Environment (Bachelor of Science): International Year One (ELC Pathway Entry)

A future in environmental science can start with a focused period of English. Through ELC Entry, you first study with SFU’s English Language and Culture programme, then begin FIC’s Environment (BSc) International Year One on the Burnaby campus. Plan for sixteen weeks of English and then three academic terms at FIC.

This full-time, sixteen-week ELC-FIC Pathway Program is built around conversation, writing assignments, critical thinking and cross-cultural study, and it includes the FIC Language Assessment Test that checks your readiness. Once in the academic stage, you work through calculus (MATH151 and MATH152), general chemistry with laboratory in CHEM121, studio physics in PHYS140 and an introduction to environmental science in EVSC100, finishing with GEOG104 on climate change and water.

Course design comes from SFU and instructors carry SFU approval, giving you a first year that the university accepts in full. Transfer requires ten academic courses, 30 units or more, and a 2.5 GPA with no grade under C-, which guarantees admission to the Faculty of Environment. You can then choose a science degree in Environmental Science, GIS or Physical Geography, and apply for co-op work terms during the degree. Bennett Library and the Student Learning Commons at SFU are open to you throughout the FIC year.

Environmental graduates go on to roles such as field technician, ecologist, environmental health and safety inspector, water quality inspector, air quality specialist and natural resources specialist. This row suits students with good school science results who need structured English teaching before tackling technical reading and laboratory writing. The main benefit is time: your English improves before calculus and chemistry begin.