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Bachelor of Science, Major Program

This program is available to applicants residing in Canada or outside Canada.

This degree program is designed for students wanting to specialize in biology/life science. TRU-OL defines the program requirements but does not offer all of the required curriculum at this time. New courses are continuously under development, as such it is important to monitor the website for new offerings. At this time, students need to complete some degree requirements through classroom or distance courses from other recognized post-secondary institutions and apply to transfer the credit to the degree program.

Admission Requirements

Open admission.

Students who plan to complete a credential through TRU-OL must complete and submit a Program Admission/Transfer Credit form.

Residency Requirements

15 credits of upper-level TRU coursework (distance or on-campus). Choose from university courses listed on this website.

Degree Requirements

120 credits, with a grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 or higher, are required as follows:

General Education Requirements (24 credits)

(may be met with lower-level or upper-level university courses; refer to general education requirements for disciplines)

6 credits in English (university-level composition and literature, e.g., TRU-OL's ENGL 1001, 1011 or 1101; Note that ENGL 1061 and 1071 do not meet this requirement)

6 credits in humanities other than English

6 credits in mathematics (including statistics) and/or science (these meet lower-level requirements)

6 credits in social science

Degree requirements may be met with credits earned through Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR).

Lower-level Requirements (27 credits)

MATH 1141, Calculus I (3) and 1241, Calculus II (3) or equivalents (TRU-OL's MATH 1157 and 1171 do not meet this requirement)

STAT 1201, Introduction to Probability and Statistics (3) or equivalent

18 credits in first-year or second-year science with a minimum of 6 credits in any three of the following subject areas:

  • Life science (biology, genetics, zoology, botany, microbiology, biological oceanography, plant and animal physiology, e.g., TRU-OL's BIOL 1113 1213, 2341, 2131)
  • Chemical science (chemistry, biochemistry)
  • Physical science (astronomy, physics, e.g. PHYS 1103, 1203)
  • Earth science (geology, atmospheric science, physical geography, geophysics, physical oceanography, e.g. GEOG 1221, GEOL 1111)
  • Mathematics (including statistics, e.g. MATH 1101, 2111, 2121)
  • Applied science (bioresource, chemical, civil, mechanical, electrical, or computer engineering science; forensic, forest or agricultural science)

Some interdisciplinary areas of studies may be allocated to more than one of these subject areas, depending on the content of the course.

C average is required in lower-level courses in the discipline of the major (biology/life science).

Upper-level Requirements (45 credits)

30 credits in the area of the major (biology/life science)
3 credits of Directed Studies

Directed Studies consists of concentrated study of a topic in the subject of the major (biology/life science) selected by the student in consultation with an Open Learning Faculty Member. It is open to students who have fulfilled the general education requirements, all the lower-level requirements of the major (biology/life science), and a minimum of 15 credits of upper-level courses in the subject of their major (biology/life science). As registration procedures differ for Directed Studies courses, students are required to consult with their TRU-OL program advisor before registering.

Minimum grade of C is required in each upper-level course, including Directed Studies, used to meet the 30 credits taken in the discipline of the major (biology/life science).

15 upper-level elective credits (may be science or non-science courses)

General Elective Requirements (24 credits)

May be lower-level or upper-level science or non-science courses

Note

30 credits of the degree requirements (with no more than 15 credits at the upper-level) may be applied studies, e.g. fine and performing arts studio courses and technology courses. Education, business, and administrative studies courses are reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

No course may be used to meet more than one of the specific requirements.

Campus-based equivalents to most course requirements are available.

Degree requirements may be met with credits earned by Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR).

Students are responsible for consulting with their TRU-OL program advisor to ensure that courses selected are appropriate for the program of study or to meet future educational goals. Students require a Letter of Permission before registering in a course (not listed on the website) at any other post-secondary institution to complete the credential. Students who proceed without approval may find that a particular course does not meet requirements and may be subject to transfer credit assessment fees.

Contact Student Services for more information.