Biological Sciences - Programs of Study
BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES: PROGRAMS OF STUDY


Honours Biological Sciences
Honours Biological Sciences with Thesis
Honours Biology and Biotechnology
Honours Biological Sciences - Co-operative Program in Environmental Biology
Combined B.Sc. Honours Program in Biological Sciences and Psychology: Behaviour, Cognition and Neuroscience
Other Combined Honours Programs


Placement

Students without OAC Biology and who were admitted to other University programs may be allowed to substitute Biology 55-100 and 55-101 as prerequisites for Biology 55-140 and 55-141 provided that a combined grade point average of at least 8.0 is obtained in those courses. However, they will not receive credit towards a B.Sc. degree in Biological Sciences for 55-100 and 55-101.

Areas of Study in Biological Sciences

The B.Sc. in Biological Sciences provides entry to a broad range of teaching, research, and biomedical careers. Most require formal, post-graduate training, and it is the student's responsibility to determine, as early as possible, the specific requirements of programs to which he or she wishes to proceed. (See also 5.0.)

Programs in Biological Sciences provide a solidly based background ensuring that the general requirements of post-graduate programs will be fulfilled. The array of courses offered is such that students may emphasize areas of particular interest or aptitude. Advice on career paths and on course selection is available to students through a student advising program. Pursuit of the Honours with thesis degree is strongly recommended for professional advancement in science.

Preparation for Graduate and Professional Schools

Courses are available to permit the student to become fully prepared for entry into medical, dental, pharmacy, and other professional schools, as well as graduate programs in the biological sciences. Pre-professional advising is available in the Office of the Associate Dean, Lambton Tower. Students should seek advice on course selection early in their program.

Honours Biological Sciences

Undergraduate students may be allowed, with the consent of the instructor, to take one graduate course for credit.

Total courses: forty.

Major requirements: twenty courses, including the "Core" courses 55-140, 55-141, 55-210, 55-211, and 55-213; and fifteen other Biology courses. At least ten courses must be at the 300 level or above. (Recommended: 55-320 and 55-341.)

Other requirements:
(a) seven Science courses, including 59-140, 59-141, 59-230, 59-261, 65-205, and at least one pair of both 61-140 and 61-141, or both 64-140 and 64-141, or both 60-104 or 60-106 and 60-205, or both 60-140 and 60-141, or both 67-100 and 67-102.
(b) seven additional Science courses, including additional courses in Biology. At least two of these courses must be at the 300 level or above.
(c) four options from Arts/Languages and Social Sciences, with at least one from each (see 2.4);
(d) two courses from any area of study.

Honours Biological Sciences with Thesis

In order to earn a B.Sc. in Biological Sciences with Thesis, students must also include 55-420 (research project, a 6.0 credit hour course which counts as two courses) within the "Major requirements" as outlined for the Biological Sciences Honours program described above. It should be noted that only students who have maintained a major G.P.A. of 8.0 and a cumulative G.P.A of 5.0 will be permitted to enrol in 55-420.

Honours Biology and Biotechnology

Total courses: forty

Major requirements-twenty-seven courses including:
Biological Sciences: 55-140, 55-141, 55-210, 55-211, 55-213, 55-238, 55-242, 55-350, 55-4XX, 55-420 (2 semesters), 55-460, 55-464;
Chemistry and Biochemistry: 59-140, 59-141, 59-230, 59-240, 59-261, 59-3XX (2 semesters), 59-320, 59-321, 59-350, 59-360, 59-365, 59-468, 59-480.

Other requirements-thirteen courses
(a) six courses from the Faculty of Science as follows: 60-140, 60-141, 64-140, 64-141, and 62-130 and 65-205, or 62-140 and 62-141.
(b) seven courses from the from the Recommended Biotech Options list with two of those from the following Biology courses: 55-241, 55-320, 55-350, 55-351, 55-365, 55-357, 55-430, 55-464, 55-453, 55-460, 55-477, 55-521, 55-XXX.

Honours Biological Sciences - Co-operative Program in Environmental Biology

The Co-operative Program in Environmental Biology aims to provide students with a strong background in pure and applied ecology. Students will be exposed to the principles of population, community, and ecosystem ecology, as well as theories and techniques involved in assessing contamination of freshwater systems.

ADMISSION AND APPLICATION

Students seeking admission to the Co-operative Program in Environmental Biology must have a major G.P.A. of 8.0 or higher and a cumulative G.P.A. of 5.0 or higher. In the Fall of their first or second year of study, students must apply directly to the Office of Co-op Education and Career Services for admission to the Program. Applications consist of a completed co-op information sheet and an personal resumé. Interviews will be scheduled with the best-qualified applicants. Decisions regarding admissions will be made after successful completion of the application and interview process and verification of the student's meeting academic requirements.

In the summer following first year, students admitted to the program will participate in a two-week field work course. Immediately following the second year, and during the fourth year, students will participate in eight-month co-operative work placements.

WORK TERM EVALUATION

A student's performance in a work term will be evaluated as either "Satisfactory" or "Unsatisfactory".

Students who obtain an evaluation of "Unsatisfactory", or who do not report for interviews, or who fail to report to an employer after accepting a work placement, or who are dismissed for cause, or who leave an employer without permission, may be required to withdraw from the Co-operative Program.

A student who obtains an evaluation of "Unsatisfactory" in any two work terms will be required to withdraw from the Co-operative Program in Environmental Biology.

PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS

Undergraduate students may be allowed, with the consent of the instructor, to take one graduate course for credit. In order to continue in the program students must maintain a major G.P.A of 8.0 and a cumulative G.P.A. of 5.0.

Total courses: forty-four.

Major requirements: twenty-two courses, including the "Core" courses of 55-140, 55-141, 55-210, 55-211, and 55-213; plus 55-234 (or another approved ecological field study course), 55-320, 55-430, 55-444, and 55-445; plus the research course, 55-420 (a 6.0 credit course which counts as two courses); and six of 55-201, 55-324, 55-325, 55-341, 55-359, 55-437, 55-440, and 55-468; 55-298, 55-299, 55-498 and 55-499; and four additional Biology courses. Course selections are to be made in consultation with the Co-op Program co-ordinator.

Other requirements:
(a) twelve additional courses from Science, including 59-140, 59-141, 59-230, 59-261, 60-104, 61-436, 62-130 or 62-140, 65-205, and one pair of both 61-140 and 61-141, or both 64-140 and 64-141, or both 67-100 and 67-102. (One of 59-320 or 59-321 is strongly recommended.);
(b) four courses from Social Sciences (see 2.4). (Recommended: 42-131 and 45-201);
(c) two courses from Arts or Languages (see 2.4). (Recommended: 26-100.)

Combined B.Sc. Honours Program in Biological Sciences and Psychology: Behaviour, Cognition and Neuroscience

Neuroscience is a strong and growing field that strives to understand brain function at the molecular, behavioural and cognitive levels. This interdisciplinary program comprises required courses primarily from the departments of Biological Sciences and Psychology. Students also participate in bi-weekly research colloquia. In their final year, students prepare a research-based thesis in behaviour, cognition or neuroscience. Students must maintain a G.P.A. of 8.0 or higher in Biology and Psychology courses.

Total courses: forty.

Major requirements--Biological Sciences: 55-140, 55-141, 55-210, 55-211, 55-213, 55-341, 55-485; plus four additional Biology courses.

Major requirements--Psychology: 46-115, 46-116, 46-223, 46-256 (or 46-336), 46-313, 46-322 (or 46-323), 46-353, 46-335 (or 46-355), 46-358, 46-457, and one other Psychology course.

Major requirements--Biological Sciences or Psychology: one of 55-320, 46-229, or 46-230; and either 55-420 (a 6.00 credit course), or 46-496 and 46-497. (The Psychology thesis will be within the subject area of behavioural and cognitive neuroscience.)

Other requirements:
(a) 65-205 (or 02-250);
(b) one pair of both 64-140 and 64-141, or both 60-104 or 60-106 and 60-205, or both 61-140 and 61-141, or both 67-100 and 67-102;
(c) 59-140, 59-141, 59-230, 59-261;
(d) one course from Arts;
(e) one course from Social Sciences (excluding Psychology);
(f) four additional courses at the 300 level or above in Biology, Psychology, or Chemistry.
(g) two courses from any area of study, including Psychology and Biology.

Non-credit requirement: Colloquia and Seminars in Current Behaviour, Cognitive and Neuroscience Research: bi-weekly presentations of recent research by researchers within the university and from other universities and research institutions. Attendance by key faculty members and all students is mandatory.

RECOMMENDED COURSE SEQUENCE

First Year: ten courses, including 55-140 and 55-141, 59-140 and 59-141, 46-115 and 46-116, and 65-205 (or 02-250); and at least one pair of both 64-140 and 64-141 or both 60-104 or 60-106 and 60-205, or both 61-140 and 61-141, or both 67-100 and 67-102. (If 64-140 is selected, 62-130 or 62-140 should also be taken in the Fall semester.)

Second Year: ten courses, including 55-210, 55-211, 46-229 or 46-230*, 55-213, 46-223, 46-256, 59-230 and 59-261.

Third Year: ten courses, including 55-320*, 55-341, 46-353, 46-358, 46-313, and 46-336.

Fourth Year: ten courses, including 46-322 (or 46-323), 55-485, 46-355, 46-457, and a research Project (55-420, or 46-496 and 46-497).

* Students will take one of 46-229 or 46-230 in second year or 55-320 in third year.

Recommended additional Biology courses: 55-204, 55-205, 55-324, 55-325, 55-350, 55-355, 55-440, 55-484.

Recommended additional Science options: 59-291, 59-361(or 59-362), 59-365, 59-466.

Honours Forensic Science

See Inter-Faculty Programs - Programs of Study, 3.0.

Honours Forensics and Criminology

See Inter-Faculty Programs - Programs of Study, 3.0.

Other Combined Honours Programs

Total courses: forty.

Major requirements-Biological Sciences: fourteen courses, including the "Core" courses of 55-140, 55-141, 55-210, 55-211, and 55-213; plus 55-420 (a 6.00 credit hour course which counts as two courses). In addition to 55-420, at least four courses must be at the 300 level or above.

Major requirements-Other Subject: as prescribed by that area of study.

Other requirements:
(a) 59-140, 59-141, 59-230, 59-261, 65-205, and one pair of both 60-104 or 60-106 and 60-205, or both 60-140 and 60-141, or both 61-140 and 61-141, or both 64-140 and 64-141, or both 67-100 and 67-102;
(b) additional courses from any area of study to a total of forty.

A combined major in Biology and Computer Science is also available.

Minor in Biological Sciences

A minor in Biological Sciences requires an average of 5.0 or better in at least six Biology courses, including 55-140, 55-141, 55-210, 55-211, and 55-213.