Associate of Science

Campus
Coquitlam
New Westminster
Learning Format
Full-time
Part-time
Offered
Fall
Summer
Winter

Overview

An Associate of Science Degree is earned upon successful completion of 60 university-transferable credits. In most cases, the degree allows you to transfer to a university and enter the third year of a four-year bachelor's degree program. Many universities prefer candidates with an Associate Degree and will accept students at a lower grade point average. To earn a specialization with the Associate Degree, students must complete 18 or more credits (of the 60 credits required for the degree) in a given academic discipline, and at least nine of those 18 credits must be considered second-year courses. A specialized Associate of Science Degree can lead into a Major or Minor Bachelor of Science Degree program at a university. An Associate Degree with thematic focus is also available. Students must complete the same 60 credits required for an Associate of Science Degree, but select from courses that share a similar theme.

Specialty Associate of Science Degrees:

  • Biology
  • Chemistry 
  • Earth & Environmental Sciences (formerly Geology)
  • Mathematics 

Associate of Science Degrees with Thematic Focus:

  • Environmental Science

Program Requirements

Curriculum Framework

Graduation Requirements:

  • Successful completion of 60 credits as listed below
  • Require a minimum GPA of 2.00

(Specializations are available and will be noted on the transcript and will not be noted on the credential)

Course Requirements:

To complete an Associate of Science Degree, students must complete 60 credits of university transfer courses (approximately 20 courses).

The following are the general requirements for an Associate of Science Degree at any B.C. college:

  • 6 credits (2 courses) first-year English*
  • 6 credits (2 courses) Math, including 3 credits of Calculus
  • 18 credits (6 courses) first-year Science electives, including at least 3 credits in a laboratory science
  • 18 credits (6 courses) second-year Science electives in two or more subject areas
  • 6 credits (2 courses) Arts** electives (other than English)
  • 6 credits (2 courses) of other University Transfer electives

* English courses include courses in Communications, Creative Writing and Print Futures that transfer to one of the B.C. research universities (SFU, UBC, UBC-O, UVic or UNBC) as English credit.

** Arts courses are available in the Faculty of Languages, Literature, and Performing Arts, and the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences. Courses in Economics and Mathematics also may be used as Arts electives toward an Associate of Science Degree. Please see the Associate of Science Course Classifications table below for further information.

Definitions:

A course is defined by the subject for which it is granted transfer credit at one of the research universities (SFU, UBC, UBC-O, UNBC, or UVic).

  • An Arts course is defined as any course in a subject area for which there is a Baccalaureate of Arts Degree at one of the research universities.
  • A Science course is defined as any course in a subject area for which there is a Baccalaureate of Science Degree or Baccalaureate of Applied Science Degree at one of the research universities.
  • The requirements specified above are intended to provide breadth of exposure to a variety of disciplines in both Arts and Sciences. In some instances, there may be some ambiguity as to whether a course is in the Humanities or Social Sciences and is an Arts course or a Science course. Most Physical Geography and Mathematics would be designated as Science courses.
  • A course in an "other" area is defined as any course in a subject area for which there is a Baccalaureate Degree other than in Arts, Science or Applied Science at one of the research universities.
  • A first-year course is defined as a course that has assigned or unassigned transfer credit at the 100-level at one of the research universities.
  • A second-year course is defined as a course that has assigned or unassigned transfer credit at the 200-level or higher level at one of the research universities.
  • A laboratory science course is one in which a substantial component of instruction involves the study of natural phenomena, either in the laboratory or in the field.

For detailed information you should meet with an Academic Advisor.

Co-operative Education Option:

Students enrolled in this program may be eligible for a Co-operative Education designation. Co-operative Education involves alternating full-time academic and work terms. For information contact the Co-operative Education Office.

 

Admissions Requirements

Cost

You can get an average cost for your program - tuition and student fees, books, uniforms, lab fees etc - on the Program Cost page. 

Only programs approved for student loan funding are listed on the Program Cost page. For all other programs, refer to the Tuition Fee page.

Career Pathways

Students planning to complete a Bachelor of Science degree at a B.C. university should consider Douglas College’s Associate of Science Degree. It allows students to complete two years (60 credits) of first- and second-year university-level courses, including credits in math, sciences and electives. Students can then transfer to university and enter the third year of a four-year Bachelor of Science program. Many universities prefer candidates with an Associate Degree and will accept students at a lower grade point average.

Program Guidelines

Program Guidelines for previous years are viewable by selecting the version desired. If you took this program and do not see a listing for the starting semester / year of the program, consider the previous version as the applicable version.

(Current)

Testimonials

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Associate of Science grad begins her med school education at Douglas.
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