Program Overview

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Introduction to the Bachelor of Science Program

The Bachelor of Science degree is offered as either a B.Sc. or B.Sc. (Honours). 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 the First Year

The first year of the Bachelor of Science program includes a variety of courses that lay the foundation for future studies. These courses are designed to introduce students to the principles of science and to help them develop essential skills in critical thinking, problem-solving, and communication.

Concentrations

The Bachelor of Science program offers several concentrations, each with its own set of required and elective courses. The concentrations are:

• Biology
• Chemistry
• Computer Science
• Geoscience
• Mathematics
• Physics

Biology Concentration

The Biology concentration requires the following courses in the first year:

• Fall semester:
  • Biology 211
  • Mathematics 249 or 265
  • Concentration Two Requirement: (C2: CHEM): Chemistry 201 or 203
    (C2: CPSC): Philosophy 279
    (C2: GEOS): Earth 210 or Chemistry 201 or 203
    (C2: MATH): Any 200-level MATH
    (C2: PHYS): Physics 211 or 2211
  • Non-Science Option (Breadth Requirement)3
  • Computer Science 217
• Winter semester:
  • Biology 213
  • Mathematics 211 or 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): Any 200-level MATH
  • Option not in the Field of Biological Sciences or Field of Concentration Two*
  • Non-Science Option (Breadth Requirement)3

Chemistry Concentration

The Chemistry concentration requires the following courses in the first year:

• Fall semester:
  • Chemistry 201 or 203
  • Mathematics 249 or 265
  • Concentration Two Requirement: (C2: BISI): Biology 211
    (C2: CPSC): Philosophy 279
    (C2: GEOS): Earth 210 or Option not in the Field of Chemistry
    (C2: MATH): Any 200-level MATH
    (C2: PHYS): Physics 211 or 221 or 227
• Either fall or winter semester:
  • Computer Science 217
  • Non-Major Field Option3
  • Non-Science Option (Breadth Requirement)2
  • Non-Science Option (Breadth Requirement)2
• Winter semester:
  • Chemistry 201 or 203
  • Mathematics 267
  • Concentration Two Requirement: (C2: BISI): Biology 213
    (C2: CPSC): Computer Science 219
    (C2: GEOS): Earth 210 or Option not in the Field of Geophysics
    (C2: MATH): Any 200-level MATH
    (C2: PHYS): Physics 229

Computer Science Concentration

The Computer Science concentration requires the following courses in the first year:

• Fall semester:
  • Computer Science 217
  • Mathematics 249 or 265
  • Concentration Two Requirement: (C2: BISI): Biology 211
    (C2: CHEM): Chemistry 201 or 203
    (C2: GEOS): Earth 210 or Chemistry 201 or 203
    (C2: MATH): Any 200-level MATH
    (C2: PHYS): Physics 211 or 221 or 2271
• 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)2
  • Non-Science Option (Breadth Requirement)3
• Winter semester:
  • Computer Science 219
  • Mathematics 267
  • Concentration Two Requirement: (C2: BISI): Biology 213
    (C2: CHEM): Chemistry 201 or 203
    (C2: GEOS): Earth 210 or Chemistry 201 or 203
    (C2: MATH): Any 200-level MATH
    (C2: PHYS): Physics 223

Geoscience Concentration

The Geoscience concentration requires the following courses in the first year:

• Fall semester:
  • Mathematics 249 or 265
  • Physics 211 or 2211
• Either fall or winter semester:
  • Chemistry 201
  • Chemistry 203
  • Earth 210
  • Computer Science 217
  • Non-Science Option (Breadth Requirement)2
  • Non-Science Option (Breadth Requirement)2
  • Non-Major Field Option (Breadth Requirement)3
• Winter semester:
  • Mathematics 211
  • Physics 223

Mathematics Concentration

The Mathematics concentration requires the following courses in the first year:

• Fall semester:
  • Mathematics 249 or 265
  • Mathematics 211
  • Concentration Two Requirement: (C2: BISI): Biology 211
    (C2: CHEM): Chemistry 201 or 203
    (C2: CPSC): Philosophy 279
    (C2: GEOS): Earth 210 or Chemistry 201 or 203
    (C2: PHYS): Physics 211 or 221 or 227
• Either semester:
  • Computer Science 2174
  • Option not in the Field of General Mathematics or Field of Concentration Two*
  • Non-Science Option (Breadth Requirement)2
  • Non-Science Option (Breadth Requirement)2
• Winter semester:
  • Mathematics 267
  • Mathematics 271 or Open Option3
  • Concentration Two Requirement: (C2: BISI): Biology 213
    (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 229

Physics Concentration

The Physics concentration requires the following courses in the first year:

• Fall semester:
  • Physics 2271
  • Mathematics 249 or 265
  • Concentration Two Requirement: (C2: BISI): Biology 211
    (C2: CHEM): Chemistry 201 or 203
    (C2: CPSC): Philosophy 279
    (C2: GEOS): Earth 210 or Chemistry 201 or 203
    (C2: MATH): Any 200-level MATH
• Either semester:
  • Computer Science 2172
  • Option not in the Field of General Mathematics or Field of Concentration Two*2
  • Non-Science Option (Breadth Requirement)2
  • Non-Science Option (Breadth Requirement)2
• Winter semester:
  • Physics 229
  • Mathematic 267
  • Concentration Two Requirement: (C2: BISI): Biology 213
    (C2: CHEM): Chemistry 201 or 203
    (C2: CPSC): Computer Science 219 or 233
    (C2: GEOS): Earth 210 or Chemistry 201 or 203
    (C2: MATH): Any 200-level MATH
  • Non-Science Option (Breadth Requirement)2

Your Faculty and Major

Degree programs and courses are each housed in a specific Faculty. The Bachelor of Science degree program is housed in the Faculty of Science. The Major refers to the subject area that the Bachelor of Science degree will focus on.

Enhance Your Bachelor of Science Program

The University of Calgary offers several opportunities to enhance the Bachelor of Science program, including:

• Science Internship Program: Gain valuable work experience in your industry before graduating.
• International Study Opportunities: Experience different cultures and gain a better understanding of world issues while earning credit towards your degree.
• Community Service-Learning: Combine classroom learning with volunteer work that achieves community goals.
• Arts and Science Honours Academy: Be part of a unique program that combines collaborative study, global opportunities, and academic challenge.