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

Survey biological macromolecules, membrane structure 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

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

CHEM 211

Introduction to the discipline and essential concepts of chemistry focusing on 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

Continued introduction to the discipline and essential concepts of chemistry focusing on 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 focusing on the molecular structure, nomenclature, reactions, reaction mechanisms and stereochemistry of hydrocarbons, and some functional groups including haloalkanes, alcohols, thiols, ethers and epoxides, Introuction to the use of important organic compounds related to industry, agriculture and everyday purposes. Prerequisite: CHEM 211 or CHEM 102 Anti-requisite: Chem 251

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

Compute limits, derivatives and integrals of a variety of single-variable functions. Interpret the theoretical meaning of these tools and their use in applications. Intended for students without prior calculus experience. Prerequisite: MATH 30-1. Anti-requisite: MATH 203

MATH 203

Compute limits, derivatives and integrals of a variety of single-variable functions. Interpret the theoretical meaning of these tools and their use in applications. Intended for students with prior calculus experience. Prerequisite: MATH 31 Anit-requisite: MATH 202

MATH 221

Explore higher dimensional geometric spaces using vectors, matrices and transformations. Prerequisite: Math 30-1

STAT 251

Explore methods for the collection, organization and summarization of data. Interpret the concepts of probability and distributions in order to make inferences about quantitative problems in applied settings. Prerequisite: Math 30-1 or Math 30-2 Anti-requisite: STAT 241, PSYC 309, SOCI 311, and BUS 306

Year 2

The UofA offers three different concentrations for their Biological Sciences degree: Ecology, Evolution, and Environmental Biology, Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, and Integrative Physiology. The second year schedule will depend on the concentration chosen. For more information, please contact the artscienceinfo [at] rdc [dot] ab [dot] ca (Advisors in the School of Arts and Sciences) or refer to Academic Advising Planning Guides.

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

Survey biological macromolecules, membrane structure 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

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

CHEM 211

Introduction to the discipline and essential concepts of chemistry focusing on 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

Continued introduction to the discipline and essential concepts of chemistry focusing on buffers, titration curves, solubility and complex ion equilibria, thermodynamics and thermochemistry, chemical kinetics, and electrochemistry. Pre-requisite: Chem 211.

MATH 202

Compute limits, derivatives and integrals of a variety of single-variable functions. Interpret the theoretical meaning of these tools and their use in applications. Intended for students without prior calculus experience. Prerequisite: MATH 30-1. Anti-requisite: MATH 203

MATH 203

Compute limits, derivatives and integrals of a variety of single-variable functions. Interpret the theoretical meaning of these tools and their use in applications. Intended for students with prior calculus experience. Prerequisite: MATH 31 Anit-requisite: MATH 202

MATH 204

Demonstrate use of advanced methods of differentiation and integration, and implement these methods to solve basic types of ordinary differential equations. Prerequisite: MATH 202 or 203 Anit-requisite: MATH 213

MATH 221

Explore higher dimensional geometric spaces using vectors, matrices and transformations. Prerequisite: Math 30-1

PHYS 205

Apply non-calculus quantitative methods to the study of the kinematic and dynamic properties of particles and bodies in motion while examining the concepts of forces, work and energy, momentum, and rotation. Prerequisite: MATH 30-1; PHYSICS 30 strongly recommended Anti-requisite: PHYS 241

PHYS 226

Apply non-calculus quantitative methods to the study of the fluid mechanics, electromagnetism, thermodynamics and nuclear physics while exploring the fundamental properties of light and matter. Prerequisite: PHYS 205 Anti requisites: PHYS 247 and PHYS 269

Suggested Pattern Year 2

Given the variety of Biological Sciences concentrations the UofC offers, please contact the artscienceinfo [at] rdc [dot] ab [dot] ca (Advisors in the School of Arts and Sciences) regarding the second year schedule, or refer to Academic Advising Planning Guides.

University of Lethbridge

 

 

Suggested Pattern Year 2

If you plan to transfer to the UofL, please contact the artscienceinfo [at] rdc [dot] ab [dot] ca (Advisors in the School of Arts and Sciences)

.