Program Overview
TRU Science Programs
The Faculty of Science at TRU offers a variety of programs for students interested in pursuing a career in science. These programs include:
- Bachelor of Science Degree
- Associate of Science Degree
- Post-Baccalaureate Diploma in Applied Data Science
- MSc Environmental Science
- MSc Data Science
- First Nation Applied Lands Management
- Master of Engineering Science
- Basic Drone Pilot License training program
- Advanced Drone Pilot License training program
- Drone GIS training program
- Emergency Response with Drones training program
Program Details
Post-Baccalaureate Diploma in Applied Data Science
The Post-Baccalaureate Diploma in Applied Data Science is designed for students who have already completed a bachelor's degree and want to gain practical skills in data science. The program includes courses in:
- Data Science
- Programming
- Statistics
- Machine Learning
- Data Visualization
MSc Environmental Science
The MSc Environmental Science program is designed for students who want to pursue a career in environmental science. The program includes courses in:
- Environmental Science
- Research Methods
- Statistics
- Environmental Policy
- Conservation Biology
MSc Data Science
The MSc Data Science program is designed for students who want to pursue a career in data science. The program includes courses in:
- Data Science
- Programming
- Statistics
- Machine Learning
- Data Visualization
Departments
The Faculty of Science at TRU is divided into several departments, each offering a range of programs and courses. These departments include:
- Biological Sciences
- Architectural and Engineering Technology
- Computing Science
- Mathematics and Statistics
- Natural Resource Science
- Physical Sciences
- Respiratory Therapy
- Veterinary Technology
- Engineering
Chemical Biology Major
The Chemical Biology Major is a program offered by the Department of Physical Sciences. The program includes courses in:
- Chemistry
- Biology
- Physics
- Mathematics
First and Second Year Courses
Students in the Chemical Biology Major must complete the following courses in their first and second year:
- CHEM 1500/CHEM 1510 or CHEM 1500/CHEM 1520
- BIOL 1110/BIOL 1210
- PHYS 1100/PHYS 1200 or PHYS 1150/PHYS 1250
- MATH 1130/MATH 1230, MATH 1140/MATH 1240 or MATH 1150/MATH 1250
- ENGL 1100 or ENGL 1110
- COMP 3 credits
- CHEM 2100/CHEM 2250
- CHEM 2120/CHEM 2220
- CHEM 2160
- BIOL 2160
- BIOL 2130/BIOL 2340
- CMNS 2290 or CMNS 2300
- Electives 0-3 credits
Third and Fourth Year Courses
Students in the Chemical Biology Major must complete the following courses in their third and fourth year:
- CHEM 3100
- CHEM 3170
- CHEM 3220
- CHEM 3240
- CHEM 4450
- BIOL 3000
- BIOL 3130
- BIOL 3230
- BIOL 3350
- BIOL 4150/BIOL 4250
- BIOL 3520
- Chemical Biology Electives 7-9 credits
- Electives 18-23 credits
Course Descriptions
First and Second Year Course Descriptions
CHEM 1500 Chemical Bonding and Organic Chemistry
This course develops an understanding and historical context of atomic and molecular structure.
CHEM 1510 Fundamentals of Chemistry
This course is the second half of a fundamental first year chemistry course.
CHEM 1520 Principles of Chemistry
This course is the second half of first year chemistry designed for students with a strong background in Chemistry.
BIOL 1110 Principles of Biology 1
This course is designed for biology or science majors.
BIOL 1210 Principles of Biology 2
Students will explore evolution as unifying principle of biology.
PHYS 1100 Fundamentals of Physics 1
An algebra-based introduction to physics intended for students with some secondary school physics background.
PHYS 1200 Fundamentals of Physics 2
This course is a continuation of PHYS 1100: Fundamentals of Physics 1.
PHYS 1150 Mechanics and Waves
The student will develop an understanding of physics concepts, acquire and apply problem-solving skills, and gain hands-on experience with data collection and analysis.
PHYS 1250 Thermodynamics, Electricity and Magnetism
Continuing from PHYS 1150, the student will develop an understanding of concepts in electricity and magnetism, thermodynamics, and the kinetic theory of gases.
MATH 1130 Calculus 1 for Engineering
Students build a strong mathematical foundation for engineering by learning ideas, methods and applications of single-variable differential calculus.
MATH 1230 Calculus 2 for Engineering
Students learn the ideas and techniques of single-variable integral calculus from an engineering perspective.
MATH 1140 Calculus 1
Students study differential calculus for functions of one variable, with applications emphasizing the physical sciences.
MATH 1240 Calculus 2
This course covers integral calculus for functions of one variable, with applications emphasizing the physical sciences.
MATH 1150 Calculus for the Biological Sciences 1
Students study differential calculus for functions of one variable, with applications emphasizing the biological sciences.
MATH 1250 Calculus for the Biological Sciences 2
This course covers integral calculus for functions of one variable, with applications emphasizing the biological sciences.
ENGL 1100 Introduction to University Writing
Students explore the practices of reading and writing in scholarly contexts by investigating a chosen topic or issue.
ENGL 1110 Critical Reading and Writing
Students develop skills in close critical reading comprehension, written composition, and argumentation through the exploration and evaluation of a variety of creative narrative texts.
CHEM 2100 Introductory Analytical Chemistry
Students are introduced to the principles of analytical chemistry and their practical application to solution samples.
CHEM 2250 Fundamentals of Physical Chemistry
This course, intended for science majors, introduces chemical kinetics and thermodynamics with applications to gas behaviour and phase and reaction equilibria.
CHEM 2120 Organic Chemistry 1
This course is a study of the compounds of carbon with an emphasis on reaction mechanisms, to illustrate the basic principles of organic chemistry.
CHEM 2220 Organic Chemistry 2
This course is a continuation of CHEM 2120: Organic Chemistry 1, in which students further explore the principles of organic chemistry.
CHEM 2160 Structure, Bonding and Spectroscopy
Students develop fundamental quantum ideas in chemistry and apply them to topics in chemical bonding and spectroscopy.
BIOL 2160 Introductory Microbiology
Students are introduced to the world of microorganisms, including bacteria, yeasts, fungi, and viruses, and the important roles they play in ecosystem health.
BIOL 2130 Cell Biology
Students will explore the structure, organization and function of the eukaryotic cell.
BIOL 2340 Introduction to Genetics
Students explore the connections between the genetic composition of an organism and the outward expression of characteristics.
CMNS 2290 Technical Communication
Students study a variety of technical communications used to document professional activity, including proposals, technical and formal reports, policies and procedures, technical descriptions and definitions, and instructions.
CMNS 2300 Critical Thinking and Writing for Science and Technology
Students analyze and discuss examples of writing from scientific and technical literature to improve their communication skills for lay and scientific audiences.
Third and Fourth Year Course Descriptions
CHEM 3100 Instrumental Analysis
Students are introduced to the wide range of instrumental methods used in chemical analysis, as they are applied to modern analytical chemistry.
CHEM 3170 Instrumental Analysis Laboratory for Chemical Biology
This is a laboratory course designed to give students practical hands-on experience with the instrumentation discussed in CHEM 3100: Instrumental Analysis.
CHEM 3220 Advanced Organic Chemistry
This is a lecture course that covers the theory and practice of modern organic synthesis.
CHEM 3240 Organic Chemistry Laboratory
In this laboratory course, students perform a selection of organic chemistry experiments that are designed to develop synthetic skills and application of spectroscopic techniques to organic molecules.
CHEM 4450 Advanced Chemical Biology
Lectures and seminars examine the interface of chemistry and biology, and practical laboratory experience introduces students to advanced chemical biology techniques.
BIOL 3000 Biometrics
Students are introduced to statistical procedures for biological research.
BIOL 3130 Introduction to Biochemistry
Students examine central concepts in biochemistry, including the importance of water, buffers, pH and maintaining chemical equilibria within the internal environment of cells.
BIOL 3230 Biochemistry
Students analyze, and achieve an understanding of, metabolic pathways and bioenergetics, including glycolysis, fermentation and respiration and oxidation of fatty acids and amino acids.
BIOL 3350 Molecular Genetics
The discipline of molecular genetics focuses on the structure, organization and regulated expression of heritable information molecules.
BIOL 4150 Biochemical Techniques 1
Students gain hands-on laboratory experience in biochemical techniques, specifically those used in the isolation and quantification of biomolecules.
BIOL 4250 Biochemical Techniques 2 (Recombinant DNA)
In this laboratory-based course, students practice the techniques used to isolate and manipulate nucleic acids.
BIOL 3520 Cell Physiology
Students are introduced to the physiochemical basis for cellular activity, with emphasis on energy relationships, functions of cell parts, integration and internal control of cellular activities, and the mechanisms of influence of external factors.