- News
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2021 News
- Faculty of Science Canada Research Chairs announcement
- Excellence in Science Public Engagement and Outreach Award winners announced
- Larger households contribute to COVID-19 transmission in Fraser Health Region
- Study finds Sawfish face extinction unless overfishing is curbed
- Astronaut "moves" to help prevent falls among older adults confined to bed rest
- Paleontologists discover major new insect group after solving 150-year-old mystery
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2020 News
- STUDY SUGGESTS SEA LICE ON SALMON IS UNDER-REPORTED AT B.C. SALMON FARMS
- ROYAL SOCIETY OF CANADA HONOURS FACULTY OF SCIENCE RESEARCHERS
- SFU STUDY NETS NEW DATA ON HEAD IMPACTS EXPERIENCED BY HOCKEY PLAYERS
- FAST AND LOOSE: NANOMACHINES WITH FLOPPY CONNECTIONS GO FASTER
- SFU CHEMIST’S NEW PROCESS FAST-TRACKS DRUG TREATMENTS FOR VIRAL INFECTIONS AND CANCER
- HOT WATER CAN SOMETIMES COOL FASTER THAN WARM WATER – SFU RESEARCH CONFIRMS
- EDNA TECHNOLOGY MORE EFFECTIVE IN MONITORING SALMON RUNS: SFU RESEARCH
- LOVE OF SPORTS, MATH LANDS SFU ALUMNUS JOB WITH SEATTLE’S NHL FRANCHISE
- STAFF KEEP RESEARCH ALIVE DURING PANDEMIC
- A WHISKER'S MORE PROTECTION FOR CLEAN-SHAVEN MASK WEARERS
- RESEARCHERS WORKING TO IMPROVE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR SENIORS IN LONG-TERM CARE
- NEW STUDY FINDS CORAL ISLANDS MAY NOT “DROWN” AMID CLIMATE CHANGE
- NEW FOSSIL DISCOVERY SHOWS 50 MILLION-YEAR-OLD CANADA-AUSTRALIA CONNECTION
- BPK GRAD AIMS TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE AMID CHALLENGES OF LAB WORK ON COVID-19 PROJECT
- HOW CANNABIDIOL MAY BE HELPFUL IN TREATING DIABETES-RELATED ARRHYTHMIAS
- SFU LAB HELPS PATIENT MANAGE RARE DISEASE THROUGH PROGRAMMED EXERCISE
- SFU SURREY SCIENCE LABS HOST COVID-19 HAND SANITIZER PRODUCTION
- SFU EPIDEMIOLOGIST’S RESEARCH INFORMS B.C. HEALTH POLICY ON COVID-19
- SFU PROFESSOR’S INVENTION APPROVED BY FDA TO HELP WEAN COVID-19 PATIENTS FROM VENTILATORS
- SFU STAFF AND FACULTY DONATE MASKS, GLOVES, ADDITIONAL COVID-19 SUPPLIES TO LOCAL HOSPITALS
- CORONAVIRUS TESTING KITS WILL BE DEVELOPED USING SFU-INVENTED RNA IMAGING TECHNOLOGY
- NEW "SMALL NUMBER" K-12 MATH LEARNING MATERIALS AVAILABLE
- SFU RESEARCH TEAM HELPS TEST POTENTIAL SUPERBUG-KILLING COMPOUND
- SFU CELEBRATES INTERNATIONAL DAY OF WOMEN AND GIRLS IN SCIENCE
- STUDY REVEALS HIDDEN RISKS OF ESTUARY DEVELOPMENT FOR YOUNG SALMON
- SFU RESEARCHER SCORES MAJOR FUNDING FOR ACUTE MYELOID LEUKEMIA RESEARCH
- SFU EARTH SCIENTIST JOHN CLAGUE NAMED TO ORDER OF CANADA
- FACULTY OF SCIENCE RECEIVES OVER $1M IN RESEARCH FUNDING FROM CANADA FOUNDATION FOR INNOVATION
- ABUNDANCE OF SALMON KEY TO FEEDING 'UNDERDOG' STREAM FISHES: SFU RESEARCH
- YOUNG INVESTIGATOR AWARD BESTOWED ON PHYSICS PROF.
- SFU PHYSICS PROFESSOR RECOGNIZED AS “TOP 40 UNDER 40” IN CANADA
- SFU RESEARCH FINDS CLUES TO UNDERSTANDING CBD AND ITS MEDICINAL EFFECTS
- SFU alumnus inspired by her organization’s 2020 Nobel Peace Prize
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2019 News
- SFU RESEARCH POINTS TO UNPRECEDENTED AND WORRYING RISE IN SEA LEVELS
- SFU GLOBAL COLLABORATION CREATES WORLD’S FIRST OPEN-SOURCE DATABASE OF NATURAL MICROBIAL PRODUCTS
- VIRTUAL CADAVERS BRING LEARNING TO LIFE AT SFU
- SFU RESEARCHERS DISCOVER POTENTIAL WAY TO MANAGE INSECTS WITHOUT CHEMICALS
- FIRST FOSSIL DRAGONFLIES FROM B.C. IDENTIFIED AND NAMED
- INTERNATIONAL STUDY FINDS NEW GENETIC FEATURES IN RARE BURKITT LYMPHOMA CANCER
- TRIO OF SFU SCIENCE PROFESSORS HONORED
- NEW EVIDENCE SHOWS HUMAN PRESENCE IN HAIDA GWAII 2,200 YEARS EARLIER THAN PREVIOUS ESTIMATES
- SFU CHEMISTRY PROF NAMED TO ROYAL SOCIETY OF CANADA
- POPULAR BUT DANGEROUS LAB DEMO NOW SAFER THANKS TO SFU CHEMISTS
- SFU PHYSICS WELCOMES NEW ASTROPHYSICIST
- WATCH YOUR SPEED—WHALE ZONE AHEAD!
- DEPARTMENT OF STATISTICS & ACTUARIAL SCIENCE WELCOMES DONALD ESTEP
- COMPLIANT FLOORING NOT THE ANSWER TO PREVENTING FALL-RELATED INJURIES
- SFU WELCOMES NEW SHRUM CHAIR IN BIOLOGICAL MECHANISMS OF DISEASE
- PEST BUSTING SFU PROF NAMED FELLOW OF THE ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF CANADA
- INTERNATIONAL STUDENT BUILDS HIS OWN ADVENTURE AT SFU
- THE DIRT ON SUSTAINABLE SHEEP FARMING
- TINY FISH A BIG LURE FOR LIFE ON CORAL REEFS
- BIG ENERGY SAVINGS FOR TINY MACHINES
- BIOLOGY CLASS ANALYZES DOG DNA FOR BODY SIZE, SNOUT LENGTH AND COAT LENGTH
- SFU STUDIES CAUSES BEHIND SUDDEN UNEXPECTED DEATH IN INFANTS
- ANAL SECRETIONS OF APHIDS PROVIDE SUSTENANCE FOR MOSQUITOES
- CITIZEN SCIENTISTS' RARE FOSSIL BIRDS SHED NEW LIGHT ON AVIAN HISTORY
- STATISTICS STUDENTS IMPRESS THE NFL WITH THEIR MOVES
- 3D IMAGES IN PDFS IS A GAMECHANGER FOR CHEMISTRY EDUCATION
- DAVID SHIFFMAN NAMED PRESIDENT'S SOCIAL MEDIA NEWSMAKER OF THE YEAR
- EARTH SCIENCES TECHNICIAN DIGS DEEP TO DEVELOP ENGAGEMENT
- EARLY-CAREER LECTURER KEVIN LAM DRIVEN BY LIFE-LONG PASSION FOR TEACHING
- CHEMISTRY TEAM "FIXES" CANCER-SUPPRESSING P53 PROTEIN
- SFU RESEARCHERS FIND NEW CLUES TO CONTROLLING HIV
- STUDY PREDICTS WARMER, DRIER MOUNTAINS POSE A DOUBLE WHAMMY FOR COLD-ADAPTED AMPHIBIANS
- “MICROSCOPIC” IMPROVEMENTS YIELD BIG GAINS IN SFU’S RESEARCH CAPABILITIES
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2018 News
- SFU PROF’S WORLDWIDE INFLUENCE ON SHARKS AND RAYS RESEARCH LEADS TO ACCOLADE AND A NEW CONSERVATION PROGRAM
- SFU TEAM LEADS $12-MILLION EFFORT TO EXPAND SYSTEM OF WORLDWIDE HEALTH RESEARCH DATABASES
- SFU FACULTY MEMBERS SET SIGHTS ON HOLLYWOOD NORTH
- NEWLY HIRED STATS PROF BRINGS EXPERTISE IN BIG DATA AND MACHINE LEARNING
- MUSCLES KNOW BEST
- NANOMACHINES HAVE ALL THE MOVES
- PHD CANDIDATE IN MARINE BIOLOGY WINS MAJOR ENVIRONMENTAL PRIZE
- ENGAGED STUDENT DOES IT ALL
- GENETIC MUTATION PROVIDES POTENTIAL CLUE TO NON-HODGKIN LYMPHOMA
- BUILDING MOLECULAR MOTORS – ONE STEP AT A TIME
- NEW STUDY ON EFFECTS OF CANNABIS ON PAIN AND SEIZURE CONTROLNEW STUDY ON EFFECTS OF CANNABIS ON PAIN AND SEIZURE CONTROL
- FACULTY OF SCIENCE WELCOMES NEW DEAN!
- SCIENCE INQUIRY VIDEOS FOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS LAUNCHED
- SFU MATHEMATICIAN RECEIVES ROYAL SOCIETY AWARD
- JOHN REYNOLDS NAMED CHAIR OF THE COMMITTEE ON THE STATUS OF ENDANGERED WILDLIFE IN CANADA
- SFU STUDY BUSTS MYTH ABOUT FACIAL HAIR ON PILOTS
- NOT SO FAST: FROM SHREWS TO ELEPHANTS, ANIMAL REFLEXES SURPRISINGLY SLOW
- SFU TEAM RECEIVES FUNDING TO EXPAND SYSTEM OF WORLDWIDE HEALTH RESEARCH DATABASES
- MEET THE LATEST WINNERS OF THE FACULTY OF SCIENCE EXCELLENCE IN TEACHING AWARDS.
- MEET NEW MATH PROF & CANADA 150 RESEARCH CHAIR, CAROLINE COLIJN
- SCIENTIFIC TEAM SCOOPS MAJOR AWARDS FOR WORK CONFIRMING THE STANDARD MODEL OF COSMOLOGY
- HOW SALMON "OUST THE LOUSE"
- ABORIGINAL SUMMER CAMP ALUMNI JOIN SFU AS UNDERGRADS
- OUTSTANDING ALUMNI AWARD FOR STEVEN HOLDCROFT
- SCIENTISTS ON TWITTER: PREACHING TO THE CHOIR OR SINGING FROM THE ROOFTOPS?
- SFU KICKS OFF SPORTS ANALYTICS CONFERENCE
- NEW METHOD FOR DETECTING DOPING IN CYCLISTS PROPOSED
- SFU’S LONGEST SERVING SENATE FACULTY MEMBER STEPS DOWN
- PRIME GROWING AREAS FOR B.C. OYSTERS CONTAIN ALARMINGLY HIGH CONCENTRATIONS OF PLASTIC MICROBEADS
- TALK ABOUT SCIENCE!
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2017 News
- FLIRTING ON THE FLY: HUMANS CAN LEARN A THING OR TWO FROM BLOW FLIES ABOUT ATTRACTION ON DATING APPS
- SFU RESEARCHERS SHINE LIGHT ON ANTIMATTER
- SARAH JOHNSON WINS FACULTY OF SCIENCE EXCELLENCE IN PUBLIC OUTREACH AND ENGAGEMENT AWARD
- SCIENCE TECHNICAL CENTER WINS SFU TEAM ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
- Photos: SFU's Trottier Observatory wins national award for landscape design
- SFU PROF SCORES POSITION WITH NBA
- STUDY FINDS GREATER RISK OF EXTINCTION AMONG HIGH DIVERSITY AMPHIBIAN GROUPS
- 2017 CONVOCATION STAR - DANIELLE JEONG
- 2017 CONVOCATION STAR - ANDY ZENG
- 2017 CONVOCATION STAR - JOHN THOMPSON
- PERFECT PAIRINGS: COUPLE MEETS AT SCIENCE FROSH & HEAD TO MED SCHOOL TOGETHER
- EXTREME SCIENCE IN VOLCANOLOGY
- NEW CANADA RESEARCH CHAIR BOOSTS FUNDING FOR ENERGY-CONVERSION TECHNOLOGY
- CHEMISTRY BUILDING EARNS GOLD, LEED AWARD
- NEW CLASSROOMS + SOCIAL AREA = [MATH WEST]
- NEW STUDY SHOWS BANNING SHARK FIN IN THE U.S. WON’T HELP SAVE SHARKS
- NEW RESEARCH LINKS HEART ATTACKS TO GENETIC MUTATION
- CONSERVATION ACTUALLY WORKS
- NATIONAL GOLD MEDAL HONORS GERHARD GRIES' INSECT EXPERTISE
- REVVING YOUR NANOSCALE ENGINE
- "ROCK STAR" GEOSCIENTIST RECEIVES LEGGET MEDAL
- PUBLIC HEALTH MATHEMATICIAN JOINS SFU AS CANADA 150 RESEARCH CHAIR
- VOLCANIC SIMULATION TEACHES EARTH SCIENCES STUDENTS CRISIS MANAGEMENT SKILLS
- MARS' SURFACE WATER: WE FINALLY KNOW WHAT HAPPENED
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2016 News
- HANDS-ON LEARNING ON THE MOUNTAIN
- SEA STARS SHED LIGHT ON HUMAN REPRODUCTION
- EXERCISE MAY PUT SOME HEART PATIENTS AT RISK
- ZIKA VIRUS AND THE RIO 2016 OLYMPIC GAMES
- STAFF ACHIEVEMENT AWARD FOR THE FACULTY OF SCIENCE
- DIGGING FOR ANTIBIOTICS
- FROM STUDENT TO CEO
- FACULTY OF SCIENCE SWEEPS EXCELLENCE IN TEACHING AWARDS
- STATS STUDENT SAYS THANKS TO HIGH SCHOOL MATH TEACHER
- SWEET AWARD FOR STATISTICS PROF
- ECONOMICS DRIVE THE EXTINCTION OF LARGE MARINE ANIMALS
- SFU RESEARCHERS STUDY DNA TO FIND GENETIC MUTATION BEHIND RARE DEVELOPMENTAL DISORDER
- EMPU DIRECTOR RECEIVES "HIGH-FLYING" AWARD
- SFU'S POPULAR ACADEMIC SUMMER CAMP FOR ABORIGINAL STUDENTS A HIT WITH ALUMNI
- SEA STAR DEATH TRIGGERS ECOLOGICAL DOMINO EFFECT
- DUGAN O'NEIL WINS COMPUTE CANADA TRAILBLAZER AWARD
- INTERNATIONAL ENTOMOLOGY AWARD FOR ‘BED BUG’ BIOLOGIST
- UNDERGRAD GETS MUSCLE MECHANICS RESEARCH PUBLISHED
- TRAILBLAZING SCIENTIST AND ADVISOR PASSES AWAY AT 102
- UNDERSTANDING HOW THE "BLOOD-BRAIN BARRIER" IS BREACHED IN BACTERIAL MENINGITIS
- NEW SFU PROFESSORSHIP TO BOOST RESEARCH COLLABORATION WITH RCH
- SFU RESEARCHERS WORK TO FINE-TUNE COLLAGEN GROWTH
- EVERGREEN LINE 'CORES' PROVIDE EARTH SCIENTISTS WITH WEALTH OF HISTORICAL DATA
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2015 News
- JOHN REYNOLDS NETS AWARD
- ISABELLE COTÉ & WENDY PALEN RECEIVE PRESTIGIOUS LEOPOLD FELLOWSHIPS
- HUMAN GENOMICS CLASS GETS UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL
- TRIPLE WIN FOR MATHEMATICIANS
- DATING TECHNIQUES: ILLUMINATING THE PAST
- HOWARD TROTTIER WINS BC SUGAR ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
- TEMPERATURE CHANGE CAN TRIGGER SUDDEN CARDIAC DEATH
- FAT ACCUMULATION IN HUMAN SKELETAL MUSCLES EFFECTS ABILITY TO PERFORM EVERYDAY ACTIVITIES
- SFU TO HOST SITE OF RESEARCH CYBER NETWORK
- STATISTICS PROF. SNAGS HIGHEST HONOR
- NEW CANCER-FIGHTING FUNDS TO HELP PATIENTS WITH AGGRESSIVE NON-HODGKIN LYMPHOMA
- WIRED FOR LAZINESS
- SFU CO-LEADS NATIONAL PROJECT TO REVIVE COHO SALMON
- NEW PROFESSORSHIP FOCUSES ON NEW TREATMENTS FOR AUTISM
- NEW RESEARCH OPENS DOORS TO UNDERSTANDING TONSIL CANCER
- NEW DISEASE-CARRYING MOSQUITO ARRIVES IN BC
- GENES RESPONSIBLE FOR THE THREE KINDS OF MALE RUFFS IDENTIFIED
- SCIENTISTS TAKE AIM AT DISEASE-CARRYING “KISSING BUG”
- BURNABY AND CHILEAN ELEMENTARY STUDENTS LEARN ASTRONOMY TOGETHER
- SCRATCH THESE OFF OF YOUR CHRISTMAS SHOPPING LIST
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2021 News
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FAQs
Faculty Transfer
I’m currently in a different faculty, but I would like to transfer into the Faculty of Science. How can I transfer over?
To switch from your current faculty to the Faculty of Science, you must first meet at a minimum these specific admission requirements:
- Minimum SFU CGPA of 2.00
- Minimum SFU UD CGPA of 2.00 (if you have taken upper division units at SFU)
- Minimum 12 units completed at SFU
- Minimum of 3 Faculty of Science courses taken at SFU, with a minimum C+ in each of the three courses (one must be Math 150, 151, or 154).
- Faculty of Science subjects are: ACMA, BISC, BPK, CHEM, DATA, EASC, MATH, MBB, NUSC, PHYS, SCI, STAT, and select MACM. Note courses worth only one unit are not normally used towards the three faculty course requirement. Courses should be those required for your intended Science program of study
- Students who have previously completed Calculus I elsewhere should discuss possible substitutes with the Science Advisor
Once you have met these requirements, contact Melissa Tamer at science_advisor@sfu.ca to discuss transferring into the Faculty of Science:
- Include your full name, SFU student number, and intended science major/double minor subject(s).
I completed MATH 157 and would like to transfer into the Faculty of Science. Do I have to repeat Calculus 1 in the form of MATH 150/151/154?
Not necessarily. The reason why we require MATH 150/151/154 to transfer into the Faculty of Science is that MATH 150/151/154 is required for most programs in our faculty. MATH 157 is acceptable for Calculus 1 if you plan to major in Math, Statistics, Data Science, or Operations Research (note: Math, Operations Research, and Data Science require at least a B).
If you completed MATH 157 (with the minimum required grade, if applicable) and would like to get into one of these programs, please contact Melissa Tamer (science_advisor@sfu.ca) about transferring into the Faculty of Science. Furthermore, in some cases, MATH 157 may be acceptable for other majors in the Faculty of Science. Please consult with the departmental advisor for your desired major.
Declaring a Major/Minor
How do I declare a major/minor in the Faculty of Science?
To declare a major, joint major, or minor in the Faculty of Science, you must first meet the specific department's admission requirements. Admission requirements can be found in the SFU Academic Calendar or on the program’s website. If you have program specific questions regarding admission, program planning, or program completion, please contact the departmental advisor directly.
When do I need to declare my major? Is there a deadline?
Technically there is no deadline for declaring your major. However, there can be benefits to declaring a major, including access to upper division courses (see below). Also, program requirements can change over time. Declaring your major fixes your requirements as those specified in the calendar for your term of entry. If you wait to declare your major, the requirements may change from what you had been planning around.
Thus, it is recommended that a student declare a major as soon as they are eligible for admission to the program. New students who are unsure of what to major in should aim to have their major declared by the time they reach 60 units. Students over 60 units who have not yet declared a major should contact Melissa Tamer at science_advisor@sfu.ca as soon as possible to discuss options.
What are the benefits of declaring a major?
Benefits may include: access to program-specific scholarships, awards, and bursaries; access to upper division courses; and opportunities that are available only to students in specific majors.
How do I figure out what to major and/or minor in?
Such decisions are subjective and should be based on your personal goals, interests, passions, and strengths. You may find it helpful to talk to people in different departments to get a sense of what each area of study is like. Speaking to a Career Advisor in Career Services may also help you make a decision about what to major and/or minor in. Students over 60 units in the Faculty of Science without a major should contact Melissa Tamer at science_advisor@sfu.ca as soon as possible to discuss options.
Course Repeats
Can I repeat a course I have already attempted?
Students are allowed to repeat a particular course once. Ultimately both attempts will appear on your transcript but only the higher grade will factor into your GPA and CGPA. See here for details.
Note: It is not advised that students repeat a course simply to raise their CGPA. In many cases, repeating a course will have a negligible effect on the student’s final CGPA (e.g., for a student with 120 units, upgrading one grade from a C to an A increases their CGPA by only 0.05). We recommend that course repeats are used sparingly, as only five total repeats are allowed over the course of a degree (see below). Courses should only be repeated when doing so is necessary for completing program requirements (e.g., if a student failed a required course or if a student didn’t meet the minimum required grade for a course).
Can I repeat a course a third time?
In certain situations, a third attempt of a course may be permitted. Permission must come from both the student’s advisor as well as the advisor from the department that oversees the course.
How many course repeats are allowed in total?
The total number of course repeats allowed throughout a degree program is limited to five. See here for details.
What if I need to exceed the five allowable repeats in order to graduate from my program?
If you would like to enroll in a sixth or subsequent repeat course, you must discuss your plan with your departmental advisor. Exceptions are rarely granted, and must be approved first by the departmental advisor and then by the Manager of Academic Programs. Please review the repeat policy here, complete the repeat request form, and submit the form to your departmental advisor before enrolling in any further repeats.
Note: Students who do not obtain approval and register for the course will either be removed from the course or have the repeat course changed to ‘Illegal’ and the repeated course/units/GPA will not count towards their degree.
If you are unable to get permission, switching into a different program and/or faculty may be necessary. Those students who will not be able to meet the requirements for their intended major, but could qualify for a minor in the same subject may want to consider the General Science Double Minor program.
I’m a new student. How do I know which courses I should take?
For incoming high school graduates, course enrolment and sample program tables are found in the SFU 101 Canvas modules. Many of the departments in the Faculty of Science also outline typical/recommended course lists for their majors on their website (e.g., Biological Sciences).
- If you have a declared/intended major, you can consult with your departmental advisor
- If you are undeclared and under 60 units at Burnaby campus, you can consult with a Student Services Advisor
- If you are a Surrey campus student, please consult with Melissa Tamer at science_advisor@sfu.ca
- If you are undeclared and over 60 units, you can consult with Melissa Tamer at science_advisor@sfu.ca
I know I want to study science, but I’m undecided on a major. What courses should I take in my first year to keep my options open?
There are some core courses that are required by many of the majors and minors in the Faculty of Science. Most notably, almost all majors and minors require Calculus I (MATH 150/151/154) and Calculus 2 (MATH 152/155).
- Taking MATH 150/151 for Calculus 1 and MATH 152 for Calculus 2 will keep your options the most open
- If you are drawn to the Life Sciences (BISC, BPK, MBB), you can take MATH 154 for Calculus 1 and MATH 155 for Calculus 2.
Most programs also require two first-year Physics courses. See here for the different streams of introductory Physics courses.
Other introductory courses that are common to many programs in the Faculty of Science include: Chemistry (CHEM 121, 122, and 126), Biological Sciences (BISC 101 and 102), and Statistics (STAT 201 and 270).
I’ve completed MATH 157 and/or 158. Are these courses acceptable for science programs?
MATH 157/158 may be acceptable for Calculus 1 and 2, depending on the program. Consult with the departmental advisor responsible for your desired program for further advice.
Can I get into a course if I don’t meet all of the prerequisites?
Generally no. However sometimes a student may have a good reason as to why she/he should be able to handle the course without the prerequisite. In such a case, please check the departmental FAQs website for information on the procedure for obtaining a prerequisite waiver, and/or consult with the advisor in the department that oversees the course.
Do I have to take courses every semester? Is there a minimum course load?
Unless you have had certain course load restrictions placed on you (e.g., because of a scholarship you have received, because you’re a student athlete, because you’re receiving a student loan, or for a student visa), there isn’t a minimum course load and you are free to take a semester off if you’d like.
Keep in mind, however, that if you do not enroll in any courses for three semesters in a row, you will become deactivated. While you are away from SFU, if you do not take coursework at a different post-secondary institution, becoming reactivated is a fairly simple process. If you do take courses at a different post-secondary institution while away from SFU, you will need to apply for readmission. See here for details on reactivation and readmission.
Can I take a course at a different post-secondary institution for credit towards my degree at SFU?
If you would like to take a course at a different post-secondary institution while still active at SFU, you must apply for a letter of permission. See here for details.
I’m a newly admitted second degree student. How do I proceed?
Students who have already completed an undergraduate degree must contact the departmental advisor for their intended program prior to course enrollment. The student will need to provide a copy of his/her transcript to the departmental advisor so that he/she can get prerequisites waived for entry into upper division courses.
Co-op and career planning
Should I do co-op?
Doing co-op is an excellent way to get valuable, hands-on experience in your field, and will likely put you in a better position when it comes to seeking a career after you graduate.
The Science Co-op website can be found here.
What can I do with my degree?
Start by speaking with your academic advisor. Your next step would be Career Services.
SFU Career Services has put together a website with careers for various majors. Listed careers go beyond those that you would think of offhand (doctor, teacher, dentist...). They also have several helpful exploratory websites, such as Choices Career Explorer.
Enrolled students moreover have the option of booking a one-on-one appointment with a Career Advisor in Career Services to talk about career options and how to maximize their career prospects.
I want to be a doctor/dentist/pharmacist/other health care professional. Do you have any suggestions for me?
Many students enter Science with the goal of eventually becoming a health care professional. In your first year at SFU, you can enroll in first year foundational science courses required as prerequisites for most professional programs. We also advise you have a back-up plan - professional schools are extremely competitive, and every student should always have at least one other career idea in mind as they go through their studies. Click here for our tips on succeeding in the Sciences.
Self-Assessment - Is professional school realistic for me and my circumstances?
- How do my grades and admission test scores compare to the historical entrance averages for the professional schools I wish to attend?
- If my grades are below historical entrance averages, how much time and effort am I willing to spend to strengthen my candidacy to professional school?
- How have I demonstrated commitment to this profession? How willing am I to take steps to show further commitment?
- How have I demonstrated a foundational knowledge of this profession? Am I willing to build upon this knowledge?
Thanks to Lyman Briggs College for these self-reflective questions.
What if I don't get into the professional program I want?
This is where your back-up plan comes into play. Co-operative education job placements would help you explore different paid science positions and help you "get your foot in the door" for future employment at these organizations. There are also many alternate health-related careers that could be entered via different education programs such as certificates or technical diplomas. A university science background helps with success in these areas.
General Science double minor Bachelor of Science degree
Who is the Academic Advisor for the General Science Double Minor program?
The Academic Advisor is Melissa Tamer. Check the website for detailed contact information and advising information.
What are the requirements for the General Science Double Minor program?
Students need to meet three sets of requirements: the requirements for their first minor, the requirements for their second minor, and the General Science Double Minor program requirements.
How do I get admitted into the General Science Double Minor program?
You will need to contact the two departmental advisors for which you would like to have minors in and get approved into their program before you can be added to the General Science Double Minor degree program. The requirements for each minor program can be found in the SFU calendar. Each department has their own requirements for entry into their minor programs. You may need to contact the departmental advisors directly to find out what the competitive admission CGPA is for their program.
Here are the steps:
- Read the program and course requirements and planner. See the academic advisor with any questions or course planning leading up to declaration of your minors.
- Review the program minor requirements found in the SFU Calendar and/or contact the departmental advisor for admission and course requirements for each department that you are interested in.
- Once you have met the requirements for transfer into both minors and the advisors have added the minors to your transcript, make an appointment with Melissa Tamer at science_advisor@sfu.ca or 778.782.7486 to review your eligibilty for the General Science Double Minor program and discuss program planning. Discussion can also happen prior to approval of minors. Contact Melissa with any questions.
What minors do I have to choose from for the General Science Double Minor program?
At minimum, one of your minors needs to be in the Faculty of Science. The options are:
- Biological Sciences
- Environmental Toxicology
- Biomedical Physiology
- Kinesiology
- Chemistry
- Environmental Chemistry
- Nuclear Science
- Molecular Biology & Biochemistry
- Earth Sciences
- Mathematics
- Physics
- Statistics
You are free to choose a second minor from any faculty. However, note that one of the requirements for the General Science Double Minor program is that students have at least 80 units in Faculty of Science coursework, which must include at least 28 upper division units. (Note, a total of 44 upper division units is required to graduate. The 28 refers to how many of these must be Faculty of Science units.)
Students who choose a second minor outside of the Faculty of Science may have some difficulty meeting this requirement.
A list of upper division Science courses with minimal prerequisites can be found here.
If you are still having difficulty finding additional upper division Faculty of Science courses to meet this requirement, or if you would like to discuss anything regarding your academics, please contact Melissa Tamer (science_advisor@sfu.ca).
Can I do more than two minors?
Yes, students in the General Science Double Minor program are free to complete more than two minors if they would like.