2014-2015 Calendar Proof
FACULTY OF SCIENCE
General Office:
Mailing Address:
I.U.C. - Physics & Administration Building, Room 109
Faculty of Science,
University of New Brunswick,
P.O. Box 4400, Fredericton, N. B.,
Canada, E3B 5A3
Phone:
(506) 453-4586
Fax:
(506) 453-3570
Email:
science@unb.ca
Website:
http://www.unb.ca/fredericton/science/
Dean:
David I. MaGee, BSc, PhD
Assistant Dean:
Bruce Benton, BSc, MSc
Assistant Dean:
Andreas Decken,Dip,PhD
Assistant Dean:
Katherine Barclay, BSc, MSc, PhD
Science Student Services: Angela Jefferies Regier, Co-ordinator
General Information
The first year curriculum is common to all students entering the Faculty. Commencing in second year
students must select one of the available options. Some options lead to specialization in a single subject
area, while interdepartmental options involve specialization in two subject areas . Majors and Honours
programs are available in these options. Pass degree programs are also available in Physics and Earth
Sciences. In addition, co-operative programs are available that enable students to combine academic
studies with work terms in university, industry or government laboratories. The General Science Degree
option offers a broader exposure to more sciences and the program can be customized to meet the
interest and academic development of the students. Honours is not available in General Science but
students achieving a high academic performance are awarded Distinction upon graduation.
At the time of registration all students entering the Faculty of Science will be advised by members of the
Faculty regarding selection of courses to meet the program requirements. It should be noted that as
students register for the second, third and fourth years, approval of the courses and programs should be
obtained from the program advisors for the Departments concerned or from the Dean's office when
they are not available.
Students are strongly recommended to read the University-wide Regulations, Section III of this Calendar,
and in particular the subsection headed Grading and Classification. Any point not covered in the
following regulations will be governed by the General University Regulations.
General Regulations
1|Page
2014-2015 Calendar Proof
Students should note that in the Faculty of Science the minimum acceptable grade in a course which is
required by a particular program or is used to meet a prerequisite, is a "C". Any student who fails to
attain a "C" or better in such a course must repeat the course (at the next regular session) until a grade
of "C" or better is attained. Students will not be eligible for graduation until such deficiencies are
removed. The only exception will be granted for a single course with a "D" grade that is a normal part of
the final year of that program, and is being taken for the first time in the final year.
Valid WHMIS (Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System) certification is required for all
students who wish to take Chemistry laboratory courses. Information regarding WHMIS training will be
provided during the first week of classes.
Major, Honours and Minor Programs
Major and Honours Programs
Major and Honours programs are offered for specialization and enriched training, respectively, in
various subject areas. Upon the successful completion of the First Year, Science students will declare
their Majors in one of the Science options or one of the Interdepartmental programs. Students must
consult their respective program advisors to develop their programs and obtain pre-approval for the
selection of courses. Such course requirements and choices are listed under each of the options and
interdepartmental programs in the subsequent sections.
A minimum CGPA of 3.0 is required for admission to and retention in an Honours program in Science.
For individuals who wish to enrol in Honours programs, they must contact the corresponding
department Chairs or their delegates to learn about the application procedures and requirements that
are discipline specific. In order to graduate with Honours recognition, the graduate must maintain a
minimum CGPA of 3.0. Additional discipline specific requirements must also be met. A student who has
completed the courses of an Honours program but did not achieve the minimum CGPA requirement will
be awarded a Major degree. An Honours graduate with a CGPA of 3.7 and above will be awarded First
Class Honours provided that the discipline specific requirements are also met.
Minor Programs
Minor programs are offered to broaden a student's educational background and complement a Major or
Honours program. Science Minors are offered in the disciplines of Biology, Chemistry, Economics, Earth
Sciences, Physics, Psychology, Mathematics and Statistics. The Minors follow the University guidelines
outlined in Section V in the University-wide Academic Regulations of the Calendar and consist of a
sequential and coherent grouping of courses totalling at least 24 credit hours (with a grade of C or
better) as approved by the department offering the Minor. Courses that are required in the student's
degree program may not normally be counted toward the Minor.
Co-operative Education Programs in Science
The UNB Faculty of Science seeks to provide opportunities for students and employers to develop
relationships that enhance the learning experience for students and present employers with skilled,
2|Page
2014-2015 Calendar Proof
motivated employees looking to make a career connection. To achieve this, the Faculty, through its
constituent departments/programs, operates a Co-operative education program based on established
partnerships with selected employers.
The Co-op team, reporting to the Dean of Science, liaises with the academic advisor in each
department/program to ensure alignment between students’ academic and professional experience
objectives. Additional oversight is provided by the Faculty of Science Co-op Committee, which functions
like a board of directors, and, as such, influences the Co-op program’s strategies and policies. The
effectiveness of the Co-op program in delivering the planned professional internship experience is
closely monitored and assessed by the Co-op coordinators through interactions with the students,
company personnel, and the University.
Co-operative education is available within all Science Programs including BAS and BA/BSc. Work terms
may be 4, 8, 12 or 16 months in duration and are generally interspersed with academic study terms.
Prior to applying for Co-op jobs, students will be oriented to the process and will be assisted in preparing
resumes and for job interviews.
Co-op Program Eligibility:
1. Students must be registered as full-time students in an undergraduate science, BAS or
BA/BSc degree program at UNB. Students on Co-op work terms retain their full-time
status.
2. Students must have completed at least 32 ch of study in science prior to their first Co-op
work term.
3. Approval to participate in the Co-op program must be received from the Co-op Office
and from the student’s department/program.
4. All students participating in the Co-op program must be in good academic standing.
a. Students must have an Assessment GPA of at least 2.7.
Co-op Work Term Requirements:
1. Students completing the first year of science studies will be limited to an initial summer
work term of 4 months.
2. Students applying for a second Co-op placement are eligible for work terms of 4 - 8
months.
3. Students applying for further Co-op placements are eligible for work terms of 4 - 12
months.
4. A fee is charged for each 4-month portion of a work term.
5. The final term in the student’s degree program must be a full-time science study term at
UNB.
6. When combined the total of all work terms cannot exceed 24 months.
7. The student’s evaluation by the employer will be taken into consideration but the final
3|Page
2014-2015 Calendar Proof
assessment on whether or not a work term has been successful will be the responsibility
of the Faculty of Science.
8. A Co-op designation is awarded upon graduation to those students who have successfully
completed work terms that total at least 12 months.
Planning and Scheduling:
1. Work terms usually commence at the beginning of January, May, and September.
2. A schedule of work and study terms is developed by each student in consultation with the
Director of Undergraduate Studies or designate for the student’s specific science
program.
More information can be obtained from the Co-op Office.
First Year Curriculum
The normal requirement for first year science (which must be completed before graduation) is MATH
1003 or MATH 1053 (3 ch), 20 ch of First Year lectures and laboratories in two of the four subject areas
of Biology, Chemistry, Earth Sciences and Physics, plus 6 ch of lecture in another science not already
chosen, and an additional course from Math and Stat (3 ch) is required as designated by specific degree
programs with MATH 1013 or 1063 being the most common. In addition, there are two term courses of
electives to be taken which can be chosen from courses offered by various faculties (6 ch total) or they
can be two terms of science laboratories (4 ch) to accompany the third science subject chosen. The total
course load will be 36 to 38 ch depending on the above selections. The particular first year science
lecture and lab courses should be chosen to fit into the student's future degree program.
In addition to MATH 1003 or MATH 1053, the First Year core science lecture and laboratory courses,
respectively, are:





BIOL 1001 , 1012 and BIOL 1006 , 1017
CHEM 1001 , 1012 and CHEM 1006 , 1017
ESCI 1001 , 1012 and ESCI 1006 , 1017
MATH 1013 or MATH 1063
PHYS 1061 or 1071 , PHYS 1062 or 1072 and PHYS 1091 , 1092
No more than two term courses of lectures in any one discipline may be counted toward first year core
requirement, however, these additional courses may be classified as electives.
*Any exceptions allowed in a particular program will be noted in the program requirements. Courses
such as CHEM 1982 , 1987 and unassigned first level transfer credits in science disciplines could be used
in some circumstances.
First Year Science Entrance Curriculum
4|Page
2014-2015 Calendar Proof
The minimum entrance requirement to the Faculty of Science is a high school admission average of 75%.
Students with a high school admission average slightly below this may receive special consideration to
be admitted into the Science Entrance program within the Faculty of Science. Students who are in good
academic standing (minimum GPA of 2.0) at the end of first year, have obtained credit for UNIV 1001,
and have met with their academic advisor on a semi-regular basis will progress successfully into the
second year at UNB. However, it is important to note that any student in the Science Entrance program
who obtains a GPA of less than 2.0 will be required to withdraw from the Faculty of Science.
The science entrance program incorporates a reduced workload and comprises the following courses:





UNIV 1001 - a study methods course that has been developed to encourage student success at
UNB. It combines elements of a formal lecture series with academic support and individual
project work.
MATH 1003
10 credit hours of a first-year Science subject (e.g., Biology - BIOL 1001, 1006, 1012, 1017)
10 credit hours of a second first-year Science subject (e.g., Chemistry - CHEM 1001, 1006, 1012,
1017)
additional courses as recommended by the academic advisor
Course Recognitions from other Institutions
UNB recognizes a number of field courses offered at the Huntsman Marine Science Centre, and other
similar institutions, which may be used toward meeting part of the degree requirements for UNB
students as subjected to the approval by the respective Departments or Divisions.
Advanced Placement Tests
Advanced Placement Tests in selected first year Science courses will be available to students achieving a
grade of 90% in the appropriate Level 1 high school course or 95% in the appropriate Level 2 high school
course.
Advanced placement in Math requires a high school Calculus course beyond NB Math 120 with a
minimum grade of 90%. The Department of Mathematics also offers a “Calculus Challenge Exam” to NB
students at a school that has made arrangements with the Department of Mathematics and Statistics.
The Challenge Exam is written in June. Consult the mathematics section of the calendar for more
information.
The grade obtained on an advanced placement test will not be included in a student's GPA calculation. It
will be equivalent to a transfer credit. A fee would be charged for each placement test.
Criteria for Granting B.Sc. (General Science) degrees to former UNB Science
Students who are graduates from Professional Degree Programs
5|Page
2014-2015 Calendar Proof
A student who has completed a minimum of 78 ch of science core courses, including those at the 1000
level, with the University of New Brunswick will be granted the BSc degree in General Science upon
successful completion of a science-based health professional degree. The Faculty has determined that
these requirements can be satisfied by students who have successfully completed Medicine, Dentistry,
Veterinary Medicine, Pharmacy, or Optometry.
Students wishing to be considered for a BSc (Gen.Sci) degree who satisfy the above conditions must
apply in writing, complete with official transcripts, to the Registrar. Students in professional programs
not specifically listed above who are interested in being considered for the BSc (Gen.Sci.) degree, should
contact the Office of the Dean of Science. Such students are expected to provide detailed description of
courses in their programs as well as further information requested by the Faculty.
Regulations for Granting a Second UNB Bachelor of Science Degree
A student who holds a BSc degree from UNB may obtain, following further studies, a second
specialization. See the regulations below. BSc degree holders from another university may apply for
admission to and follow a program towards a second BSc degree. Further details can be found in the
general regulations in Section VII in the University-wide Academic Regulations of this Calendar.
BSc graduates of UNB may apply for admission to and follow a program towards a second BSc
undergraduate bachelor’s degree under the following regulations:


The general regulations of the University and the regulations of the degree program concerned
must be satisfied.
Degree and departmental regulations concerning option, concentration, Major or Honours must
be satisfied.
Normally, the minimum number of credit hours which must be successfully completed beyond the work
required for the previous degree would not be less than the normal load of the final academic year in
the degree program concerned. More than the minimum number of credit hours, or courses, may be
required.
The courses taken must be approved by the Dean and the Department, or Departments, under which
the option, concentration, Major or Honours, falls.
The general regulation that at least half the total credit hours for a degree must be taken at this
University will apply.
Candidates for a second undergraduate degree may not choose a Major, or option, or Honours, or
concentration using the same Departmental discipline as in the first undergraduate degree, whether the
discipline was part of a single or an interdepartmental program. (For example, a student with a BSc in
Biology-Chemistry may not return and obtain a BSc in Chemistry. A student with a BSc in Earth Sciences
may not return and obtain second BSc degree in Environmental Geochemistry.)
6|Page
2014-2015 Calendar Proof
Students with a UNB BSc degree are not eligible to obtain a second degree under the special provisions
for granting a BSc (General Science) after a professional school.
Students may be permitted to upgrade a Minor or a Major from the first degree under the following
conditions:



A Minor from the first degree may be upgraded to a Major or Honours after completion of the
first degree.
A Major from the first degree may be upgraded to an Honours after completion of the first
degree.
In either case, a notation only will be included on the student record and a second degree will
not be awarded.
Students will not be permitted to include a Minor in the second degree.
Students must make specific application to the Associate Registrar/Admissions for entry to the second
degree program.
Only in special circumstances will students be admitted to a third undergraduate degree program.
The final decision on the course work requirements for a second undergraduate bachelor’s degree shall
be a matter of agreement between the Registrar and the Dean after consultation with the Chairs of
Departments concerned.
7|Page