FAQ - Coordinated Science Program (CSP)

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Answers

Am I eligible for CSP? How do I apply?
There is no separate application for CSP. Any student who has been accepted into the Faculty of Science and has taken Chemistry 12 and Physics 12 (or their equivalents) is eligible for the program. Note that these courses may be completed in the summer after registration; see FAQ 12 . Strongly recommended (but not required) are Calculus 12 and proficiency in English. A mark of 75% or better in English 12 or an LPI score of 5 or better meets the requirement for enrollment in first year English and represents a suitable level of proficiency.
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How do I register for CSP?
Registering for CSP is much like registering for any UBC course using the online registration system. Step-by-step registration instructions are available on the prospective students page of this site. Each CSP Standard Timetable (STT) will register you for all required CSP lecture sections, labs, tutorials, and the CSP workshop. In addition, STTs A-F will register you in Biol 112, while STTs G-J will register you in Biol 111 (see FAQ 8 for more information about Biology). You must register for your elective courses separately.
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What do I do if the computer is rejecting my worklist?
Make sure that you have entered your marks for Chemistry 12 and Physics 12.
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What if the program is full?
If all sections of CSP are full, you can register in the CSP waitlist. If you do this, you must also register for standard sections of the appropriate individual science courses. If a space in CSP becomes available, you will be contacted by email to confirm that you still wish to enroll in CSP. Assuming you say yes, we will change your registration, and enroll you in CSP. Therefore, it is important to ensure that you have entered a valid and current email address on the SSC!
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There's no space in the section of CSP that I want. Can I put my name on the waitlist?
No. The waitlist doesn't get activated until ALL sections of CSP are full.
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I’m a computer science major. Can I enroll in CSP?
Yes, computer science students (CSO) are allowed to drop some of the core CSP courses to fit in their computer science courses. Register in timetable A if you have high school biology or G, if you do not. You should then register for CPSC 110 in Sections 101 and L1J (Term 1) and for CPSC 121 in Sections 203, L2J and T2C (Term 2). You should also contact us if you wish to drop Biol 112 (Term 1) or up to two of the second term subjects: Biol 121/140, Chem 123 or Phys 102.
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I have advanced credit. Can I apply this towards the CSP science courses?
If you have advanced credit in Biology, Chemistry, Math or Physics, you may drop or replace up to ONE CSP course per term and stay in CSP. The departments of Chemistry and Physics recommend that you do not use advanced credits for Chemistry or Physics.
First Term: If you have advanced credit for Math 100 that is officially recognized by UBC (eg. AP, IB, Challenge exam), you can take another course in first term (Math 221 is a good option) and then rejoin the CSP group for Math 101 in January.
Second Term: If you also have advanced credit for Math 101 (IB HL) and wish to use that advanced credit, contact us to discuss your options. If you have advanced credit for Biology, you may use it in place of Biol 121.
In all these cases, you must contact us to alter your STT (you cannot do this yourself).
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What choices do I have for Biology?
CSP students are required to take Biol 121 and 140 (for exceptions, see FAQ 7 ). Both courses are offered in the second term. Students with no high school biology are also required to take Biol 111 during the first term. Most CSP students will want to take Biol 112, as it is a requirement for most life science majors. To help students register for these courses, we have included them in the STTs: Biol 112 in STT A-F and Biol 111 in STT G-J. If you have never taken high school biology, register in G, H, I or J. If you have taken high school biology, register in A, B, C, D, E or F. Finally, if you do not want Biol 112, contact us right after you register, and we will remove it from your timetable.
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The program I plan to enter in 2nd year (or beyond) does not require all the CSP courses. Do I have to take all the CSP courses?
CSP students must take the complete set of CSP courses: Biol 121 & 140, Math 100 & 101, Chem 121 & 123, and Phys 101. One of the foundations of the program is that students take all their courses together; therefore, the standard timetable (STT) cannot be modified. The ONLY exceptions are second term courses for Computer Science Option (CSO) students (see FAQ 6 ), Math 100, which can be replaced with Math 180 for students without prior Calculus experience, and advanced placement in Math or Biol (see FAQ 7 ). CSP STTs A-F include Biol 112, which is not a required course (see FAQ 8 ). All timetables include Phys 102, however this course is not required, and may be dropped (see FAQ 11).
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Do I have to take Physics 102 to be in CSP?
Although Physics 102 is included in the standard CSP timetable, it is no longer a requirement for the CSP Program. The Physics 102 requirement has been removed because most science majors now require only 3 credits of first year Physics. Students who intend to major in Chemistry, Biochemistry, Physiology or Physics do need to take Physics 102.
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If I wish to be in CSP without taking Physics 102, how do I do so?
Although Physics 102 is included in the standard CSP timetable, it is no longer a requirement for the CSP Program. HOW TO DROP. To drop a CSP timetable course, a student must contact the CSP office by email. A student cannot drop a CSP course by himself or herself without de-registering from the CSP Program. So, the CSP office must do the individual course drop for the student. WHEN CSP STUDENTS CAN DROP PHYSICS 102. A student wishing to drop Physics 102, but remain in CSP Program, must have the CSP office complete the de-registration before or during the add/drop period of the fall term. If a student has not dropped Physics 102 by that time, but wishes to do so later, the student must de-register from CSP and find enrolment spaces in all of the science courses desired. (Note: this is generally difficult to do, and students may be unable to find space in the courses they need.)
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What if I don't have Physics 12?
To be in CSP, you must take Physics 12 at your high school during the summer or an equivalent summer course at a local college or university. Students who have not completed Physics 12 by June MUST CONTACT the CSP office to register in CSP. In your email to CSP for the purpose of registration, provide the following information: your name, student number, first, second and third choice of standard timetable, plus your assigned registration day and time. Provided there is space, you will be registered in the CSP program without Physics. Upon documentation of completion of Physics 12 before September, students will be enrolled in Physics. If documentation is not provided by the end of the first week of class, students will be de-registered from all CSP classes. Students who wish to be exempted from the Physics 12 requirement may contact the CSP office. Exemptions are generally limited to students with a grade of 95 or higher in Math 12 or Physics 11 and 90 or higher in the other.
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What if I do not have Calculus 12?
Calculus 12 is a prerequisite for Math 100, which is included in the standard timetable (STT). However, if you have not taken Calculus 12 and are interested in CSP, you will be permitted to substitute Math 180 for Math 100 in your STT. Please contact us if you wish to inquire about this option as you will not be able to make this substitution on your own.
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I'm interested in the life sciences. Why does CSP include Math 100/101 instead of Math 102/103?
The CSP sections of Math 100/101 are special sections that includes applications to both the physical sciences AND the life sciences. CSP is appropriate for students who intend to continue in either of these two areas.
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Which electives should I take?
All UBC science students require 6 credits of 100-level English, and it is recommended that you take these courses as early in your degree as possible. If you have NEITHER Biology 11 nor 12 (or equivalent), you must take Biology 111 during your first term at UBC (STTs G-J). If you do not have Biology 12 (or equivalent), you must take Biology 112 during your first term at UBC (STTs A-F). Other than this, your choice of electives depends on your future academic plans. Many life science departments, including Pharmacy, Biology, and Microbiology require Biology 112, which should be taken during your first term at UBC. Check the UBC calendar or contact individual departments for details before choosing your electives. Beyond these requirements, you should choose electives that are of interest to you. Popular choices for past CSP students have included Anthropology, language courses, Philosophy, and Psychology.
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What is the CSP Workshop?
Each week, CSP students meet in small groups for a two-hour multidisciplinary workshop. These involve participation in a variety of hands-on activities, discussions and debates, group projects, and student-led presentations. The workshops provide the opportunity to develop problem solving, critical thinking, and communication skills useful in all scientific disciplines and future careers. The workshops are NOT tutorial sessions, but are a chance to look more deeply at course material and explore topics common to all the sciences. The two-term CSP workshop is worth 1 credit, with students receiving a mark on a pass/fail basis.
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Where and when do the workshops take place?
Workshop times and days vary depending on which CSP section you choose. You can look at the complete Standard Timetable (STT) for each CSP section to find this information. The course number of the workshop is CSPW 100. The workshops are held in room 185 of the I.K. Barber Learning Centre (IBLC) building.
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What does the CSP timetable look like?
Please refer to the Standard Timetable (STT) for each CSP section.
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Is CSP harder than the first-year Standard Program?
CSP students are challenged to think for themselves and work towards understanding scientific concepts, rather than memorize dictated material. The program also requires a weekly two-hour commitment to the multidisciplinary workshops. However, CSP also offers the academic and social support needed to meet this challenge, particularly through the community of CSP students. In most courses, CSP students write the same final exams as students in regular sections.
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What is the difference between CSP and the first-year Standard Program?
CSP students make up just one of many sections in Physics 101/102, Math 100/101, Chemistry 121/123, Computer Science 111/121, and/or Biology 121 at UBC. All sections cover the same curriculum and at least 80% of the final exam in each course is the same for all sections. A key difference between CSP and the Standard Program is the multidisciplinary workshop. Another big difference is the smaller social and learning community of CSP. This provides support that is hard to match in the Standard Program. Other differences between the two programs are described here.
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What is the difference between CSP and Science One?
Science One is a smaller program whose students are selected on the basis of an application. They take all their classes in one room, whereas CSP classes are held in each department. CSP students get a separate grade for each course, while Science One students get a single grade for the whole integrated package. Science One is academically and personally more intense than CSP. Other differences are described here.
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What role do the CSP Lecturers play?
The CSP Lecturers are here to help you. Their specific responsibilities include running the multidisciplinary workshops and helping students gain a greater understanding of course material. You should also feel free to ask them for help or advice regarding UBC bureaucracy, your career goals, academic programs, etc. While they may not be able to answer all your questions, they can usually find someone who can.
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What if I discover CSP is not for me? Can I transfer out of the program?
We encourage you to communicate with us if you are thinking about withdrawing from CSP. If, after discussion and mutual agreement, withdrawal is the best course of action, we will make every effort to transfer you into the standard program. Note that you will receive a W (withdrawl) for the CSP workshop - you must participate for the full duration of the academic year to receive a P (pass).
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Last reviewed 15-May-2012

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Coordinated Science Program (CSP)
Room 385A/B, I.K. Barber Learning Centre, 1961 East Mall, Vancouver BC V6T 1Z1
tel (604) 822-0274 | fax (604) 822-5551 | e-mail csp@interchange.ubc.ca

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I.K. Barber Learning Centre, Room 385A
1961 East Mall
Vancouver, BC
V6T 1Z1

Phone: (604) 822-0274
Fax: (604) 822-5551
csp@interchange.ubc.ca

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