Northern Science (Biological Sciences)

Instructor & students examining birds

Gain the skills needed for a science career in the North.

The Diploma of Northern Science (Biological Sciences) offers a variety of courses enabling students to concentrate on particular fields of study or build a base for a general science program with a strong northern focus.

Program description

The School of Science offers university-transfer courses in mathematics and in the earth, life and physical sciences. Students can complete a one-year Certificate of Science, a two-year Diploma of Northern Science (Biological Sciences) or a four-year Bachelor of Science degree.

The Diploma of Northern Science (Biological Sciences) is designed for those who wish either to enter a scientific profession or to work in the North at the technical level.

A wide choice of electives enables students to concentrate on a particular field of study or to construct a general science program with a strong northern focus.

In the first year, students have two options:

  • Complete the Yukon University Certificate of Science (or equivalent) OR
  • Complete a first-year program comprised of Chemistry, English and selected electives.

Building on this base, in their second year, students take the Northern Studies Core as well as northern-oriented science electives and develop practical expertise with the NOST 215 field course. Other courses and are possible, please see an advisor for more information.


Suggested course schedule

Year one - Fall 
CHEM 110, ENGL 100, Science elective such as MATH 100, Science elective such as BIOL 101, Elective (e.g. PHYS 101)

Year one - Winter
CHEM 111, ENGL 101, MATH 101, Science elective such as BIOL 102, Science elective


Year two - Fall
NOST 215, Science Electives (200-level) (e.g. BIOL 201, 202, 203, 220, CHEM 210, 211), Science Elective (200-level) (e.g. GEOG 250), Elective

Year two - Winter
Science Elective (200-level), Science Elective (200-level), Science Elective, Elective

Image removed.

Admission requirements

To be eligible for admission students must satisfy the prerequisites for any two of the required courses in the program, such as English 12 or Math 11 (Principles, Foundations, or Precalculus) or Chemistry 11.

Graduation requirements

The Diploma of Northern Science (Biological Sciences) is awarded for the completion of the equivalent of two years of full-time university-level study (60 credits) in the sciences.

To graduate, students must

  • pass all required courses and the equivalent of two years full-time university-level study (60 credits),
  • complete 50% of the course work at Yukon University
  • maintain a 2.0 cumulative GPA upon graduation and
  • fulfil the Yukon First Nations core competency requirement
Yukon First Nations Core Competency

Yukon University recognizes that a greater understanding and awareness of Yukon First Nations history, culture and journey towards self-determination will help to build positive relationships among all Yukon citizens. As a result, you will be required to achieve core competency in knowledge of Yukon First Nations.

The Northern Science diploma fulfills this  with one three credit course that meets the core competency requirements.  For details, visit Yukon First Nations Core Competency

Transferability

Science courses and programs are transferable to most universities and colleges in Canada and Alaska, either by program or on a course-by-course basis.

Career opportunities

The Diploma of Northern Science (Biological Sciences) prepares students for studies towards a degree at another institution.

The program also presents an ideal continuing education opportunity and is useful for those professionals seeking a northern specialization in their respective fields.

Money matters

Fees

Tuition for credit programs is calculated per course credit. See money matters for more information.

Some programs and courses have additional fees -  see Ancillary Fees.


Student financial awards

Education is an investment in your future, your family and your community. Yukon University is pleased to support that investment by offering some of the most competitive tuition rates in the country, as well as several student financial awards to help offset your educational and living costs.


Financial assistance

There are government programs, scholarships, bursaries, awards and First Nation funding available to financially support you throughout your academic career.

See money matters for more information, or talk to our financial advising staff in the Student Services Centre. Email or call 867 668 5209 to make an appointment.

Dual Credit

Any undergraduate-level Yukon University course that is part of the British Columbia Council on Admission and Transfer (BCCAT) system is eligible for dual credit. Many courses in the School of Science are suitable for high-school students to take as dual credit courses providing any prerequisites are met.

Students have often selected CPSC 128, BIOL 101 & lab, PHYS 101, MATH 100, CHEM 110 & lab, GEOG 101 & lab, and ENGL 100 for dual credit, but many other first-year courses and some second-year courses are options.

For more information about dual credit for Yukon high-school students, see the Dual Credit program page.

New & Featured Courses

**NEW COURSES** Fall 2023

Microbiology (BIOL 203)

Introduction to Biochemistry (BCHM 200)

**Featured Courses** for FALL 2023

Cell Biology (BIOL 201)BIOL 201 Ad.pdf    Course Description Here

CPSC 128 Object Oriented Programming


 

Program Guides

A program planning guide lays out the courses and requirements needed to graduate from a particular program. It guides you through course selection options for each term, provides a sample program pathway and acts as a tool to track your progress.

Courses

Second year

Core
Title Campus Scheduled
NOST 215 - Northern Studies Field Methods
Elective
Title Campus Scheduled
BCHM 200 - Introduction to Biochemistry Whitehorse (Ayamdigut)
W
BIOL 203 - Microbiology

Science Electives. 9 required, 27 credits; min. 4 @ 200-level

First year

Elective
Title Campus Scheduled
ASTR 100 - Introduction to Astronomy Whitehorse (Ayamdigut)
W
BIOL 101 - Ecology, Evolution and Diversity
BIOL 101L - Ecology, Evolution and Diversity - Lab
BIOL 102 - Cellular Biology and Physiology Whitehorse (Ayamdigut)
W
BIOL 102L - Cellular Biology and Physiology - Lab Whitehorse (Ayamdigut)
W
CPSC 128 - Object Oriented Programming I Whitehorse (Ayamdigut)
W
CPSC 129 - Object-Oriented Programming II
ENVS 100 - Introduction to Environmental Science 1
ENVS 100L - Environmental Science I Lab
ENVS 101 - Introduction to Environmental Science 2 Whitehorse (Ayamdigut)
W
ENVS 101L - Environmental Science II Lab Whitehorse (Ayamdigut)
W
GEOG 101 - Earth Systems: Atmosphere and Climate
GEOG 101L - Introduction to Physical Geography I Lab
GEOG 102 - Earth Systems: Landscapes and Natural Hazards Whitehorse (Ayamdigut)
W
GEOG 102L - Physical Geography II Lab Whitehorse (Ayamdigut)
W
GEOL 105 - Physical Geology
GEOL 105L - Physical Geology Lab
GEOL 106 - Historical Geology Whitehorse (Ayamdigut)
W
GEOL 106L - Historical Geology Lab Whitehorse (Ayamdigut)
W
GEOL 107 - Geological Field Methods and Mapping 1 Off-Campus
S
GEOL 108 - Earth Through Time Online/Video
W
GEOL 112 - Introduction to the Mineral Exploration and Mining Industries Whitehorse (Ayamdigut)
W
KINE 100 - Introduction to Human Physiology
MATH 100 - Single Variable Calculus 1
MATH 101 - Single Variable Calculus 2 Whitehorse (Ayamdigut)
W
MATH 120 - Mathematics for the Life Sciences Whitehorse (Ayamdigut)
W
PHYS 100 - Introductory Physics Whitehorse (Ayamdigut)
S
PHYS 101 - Elementary Physics 1
PHYS 101L - Elementary Physics I Lab
PHYS 102 - Elementary Physics 2 Whitehorse (Ayamdigut)
W
PHYS 102L - Elementary Physics II Lab Whitehorse (Ayamdigut)
W

Second year

Elective
Title Campus Scheduled
BIOL 201 - Cell Biology
BIOL 201L - Cell Biology - Lab
BIOL 202 - Genetics Whitehorse (Ayamdigut)
W
BIOL 202L - Genetics - Lab Whitehorse (Ayamdigut)
W
BIOL 210 - Introduction to Northern Botany
BIOL 210L - Introduction to Northern Botany Lab
BIOL 220 - Ecology
BIOL 225 - Ornithology - Introduction to the Biology of Birds Whitehorse (Ayamdigut)
W
BIOL 230 - Conservation Biology Whitehorse (Ayamdigut)
W
BIOL 290 - Beringia: Its Pleistocene Environment and Paleoecology
CHEM 210 - Organic Chemistry I
CHEM 210L - Organic Chemistry I - Lab
CHEM 211 - Organic Chemistry II
CHEM 211L - Organic Chemistry II - Lab
COMM 204 - Introduction to Scientific and Technical Communication Whitehorse (Ayamdigut)
W
ENVS 225 - Environmental Change and Fish and Wildlife Health
ENVS 226 - Environmental Change and Community Health
ENVS 227 - Yukon Source Water Protection and Watershed Stewardship Whitehorse (Ayamdigut)
W
GEOG 250 - Introduction to Mapping and Geographical Information System (GIS) Whitehorse (Ayamdigut)
W
GEOG 250L - Introduction to Mapping and Geographical Information System (GIS) Lab Whitehorse (Ayamdigut)
W
GEOG 290 - Climate Change and the Circumpolar World
GEOL 200 - Mineralogy
GEOL 200L - Mineralogy Lab
GEOL 206 - Sedimentology and Stratigraphy
GEOL 206L - Sediment & Stratigraphy-Lab
GEOL 208 - Structural Geology
GEOL 208L - Structural Geology Lab
GEOL 211 - Geochemistry Whitehorse (Ayamdigut)
W
GEOL 211L - Geochemistry - Lab Whitehorse (Ayamdigut)
W
GEOL 213 - Geophysics
GEOL 213L - Intro to Geophysics-Lab
GEOL 301 - Hydrogeology Whitehorse (Ayamdigut)
W
GEOL 301L - Hydrogeology Lab Whitehorse (Ayamdigut)
W
MATH 200 - Statistics for Physical and Life Sciences Whitehorse (Ayamdigut)
W
NOST 326 - Lands and Environments of the Circumpolar North I
NOST 327 - Lands and Environments of the Circumpolar World II Online/Video
W
NSCI 201 - Research Skills and Proposal Writing Online/Video
W
NSCI 202 - Data Collection, Analysis and Reporting
RRMT 202 - Statistics for Biological Sciences
RRMT 202L - Statistics for Biological Sciences Lab
RRMT 223 - Wildlife Management
RRMT 223L - Wildlife Management Lab
RRMT 235 - Forest Management
RRMT 235L - Forest Management Lab
RRMT 236 - Land and Protected Area Management
RRMT 238 - Environmental Protection and Impact Assessment
RRMT 239 - Freshwater Ecosystems and Hydrology
RRMT 239L - Freshwater Ecosystems and Hydrology Lab
RRMT 241 - Introduction to Land Management
SOIL 210 - Introduction to Soil Science and Resources
SOIL 210L - Introduction to Soil Science and Resources - Lab

NOST Core Courses: 2 required, 6 credits