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: 
Program Cost Estimates

Contact Information

Contact Name: 
Dr. Nancy Brown
Contact Title: 
Associate Dean
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.

Related Careers

Elementary or high school teacher (with certification)

Graduate school (continued studies)

Research and development

  • medical schools
  • research institutes
  • government agencies
  • private companies
  • universities

Public service

  • park service
  • field biologists
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: Applicants whose first language is not English must demonstrate English language proficiency in addition to the program admission requirements.

Graduation Requirements: 

You must pass 20 term university transfer courses or a minimum of 60 credit hours, and achieve a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.00 to receive a Diploma in University Transfer Studies.

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 and either CHEM 212 or CHEM 351 (6 credits)
  • Arts or Science Option (3 credits)
  • ENGL 219/ENGL 220 (6 credits)
  • STAT 251 (3 credits)
  • 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

Examines the major lineage of life on Earth. Overview of evolutionary principles and classification, the history of life, and the key adaptations of prokaryotes, protists, fungi, plants, and animals. Laboratories survey the diversity of biological form and function, and introduce the students to data collection and scientific writing. Prerequisite: Biology 30 Note: BIOL 217 is not a pre-requisite for BIOL 218. Note: BIOL 217 and 218 can be taken in either order.

CHEM 211

The first introductory-level chemistry course that focusses on the foundations of atomic properties and chemical reactions. Topics include: stoichiometry, reactions and titrations, ideal gases, atomic structure and bonding, chemical equilibrium, and acids and bases. Prerequisite: Chem 30 and Math 30-1.

CHEM 212

The second introductory-level chemistry course that further expands upon the foundations of various chemical reactions and systems by discussing their equilibrium and reaction rates. Topics include: buffers, titration curves, solubility and complex ion equilibria, thermodynamics and thermochemistry, chemical kinetics, and electrochemistry. Pre-requisite: Chem 211.

CHEM 351

An introduction to the chemistry of carbon compounds. The molecular structure, nomenclature, reactions, reaction mechanisms, structure determination and stereochemistry of alkanes, alkenes, alkynes and alkyl halides is discussed. Important organic compounds related to industry, agriculture and everyday use (polymers, fats, soaps, pesticides, medicinals, etc) are introduced. Prerequisite: CHEM 211 Note: You can only get credit for one of CHEM 241, CHEM 251 and CHEM 351.

ENGL 219

Explore university-level essay composition and the skills related to critical reading, interpretation, and argument. Prerequisite: ELA 30-1 or equivalent. 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

Introduction to Calculus with skill development lab. Review of analytic geometry. Differentiation of elementary, trigonometric, exponential, and logarithmic functions. Applications of the derivative. Integration. Fundamental Theorem of Calculus . Prerequisite: Math 30-1. Note: You should take Math 203 instead if you have at least 70% in Math 31. You cannot have credit in both Math 202 and 203.

MATH 203

Introduction to Calculus. Review of analytic geometry. Differentiation of elementary, trigonometric, exponential, and logarithmic functions. Applications of the derivative. Integration. Fundamental Theorem of Calculus. Prerequisite: Math 31 or equivalent. Note: You should take MATH 202 instead if you have less than 70% in Math 31. You cannot have credit in both MATH 202 and 203.

MATH 221

Solving linear systems of equations, matrix algegra, determinants, vectors, lines and planes, subspaces of n-space, and applications. Introduction to linear transformations, eigenvalues and eigenvectors. Prerequisite: Math 30-1

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. Please contact the artscienceinfo [at] rdc [dot] ab [dot] ca (Advisors in the School of Arts and Sciences).

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

Examines the major lineage of life on Earth. Overview of evolutionary principles and classification, the history of life, and the key adaptations of prokaryotes, protists, fungi, plants, and animals. Laboratories survey the diversity of biological form and function, and introduce the students to data collection and scientific writing. Prerequisite: Biology 30 Note: BIOL 217 is not a pre-requisite for BIOL 218. Note: BIOL 217 and 218 can be taken in either order.

CHEM 211

The first introductory-level chemistry course that focusses on the foundations of atomic properties and chemical reactions. Topics include: stoichiometry, reactions and titrations, ideal gases, atomic structure and bonding, chemical equilibrium, and acids and bases. Prerequisite: Chem 30 and Math 30-1.

CHEM 212

The second introductory-level chemistry course that further expands upon the foundations of various chemical reactions and systems by discussing their equilibrium and reaction rates. Topics include: buffers, titration curves, solubility and complex ion equilibria, thermodynamics and thermochemistry, chemical kinetics, and electrochemistry. Pre-requisite: Chem 211.

MATH 202

Introduction to Calculus with skill development lab. Review of analytic geometry. Differentiation of elementary, trigonometric, exponential, and logarithmic functions. Applications of the derivative. Integration. Fundamental Theorem of Calculus . Prerequisite: Math 30-1. Note: You should take Math 203 instead if you have at least 70% in Math 31. You cannot have credit in both Math 202 and 203.

MATH 203

Introduction to Calculus. Review of analytic geometry. Differentiation of elementary, trigonometric, exponential, and logarithmic functions. Applications of the derivative. Integration. Fundamental Theorem of Calculus. Prerequisite: Math 31 or equivalent. Note: You should take MATH 202 instead if you have less than 70% in Math 31. You cannot have credit in both MATH 202 and 203.

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 algegra, determinants, vectors, lines and planes, subspaces of n-space, and applications. Introduction to linear transformations, eigenvalues and eigenvectors. Prerequisite: Math 30-1

PHYS 205

A non-calculus course in physics. Kinematics, vectors, and forces in equilibrium. Linear and rotational motion. Dynamics of particles (oscillations). Prerequisite: Math 30-1; Physics 30 strongly recommended.

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

Please contact the artscienceinfo [at] rdc [dot] ab [dot] ca (Advisors in the School of Arts and Sciences).

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

Examines the major lineage of life on Earth. Overview of evolutionary principles and classification, the history of life, and the key adaptations of prokaryotes, protists, fungi, plants, and animals. Laboratories survey the diversity of biological form and function, and introduce the students to data collection and scientific writing. Prerequisite: Biology 30 Note: BIOL 217 is not a pre-requisite for BIOL 218. Note: BIOL 217 and 218 can be taken in either order.

CHEM 211

The first introductory-level chemistry course that focusses on the foundations of atomic properties and chemical reactions. Topics include: stoichiometry, reactions and titrations, ideal gases, atomic structure and bonding, chemical equilibrium, and acids and bases. Prerequisite: Chem 30 and Math 30-1.

CHEM 212

The second introductory-level chemistry course that further expands upon the foundations of various chemical reactions and systems by discussing their equilibrium and reaction rates. Topics include: buffers, titration curves, solubility and complex ion equilibria, thermodynamics and thermochemistry, chemical kinetics, and electrochemistry. Pre-requisite: Chem 211.

MATH 202

Introduction to Calculus with skill development lab. Review of analytic geometry. Differentiation of elementary, trigonometric, exponential, and logarithmic functions. Applications of the derivative. Integration. Fundamental Theorem of Calculus . Prerequisite: Math 30-1. Note: You should take Math 203 instead if you have at least 70% in Math 31. You cannot have credit in both Math 202 and 203.

MATH 203

Introduction to Calculus. Review of analytic geometry. Differentiation of elementary, trigonometric, exponential, and logarithmic functions. Applications of the derivative. Integration. Fundamental Theorem of Calculus. Prerequisite: Math 31 or equivalent. Note: You should take MATH 202 instead if you have less than 70% in Math 31. You cannot have credit in both MATH 202 and 203.

MATH 221

Solving linear systems of equations, matrix algegra, determinants, vectors, lines and planes, subspaces of n-space, and applications. Introduction to linear transformations, eigenvalues and eigenvectors. Prerequisite: Math 30-1

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

Please contact the artscienceinfo [at] rdc [dot] ab [dot] ca (Advisors in the School of Arts and Sciences).