Choosing an Integrated Science Option
Integrated Science is a full-time, first-year program designed to prepare BSc students for second year courses in multiple science programs. The IS program emphasizes the connections among the different science disciplines, and provides students with research training and experience. Students take the core program as a cohort (max 80 students).
The core consists of two 9-credit-hour courses, Integrated Science I (SCIE 1506.09), and Integrated Science II (SCIE 1507.09), as well as Ethics in Science (PHIL 1050.03). In the fall, students have lectures, laboratories and field trips in Biology, Psychology and Statistics, and receive training in research skills (experimental design, analysis, scientific writing). The winter term consists of lectures and laboratories in Biology, Psychology and Earth Sciences, and students conduct a 10-week independent research project in a Dalhousie or Dalhousie-affiliated research lab. Students present the results of their research at a conference-style event.
Integrated Science I and II are equivalent to two terms of Biology and Psychology, and one term of Earth Sciences and Statistics. Together with PHIL 1050: Ethics in Science, the core fulfills the writing requirement for BSc students.
Students also register for several auxiliary or co-requisite courses; these are taken along with other BSc students, typically in larger classes. Students take a full year of Chemistry (CHEM 1011.03/CHEM 1012.03) and a half year of Calculus (MATH 1000.03 or MATH 1215.03). Students have the option to enroll in a second term of Calculus (MATH 1010.03) and to take Physics (full year or half year). See co-requisite details below:
Fall term* co-requisite courses taken at the same time as Integrated Science I (SCIE 1506.09)
Required:
- Ethics in Science (PHIL 1050.03)
- Concepts in Chemistry: Structure and Reactivity (CHEM 1011.03)
- Differential and Integral Calculus I (MATH 1000.03) OR Life Sciences Calculus (MATH 1215.03)
Optional:
1. Introduction to Physics I (PHYC 1190.03) OR Physics in and Around You I (PHYC 1310.03)
Winter term** co-requisite courses taken at the same time as Integrated Science II (SCIE 1507.09)
Required:
- Concepts in Chemistry: Energy and Equilibrium (CHEM 1012.03)
Optional:
- Differential and Integral Calculus II (MATH 1010.03).
- Introduction to Physics II (PHYC 1290.03) OR Physics in and Around You II (PHYC 1320.03)
*In the fall term Integrated Science students take a course overload with 18-21 credit hours (21 credit hours if Physics is included). 15 credit hours is a full course load for regular BSc students. Students enrolling in 21 credit hours can expect a significantly heavier work load. Students planning to take only one term of calculus have the option of taking MATH 1000.03 in the winter to lighten their fall course load.
**In the winter term, Integrated Science students may take an overload (18 credit hours), a regular full course load (15 credit hours,) or a lighter course load of 12 credit hours (if they choose not to take MATH or PHYSICS in winter).
Choice of Math and Physics courses
Prior to selecting Math or Physics courses please consult the course descriptions in the Dalhousie Academic Calendar.
- PHYC 1190/PHYC 1290 is designed for students in Physical Sciences and Engineering, and PHYC 1310/ PHYC 1320 is designed for students in Life Sciences.
- MATH 1000 should be taken by students interested in math, economics or the physical sciences, while MATH 1215 is designed for life sciences students.
- One calculus course (MATH 1000.03 or MATH 1215.03) together with SCIE 1506.09 (Statistics) satisfies the full math requirement for BSc students. Students who do not require MATH 1010 for their programs have the option to take only one calculus course.
* Physics is required for all Earth Science Honours programs. PHYC 1190/PHYC 1290 is recommended, as PHYC 1310/PHYC 1320 may not be recognized for PGeo (Professional Geologist) certification. Physics is not required for Earth Sciences Major programs.
** Marine Biology students who wish to include 2nd year courses in Ocean Sciences (other than OCEA 2001/OCEA 2002: The Blue Planet) in their programs should take PHYC 1310/PHYC 1320 (or PHYC 1190/PHYC 1290).
BSc degree requirements and the Integrated Science program
The Integrated Science program core satisfies the Writing requirement, the Social Science and Science subject requirements, and with MATH 1000 or MATH 1215, the Math requirement for BSc students at Dalhousie. It satisfies half of the Humanities/Language requirement; another Humanities or Language course is needed before graduation.