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Environment (BSc)

Overview

International Year One (UTP Stage II): Environment (Science) provides first-year courses and the foundation for progression to the second year of SFU’s Faculty of Environment. With an emphasis on applied and interdisciplinary solutions to complex environmental problems, programs in the Faculty of the Environment provide multiple career options for students.

KEY INFORMATION

Duration

  • 3 terms

Intakes

  • January, May, September

Location

  • Vancouver

Your direct pathway to Simon Fraser University

High School
FIC
2nd year Simon Fraser University

International Year One (UTP Stage II): Environment (Science)

Entry to second year of Bachelor of Science

Entry into second year of the Bachelor of Science (BSc). The Faculty of Environment offers majors in the following areas (and many are also offered as minor options)

  • Development and Sustainability (minor only)
  • Environmental Science (BSc)
    • Applied Biology
    • Environmental Earth Systems
    • Environmetrics
    • Water Science
  • Geographic Information Systems (BSc, entry through Applied Sciences)
  • Physical Geography (BSc)
    • Biogeophysical Science Stream
    • Geoscience Stream
    • Physical Geography and Spatial Information Science Stream

Certificates

Alongside obtaining a degree, students are also able to obtain certificates in the following areas:

  • Biological Anthropology
  • Corporate Environmental and Social Sustainability
  • Cultural Resource Management
  • Environmental Literacy
  • Geographic Information Science
  • Sustainable Development
  • Urban Studies

You must complete a minimum of 30 units at FIC with an overall GPA of 2.5 and with a grade of C- or better in all courses upon completion of International Year One (UTP Stage II), in order to be guaranteed admission to the Faculty of Environment.

Careers

Potential career paths

  • Air Quality Specialist
  • Ecologist
  • Ecology Research Technician
  • Environment Researcher
  • Environmental Health and Safety Inspector
  • Environmental Protection Officer
  • Environmental Specialist
  • Field Technician
  • Food Safety Coordinator
  • Industrial Advisor
  • Interpretive Naturalist
  • Laboratory Technician
  • Natural Resources Specialist
  • Pollutant Risk Assessor
  • Soil Conservationist
  • Water Quality Inspector/Controller
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* Program fees are based on 30 credits of study at C$1,148.92 per credit. Students taking more than 30 credits of study will need to pay additional fees. Not for credit transfer Academic Literacy Course is a requirement for International Year One (UTP Stage II) Direct entry.

For the most up-to-date fees and charges, please visit: https://www.fraseric.ca/admissions/fees/

Program Requirements

To transfer into the Faculty of Environment, students must complete the requirements listed below, which include at least one ‘W’ and one ‘Q’ course.
-> What are ‘W’ and ‘Q’ courses?

A minimum GPA of 2.50, based on completion of 10 courses (at least 30 units, and with a grade of C- or better in all courses), will guarantee admittance to the Faculty of Environment (BSc) for successful transfer students from FIC. In addition, a cumulative GPA of 2.5 is required for admission to the university.

All (All (direct) students are required to take (and pass) ILS101/ILSA101 – Integrated Learning Skills and ALC101/ALAC101 – Academic Literacy Course in their first term of study unless exempted. For ALC exempted requirements, please check the English requirements page*

Required Courses

CHEM121 - General Chemistry and Laboratory I

Quantitative/Breadth-Science
4 units
Atomic and molecular structure; chemical bonding; thermochemistry; elements; periodic table; gases liquids, solids, and solutions. This course includes a laboratory component. Students with credit for CHEM 120 or 123 may not take this course for further credit.

Prerequisite

High School Chemistry 12 (or equivalent) with a minimum grade of C (60% or higher), or CHEM111 with C- or better.

EVSC100 - Introduction to Environmental Science

Breadth-Science
3 units
Faculty of Environment – To be offered in the future at FIC. Introduces students to the study of environmental science. Lecture material spans contributing disciplines, emphasizing integration of diverse concepts to understand environmental problems. Tutorials develop core academic skills in environmental science context.

Prerequisite

No Prerequisite Required

GEOG104 - Climate Change, Water, and Society

Breadth-Social Sciences
Breadth-Science
3 units
Faculty of Environment – To be offered in the future at FIC. An examination of climate change, its interaction with water availability, and how humans cope with altered circumstances.

Prerequisite

No Prerequisite Required

MATH151 - Calculus I

Quantitative
3 units
Faculty of Science – Designed for students specializing in mathematics, physics, chemistry, computing science and engineering. Logarithmic and exponential functions; trigonometric functions; and inverse functions. Limits, continuity, and derivatives. Techniques of differentiation, including logarithmic and implicit differentiation. The Mean Value Theorem. Applications of Differentiation including extrema, curve sketching, related rates, Newton's method. Antiderivatives and applications. Conic sections, polar coordinates, parametric curves.

Prerequisite

Math Check score (26 or above) OR MATH100 with a minimum B grade OR MTH101 & MTH103 with a minimum B grade
Students with credit for MATH157 may not take MATH151 for further credit.

MATH152 - Calculus II

Quantitative
3 units
Faculty of Science – Riemann sum, Fundamental Theorem of Calculus, definite, indefinite and improper integrals, approximate integration, integration techniques, applications of integration. First-order separable differential equations. Sequences and series, series tests, power series, convergence, and applications of power series.

Prerequisite

MATH151 with a C- minimum grade or MATH157 with a B minimum grade

PHYS140 - Studio Physics – Mechanics & Modern Physics

Quantitative
Breadth-Science
4 units
Faculty of Science – A general calculus-based introduction to mechanics taught in an integrated lecture-laboratory environment. Topics include translational and rotational motion, momentum, energy, gravitation, and selected topics in modern physics.

Prerequisite

BC Principles of Physics 12, or equivalent, or PHYS100 with a minimum C- grade.
Corequisite: MATH151
There is a $100 Lab fee associated with this course.

 

Choose one course from the following list:

BISC100 - Introduction to Biology

Breadth-Science
4 units
Faculty of Science – An introduction to the basic concepts of biology, emphasizing evolution as a unifying theme. Topics include cell structure, mitosis and meiosis, DNA structure and function, evolution and population and ecosystem ecology.

Prerequisite

There is a $100 Lab fee associated with this course.
There is a $100 Book fee associated with this course.

BISC101 - General Biology

Breadth-Science
4 units
An introduction to the biochemical and physiological mechanisms of living organisms. Topics covered include cell structure and function, DNA replication and the flow of genetic information, enzyme function, metabolism and physiology of microorganisms, plants, and animals. Breadth-Science.

Prerequisite

High school Biology 12 (or equivalent) with a C grade or better, or BISC 100 with C- or better

 

Choose one course from the following list:

GEOG100 - Our World: Introducing Human Geography

Breadth-Social Sciences
3 units
Faculty of Environment – A geographical introduction to how humans shape our world, with attention also given to how it shapes us. Themes may include: culture, economic activities, environmental change, globalization, politics, population, resources, and urbanization.

Prerequisite

There is a $85 Book fee associated with this course.

REM100 - Global Change

Breadth-Social Sciences
3 units
Faculty of Environment – To be offered in the future at FIC. This course provides students with an overview of global environmental change and its causes from a social science perspective, historically and at the present time. Population growth, an increasing ecological footprint and changes in ideology, social organization, economy and technology with be critically reviewed. New ways of thinking in natural and social science will be considered in relation to specific issues such as land, soil and food; energy, raw materials and solid waste; air pollution and transportation; water, oceans and fisheries; climate change; forestry and biodiversity; urbanization, and alternative futures.

Prerequisite

No Prerequisite Required

 

Choose one course from the following list:

ARCH131 - Human Origins

Breadth-Social Sciences
Breadth-Science
3 units
Faculty of Environment – To be offered in the future at FIC. A non-technical survey of the primate background of humans, fossil primates, and fossil humans, and the associated evidence of cultural development. An introduction to physical anthropology.

Prerequisite

No Prerequisite Required

CMPT120 - Introduction to Computing Science and Programming I

Quantitative
Breadth-Science
3 units
Faculty of Applied Sciences – An elementary introduction to computing science and computer programming, suitable for students with little or no programming background. Students will learn fundamental concepts and terminology of computing science, acquire elementary skills for programming in a high-level language and be exposed to diverse fields within, and applications of computing science. Topics include pseudocode; data types and control structures; fundamental algorithms; computability and complexity; computer architecture; and history of computing science. Treatment is informal and programming is presented as a problem-solving tool.

Prerequisite

MATH100 or higher with a minimum C- grade
CMPT115 with a minimum C grade (Computing Science Students)
Students with credit for CMPT125, CMPT130 or CMPT135 may not take this course for further credit.

 

Choose one course from the following list:

ENGL112 - Literature Now (Formerly ENGL101)

Writing
Breadth-Humanities (Effective Fall 2016)
3 units
Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences - Introduces students to contemporary works of literature in English and/or contemporary approaches to interpreting literature. May focus on one or multiple genres. Includes attention to writing skills.

Prerequisite

Open to students who have passed 3 UTP II Classes
Students with credit for ENGL101 may not take this course for further credit.

ENGL113 - Literature and Performance

Writing
Breadth-Humanities (Effective Fall 2016)
3 units
Introduces students to plays and performance works created and adapted for the stage, and/or the performative dimensions of other literary forms. May be organized historically, generically or thematically. The course may also explore the links between literary and performance theory. Includes attention to writing skills.

Prerequisite

Open to students who have passed 3 UTP II Classes

ENGL115 - Literature and Culture (Formerly ENGL105)

Writing
Breadth-Humanities (Effective Fall 2016)
3 units
Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences – An Introduction to the study of literature within the wider cultural field, with a focus on contemporary issues across genres and media.

Prerequisite

Open to students who have passed 3 UTP II Classes
Students with credit for ENGL105 may not take this course for further credit.

PSYC109 - Brain, Mind and Society

Writing
Breadth-Science
3 units
Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences – Introduces the student to issues in Psychology by surveying the research on brain and behaviour and the implications of this work for individuals and society. Beginning with neurons, this course explores the transition to human experience.

Prerequisite

Open to students who have passed 3 UTP II Classes.

WL101 - Writing in World Literature

Writing
Breadth-Humanities
3 units
Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences - Explores literary texts from diverse linguistic and cultural origins while introducing students to the fundamentals of comparative literary analysis and critical writing. May examine cross-cultural interactions, or compare texts thematically. Writing/Breadth-Humanities.

Prerequisite

Open to students who have passed 3 UTP II Classes. Students with credit for WL102 may not take this course for further credit.

 

Recommended Course Selection Order

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  • Students pursuing the Environmental Science BSc are advised to take REM100 and CMPT120
  • Students pursuing Geography BSc programs are advised to take GEOG 100
  • Students pursuing GIS (Geography) will be advised to take CMPT 120 instead of ARCH 131

*Courses and programs are subject to change without notice. If you have any questions, please contact the student success advising team.

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