BSc Biology and Earth Sciences (Combined Major) at University of Victoria

Programme overview

A single BSc degree combining courses from the School of Earth and Ocean Sciences and the Department of Biology, completed in the Faculty of Science. It explores the relationships between life and geological, oceanic and atmospheric processes, with field schools and marine laboratories.

Faculty: Faculty of Science | Location: Victoria, British Columbia, Canada

What you will study

Year 1: BIOL 184 and 186, CHEM 101 and 102, EOS 110 Oceans and Atmosphere, EOS 120 The Dynamic Earth, calculus and physics. Year 2: ecology, cell biology, genetics, organic chemistry, sedimentary geology, mineralogy, geochemistry and the climate system. Sample courses include Biological Oceanography and Earth Science Field School.

Career pathways

Environmental regulation enforcement officer, environmental scientist.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Applicants apply to the Biology program and may declare the combined degree as their major after one year of full-time study. Biology entry requirements: Faculty of Science (UVic Science programs): British Columbia and Yukon applicants need approved English 11, Pre-calculus 11, Chemistry 11, Physics 11 and approved social studies 11/12, plus English Studies 12 or English First Peoples 12 (minimum 73%), Pre-calculus 12 (minimum 77%) and two approved science 12 courses; estimated minimum admission average 85%. Alberta and Nunavut applicants need ELA 20-1, Mathematics 20-1, Chemistry 20, Physics 20 and approved social studies 20, plus ELA 30-1 (minimum 73%), Mathematics 30-1 (minimum 77%) and two approved science 30 courses; estimated minimum average 85%. International Baccalaureate: full diploma with at least three Higher Level subjects, English HL or SL (minimum 3) and Math HL or SL (minimum 4; Math Studies and Math Applications and Interpretations SL not accepted); estimated 30 points. Meeting the minimum does not guarantee admission.

Requirements published at program group level.

Tuition is charged per credit, so the total depends on the courses you register for each year. Current fees are listed in the official fee schedule.

Undergraduate entry points: September (fall), January and summer (May) entry; Engineering summer entry is for high school graduates only.

September entry: most degree programs January 31; Elementary Curriculum and Secondary Curriculum teacher education post-degree programs January 2; Indigenous Education ongoing; Public Administration diploma and certificate programs May 31. Early admission is possible for high school students who submit grades by early December. Late applications may be accepted where programs remain open.

January entry: Art History and Visual Studies, Computer Science, Computer Science and Health Information Science, Music (Bachelor of Arts) and all Humanities, Science and Social Sciences programs September 30; Health Information Science October 31; Public Administration diploma and certificate programs September 30.

Summer entry: Art History and Visual Studies, Computer Science, Music (BA) and all Humanities, Science and Social Sciences programs March 31; Engineering programs December 31 (high school graduates only); Public Administration diploma and certificate programs February 15.

Applications are submitted through EducationPlannerBC. The application fee is $89.50 if all transcripts come from institutions within Canada and $184.00 if any transcripts come from outside Canada.

Apply through the official page: https://www.uvic.ca/undergraduate/

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