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The Combined Major in Science (CMS) is a structured curriculum that provides breadth by offering foundational packages in three discipline areas of science as well as an introduction in a fourth discipline. Lab and field experiences will promote experiential learning, providing students the opportunity to understand how research is done and application of the scientific method. A statistics requirement will give students an understanding of basic statistics and statistical modelling. A computing requirement will provide students with a basic ability in computation and data manipulation as well as develop problem-solving skills using computers. SCIE_V 300 (Communicating Science) will help students develop skills in critical evaluation and communication of scientific issues.
All degree requirements must be fulfilled in accordance with Faculty of Science requirements. Students may, with the approval of the Science Advising, undertake an optional minor program in Arts, Commerce, Kinesiology, or Land and Food Systems in conjunction with the Combined Major in Science. See Minor Options. Combined Major in Science students are not eligible to pursue other types of specializations.
Courses selected must be acceptable for major or honours programs in the specific areas of concentration packages. At most, a total of 6 credits of directed studies and 6 credits of student directed seminar courses (3 credits as a participant and 3 credits as a leader) may be counted toward a Combined Major in Science degree, but they may not be counted as part of a package or other CMS specialization requirements. More information is available at the Combined Major in Science Advising website.
Cooperative Education
This option integrates academic study and supervised work experience. Enrolment is limited. Second-year standing in the Combined Major in Science is prerequisite for admission. Detailed information is available from the Co-operative Education Program Office, Room 270, Chemistry/Physics Building, University of British Columbia, 6221 University Boulevard, Vancouver, BC. Information is also available through the Co-op website.
Program
Combined Major (3096): Science
| First Year1 | Credits |
| MATH_V 100 (or 102, 104, 120, 180, 184)2 | 3 |
| MATH_V 101 (or 103, 105, 121) | 3 |
| Prerequisites for CMS Package courses2,3,4,5,6 | 9-18 |
| SCIE_V 113 | 3 |
| Arts Elective | 3 |
| Electives7 | 0-9 |
| Total Credits | 30 |
| Second, Third, and Fourth Years | |
| STAT_V 2008 | 3 |
| Prerequisites for CMS Package courses5,6 | 6-18 |
| Computing Requirement9 | 3 |
| SCIE_V 3006 | 3 |
| First CMS Package5 | 12 |
| Second CMS Package5 | 12-13 |
| Third CMS Package5 | 12-13 |
| Two of: BIOL_V 342, EOSC_V 442, PHYS_V 309, CHEM_V 355 | 2-5 |
| Arts Electives | 9 |
| Electives7 | 11-28 |
| Total Credits | 90 |
| Credits for Degree | 120 |
| 1 SCIE_V 001 fulfills first-year science prerequisites for most CMS package courses except for the Mathematical Sciences packages. Some Mathematical Sciences packages require CPSC_V 110 (or CPSC_V 103 and CPSC_V 107) and CPSC_V 121 as additional requirements. | |
| 2 MATH_V 110 may substitute for any of the specified differential calculus courses listed by decreasing the electives by 3 credits. Taking any of MATH_V 120, MATH_V 121, MATH_V 180, or MATH_V 184 decreases the electives by 1 credit. | |
| 3 Students who do not have B.C. High School Chemistry 12 (or its equivalent) must write the UBC Chemistry Basic Skills Test and may be required to take CHEM_V 100. | |
| 4 Students take CHEM 111 if credit was not obtained for Chemistry 12 and 3 credits of 100-level PHYS_V (normally PHYS_V 100) if credit was not obtained for Physics 12. | |
| 5 CMS Packages are in five subject areas: Chemistry; Earth and Environmental Science; Life Science; Mathematical Sciences: Computer Science, Mathematics, and Statistics; and Physics & Astronomy. Students must complete courses in three of the five packages to fulfill specialization requirements (see below). | |
| 6 SCIE_V 300 taken in third year satisfies the Additional Communication Requirements. | |
| 7 Elective credits together with required courses must fulfill the Faculty of Science’s: a) Foundational Requirement; b) Laboratory Science Requirement; c) Science Breadth Requirement; d) Science and Arts Requirements; e) Upper-level Requirement; f) General Degree Requirements. | |
| 8 STAT_V 200 can be replaced with STAT_V 251 or BIOL_V 300. | |
| 9 Computing Requirement (can be taken in third or fourth year by substituting electives in second year) - select one of the following courses: CPSC_V 100, CPSC_V 103, CPSC_V 110, CPSC_V 301, EOSC_V 211, MATH_V 210, PHYS_V 210. | |
CMS Packages
Students must fulfill all prerequisite requirements for their package courses. Program planning worksheets and course recommendations are on the CMS website.
Chemistry CMS Package (13 credits)
Package courses:
One of CHEM_V 211, CHEM_V 233 and CHEM_V 235, CHEM_V 203; CHEM_V 341; 6 credits of CHEM_V courses numbered 300 or higher (except: CHEM_V 300, CHEM_V 448).
Earth and Environmental Science CMS Package (12 credits)
Package courses:
EOSC_V 212 or EOSC_V 222; EOSC_V 340 or EOSC_V 345; 6 credits from Earth and Environmental Science courses: ATSC_V, ENVR_V, GEOS_V (or GEOB_V) (except for GEOS_V (or GEOB_V) 307, 407), EOSC_V (except for EOSC_V 470, 474, 475, 478).
Life Science CMS Package (12 credits)
Package courses:
BIOL_V 260 or BIOL_V 200; 9 credits of Life Science courses numbered 300 or higher: BIOC_V, BIOL_V (except BIOL_V 300, BIOL_V 344, BIOL_V 345, BIOL_V 346, and BIOL_V 448), CAPS_V, GEOS_V (or GEOB_V) 307, 407, MRNE_V, MEDG_V, MICB_V, PCTH_V, PSYC_V 360-371, PSYC_V 460-472, and EOSC_V 470, 474, 475, 478.
Mathematical Science CMS Package (12-13 credits)
Select one of the following four options:
1. Computer Science Option (13 credits)
Students interested in the Computer Science Option must apply to gain entry and should consult the Director of the Combined Major in Science.
Package courses: CPSC_V 221; 9 credits chosen from 300 and 400 level CPSC_V courses.
2. Mathematics Option (12 credits)
Package courses: MATH_V 200 or 221 (or 111); 9 credits chosen from 300- and 400-level MATH_V.
3. Statistics Option (12 credits)
Package courses: MATH_V 152, MATH_V 221 (or 111), or MATH_V 200; STAT_V 300; STAT_V 302 or MATH_V 302; STAT_V 305, 306, or 344.
4. Combined Mathematical Sciences (12-13 credits)
12-13 credits of a combination of MATH_V/ CPSC_V/ STAT_V 300-level or higher. For course recommendations, refer to the CMS website and worksheets.
Physics and Astronomy CMS Package (12 credits)
1. Physics Option (12 credits)
Package courses: PHYS_V 200 or PHYS_V 203; 3 credits of PHYS_V numbered 300 or higher (except: PHYS_V 348); 6 credits PHYS_V or ASTR_V courses numbered 300 or higher (except: PHYS_V 348.
2. Astronomy Option (12 credits)
Package courses: PHYS_V 200 or PHYS_V 203; 6 credits from ASTR_V 300, 333, 403, 406, 407; 3 credits of PHYS_V numbered 300 or higher.
Chemistry CMS Package (13 credits)
Package courses: One of CHEM_V 211, CHEM_V 233 and CHEM_V 235, CHEM_V 203; CHEM_V 341; 6 credits of CHEM_V courses numbered 300 or higher (except: CHEM_V 300, CHEM_V 448).