This four-year program focuses on different majors. Such as majoring in Mathematics to Architecture. Students split their studies between on-site classes with Portage College and online classes with AU.
Students wishing to take this program need to apply to Portage Colleges University Transfer program first.
Please get in touch with one of our Student Advisors to learn more about this wonderful opportunity.
Call our Cold Lake Campus at 780-639-7109 or Lac La Biche Campus at 780-623-5577 or email Portage College Student Advisor.
Career Potential
Graduates of our University Programs are able to continue their studies in a degree program such as a Bachelor of Arts, Business, Education, Science, Social Work, or Nursing. Our University Transfer program also supports working professionals who need a university degree for career advancement.
High School Matriculation: A minimum average of 60% and no mark lower than 50% in the following courses: 1). English Language Arts 30-1 2). Four other 30 Level courses (5 credits each) from the following list:
- Humanities: Social Studies 30-1, a 30-Level language other than English, Aboriginal Studies 30 (5 credits minimum)
- Fine Arts: Art 30, Art 31, Dance 35, Drama 30, Music 30 (10 credits maximum)
- Sciences: Biology 30, Chemistry 30, Science 30, Mathematics 30-1, Mathematics 30-2*, Mathematics 31 (courses may be pre-requisites for particular junior level science or mathematics university courses) *dependent on the program this course may not be accepted by other institutions as entrance requirements or pre-requisites
- Electives: Physical Education 30, World Geography 30, Advanced CTS subjects (5 credits maximum)
Mature Student: 19 years of age or older, out of high school for at least one full year, and a minimum average of 60% with at least 50% in English Language Arts 30-1 and one other five credit Grade 12 course. Open Studies Admission: Successful completion of nine credits. Documents: Complete high school transcripts and post-secondary transcripts, if any work completed at a post-secondary institution Use this chart to check Provincial high school equivalencies accepted at Portage College. Note: This is just a guide. Other: May be required to do an interview with the instructor or coordinator International Student Admission: Based on transcripts, students may need to complete and Grade 12 English proficiency exam and subject area proficiency exams based on the degree stream selection Transferability: Transfer agreements are in place with many different post-secondary institutions across the province and country including the University of Alberta, the University of Calgary, and MacEwan University. Students are encouraged to check out our partnership bachelor programs. Certification: Diploma
Program Start/End Dates
Winter Intake: January 5, 2026 to May 1, 2026
Spring Intake: May 4, 2026 to June 26, 2026
Fall Intake: August 31, 2026 to December 18, 2026
Application Deadlines (Domestic)
Winter Term: December 15, 2025
Spring Term: April 15, 2026
Locations
Cold Lake Campus
Lac La Biche Campus
St. Paul Campus
Domestic Student Fees Application Fee $53.50 Tuition Deposit – $100 (non-refundable for oversubscribed programs) Fall Term Fee payment deadline: August 15, 2025
| Tuition | $2,594.46 |
| Student Association | $116.70 |
| Dental Insurance Fee | 163.25 |
| Health Insurance Fee | 163.25 |
| Technology Fee | $82.71 |
| Recreation Fee | $54.57 |
| Total | $3,174.94 |
Part-time Fees Tuition is calculated using “cost-per-credit” one credit is $170. Calculate the cost by multiplying the number of credits per course by $170. Visit Portage Bookstore for textbooks and supplies Winter Term Fee payment deadline: December 15, 2025
| Tuition | $2,594.46 |
| Student Association | $116.70 |
| Technology Fee | $82.71 |
| Recreation Fee | $54.57 |
| Total | $2,848.44 |
Part-time Fees Tuition is calculated using “cost-per-credit” one credit is $170. Calculate the cost by multiplying the number of credits per course by $170. Visit Portage Bookstore for textbooks and supplies Spring Term Fee payment deadline: April 21, 2024 Spring tuition is calculated using “cost-per-credit” one credit is $170. Calculate the cost by multiplying the number of credits per course by $170. Other mandatory fees per semester
| Student Association | $68.95 |
| Technology Fee | $82.71 |
| Recreation Fee | $23.54 |
| Total | $175.20 |
Visit Portage Bookstore for textbooks and supplies Need help funding your education? Check out our funding options.
Fee Explanations
Students’ Association Fees These fees are authorized by student referendum and the Board of Governors. They are collected by the College on behalf of the Students’ Association in accordance with the Post Secondary Learning Act. Health & Dental Fees You may opt-out of the Dental and Health Insurance plan if you provide proof of comparable coverage for an extended health and/or dental care benefits plan. Any questions regarding SA Fees including the Health and Dental Insurance fees should be directed to the SA Office 780-623-5609. Athletics & Recreation Fees These fees are collected to provide recreation and leisure opportunities that promote students’ physical, social, and emotional well-being, whether online or through in person facilities. Check out your +region in the link, to see what is offered at your campus or online. Technology Fee This is a mandatory fee assessed to students enrolling in any credit course (except for apprenticeship programs) at Portage College. The fee supports the on-going maintenance and upgrades to administrative systems that support the entire College infrastructure. As such, it is considered a “mandatory non-instructional fee” and, therefore, is subject to Alberta Advanced Education Public Post-Secondary Institutions’ Tuition Fees Regulations. Visa students are charged the same rate as Canadian residents for this fee.
Term One
Accounting 101 is an introductory course that explores how to complete basic transactions and maintain accounts and records. The emphasis is on the understanding of accounting procedures and terminology to simulate the day-to-day operations of a merchandise company. Through practical application, students will learn to maintain and complete an accounting cycle, apply cash controls, prepare bank reconciliations, and prepare a petty cash fund. The manual completion of payroll accounting is a focus as well. Prerequisites: Math 10-3 or 60% in MATH 1041
EASC101 introduces students to basic concepts of physical geology. Following an introduction to minerals as the basic building blocks of earth materials, igneous, metamorphic and sedimentary rocks are examined. This is followed by a detailed look at the earth's internal structure and processes that occur within it. Students are acquainted with the theory of plate tectonics as a unifying concept in geology after which crustal tectonics and resulting deformation structures are explored. Earth surface processes are also examined including weathering, mass movement, surface water movement, glaciations, wind action, and desert processes. The final part of the course introduces students to the application of remote sensing and GIS in the earth sciences. Prerequisite: Completion of first-year NRT or 60% in ELA 30-1 and BIO 30 or CHEM 30
This course provides an in-depth study of the structures of the human body and their interrelationships using a systems approach. The correlations between structure (anatomy) and function (physiology) are noted. Major topics include body organization, the integumentary, skeletal, muscular, nervous, respiratory, cardiovascular, lymphatic, digestive, endocrine, urinary and reproductive systems, the general and special senses, and human development. This course is designed to prepare students in medical fields of study for advanced courses in their respective fields, as well as other university transfer students.
This course will introduce you to the physical, social, mental, occupational, emotional, environmental and spiritual dimensions of personal health and wellness. These dimensions are described within the context of the Canadian Health Care System and your own individual community. Topics include primary health care, nutrition, exercise, stress management, weight management, eating disorders, common health issues and their prevention. You will be expected to integrate knowledge of the seven dimensions of health and apply this knowledge to a self-analysis of your own health and physical fitness. Finally, you will incorporate change management theory to develop, implement and evaluate a personal wellness plan. The intent of this course is to promote a healthy lifestyle. By examining determinants of health, the current health care system, the seven dimensions of health and applying these concepts to your own lifestyle, you will be better equipped to function as role models and act as change agents for health promotion in your community. Prerequisite 60% in ELA 30-1
CHEM 101 is an Introductory Chemistry course. It may be referred to as Introductory University Chemistry. This course is designed for both Chemistry majors and non-majors. Key concepts include atomic and molecular structures, states of matter and chemistry of the elements. This course includes a laboratory component designed to provide experience in experimental techniques and accurate measurement. PREREQUISITE: 60% in ELA 30-1 and 60% in CHEM 30
This course presents legal topics relevant to business, including ways to manage common legal risks. An introduction to the Canadian legal system presents sources of law, the court system, the litigation process, and alternatives to litigation. Tort law includes a study of intentional torts, business torts, negligence, and professional liability. Insurance law covers basic concepts of the insurance industry and how to manage risks in business. Forms of business organizations are delineated, focusing on the rights and responsibilities of individuals involved in sole proprietorships, partnerships, and corporations.Contract law details how contracts are created, the elements of a binding contract, common contractual issues and defects, how contracts are discharged and contractual remedies. An overview of the Sale of Goods Act will complete the study of contracts. Employment law describes the employer/employee relationship, the rights and duties of the parties involved, and common issues that may arise in the employment relationship. Intellectual property law discusses how businesses can generate value from ideas and the laws that seek to balance competing business interests.Secured transactions look at risk assessment and legal obligations of creditors when securing debt and practices developed in the marketplace to manage that risk through security interests and guarantees.
This course is designed for both Biology majors and non-majors, and explores the principal lineages of organisms on earth: bacteria and archaea, fungi, protists, plants and animals. The relationships of these organisms to their environment and their influence in shaping that environment are examined. Evolutionary pathways and their influence on the diversity of extinct and extant organisms and the classification schemes that we use to distinguish them are discussed. The role that organisms (including humans) have played in the development and maintenance of major ecosystem processes are also studied. This course includes a lab component. PREREQUISITES: 60% in ELA 30-1 and 60% in BIO 30
This unique, optional course provides students the opportunity to put classroom learning into practice in a 100-hour work experience. Students can apply their academic knowledge and skills to meaningful experiences in the workplace within their field of study and/or their career goals. This course involves 30 hours of employment training activities prior to entering the 100-hour placement. Students are responsible for securing an approved work-experience placement; the work experience is monitored and evaluated by the employer.
This class will challenge your problem-solving abilities, and equip you with an understanding of how some of the computer programs you use on a regular basis were made. In addition to building fundamental programming skills, you’ll be developing projects that have both digital and physical aspects, driven by a Raspberry Pi single-board computer, an Astro Pi Sense HAT (Hardware Attached on Top), and a set of basic robotics electronics components.
This introductory statistics course provides students in a variety of disciplines with basic knowledge regarding the theory and application of statistics. Prerequisites: 50% in MATH 30-1 or Math 30-2 at 60% and 60% in ELA 30-1
COMP 247 is a university course designed to teach the essential principles and technologies of computer networking. To accommodate the needs of students who do not have enough programming background or are not interested in programming, requirements for coding have been removed from the course. Pre/Corequisite COMP214
Introductory Genetics. How genes function at chromosomal, molecular, and evolutionary levels. How they are repaired, regulated, and transmitted. How they regulate development in prokaryotic and eukaryotic systems. Development of genetics from Mendelian transmission through gene mapping, molecular methods, isolation of individual genes, sequencing, genome projects, and beyond. Prerequisite: BIOL 101
COMP 106 is designed to introduce you to programming in the C++ computer programming language. The course progresses from first principles to advanced topics in object-oriented programming using C++. Pre/Corequisite COMP105
Within the conceptual framework of accounting, including Generally Accepted Accounting Principles, students are introduced to the accounting equation and the effect various transactions have on it. An introduction to ledgers, journalizing transactions, trial balance, income statement and balance sheet are presented. The accounting cycle, accounting for merchandise operations, internal control, accounts receivable, accounts payable, cash control, and the valuation of inventories are examined. Prerequisites: Math 20 (Applied of Pure), Math 23, Math 20-1, or Math 20-2
This course serves as an introduction to the methods and applications of single variable calculus. Limits are used to investigate continuity and asymptotes, as well as define the processes of differentiation and integration in a precise manner. Students learn to calculate, interpret, and apply derivatives and integrals to solve rate of change problems and to accurately depict the behavior of a function. Prerequisites: 60% in ELA 30-1 and 60% in MATH 30-1
This course focuses on the structure and function of prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells. Major topics include the movement of energy, matter and information within and among cells. Key concepts such as cell theory and structure, energy transformations, reproduction, genetic variability, molecular genetics and applications in biotechnology are covered. Prerequisite: 60% in ELA 30-1 and 60% in BIO 30
Introduction to the earth’s atmosphere and biosphere including atmospheric and ecological processes affecting weather, climate, vegetation, soils, and ecosystems. Prerequisites: 60% in ELA 30-1 and 60% in BIO 30 or 60% in CHEM 30
EASC101 introduces students to basic concepts of physical geology. Following an introduction to minerals as the basic building blocks of earth materials, igneous, metamorphic and sedimentary rocks are examined. This is followed by a detailed look at the earth's internal structure and processes that occur within it. Students are acquainted with the theory of plate tectonics as a unifying concept in geology after which crustal tectonics and resulting deformation structures are explored. Earth surface processes are also examined including weathering, mass movement, surface water movement, glaciations, wind action, and desert processes. The final part of the course introduces students to the application of remote sensing and GIS in the earth sciences. Prerequisite: Completion of first-year NRT or 60% in ELA 30-1 and BIO 30 or CHEM 30
This course is a prerequisite to other psychology courses at Portage College. This Introductory psychology course is intended to inspire an interest in, and an appreciation for, the field of psychology. Topics in this course include the history of psychological science, psychological research methods, the structure and function of the brain and nervous system, learning, sensation, perception, memory, consciousness, thought, and language. Prerequisites: 60% in ELA 30-1
This introductory statistics course provides students in a variety of disciplines with basic knowledge regarding the theory and application of statistics. Prerequisites: 50% in MATH 30-1 or Math 30-2 at 60% and 60% in ELA 30-1
Term Two
CHEM 102 is the second Introductory Chemistry course, following CHEM 101. Therefore, CHEM 101 is the prerequisite course. Major topics include chemical kinetics, chemical equilibria, thermodynamics, coordination chemistry and electrochemistry. Key concepts such as reaction rates, rate laws, Arrhenius equation, reaction mechanism and catalysis will be discussed. The course will also present gas-phase equilibria, ICE table and equilibrium calculations, acid-base and complex ion equilibria, solubility and precipitation. In addition, second and third laws of thermodynamics, entropy and spontaneity, coordination compounds, crystal field theory as applied to colour and magnetic properties of coordination compounds, voltaic cells, cell potentials, free energy, electrical work, Nernst equation, batteries, corrosion and electrolysis will be covered. Prerequisite – CHEM 101.
The overall health of the economy as measured by gross domestic product, unemployment rates, inflation rates, interest rates, the balance of payments exchange rates and the money supply is the prime focus of this course . Keynesian and monetarist theories of income and employment are used as a framework for analyzing government monetary and fiscal policies. The role of the Bank of Canada and the chartered banks in determining the money supply and interest rates is described. Current debate relating to public debt and supply-side economics is evaluated. International economic issues including free trade and the balance of payments are also examined. Where appropriate, applications to current events are introduced and topics are enhanced wherever possible. PREREQUISITES: MATH 30 (Not Math 30-3) or 60% on the Business Math test and ENG 30, strongly recommended ECON 186
The question of how individuals and firms use their resources to attain certain economic goals is examined. The central problem of scarcity is introduced. A brief study of how different economic systems try to solve this problem is undertaken. The market system is investigated as to how supply, demand, and price determine what and how much is produced. Effective decision-making in the marketplace is also examined. Prerequisites: Math 30-2
COMP 214 introduces the fundamental concepts, principles, and structures of operating systems. An operating system is software on a computer that orchestrates the hardware components of the computer. The operating system provides the user/programmer with efficient and convenient service and a high degree of machine independence in writing programs, executing programs, and managing system resources. It is assumed that students taking this course are familiar with the basic structure and the main hardware components of a computer. Pre-Requisite: COMP 106 or COMP 168, or an equivalent university-level programming course.
This course is designed for both Biology majors and non-majors, and explores the principal lineages of organisms on earth: bacteria and archaea, fungi, protists, plants and animals. The relationships of these organisms to their environment and their influence in shaping that environment are examined. Evolutionary pathways and their influence on the diversity of extinct and extant organisms and the classification schemes that we use to distinguish them are discussed. The role that organisms (including humans) have played in the development and maintenance of major ecosystem processes are also studied. This course includes a lab component. PREREQUISITES: 60% in ELA 30-1 and 60% in BIO 30
This course provides an in-depth study of the structures of the human body and their interrelationships using a systems approach. The correlations between structure (anatomy) and function (physiology) are examined. Major topics include body organization, the integumentary, skeletal, muscular, nervous, respiratory, cardiovascular, lymphatic, digestive, endocrine, urinary, and reproductive systems, the general and special senses, and human development. This course is designed to prepare students in medical fields of study for advanced courses in their respective fields, as well as other university transfer students. Pre/Corequisite 60% in ELA 30-1, BIO 30, BIOL231
COMP 105 is a three-credit course that covers the fundamentals of information systems. The course covers basic hardware concepts; the structure (or architecture) of computers; the software hierarchy, from systems software to application programs; as well as concepts and development of the field. The course is the pre-requisite for higher-level computer science courses. Students in this course will be expected to use a combination of locally installed and external electronic materials to develop the skills needed for further study in the field. These skills include downloading, installing, and using specialized software tools, and setting the paths to allowing programs to access their components and files. Because COMP 105 is a preparatory course for further study in computer science, the level and difficulty of technical content are fairly high. Pre-Requisite 60% in Math 30-1 or 30-2
Capital assets are discussed with reference to recording acquisition cost, amortization, exchanges and disposal. Short-term and long-term liabilities, partnerships, corporations, share capital, and the statement of cash flows/cash flow analysis are introduced and examined individually. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles are examined through-out the course, as they relate to the specific subject areas. As a final integration, the student will study the analysis of financial statements.Prerequisite – ACCT 106
Structure, bonding, physical properties and reactions of common classes of organic molecules. Discussion will focus on functional groups with emphasis on hydrocarbons and derivatives, alkanes, alkenes, alkynes, alkyl halides and alcohols, infrared spectroscopy, 3-D structures, stereochemistry and mechanisms of addition to double bonds, substitution and elimination reactions. PREREQUISITE: CHEM 101 and CHEM 102
This introductory statistics course provides students in a variety of disciplines with basic knowledge regarding the theory and application of statistics. Prerequisites: 50% in MATH 30-1 or Math 30-2 at 60% and 60% in ELA 30-1
This course involves an introduction to the primary perspectives of personality development, the theories and theorists, and their supporting research. The major perspectives which will be studied include: psychoanalytic, neoanalytic, phenomenological, learning, cognitive, dispositional, and biological. A number of alternative theories within these perspectives will also be examined and compared. The concepts of personality development emerging from psychological research and theory will be emphasized. Prerequisites: PSYC104
This course provides a study of the overall function of the human body. Major topics include fundamental chemistry, homeostasis, cytology and cell physiology, cell signaling and communication, and muscle, nervous, respiratory, cardiovascular, lymphatic, digestive, endocrine, urinary, and reproductive physiology, as well as fundamental genetics as it applies to human physiology. This course is designed to prepare students in medical fields of study for advanced courses in their respective fields, as well as other university transfer students. Pre/Corequisite 60% in ELA 30-1 and BIO 30 BIOL230
This course provides a study of the overall function of the human body. Major topics include fundamental chemistry, homeostasis, cytology and cell physiology, cell signaling and communication, and muscle, nervous, respiratory, cardiovascular, lymphatic, digestive, endocrine, urinary, and reproductive physiology, as well as fundamental genetics as it applies to human physiology. This course is designed to prepare students in medical fields of study for advanced courses in their respective fields, as well as other university transfer students. Pre/Corequisite 60% in ELA 30-1 and BIO 30 BIOL230
Social Psychology is the scientific study of the way people’s thoughts, feelings, and behaviours are influenced by the real or imagined presence of other people. This course examines the predominant theories and research on individuals in a social context. Specific topics that are discussed include: understanding ourselves in relation to our social world, the self-concept, impression formation and management, attitudes and attitude change, interpersonal attraction, altruism, aggression, conformity, group dynamics, prejudice, and social psychology’s role in health, the environment, and the law. Prerequisites: PSYC104
This course is designed to introduce students to the discipline of Sociology and current sociological trends and issues. The course provides an overview of sociological concepts, perspectives, processes and institutions in a Canadian context with particular emphasis on various issues impacting Canadian society. Prerequisites: 60% in ELA 30-1
This course will use innovative and exciting methods to allow students to explore the sociological perspective of the aging process of the individual and of the population. It presents aging as a normal life process with the goal of maximizing the life potential of people at all ages. Students will gain a better understanding and appreciation of the social impact of aging in a variety of contexts, mainly focusing on Canadian society. The biological, psychological, and social aspects of aging are explored in addition to the pros and cons of social programs and policies in Canada. The relationship of aging with our economy, health care system, and social programs will be examined in different contexts. Prerequisites: 60% in ELA 30-1
An in-depth look into crime and deviance in society, looking at specific schools of thought regarding deviance and conformity within society. A historical overview included with modern ideas of crime and criminality will round out a picture of deviance and crime in contemporary society. The course will focus on such behaviours as homicide, drug use, prostitution, gangs, mental illness, and sexuality. Prerequisites: SOCI 101
This course examines the psychology of learning and instruction. The theoretical basis of human development, learning, and teaching will each be explored, providing a comprehensive background to the art of education and effective teaching. PREREQUISITE: 60% in ELA 30-1
Ecology is the scientific study of the interactions between organisms and their environment. This course provides an overview of the limiting factors that influence the living (biotic) components of our ecosystems. Interactions between these biotic components (e.g., competition and predation), population growth, life strategies, and the behaviours of individual organisms are also considered. This course provides general concepts that can stand alone or serve as preparation for advanced ecology courses. Labs complement lecture concepts and include the gathering, analysis, and interpretation of data from ecological experiments and field studies. Prerequisites: Completion of first year NRT or 60% in ELA 30-1 and BIOL 101 or BIOL 102
This course is a prerequisite to other psychology courses at Portage College. This Introductory psychology course is intended to inspire an interest in, and an appreciation for, the field of psychology. Topics in this course include the history of psychological science, psychological research methods, the structure and function of the brain and nervous system, learning, sensation, perception, memory, consciousness, thought, and language. Prerequisites: 60% in ELA 30-1
Technology Tools for Teaching and Learning will help prepare students to develop and integrate project-based learning skills into the classroom. Students will examine the Information and Communication Technology Outcomes Program of Studies as published by Alberta Learning, and are expected to develop modules that integrate the ICT Outcomes using the Internet, Word Processing, Spreadsheet, Database, and Multimedia application software. PREREQUISITE: 60% in ELA 30-1