Calendar
  • Athabasca University
  • Calendar
  • Undergraduate Calendar
  • Program regulations
  • Degrees
  • Bachelor of Science, General
  • Home
  • Undergraduate Calendar
    • 2022-2023 Undergraduate Calendar
    • General information
      • General information
      • Glossary
      • Important dates
      • Student identification cards
      • Legal notes and regulations
    • Admission, registration, and evaluation
      • Admission
      • Admission status
      • Part-time/full-time students
      • Enrolment status
      • Program information
      • English language proficiency
      • Registration
      • Course procedures
      • Grouped study courses
      • Challenge for credit
      • Evaluations and transfer credit
      • Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition
      • Letter of Permission
      • Graduation
    • Program regulations
      • Programs
      • Degrees
        • Degree subjects
        • Arts degrees
        • Commerce degrees
        • General Studies degrees
        • Health Administration degrees
        • Human Resources and Labour Relations degrees
        • Management degrees
        • Nursing degrees
        • Professional arts degrees
        • Science degrees
      • University certificates
        • List of university certificates
      • University Diploma in Arts
      • Certificate of Completion – English Language Proficiency Program
      • Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Inclusive Education
      • Archived program regulations
    • Examinations and grades
      • Exams and grades
      • Requesting your exam
      • Preparing for your exam
      • Writing your exam
      • Proposing new invigilators
      • Unwritten/multiple exams
      • Supplemental exams
      • Grouped study examinations
      • Transcript requests
      • Marks and grades
    • Fees and refunds
      • Fees, refunds, and financial assistance
      • Fee summary
      • Canadian student fees
      • Canadian senior student fees
      • Non-Canadian student fees
      • Students living outside Canada
      • Students living outside Canada (enrolled prior to July 27, 2017)
      • Academic related fees
      • Estimated program fees
      • Challenge for credit fees
      • Students' Union and Alumni Relations fees
      • Other fees
      • Courses with no course material fees
      • Refunds
      • Delinquent accounts
      • Financial assistance
      • Receipts and T2202
      • Methods of payment
  • Graduate Calendar
    • 2022-2023 Graduate Calendar
    • Faculty of Business
      • Overview
      • Master of Business Administration
      • Doctor of Business Administration
      • Graduate Diploma in Leadership and Management
      • Graduate Diploma in Management
    • Faculty of Health Disciplines
      • Overview
      • Master of Counselling
      • Graduate Diploma in Counselling
      • Post-Master's Certificate in Counselling
      • Master of Health Studies
      • Master of Nursing – Generalist
      • Master of Nursing – Nurse Practitioner
      • Post-Master's Diploma – Nurse Practitioner
    • Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences
      • Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences
      • Master of Arts – Interdisciplinary Studies
      • Graduate Diploma in Legislative Drafting
      • Graduate Diploma in Heritage Resources Management
      • Master of Education in Open, Digital, and Distance Education*
      • Doctor of Education (EdD) in Distance Education
      • Graduate Diploma in Distance Education Technology
      • Graduate Diploma in Instructional Design
      • Graduate Certificate in Instructional Design
      • Graduate Certificate in Technology-Based Learning
    • Faculty of Science and Technology
      • Overview
      • Master of Science in Information Systems
      • Graduate Certificate in Data Analytics
      • Graduate Certificate in Information Technology Management
      • Graduate Certificate in Information Security
      • Graduate Diploma in Architecture
      • Graduate Diploma in Architecture
    • Additional Information
      • Additional information
      • Glossary
      • English language proficiency requirements
      • Graduate policies and procedures
      • Resources
      • Student Code of Conduct and Right to Appeals
      • Legal notes and regulations

Bachelor of Science, General

Regulations amended, effective September 1, 2022.

Athabasca University's Faculty of Science and Technology (FST) Bachelor of Science (BSc) degree allows students to take the general program or select a major in Human Science, Computing and Information Systems, or Applied Mathematics. A selection of minors is also offered for students to enhance their knowledge on a specific area of study. Given the importance of science and technology, this degree will prepare student to excel in the science-based world of today and meet the increasing technological demands of the future.

Graduate of the BSc program will have gained the technical, analytical, and critical thinking skills to be able to further their education. The four-year BSc is transferable towards medicine, dentistry, and veterinary programs at other Canadian and international institutions. Student intending to go onto graduate studies should contact the institution they would like to attend to ensure all entrance requirements are met.

Planning your program

Online program plans assist students in selecting the courses needed to fulfill their program requirements.

AU has also developed program learning outcomes that describe the career options that may be available to you upon graduating.

Majors and minors

Students have the choice to enrol in a BSc General (without a specific area of focus), to select a major, or to select a major and a minor, at the time of enrolment in the BSc program. It is highly recommended that students consult an AU program advisor before changing majors or minors. BSc majors and minors are available in:

  • Applied Mathematics
  • Computing and Information Systems
  • Human Science

  • Applied Mathematics Minor
  • Architecture Minor
  • Biology Minor
  • Business Administration Minor
  • Computing Minor
  • Finance Management Minor
  • Game Design and Development Minor
  • Game Programming Minor
  • Geoscience Minor
  • Human Science Minor
  • Information Systems Minor
  • Information Systems Management Minor
  • Learning Technology Minor
  • Physical Sciences Minor
  • Psychology Minor
  • Web Development Minor

Program requirements

Students complete the program regulations in effect at the time of their enrolment.

Students are strongly encouraged to register in ENGL 255 early in their program. Students will be exempted* from the English Writing Skills Requirement (ENGL 255) who have met one of the following criteria:

  • have a grade of B- (70 per cent) or better in an Athabasca University English course above the preparatory (100) level;
    or
  • received credit for an English course in which a grade of B- or better was achieved.

*Note: the exemption must be replaced with a 3-credit course in any discipline at the junior/senior (200 to 400) level.

Students who hold a recognized first degree and who wish to obtain an AU undergraduate degree in a different subject area, will be enrolled under the second undergraduate degree regulations. These students may transfer in up to 50 per cent (60 credits) into the four-year degree program, based on course work in the first degree that is applicable. Preparatory (100 level) credits cannot be used to fulfill the requirements of a second undergraduate degree.

For student in the BSc program wishing to combine two majors, all requirements of both majors must be fulfilled. The choice of major may restrict course selection or require the completion of more than 120 credits. Those considering a double major should consult an AU program advisor for assistance.

Program structure


program structure
Total credits in the program 120
Residency requirement. A minimum of 30 credits must be obtained through Athabasca University 30
Graduation with Distinction or Great Distinction. At least 24 credits must be obtained through Athabasca University in order to be considered. 24

Minimum credits required

minimum credits required
Senior (300 or 400) level 72
Science credits 72
In the major (if selected) 45
In the major through Athabasca University 15
In the minor (if selected) 24
In the minor through Athabasca University 9
Senior Science credits (300 and 400 level) 45
Senior Science credits at 400 level 15
Social Science credits 6

Maximum credits allowed

maximum credits allowed
In any one Science discipline 75
Senior project credits (495/496) 12
At the preparatory (100) level 6
Maximum Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR) credits 30

Core course requirements

core course requirements
MATH 215
or
MATH 216		 Introduction to Statistics
or
Computer-oriented Approach to Statistics		 (3)
MATH 265

Introduction to Calculus I*

 (3)
  *(When selecting the CIS major or a computing-related minor, MATH 265 may be replaced with MATH 270.)
COMP 200
or
COMP 210		 Introduction to Computing and Information Systems**
or
Introduction to Information Systems and Computer Applications		 (3)
  **(COMP 200 is required for students selecting the CIS major or a computing-related minor.)
SCIE 326 Scientific Reasoning (3)
SCIE 480
or
COMP 494		 Research Methods in Science
or
Research Methods***		 (3)
  ***COMP 494 is required for students in the CIS major.
PHIL 333
or
PHIL 371		 Professional Ethics
or
Ethics, Science, Technology, and the Environment		 (3)
ENGL 255 Introductory Composition (see English writing skills requirement) (3)

 

Additional program regulations

  1. Athabasca University may grant transfer credit for individual Computer Science courses that were completed more than 5 years ago and/or Science courses that are over 10 years old if proof of currency in the field is provided in the form of a current resumé and letter(s) of employment from the supervisor/employer/human resources. The letter should be written on company letterhead, and the content must include the supervisor's signature, the position title, date of hire, and a breakdown of the duties that highlight the relevancy of the education. Other evidence may be accepted if the letter and the resumé cannot be supplied. Visit the Transfer Credit Services section of the Calendar for more information regarding transfer credit towards the BSc program.
  2. Students holding a computing-related diploma from an approved college or technical institute that is more than 5 years old may be admitted to the BSc PD program if proof of currency in the field is provided in the form of a current resumé and letter(s) of employment from the supervisor/employer/human resources. The letter should be written on company letterhead, and the content must include the supervisor's signature, the position title, date of hire, and breakdown of the duties that highlight the relevancy of the education. Other evidence may be accepted if the letter and the resumé cannot be supplied.
  3. Students holding a science-related diploma from an approved college or technical institute that is more than 10 years old may be admitted to the BSc PD program if proof of currency in the field is provided in the form of a current resumé and letter(s) of employment from the supervisor/employer/human resources. The letter should be written on company letterhead, and the content must include the supervisor's signature, the position title, date of hire, and a breakdown of the duties that highlight the relevancy of the education. Other evidence may be accepted if the letter and the resumé cannot be supplied.
  4. An individual course can only be used to fulfill one requirement in the program. For example, no course can be used to complete the specific requirements of both the major and the minor. Also, a course that fulfills the BSc program general requirements cannot be used to satisfy the specific requirements of either the major or the minor.
  5. Preparatory (100 level) courses cannot be used to fulfill the requirements of the Post Diploma program.
Information effective Sept. 1, 2022 to Aug. 31, 2023.

Updated July 25, 2024 by Office of the Registrar (calendar@athabascau.ca)

https://www.athabascau.ca/calendar/2022/ 9c42e4030a2a55f3406c7062e52b27dd