Academic Calendar 2024/25

Biology

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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 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.

Course listings

For complete details on courses see the course descriptions section.


Current Students