University Arts and Sciences - Associate of Science Degree

Program Description

The University Arts and Sciences Program at Northern Lights College serves individuals and communities by providing university-level learning opportunities that reflect the intellectual and creative modes of inquiry practiced in the Arts and Sciences.  A variety of first- and second-year courses enable learners to pursue numerous credential and career options, and engage in personal enrichment. 

The Associate of Science Degree enables students to select various science courses. This provincially recognized credential provides a well-rounded educational experience that prepares students for work, citizenship, and further study.

For students intending to pursue further studies, the Associate of Science Degree comprises the first two years (60 credits) of a four-year degree program (120 credits). All 60 credits of the Associate Degree receive complete block transfer at post-secondary institutions throughout British Columbia. Accordingly, the Associate of Science Degree enables Northern Lights College students to complete the first half of a degree program while remaining in their home communities.

Students transferring to other post-secondary institutions may still be required to meet specific first-year and second-year requirements for certain degree programs, so students should plan their course selection accordingly to meet these requirements while enrolled at NLC in the Associate of Science Degree.

Career Prospects

The Associate of Science Degree provides introductory, university-level training for many different careers, but is primarily designed for transfer to the third year of a science degree.

Details

Location: Fort St. John and Dawson Creek, where resources and interest permit.

Length: The Associate of Science Degree involves a minimum of 1050 hours of class time and may be completed on a part-time or full-time basis.  Where learners are attending full-time, the credential can be completed in two academic years or 60 weeks.

Start: September, January, May

Fees: Current Fee Schedule

Need upgrading first? Start with NLC’s Career and College Preparation program.

Admission Prerequisites

A. Domestic students must have official transcripts demonstrating the following:
1) English Requirement: One of the following with a 'B' grade or higher: Grade 12 English, English Literature 12, English 12 First Peoples, English 050, or English 099. Alternatively, any university-level English course with a 'C' grade or higher. Students who do not meet one of the above English requirements must complete the NLC Writing Assessment for appropriate course placement.

2) Math Requirement: One of the following with a 'C+' grade or higher: Pre-calculus 12, Principles of Mathematics 12, CCP Math 050; or successful completion of the Calculus Readiness Assessment; or equivalent.

3) Science Requirement*: A minimum of two courses from two different subject areas as follows with a 'C' grade or higher:
- Biology 11 or Biology 12 or CCP Biology 040 or CCP Biology 050, or equivalent;
- Chemistry 11 or Chemistry 12 or CCP Chemistry 040 or CCP Chemistry 050, or equivalent;
- Geography 11 or Geography 12, or equivalent
- Geology 11 or Geology 12, or equivalent
- Physics 11 or Physics 12 or CCP Physics 040 or CCP Physics 050, or equivalent.

*Note that some Associate of Science Degree course options have specific pre-requisites. Meeting the entrance requirements for the Associate of Science Degree does not ensure course pre-requisites have been met for all available science courses.

B. International students must have documentation demonstrating the following:
1) English Requirement: An IELTS with an overall score of 6.5 or higher and with a 6.5 in the reading band and no band less than 6.0. Students with a writing band of 6.0 or less are required to complete English 099 with a 'B' grade or higher before or during the first semester of their program. The necessity for upgrading can extend the length of the program.

2) Math Requirement: One of the following with a 'C+' grade or higher: Pre-calculus 12, Principles of Mathematics 12, CCP Math 050; or successful completion of the Calculus Readiness Assessment; or equivalent.

3) Science Requirement*: A minimum of two courses from two different subject areas as follows with a 'C' grade or higher:
- Biology 11 or Biology 12 or CCP Biology 040 or CCP Biology 050, or equivalent;
- Chemistry 11 or Chemistry 12 or CCP Chemistry 040 or CCP Chemistry 050, or equivalent;
- Geography 11 or Geography 12, or equivalent
- Geology 11 or Geology 12, or equivalent
- Physics 11 or Physics 12 or CCP Physics 040 or CCP Physics 050, or equivalent.

*Note that some Associate of Science Degree course options have specific pre-requisites. Meeting the entrance requirements for the Associate of Science Degree does not ensure course pre-requisites have been met for all available science courses.

Important Notes

  1. The program is eligible for Canada Student Loans. Visit StudentAid BC to apply for financial assistance online. Note that dual credit students are not eligible for Student Aid.
  2. In British Columbia, completion of an Associate of Science Degree offers several transfer advantages: *Block transfer: All universities in BC guarantee 60 transfer credits to holders of an Associate Degree, even if all of the courses taken towards the degree do not transfer individually to that institution.
    *Priority Admission: Additionally, at some institutions, Associate Degree holders may be offered priority admission over other students in the college transfer admission category, subject to GPA criteria developed by the receiving institution. Note that transferring students must still meet all 100- and 200-level course requirements for specific degree programs.  Accordingly, students are encouraged to check the specific degree requirements of the individual receiving institution.  For more information on the advantages of an Associate Degree, see https://www.bctransferguide.ca/learn-more-about/associate-degrees/transfer/
  3. The information on the page is a summary of the official Program Completion Guide approved by NLC’s Education Council. Download a PDF of the Program Guide

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Program Contacts:
     Chair: Cindy Broberg
     Chair: Issoufou Soumaila

Courses

General Requirement: 60 credits of first-and second-year courses (normally 20 courses). These must include a minimum of 18 credits (6 courses) in the Sciences at the second-year level, in two or more subject areas.

Specific Requirements:
A. 6 credits in 100-level English

B. 6 credits in Mathematics which shall include at least 3 credits in Calculus

C. 36 credits (12 courses) in the Sciences, including:
- at least 6 credits (2 courses) in a 100- or 200-level Lab Science
- at least 18 credits (6 courses) in the 200-level Sciences, in two or more subject areas

D. 6 credits (2 courses) in Arts other than English (excluding Mathematics and Laboratory-based Science courses)

E. 6 credits (2 courses) in Arts, Science, or other areas at the undergraduate level (ie. ECON, EDUC, MGMT, SOWK, etc.)

Concentrations: Associate of Science Degrees with a concentration or specialization require a minimum of 15 credits in a single discipline; normally, 6 of these credits must be at the second-year level.

Note: An individual course may not be used to fulfill more than one of the "specific" requirements listed above.