Science

Associate of Science degree

The Associate of Science (ASc) degree is a program of academic study for students pursuing educational or career goals in the natural sciences. The ASc may serve as an educational goal in itself, as qualification for those who wish to pursue further education at UFV or another institution, or as a qualification for employment.

The Associate of Science degree requires satisfactory completion of a minimum of 60 credits. Not all courses applicable to the ASc are offered every semester. Therefore, it is important that students work with an Academic Advisor to carefully plan their courses in a sequential manner, paying particular attention to course prerequisites.

Entrance requirements

Option 1: Secondary school (for students with secondary school graduation only)

B.C. secondary school graduation or equivalent, with a minimum C+ average calculated on:

• English Studies 12 or English First Peoples 12 (see Note).
• Pre-calculus 12 or Principles of Mathematics 12 with a minimum grade of C.
• One of Biology 12, BIO 093, Chemistry 12, CHEM 093, Geography 12, Geology 12, or Physics 12.

Note: Students may also present English 12, English Literature 12, English 12 First Peoples, AP English, IB English A (standard level or higher level), or out-of-province equivalent.

Option 2: University entrance (for students who have attended some post-secondary school)

1. Nine or more university-level credits with a minimum CGPA of 2.00 calculated on all university courses attempted. (Students with less than 9 credits attempted will be evaluated based on their secondary school graduation as described above.)
2. Mathematics requirement: one of the following:
   • Pre-calculus 12 or Principles of Mathematics 12 with a minimum grade of C
   • Calculus 12 with a minimum grade of B
   • Applications of Mathematics 12 with a minimum grade of C+
   • MATH 092 and MATH 093
   • MATH 094 and MATH 095 (discontinued)
   • MATH 096
   • MDPT score of 70% or better
   • One of MATH 110, MATH 111, MATH 112, or MATH 118
3. Science requirement: one of the following courses, with a minimum grade of C+:
   • Anatomy and Physiology 12, Biology 12, BIO 093, or BIO 111
   • Chemistry 12, CHEM 093 (discontinued), CHEM 110, or CHEM 113
   • COMP 150, COMP 152, or COMP 155
   • Geography 12, Physical Geography 12, GEOG 103, or ENV 111 (formerly GEOG 111)
   • Geology 12 or GEOG 116
   • Physics 12, PHYS 093, PHYS 100, PHYS 101, PHYS 105, or PHYS 111
   • STAT 104 or STAT 106
4. English requirement: Applicants must meet the Degree/diploma level English language proficiency requirement. For details on how this requirement may be met, see the English language proficiency requirement section of the calendar.

Attendance at a New Student Orientation or meeting with an Academic Advisor is recommended.

Students who do not meet these requirements might consider Qualifying Studies.

When to apply

Applications are accepted for entrance to the Fall, Winter, and Summer semesters. For application deadlines, see Specific intake application process.

How to apply

1. Apply online at ufv.ca/admissions/apply.

   Additional documents required for a complete application:

   • For secondary school entrance, a final official transcript (if graduated). For students currently in Grade 12, see the secondary school grades and transcripts section of the Admissions website for more information.
   • For university students, Official transcripts (or interim transcripts) from all post-secondary institutions attended (excluding UFV) showing grade/course achievement as per entrance requirements. To be considered official, transcripts must be sent directly to UFV from the originating institution; see the Transfer Credit section for details.
2. Proof of completion of prerequisites is required for course registration. It is essential that applicants submit an official secondary school transcript at least two weeks before registration.
3. Applicants will be advised of an admission decision and, if accepted, will be provided with registration information. A deposit is required prior to registration (see the Fees and Other Costs section) and will be applied toward tuition fees.

Basis for admission decision

If the university needs to limit the number of students in the Associate of Science program, applicants who meet the entrance requirements will be admitted in order of their application date. This date is set when an application, all required documentation, and the application fee have been submitted. 

Applicants who do not meet the minimum standard may be admitted to Qualifying Studies.

Fees and additional costs

See the Fees and Other Costs section. Books and additional supplies may be required.

Program duration

With appropriate planning, the Associate of Science requirements can be completed in two years of full-time study. Students staying for a longer period may wish to pursue the Co-operative Education option. All graduation requirements must be completed within 10 years of initial entry to the program.

Location

First-year courses can be completed at either the Abbotsford or Chilliwack campus. Currently, most courses beyond first year are only offered at the Abbotsford campus.

Program requirements

The ASc requires at least 60 credits of university-level courses. This must include at least 18 credits in eligible Science courses (see below) at the second-year level or above, taken in two or more subject areas.

The following five requirements must also be met, with no course being used to meet more than one requirement:

1. English or Communications: Two of ENGL 104, ENGL 105, ENGL 108, ENGL 170, or CMNS 125.

2. Math: 6 credits of eligible Mathematics courses (see below), including at least one of MATH 111, MATH 112, MATH 118, or MATH 211.

3. Science: 36 credits of eligible Science courses (see below), including at least 3 credits in a laboratory-based Science course (see below).

4. Arts: 6 credits of eligible Arts courses (see below) in a subject other than English or Communications.

5. Other: 6 credits of eligible Arts, Science, or other courses (see below).

Eligible courses

Mathematics

Eligible Mathematics courses include MATH 110, MATH 111, MATH 112, MATH 118, MATH 125, MATH 152, MATH 211, MATH 221, MATH 225, MATH 255, MATH 265, MATH 270, MATH 312, MATH 316, MATH 322, MATH 370, MATH 416, and MATH 480.

Courses used to meet the Math requirement must include at least one of MATH 111, MATH 112, MATH 118, or MATH 211.

Science

Eligible Science courses include:

• ASTR 101, ASTR 103, ASTR 104

• BIO 105, BIO 106, BIO 111, BIO 112, BIO 201, BIO 202, BIO 210, BIO 219, BIO 220, BIO 301, BIO 306, BIO 307, BIO 309, BIO 310, BIO 312, BIO 319, BIO 320, BIO 330, BIO 410, BIO 419, BIO 430

• CHEM 110, CHEM 113, CHEM 114, CHEM 116, CHEM 150, CHEM 213, CHEM 214, CHEM 221, CHEM 224, CHEM 241, CHEM 311, CHEM 324, CHEM 325, CHEM 401, CHEM 412, CHEM 422, CHEM 444

• CIS 100, CIS 110, CIS 145, CIS 190, CIS 192, CIS 221, CIS 224 (counts as first-year course), CIS 245, CIS 270, CIS 285 (counts as first-year course), CIS 292 (counts as first-year course)

• COMP 120, COMP 125, (COMP 150 or COMP 152), COMP 155, COMP 230, COMP 251, COMP 256, COMP 340, COMP 370, COMP 380

• ENV 200, ENV 212

• GEOG 103, GEOG 105, GEOG 111, GEOG 116, GEOG 117, GEOG 201, GEOG 202, GEOG 211, GEOG 219, GEOG 251, GEOG 252, GEOG 253, GEOG 257, GEOG 302, GEOG 303, GEOG 304, GEOG 307, GEOG 315, GEOG 318, GEOG 319, GEOG 353, GEOG 402, GEOG 419, GEOG 453, GEOG 454

• KIN 103, KIN 160, KIN 161, KIN 163, KIN 170, KIN 215, KIN 221, KIN 260 (counts as first-year course), KIN 266 (counts as first-year course), KIN 268, KIN 270, KIN 272

• All eligible Mathematics courses (see above)

• PHYS 100, PHYS 101, PHYS 105, PHYS 111, PHYS 112, PHYS 221, PHYS 225, PHYS 231, PHYS 232, PHYS 311, PHYS 312, PHYS 321, PHYS 325, PHYS 381, PHYS 382, PHYS 402, PHYS 412

• STAT 104, STAT 106, STAT 270, STAT 271, STAT 272, STAT 315, STAT 330, STAT 350, STAT 370, STAT 450

Laboratory-based Science

Eligible laboratory-based Science courses include:

• ASTR 103, ASTR 104

• BIO 106, BIO 111, BIO 112

• CHEM 110, CHEM 113, CHEM 114

• ENV 200

• GEOG 103. GEOG 116

• KIN 163, KIN 170

• PHYS 100, PHYS 101, PHYS 105, PHYS 111, PHYS 112

Arts

Eligible Arts courses are any courses in a subject area for which there is a Bachelor of Arts degree at one of SFU, UBC-V, UBC-O, UNBC, or UVic.

Courses used to meet the Arts requirement must be in a subject other than English and Communications, and may not include Mathematics and laboratory-based Science courses.

Other

Eligible courses in an “other” area are any courses in a subject area for which there is a Bachelor degree other than in Arts, Science, or Applied Science at SFU, UBC-V, UBC-O, UNBC, or UVic.

Eligible Arts and Science courses may also be used to meet the Other requirement.

Sample program outline

Below is an example of a four-semester Associate of Science schedule with 15 credits per semester, for a student interested in Mathematics and Computing. The table columns to the right indicate how each course’s credits count toward the specific requirements. Bolded courses are those at the second-year and above (18 credits).

Co-operative Education option

The Co-operative Education option provides students with the opportunity to acquire paid, career-related work experience in conjunction with their studies in the Bachelor of Science and Associate of Science degree programs. See the Co-operative Education section for more details.

Transfer credit

Students who have completed university-level courses at other post-secondary institutions can apply for the ASc at UFV. A maximum of 30 credits may be transferred to UFV for the degree. However, not all courses may be applicable to specific science programs; please check with an Academic Advisor. Applicants with significantly more than 30 credits might consider the Bachelor of Science.

Most of the courses offered as part of the ASc program are transferable to all B.C. post-secondary academic institutions.

Courses at other institutions

UFV students who wish to take academic work at other institutions for credit toward the UFV Associate of Science degree must obtain permission in advance from an Academic Advisor. A request for a Letter of Permission form may be obtained from the UFV Office of the Registrar. When approval has been granted, the Office of the Registrar will issue a Letter of Permission to the student. (Also see Visiting students in the Transfer Credit section of the calendar.)

Undergraduate continuance

Students enrolled in undergraduate courses (courses numbered 100 or higher) must maintain an undergraduate Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of at least 2.00 to remain enrolled in Good Academic Standing at UFV. Students in Good Academic Standing will have no registration limits placed on them. Failure to meet the minimum CGPA requirement will result in restrictions on registration and may eventually lead to academic suspension from undergraduate studies at UFV. Students on Academic Warning or Academic Probation are limited to registering in 10 credits. For further details, see the Academic standing and undergraduate continuance section of the academic calendar. Academic standing is governed by UFV's Undergraduate Continuance policy (92).

The academic standing of all students covered under this policy for courses where letter grades are assigned will be determined at intervals of nine credits at the start of students' academic careers and then at the end of every term after 27 credits have been completed. Students will be assessed after every term enrolled, but Academic Standing will only change at the intervals noted above. Students’ academic standing will be permanently reflected on their student record and will appear on official and unofficial transcripts.

After each semester, students put on Academic Warning, Academic Probation, or Required to Withdraw status or who are continued on Warning or Probation will be notified by the Registrar.

Course repetition

Students are not permitted to register for the same course more than three times. Students wishing to register for a course for a fourth time should connect with the Student Rights and Responsibilities Office. Where a course has been repeated, only the higher grade is counted in the GPA calculation.

Auditing courses

Students may register as audit students or change to audit status only during the first three weeks of the semester. See the Audit section of the calendar for more information. Audited courses are not acceptable for meeting requirements for the ASc degree.

Course challenge

Course challenge is a method by which students may obtain credit for course material learned elsewhere (i.e., outside UFV). A maximum of 30 university-level credits used toward ASc requirements may be obtained by the combined mechanism of course challenge and transfer credit. See the Course challenge section for more information.

Readmission

Students who have been required to withdraw from UFV under the Undergraduate Continuance policy (92) are subject to readmission and continuance requirements as listed in the UFV academic calendar. Students are normally only readmitted once to the same program.

Residency

Students must complete at least 30 of the required credits at UFV.

Graduation requirements

Students are responsible for ensuring they are eligible to graduate, and should regularly consult with an Academic Advisor. To be eligible to graduate, students must have completed the Associate of Science program with a minimum program GPA of 2.00 and a minimum CGPA of 2.00 calculated on all 100-level or higher UFV courses attempted.

Students must apply for graduation in the first month of their final semester. Visit the Graduation webpage for more information. The final deadline for students who wish to attend the June Convocation ceremony is April 1 of each year, with all program requirements completed by April 30.

Course listings

For complete details on courses see the course descriptions section.