Six credits of communication coursework must be completed before promotion to Year 4. For detailed information on the Communication Requirement, please consult the UBC Academic Calendar.
Courses to Fulfill the Communication Requirement
Six credits of communication coursework must be completed before promotion to Year 4. View eligible courses. BSc students must take SCIE 113 (First-Year Seminar in Science) to fulfil part of the Communication Requirement. Once admitted to UBC, students will not normally be permitted to satisfy the Communication Requirement at another institution.
Students from Secondary School
Students admitted directly from secondary school should take at least one communication course in Year 1. Note that SCIE 113 (First-Year Seminar in Science) is required for all BSc students -- it's a small-class experience that fulfills part of your communication requirement.
Second Degree, Transfer, and Re-admitted Students
Students who have transferred from other post-secondary institutions, who are readmitted to the Faculty after being required to discontinue, or who are admitted with a prior degree must meet the Communication Requirement while in Year 2 or Year 3 standing.
Promotion to fourth-year standing requires that the Communication Requirement be met. There are limits on the number of credits that can be attempted while in second or third years (see the UBC Academic Calendar entry for second-degree students and for other students). Students who reach those limits without meeting the Communication Requirement will be required to discontinue studies in Science.
Students admitted to the BSc program from either the Faculty of Applied Science or the Faculty of Arts at UBC Vancouver and who have credit for APSC 176; ASTU 100, 150; or WRDS 150 may apply the credits toward the Communication Requirement.
How long do I have to meet the Communication Requirement?
Students admitted to the BSc degree who have not met the Communication Requirement by the time they have met the other requirements for promotion to fourth-year standing will not be promoted or permitted to enroll in courses other than Communication courses until the requirement is met. See Promotion Requirements.
Eligibility for English Courses at UBC
In order to take any ENGL course at UBC you must have a good grasp of the English language. The Language Proficiency Index (LPI) exam is used to determine a student's eligibility to register in first-year English courses. First, check to see if you’re exempt from the LPI exam.
If you do need to pass the LPI exam, it might be a good idea to limit your credits in first year so as to have the time required to build your writing skills through formal study and practice. The UBC Extended Learning office offers a non-credit writing course WRIT-098: that may help you improve your skills.
*Currently the Faculty of Medicine at UBC requires applicants to pass two ENGL courses.
Once admitted to UBC, students will not normally be permitted to satisfy the Communication requirement at another institution.
Students from Secondary School
Students admitted directly from secondary school should take at least one communication course in Year 1 if eligible. Those who have not met the requirement to take an ENGL course (see above) risk having their credit release limited after first year if they do not make progress.
Second Degree, Transfer, and Re-admitted Students
Students who are accepted on transfer from other post-secondary institutions, who are readmitted to the Faculty after being required to discontinue, or who are admitted with a prior degree must meet the Communication Requirement while classified in second or third year.
Promotion to fourth-year standing requires that the Communication requirement be met. There are limits on the number of credits that can be attempted while in second or third years (see the UBC Academic Calendar entry for second-degree students and for other students). Students who reach those limits without meeting the Communication Requirement will be required to discontinue studies in Science.
Students admitted to the BSc program from either the Faculty of Applied Science or the Faculty of Arts at UBC Vancouver and who have credit for APSC 176; ASTU 100, 150; or WRDS 150 may apply the credits toward the Communication Requirement.
How long do I have? What does this mean? How long for what exactly? (AL)
Students who are not exempt from the LPI exam and did not pass either SCIE 113 or an ENGL course in the first winter session will be limited in the credits they may attempt the following summer and winter sessions until they achieve a level 5 LPI score. If that score is not achieved by the end of their second winter session, they will not be permitted to register in any additional credit courses until they do. In light of our team meeting where we discussed 3rd Year to 3rd Year, do we want to change this language? My opinion is to keep it so it highlights to students that they need to achieve the LPI by the end of 2nd year. This is especially important if they didn’t take SCIE 113 in Year 1. (AA)
Students admitted to the BSc degree who have not met the Communication Requirement by the time they have met the other requirements for promotion to fourth-year standing will not be promoted or permitted to enroll in courses other than Communication courses until the requirement is met. See Promotion Requirements.
