Science

student pouring liquid into a beaker in a lab

Feed your curiosity. Explore earth, life and physical sciences.

With courses ranging from the structure of matter to single variable calculus, gain the prerequisite knowledge and skills to succeed in the field of science and your education.

Program description

Cell biology labs with two students and instructor

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 or a four-year Northern Environmental and Conservation Sciences degree.

The Certificate of Science is awarded for the completion of the equivalent of one year of full-time university-level study (30 credits) in the sciences that meets the requirements below.

Students also have the opportunity to take second year courses that are commonly required for continuing studies in biology and life science-related fields. These studies can allow students to specialize in

  • medicine
  • nutrition
  • molecular or cell biology
  • genetics
  • zoology
  • botany
  • ecology
  • animal behavior
  • physiology

Yukon University offers all courses needed for the first two years of a Bachelor of Science degree program with a major in Biology in most Canadian universities.


Duration

Each student will construct their study plan in consultation with a program advisor who will take into account their long-term goals, level of preparation and external commitments. Many permutations are possible to accommodate students’ specific situations.

Admission requirements

English 12 and at least two of the following: Math 12 (Pre-Calculus), Chemistry (11 or 12), Physics (11 or 12), or Biology (11 or 12).

Note that individual course have their own prerequisites that must be met in order to take those courses.

Program course requirements

A total of 30 credits meeting the following course requirements must be completed for the Science certificate:

Core requirements:

  • Minimum of 6 credits in MATH courses at the 100 level or higher
  • Minimum of 15 credits in other School of Science courses at the 100 level or higher
  • Minimum of 3 credits in communication/writing chosen from ENGL 100, COMM 204, and ENGL 101
  • First Nations Core Competency:  Yukon First Nations 101 workshop OR a suitable elective

Electives:

  • Up to 6 credits of university-transferable courses as required to total 30 credits

The following examples illustrate some common pathways though many other combinations can be chosen to suit a student's education goals.

 

Life & environmental sciences

  • Two MATH courses (MATH 100 & 101 recommended), BIOL 101 & 102, CHEM 110 & 111
  • ENGL 100 or COMM 204
  • Plus 3 more courses (9 credits) – at least 2 from School of Science, chosen from the list of 100 or 200-level science courses.  Physics is recommended.

Engineering & physical sciences

  • MATH 100 & 101, CHEM 110 & 111, PHYS 101 & 102
  • ENGL 100 or COMM 204
  • Plus 3 more courses (9 credits) – at least 2 from School of Science, chosen from the list of 100 or 200-level science courses.  

Geological sciences

  • GEOL 105 & 106, CHEM 110 & 111, PHYS 101 & 102, MATH  100 & 101, CPSC 128
  • ENGL 100 or COMM 204
Graduation requirements

In addition to passing all the required courses, students must:

  • complete 50% of the course work at Yukon University
  • maintain a 2.00 cumulative GPA (C average) across the required courses
  • meet the First Nations core competency
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.

For details, visit Yukon First Nations Core Competency

Transferability

The Certificate of Science is designed for students who wish to transfer credits into a science-related program at a Canadian university. Students can either complete the Certificate of Science, or match their course selections to meet the requirements of the program of their choice.

Many of the courses in the Science program are listed in the BCCAT Transfer Guide.

Career opportunities

With a career in Science, you may specialize in:

  • veterinary medicine  
  • pharmacology
  • engineering
  • nutrition
  • teaching
  • environment
  • molecular or cell biology
  • genetics
  • zoology
  • botany
  • ecology
  • animal behavior
  • physiology
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.

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

Communication/Writing

First year

Core
Title Campus Scheduled
COMM 204 - Introduction to Scientific and Technical Communication Whitehorse (Ayamdigut)
W
ENGL 100 - Academic Writing and Critical Thinking Whitehorse (Ayamdigut), Online/Video
W
S
ENGL 101 - Introduction to the Study of Literature Whitehorse (Ayamdigut), Online/Video
W
S

Computer Science

First year

Core
Title Campus Scheduled
CPSC 128 - Object Oriented Programming I Whitehorse (Ayamdigut)
W
CPSC 129 - Object-Oriented Programming II

Kinesiology

First year

Core
Title Campus Scheduled
KINE 100 - Introduction to Human Physiology

Physics

First year

Elective
Title Campus Scheduled
PHYS 100 - Introductory Physics Whitehorse (Ayamdigut)
S

Independent Studies