Students who wish to specialize in a sub-discipline of biology or prepare for medicine as part of their Biology major may choose to complete a concentration in Pre-Medicine, Cellular and Molecular Genetics, Ecology, or Biology of Organisms. Students may declare their intention to complete a concentration at the end of second or third year or they may apply after completion of all the requirements. The Biology major may be combined as a concentration with a minor in another discipline (e.g., Cellular and Molecular Genetics concentration with a Chemistry minor) or students may wish to complete a double concentration (e.g., Pre-Medicine with Cellular and Molecular Genetics). Students are strongly advised to consult the Science Advice Centre for information on course sequencing prior to starting a concentration.

In addition to the courses required for a Biology major, this concentration requires completion of the following courses:

• Chemistry 214
• Math 106
• English 105 & one of English 120–170
• Biology 203, 325
• Two lower-level Physics courses (Phys 101 & 105 or Phys 111 & 112)
• Psychology 101
• And any three of:  BIO 350, KPE 215, 270, 370 or PSYC 102

CELLULAR AND MOLECULAR GENETICS

In addition to the courses required for a Biology major, this concentration requires completion of the following:

Note: Students can apply Chemistry 350 towards a major or minor in either Chemistry or Biology. Students completing a joint Biology and Chemistry program can only count Chemistry 350 credit towards one of their chosen programs. All students should consult with the advisors in the Science Advice Centre or contact the respective Biology and Chemistry Department Heads on the best way to apply their Chemistry 350 credit.

BSc, BIOLOGY HONOURS PROGRAM

Lower-Level Program

Application Procedures

Once a student has completed 75 credits of coursework, including all lower level biology and mathematics requirements and CHEM 213, with a minimum 3.33 GPA, they are eligible to apply for entry into the Biology Honours program.  Students will be required to identify a faculty advisor who is willing to supervise the research project.  Students can also be admitted if they identify a research supervisor from outside the department who would need to be approved by the departmental Honours Advisory Committee.  In this latter case, a faculty advisor would be assigned to monitor the progress of the student in the program.  The purpose to the application process is to ensure students have the background preparation to enable successful completion of the program in a timely manner and that a research supervisor is available.   

Students may apply for entry into the program at any time after completing the minimum requirements but before they are awarded a BSc degree in Biology.  However, interested students are encouraged to seek out information and advice on the Honours program from Biology faculty or a Science Advisor as early as possible in their coursework, and to apply to the Honours program at the earliest possible entry date.

In order to submit an application, students will need to provide the following:

• A Biology Honours program application form (available from the Department Assistant).
• A completed checklist (available from the Department Assistant) demonstrating successful completion of required coursework for application.
• A copy of their transcripts (these do not need to be official transcripts).
• A letter from a faculty member or external research supervisor agreeing to supervise the research project.

Students should submit their application materials to the Department Assistant. The department Honours Advisory Committee (HAC) will then approve the project supervisor.  In the case of students whose research project is to be supervised by an external researcher, the HAC will assign a faculty Honours supervisor.   Students are encouraged to approach a departmental faculty member appropriate to their research interests by the end of the second year of their Biology program.

Review and Graduation Procedures

Prior to enrolling in BIOL 499 (Honours Research Project), each Honours candidate will need to meet with their honours supervisor to assess their progress in the honours program. At this time, the candidate should submit an updated transcript to their supervisor for review.

Successful completion of a research project is required prior to graduation. This project, which will be developed in consultation with a faculty (or research and Honours) supervisor, will demonstrate a student’s skill and knowledge in the area of biological research being pursued.

Each Honours applicant will then be required to present the findings of their research at a professional or university conference, or at some other venue approved by the HAC.

Following project completion and presentation, the Honours supervisor will recommend a letter grade. The HAC will choose whether or not to accept this grade based on further review of the student’s work in Biology 499.

GPA Requirements

The student’s final GPA must be at least 3.33, and a grade of B+ or better must be achieved BIOL 499, in order for an Honours designation to be awarded.