From RDC Communications

RDC celebrates new learning opportunities for central Alberta students with approval of Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences

RDC is celebrating the approval to offer a new Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences degree. Alberta’s Minister of Advanced Education, Demitrios Nicolaides, has approved RDC to offer this new degree, providing students with more opportunities to complete their post-secondary education in central Alberta. This achievement marks a major milestone in theinstitution’s history as it is the first baccalaureate degree outside of applied programming.

Starting in September 2021, students can begin their education in this new degree at RDC.

“We are excited to be able to offer more students with degree-completion opportunities through this new Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences,” says Dr. Peter Nunoda, RDC President.

Students in RDC’s new degree will study various aspects of biological sciences to prepare them for a diverse set of careers in this field. Areas of study include animal physiology, molecular genetics and heredity, botany and ecology.

One area of pride for RDC within all its programs is the hands-on learning experiences in which students participate. Students in the College’s new Bachelor of Science program will engage in learning activities that will help provide them with project management experience, research skills, presentation skills and critical thinking. The program also includes an applied study course in which learners will receive credit for discipline-specific education through volunteer or work experiences.

“This degree has been carefully and thoughtfully developed to provide students with learning opportunities in the sciences discipline. Learners in this BSc. degree will engage in research as well as practical and experiential learning activities to equip them for future careers and educational pursuits,” says Kylie Thomas, RDC’s Vice President Academic and Research. “RDC’s knowledgeable and talented faculty now have further opportunity to share their expertise and position learners for success at RDC and beyond. We look forward to welcoming our first students to the Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences degree program.”

RDC appreciates the support it has received from the Campus Alberta Quality Council (CAQC) and the Minister of Advanced Education in providing his endorsement of this new high-quality, well- planned degree. Additionally, local and regional MLAs have played a huge role in advocating for RDC’s positive future to grow its programming.

“The support that RDC has received from our students, employees, alumni, stakeholders and community members has been an essential aspect in the success we are realizing now with the ability to grant this new degree,” Nunoda says. “This has truly been a community effort, for the benefit of the community, as more learners will be able to study, graduate and work in the region, thanks tothe enhanced program opportunities at RDC.”

As a degree-granting institution, RDC continues to serve its learners by expanding degree opportunities as well as delivering existing and new programing in apprenticeships, certificates, diplomas, micro-credentials, applied degrees, and collaborative degrees in collaboration with Alberta universities.

The institution will also continue to offer the same variety of programming in diverse subject areas as it does currently, including humanities and social sciences, health sciences, creative and performing arts, business, education, and sciences.

“We are so pleased to now offer a degree developed and granted by RDC in addition to our already strong program mix,” says Guy Pelletier, Chair of RDC’s Board of Governors. “Looking ahead, we look forward to continuing our work with the Ministry on our remaining proposals for a Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science in Psychology, along with a Bachelor of Business Administration and a Bachelor of Education. By expanding our degree offerings, we will be able to better serve central Albertans, now and in the future.”

Students who wish to receive more information about RDC’s new Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences can email [email protected] or call 403.342.3400 (toll-free: 1.888.732.4630). Students will be able to apply for this program starting in the coming weeks by visiting rdc.ab.ca/apply.