Students follow two distinct measures of progress: Sufficient Progress and year level class standing. Students are evaluated for Sufficient Progress at the end of each Winter Session. Year level class standing determines your priority for course registration each session and is updated as you complete new courses. Class standing is separate from your requirements for Sufficient Progress within your specialization. You should review the Academic Calendar for Promotion Requirements and Degree Progression.
Progress upon 48 Attempted Credits
- 24 or more credits in total, which must include 15 or more credits of first-year Science coursework (100-level).
- SCIE 113 and CSPW 100 do count towards the 15 credits from first-year science courses.
- These requirements must be met within 48 attempted credits after admission to first year. Students who have exceeded 48 attempted credits at the end of Winter Session (April) will be required to discontinue their studies in UBC Science for lack of sufficient progress. See a Science academic advisor if you think this will be the case.
- Students with 2nd year class standing must apply to a specialization at the end of the Winter Session in May/June . They will be notified of their specialization before registering for courses for the following Winter Session. Review more about the specialization application.
Progress upon 78 Attempted Credits
- 48 or more credits in total.
- In some specializations, one or more second-year courses must be completed in order to be promoted to 3rd year class standing (see Specialization-Specific Courses Required for Promotion).
- These requirements must be met within 78 attempted credits. Students who have exceeded 78 attempted credits at the end of Winter session will be required to discontinue their studies in UBC Science for lack of sufficient progress. See a Science academic advisor if you think this will be the case.
Some specializations have limited enrolment, and not all students who meet the minimum promotion requirements will be able to continue into 3rd year class standing in that specialization. Review the following information, and consult your department if you have questions about your eligibility to advance to third year.
Biochemistry
Biochemistry (major and honours) students completing their second year should be aware that space in the required BIOC 301 is limited. Because registration time is based on sessional average, those with a lower average in 2nd year class standing may not get a seat, which could make it difficult to continue in the specialization on schedule. Biochemistry will contact second-year students after term 1 about this process and if necessary, schedule a meeting to discuss how to improve grades and other options. Learn more.
Honours Cellular, Anatomical, and Physiological Sciences
Honours CAPS (Cellular, Anatomical, and Physiological Sciences) students completing second year must apply to the Department for entry to third year. Learn more.
Microbiology and Immunology
Microbiology and Immunology (major and honours) students completing second-year core courses apply online for space in the required third-year lab courses. Learn more.
Pharmacology
Pharmacology (major and honours) students completing their second year must apply to the department in March of their 2nd year. Learn more.
Progress upon 108 Attempted Credits
- 72 or more credits in total which must include 50 or more Science credits.
- Students must have completed all Lower Level Requirements, the Communication Requirement, all courses specified in the first and second years of the specialization (not electives), and at least all but one of the courses required to satisfy the Science Breadth Requirement.
- Specializations may specify one or more upper-level courses that must be completed: see Specialization-specific Courses Required for Sufficient Progress.
- These requirements must be met within 108 attempted credits. Students who have exceeded 108 attempted credits at the end of Winter session will be required to discontinue their studies in UBC Science for lack of sufficient progress. See a Science academic advisor if you think this will be the case.
Note: Students must meet all graduation requirements within 180 attempted credits. Those who do not will be required to withdraw from the Faculty.
Transfer Students New to UBC
In addition to University admission requirements, students admitted to the BSc from other post-secondary institutions with 2nd or 3rd year class standing must still meet all of the Faculty of Science Sufficient Progress requirements outlined above.
About Class Standing
A class standing is a value for an academic period that is calculated based on your academic history prior to that period. It is distinct from the Sufficient Progress requirements detailed above. On Workday, your Latest Class Standing represents the most recently calculated class standing. It changes according to course completion. As such, it is not a fixed status. However, it can identify what year you are in (e.g. second year, third year) and therefore impact your assigned course registration date.