If you are interested in a shorter program where you will gain a broad background in science, the University offers a Certificate in Foundations of Science and a Diploma in General Science. These two programs offer an introduction to university courses in Science. They help you to develop empirical and critical thinking and problem solving, and provide you with exposure to several scientific subjects.
Certificate in Foundations of Science
A one-year program at the introductory level, the Certificate in Foundations of Science introduces students to the foundations of scientific thought. It is a laddering credential: courses used to complete the certificate can be used to complete the requirements of the Diploma in General Science or any Bachelor of Science program offered by the Faculty of Science. At the same time, the certificate is also a good option for those students who have educational and career goals that do not necessarily lead to, or require, a Bachelor of Science degree or Science diploma.
Diploma in General Science
The two-year Diploma in General Science introduces students to the methods and values of scientific inquiry. It encourages students to identify a field of study that interests them and to develop a deeper understanding of that field. You must choose a concentration in one of the following subjects: Biology, Biochemistry, Chemistry, Computer Science, Geology, Mathematics, Statistics, or Physics.
The Diploma in General Science is a laddering credential: courses used to complete the diploma may be used subsequently to complete the requirements of any Bachelor of Science program offered by the Faculty of Science.
What is Science?
Science is an organized system of knowledge about the physical world, based on observation, measurement, and experiment. Western Science is based on the scientific method, which is a specific way in which our understanding of the world is formed.
The Faculty of Science at the U of R is a community of students and scholars who are committed to impactful scientific discovery and transformative science education.