Athabasca University

What you'll study

The full degree requires 120 credits with specific senior- and science-credit minimums: at least 72 senior (300/400) science credits, 45 senior science credits at the 400 level, and 45 credits in the BioSc major (15 of those through Athabasca University). A residency minimum of 30 AU credits applies, and at least 24 AU credits are required to be eligible for Graduation with Distinction/Great Distinction.

• Core BSc requirements: MATH 215 or MATH 216; MATH 265 (or MATH 270 in some computing-related paths); COMP 200 or COMP 210 (COMP 200 required if selecting the CIS major or computing-related minor); SCIE 326; SCIE 480 or COMP 494; PHIL 333 or PHIL 371; ENGL 255 (subject to exemption rules).
• BioSc core courses (24 credits): BIOL 204 (Principles of Biology I, lab); BIOL 207 or BIOL 205 variant for Post Diploma route (Principles of Biology II, lab); BIOL 230 (Human Physiology, lab) or BIOL 235 (Human Anatomy and Physiology); HLST 200 (Introduction to Human Health I); BIOL 341 (Human Genetics); BIOL 401 (Cell Biology); plus one project course such as BIOL 495 or SCIE 495/ASTR 495/CHEM 495/ENSC 495/GEOG 495/GEOL 495/NUTR 495/PHYS 495.
• Electives (21 credits): A minimum of 21 senior-level credits chosen from a listed set; at least 6 credits must include lab components. Options include BIOL 310, BIOL 320 (lab), BIOL 325 (lab), BIOL 345 (lab), BIOL 480 (lab), BIOL 495/496, CHEM 301/305/306/350/360/495/496, NUTR 330/331/405/406/495/496, HLST 301, PSYC 355, PSYC 302. Courses not listed but demonstrably biological in content may be considered.
• Other academic rules: Maximum of 75 credits in any one science discipline; preparatory (100-level) credit cap is 6; up to 30 PLAR credits allowed; senior project credits (495/496) may total 12.

Entry requirements

The published text does not list standard admission thresholds; it specifies the English writing skills requirement and rules for second undergraduate degrees. Students are strongly encouraged to take ENGL 255 early. Exemption from ENGL 255 is granted for a B- (70%) or better in an AU English course above preparatory level or equivalent credit; an exemption must be replaced by a 3-credit junior/senior level course. For students holding a prior degree seeking a second undergraduate degree, up to 60 credits (50%) may be transferred if applicable; preparatory (100-level) credits cannot be used toward the second-degree requirements.

Career prospects

Graduates are prepared for a range of life-science and health-related roles, and for further professional training (for example, medicine or allied health programs) or research positions in biology and human sciences. The program learning outcomes and online plans help map course choices to specific career options.

Scholarships & funding angle (general)

The program page does not itemize scholarships. Prospective students should investigate institutional awards, government student aid, external scholarships relevant to biology and health fields, and funding tied to research projects or senior project courses. Meeting residency and AU-credit thresholds can affect eligibility for some distinctions and awards.