Faculty of Science

General Information

Science has been described as "a way of knowing," of finding out about ourselves and our world. The bachelor of science (B.Sc.) degree can be obtained in a wide range of disciplines, all of which expose you to the tools and techniques scientists use to discover, analyze, interpret, describe, and make predictions about subjects as small as sub-atomic particles and as large as the universe. A background in science is excellent preparation for living in our complex and increasingly technological world. Graduates of science programs can move on to such diverse areas as teaching, industry, private consulting, the civil service, science journalism, environmental law, research and development, or many other careers for which a B.Sc. is excellent preparation.

Memorial offers B.Sc. degree programs at the St. John's campus and at Grenfell College.

The B.Sc. degree (general or honours) requires the completion of 120 credit hours.

Students interested in pursuing the degree of B.Sc. (Agriculture) at the Nova Scotia Agricultural College (NSAC) can complete their first year of studies at the St. John's campus through a combination of regular Memorial courses and NSAC courses delivered by distance. For further information please contact the Dean of Science office at (709) 737-8153.

Subject Areas

Major programs for the B.Sc. are offered in:

• biochemistry (including nutrition)
• biology
• chemistry
• computer science
• earth sciences
• economics
• geography
• mathematics and statistics
• physics and physical oceanography
• psychology (including behavioral neuroscience)

Minors

A student may elect to do an optional minor in science in the departments listed above. An optional minor may also be chosen from the Faculty of Arts. Minors in business administration, music history and an interdisciplinary minor in music and culture are also available.

Honours Degree

The bachelor of science honours (B.Sc.(Hons.)) is also available in the major subject areas listed above.

Joint Programs

A student may also elect to do a joint major program or a joint honours program. Current options are described in the university Calendar, but other combinations are also possible. Students interested in a joint program should contact the department(s) involved for advice before they declare a major.

Joint B.Comm.(Co-op)/B.Sc. in Computer Sciences Degrees

The joint degrees of bachelor of commerce (co-op) and bachelor of science with a major in computer science can be completed in five years provided appropriate planning is undertaken. For more information, please see the Joint Degrees of B.Comm.(Co-op) and B.Sc. in Computer Science portion of this Guide.

Other First Year Courses Offered in the Faculty of Science

Science 1000
Science 1150/1151

Admission Requirements

Admission to certain major programs within the faculty is limited and competitive.

Students should contact the department of their proposed major in their first year of university for appropriate academic advice.

Unless otherwise indicated in the "Departmental Admission Regulations" as published in the university Calendar, students, upon formal application by "declaration/change of academic program" form are normally admitted to the department of major program upon successful completion of 30 credit hours which must include:

1. six credit hours in English;
2. six credit hours in mathematics;
3. six credit hours in each of two sciences other than mathematics.

Students seeking admission to departments that have specific admission regulations as indicated above must apply for admission on the appropriate application form upon completion of the specified admission requirements.

First-Year Programs

Students pursuing a major within the B.Sc. degree will normally take the courses listed in the programs below.

Students pursuing a B.Sc. with a major in biochemistry, chemistry or physics will normally take the following courses in first year:

*Students registered in Chemistry 1050 must also be registered in Mathematics 1000 (not 1090). Students completing Chemistry 1010/1011 will be required to complete Chemistry 1031 as well.

**Students registered in Physics 1050 must also be registered in Mathematics 1000 (not 1090). All students will be required to complete Physics 1051. Students who complete Physics 1050 with at least 50 per cent or Physics 1020 with at least 65 per cent should take Physics 1051. Otherwise, they should take Physics 1050.

***Students completing Mathematics 1090/1000 will be required to complete Mathematics 1001 as well.

1. Students wishing to major in chemistry should try to achieve a 65 per cent average or better in their first-year chemistry, mathematics and physics courses, and to complete these course in their first two semesters.
2. Biochemistry majors are required to complete Biology 1001/1002 which may be taken in place of physics in the first year. However, it is recommended that both physics and biology courses be taken in the first year (with no elective).

3. Entry to the biochemistry major program is based on academic standing. To be considered for admission to the program you must have at least 30 credit hours in courses and have successfully completed the following courses (or their equivalents) with a minimum overall average of 60 per cent:
   • English 1080, 1101 (or equivalent)
   • Chemistry 1050, 1051 (or 1010, 1011)
   • Mathematics 1000 (or 1090, 1000), 1001
   • Two courses in first year physics or Biology 1001, 1002
   
   

   In addition, you must be eligible for entry into Chemisry 2400.
   

4. (a) In order to complete the biochemistry majors program within four years you MUST be eligible for Chemistry 2400 in the fall semester of your second year. The prerequisite for Chemistry 2400 is Chemistry 1051 or 1031; or a grade of 80 per cent in each of Chemistry 1010 and 1011; or a grade of 85 per cent in Chemistry 1011; or a grade of 65 per cent in Chemistry 1001.

   (b) All biochemistry majors who complete Chemistry 1010/1011 MUST complete Chemistry 1031 as it is a prerequisite for Chemistry 2300. It is STRONGLY recommended that you complete 1031 in the spring semester before beginning your second year of studies

5. Applicants to the biochemistry major are strongly recommended to apply for admission by June 30.

6. No students were admitted to the undergraduate program in Dietetics as of September 2003. It is planned that the undergraduate program in Dietetics will be replaced by a new program based at the graduate level, details of which should become available during the 2004-2005 academic year. Students interested in pursuing careers in Dietetics should contact the Department of Biochemistry (709-737-8529) for information and advice.

Students pursuing a B.Sc. with a major in biology who intend to complete their degree in eight semesters will normally take the following courses in first year:

Semester I	Semester II
Biology 1001	Biology 1002
Chemistry 1010 (1050)*	Chemistry 1011 (1051)
Physics 1020 (1050)**	Physics 1021 (1051)
Mathematics 1090***	Mathematics 1000***
English 1080	English 1101 (1102, 1103 or 1110)

*Students registered in Chemistry 1050 must also be registered in Mathematics 1000 (not 1090).
**Students registered in Physics 1050 must also be registered in Mathematics 1000 (not 1090).
***or Mathematics 1000 and an elective (see note 3 below)

Notes:

1. In order for a biology major to complete the biology program in eight semesters, the two first-year chemistry courses must be completed in the first year because they are prerequisites for courses normally taken in the second year by biology majors.

2. The two first-year physics courses are also required for a major in biology and should be complete in the first year.

3. For biology majors, the only mathematics requirement is Mathematics 1000; however, some students may elect to take Mathematics 1090 in preparation for Mathematics 1000. Students who take Mathematics 1000 in first semester will be able to take an extra first-year elective that can be counted towards the entrance requirements for the biology majors program.

4. Students intending to major in biology must submit a form to the Department of Biology (SN-3125), declaring a major in biology. Forms are usually submitted during the second semester. Students will not be admitted into the biology majors program until they have met the entrance requirements (see note 5 below).

5. To be admitted to the biology majors program, you must obtain an average of at least 65 per cent in Biology 1001/1002 and have a minimum overall average of 60 per cent in six of the following courses:
   • English 1080, 1101 (or equivalent)
   • Mathematics 1090, 1000 (or Mathematics 1000 and an elective)
   • Chemistry 1010, 1011 or Chemistry 1050, 1051 (or Physics 1020, 1021 or 1050, 1051, or 1020, 1051)

Students pursuing a B.Sc. with a major in computer science will normally take the following courses in first year:

Semester I	Semester II
Computer Science 1710 (or science elective)*	Appropriate second-year computer science course or Computer Science 1710 or science elective
Mathematics 1000 (1090)**	Mathematics 1001 (1000)**
English 1080	English 1101 (1102, 1103 or 1110)
Science elective	Science elective
Elective	Elective

*Computer Science 1710 has a prerequisite of Mathematics 1090, but is also open to students who have taken Level III advanced mathematics in high school.

Note: Computer Science 1700 is recommended for students wishing to major in computer science, but who have no programming experience.

Major in earth sciences

Students pursuing a B.Sc. with a major in earth sciences will normally take the following courses in first year:

*Students registered in Chemistry 1050 must also be registered in Mathematics 1000 (not 1090).
**Students pursuing a geophysics specialization within earth sciences will be required to complete Physics 1051. Students who complete Physics 1050 with at least 50 per cent or Physics 1020 with at least 65 per cent should take Physics 1051. Otherwise, they should take Physics 1050. Students registered in Physics 1050 must also be registered in Mathematics 1000 (not 1090).
***Students completing Mathematics 1090/1000 will be required to complete Mathematics 1001 as well.

Notes:

1. In order to be formally admitted to major programs in earth sciences, you must have successfully completed three first-year credit hours in each of the following departments: English, mathematics, chemistry, physics, earth sciences. Students are encouraged to declare their major in earth sciences in the second semester of their first year.

2. Registration for the core second-year courses in earth science normally required that all of the first-year courses be completed. It is possible to take Math 1001 as a corequisite. It is essential that students plan their first year of study with care and consult the department Web page at www.esd.mun.ca.

Major in economics

Students pursuing a B.Sc. with a major in economics will normally take the following courses in first year:

*Computer Science 1700 has a corequisite of Mathematics 1090 or Mathematics 1000. **Students completing Mathematics 1090/1000 will be required to complete Mathematics 1001 as well.

Note: A co-operative program is available to majors in economics. For more information, please see Major in Economics (Co-op)(BA or B.Sc.).

Major in geography

Students pursuing a B.Sc. with a major in geography will normally take the following courses in first year:

*or Mathematics 1000 and an elective.
**Please refer to Part III of this Guide for description of 2000-level Geography courses.

Major in applied mathematics/pure mathematics/statistics

Students pursuing a B.Sc. with a major in applied mathematics, pure mathematics or statistics will normally take the following courses in first year:

Major in nutrition

Students pursuing a B.Sc. with a major in nutrition will normally take the following courses in first year:

Semester I	Semester II
Chemistry 1010 (1050)*	Chemistry 1011 (1051)
Physics 1020 (or 1050)**	Physics 1021 (or 1051)
Biology 1001	Biology 1002
Mathematics 1090 (or 1000)***	Mathematics 1000 or elective
English 1080	English 1101 (1102, 1103 or 1110)

*Students registered in Chemistry 1050 must also be registered in Mathematics 1000 (not 1090).
**Students registered in Physics 1050 must also be registered in Mathematics 1000 (not 1090).
***Students admitted directly to Mathematics 1000 may take an elective in the second semester.

Notes:

1. Entry to the nutrition majors program is based on academic standing. To be considered for admission you must have at least 30 credit hours and have successfully complete the following courses with a minimum overall average of 60 per cent:

   a) English 1080, 1101 (or equivalent)

   b) Mathematics 1090, 1000 (or Mathematics 1000 and an elective)

   c) Chemistry 1010, 1011 (or 1050, 1051)

   d) six credit hours in first year physics or Biology 1001, 1002.

2. Applicants to the nutrition major are strongly recommended to apply for admission by June 30.

3. No students were admitted to the undergraduate program in Dietetics as of September 2003. It is planned that the undergraduate program in Dietetics will be replaced by a new program based at the graduate level, details of which should become available during the 2004-2005 academic year. Students interested in pursuing careers in Dietetics should contact the Department of Biochemistry (709-737-8529) for information and advice.

Major in psychology

Students pursuing a B.Sc. with a major in psychology will normally take the following courses in first year:

Semester I	Semester II
Biology 1001	Biology 1002
Chemistry 1010 (1050) or Physics 1020 (or 1050)*	Chemistry 1011 (1051) or Physics 1021 (or 1051)
Mathematics 1090**	Mathematics 1000**
Psychology 1000	Psychology 1001
English 1080	English 1101 (1102, 1103 or 1110)

*Students registered in Chemistry 1050 must also be registered in Mathematics 1000 (not 1090). Students registered in Physics 1050 must also be registered in Mathematics 1000 (not 1090).
**or Mathematics 1000 and an elective

Notes:

1. Admission to the major program is competitive and selective. To be eligible for admission, you must have completed 24 credit hours with an average of at least 65 per cent in Psychology 1000/1001 and an overall average of at least 60 per cent in the following courses:
   • English 1080 and 1101 (or equivalent)
   • Mathematics 1000, or 1090 and 1000 or two of 1090, 1050, 1051 (Students pursuing a B.Sc. must complete Mathematics 1000.)
   • Psychology 1000 and 1001
2. Students intending to major in psychology must submit a departmental application form to the department by June 1 for Fall semester or October 1 for winter semester.

*Students registered in Chemistry 1050 must also be registered in Mathematics 1000 (not 1090).
**Students registered in Physics 1050 must also be registered in Mathematics 1000 (not 1090).
***Students completing Mathematics 1090/1000 will be required to complete Mathematics 1001 as well.

Notes:

1. Admission to the major program is competitive and selective. To be eligible for admission, you must have completed 24 credit hours with an average of at least 65 per cent in Psychology 1000/1001 and an overall average of at least 60 per cent in the following courses:
   • English 1080 and 1101 (or equivalent)
   • Mathematics 1000 or Mathematics 1090 and 1000
   • Psychology 1000 and 1001
2. Students intending to major in behavioral neuroscience must submit a form to the Psychology Department by June 1 for fall semeseter or October 1 for winter semester.