentration Two* includes all courses in the field(s) related to your concentration. See below:
- Chemistry
Field of Chemistry - Computer Science
Field of Computer Science - Geoscience
Field of Geology and/or Geophysics - Physics
Field of Physics and/or Astrophysics - Mathematics
Field of General Mathematics
- Fall semester
- Chemistry 201 or 203
- Mathematics 2491 or 265
- Physics 211 or 2212
- Concentration Two Requirement:
(C2: BISI): Biology 241
(C2: CPSC): Option not in the Field of Computer Science (PHIL 279 recommended)
(C2: GEOS): Earth 210 or Option not in the Field of Chemistry
(C2: MATH): Mathematics 211
(C2: PHYS): Option not in the Field of Physics or Astrophysics
- Either fall or winter semester
- Non-Science Option (Breadth Requirement)3
- Non-Science Option (Breadth Requirement)3
- Winter semester
- Chemistry 201 or 203
- Mathematics 267
- Physics 223
- Concentration Two Requirement:
(C2: BISI): Biology 243
(C2: CPSC): Computer Science 219
(C2: GEOS): Earth 210 or Option not in the Field of Chemistry
(C2: MATH): Mathematics 271
(C2: PHYS): Option not in the Field of Physics or Astrophysics
1. Mathematics 249 is open only to students without MATH 31.
2. Physics 221 requires PHYS 30 & MATH 31. Students who do not meet these prerequisites may take Physics 211.
3. A non-science option is any course from faculties other than the Faculty of Science, excluding courses in Table 1.
*(C2) CONCENTRATION TWO
Field of Concentration Two* includes all courses in the field(s) related to your concentration. See below:
- Biology
Field of Biological Sciences - Computer Science
Field of Computer Science - Geoscience
Field of Geology and/or Geophysics - Physics
Field of Physics and/or Astrophysics - Mathematics
Field of General Mathematics
- Fall semester
- Computer Science 217
- Mathematics 2491 or 265
- Concentration Two Requirement:
(C2: BISI): Biology 241
(C2: CHEM): Chemistry 201
(C2: GEOS): Earth 210 or Chemistry 201 or 203
(C2: PHYS): Physics 211 or 2212
- Either fall or winter semester
- Option not in the Field of Computer Science or Field of Concentration Two*
- Option not in the Field of Computer Science or Field of Concentration Two*
- Non-Science Option (Breadth Requirement)3
- Non-Science Option (Breadth Requirement)4
- Winter semester
- Computer Science 219
- Mathematics 267
- Concentration Two Requirement:
(C2: BISI): Biology 243
(C2: CHEM): Chemistry 203
(C2: GEOS): Earth 210 or Chemistry 201 or 203
(C2: MATH): Mathematics 211
(C2: PHYS): Physics 223
1. Mathematics 249 is open only to students without MATH 31.
2. Physics 221 requires PHYS 30 & MATH 31. Students who do not meet these prerequisites may take Physics 211.
3. A non-science option is any course from faculties other than the Faculty of Science, excluding courses in Table 1.
4. Philosophy 279 acts as a pre-requisite for upper year CPSC courses. Students can choose to take this course as a Non-Science Option in the first year.
*(C2) CONCENTRATION TWO
Field of Concentration Two* includes all courses in the field(s) related to your concentration. See below:
- Biology
Field of Biological Sciences - Computer Science
Field of Computer Science - Geoscience
Field of Geology and/or Geophysics - Physics
Field of Physics and/or Astrophysics - Mathematics
Field of General Mathematics
- Fall semester
- Mathematics 2491 or 265
- Physics 211 or 2212
- Concentration Two Requirement:
(C2: BISI): Biology 241
(C2: CHEM): Chemistry 201 or Option not in the Field of Energy Sciences
(C2: CPSC): Computer Science 217 or 231
(C2: GEOS): Earth 210 or Chemistry 201
(C2: MATH): Option not in the Field of General Mathematics
- Either fall or winter semester
- Chemistry 203
- Computer Science 217
- Non-Science Option (Breadth Requirement)3
- Non-Science Option (Breadth Requirement)3
- Winter semester
- Mathematics 267
- Physics 223
- Concentration Two Requirement:
(C2: BISI): Biology 243
(C2: CHEM): Chemistry 201 or Option not in the Field of Energy Sciences
(C2: CPSC): Computer Science 219 or 233
(C2: GEOS): Earth 210 or Chemistry 201
(C2: MATH): Mathematics 211
(C2: PHYS): Mathematics 211
1. Mathematics 249 is open only to students without MATH 31.
2. Physics 221 requires PHYS 30 & MATH 31. Students who do not meet these prerequisites may take Physics 211.
3. A non-science option is any course from faculties other than the Faculty of Science, excluding courses in Table 1.
(C2) CONCENTRATION TWO*
Field of Concentration Two* includes all courses in the field(s) related to your concentration. See below:
- Biology
Field of Biological Sciences - Chemistry
Field of Chemistry - Computer Science
Field of Computer Science - Geoscience
Field of Geology and/or Geophysics - Physics
Field of Physics and/or Astrophysics - Mathematics
Field of General Mathematics
- Fall semester
- Mathematics 2491 or 265
- Physics 211 or 2212
- Non-Science Option (Breadth Requirement)3
- Either Semester
- Option NOT in the Field of Geology or Geophysics (Non-Major Field Requirement)
- Winter semester
- Mathematics 267
- Physics 223
- Non-Science Option (Breadth Requirement)3
1. Mathematics 249 is open only to students without MATH 31.
2. Physics 221 requires PHYS 30 & MATH 31. Students who do not meet these prerequisites may take Physics 211.
3. A non-science option is any course from faculties other than the Faculty of Science, excluding courses in Table 1.
*(C2) CONCENTRATION TWO
Field of Concentration Two* includes all courses in the field(s) related to your concentration. See below:
- Biology
Field of Biological Sciences - Chemistry
Field of Chemistry - Computer Science
Field of Computer Science - Physics
Field of Physics and/or Astrophysics - Mathematics
Field of General Mathematics
- Fall semester
- Mathematics 2491 or 265
- Mathematics 211
- Concentration Two Requirement:
(C2: BISI): Biology 241
(C2: CHEM): Chemistry 201 or 203
(C2: CPSC): Computer Science 217 or 231
(C2: GEOS): Earth 210 or Course not in the Field of Mathematics
(C2: PHYS): Physics 211 or 221
- Either semester
- Computer Science 2175
- Option not in the Field of General Mathematics or Field of Concentration Two*
- Non-Science Option (Breadth Requirement)3
- Non-Science Option (Breadth Requirement)3
- Winter semester
- Mathematics 267
- Mathematics 271 or Open Option4
- Concentration Two Requirement:
(C2: BISI): Biology 243
(C2: CHEM): Chemistry 201 or 203
(C2: CPSC): Computer Science 219 or 233
(C2: GEOS): Earth 210 or Course not in the Field of Mathematics
(C2: PHYS): Physics 223
1. Mathematics 249 is open only to students without MATH 31.
2. Physics 221 requires PHYS 30 & MATH 31. Students who do not meet these prerequisites may take Physics 211.
3. A non-science option is any course from faculties other than the Faculty of Science, excluding courses in Table 1.
4. Mathematics 271 is required for certain senior level courses in the Field of Mathematics.
5. Students pursuing a C2 in BISI, CHEM, GEOG or PHYS can complete CPSC 217 in either semester. Students pursuing a C2 in CPSC can complete an Option not in the Field of Computer Science or Field of General Mathematics.
*(C2) CONCENTRATION TWO
Field of Concentration Two* includes all courses in the field(s) related to your concentration. See below:
- Biology
Field of Biological Sciences - Chemistry
Field of Chemistry - Computer Science
Field of Computer Science - Geoscience
Field of Geology and/or Geophysics - Physic
Field of Physics and/or Astrophysics
- Fall semester
- Physics 211 or 2212 or 227
- Mathematics 2491 or 265
- Concentration Two Requirement:
(C2: BISI): Biology 241
(C2: CHEM): Chemistry 201 or 203
(C2: CPSC): Computer Science 217 or 231
(C2: GEOS): Earth 210 or Chemistry 201 or 203
(C2: MATH): Mathematics 211 - Non-Science Option (Breadth Requirement) 3
- Either semester
- Computer Science 2174
- Option not in the Field of General Mathematics or Field of Concentration Two*5
- (C2: BISI, CHEM, CPSC, GEOS): Mathematics 211
(C2: MATH): Option not in the Field of Mathematics or Field of Physics or Astrophysics
- Winter semester
- Physics 223 or 229
- Mathematic 267
- Concentration Two Requirement:
(C2: BISI): Biology 243
(C2: CHEM): Chemistry 201 or 203
(C2: CPSC): Computer Science 219 or 233
(C2: GEOS): Earth 210 or Chemistry 201 or 203
(C2: MATH): Mathematics 271 - Non-Science Option (Breadth Requirement)3
1. Mathematics 249 is open only to students without MATH 31.
2. Physics 221 requires PHYS 30 & MATH 31. Students who do not meet these prerequisites may take Physics 211.
3. A non-science option is any course from faculties other than the Faculty of Science, excluding courses in Table 1.
4. Students with C2 in CPSC can complete an Option not in the Field of Physics or Astrophysics.
5. Students with C2 in BISC, CHEM, CPSC, GEOS should complete Mathematics 211 in the 1st year.
*(C2) CONCENTRATION TWO
Field of Concentration Two* includes all courses in the field(s) related to your concentration. See below:
- Biology
Field of Biological Sciences - Chemistry
Field of Chemistry - Computer Science
Field of Computer Science - Geoscience
Field of Geology and/or Geophysics - Mathematics
Field of General Mathematics
Degree programs and courses are each housed in a specific Faculty. You have chosen a degree program in the Faculty of Science.
Your Major refers to the subject area you would like your Bachelor of Science degree to focus on (i.e. the subject area you want to take the most courses in).
If you are one of many students who haven’t quite decided on their degree of choice, visit an Exploratory Advisor in the Student Success Centre or sign up for a workshop.
First Year Tip
Take courses from a number of different areas in your first year. Please note that, initially, registration in some courses is only available to students admitted to the programs the courses are required for. Other courses are reserved entirely to students in specific degree programs. Make sure to register early for courses in your degree program and review the pre-requisites and reservation dates when choosing options.
You may be eligible to use your International Baccalaureate credit or Advanced Placement credit in your degree program depending on the program you have entered and whether or not the courses are applicable.
You may view your IB or AP transfer credit by logging in to your online Student Centre (my.ucalgary.ca).
Once you know the transfer credit you have received, you may contact the academic advisor in your Faculty to get advice on how the credit applies to your degree. Once you choose your classes you will follow the same registration process as any first time university student.
First Year Tip
If you received IB or AP credit for a 200-level course, you may take the 300-level course that has your 200-level course listed as a prerequisite. For example, if you received IB credit for CHEM 203, you can take CHEM 351, as CHEM 203 is a prerequisite for CHEM 351.
Science Internship Program: Get a head start on your career through our internship opportunities. You will gain valuable work experience in your industry – all before you graduate.
International Study Opportunities: Experience different cultures, gain a better understanding of world issues, and travel around the globe, all while earning credit towards your degree. UCalgary offers exchanges and study abroad programs in 61 different countries.
Community Service-Learning: Combine your classroom learning with volunteer work that achieves community goals, and see first-hand how your academic learning relates to social issues.
Arts and Science Honours Academy: Be part of a unique program that combines collaborative study, global opportunities and academic challenge. The ASHA program brings together 25 like-minded high achieving students to learn and study in six distinct scholars courses. As an Arts and Science Honours Academy student, you will be one of a class of the best and brightest at UCalgary.