Students in the Faculty of Science are required to make steady progress toward graduation. The total number of credits, the number of science credits, and Faculty-wide degree requirements factor into a student’s promotion from one year to the next. Registration in a specialization is not a guarantee of continuing status in that specialization; maintenance of a specific average and relevant course selection are also required. A student who accumulates too many credits without being promoted or who is promoted but is not following the required courses of their specialization will be removed from that specialization and required to gain admission to another. A student removed from a specialization who does not gain admission to another may be required to withdraw.
Degree progression decisions are based on courses completed up to the end of Winter Session.
Promotion and Class Standing
Students admitted from high school will be given 1st-year class standing. Students will be promoted to the next class standing immediately when specific criteria (i.e., promotion requirements) are met. The section below outlines these criteria, which include a total number of credits along with specific course requirements.
All students are encouraged to consult specialization websites for information when selecting first year courses, and again after completion of their first term.
Students who transfer from another faculty at UBC or another post-secondary institution will be assigned a class standing level determined by the promotion requirements outlined below and will thereafter be subject to those requirements.
All students in BSc specializations are required to follow the progression rules outlined below with the exception of students in the BSc Cognitive Systems: Cognition and Brain specialization. Students in this specialization should refer to the specialization website for the progression rules for this specialization.
Promotion to 2nd-Year Class Standing
Promotion to 2nd-year class standing requires successful completion of 24 or more credits, of which at least 15 must be science credits from first-year science courses.
Students are reminded to consider the Lower-Level Requirements and the courses required for admission to their desired specialization (see www.science.ubc.ca/students/degree/apply/req) when selecting courses.
Students admitted to or newly promoted to 2nd-year class standing must participate in the common specialization application process in May or June (see Second Year Application) to be assigned a specialization before they start to register for courses for the next Winter Session.
Promotion to 3rd-Year Class Standing
Promotion to 3rd-year class standing requires successful completion of a total of 48 or more credits, including:
1. At least 30 science credits, of which 15 must be second year or above (200 - 400 level) science credits.
Promotion to 4th-Year Class Standing
Promotion to 4th-year class standing requires successful completion of a total of 72 or more credits, including:
- At least 21 upper-level (300 or 400 level) credits;
- At least 50 science credits, of which 15 must be upper-level (300 or 400 level) science credits;
- The Laboratory Science Requirement;
- The Communication Requirement.
Sufficient Progress Towards a Degree
Progress upon 48 attempted credits
Students must meet the minimum requirements for 2nd-year class standing either by the end of the Winter Session during which they reach or exceed 48 total attempted credits (including advance or transfer credit) or by the end of the Winter Session of their third academic year since enrolling in the B.Sc. program, whichever comes first. Those who do not will normally be required to withdraw.
Students with 2nd-year class standing or above without a specialization must apply for a specialization via the coordinated BSc Specialization Application process which takes place each May/June. Students who do not apply for a specialization and who have more than 48 credits at the time of the application will be assigned a specialization by the Faculty of Science.
Students admitted with advance or transfer credit that puts them at risk of exceeding this limit must consult an advisor in Science Advising on admission to the Faculty of Science.
Progress upon 78 attempted credits
By the end of the Winter Session where a student reaches or exceeds 78 total attempted credits, they are expected to have met the following requirements:
1. Attained 3rd year class standing;
2. Completed the B.Sc. Specialization-Specific Courses Required For Sufficient Progress by 78 attempted credits.
Students who fail to meet the above requirements will be required to withdraw.
Progress upon 108 attempted credits
By the end of the Winter Session where a student reaches or exceeds 108 total attempted credits, they are expected to have met the following requirements:
1. Attained 4th-year class standing;
2. Completed all of the Faculty of Science Lower-Level Requirements;
3. Completed all, or all but one, of the courses required to satisfy the Science Breadth Requirement;
4. Completed all named required courses specified in the first and second years of a student’s declared specialization (but not all general electives);
5. Completed the B.Sc. Specialization-Specific Courses Required For Sufficient Progress by 108 attempted credits.
Students who fail to meet the above requirements will be required to withdraw.
Students who fail to make sufficient progress towards their degree or who do not meet all graduation requirements for their degree within a maximum of 180 attempted credits or seven years from enrolling in the B.Sc. program will be required to withdraw.
Promotion for Transfer Students
Students who transfer from another faculty at UBC or another post-secondary institution will be assigned a year-level determined by the general Promotion Requirements and will thereafter be subject to those requirements. After the first winter session, each student’s progress will be reviewed and appropriate credit restrictions or requirements for remedial work will be implemented if the Communication Requirement has not been met.