UofC

See also Section 3 (Faculty Regulations), Subsection 3.2 (Admission).

The program requires students to choose two concentrations¹, denoted Concentration One (C1) and Concentration Two (C2) respectively, from the following list: Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Energy Science, Geoscience, Mathematics or Physics. Entry into a given concentration may be subject to enrolment limitations. (See Enrolment Limitations.)

Students may apply to their concentrations with their initial application to the University. However, students may also initially apply to Natural Sciences with no concentrations in the event that they are uncertain which areas they wish to specialize in or they do not meet the competitive average of their desired concentration(s). Students will find that it is in their best interest to declare their concentrations at the earliest possible opportunity.

¹It is not possible for students in the Natural Sciences program to choose a minor in either area of their concentrations. However, students may complete a minor outside of their areas of concentration. Furthermore, Natural Sciences students may not select a second major or combined degree in areas of their two concentrations.

The major field of an individual's Natural Sciences program is defined as:

• The total of all courses that constitute the major fields offered by departments in which the two concentrations are taken.
• Science 301, 403, 421, 423, 501, 502, 507, 521, 529, 531, 533.

See also Section 3 (Faculty Regulations), Subsections 3.4A (Program Requirements - Major Degree Programs) and 3.5B (Introductory Courses for Science Degree Programs).

1. Major Field Courses (Concentrations One and Two)

The program must contain two concentrations as described under Application to Concentrations.

The courses in the two concentrations must be selected as follows:

Students require a minimum of 30 units (5.0 full-course equivalents) in their C1. Students may not exceed 36 units (6.0 full-course equivalents) in their C1. Within those courses completed for their C1, students must complete a minimum of 3 units (0.5 full-course equivalent) at the 400 level or higher.

Students require a minimum of 18 units (3.0 full-course equivalents in their C2. Students may not exceed 30 units (5.0 full-course equivalents in their C2.

The combination of units in C1 plus C2 may not exceed 60 units (10.0 full-course equivalents).

2. Natural Science Specific Courses

3 units (0.5 full-course equivalent) - Science 301

3 units (0.5 full-course equivalent) - Science 403

3 units (0.5 full-course equivalent) - Science 501 or Science 529 (for Energy Science concentrators)

3. Other Courses outside the Major Field

18 units (3.0 full-course equivalents) - Non-science options as follows (check Table I in 3.4 Program Requirements for ineligible courses; Science 311 may be counted among these courses):

Chosen from Faculties other than the Faculty of Science. Of these 18 units (3.0 full-course equivalents), students must take at least 6 units (1.0 full-course equivalent) from the Faculty of Arts.

4. Science Breadth

The program must include the following:

• 6 units (1.0 full-course equivalent) in Mathematics¹, selected from Mathematics 211 or 213, Mathematics 249 or 265 or 275, Mathematics 267 or 277. Note: Students who have completed Mathematics 31 should take Mathematics 265 unless they are interested in pursuing programs in Physics and Astronomy, in which case they should take Mathematics 275
• 3 units (0.5 full-course equivalent) in Computer Science¹ selected from Computer Science 217 or 231 or 235
• At least 6 units (1.0 full-course equivalent) from each of four different Science Departments¹
• 6 units (1.0 full-course equivalent) of course work accompanied by a laboratory component¹ (taken from any of the Departments of Biological Sciences, Chemistry, Geoscience, and Physics and Astronomy)

¹Apply these courses to either (1) Major Field courses or (3) Other Courses outside the Major Field as appropriate.

Same as for Major Program except:

6 units (1.0 full-course equivalent) - Minimum number of courses in C1 that must be at the 400 level or higher.

6 units (1.0 full-course equivalent) - Science 502

Biology Concentration. The minimum requirements for a C1 in Biology are as follows:

6 units (1.0 full-course equivalent) - Biology 241 and 243

9 units (1.5 full-course equivalents) - Biology 311, 331 and 371

3 units (0.5 full-course equivalent) - Biochemistry 393 or Biology 313

9 units (1.5 full-course equivalents) - Courses from the field of Biological Sciences at the 300 level or higher

3 units (0.5 full-course equivalent) - Courses from the field of Biological Sciences at the 400 level or higher

Note: Natural Sciences students are not permitted to take more than 6 units (1.0 full-course equivalent) from courses numbered 507 offered by the Department of Biological Sciences. 

Chemistry Concentration. The minimum requirements for a C1 in Chemistry are as follows:

6 units (1.0 full-course equivalent) - Chemistry 201 or 211 and 203 or 213

12 units (2.0 full-course equivalents) - Chemistry 311, 331, 351 and 371 or 373

9 units (1.5 full-course equivalents) - Courses from the field of Chemistry at the 300 level or higher

3 units (0.5 full-course equivalent) - Courses from the field of Chemistry at the 400 level or higher

Computer Science Concentration¹. The minimum requirements for a C1 in Computer Science are as follows:

6 units (1.0 full-course equivalent) - One of the following three sets of courses:

• Computer Science 217 and 219
• Computer Science 231 and 233
• Computer Science 235 and 0.5 full-course equivalent) senior Computer Science Option

3 units (0.5 full-course equivalent) - Computer Science 319 or 331

18 units (3.0 full-course equivalents) - Courses in the field of Computer Science

3 units (0.5 full-course equivalent) - Courses in the field of Computer Science at the 400 level or higher

¹Students interested in completing a C1 in Computer Science should complete Philosophy 279 in their first year.

Energy Science Concentration. The minimum requirements for a C1 in Energy Science are as follows:

3 units (0.5 full-course equivalent) - Chemistry 203 or 213

3 units (0.5 full-course equivalent) - Physics 211 or 221 or 227

3 units (0.5 full-course equivalent) - Physics 223 or 255

3 units (0.5 full-course equivalent) - Engineering Energy and Environment 355

3 units (0.5 full-course equivalent) - Chemistry 321 or 425

15 units (2.5 full-course equivalents) - Chosen from Science 421, 423, 521, 531, 533, Physics 323, 325, or 397 (a maximum 1.0 full-course equivalent) can be chosen from Physics 323, 325, 397)

Note: Energy Science students completing a Concentration Two in Physics will have the first-year Physics courses count toward both concentrations. No Physics courses beyond required first-year Physics courses can count toward both Energy Science and a Physics concentration. A maximum of 6 units (1.0 full-course equivalent) from Physics 323, 325 and 397 can be used towards completion of the Energy Sciences Concentration. Energy Science students completing a Concentration Two in Chemistry will have Chemistry 203 count toward both concentrations.

Geoscience Concentration. The minimum requirements for a C1 in Geoscience are as follows:

15 units (2.5 full-course equivalents) - Geology 201, 202 or 203, 343 or 341, 381, and Geophysics 351 or 355

12 units (2.0 full-course equivalents) - Courses in the fields of Geology and/or Geophysics at the 300 or 400 levels¹

3 units (0.5 full-course equivalent) - Courses in the fields of Geology and/or Geophysics at the 400 level or higher¹

¹Students pursuing a Geoscience concentration are free to mix and match appropriate Geology and Geophysics options. It is recommended that students intending to apply for admission into the Geology program (including the Petroleum Geology concentration) take Geology 313, 381, 323, 333 while students intending to apply for admission into the Geophysics program take Geophysics 351 or 359, 453, 457 and an additional Geology or Geophysics option. For more details, see the Geoscience Program Section of this Calendar.

Mathematics Concentration. The minimum requirements for a C1 in Mathematics are as follows:

3 units (0.5 full-course equivalent) - Mathematics 211 or 213

3 units (0.5 full-course equivalent) - Mathematics 249 or 265 or 275

3 units (0.5 full-course equivalent) - Mathematics 267 or 277

6 units (1.0 full-course equivalent) - Mathematics 311 or 313, Statistics 321

3 units (0.5 full-course equivalent) – Mathematics 367 or 375

9 units (1.5 full-course equivalent) - Courses in the field of General Mathematics.

3 units (0.5 full-course equivalent) - Courses in the field of General Mathematics at the 400 level or higher

Physics Concentration. The minimum requirements for a C1 in Physics are as follows:

6 units (1.0 full-course equivalent) - Either Physics 211 or 221 and 321 or Physics 227 and 3 units (0.5 full-course equivalent) Physics option

6 units (1.0 full-course equivalent) – Either Physics 223 and 323 or 255 and 397

15 units (2.5 full-course equivalents) - Courses in the field of Physics¹ at the 300 level or higher

3 units (0.5 full-course equivalent) - Courses in the field of Physics¹ at the 400 level or higher

¹Students completing either a C1 or C2 in Physics may use courses in Astrophysics to satisfy requirements from the field of Physics.

Biology Concentration. The minimum requirements for a C2 in Biology are as follows:

A minimum of 18 units (3.0 full-course equivalents) to a maximum of 30 units (5.0 full-course equivalents) selected from the major field of Biological Sciences.

Chemistry Concentration. The minimum requirements for a C2 in Chemistry are as follows:

A minimum of 18 units (3.0 full-course equivalents) to a maximum of 30 units (5.0 full-course equivalents) selected from the major field of Chemistry

Computer Science Concentration. The minimum requirements for a C2 in Computer Science are as follows:

A minimum of 18 units (3.0 full-course equivalents) to a maximum of 30 units (5.0 full-course equivalents) selected from the major field of Computer Science.

Energy Science Concentration. A Concentration Two in Energy Science is not permitted.

Geoscience Concentration. The minimum requirements for a C2 in Geoscience are as follows:

A minimum of 18 units (3.0 full-course equivalents) to a maximum of 30 units (5.0 full-course equivalents) selected from the major field of Geology and/or Geophysics.

Mathematics Concentration. The minimum requirements for a C2 in Mathematics are as follows:

A minimum of 18 units (3.0 full-course equivalents) to a maximum of 30 units (5.0 full-course equivalents) selected from the major field of General Mathematics.

Physics Concentration. The minimum requirements for a C2 in Physics are as follows:

A minimum of 18 units (3.0 full-course equivalents) to a maximum of 30 units (5.0 full-course equivalents) selected from the major field of Physics and/or Astrophysics.

Writing Component

It is strongly recommended that a course emphasizing writing skills be included in the program, e.g., a junior English course or Communications Studies 363 or Science 311.

International Component

This suggestion may be satisfied in various ways, e.g., by completing 6 units (1.0 full-course equivalent) from the list of courses in item 4 of the section "Make Your Degree More International", under "About the University" in the back of the Calendar, or by following one of the other suggestions listed there. If non-science course work is used to satisfy this recommendation, this course work could be part of the breadth requirement.

¹Students should refer to registration materials at the following website (ucalgary.ca/degreeguide/) to determine recommended first-year Mathematics courses based on their concentration.

²Computer Science 101 is a non-credit course taught during Block Week prior to Fall Term. It is strongly recommended as preparation for Computer Science 217 or 231. First-year students unable to complete Computer Science 101 should contact the Computer Science Department for supplemental information.

³Energy Science Concentrators must take Science 529 instead of Science 501.

⁴Required for Honours, replaced by options in the Major program.

Notes:

1. The schedule is adjustable to accommodate individual programs. Options include any courses that are prerequisite to the concentration courses, but are from another field, and also include the Science Breadth requirements.

2. If Mathematics courses or Computer Science courses are part of a C1 or C2, the number of C1 and C2 slots in this schedule can be reduced accordingly as per degree requirements.