Your Guide to Second Year in Integrated Sciences
June 20, 2025
Welcome to Integrated Sciences
Congratulations on your admission to the Integrated Sciences (ISCI) specialization! We’re thrilled to have you join our community and look forward to an exciting year ahead.
Below are answers to common questions and important steps to help you get started.
Second-Year Registration Guidance
- Meet Faculty of Science Lower-Level Requirements: Ensure you complete at least 15 credits of 200-level or higher science courses to progress to third-year standing.
- Take Prerequisites for Upper-Level Courses: Register in the prerequisite courses for the 3rd- and 4th-year classes you plan to include in your Integrated Sciences degree.
- Explore Your Integration Areas: Identify 2–3 areas of interest and browse the UBC course calendar. Create a rough list of upper-level courses in each area that you might want to include in your degree.
- Consider Taking ISCI 300: You may register in ISCI 300, a 1-credit course where you explore and discuss timely, interdisciplinary science topics through peer-led case studies.
Join the ISCI Tri-Mentoring Program
Get connected early with a peer mentor and gain access to a supportive network that includes alumni and student mentors throughout the year. We’re matching students earlier this year so you’ll have a mentor ready to support you when school begins in September.
Sign up now – please complete the form as soon as possible so we can match you with a peer mentor early.
Learn more about the Tri-Mentoring Program
Need help?
Email us at intsci@science.ubc.ca or visit us during office hours. It is best if you come prepared with a list of courses you are interested in taking.
Degree Proposal: Getting Started
We’re launching a new Degree Proposal web application soon. If you’ve already started an account on the old system, that’s okay— we’ll notify you when it’s time to switch.
In the meantime, start thinking about:
- What you want to accomplish with your degree
- Why you chose Integrated Sciences
- What areas you want to integrate
- What issues or questions your integration will help you explore
Important Dates
| Date | Milestone |
|---|---|
| July 31, 2025 | Create your Degree Proposal account |
| January 15, 2026 | Secure a Faculty Mentor |
| February 10, 2026 | Submit your completed Degree Proposal to your mentor |
| March 14, 2026 | Final approval by the ISCI office |
Your Degree Proposal must be approved by the time you reach 3rd-year standing.
Support & Advising
- Contact an ISCI Advisor: Have questions about registration or the specialization? Email us at intsci@science.ubc.ca
- Meet with a Faculty Mentor: Find a UBC professor whose interests align with your integration areas. If they agree to support your proposal, they’ll sign on as your mentor. Students usually start approaching faculty mentors in the Fall.
Common Registration Questions
- ISCI 300: A recommended 1-credit course for 2nd-year students.
- NSCI Courses: NSCI 200 is restricted to Neuroscience students.
- BIOL 200 & 201: Use staggered seat release.
BIOL 200: Register in the primary section (000), a lecture (101–105), and a tutorial (TXX).
BIOL 201: Register in a lecture (201–204) and a tutorial (TXX).
Questions? Email biol200@biology.ubc.ca or biol201@biology.ubc.ca - KIN Courses: Register on the waitlist. ISCI students are exempt from upper-level KIN prerequisites.
- Other Restricted Courses: Register on the waitlist (e.g., FNH 250).