Biology

Biology major concentrations

Students who wish to specialize in a sub-discipline of biology or prepare for professional studies as part of their Biology major may choose to complete a concentration in Pre-Medicine/Pre-Veterinary, Ecology and Biology of Organisms, or Cellular, Molecular, and Genetics.

Students may declare their intention to complete a concentration any time after first year.

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.

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:

• CHEM 214
• BIO 320
• STAT 106 or MATH 270/STAT 270 (see Note)
• Any two courses of ENGL 105 or above
• Any one Microbiology course
• PHYS 105, or both PHYS 111 and 112
• PSYC 101
  

Plus four courses (12-16 credits) from:

• BIO 280, 305, 306, 312, 315, 330, 350, 380, 383, 385, 415
• KPE 215, 270, 370
• PSYC 102
• BIO special topics course designed for credit under the Pre-Medicine/Pre-Veterinary concentration (contact the department for more information)

Note: The Biology major accepts STAT 104 as a statistics requirement, but the Pre-Medicine/Pre-Veterinary concentration requires STAT 106 or MATH 270/STAT 270.

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:

• BIO 320, 401

Plus four courses (14-16 credits) from:

• BIO 312, 325, 326, 350, 402, 403, 406, 407, 414, 415, 416, 425
• BIO 408, 409, 499 (appropriate topic)
• BIO special topics course designated for credit under the Cellular, Molecular, and Genetics concentration
• CHEM 350

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:

• BIO 310, 312, 370, 416

Plus four courses (14-16 credits) from:

• BIO 301, 305, 306, 307, 308, 315, 326, 330, 335, 340, 360, 380, 385, 390, 410, 417, 419, 430, 477
• BIO 408, 409, 499 (appropriate topic)
• BIO special topics course designated for credit under the Ecology and Biology of Organisms concentration

Course listings

For complete details on courses see the course descriptions section.