Complete two years of undergraduate science at VCC, earning a solid foundation for upper-level university programs or a standalone credential.
What you will learn
Upon successful completion of this program, graduates will be able to:
- Analyze and interpret data collected through research or laboratory experiences
- Apply the core concepts of introductory sciences to real world problems
- Apply competent and relevant technology skills in solving problems
- Work well independently and in a team environment
- Use their scientific educational experiences as a solid foundation for academic readiness to higher level study at the third and fourth year level courses
What to expect
Program Duration and Maximum Time for Completion
The expected length of the program is two years. There is also the option of part-time studies, which would result in a longer time frame for completion of the credential. The maximum allowable time for students to complete the program is four years.
The courses are presented using a variety of instructional strategies, resources and activities including lectures, laboratories, online and blending learning, field trips, demonstrations, guest speakers, case studies, and applied practical experiences.
Admission requirements
Program-specific
- Grade 12 graduation or equivalent
- English 12 with a minimum 'C+' grade, or equivalent
- Pre-Calculus 12 with a minimum 'B' grade, or equivalent
- One of the following:
- Biology 12 with a minimum 'C+' grade, or
- Chemistry 12 with a minimum 'C+' grade, or
- Physics 12 with a minimum 'C+' grade, or
- Equivalent
Notes:
- Students are required to have successfully completed prerequisite courses leading to courses in the Associate degree (for example: prerequisite course Chemistry 12 or equivalent needs to be successfully completed in order to take CHEM 1121 Chemistry 1; a minimum of a 'B' grade in English 12 or equivalent is required to take ENGL 1100 English 1). See the requirements for each course.
- Specific post-secondary level courses may be used to substitute for secondary school courses at the discretion of the appropriate departments.
General
- This program is available to Canadian citizens and permanent residents. See program options for international students at VCC International.
- Applicants who self-identify as Indigenous are strongly encouraged to connect with VCC’s Indigenous Education and Community Engagement team to learn more about VCC’s Indigenous Enrolment policy, application preparation/completion, program advising, and a range of other individualized services.
- Applicants must be 16 years of age or older or a graduate of a secondary school. (Some exceptions may apply.)
- Applicants must submit official transcripts and other documents as required by their course or program. Seats are offered to eligible applicants with completed applications, in order of application completion date (except for programs with competitive admissions). A complete application includes an application form, evidence of educational pre-requisites (e.g. transcripts), any required supporting documents (e.g. language proficiency, audition video), and the required deposit or fee payment. If you do not meet the requirements for the term applied, your application may be cancelled.
Missing prerequisites? Learn more about VCC's tuition-free academic upgrading or English as a Second Language (ESL) courses, or discover which university transfer options are right for you.
Recommended Characteristics
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Courses *
Prior learning assessment and recognition
Prior learning assessment and recognition is not available for this program.
Students do not have to declare their intention of completing the Associate of Science credential before beginning to take courses. Courses are open to any student who meets the general and specific requirements for the course.
However, students will need to meet the admission requirements to the program before courses can be used to complete the Associate of Science degree.
No course can be used to meet more than one of the specific requirements (for example, MATH 1120 as both a Math requirement and a First Year Science requirement).
The Associate of Science degree requires the successful completion of a minimum 60 credits that have assigned or unassigned credit at Simon Fraser University, the University of British Columbia, the University of Victoria, or the University of Northern British Columbia.
Students are required to complete a minimum of 60 university-transferable credits at the 1st and 2nd-year level. These must include a minimum of 18 credits in Science at the second-year level taken in two or more subject areas (See Specific Requirements C2).
Students can accumulate credits at more than one institution and have them count as transfer credits towards the Associate of Science degree at VCC as long as they meet the general and specific requirements of the credential. Students will be required to complete at least 50% of their course work from VCC.
For further details about how a course is defined (e.g. arts/science/other, first-year/second-year, lab science/non-lab science etc.) please see https://www.bctransferguide.ca/learn-more-about/associate-degrees/
Students must complete:
A. 6 credits in first-year English
B. 6 credits in Mathematics which shall include at least 3 credits in Calculus (6 credits in Calculus is recommended)
C. 36 credits in Science which shall include:
C1. A minimum of 3 credits in a laboratory Science
C2. A minimum of 18 credits in second-year Science taken in at least two different subject areas (including additional Mathematics credits)
D. 6 credits in Arts other than English (excluding Mathematics and Laboratory-based Science courses)
E. 6 credits of first or second-year transferable courses in Arts, Science or other areas.
Total Program Credits: 60.0 credits (minimum)
* This information is intended as a guideline only. Program and course details are subject to change with the approval of VCC's Board of Governors.
Discover Open Studies
Open Studies lets you take courses from credit programs without having to be accepted into one. Based on availability, you can sample different courses, earn credits, and build new skills.
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Are you interested in this program?
Applications are open! Don't forget to:
- Submit your official transcripts to the Registrar's Office when you apply
- Check Important Dates for deadlines and registration information
Note:
- Graduates who complete the Computer Science Pathway are eligible to apply for third-year university programs in Computer Science and/or software systems.
- Second-year requirements are not currently available in Biology (BIOL) and Chemistry (CHEM).
Read the Associate of Science Course Selection Guide to find out more.
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