Program Highlights
Uncover the physical and material world through observation, calculation and experimentation. Take courses in biology, chemistry, computer science, mathematics, statistics, physics and astronomy that transfer to university. Hone skills in mathematical and scientific reasoning, computer and technological literacy, research and evaluative skills, analysis, synthesis and integration of knowledge, as well as critical thinking and problem solving.
Tuition and Fees
2022-23: $5,045.60
- Fees listed are for first year (two semesters) for a typical, full-time student taking 5 courses per semester (1 lecture-based course and 4 courses with lab components). Depending on the campus and the courses selected fees may vary.
- Fees include all mandatory fees: Activity fee, Health & Dental, Student Association fee, Education Technology fee, Development fee.
- All amounts are approximate and are subject to change.
- International students will pay International tuition fees
Program Details
The Associate of Science degree is a provincial credential offered by many institutions in the BC Transfer System. The associate degree provides an educational experience that prepares students for life as an educated person, and lays a solid foundation for further study.
The associate degree curriculum consists of two years of university-level study in a variety of academic areas. Students are required to complete a broad range of course offerings balanced with in-depth study in specific disciplines. Since many students will continue their studies, the requirements are sufficiently flexible to enable students to complete the required prerequisites for upper-level course work in their intended major. Students will be exposed to a program of study that seeks to develop:
- an interest in and curiosity about the world around them
- an understanding of the global context in which they live and work
- an appreciation of intellectual thought and human creativity
- an openness to a variety of viewpoints
- a capacity for and interest in self-directed life-long learning
- an acceptance of the social responsibilities that come with the benefits of advanced learning.
In addition, the program of study should develop and improve those skills essential for academic success at an advanced intellectual level. They include but are not limited to:
- advanced reading comprehension
- effective written and oral communications
- mathematical and scientific reasoning
- computer and technological literacy
- research and evaluative skills
- analysis, synthesis, and integration of knowledge
- critical thinking and problem solving
- application of theoretical understanding to practice
- working collaboratively.
Regional delivery of studies can differ according to the campus location, but the first year of study is available at every campus. Some courses are also available by online delivery and distance education and students can combine on campus courses with online and distance courses.
For details on what is offered visit:
For help with course planning, book an appointment with an Education Advisor.
Degree pathways
Take your first or second year at Okanagan College then transfer to a university of your choice to complete your four-year Bachelor of Science degree. When you take our University Transfer courses, it’s as though you were studying in the same course at a university. Smaller class sizes mean you’ll receive more personalized attention from your instructors, helping you to succeed. This is why our students do as well or better than students who go directly to university. Save over $1,800 in tuition and fees as well as significant housing and transportation costs.
Book an appointment with an education advisor to determine your degree Pathway.
View pathways for each campus below:
Kelowna campus
First year: English, Biology, Chemistry, Geography, Math, Physics, Statistics, Astronomy, Computer Science, Environmental Science
Second year (Associate Degree): Biology Emphasis, Chemistry Emphasis, Computer Science Emphasis, Mathematics & Statistics Emphasis
Degree: Bachelor’s Degrees across BC and Canada. If you want to transfer credits from a BC institution, visit the BC Transfer Guide website to see what courses will transfer.
Vernon campus
First year: English, Biology, Chemistry, Geography, Math, Physics, Statistics, Astronomy, Computer Science, Environmental Science
Second year (Associate Degree): Biology Emphasis
Degree: Bachelor’s Degrees across BC and Canada. If you want to transfer credits from a BC institution, visit the BC Transfer Guide website to see what courses will transfer.
Penticton campus
First year: English, Biology, Chemistry, Geography, Math, Physics, Statistics, Astronomy, Computer Science
Second year (Associate Degree): Transfer and complete the Associate Degree at OC Kelowna or Vernon campus or transfer directly to a university of your choice.
Degree: Bachelor’s Degrees across BC and Canada. If you want to transfer credits from a BC institution, visit the BC Transfer Guide website to see what courses will transfer.
Salmon Arm campus
First year: English, Biology, Chemistry, Geography, Math, Physics, Statistics
Second year (Associate Degree): Transfer and complete the Associate Degree at OC Kelowna or Vernon campus or transfer directly to a university of your choice.
Degree: Bachelor’s Degrees across BC and Canada. If you want to transfer credits from a BC institution, visit the BC Transfer Guide website to see what courses will transfer.
Admission Requirements
B.C. secondary school graduation or equivalent, or 19 years of age and out of secondary school for one year as of the first day of classes.
English Entrance Requirement:
English 12 with minimum 60% or alternatives.
Students who do not satisfy the English entrance requirement will be admissible to the first year of the Associate of Science program, subject to the following conditions:
- Registration is restricted to courses for which the student satisfies the prerequisites. Registration in first-year English courses is, therefore, prohibited.
- Students must successfully complete the English entrance requirement, as stated above, within their first year of studies.
Math Entrance Requirement:
A minimum of 50% in any of:
- Pre-calculus Grade 12
- Principles of Mathematics 12
- Adult Basic Education MATH 012
Or a minimum of 64% on the Calculus Readiness Test
Students who do not satisfy the Mathematics entrance requirement will be admissible to the first year of the Associate of Science program, subject to the following conditions:
- Registration is restricted to courses for which the student satisfies the prerequisites. Registration in CHEM 111, COSC 111, MATH 112, and PHYS 111 is therefore, prohibited.
- Students who do not satisfy the Mathematics entrance requirement are strongly advised to register in MATH 120 (Pre Calculus). Successful completion of this course will satisfy the Mathematics entrance requirement.
- Students must successfully complete the Mathematics entrance requirement, as stated above, in their first year of studies.
Secondary School Calculus: Students enrolling for the first time at Okanagan College who have completed or are registered in a secondary-school calculus course are eligible to write the UBC-SFU-UVic-UNBC Calculus Examination. Students who pass this examination with a grade of 50% or better will be given the option of receiving credit for MATH 112 with a grade equal to the grade obtained on the examination or taking MATH 112 for credit.
There is an $88 non-refundable fee for the Calculus Examination. It must be paid to the sponsoring institution. It is the responsibility of the student to contact the sponsoring institution regarding the dates and locations of the examination, since these will change depending on the sponsoring institution. It is also the responsibility of the student to obtain a letter from the sponsoring institution stating the grade achieved on the examination. This letter is the document that Okanagan College will use to administer the policy.
This policy applies to students who are enrolling at Okanagan College for the first time. A student who opts to take MATH 112 for credit cannot, at a later date, request that their grade on the Calculus Examination be used in place of the grade they received in MATH 112, even if the student withdraws.
Program Outline
Students who plan on transferring to complete a BSc degree should ensure that they complete the following requirements:
Six 100-Level English Credits
Students should complete two of the following:
, ENGL 150
, ENGL 151
or ENGL 153
Recommended 100-Level Science credits
and MATH 122
(total of 6 credits)
and CHEM 121
, or CHEM 112
and CHEM 121
(total of 6 credits)
and PHYS 121
, or PHYS 112
and PHYS 122
(total of 6 credits)
Six elective Arts or Science credits
The following Science elective courses are recommended:
and ASTR 120
and ASTR 121
and BIOL 121
and COSC 121
and EESC 121
and GEOG 121
Second-Year Requirements
Specific second-year courses are required for some majors. Students planning to transfer after second year, should consult the calendar of the university they plan to transfer to for second-year course requirements.
Courses with Laboratories
In many science courses that include both a lecture component and a laboratory component, students are required to complete and pass each part independently in order to pass the course. Students should be aware of all the requirements that must be met to attain a passing grade in any course.
In meeting the above requirements, the Associate of Science Degree can be structured by the student to reflect emphasis on a particular discipline from the options outlined below. The student is advised to verify with the appropriate Department Chair that the specific courses will be offered within a two-year cycle if the student intends to complete the Associate Degree in two years.
As a means of satisfying all of the requirements outlined above for an Associate of Science Degree, the student pursuing a Biology Emphasis must complete specific courses. Specifically, as part of the Associate of Science Degree requirements, the student must complete:
BIOL 111 Biology for Science Majors I
BIOL 121 Biology for Science Majors II
and
or
and
and
and
or
and
Six of:
BIOL 202 Elementary Applied Statistics
BIOL 203 Introduction to Ecology
BIOL 211 Cell Biology
BIOL 220 Introductory Biochemistry
BIOL 224 Principles of Genetics
BIOL 228 Introductory Microbiology
BIOL 251 Vascular Plants
BIOL 254 Vertebrate Biology
The choice from these second year BIOL courses should be made based on the requirements of the university to which the student wishes to transfer.
As a means of satisfying all of the requirements outlined above for an Associate of Science Degree, the student pursuing a Chemistry Emphasis must complete specific courses. Specifically, as part of the Associate of Science Degree requirements, the student must complete:
and
CHEM 211 Physical Chemistry
and
CHEM 221 Inorganic Chemistry
CHEM 226 Introduction to Analytical Chemistry
MATH 122 Calculus II
MATH 212 Calculus III
MATH 221 Introduction to Linear Algebra
As a means of satisfying all of the requirements outlined above for an Associate of Science Degree, the student pursuing a Computer Science Emphasis must complete specific courses. Specifically, as part of the Associate of Science Degree requirements, the student must complete:
and
COSC 211 Machine Architecture
or
COSC 222 Computer Data Structures
COSC 231 Principles of Computer Science
MATH 122 Calculus II
MATH 212 Calculus III
MATH 221 Introduction to Linear Algebra
As a means of satisfying all of the requirements outlined above for an Associate of Science Degree, the student pursuing a Mathematics and Statistics Emphasis must complete specific courses. Specifically, as part of the Associate of Science Degree requirements, the student must complete:
and
COSC 121 Computer Programming II
MATH 122 Calculus II
MATH 201 Mathematical Structures and Proofs
MATH 212 Calculus III
MATH 221 Introduction to Linear Algebra
One of:
,
,
,
The Associate of Science Degree is granted upon completion of 60 credits of prescribed study (below). A student with an Associate of Science Degree if admitted to B.C. universities is guaranteed full transfer credit (60 credits) for the work done for their Associate Degree.
In two B.C. universities (SFU and UNBC), a student with an Associate of Science Degree will be offered priority admission to the Faculty of Science (subject to a minimum GPA determined by the university). Check the B.C. Council on Admissions and Transfers website for updated information on B.C. Associate degrees at http://www.bctransferguide.ca.
Courses used to complete the Okanagan College Associate of Science Degree must have transfer credit to at least one B.C. research university (Simon Fraser University, University of British Columbia, University of Northern British Columbia, University of Victoria).
No course may be used to meet more than one of the specific requirements.
The Associate of Science Degree is granted upon the successful completion of the following courses:
-
Two of the following: ENGL 100, ENGL 150, ENGL 151, or ENGL 153.
-
MATH 112 and at least one other three-credit course in Mathematics. MATH 120 (Pre-Calculus) can be used for the second mathematics course, however, the student should be aware that some institutions will not accept this course for credit toward a science degree.
-
At least 12 credits (4 courses) from:
-
BIOL 111 or BIOL 121
-
CHEM 111 or CHEM 112
- CHEM 121
-
PHYS 111 or PHYS 112
-
PHYS 121 or PHYS 122
-
-
At least 24 other credits in Science, which shall include a minimum of six courses (18 credits) in Science at the second-year level taken in two or more subject areas.
-
At least two three-credit courses in Arts other than English.
-
At least two three-credit courses in Arts, Science or other areas.
A total of 60 credits (at least 20 courses) of first- and second-year courses with a minimum average of 60% calculated from all courses counting towards the Associate of Science degree.
Additional Information
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