Biological Science

General information

As students proceed through the Biological Science program, they will obtain a background in cell biology, genetics and molecular biology, physiology, biochemistry and developmental biology. Senior level courses such as Bioethics, Neuroscience, Functional Genomics and Proteomics, along with access to modern laboratories, computational tools, sophisticated equipment and state-of-the-art facilities will enable advanced research work and skills training in industry best practice and in research.

Students can study through the Biological Science major, or choose to specialize in either Life Sciences , Environmental Biology , Environmental Toxicology or Applied Biotechnology .

Admission requirements

Admission is competitive. The specific average or standing required for admission varies from year to year. Students are selected by taking into consideration a wide range of criteria including school marks, distribution of subjects taken, and performance in subjects relevant to the academic program. Possession of the minimum requirements does not guarantee acceptance. Preference will be given to applicants with the best qualifications.

Current Ontario secondary school students must complete the Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) with six 4U or 4M credits including English (ENG4U), Advanced Functions (MHF4U), and two of Biology (SBI4U), Calculus and Vectors (MCV4U), Chemistry (SCH4U), or Physics (SPH4U). In addition, a combined minimum 70 per cent average in math and science courses is required. It is recommended that all four MCV4U, SBI4U, SCH4U and SPH4U be taken. All other applicants should refer to admissions for the requirements for their specific category of admission.

Program details and degree requirements

Students taking Biological Science will work with the science academic advisors to customize a program map that matches their interests and career plans. The requirements for the regular four-year Honours Biological Science program are detailed below.

In addition to the regular program, a co-op program is also available. Students in Biological Science wishing to follow the co-op program should seek academic advising early in their second year.

Although reasonable efforts will be made to adhere to the following program details, course requirements and term offerings may change.

Students must successfully complete 120 credit hours according to the requirements below.

First-year required science courses – 27 credit hours

BIOL 1000U – Foundations in Bioscience
BIOL 1010U – Biology I: Molecular and Cellular Systems
BIOL 1020U – Biology II: Diversity of Life and Principles of Ecology
CHEM 1010U – Chemistry I
CHEM 1020U – Chemistry II
CSCI 1040U – Introduction to Programming for Scientists
MATH 1015U – Mathematics for Bioscience ++
PHY 1030U – Introductory Physics
PHY 1040U – Physics for Biosciences ++
++Students who wish to take upper-year physics courses must take MATH 1000U or MATH 1010U , MATH 1020U , PHY 1010U or PHY 1030U , and PHY 1020U . However, students who achieve a B standing or higher in PHY 1040U will be permitted to proceed to higher-level physics courses. Students who wish to take upper-year mathematics courses must take MATH 1000U or MATH 1010U , and MATH 1020U .

Additional core courses – 15 credit hours in Biological Science

Upper-year specialization – 27 credit hours in Biological Science

All students must successfully complete at least 27 credit hours in additional courses in biological science at the third- or fourth-year level, with a minimum of six of these credit hours at the fourth-year level.

Additional science courses – total of 27 credit hours

These science courses must include:

BIOL 4080U – Bioethics
CHEM 2020U – Introduction to Organic Chemistry
STAT 2020U – Statistics and Probability for Biological Science
Fourth-year science elective

Remaining 15 credit hours

The remaining 15 credit hours must be in courses offered by the Faculty of Science in the subject areas of:

Biology
Chemistry
Computer Science
Energy and Environment Science
Forensic Science
Mathematics
Physics

Particular sets of science courses are designated as minor programs. Please consult Astronomy minor, Chemistry minor, Computational Science minor, Data Science minor, Mathematics minor or Physics minor for more information.

Liberal Studies and non-science courses – 12 credit hours

These courses must be in subjects not taught within the Faculty of Science.

General electives – 12 credit hours

These courses may be in science or in non-science subjects.

Notes:

The program must include 36 credit hours in science courses at the third- and fourth-year level; of these, at least 12 credit hours must be at the fourth-year level. No more than 42 credit hours may be taken at the first-year level.