Biological Sciences, Bachelor of Science

Program Information
Credential: 
Bachelor's Degree
Duration: 

2 years at RDC - 2 years at U of A, U of C or U of L

Delivery: 
Main Campus
Program Cost Estimates: 

Contact Information

Contact Name: 
Dr. Bryan Rowsell
Contact Title: 
Chairperson
Contact Phone: 
403.342.3400 OR 1.888.732.4630
Contact Email: 
inquire@rdc.ab.ca
University Transfer Program

Two-Year University Transfer Program:

For the most current university program and transfer information, see the Planning Guides in Academic Advising.

The Program

RDC offers the first one or two years of study toward a degree in biological sciences at Alberta universities. Details of the University of Alberta, University of Calgary, and The University of Lethbridge programs are given below.

Transfer Features

The courses offered in this program can be transferred in full to most universities. The courses you select must meet the program requirements of the university chosen. You should be prepared to choose a major within the biological sciences.

A transfer student may obtain up to 2 full years credit in Biological Sciences at U of A, U of C, or U of L.  (See the Alberta Transfer Guide.)

Requirements
Admission Requirements: 

Related Link: Admission requirements for specific programs will often refer to Alberta Grade 12 course groups. Visit the Admissions page for detailed group descriptions.

1. Minimum average of 60% with no mark below 50% in:

  1. Biology 30
  2. Chemistry 30
  3. ELA 30-1
  4. Mathematics 30-1
  5. Subject from Group A, B, OR C (Physics 30 or Mathematics 31 strongly recommended)

OR

2. Mature Student

You must be 19 years of age or older, out of high school for at least one full year before the program starts, and have a minimum average of 60% with no mark below 50% in:

  1. Biology 30
  2. Chemistry 30
  3. ELA 30-1
  4. Mathematics 30-1

Note: In addition to the program admission requirements applicants, whose first language is not English, must demonstrate English language proficiency.

Program Content
University of Alberta

(Please note these credits are U of A credits.)

Suggested Pattern Year 1

  • BIOL 217/BIOL 218 (6 credits)
  • CHEM 211/CHEM 212 or Science Option (6 credits)
  • Arts or Science Option (6 credits)
  • ENGL 219/ENGL 220 (6 credits)
  • STAT 251/one of MATH 202, MATH 203 or MATH 221 (6 credits)
Year 1 Course Descriptions

BIOL 217

An introduction to cellular and molecular biology. Topics include: biological macromolecules; membrane stucture and function; cellular structure; bioenergetics and energy flow; respiration and photosynthesis; cell division and the cell cycle; DNA structure and replication; transcription and translation; recombinant DNA and genetic regulation. Prerequisite: Biology 30 and Chemistry 30 Note: BIOL 217 and 218 can be taken in either order.

BIOL 218

An introduction to how the diverse organisms on this planet have been affected by their ennvironment and how the current environment is the product of the activities or organisms. The course also examines how evolution has operated over long time periods to produce major groups of organisms and how evolutionary origins are reflected in their classsification. The principles that underlie our understanding of the major lineages will be discussed using examples from bacteria; fungi; protists; animals; and plants. A description of the involvement of organisms in major ecosystem processes leads to an evaluation of the stability of those systems and of human impact on the processes. Prerequisite: Biology 30 Note: BIOL 217 and 218 can be taken in either order

CHEM 211

Stoichiometry; ideal gases; atomic structure and bonding; thermochemistry; chemical equilibrium; acids and bases; buffers; titrations. Prerequisite: Chem 30 and Math 30

CHEM 212

Titration curves; solubility and complex ion equilibria; entropy and Gibbs energy; chemical kinetics; electrochemistry; bonding and structure. Prerequisite: CHEM 211

ENGL 219

The focus is on formal preparation for university level essay writing and the skills related to critical reading; interpretation; and argument. Prerequisite: ELA 30-1 or English 095 NOTE: Credit will not be granted for both ENGL 219 and ENGL 210.

ENGL 220

The course explores a range of literary genres while continuing to focus on deepening the required structural and critical skills related to thinking and writing about literature. Pre-requisite: Engl 219 NOTE: Credit will not be granted for both ENGL 220 and 210.

MATH 202

Review of analytical geometry; differentiation and integration of simple functions; and applications. Prerequisite: Math 30-1 Note: You should take MATH 203 if you have at least 70% in Math 31.

MATH 203

Review of analytical geometry; differentiation and intergration of simple functions; and applications. Prerequisite: Math 30 and 31 or the equivalent. Note: Not recommended if you have less than 70% in Math 31.

MATH 221

Solving linear systems of equations. Matrix algebra. Determinants; vectors; lines and planes; vector spaces; and applications. Prerequisite: Math 30 or equivalent.

STAT 251

Data collection and presentation; descriptive statistics. Probability distributions; sampling distributions and the central limit theorem. Point estimation and hypothesis testing. Correlation and regression analysis. Goodness-of- fit and contingency table. Prerequisite: Math 30-1 or Math 30-2 Note: This course may not be taken for credit if credit has already been obtained in any of STAT 241; PSYC 309; SOCI 311; or BUS 306.

Year 2

A variety of offerings exist - Animal Biology, Ecology, Evolutionary Biology, Microbiology, and Molecular Genetics. The appropriate courses depend upon the major you have chosen. See an academic advisor for details.

University of Calgary

(Please note these credits are U of C credits.)

Note: Physics 30 is recommended for this program.

Suggested Pattern Year 1

  • BIOL 217/BIOL 218 (6 credits)
  • CHEM 211/CHEM 212 (6 credits)
  • Two non-science options (6 credits)
  • MATH 202 or MATH 203 & MATH 221 (6 credits)
  • PHYS 205 or Option/PHYS 226 or Option (6 credits)
Year 1 Course Descriptions

BIOL 217

An introduction to cellular and molecular biology. Topics include: biological macromolecules; membrane stucture and function; cellular structure; bioenergetics and energy flow; respiration and photosynthesis; cell division and the cell cycle; DNA structure and replication; transcription and translation; recombinant DNA and genetic regulation. Prerequisite: Biology 30 and Chemistry 30 Note: BIOL 217 and 218 can be taken in either order.

BIOL 218

An introduction to how the diverse organisms on this planet have been affected by their ennvironment and how the current environment is the product of the activities or organisms. The course also examines how evolution has operated over long time periods to produce major groups of organisms and how evolutionary origins are reflected in their classsification. The principles that underlie our understanding of the major lineages will be discussed using examples from bacteria; fungi; protists; animals; and plants. A description of the involvement of organisms in major ecosystem processes leads to an evaluation of the stability of those systems and of human impact on the processes. Prerequisite: Biology 30 Note: BIOL 217 and 218 can be taken in either order

CHEM 211

Stoichiometry; ideal gases; atomic structure and bonding; thermochemistry; chemical equilibrium; acids and bases; buffers; titrations. Prerequisite: Chem 30 and Math 30

CHEM 212

Titration curves; solubility and complex ion equilibria; entropy and Gibbs energy; chemical kinetics; electrochemistry; bonding and structure. Prerequisite: CHEM 211

MATH 202

Review of analytical geometry; differentiation and integration of simple functions; and applications. Prerequisite: Math 30-1 Note: You should take MATH 203 if you have at least 70% in Math 31.

MATH 203

Review of analytical geometry; differentiation and intergration of simple functions; and applications. Prerequisite: Math 30 and 31 or the equivalent. Note: Not recommended if you have less than 70% in Math 31.

MATH 204

Differentiation and integration of trigonometric; exponential; and logarithmic functions. Indeterminate forms and improper integrals. Techniques of integration. Applications. Prerequisite: MATH 202 or 203 or equivalent. Note: You cannot have credit in both MATH 204 and MATH 213.

MATH 221

Solving linear systems of equations. Matrix algebra. Determinants; vectors; lines and planes; vector spaces; and applications. Prerequisite: Math 30 or equivalent.

PHYS 205

A non-calculus course in physics. Kinematics; vectors; and forces in equilibrium. Linear and rotational motion. Dynamics of particles (oscillations). Prerequisite: Physics 30 or equivalent. Math 30 Pure.

PHYS 226

Fluid statics and dynamics; gases; kinetic interpretation; electrostatics; currents and circuits; magnetic fields; electromagnetic induction; nuclear radiation; its interaction with matter and applications. Prerequisite: PHYS 205 Note: Credit may only be obtained for one of the following: PHYS 226; 246; 247 or 269

Suggested Pattern Year 2

See an academic advisor for information.

University of Lethbridge

(Please note these credits are U of L credits.)

Suggested Pattern Year 1

  • BIOL 217/BIOL 218 (6 credits)
  • CHEM 211/CHEM 212 (6 credits)
  • STAT 251 (3 credits)
  • Fine Arts or Humanities (6 credits)
  • Social Sciences (6 credits)
  • One of MATH 202, MATH 203, MATH 221 (3 credits)
Year 1 Course Descriptions

BIOL 217

An introduction to cellular and molecular biology. Topics include: biological macromolecules; membrane stucture and function; cellular structure; bioenergetics and energy flow; respiration and photosynthesis; cell division and the cell cycle; DNA structure and replication; transcription and translation; recombinant DNA and genetic regulation. Prerequisite: Biology 30 and Chemistry 30 Note: BIOL 217 and 218 can be taken in either order.

BIOL 218

An introduction to how the diverse organisms on this planet have been affected by their ennvironment and how the current environment is the product of the activities or organisms. The course also examines how evolution has operated over long time periods to produce major groups of organisms and how evolutionary origins are reflected in their classsification. The principles that underlie our understanding of the major lineages will be discussed using examples from bacteria; fungi; protists; animals; and plants. A description of the involvement of organisms in major ecosystem processes leads to an evaluation of the stability of those systems and of human impact on the processes. Prerequisite: Biology 30 Note: BIOL 217 and 218 can be taken in either order

CHEM 211

Stoichiometry; ideal gases; atomic structure and bonding; thermochemistry; chemical equilibrium; acids and bases; buffers; titrations. Prerequisite: Chem 30 and Math 30

CHEM 212

Titration curves; solubility and complex ion equilibria; entropy and Gibbs energy; chemical kinetics; electrochemistry; bonding and structure. Prerequisite: CHEM 211

MATH 202

Review of analytical geometry; differentiation and integration of simple functions; and applications. Prerequisite: Math 30-1 Note: You should take MATH 203 if you have at least 70% in Math 31.

MATH 203

Review of analytical geometry; differentiation and intergration of simple functions; and applications. Prerequisite: Math 30 and 31 or the equivalent. Note: Not recommended if you have less than 70% in Math 31.

MATH 221

Solving linear systems of equations. Matrix algebra. Determinants; vectors; lines and planes; vector spaces; and applications. Prerequisite: Math 30 or equivalent.

STAT 251

Data collection and presentation; descriptive statistics. Probability distributions; sampling distributions and the central limit theorem. Point estimation and hypothesis testing. Correlation and regression analysis. Goodness-of- fit and contingency table. Prerequisite: Math 30-1 or Math 30-2 Note: This course may not be taken for credit if credit has already been obtained in any of STAT 241; PSYC 309; SOCI 311; or BUS 306.

Suggested Pattern Year 2

See an academic advisor for information.

Burman University

Burman University provides students with the opportunity to transfer into Bachelor of Science (Three and Four year) Biology programs. To meet the core, cognate, and major requirements for transfer into this program, consult with an Academic Advisor.