Program

Introduction to the Integrated Science Program

Dalhousie’s Integrated Science Program is an alternative and unique way for a serious, well-prepared science student to complete the first year of a BSc program. In addition to learning the core material of a broad range of first-year science subjects, students gain an interdisciplinary perspective, develop transferrable skills, and conduct research, all in their first year.

Integrated Science students become part of a closely-knit cohort of 70 to 80 students. The core program is taken together as a group and taught by a team of integrated science professors. The core (SCIE 1506/1507 and PHIL 1050) covers Biology, Psychology, Earth Sciences, Statistics Writing in Science, and Ethics in Science). Students also take Calculus, Chemistry, and (optionally) Physics, together with other BSc students.

Integrated Activities and Research

In the Integrated Science program students gain an interdisciplinary perspective by making connections among the various science subjects (and between science and the humanities) in lectures, class discussions, and during hands-on activities (field trips, labs and computer exercises) designed to show the contributions of different disciplines. Throughout the year, there is a strong focus on acquiring research and science writing skills, culminating in the opportunity for every student to conduct a research project under the supervision of a Dalhousie research scientist.

Workload

Integrated Science students can expect a higher workload than regular first-year BSc students. Considering the larger number of subjects, the writing class, and the research project component, a higher workload is unavoidable, and is excellent preparation for higher workloads in the second year of a BSc. Note that workload will vary, depending on the courses taken outside the core. 

Grades

Students receive a single letter grade for each of the core courses, SCIE 1506 and SCIE 1507. A breakdown of the core's subject marks (Biology, Earth Science, Psyhcology, Statistics, and Writing in Science) is available upon request. Students receive separate grades for PHIL 1050 and their calculus, chemistry and physics courses.

For more information, please check out Course selection for Integrated Science [PDF].