University of Calgary

Science

Studies in the sciences are a cornerstone of developments in technology, medicine, engineering and agriculture. The U of C’s Faculty of Science offers twenty-two undergraduate programs — including the largest undergraduate geosciences program in Canada; multi-disciplinary programs in environmental sciences, natural sciences and earth sciences; and programs with concentrations in information security and cryptography. You will learn from scientists conducting cutting-edge research in their fields, and you’ll have multiple opportunities for hands-on, experiential learning in any of our numerous research facilities across Alberta and BC.

The Faculty of Science offers programs of study leading to either the Bachelor of Science (BSc) or the Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree. The major fields of specialization are:

Actuarial Science Ecology
Applied and Environmental Geology Environmental Science *
Applied Mathematics General Mathematics
Astrophysics Geology
Biochemistry Geophysics
Biological Sciences Natural Sciences
Botany Neuroscience
Cellular, Molecular and Microbial Biology Physics
Chemical Physics Pure Mathematics
Chemistry and Applied Chemistry Statistics
Computer Science Zoology
Earth Science *  

* The Faculty of Science and the Faculty of Social Sciences offer collaborative four year BSc degrees in Earth Science and in Environmental Science.

In conjunction with the Faculties of Education, Haskayne School of Business, Humanities and Social Sciences, the Faculty of Science also offers five year combined degree programs which lead to the BA, BEd, BSc or BComm degree as well as the Faculty of Science's BSc or BA. The faculty also offers five year combined degree programs within its own faculty.

The Faculty of Science also administers the course registrations of students who intend to transfer to other institutions offering professional programs in such disciplines as Dentistry and Optometry.

Application/Document Deadlines

General Admission Requirements

To be considered for admission to the Faculty of Science, applicants are required to present the appropriate high school subjects and a competitive average. (Note that additional high school subjects are required as prerequisites to most majors). In addition to appropriate high school subjects and competitive GPA, students seeking admission to high demand majors may also require completion of a specific list of courses in order to be considered for admission.

Requirements for High Demand Majors

High School Students:

Transfer Students:

  • Transfer students must present the competitive average plus the following specified courses:

Biological Sciences

Students are required to present the following courses with a minimum grade of C- or better in each course:

  • Biology 231 and 233
  • Chemistry 201 and 203
  • one of Mathematics 249 or 251 or 281 or AMAT 217
  • one of Mathematics 211 or 221 or 253 or 283 or AMAT 219

Biochemistry

Students are required to present the following courses with a minimum grade of C- or better in each course:

  • Biology 231 and 233
  • Biology 311
  • Biology 313
  • Biology 331
  • Chemistry 201 and 203
  • one of Mathematics 249 or 251 or 281 or AMAT 217
  • one of Mathematics 211 or 221 or 253 or 283 or AMAT 219

Botany

Students are required to present the following courses with a minimum grade of C- or better in each course:

  • Biology 231 and 233
  • Biology 311
  • Biology 313
  • Biology 331
  • Chemistry 201 and 203
  • one of Mathematics 249 or 251 or 281 or AMAT 217
  • one of Mathematics 211 or 221 or 253 or 283 or AMAT 219

Cellular, Molecular and Microbial Biology

Students are required to present the following courses with a minimum grade of C- or better in each course:

  • Biology 231 and 233
  • Biology 311
  • Biology 313
  • Biology 331
  • Chemistry 201 and 203
  • one of Mathematics 249 or 251 or 281 or AMAT 217
  • one of Mathematics 211 or 221 or 253 or 283 or AMAT 219

Ecology

Students are required to present the following courses with a minimum grade of C- or better in each course:

  • Biology 231 and 233
  • Biology 311
  • Biology 313
  • Biology 331
  • Chemistry 201 and 203
  • one of Mathematics 249 or 251 or 281 or AMAT 217
  • one of Mathematics 211 or 221 or 253 or 283 or AMAT 219

Environmental Science

Applicants to this major must present:

  1. 8 or more half-course equivalents (University of Calgary and/or transferable courses taken at other institutions). Students are also required to meet the Environmental Science and chosen concentration Grade Point Averages.
  2. A notification of an area of concentration upon admission to the program (Biological Sciences, Chemistry, Geography and Social Sciences, Geology, Physics or Statistics). Applicants declaring a concentration in Biological Sciences are also required to present the specified courses required for entrance into the Biological Sciences program.

Neuroscience

Students are required to present the following courses with a minimum grade of C- or better in each course:

  • Biology 231 and 233
  • Chemistry 201 and 203
  • one of Mathematics 249 or 251 or 281 or AMAT 217
  • one of Mathematics 211 or 221 or 253 or 283 or AMAT 219
  • Psychology 205

Zoology

Students are required to present the following courses with a minimum grade of C- or better in each course:

  • Biology 231 and 233
  • Biology 311
  • Biology 313
  • Biology 331
  • Chemistry 201 and 203
  • one of Mathematics 249 or 251 or 281 or AMAT 217
  • one of Mathematics 211 or 221 or 253 or 283 or AMAT 219

Natural Sciences

After completing of at least four full-courses (FCE), applicants to the program may declare two concentrations from the following departments:

    Biological Sciences:
    Students are required to have completed the following courses with a minimum grade of C- or better in each course and to meet the competitive Biological Sciences Average:

    • Biology 231 and 233
    • Chemistry 201 and 203
    • one of Mathematics 249 or 251 or 281 or AMAT 217
    • one of Mathematics 211 or 221 or 253 or 283 or AMAT 219

    Chemistry:
    Students must meet the competitive Chemistry Average.

    Computer Science:
    Students must meet the competitive Computer Science Average.

    Energy Sciences:
    Students must meet the competitive average.

    Geosciences:
    Students must meet the competitive Geosciences Average.

    Mathematics and Statistics:
    Students must meet the competitive Mathematics and Statistics Average.

    Physics and Astronomy:
    Students must meet the competitive Physics and Astronomy Average.

    * Students must meet the competitive average for the Natural Sciences Major and for both of the two concentrations selected.

After Degree Programs

Holders of an approved degree may apply to enter undergraduate degree programs offered by the Faculty of Science, provided that the second bachelor's degree is not in the same field as the first. Students should contact the Undergraduate Programs Office at (403) 220-5881 for more details.


Contact Information

If you have any further questions about the Faculty of Science and the programs we offer, please contact us:

Website: www.science.ucalgary.ca
You can also contact the Prospective Student Advisor, or a specific department advisor. Click here to see the directory.

The University reserves the right to change or amend its policies, regulations, programs and fee structure at any time.

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