Biology
www.ufv.ca/biology

Biology major concentrations

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 by combining the Pre-Medicine concentration with a sub-discipline concentration (e.g., Pre-Medicine with Cellular and Molecular Genetics).

Students are strongly advised to consult the Science Educational Advisor for information on course sequencing prior to starting a concentration.

Pre-medicine concentration

The pre-medicine concentration does not guarantee admission into a medical school program. It requires more course work than most medical school programs require. However, the Biology Department thinks 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. Students interested in this concentration should consult with either the Science Educational Advisor or an Educational Advisor in Student Services for program planning.

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

• CHEM 214
• MATH 106
• ENGL 105 & one of ENGL 120–170
• BIO 203, 325
• Two lower-level physics courses (PHYS 101 & 105, or PHYS 111 & 112)
• PSYC 101
• And any three of: BIO 350, KPE 215, 270, 370 OR PSYC 102

Cellular and Molecular Genetics concentration

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

Depth requirements

4 courses (14–16 credits) from:
• BIO 325
• BIO 350
• BIO 402
• BIO 403
• BIO 405
• BIO 406
• BIO 420x (appropriate topic)
• BIO 408 or 409 (appropriate topic)

Breadth requirements

One course from Ecology:
• BIO 310
• BIO 330
• BIO 340
• BIO 390
• BIO 410
• BIO 420c
• BIO 420x (appropriate topic)
• BIO 430

One course from Organisms:
• BIO 301
• BIO 303
• BIO 304
• BIO 305
• BIO 306
• BIO 307
• BIO 308
• BIO 360
• BIO 420b
• BIO 420e
• BIO 420x (appropriate topic)
• BIO 470

Ecology concentration

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

Depth requirements

4 courses (14–16 credits) from:
• BIO 310
• BIO 330
• BIO 340
• BIO 390
• BIO 410
• BIO 420c
• BIO 420x (appropriate topic)
• BIO 430

Breadth requirements

One course from Cellular:
• BIO 325
• BIO 350
• BIO 402
• BIO 403
• BIO 405
• BIO 406
• BIO 420x (appropriate topic)
• BIO 408 or 409 (appropriate topic)

One course from Organisms:
• BIO 301
• BIO 303
• BIO 304
• BIO 305
• BIO 306
• BIO 307
• BIO 308
• BIO 360
• BIO 420b
• BIO 420e
• BIO 420x (appropriate topic)
• BIO 470

Biology of Organisms concentration

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

Depth requirements

4 courses (14–16 credits) from:
• BIO 301
• BIO 303
• BIO 304
• BIO 305
• BIO 306
• BIO 307
• BIO 308
• BIO 360
• BIO 420b
• BIO 420e
• BIO 420x (appropriate topic)
• BIO 470
• BIO 408 or 409 (appropriate topic)

Breadth requirements

One course from Ecology:
• BIO 310
• BIO 330
• BIO 340
• BIO 390
• BIO 410
• BIO 420c
• BIO 420x (appropriate topic)
• BIO 430
• BIO 408 or 409 (appropriate topic)

One course from Cellular:
• BIO 325
• BIO 350
• BIO 402
• BIO 403
• BIO 405
• BIO 406
• BIO 420x (appropriate topic)
• BIO 408 or 409 (appropriate topic)

Course listings

For complete details on courses see the course descriptions section.