Associate of Science Biology

Associate Degree
Type
Length
Apply

Courses

Required courses

MATH-101
Differential Calculus
Typical Offerings
Timing Fall/Spring Only, Every Year
Locations
Requisites
  • Prerequisite: PreCalculus 12, MATH-100, or MATH-050, or equivalent minimum C
Description
This course is an introduction to the theory, techniques, and applications of differential calculus. It constitutes the first half of the two-semester first-year calculus sequence for students studying pure or applied science. Together, Math 101 and Math 102 satisfy the first-year mathematics requirement in all university transfer science and applied science programs. Topics include theory of limits, continuous and differentiable functions, algebraic and transcendental functions, basic optimization theory, and applications.
MATH-102
Integral Calculus
Typical Offerings
Timing Fall/Spring Only, Every Year
Locations
Requisites
  • Prerequisite: MATH-101 minimum C
Description
This course is an introduction to the theory, techniques, and applications of integral calculus. It constitutes the second half of the two-semester first-year calculus sequence for students studying pure or applied science. Together, Math 101 and Math 102 satisfy the first-year mathematics requirement in all university transfer science and applied science programs. Topics include antiderivatives, differential equations, definite and indefinite integrals, techniques of integration, transcendental functions, area, volume, arc length, improper integrals, infinite sequences and series, and applications.
ENGL-103
Composition & Style
Typical Offerings
Timing All Terms, Every Year
Locations
Requisites
Description
A study of grammar, composition, and style. A vigorous program of essay-writing plus a variety of writing assignments or exercises dealing with specific problems in essay-writing. Strongly recommended for students who wish to improve their writing skills.
BIO-107
Cellular & Organismal Biology
Typical Offerings
Timing Fall/Spring Only, Every Year
Locations
Requisites
  • Required Supporting Lab: BIO-107L
  • Bio Prerequisite: Biology 11, Life Sciences 11, BIO-045 or equivalent minimum C
Description
This lecture and lab-based course is an introduction to the biological sciences, with emphasis on the chemical nature of life, cell structure and function, metabolism, DNA replication, gene expression, and ecology. The laboratory component includes experiments that reinforce core concepts from the lecture. This course is intended for science majors.
BIO-120
Genetics, Evolution & Ecology
Typical Offerings
Timing Spring/Intersession Only, Every Year
Locations
Requisites
  • Required Supporting Lab: BIO-120L
  • Bio Prerequisite: Biology 11, Life Sciences 11, BIO-045 or equivalent minimum C
  • Chem Prerequisite: Chemistry 11, CHEM-045 or equivalent minimum C
Description
An introductory course exploring topics in the mechanism of inheritance at the organismal and molecular levels, evidence for and mechanisms of evolution, ecological relationships, and animal behaviour. The laboratory will include several long-term investigations, including laboratory experiments on organism? environmental relationships and optional field work.
BIO-201
Cell Structure
Typical Offerings
Timing Spring Only, Every Year
Locations
Requisites
  • Prerequisite: BIO-107, BIO-120 and CHEM-111, CHEM-112 or CHEM-113, CHEM-114 minimum C
  • Required Supporting Lab: BIO-201L
Description
The physical and chemical aspects of the biological structure and function of eukaryotic cells is explored, with emphasis on the experimental techniques used to understand cell biology. Additional topics include the evolutionary history of cells and key cell events, such as cell division, cell signalling, cell death, and cell renewal. Laboratory exercises provide an opportunity to perform basic techniques, highlight structures and functions of organelles, and develop skills in experimental design.
BIO-202
Intro to Biochemistry
Typical Offerings
Timing Spring Only, Every Year
Locations
Requisites
  • Corequisite Or Prerequisite: CHEM-204 minimum C
  • Prerequisite: BIO-107, BIO-120 minimum C
  • Required Supporting Lab: BIO-202L
Description
An introductory biochemistry course focusing on the chemical basis of life. This course emphasizes the biochemistry and function of proteins, DNA, carbohydrates and lipids in living systems. Other topics covered include bioenergetics, properties of enzymes, regulation of enzymatic activity, and current laboratory technology used in the recovery and analysis of DNA and proteins.
CHEM-203
Organic Chemistry I
Typical Offerings
Timing Fall Only, Every Year
Locations
Requisites
  • Prerequisite: CHEM-112 or CHEM-114 minimum C
  • Required Supporting Lab: CHEM-203L
Description
The course provides an introduction to organic chemistry. A survey of structure and reactivity for the major functional groups is followed by an introduction to analysis and structure determination using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and infrared (IR) spectroscopy. A major topic on chirality and conformational analysis is included. Laboratory experience includes an introduction to synthetic methods.
CHEM-204
Organic Chemistry II
Typical Offerings
Timing Spring Only, Every Year
Locations
Requisites
  • Prerequisite: CHEM-203 minimum C
  • Required Supporting Lab: CHEM-204L
Description
Mechanism and synthesis are discussed as central themes in organic chemistry. This course surveys substitution, addition, elimination, rearrangement, and oxidation reduction reactions for the functional groups introduced in CHEM 203. Additional topics in carbonyl and carbohydrate chemistry are included. Laboratory experiments provide experience in contemporary synthetic methods.
BIO-215
Microbiology
Typical Offerings
Timing Fall Only, Every Year
Locations
Requisites
  • Prerequisites: BIO-107, BIO-120 minimum C
  • Required Supporting Lab: BIO-215L
Description
This course introduces students to the diversity of the microbial world through a basic taxonomical survey of prokaryotes, eukaryotes, and viruses with emphasis on prokaryotic cell structure, growth & control, metabolism, and genetics. Students will also be introduced to the basic principles involved in the microbiology subdisciplines of microbial ecology, industrial microbiology and medical microbiology. The laboratory component will require proficiency in the basic microbiology laboratory techniques.
BIO-220
Introductory Genetics
Typical Offerings
Timing Fall Only, Every Year
Locations
Requisites
  • Prerequisite: BIO-107, BIO-120 and CHEM-111, CHEM-112 or CHEM-113, CHEM-114 minimum C
  • Required Supporting Lab: BIO-220L
Description
An introductory course exploring the mechanism of inheritance at the cellular and molecular levels. Topics include the chemical nature of DNA, DNA replication, gene expression, DNA repair, genomics, Mendelian and non-Mendelian genetics. The laboratory will include several long-term investigations, many of which employ the use of the important model organism, Drosophila melanogaster. Experiments include genetic mapping of drosophila genes, population genetics, genome database searches/bioinformatics, and human genome analysis.

CHEM 111 or 113

CHEM-111
Fundamentals of Chemistry I
Typical Offerings
Timing Fall Only, Every Year
Locations
Requisites
  • Required Supporting Lab: CHEM-111L
  • Chem Prerequisite: Chemistry 12, CHEM-050, or equivalent minimum C
  • Math Prerequisite: Pre-calculus 12, MATH-050 or MATH-100, or equivalent minimum C
Description
This course is designed for students who have taken a Chemistry 12 equivalent course within the past 2 years. Topics covered include the electronic structure of atoms, trends of the periodic table, modern bonding theories, intermolecular forces and organic chemistry. A strong understanding of stoichiometry is recommended. Students who take this course cannot take CHEM 113 for additional credit.
CHEM-113
Introduction to Chemistry I
Typical Offerings
Timing Fall/Spring Only, Every Year
Locations
Requisites
  • Required Supporting Lab: CHEM 113L
  • Chem Pre-Requisite: Chemistry 11, CHEM-045, or equivalent minimum C
  • Math Pre-Requisite: Foundations of Math 11, Pre-calculus 11, MATH-045, or equivalent minimum C
Description
This course is primarily intended for students without a Chemistry 12 equivalent prerequisite. Topics covered include stoichiometry, solutions, the electronic structure of atoms, trends of the periodic table, modern bonding theories, intermolecular forces and organic chemistry. Students who take this course cannot take CHEM 111 for additional credit.

CHEM-112 or 114

CHEM-112
Fundamentals of Chemistry II
Typical Offerings
Timing Spring Only, Every Year
Locations
Requisites
  • Prerequisite: CHEM-111 minimum C
  • Required Supporting Lab: CHEM 112L
Description
Together with CHEM 111, this course provides credit for first-year university chemistry. Topics covered include thermochemistry and chemical thermodynamics, properties of solutions, solution stoichiometry and aqueous equilibria, chemical equilibrium, acid-base equilibrium, electrochemistry and reaction kinetics. Students who take this course cannot take CHEM 114 for additional credit.
CHEM-114
Introduction to Chemistry II
Typical Offerings
Timing Fall/Spring Only, Every Year
Locations
Requisites
  • Prerequisite: CHEM-113 minimum C
  • Required Supporting Lab: CHEM-114L
Description
This course, together with CHEM 113, provides credit for first-year university chemistry. Topics covered include thermochemistry and chemical thermodynamics, reaction kinetics, properties of solutions, solution stoichiometry and aqueous equilibria, chemical equilibrium, acid-base equilibrium, and electrochemistry. Students who take this course cannot take CHEM 112 for additional credit.

PHYS-101 or 105

PHYS-105
General Physics I
Typical Offerings
Timing Fall Only, Every Year
Locations
Requisites
  • Required Supporting Lab: PHYS-105L
  • Phys Prerequisite: Physics 11 or PHYS-045 or equivalent minimum C
  • Math Prerequisite: Pre-Calculus 11 or MATH-045 or equivalent minimum C
Description
This course is an algebra-based introduction to physics for students in the life and environmental sciences. Topics include kinematics, dynamics, energy, fluids, geometric optics, temperature, and heat.

PHYS-102 or PHYS-106

PHYS-106
General Physics II
Typical Offerings
Timing Spring Only, Every Year
Locations
Requisites
  • Required Supporting Lab: PHYS-106L
  • Phys Prerequisite: Physics 11 or PHYS-045 or equivalent minimum C
  • Math Prerequisite: Foundations of Math 11, PreCalculus 11 or equivalent minimum C
Description
This course is an algebra-based introduction to physics for students in the life and environmental sciences. Topics include momentum, rotational motion and dynamics, Newtonian gravitation, rotational equilibrium, vibration and waves, wave optics, electricity, and magnetism. This course, along with PHYS 105, satisfies physics requirement for those whose program areas require a year of university-level (non-calculus) physics.

ENGL choice

Humanities or Social Science

Elective Arts, Sciences that transfer to SFU UBC UNBC UVIC

Entry Requirements

While it wasn’t always easy combining classroom time and field trips on top of the hours for studying and homework, it’s been great to gain so much hands-on experience during the courses.

Michelle Lindemann
Civil Engineering Technology

I like the problem-solving nature of millwrighting. I love how diverse the trade is. There’s always something new and different to work on.

Dusty Cathcart 2026
Vanderhoof Industrial Mechanic

This program gives you the ability to have a lot of hands-on time in the clinic where you can practice the skills you are learning and get a bit of an idea of what it is like to be a dental assistant.

Jordyn Karl
Dental Assistant Certificate Student

Taking this program is one of the most exciting things I could've done. It helped me grow into a professional, while also growing personally. I have carried my knowledge forward and will always hold the program and faculty close to my heart.

Janessa Sigurdson 2025
Accounting and Finance

Get More Information