Program Requirements

Since OL does not offer all courses required, expect to complete some degree requirements through TRU (on-campus equivalents are offered for many OL courses) or through other recognized post-secondary institutions. Then, apply to transfer the credit to the BSc, Major. Continue to monitor the OL website for the addition of new courses.

Admission Requirements

Open Admission

Residency Requirements

A minimum of 15 TRU credits (distance or on campus)

Degree Requirements

120 credits total, with a grade point average (GPA) of 2.00 or higher over all courses required for this credential, as follows:

General Education Requirements (24 credits)

These may be met with lower-level or upper-level university courses, as follows:

• Six credits in English (university-level composition and literature (ENGL 1001, 1011 or 1101)
• Six credits in humanities other than English Literature and Composition (ENGL 1011, 1011)
• Six credits in mathematics (including statistics) and/or science (these meet lower-level requirements)
• Six credits in social science

Lower Level Requirements (27 credits)

MATH 1141, Calculus I (3) and 1241, Calculus II (3) or equivalents; note that MATH 1001, 1091, 1157, 1171 and 1901 do not meet the mathematics requirement, and MATH 1001 is not accepted in any Science program

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

18 credits in first- 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: BIOL 1113, 1213, 2131, 2341, 3021, 3101, 3131, 3231, 3431)
• Chemical science (chemistry, biochemistry: CHEM 1503, 1523; BIOL 3131, 3231)
• Physical science (astronomy, physics: PHYS 1103, 1203)
• Earth science (geology, atmospheric science, physical geography, geophysics, physical oceanography: GEOG 1221, GEOL 1111)
• Mathematics (including statistics): MATH 1101, 2111 or 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.

Upper Level Requirements (45 credits)

30 credits total in the area of the major (biology/life science), including the option of three credits of Directed Studies

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

Elective Requirements (24 credits)

May be lower- or upper-level science or non-science courses, with the exception of MATH 1001, Pre-Calculus Mathematics

Directed Studies

Directed studies consists of concentrated study of a topic in the discipline of the major that you select in consultation with an Open Learning Faculty Member. It is an option once you have fulfilled the General Education requirements, all the lower-level requirements and a minimum of 15 credits of upper-level courses in the subject of the major. Ask your Program Advisor about registration procedures for Directed Studies.