Bachelor of Science in Biology (Co-op Optional)

at University of the Fraser Valley - Abbotsford Campus Canada

The Bachelor of Science in Physics allows you to explore the nature of matter, energy, and their interactions, both theoretically and experimentally. 

In this program, you learn early on about fundamental topics like electromagnetism, wave physics, thermodynamics, and relativity. Upper level courses then give you the opportunity to discuss advanced topics like quantum theory and fluid mechanics, applying principles of mathematics to the material world around you.

The Physics program also includes options for Engineering and Mechatronics, if applied sciences piques your interest.

The program:

• integrates classroom theory with a variety of potential lab experiments and hands-on projects.
• encourages exploration of new and current ideas, and challenges you to learn and enquire about the universe in new and complex ways.

The Bachelor of Arts in Global Development Studies (GDS) is a broadly interdisciplinary program designed to equip students with the critical academic knowledge, skills and experience required to function effectively as development professionals in Canada or abroad or to continue on to graduate or other professional studies.

In addition to learning history and theory of development processes, and analyzing current global practices, international or domestic internships provide opportunities to make contacts and build skills.

The program:

• Equips you with strong advocacy, problem-solving, research, and writing skills.
• Promotes intercultural dialogue locally and abroad by drawing on topics in economics, political science, anthropology, sociology and communications.
• Presents unique internship opportunities with development organizations in Canada and internationally so you can apply what you learn in a global context.
• Develops focused disciplinary knowledge and skills by fulfilling requirements for a minor or an interdisciplinary concentration.
• Grounds you in the history and theory of global development processes and examines current debates in development practice.

A UFV Bachelor of Arts provides you with an opportunity to discover your passion and gain valuable skills in writing, communications, critical thinking, research, problem solving, and more. With 29 disciplines ready for you to explore, you get to build a breadth of knowledge that prepares you to succeed in a wide range of careers.

In your first and second year, you explore your interest through a range of elective credits  You also create the initial entries of a comprehensive ePortfolio that enables you to document the skills and knowledge you’ve acquired for your résumé or graduate application. After you complete 30 credits, you chart the course for the rest of your degree by selecting from a combination of major(s), extended minors, and minors in the following disciplines:

• Anthropology (extended minor, minor)
• Applied Ethical and Political Philosophy (minor)
• Applied Statistics (minor)
• Art History (extended minor, minor)
• Biology (extended minor)           
• Business (minor)
• Communications (minor)
• Computer Information Systems (extended minor, minor)
• Criminal Justice (extended minor, minor)
• Economics (major, minor)
• English (honours, major, extended minor, minor)
• English — Creative Writing (honours)
• French (major, extended minor, minor)
• Geography (honours, major, extended minor, minor)
• Global development studies (minor and extended minor)
• Graphic + Digital Design (minor and extended minor)
• History (honours, major, extended minor, minor)
• Indigenous Studies (major, minor)
• Kinesiology (minor)
• Latin American Studies (extended minor, minor)
• Mathematics (major, extended minor, minor)
• Mathematics (Statistics option) (minor)
• Media and Communication Studies (extended minor, minor)
• Peace and Conflict Studies (major, minor)
• Philosophy (major, extended minor, minor)
• Political Science (major, extended minor, minor)
• Psychology (honours, major, extended minor)
• Sociology (major, extended minor, minor)
• Sociology/Anthropology (major)
• Theatre (major, extended minor, minor)
• Visual Arts (extended minor, minor)

No matter your choice of major, extended minor, or minor, a Bachelor of Arts prepares you to remain competitive and adaptable in an ever-changing job market.

Develop an appreciation for other ways of life and examine your own with a UFV Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and Anthropology. Pairing  these two disciplines provides an ideal framework to explore how society and culture influence your perspective, biases, and worldview.

In your first and second year, you explore foundational sociology and anthropology concepts. You reflect on what it means to be human: A look at life in a hunting band or a Himalayan village brings life in your city into new focus. Investigating the challenges facing indigenous and Third World peoples helps you become a better world citizen.

In your third and fourth year, you tackle in-depth courses. You examine the ideas of famous theorists, discuss contemporary issues such as globalization and social change, and learn the skills to conduct quantitative and qualitative research and analysis. Throughout your degree, you build an appreciation for Canadian diversity and First Nations cultures.

By the end of your degree, you have gained a broad understanding of your society, sharpened your cross-cultural skills, and developed sought-after research, analysis, and writing skills.
Start your studies by reviewing the foundations of adult education and e-learning. Round up your first 60 credits through a combination of UFV coursework, transfer credit, and Prior Learning Assessment.

To earn your upper-level credits, you explore instructional design, adult education theory, and elective topics that fit your interests. All courses pair practical and theoretical coursework with real-life workplace experiences.
Near the end of your Bachelor of Arts in Adult Education degree, solidify your knowledge through three capstone courses where you explore your passions, synthesize your learning, and apply reflective techniques.

Develop your artistic skill, become a creative problem solver, and learn how to flourish in the creative arts industry by earning a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA). In your first year, you can explore a range of Fine Arts discipline while you complete the BFA general requirements in writing, logical reasoning, and science.

Before the end of your second year, you focus your degree, based on your career goals and personal interests, by choosing a major or two extended minors from the list below:

• Majors
  • Visual Arts
  • Graphic and Digital Design
• Extended Minors
  • Art History and Visual Studies
  • Creative Writing
  • Graphic and Digital Design
  • Media and Communication Studies
  • Theatre
  • Visual Arts
• Minors
  • Art History
  • Business
  • Creative Writing
  • Graphic and Digital Design
  • Media and Communication Studies
  • Theatre
  • Visual Arts

In your third and fourth years of study you deepen your knowledge by completing the requirements for your major, minor, or extended minors, and by selecting your choice of electives to meet the credential requirements of your degree.

The UFV Bachelor of Science (BSc) is a program of academic study for students pursuing educational or career goals in the natural sciences. The program requirements encourage a breadth of intellectual and academic experience, and at the same time, recognize the importance of concentrated study in a specific field or discipline. The BSc may serve as an educational goal in itself, as qualification for those who wish to pursue advanced degrees at other educational institutions, or as a qualification for employment.

The BSc consists of a minimum of 120 credits. To receive a Bachelor of Science degree, students must, at a minimum, complete the requirements for at least one of a science honours, science major, or double science minor, in addition to the General BSc requirements.

UFV offers the first year of the Bachelor of Applied Science (Engineering) degree program for students wishing to transfer to the University of British Columbia or the University of Victoria. Upon completion of the UFV program, students may be allowed to enter the second-year Engineering programs at UBC and UVic without any additional qualifying courses, providing they meet the entrance requirements for the program at these institutions.

Students transferring to UBC or UVic from the UFV program with the minimum required GPA may be admitted to the UBC/UVic second-year program. Once admitted, all students, regardless of their first-year institution, then compete for seats in different specialties based on their GPA; popular specialties have higher GPA requirements than the entrance GPA. UBC also allows admission from General Sciences, but may require a higher entrance GPA.

Gain an excellent grounding in modern biology and obtain the working skills of a professional biologist with a UFV Bachelor of Science in Biology.

In your first and second year, you gain a foundational understanding of cell biology, biochemistry, and ecology/organism interactions. In your third and fourth year, you expand your knowledge through a wide range of upper-level courses. 

You may also choose to take advantage of extra-curricular learning opportunities through field trips, study tours, and directed studies. The UFV Biology faculty will support you every step of your academic journey — even in your own research undertakings.  

Customize your degree to your interests by choosing one of the following concentrations:

• Pre-medicine/Pre-veterinary
• Cellular, Molecular, and Genetics
• Ecology and Biology of Organisms

The program:

• offers you a rich lab-intensive experience for interactive, hands-on practice in laboratory and research skills.
• encourages you to develop your own biology research, either with individual faculty guidance or as part of regular course material.
• facilitates co-op placements and summer work experience with local companies and organizations.
• prepares you for graduate or professional schools with concentrations in varied fields such as genetics, ecology, or pre-medicine.

Do you have a passion for social justice? Have you always been interested in social issues? 

UFV's Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) degree prepares you to collaborate with individuals, families, groups and communities in diverse envronments and cultural settings. Upon graduation you can apply to register with the British Columbia College of Social Workers (RSW). Or, opt to pursue further studies and complete a Master of Social Work degree at UFV.

You enter the BSW when you are in third year after you've completed 60 credits. Once admitted to the program, you will complete two field placements with one of UFV's community partners. The program offers flexibility so you can carry on with other commitments in your life while earning your degree. 

View the Bachelor of Social Work's program outline in the UFV Academic Calendar

Child Welfare specialization
Choose to specialize your Bachelor of Social Work in the area of child welfare where you may complete a practicum with the Ministry of Children and Family Development or a Delegated Aboriginal Agency.

UFV’s Early Childhood Education (ECE) certificate program is an excellent foundation to purse a career working with young children.

Especially designed for students who are coming out of high school, and those already in the workforce the four-semester program takes you through basic courses in communication, interpersonal growth, human development, and the early childhood curriculum.

You explore the theories and current trends in physical, cognitive and psycho-social development, from conception to the age of eighteen. In addition, you are introduced to different recording techniques that have been developed from observing children’s social, play, language, motor, and cognitive development.

In the third and fourth semesters, you also complete a 200-hour introductory and a 200-hour advanced practicum where you put Early Childhood Education theories into practice, document your experience, and apply advanced competencies including parent interaction, self-evaluation, and peer evaluation.