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FIND A PROGRAM THAT CONNECTS WITH YOUR PASSIONS
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
I am a prospective student, what are the admission requirements for the Faculty of Science?
Admission requirements vary depending on where you’ve gone to school, so check out the Undergraduate Admissions page. Whether you are a student here in B.C., studying in another province, or even another country, you can find the right requirements there.
I am a college student, how can my credits transfer to SFU?
If you have been studying at another college or university in British Columbia, the B.C. Transfer Guide is an excellent resource. If you’ve been studying outside of B.C., Admissions will assess your credits after applying.
Do I need to decide on a program right now?
When you apply, you can select a specific major or program. If you are not sure what to choose yet, it’s not a problem. You can be “undeclared” in the Faculty of Science – there is no difference in the admission requirements, so there is no pressure! Sometimes, students change their minds about a program during the application process or in their first year, and our staff can assist you with those changes at any time.
I’m undecided on a major, what should I do?
A great way to start thinking about what you want to major in is to consider the high school or college courses you enjoyed and use that as a springboard to explore in the Faculty of Science. We recommend checking out the SFU calendar to browse every available program.
Can I study at the Surrey campus?
The Surrey campus has most first-year science courses so you can begin your studies there. The Surrey campus generally has smaller classes and could be a shorter commute - many students like it for those reasons. On your SFU application, selecting any Science program ending with “Surrey” will designate you to the Surrey campus for your first year.
What should I do if I didn’t take all three Science 12 courses in high school (Physics/Chemistry/Biology/Anatomy & Physiology 12)?
If you are a high school graduate, you are not required to have all three of these science courses for admission into the Faculty of Science.
For many programs at SFU Science, you will likely need to take courses with a Chemistry 12, Physics 12, or Biology/Anatomy & Physiology 12 pre-requisite. If you haven’t taken the course you need in high school, you can take other courses at SFU to meet that pre-requisite, or you can complete the grade 12 course you need through adult education in a school district.
What is co-op?
Cooperative education, or co-op for short, is paid work experience in a field related to a student's studies. SFU has one of the most highly recognized co-op education programs in Canada, which means our Science students gain valuable, employable skills and graduate job-ready.
You do not need to list a co-op program on your application to SFU.
I’d like to be a doctor or work in healthcare one day, what should I do?
Many programs in the Faculty of Science can open the doors to working in healthcare. For many healthcare professions, no specific major is a prerequisite. So, no matter the major, students can go on to pursue medicine, pharmacy, dentistry, veterinary science, etc. The admission requirements for these professional schools are pretty general, and they are basic first- and second-year Science courses that all students at SFU have access to.
Students at SFU interested in pursuing healthcare in the future tend to study Biomedical Physiology, Kinesiology, Behavioural Neuroscience, or Molecular Biology & Biochemistry. Again, students are not limited to these programs.
Also, SFU has a new School of Medicine! At the moment, the School of Medicine plans to open Fall 2026 pending accreditation. No Admissions information is currently available. Find the latest news on the SFU School of Medicine website.
What kinds of research opportunities are available to Science students?
The Faculty of Science has some of the most extensive research facilities at SFU. Our professors and scientists are deeply committed to research that addresses fundamental and cutting-edge topics in interdisciplinary ways. As undergraduates, students can connect with professors and researchers to find something that tweaks their curiosity and gets them involved in research. Research could include working in a lab, being part of a long-term research team, or being out in the field.
What is the Science student community like?
The Science Undergraduate Society (SUS) and each of the department student unions (DSUs) are very active on the Burnaby campus.
Also, Sci-Space is a hub for all things SFU Science. It’s a place to socialize, unwind, and get academic support. It also hosts lots of social events alongside student clubs and unions and partners with other areas of SFU to offer helpful workshops.