Students in the Biology major may declare their intention to complete a concentration at any time.
The Biology major may be combined as a concentration with a minor in another discipline (e.g., Cellular, Molecular, and Genetics concentration with a Chemistry minor) or students may wish to complete a double concentration (e.g., Pre-Medicine/Pre-Veterinary with Cellular, Molecular, and Genetics).
Students are strongly advised to consult an Advisor for information on course sequencing prior to starting a concentration.
Note: A special topics course or any other appropriate course can be designated for credit under a particular concentration.
Cellular, Molecular, and Genetics concentration
In addition to the courses required for a Biology major or Biology Honours, this concentration requires completion of the following:
Course
Title
Credits
BIO 320/ BIOC 320
Biochemistry
3
BIO 401
Molecular Biology
3
Four of:
12–18
BIO 309
Microbiology I
BIO 312
Developmental Biology
BIO 333
Bioinformatics I
BIO 350
Medical Genetics
BIO 403/ BIOC 403
Molecular Techniques I
BIO 406
Advanced Genetics
BIO 407
Applied Biotechnology
BIO 414/ BIOC 414
Genomics
BIO 415
Cancer Biology
BIO 425
Introductory Medical Microbiology
BIO 433
Bioinformatics II
BIO 448
Immunology
Plus:
BIO special topics course or directed studies course designated for credit under the Cellular, Molecular, and Genetics concentration
Ecology and Biology of Organisms concentration
In addition to the courses required for a Biology major or Biology Honours, this concentration requires completion of the following:
Course
Title
Credits
BIO 310
Conservation Biology
3
BIO 416
Evolution
3
Four of:
12–18
BIO 301
Anatomy and Physiology of Invertebrates
BIO 305
Structural and Functional Anatomy of Vertebrates
BIO 306
Vertebrate Organ Systems
BIO 307
Anatomy and Diversity of Plants
BIO 308
Plant Physiology
BIO 312
Developmental Biology
BIO 319/ GEOG 319
Swamps and Bogs
BIO 330
Plants and Animals of British Columbia
BIO 335/ GEOG 335
Freshwater Ecology
BIO 340
Population and Community Ecology
BIO 357/ GEOG 357
Conservation GIS
BIO 360
Insect Biology
BIO 370
Introduction to Mycology
BIO 380
Ornithology
BIO 390
Animal Behaviour
BIO 410/ GEOG 410
Plant Ecology
BIO 419/ GEOG 419
Paleoecology
BIO 426
Environmental Microbiology
BIO 430
Forest Ecology
BIO 477/IPK 477
Traditional Ecological Knowledges
Plus:
BIO special topics course or directed studies course designated for credit under the Ecology and Biology of Organisms concentration
Pre-Medicine/Pre-Veterinary concentration
The Pre-Medicine/Pre-Veterinary concentration does not guarantee admission into a medical or veterinary school program. The concentration requires more course work than is usually required for Canadian medical or veterinary programs. However, the Biology department
advises that the courses in this concentration will better prepare students for both writing the Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT) and pursuing a career in medicine or veterinary medicine. Students interested in this concentration should consult with an Advisor for program planning.
The Pre-Medicine/Pre-Veterinary concentration requires completion of the following courses
as part of a Biology major or Biology Honours program:
Course
Title
Credits
BIO 309
Microbiology I
4
BIO 320/ BIOC 320
Biochemistry
3
CHEM 214
Organic Chemistry II
4
Plus:
Any two ENGL courses numbered 105 or higher
6
Four of:
12–18
BIO 305
Structural and Functional Anatomy of Vertebrates
BIO 306
Vertebrate Organ Systems
BIO 312
Developmental Biology
BIO 350
Medical Genetics
BIO 383
Human Physiology
BIO 385
Neurobiology
BIO 415
Cancer Biology
BIO 425
Introductory Medical Microbiology
BIO 448
Immunology
KIN 215
Introduction to Biomechanics
KIN 270
Human Physiology I
KIN 272
Human Physiology II (see Note)
KIN 370
Human Physiology II (see Note)
Plus:
BIO special topics course or directed studies course designed for credit under the Pre-Medicine/Pre-Veterinary concentration (contact the department for more information)
Note: Students may only receive credit for one of KIN 272 or KIN 370.
