Biology and Medicine Pre-Major

Are you interested in pursuing a career in Health Sciences? Do you want to understand how genetics, microbiology, and cell biology contribute to human health and disease? The Biology and Medicine Pre-Major (2025/26) / Biology and Pre-Medicine (2026/27) Associate Degree is flexible to your goals serving as the first two years of a bachelor’s degree in life sciences and a diverse range of health professions.

Our second year labs include exciting procedures like CRISPR-Cas 9 gene editing! You can also gain experience in a Containment Level 2 Microbiology facility! Through coursework you’ll develop strong skills in the laboratory and field, technical writing, and data analysis and collection. Dedicated instructors and mentors will help you to build a strong foundation of skills and knowledge.

Don’t stop there, use your Pre-Major to further your studies in fields of biology and medicine. Speak to an Education Advisor to find the path that’s right for you!

Program Completion Requirements

Our associate degree helps lay out the courses you may need for the first two years of study toward a degree in Biology. This degree also provides the course prerequisites for admission into the UBC School of Medicine while providing two of the first three required years of study before applying to medical school. Education Advisors are available to assist in course selection to ensure all requirements for your particular path are met.

Have plans to go to university? Our Dual Admission agreement with University of Lethbridge and Guaranteed Admission agreement with University of Victoria get you started on the right foot at the College before you transfer to university.

This program starts in September each year.

To view program completion requirements and individual course information, visit our Academic Calendar.
_{Note: The Academic Calendar is currently set to display program information for the 2025/26 academic year. To view other years, choose from the sort feature contained within the Academic Calendar.}

Our Education Advisors are available to help you plan your associate degree course list – and to plan for transferring credits to university to complete your degree. Additional sources include:

View Biology and Medicine Pre-Major Planning Form

View the 2025/26 Biology and Medicine Pre-Major program outline
View the 2026/27 Biology and Pre-Medicine program outline

Admission Requirements

Academic Requirements:

Complete all of the following

Secondary school graduation or equivalent

Earned a minimum grade of C+ (65%) in at least 1 of the following:
- ENST 12 – English Studies 12
- ENFP 12 – English First Peoples 12
- ENGL090 – English – Provincial Level

Complete 1 of the following
- Earned a minimum grade of C+ (65%) in each of the following:
  - PREC 11 – Pre-Calculus 11
  - PREC 12 – Pre-Calculus 12
- Complete all of the following
  - Completed the following:
    - PREC 12 – Pre-Calculus 12
  - Earned a minimum grade of B (75%) in each of the following:
    - CALC 12 – Calculus 12
- Earned a minimum grade of C+ (65%) in at least 1 of the following:
  - MATH090 – Mathematics – Provincial Level
  - MATH100 – Pre-Calculus (3)

Earned a minimum grade of C (60%) in each of the following:
- ATPH 12 – Anatomy and Physiology 12
- CH 12 – Chemistry 12
- PHYS12 – Physics 12

Tuition and Fees for Domestic Students

For the 2025/26 academic year (2025/SU, 2025/FA, 2026/WI, 2026/SP)

Year 1

Application Fee:	$30.00
Tuition:	$3,725.70
Lab Fee:	$256.14
Student Association Fee:	$69.00
Bus Pass Fee:	$88.80
Health and Dental Fee:	$240.00

Year 2

Tuition:	$3,725.70
Lab Fee:	$170.76
Student Association Fee:	$69.00
Bus Pass Fee:	$88.80
Health and Dental Fee:	$240.00

_{*Tuition and Fees for domestic students are estimates and are subject to change. Depending on course electives there may be additional lab fees. Tuition and Fees do not include textbook costs or supplies. Tuition fees include student technology fees, student activity fees, and alumni fees. For more information, visit: Tuition and Fees.}

Tuition and Fees for International Students

For the 2025/26 academic year (2025/SU, 2025/FA, 2026/WI, 2026/SP)

Year 1

Application Fee:	$100.00
One-time International Education Fee:	$100.00
Tuition:	$16,340.70
Lab Fee:	$256.14
Student Association Fee:	$69.00
Bus Pass Fee:	$88.80
Health and Dental Fee:	$240.00
Guard.me Insurance:	$270.00

Year 2

Tuition:	$16,340.70
Lab Fee:	$170.76
Student Association Fee:	$69.00
Bus Pass Fee:	$88.80
Health and Dental Fee:	$240.00

*_{Tuition and Fees for international students are estimates and are subject to change. Depending on course electives there may be additional lab fees. Tuition and Fees do not include textbook and supplies. Tuition fees include student technology fees, student activity fees, and alumni fees. For more information, visit: Tuition and Fees.}

_{Refer to: International Education Fees Schedule for 2026/27 tuition.}

Career Pathways

A biology and medicine pre-major prepares you to continue your education and work toward your career of choice. Just a few examples of career options include:

Biologist / Related Scientist
Biological Technologist / Technician
Cardiology Technologist / Electrophysiological Diagnostic Technologist *
General Practitioner and Family Physician *
Medical Sonographer *
Medical Laboratory Technologist *
Medical Radiation Technologist *
Medical Laboratory Assistant / Related Technical Occupation *
Optometrist *
Other Medical Technologist / Technician
Other Assisting Occupation in Support of Health Services *
Pharmacist *
Physician Assistant, Midwife, and Allied Health Professional *
Respiratory Therapist, Clinical Perfusionist, and Cardiopulmonary Technologist *
Specialist in Clinical and Laboratory Medicine *
Specialist in Surgery *

* High Opportunity Occupation

Associate of Science Degree – Biology and Medicine Pre-Major – Transfer Information

This program is designed to facilitate maximum transferability to a full degree program after two years at College of the Rockies.

Our Education Advisors are available to help you plan your associate degree course list – and to plan for transferring credits to university to complete your degree.

Block Transfer Agreements

To Institution	Program
Royal Roads University	Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies _{Note: A student or students must meet all other entrance criteria as per the program admission requirements on the Royal Roads University website.}	Transfer Agreement
Vancouver Island University	Bachelor of Science/Major in Biology	Transfer Agreement