How is Science One different from other first-year science programs?
Science One is different from mainstream science courses in many ways. It is a single, year-long course, with a class size capped around 75 students (compared to 150-300 or more students in mainstream courses). Science One students don’t need to build their own timetable, instead they choose one of three available timetables, and possibly select an additional elective course each term. Science One students have access to enriched learning opportunities (tutorials, research projects, guest lectures, etc.), the have their own dedicated study space and they receive support from the Science One Faculty and Directors, in addition to UBC Science Advising. For a detailed comparison between Science One and mainstream courses, visit the ‘What is Science One’ page.
Below is a comparison of the three different options you have entering into your first year of science at UBC.
| Design your own Timetable (Mainstream) | Science One (Enriched) | First Year Focus (not offered for 2025W) |
| Offers the most flexibility. Students select courses according to the requirements of the specialization they want to enter in second year, and that fit their schedule. Lectures are large (150 to 300 or more students) but labs and tutorials are held in smaller groups | Students take a single 28 credit course in the same classroom. Professors and students form an incredibly tight-knit learning community. Class size is capped around 80 students, with tutorials held in smaller groups. | Students take six of their courses together (15-17 credits) to build a foundation in computational sciences or life sciences. Students form a tight-knit learning community. |
| Instructors from different disciplines work independently with few, if any, coordinated activities. | Science One instructors attend each other’s classes and meet weekly to create a coordinated curriculum. | Instructors from different disciplines work independently with few, if any, coordinated activities. |
| Students attend labs with others taking the same course, but possibly in a different lecture section. | Students attend labs comprised primarily of fellow Science One students, including enriched versions of physics labs. | Students attend their First Year Focus course labs and tutorials with other First Year Focus students, and attend other labs with others taking the same course. |
| Students receive subject- specific academic help from the departments that teach their courses, and support from UBC Science Advising. | Students have their own work and study space, which they share with their instructors and TAs. | Students have their own work and study space, and receive support from peer mentor and FYF coordinator in addition to subject-specific academic help from the departments that teach their courses. |
| Students don’t have dedicated multidisciplinary workshops, but can combine interests through their course selection, or take cross-cutting classes like SCI 113. | Students enhance their scientific skill set with workshops, guest lecturers, extra instruction in science literacy and computer programming, mentored research projects, student conferences, and field trips. | Students enhance their first-year experience with specialized programming including workshops, special events, and peer mentoring. |
How many credits is Science One?
Science One is a single 28 credit course that spans 8 months (two semesters). This appears on a student's transcript as a single grade.
Who is the ideal candidate for Science One?
Science One is ideal for students who have a passion for science and for learning. We want the kind of people who are curious about things, who ask the right questions and aren't satisfied until they fully understand the answer. We want people who actively seek opportunities to push the boundaries of their own knowledge, people who regard intellectual challenges as an opportunity for growth, rather than an obstacle. We want people who dream big. A solid high school preparation is important, but also a demonstrated interest in science through extra curricular activities, research projects, contests, etc. is a strong asset. Admission to UBC in the Faculty of Science (Vancouver Campus) is a requirement for admission to Science One.
Where do students go after Science One?
The alumni page offers some profiles of where students have gone after doing Science One. You’ll see that it ranges the whole gamut of careers, from medicine to law, from academia to industry. Many of our alumni go on to graduate school and earn a PhD, or go on to a professional school. One out of every ten Science One students has been accepted to UBC Medical School, which is amazing given that only about 1/3rd of the students even applies for medical school. Here’s a sample list of places our alumni are currently at:
- Amazon Web Services
- Apple
- Cambridge Law
- D-Wave Systems
- Harvard Medical School
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology
- Mount Sinai Hospital
- RockStar Games
- Stemcell Technologies
- Veterinarians Without Boarders
- Zaber Technologies
What Scholarships are available to Science One Students?
There are five scholarships that are only available to Science One students. Details can be found on the Science One Scholarships page.
Will students have the necessary background for second year classes?
Science One covers all required first-year material in biology, chemistry, mathematics and physics. It also presents an integrated view of science and scientific literacy, while providing a solid foundation of knowledge on which to base future studies. In terms of admission to second year programs, Science One is equivalent to BIOL 121/112, CHEM 121/123, MATH 100/101, PHYS 117/118/119/129 combined. Science One also fulfills the requirements for entry into many computer science degrees, with the exception of the requirement about CPSC 107 or CPSC 110.
If you want to transfer to Engineering after Science One, you should contact UBC Engineering to verify which courses you may be lacking.
Do I have to be a UBC student before I apply for Science One?
Students can be offered a seat in the Science One Program on the condition that they are admitted to UBC (Vancouver Campus) in the Faculty of Science by the end of August. Admission to the Faculty of Science at UBC is a prerequisite for admission to the Science One Program.
To apply for Science One, visit the Apply page.
How do I pick my courses for Science One?
When you join Science One, you choose a single course, SCIE001. SCIE001 is on a standard time table (STT), with three available STT options, depending on when labs and tutorials take place. Each STT includes all Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics and Physics lectures and tutorials, as well as Physics and Chemistry Labs for both Term 1 and Term 2. When it is time to register, all you need to do is to choose the Standard Time Table that you prefer. You’ll also want to pick your electives at this time as well, as courses tend to fill up.
What is expected of students admitted to Science One?
Science One is an intense program. Students are expected to take responsibility for their own learning and are encouraged to take advantage of the strong support system the program provides. Science One is not a soft option, but it prepares students well.
I’ve heard that Science One is really hard and I'm worried about my grades.
Science One can be difficult, but so is the transition from high school to university in general. We’ve spoken directly to UBC Medical School admissions and they’ve said there’s no way that taking Science One can hurt your chances of getting into Medical School. They want the type of people who challenge themselves by enrolling in programs like Science One. It tells everyone that you’re serious about learning, and not just in it for the grades.
That said, Science One has a much higher average than the mainstream first year courses, and, controlling for incoming grades, Science One students do much better in 2rd and 3rd year courses than students who go through mainstream Science. The idea is that you learn how to study and work hard in first year, when it doesn’t really matter that much, rather than 3rd year when people are looking at your grades.