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INTERDEPARTMENTAL PROGRAMS
Eight interdepartmental programs are available based on existing courses in the Science Faculty to
meet the needs of students proceeding into an interdisciplinary area. These Majors programs are
not truly interdisciplinary but are extracted from the specialized offerings of two Departments in
each case.
These programs are administered jointly by the two departments concerned, and students should
refer to specified program advisors for counselling.
Note: In individual cases certain modifications to these programs may be recommended by the
Chairs of the Departments concerned, or their delegates.
Honours in Interdepartmental Programs
Application for Honours in the interdepartmental programs is made prior to registration in the final
year to the appropriate Department Chairs or their delegates. The Honours content of
interdepartmental programs consists of content in addition to that prescribed for the
corresponding Majors program, usually in the final year. Normally this will be in the form of one of
the departmental honours or senior research projects (i.e. BIOL 4090 , CHEM 4000 , ESCI 4900 ,
PHYS 4338). Requirements for qualified students will be approved by the two Departments
responsible for the program, in consultation.
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BIOLOGY-CHEMISTRY OPTION
The interdepartmental Biology-Chemistry Program provides a comprehensive curriculum covering
biochemistry and molecular biology. It combines core courses from Biology, Chemistry, Math and
Physics, with a selection of other courses in Biology and Chemistry and electives in any discipline.
Two levels are offered; the Major (131 ch) and Honours (149 ch). Students are encouraged to enter
the Honours program; switching to the Major program if circumstances warrant. Students will
normally enter the Biology-Chemistry program after completing the Year I science curriculum (38
ch). Students must consult with the Biology-Chemistry advisor in Biology or Chemistry to enter the
program and obtain an approved program of study.
Core Requirements
Year I (38 ch)
BIOL 1001 , 1006 , 1012 , 1017 , CHEM 1001 , 1006 , 1012 , 1017 , MATH 1003 or 1053 , 1013 or
1063 , PHYS 1061 or 1071, 1062 or 1072, plus 6 ch electives.
Year II (36 ch)
BIOL 2025 , 2033 , 2043 , 2053 , 2073 , CHEM 2201 , 2222 , 2421 , 2422 , 2601 , MATH 2003 .
Years III-IV (36 ch)
BIOL 3031 , 4082 , 4272, two of 3181 , 3206 , 3521 , 3058 or 4533 , plus CHEM 2416 , 3421, 3621 ,
3857 , 4513, 4523 , STAT 2264.
Major (131 ch)
Completion of the Core Requirements plus 21 ch of electives (in addition to 1st year electives)
constitutes a Major (131 ch) in Biology-Chemistry. A minimum of 12 ch of electives selected from
the course offerings of the Faculty of Arts are required in the Major and Honours programs.
HONOURS
There are two Honours programs (Honours by Course and Honours by Thesis). Students must have
(and maintain) a minimum CGPA of 3.0 to be accepted in and remain in either program. Upon
graduation, the Honours Student must achieve a minimum final CGPA of 3.7 for a First Class
Honours standing and a final CGPA of at least 3.0 for Honours. A student completing all the course
requirements for Honours but with a CGPA below 3.0 will be given a Major degree.
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i. Honours by Course (149 ch): In addition to the requirements for a Major listed above, the
students must complete 18 ch chosen from the following list of Biology/Chemistry courses:
BIOL 3058 , 3133 , 3149 , 3181 , 3206 , 3242 , 3261 , 3311 , 3331 , 3493 , 3521 , , 3703 , 3801 , 3908
, , 4090 , 4149 , 4162 , 4533 , 5473 , one of 2083 , 2093 or 2143.
CHEM 2002 , 2111 , 2237 , 3003 , 3122 , 3137 , 3201 , 3222 , 3422 , 3622 , 3637 , 4000 , 4003 , 4422
, 4601 , 4616 , 4909 or 4919 .
PHYS 3993.
MATH 2213
Note: The 18 ch should normally include both Biology and Chemistry courses. This list of electives
is flexible. Courses on this list are compatible with the current Biology-Chemistry core timetable.
Courses not listed here may be approved after consultation with the program advisor.
ii. Honours by Thesis (149 ch) : Refer to the requirement for an Honours by Course listed above.
In addition, students intending to complete an Honours by Thesis must make arrangements to
complete their dissertation research with a faculty member in either the Department of Biology or
Chemistry before applying to the program. Once an appropriate supervisor is found, the student
writes a letter to the Chair of the appropriate department requesting entrance into the thesis
course (BIOL 4090 or CHEM 4000) as part of the additional 18 ch of electives required by the
Honours program.
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BIOLOGY-MATHEMATICS/STATISTICS OPTION
Requirements for the Majors Program
First Year
First year required courses are listed under the BSc general regulations. BIOL 1001 , 1006 , 1012 ,
1017 , CHEM 1001 , 1006 , 1012 , 1017 , MATH 1003 or 1053 , 1013 or 1063 must be included.
Suggested electives are STAT 2264 and CS 1003 or CS 1073 . CS 1003 or CS 1073 , and STAT 2264 , if
not taken in first year must be taken later in the program.
Second Year
BIOL 2053 , 2143 , MATH 2003, 2013, 2203 , 2213, plus 6 ch in Biology or Math/Stat , plus approved
electives totalling at least 12 ch.
Note: Biology is a quantitative discipline and mathematics underpins all sub-disciplines in Biology.
Students with a strong quantitative background are better positioned for graduate research. Areas
in which Math/Stat are used extensively include all areas of ecology and evolution, bioinformatics,
genomics and systems biology. Students interested in more molecular aspects of biology and
hoping to direct the component of their program towards biochemistry, biophysics, etc. may be
given permission to take BIOL 2025 , 2033 , 2043 . Careful planning of the program will be required
to avoid timetable problems in this case.
Third and Fourth Years
Approved Biology courses (mostly at the 3000 and 4000 level) for a total of 24 ch in Biology, MATH
3003 , 3213 , 4563 , STAT 3083 , 3093 , plus a total of 9 ch approved Math/Stat courses, plus
additional approved electives totalling 12 ch. A minimum of 12 ch of electives must be from the
Faculty of Arts.
A minimum of 132 ch is required for completion of this program.
Notes:
1. Students should consider the following courses in selecting Mathematics/Statistics courses.
Analytical Orientation: MATH 3043 , 3073 , 3413 , 4503
Statistical Orientation: STAT 4053 *, 4073 , 4083 , 3373 *, 3383 *
(Courses marked with an * are particularly recommended)
2.
Students should consider BIOL 2113 , 3293 and 3943 in selecting Biology courses.
3. MATH 4563 (cross-listed as BIOL 4563) is offered in alternate years. Special care is required
in scheduling.
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Requirements for the Honours Program
There are two Honours programs (Honours by Course and Honours by Thesis). Students must have
(and maintain) a minimum CPGA of 3.0 to be accepted in and remain in either program. Upon
graduation, the Honours student must achieve a minimum final CGPA of 3.7 for a First Class
Honours standing and a final CGPA of at least 3.0 for Honours. A student completing all the course
requirements for Honours but with a CGPA below 3.0 will be given a Majors degree.
i. Honours by Course (145 ch): In addition to the requirements for the Majors degree listed above,
the student must complete 12 ch of approved Biology or Mathematics/Statistics courses at the
3000 or 4000 level (with at least one from each of the Biology and Mathematics/Statistics
Departments).
ii. Honours by Thesis (145 ch): Refer to the requirements for an Honours by Course degree listed
above. In addition, students intending to complete an Honours by Thesis degree must arrange to
complete their dissertation research with a faculty member in either the Department of Biology or
Department of Mathematics and Statistics before applying to the program. (Joint supervision with
a co-supervisor from each department is also possible.) Once an appropriate supervisor is found,
the student must then write a letter to the Chair of the appropriate Department requesting
entrance into the thesis course (one of BIOL 4090 or MATH 4100 or STAT 4100) as part of the
additional 12 ch required by the Honours program. A reader from the second department must
also oversee the research project (unless the project is co-supervised by a member from each
department).
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BIOLOGY-PHYSICS OPTION
Physical principles constrain the evolution and diversity of life. Current areas where Physics
features most prominently in Biology include ecosystem ecology and global change biology,
interactions of organisms with their physical environment, studies of metabolism and energy flux,
and the physical principles of biological systems. Methodological applications such as isotope
biology, and imaging also rely heavily on physical principles. Students interested in these areas will
benefit from a strong background in both disciplines. To ensure necessary prerequisites are met
when planning an individual program, students must consult with advisors from both departments,
ideally prior to Second Year.
Requirements for the Majors Program (138 ch)
First Year
BIOL 1001 , 1006 , 1012 , 1017 , CHEM 1001 , 1006 , 1012 , 1017 , MATH 1003 or 1053, 1013 or
1063 , PHYS 1061 or 1071, 1062 or 1072, 1091 and 1092.
Second Year
BIOL 2053 , 2143 , plus 6 ch in Biology (second-year core courses) , plus PHYS 2311 , 2312 , 2341 ,
2351 , MATH 2003 and 2013 or 1503 and 2513 , STAT 2264 or 2593 .
Third and Fourth Years
24 ch of approved Biology courses (mostly at the 3000 and 4000 level), plus 30 ch of approved
Physics courses, plus 12 ch of approved Arts electives.
Requirements for the Honours Program (150 ch)
To receive Honours in Biology-Physics, a student must complete a total of 150 ch, including the
requirements for the Major Program, plus an additional 12 ch of approved Biology or Physics
courses at the 3000 or 4000 level. Students must have (and maintain) a minimum CGPA of 3.0 to
be accepted in and remain in the Honours program. Application to the Honours program is
initiated by writing a letter of intent to the Chair of Biology or Physics before preregistration at the
end of Year III. BIOL 4090 (Honours Thesis Project) or PHYS 4338 (Advanced Research Project) is
required and the course descriptions should be consulted for further information and specific
procedures. Students must make arrangements to complete their dissertation research with a
Faculty member in the Department of Biology or of Physics before applying to the Program. In each
case, a reader from the second department must also oversee the research project.
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The Honours student must achieve a minimum final CGPA of 3.7 to obtain First Class Honours
standing upon graduation. A student completing all course requirements for Honours but with a
CGPA below 3.0 will be given a Majors degree.
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CHEMISTRY-PHYSICS OPTION
The Chemistry-Physics Option offers a challenging program for strong students. This
interdepartmental program provides a solid core of courses in both Chemistry and Physics. It is set
up in such a way that a student may opt for the single disciplines of Chemistry or Physics after the
second year. A BSc in this joint program would allow students to continue studies at the graduate
level in either Physics or Physical Chemistry.
Careful choice of electives in first and second year will make any change from the joint program
into a single discipline program easier.
First Year
CHEM 1001 , 1006 , 1012 , 1017 , PHYS 1061 or 1071, 1062 or 1072, 1091 and 1092, MATH 1003 or
1053, 1013 or 1063 , plus two more term lecture courses chosen from BIOL 1001 , 1012 , ESCI 1001
, 1012 , plus 6 ch electives.
Note: Students must have a minimum AGPA of 3.0 to enter second year of this program and they
must maintain the 3.0 AGPA at the end of second year to proceed to third year. Students must
have passed MATH 1013 or MATH 1063 before entering the second year of this program. Because
of the challenging nature of the program, some students may plan to spread the required courses
over five years.
Second Year
CHEM 2421 , 2422 , 2601 , 3637 , MATH 2003 , 2013 , PHYS 2311 , 2312 , 2327 , 2331,
2351, CS 1003 or CS 1073, plus 3 ch approved electives.
Third Year
CHEM 2002 , 2201 , 2222 , 3621 , CHEM 4601 or PHYS 3752 , MATH 2213 , PHYS 2372
, 3336 , 3332 , 3331 , 3351 , one of 3892* or 4823 or 4722, plus 3 ch approved electives.
Fourth Year CHEM 3201 , 3222 , 3622 , 4616 , 4622 , PHYS 3322 , 4351 , one of 3892* or
3952 or 5993 , plus 9 ch approved electives. Students in Honours add PHYS 4338 or
CHEM 4000 and must have a minimum AGPA of 3.0 entering fourth year.
*Since PHYS 3892 (Medical Physics) and PHYS 3952 (Solid State) and PHYS 5993
(Magnetic Resonance Imaging) are not offered every year, students can take PHYS 3952
or 5993 in their third year if it is offered and delay PHYS 4823 (Advanced Electronics) or
PHYS 4722 (Signal & Image Processing) to 4th year. Note also that PHYS 4823 and 4722
alternate so that if PHYS 4823 is offered in a student’s 3rd year, PHYS 4722 will be offered
in 4th or vice versa. The Physics Chair has the best knowledge of when and if courses will
be offered.
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EARTH SCIENCES-ECONOMICS OPTION
First Year
Students follow the first year Science curriculum. MATH 1003 or 1053, 1013 or 1063 must be
taken. ECON 1014 , 1024 or ECON 1013 , 1023 may be taken in the first or second year. ESCI 1001 ,
1012 must be included; ESCI 1703 is recommended. One of ESCI 1006 or 1017 must be included; it
is recommended that students take both laboratory courses.
Second Year
ESCI 2131 , 2142 , 2212 , 2321 , 2703 , STAT 2043, one of MATH 2003 and 2013 or 1503 and 2513 ,
plus ECON 1013 , 1023 if not taken in the first year. ECON 3013 and 3023 should be taken in the
second year if ECON 1014 , 1024 or ECON 1013 , ECON 1023 were taken in the first year.
Third and Fourth Year
ESCI 3131 , 3322 , 4312 , 4461 , 4472 , 4442 , plus a minimum of 1 term course in Earth Sciences (
ESCI 4900 is required in addition for honours), ECON 3013 , 3023 , 3665 , 3755 , 3794 , 4013 , 4023
, plus a minimum of 2 term courses in economics, CS 1003 and a minimum of 4 additional
approved term courses.
EARTH SCIENCES-PHYSICS OPTION
The program totals 163 ch for Major and 171 ch for Honours. This includes 12 ch of Earth Sciences
field schools which take place outside of regular fall and winter terms. The fourth year has a lighter
credit hour course load than third year to accommodate the addition of an Honours Project in
fourth year. Students in a Major program may prefer to move some of the courses listed under
third year into fourth year to even out the course load.
First Year
ESCI 1001 , 1006 , 1012 , 1017 , PHYS 1061 or 1071, 1062 or 1072, 1091 and 1092, MATH 1003 or
1053, 1013 or 1063 , CHEM 1001 , 1006 , 1012 , 1017 , plus at least 2 ch of electives.
Note: Students must have already completed MATH 1013 or equivalent before entering the second
year of this program.
Second Year
ESCI 2131 , 2142 , 2321 , 2703 , PHYS 2311 , 2312 , 2372 , MATH 2003 , 2013 , 3503 , plus 5 ch
approved electives in Science or Computer Science.
Third Year
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ESCI 2211 , 3131 , 3322 , 3703 , PHYS 2327 , 2331 , 2341 , 2351 , 3331 , 3336 , plus 5 ch approved
electives in Science or Computer Science.
Fourth Year
ESCI 4501 , 4512 , PHYS 3322 , 3332 , 3342 , 3351 , 4722 or 4823 , plus 5 ch approved electives in
Science or Computer Science.
Students in the Honours program add an honours project, PHYS 4338 or ESCI 4900 .
MATHEMATICS/STATISTICS - ECONOMICS OPTION
The combination of mathematics, statistics and economics is a natural one as students will see
practical applications of mathematics and statistics in their economics courses and the rigorous
techniques from mathematics will aid students in their problem-solving skills. Requirements for a
Science degree are listed below. Requirements for an Arts degree are available from either the
Department of Mathematics and Statistics or the Department of Economics.
First Year
First year required courses are listed under the BSc general regulations. MATH 1013 or 1063 must
be included. CS 1003 or 1073 , one of ECON 1013 and 1023 or ECON 1014 and 1024 may be taken
in first or second year. Recommended elective: STAT 2043.
Second Year
MATH 2003 , 2013 , 2203 , 2213 , ECON 1013 , 1023 , CS 1003 or 1073 (if not taken in first year),
plus approved electives to bring the course load to a minimum of 30 ch.
Third and Fourth Years
1. MATH 3003 , 3043 , and two courses chosen from MATH 3033 , 3073 , 3213 , 3243 , 3373,
3473 , 3803 , 4423 , 4433 or 4853 .
2. STAT 3083 , 3093 , , 4443 , and three courses chosen from STAT 3303, 3383 , 4053 , 4073 or
4303 .
3. ECON 3013 , 3023 , 4013 , 4023 , 4625 , 4665 , plus at least 3 additional term courses in
Economics.
4. An additional 9 ch of electives so that the total in third and fourth year is 66 ch. The
minimum total number of credits for the degree is 135 ch.
Recommended electives: MATH 3413 , MATH 3813 , and any of the courses listed above.
Honours Requirements
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Math 3103 and 3113 must be taken and MATH 3003 becomes an elective course. Honours
students must take a total of 33 ch of upper level MATH/STAT courses. The minimum GPA for an
honours degree from the Faculty of Science is 3.0.
Note: Some year-to-year variation in Economics course selection is possible. For example a student
taking ECON 1013 , 1023 in year 1 may wish to take ECON 3013 , 3023 in year 2.
MATHEMATICS-PHYSICS OPTION
Both the Major and Honours versions of this option are demanding programs intended for strong
students. The Honours Mathematics-Physics Program includes all the required courses of both an
Honours Physics program and an Honours Mathematics program.
First Year
MATH 1003 or 1053, 1013 or 1063 , PHYS 1061 or 1071, 1062 or 1072, 1091 and 1092 , CHEM 1001
, 1006 , 1012, 1017 , plus two more term courses chosen from BIOL 1001 , 1012 , ESCI 1001 , 1012 ,
plus 6 ch of electives.
HONOURS PROGRAM (158 ch)
Second Year
MATH 2003 , 2013 , 2203 , 2213 , PHYS 2311 , 2312 , 2327 , 2331 , 2341 , 2351 , 2372 , 3342 , CS
1003 .
Third Year
MATH 3033 , 3103 , 3113 , 3243 , 3213 , 3413 *, 3073 , PHYS 3322 , 3332 , 3336 , 3351 , plus 3 ch
Physics elective.
* This course is cross-listed as CS 3113 .
Fourth Year
MATH 3043 , STAT 3083 , PHYS 4321 , 4351 , 4371 , plus 3 ch Mathematics elective, plus 3 ch
Physics elective, plus 6 ch other electives; and finally either Math 4100 or Physics 4338 (6 ch or 8
ch). (In either case, the research project will be jointly supervised by a reader from each
Department.)
MAJOR PROGRAM (150 ch)
Second Year
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MATH 2003 , 2013 , 2213 , PHYS 2311 , 2312 , 2327 , 2331 , 2341 , 2351 , 2372 , 3342 , CS 1003 ,
plus 3 ch elective.
Third and Fourth Years
MATH 3243 , 3413 *, 3503 , STAT 3083 , PHYS 3322 , 3332 , 3336 , 3351 , 4321 , 18 ch Mathematics
electives**, 15 ch Physics electives , plus 6 ch electives.
* This course is cross-listed as CS 3113 .
** It is recommended that students choose MATH 3003 and 3213 in Yr 3. Other suggested Math
electives would be MATH 2203 and 3033 .
GENERAL SCIENCE OPTION
This option presents students with the opportunity to get a broader science exposure by
concentrating on two areas of science while taking many electives. While General Science does not
give a major in any discipline, it will have to meet the minimum requirement equivalent to the
minor programs in two of the selected science disciplines beyond first year. This degree has largely
been used by students who planned to follow it with a second degree, e.g. in education, or a
health profession.
First Year (38 ch)
The first year in General Science follows the regulations for First Year Science given in the
Curriculum Section under “BACHELOR OF SCIENCE”, but students must include MATH 1003 or 1053
and at least a term of lectures in each of Biology, Chemistry, Earth Sciences, Physics and Economics
or Psychology. Eight credit hours of coherent First year laboratory courses are chosen to meet
future prerequisite requirements.
Second, Third and Fourth Years (96 ch minimum)
A student must choose two science disciplines from Biology, Chemistry, Earth Sciences,
Mathematics/Statistics, Physics and Economics or Psychology for areas of concentration. Courses
chosen must be consistent with the requirement of the minor programs of the two selected
disciplines above first year. The remainder of the 96 credit hours will be used for approved
electives and courses required to meet the prerequisite for the core courses. The guidelines given
below should be followed for choosing electives. Course selections must be pre-approved and
reviewed annually by a General Science advisor.
Guideline for choosing electives:
1. A minimum of 12 ch of courses must be chosen from those offered by the Faculty of Arts, 6
ch of which must have a substantial writing component as designated with a [W] in the
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calendar description. Courses in History of Science and ENGL 1103, 1144 are strongly
recommended electives.
2. Courses from disciplines outside of the selected concentrations that are used as
prerequisites for the core courses are regarded as electives.
3. Also acceptable as electives are additional science courses (except for those that cannot be
taken for credit by Science students) and approved courses from other faculties.
DISTINCTION IN GENERAL SCIENCE
The BSc with Distinction in General Science will be awarded to students who attain a cumulative
grade point average of 3.7 or greater in the General Science option.
Note: The General Science options on the Fredericton and Saint John campuses are different from
each other. For regulations governing the General Science option offered on the Saint John
campus, see the Saint John Academic Programs section of this Calendar.
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