1st & 2nd year @ Surrey

Explore Science courses at SFU Surrey

It can be tough to figure out what courses to take in your first or second year of university – especially if you’re undecided about your program. To help make these decisions a little easier, we’ve compiled some course timetables specifically for our Surrey campus by program. You can complete a full first year at SFU Surrey and – depending on your program and course load – second- and third-year courses, too.

1st Year at Surrey

You’ve accepted your offer, and now your next big decisions are all about enrolling in classes. What should you take, and when? We’ve got some tips to help guide you through enrolling in your first year courses.

  • During the first week of enrollment, Science students get priority for enrollment in program-required Science courses.
  • Some courses may require prerequisites, which are offered in specific terms, so it's important to check that you're taking courses in the right order or in the right term.
  • Math is required for every Science program, and we recommend taking it in your very first term.

In Surrey, physics is taught in a studio laboratory designed to link theory with practice. You’ll work in collaborative groups in a technology-rich environment, which helps you retain what you’ve learned better. If you prefer a traditional lecture-only format, you might want to consider enrolling in physics courses at the Burnaby campus.

Sample Fall 2023 Science@Surrey Timetables

The following course timetables will help you plan your year. Note: If you have AP and IP transfer credits, those credits may alter these recommendations.

We advise you to begin your studies with 3 to 4 courses in your first term, although you may take up to 5. Prior to enrolling in your first Fall term, book a meeting with the Surrey Science Advisor to discuss your goals and course requirements.

For Students Interested in Actuarial Science (ACMA)

Fall Spring
CMPT 120-3 CMPT 125-3
ECON 103-4 or 105-4 ECON 103-4 or 105-4
MATH 150-4 or 151-3 MATH 152-3
ACMA 101-3 Burnaby campus evening course MATH 232-3

For Students Interested in Behavourial Neuroscience (BNEU)

Fall Spring 
BISC 101-4 BPK 142-3 (if not taken in Fall)
BPK 142-3 CHEM 122-2
MATH 154-3 MATH 155-3
PHYS 100-3 (if no Physics 12 with 60%+) PHYS 101-3
PSYC 100-3 or PSYC 102-3 PSYC 100-3 or PSYC 102-3

For Students Interested in Biological Sciences (BISC) or Molecular Biology & Biochemistry (MBB)

Fall Spring
BISC 101-4 BISC 102-4
CHEM 121-4 CHEM 122-2 (+CHEM 126-2 for MBB majors)
MATH 154-3 MATH 155-3
PHYS 100-3 (if no Physics 12 with 60%+) PHYS 101-3 
PHYS 140-4 (if not taking 100) PHYS 141-4
CMPT 120-3 for MBB majors CMPT 120-3 for MBB majors

For Students Interested in Biological Physics (BIPH)

Fall Spring
BISC 101-4 BISC 102-4
CHEM 121-4 CHEM 122-2
CMPT 120-3 recommended, not required CMPT 120-3 recommended, not required
MATH 150-4 or 151-3 MATH 152-3
PHYS 140-4 PHYS 141-4

For Students Interested in Biomedical Physiology (BIF) or Kinesiology (KIN)

Fall Spring
BISC 101-4 BISC 102-4 for BIPH only
CHEM 121-4 CHEM 122-2
BPK 142-3 BPK 142-3
BPK 110-3 for KIN only BPK 110-3 for KIN only
MATH 154-3 MATH 155-3
PHYS 100-3 (if no Physics 12 with 60%+) PHYS 101-3
PHYS 140-4 PHYS 141-4

For Students Interested in Chemistry (CHEM) or Chemical Physics (CHPH)

Fall Spring
CHEM 121-4 CHEM 122-2
  CHEM 126-2
CMPT 120-3 not required CHEM, recommended for CHPH  
MATH 150-4 or 151-3 MATH 152-3
  MATH 232-3
PHYS 140-4 PHYS 141-4

For Students Interested in Earth Sciences (EASC)

Fall Spring
EASC 101-3 EASC 101-3
CHEM 121-4 CHEM 122-2
  CHEM 126-2
MATH 150-4 or 151-3 MATH 152-3
PHYS 140-4 PHYS 141-4
  STAT 201-3

FOR STUDENTS INTERESTED IN STATISTICS OR DATA SCIENCE

FOR STUDENTS INTERESTED IN CHEMISTRY OR CHEMICAL PHYSICS

If you don't see course examples for your area of interest, please contact Nadia Williams, Surrey Science Advisor, for more advice.

2nd year at Surrey

There are fewer second year course options at Surrey than first year, so you’ll need to consider this when planning your year - you may want to take some courses at the Burnaby campus. We recommend planning for one hour of travel time between all campuses.

If you're a Mathematics, Applied Mathematics, Mathematics and Computing Science (MACM), or Operations Research program, you may be able to complete most of your second year courses - and even some third and fourth year courses - at Surrey. Check Math's course timetables for the latest Surrey course information.

Examples of 200-level Science courses available at Surrey campus:

  • MATH 232-3 Applied Linear Algebra
  • MATH 251-3 Calculus III
  • MACM 201-3 Discrete Mathematics II
  • STAT 201-3 Statistics for the Life Sciences
  • STAT 270-3 Introduction to Probability and Statistics

Select third and fourth year MATH courses are also available.

Have questions?

Nadia Williams, Surrey Science Advisor and Recruiter

science_advisor@sfu.ca (preferred)
778.782.7486
Advising webpage 

Contact Nadia if you're a Surrey Science student, an Undeclared Science student over 60 units, in or interested in the General Science Double Minor program or a transfer student from another SFU Faculty.