4 Years
The Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences at Red Deer Polytechnic is a four-year degree program. The program emphasizes contemporary concepts in biology and practical scientific skills applicable to both field and laboratory settings. Students registered in this program will explore topics ranging from the level of molecules and cells to that of organisms, communities, and populations. The Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences is intended to prepare graduates for employment in biology-related fields or for continued education within graduate programs or at professional schools.
Program Outcomes
At the end of this program, graduating students will be able to:
1. Demonstrate competency in analytical methods.
2. Assess critically one's own strengths and weaknesses in relation to areas of study and future growth.
3. Develop and conduct a scientific research project using appropriate management tools, research tools, and methods.
4. Communicate scientific knowledge and results clearly and succinctly through oral, visual, and written formats to diverse audiences.
5. Demonstrate collaborative, independent, and inclusive attitudes and practices integrating multidisciplinary perspectives and approaches.
6. Demonstrate professional conduct in all aspects of individual and team-based work.
7. Construct and implement creative solutions to problems that impact society by drawing from scientific and multidisciplinary theories, principles, and methods.
8. Evaluate scientific questions using the knowledge and skills from the biological sciences, physical sciences, mathematics, humanities, and social sciences.
9. Integrate Indigenous knowledge and perspectives into scientific study with the recognition of indigenous histories, practices, and relationships.
Minimum average of 60% with no mark below 50% in Biology 30, Chemistry 30, ELA 30-1, and Mathematics 30-1.
Note: Applicants whose first language is not English must demonstrate English language proficiency in addition to the program admission requirements.
Students enrolled in the Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences degree program must meet the following course and credit requirements in order to graduate:
• a minimum of 120 credits or the equivalent
• a minimum of six credits in each of the three areas of study: Humanities, Social Sciences, and Sciences
• a minimum of 102 credits in Arts and/or Science courses
• a minimum of 72 credits at the senior level
• a minimum of three credits in each of five disciplines
• a maximum of 72 credits in any one discipline
Specifically, students must complete the following course and credit requirements with a 2.0 GPA in order to graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences degree:
• 19 core courses in Biology (57 credits): BIOL 217, BIOL 218, BIOL 301, BIOL 317, BIOL 318, BIOL 351, BIOL 352, BIOL 360, BIOL 370, BIOL 3101, BIOL 3201, BIOL 3301, BIOL 3401, BIOL 3411, BIOL 3801, BIOL 4491, BIOL 4891, BIOL 4401, BIOL 4901
• 8 core courses in other Sciences (24 credits): BIOC 393, CHEM 211, CHEM 212, CHEM 351, MATH 202, PHYS 205, SCIE 2101, STAT 251
• 1 core course in English (3 credits): ENGL 219
• 2 open elective courses in Humanities (6 credits)
• 2 open elective courses in Social Sciences (6 credits)
• 2 open elective courses in the School of Arts and Sciences (6 credits)
• 1 elective course in wellness studies (3 credits)
• 1 elective course in Indigenous studies (3 credits)
• 4 open elective courses (12 credits)
Students must earn a minimum letter grade of D in each course unless that course is a prerequisite for a 3000-level or 4000-level course in the program in which case they must earn a minimum letter grade of C-.
Note: Humanities electives can be selected from university-level courses in the following: Classics, English, History, Philosophy, specific Fine Arts (Acting, Creative Art, Drama, Music or Visual Art) or General Humanities.