Science: International Year One (ELC Pathway Entry)

Lab reports, problem sets and scientific writing all rely on precise English. Under ELC Entry, a 16-week, full-time English Language Course comes first, and you then enter FIC’s Science stream within International Year One (UTP Stage II), next to SFU in Burnaby, for three terms of science study. Expect about sixteen months overall.

In the English stage you practise through discussion and authentic reading, then sit FIC’s language assessment to show you are ready for credit study. In UTP Stage II, the General Science pathway, for instance, combines CMPT130 and CMPT135 programming, MACM101, calculus, MATH232, PHYS140 and PHYS141 and a science elective such as BISC101, while the Life Science pathway adds BISC102 and the chemistry sequence. MATH151 and MATH152 anchor every pathway, so steady Maths study from the start is essential.

All FIC courses are SFU-designed, and instructors are approved by SFU. Moving on needs at least ten courses, 30 units, C- or better in pathway courses and a 2.75 CGPA. You then enter the SFU Bachelor of Science at second-year level, with options such as Applied Math, Data Science, Physics or Biomedical Physiology Intended. FIC science students can use SFU Sci-Space, and SFU runs co-op in Science.

Careers after the degree include forensic laboratory assistant, statistical analyst, geological technician, biomedical research associate, software tester and science communicator. ELC Entry suits students whose English is not yet at the level FIC’s support terms require and who want dedicated language study before a demanding science workload. Once the English stage is behind you, the full focus can go on experiments, equations and code.