www.viu.ca/programs
Bachelor of Science – Transfer
1 or 2-year Programs
Enjoy the Journey
Students may start Bachelor of Science programs at VIU, and
then transfer to another university to complete their degrees,
in the following disciplines:
∙∙ Engineering
∙∙ Chemistry
∙∙ Earth Science
∙∙ Mathematics
∙∙ Physics
Students lacking the necessary prerequisites for first-year
Science courses should contact the Advising Centre 250-7406410.
The Program
The Bachelor of Science program is intended to develop
conceptual skills, emphasizing an experimental and analytical
approach to biological, physical or mathematical systems. It
usually involves the introductory study of Biology, Chemistry,
Computing Science, Geology, Mathematics, and Physics, plus
more advanced study in one or two areas of specialization.
Depending both on the number of advanced courses and the
achievement level in those courses, the four-year program will
lead to an Honours, Major or General B.Sc. degree.
At VIU, students may complete the first few years for all
three types of degree in the areas of Biophysics, Chemistry,
Biochemistry, Computing Science, Geography, Mathematics,
Physiology, and Psychology, perhaps with some restrictions—
please see an Advisor for details. For a Science degree
in Astronomy, Chemical Physics, Geology, Geophysics,
Kinesiology, Mathematical Physics or Physics, students will
normally transfer to a university after completing VIU’s firstyear Science program.
For students who wish to specialize in two disciplines, a wide
variety of Double Honours and Double Major programs is
available upon transfer to one of the universities. Admission
to professional faculties at universities often requires one
or more years of study in the sciences. These faculties
include Agriculture, Architecture, Dental Hygiene, Dentistry,
Engineering, Forestry, Geography, Geology, Family and
Nutritional Sciences, Medicine, Pharmacy, Psychology,
Rehabilitation Sciences, and Veterinary Medicine.
For students planning a career in Science Research, the B.Sc.
degree is usually followed by a post-graduate degree. The
Master of Science (M.Sc.) and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)
degrees involve both course work at an advanced level
and original research in one of the areas of specialization
listed above, or in related areas such as Ecology, Fisheries,
Meteorology and Oceanography. Some specific Bachelor of
Science programs are described below.
The VIU Advantage
The advantage of beginning a Science degree program at VIU
is that first and second year class sizes are, on average, one
quarter the size compared to university; as a result, instructors
are more accessible. All classes are taught by fully qualified
instructors, who are dedicated to teaching, and much more
attention is given to individual students. This special attention
gives VIU graduates a strong advantage when transferring to
university.
Admission Requirements
Applicants are eligible for admission if they meet one of the
following conditions:
∙∙ graduation from a BC secondary school, or equivalent*,
with a minimum “C” grade in English 12;
∙∙ previous degree from a recognized university;
∙∙ visiting student from a college or university (a “Letter of
Permission” from the home institution is required);
∙∙ transfer student from a college or university (at least 24
transferable university-level credits completed);
∙∙ mature student – at least 21 years of age (or will turn 21
in the first semester of admission) and has a minimum
“C” grade in English 12.
* See an Advisor for information on equivalencies.
Notes on Admission
∙∙ Most courses have specific prerequisites in high school
∙∙
Biology, Chemistry, Computing Science, English,
Mathematics, and Physics.
Students who do not meet all course prerequisites may
register in a combination of preparatory courses and
B.Sc. courses.
Start Date and Application Deadline
Students can start the program at VIU in September or
January; however, the selection of courses is usually greater
in the Fall semester. Applications for September classes are
accepted after November 15.
ENGINEERING
The Program
VIU offers the first two years of the Electrical and Computer
B.Eng. Program and the first year of the Mechanical
B.Eng. Program offered at the University of Victoria (UVic).
Acceptance into 2nd year is based on students achieving
a GPA in the first year as set by UVic. After completion of
2nd year, students will transfer directly into a Co-op term
administered by UVic. VIU also offers the first year transfer of
the B.Appl.Sci. program at the University of British Columbia
(UBC), and part of the first year program offered at Simon
Fraser University (SFU). Students who wish to transfer to
Engineering programs offered at other universities need to
check the program requirements of the receiving institution to
determine the required courses. The programs for transfer to
UVic and UBC are given below.
Note: Engineering transfer requirements regularly undergo
change. For further information, it is important to contact VIU’s
Physics/Engineering department, as well as a VIU Advisor 250740-6410, and to refer to university calendars.
UVic Transfer
YEAR 1
Chemistry 150
Computing Science 160/161
Engineering 141 (ENGM 141)
Engineering 199 (ENGE 199)
English 115
Mathematics 100/101 or 121/122/110
Mathematics 141
Physics 121/122
YEAR 2 – Electrical Engineering
Mathematics 200/211/251
Physics 216
Computer Science 261
English 225
ENGE 200/220/250/260
ENGC 241
ENGM 295
YEAR 2 – Computer Engineering
Mathematics 200/211/251
Physics 216
Computer Science 261
English 225
ENGE 200/220/250/260
ENGC 241/245
UBC Transfer
YEAR 1
Chemistry 121/122A or 121/122
Computing Science 160
Engineering 141 (ENGM 141)
Engineering 150 (ENGR 150)
English 115
Mathematics 100/101 or 121/122/110
Mathematics 141
Physics 121/122A or 121/122
*Complementary Studies
* See the UBC Calendar for a list of complementary studies courses.
Note: Applied Science 121/122 are taken at UBC in first year,
but are not offered at VIU.
YEAR 2
Please contact the Chair of the Physics/Engineering
Department for information on second year courses that
transfer.
CHEMISTRY
The Program
Vancouver Island University offers the first two years of the
four-year B.Sc. in Chemistry. Students can transfer to a B.C.
university after either the first or second year. The courses
required for transfer to University of Victoria (UVic), University
of British Columbia (UBC) and Simon Fraser University (SFU)
are given below. For further details, please refer to the
university calendar and contact the VIU Chemistry department
or the Advising Centre.
UVic Transfer
YEAR 1
Chemistry 111/112 or 121/122 or 111/122
Mathematics 121/122/110 or 100/101
Physics 121/122
English as required (*a)
2 electives (*b)
General electives (*c)
YEAR 2
Chemistry 221/222
Chemistry 231/232
Chemistry 213
Chemistry 311
Mathematics (*d)
Biology 201 (*e)
1 or 2 Science electives (*f )
(*a) One of the following – see current UVic Calendar for
details:
∙∙ A score of 86% or above on the B.C. Provincial Grade 12
examination within last three years prior to admission
to UVic.
∙∙ A score of 3 or higher (out of 5) on the Advanced
Placement Examination in English Language/
Composition or English Literature/Composition.
∙∙ English 115.
∙∙ English 111 and 112.
(*b) Some science electives are Biology 121/122, 200 or 201,
202, and one of 209 or 212; Computing Science 160, 161, 162,
165; Mathematics 211, 212.
(*c) Any courses transferable to UVic.
(*d) Some electives are Mathematics 200, 211, 212, 220, 222,
230, 241 (only one statistics course may be included in this
specific second-year mathematics requirement).
(*e) Biology 201 has BIOL 121/122 for prerequisite. If you
do not have the prerequisite, you may choose an additional
second year science elective instead, and complete BIOL 200
at UVic in year 3.
(*f ) Courses chosen from lists (*b) and (*d) above as well as
Computing Science 240, 250, 260, 261, 265.
UBC Transfer
Note: problems may arise with transfer to UBC after 1 year;
not with transfer after 2 years – see Department Chair for more
information.
YEAR 1
Chemistry 111/112 or 121/122 or 111/122
Mathematics 121/122/110 or 100/101
Physics 111/112 (*a) or 121/122 (*a)
English as required (*b)
2 electives (*c)
YEAR 2
Chemistry 221/222
Chemistry 231/232
Chemistry 311
Mathematics 200 and Mathematics 241
1 Science elective (*d)
2 Arts electives (*c)
(*a) Physics 121/122 are preferred; if Physics 111/112 are
chosen instead, minimum of B grade in both is required for
some second-year physics electives.
(*b) English 115/116 or English 111/112
(*c) Any courses transferable to UBC. In addition to the two
first-year English courses, 12 credits of courses in UBC Faculty
of Arts are required for B.Sc. degree. However, students in first
year should consider Biology 121/122, or Computing Science
160/161.
(*d) Any courses in Science and Mathematics transferable to
UBC. Chemistry 213 has unassigned 2nd year credit.
SFU Transfer
YEAR 1
Chemistry 111/112 or 121/122 or 111/122
Mathematics 121/122/110 or 100/101
Physics 121/122
English or Arts electives (*a)
2 Electives (*b)
YEAR 2
Chemistry 221/222
Chemistry 231/232
Chemistry 311
Mathematics 200
Mathematics 241
3 Science electives (*b)
(*a) First-year English courses are not required if SFU is
satisfied that students are proficient in English.
(*b) Any courses transferable to SFU. Computing Science
160 and 161 satisfy SFU’s Computing Science requirement
but provide only three transfer credits. Chemistry 213 has
unassigned 2nd year credit.
EARTH SCIENCE
The Program
VIU offers the first year and selected courses in the second
and third year of the four-year B.Sc. in Earth Science. Students
can transfer to a university after either the first or second year.
The programs for transfer to the University of British Columbia
(UBC), Simon Fraser University (SFU) and the University of
Victoria (UVic) are given below. For information about courses
fulfilling the requirements towards the PGEO designation of
the Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists,
contact the VIU Geology department. For further information,
students should refer to the university calendar, the Advising
Centre or contact the VIU Geology department.
VIU also offers a Bachelor of Science, Minor in Earth Science.
For more information, please visit www.viu.ca/programs.
SFU Transfer
YEAR 1
Geology 111/112
Chemistry 111/112 or 121/122 or 111/122
Mathematics 121/122 or 100/101
Physics 121/122
English or Arts electives
YEAR 2
Geology 200/202
Geology 201/206
UBC Transfer
YEAR 1
Geology 111/112
Chemistry 111/112 or 121/122 or 111/122
Mathematics 121/122 or 100/101
Physics 121/122 or Physics 121 and Biology 121
English 100-level
Students without Biology 11 or 12 must take 4 credits of
100-level BIOL.
YEAR 2
Geology 200/202
Geology 206
Chemistry 221/222
Mathematics 200
UVic Transfer
YEAR 1
Geology 111/112
Chemistry 111/112 or 121/122 or 111/122
Mathematics 121/122 or 100/101
Physics 121/122
Arts elective
YEAR 2
Geology 200/202
Geology 201/206
Geography 111
Chemistry 221/222
Mathematics 200 and 251
Science 251
MATHEMATICS
The Program
Vancouver Island University offers the first two years of a
four-year B.Sc. in Mathematics. Students can transfer to a B.C.
university after either the first or second year. The programs
for transfer to the University of British Columbia (UBC), Simon
Fraser University (SFU), and the University of Victoria (UVic) are
given below. For further information, students should contact
the VIU Mathematics department or the Advising Centre.
VIU also offers a Bachelor of Science, Minor in Mathematics,
and a Bachelor of Arts, Minor in Mathematics. For more
information, please visit www.viu.ca/programs.
UBC Transfer
YEAR 1
Mathematics 100/101 or 121/122/110
Chemistry 111/112 or 121/122 or 111/122
Computing Science 160/161
Physics 111/112 or 121/122
English, as required
YEAR 2
Mathematics 200
Mathematics 241/251
2 Arts electives
5 Science electives
SFU Transfer
YEAR 1
Mathematics 100/101 or 121/122/110
Mathematics 123
Computing Science 160/161
2 Arts electives
2 Science electives
General elective
Transfer to SFU is suggested after Year 1 because VIU does not
offer the full second year required for SFU. For those opting to
remain at VIU, below is a suggested program; for full details,
please consult the SFU Calendar and the online transfer guide
at bctransferguide.ca.
YEAR 2
Mathematics 211
Mathematics 200
Mathematics 241
Mathematics 251 *
6 electives
* Recommended.
UVic Transfer
YEAR 1
Mathematics 100/101 or 121/122/110
Computing Science 160, 161
6 Electives (include English, as required)
YEAR 2
Mathematics 200
Mathematics 241/251
Mathematics 211/212
6 Electives
PHYSICS
The Program
The primary reason for becoming a physicist is curiosity.
Whether it is the strange world of sub-atomic particles, the
operation of a laser, the motion of the planets, or even the
formation of a rainbow, physicists want to understand how the
universe really works.
A physics degree will provide even more than this. With
training in quantitative thinking, problem solving, modeling,
and experimental techniques, a physics background provides
entry into a wide variety of fields. Indeed, physicists are at the
forefront in many of the hottest science and technology fields
such as superconductivity, nanotechnology, fuel cells, and
medical imaging.
VIU offers the first two years of a four-year B.Sc. program
in Physics. Students can transfer to the University of British
Columbia (UBC) or the University of Victoria (UVic) after
either first or second year. Students who wish to transfer
to Physics programs offered at other universities need to
check the program requirements of the receiving institution
to determine the required courses. For further information,
students should contact VIU’s Physics department or the
Advising Centre 250-740-6410.
UBC Transfer
YEAR 1
Chemistry 121
English 115/116 or 111/112
Mathematics 100/101 or 121/122/110
Physics 121/122
Electives (*a,*b)
(*a) Computing Science 160 is recommended.
(*b) Once course in Biology is required for the honours
program.
YEAR 2
Physics 211, 212, 214, 215, 216
Mathematics 200, 241, 251
Electives
UVic Transfer
YEAR 1
Physics 121/122
Mathematics 100/101 or 121/122/110
Chemistry 111/112 or 121/122 or 111/122 (*a)
Computing Science 160
English, as required (*b)
Electives (*c)
YEAR 2
Physics 211, 212, 214, 215, 216
Mathematics 200, 241 (*d), 251
Electives
(*a) Required for Honours.
(*b) First-year English courses are not required if UVic is
satisfied that students are proficient in English.
(*c) Additional Computing Science courses may be helpful for
entry into the Co-operative Education option.
(*d) Required for Honours; recommended for Major.
Financial Assistance
Financial assistance is available to students demonstrating
financial need. Applications should be made eight to
ten weeks prior to the start of your program. For more
information, please visit www.viu.ca/financialaid.
Further Information
The Vancouver Island University Calendar is available online.
Visit our website at www.viu.ca/programs. Students planning
a career or long-term academic program are urged to discuss
their goals with an Educational Advisor before registering –
(250) 740-6410.
How to Apply
Students can apply online at www.pas.bc.ca or obtain an
Application for Admission form, which is available from regional
secondary schools, or from Vancouver Island University
Registration Centres at the Nanaimo, Duncan, Powell River or
Parksville•Qualicum campuses.
When the Registration Centre confirms that you have been
admitted, you will be advised of when and how to register and
pay for your courses.
About Vancouver Island University
Vancouver Island University is a comprehensive postsecondary institution located on beautiful Vancouver Island, in
British Columbia. Our main campus is located in Nanaimo, and
we have regional campuses in Duncan and Powell River, and
a campus centre in Parksville. More than 14,000 full-time and
part-time students are enrolled in academic, applied, career/
technical, vocational, trades, and developmental programs
leading to certificates, diplomas and degrees.
Vancouver Island University
900 Fifth Street | Nanaimo, BC V9R 5S5
Switchboard: (250) 753-3245 | Toll-free: 1-888-920-2221
Advising: (250) 740-6410
Financial Aid & Awards: (250) 740-6423
Registration Tel: (250) 740-6400 | Fax: (250) 740-6479
www.viu.ca
The information contained in this guide is accurate at the time of printing.
Vancouver Island University reserves the right to make such changes as necessary,
including cancellation and adjustment of courses.
Produced by Communications and Public Relations
November 2008 • BSc Transfer.indd