Honors in Biological Sciences [Science]

All students in Honors and Specialization programs in Biological Science take a common core of four BIOL courses in the first and second years. Thereafter, they follow the course sequence of one of the areas of concentration in either Honors or Specialization in Biological Sciences identified in Science Chart 2 Course Sequence in Biological Sciences. At the time of application, students indicate their chosen area of concentration on the application; if admitted, they follow the appropriate course sequence. The title of the area of concentration will appear on their degree. Additional course requirements for Honors students include BIOL 499 and program specific courses. BIOL 499 , a directed research project, must be conducted on a topic appropriate to the student’s area of concentration. BIOL 499 is a recommended option for Specialization students.

Streams have been developed within Biological Sciences. These are lists of courses that provide guidance to students wishing to focus further on specific areas of Biology. Students in a program are not required to declare or follow a stream, and stream designations do not appear on transcripts. Streams are described in full on the Department of Biological Sciences website. Students should consult with advisors in choosing and following streams within their programs.

Honors in Biological Sciences

Admission to the BSc Honors in Biological Sciences program see Admissions Chart 7 , Faculty of Science.

Continuation in the Honors in Biological Sciences program requires successful completion of at least ★24 with a minimum 3.0 GPA in the previous Fall/Winter. In addition, graduation requires a minimum 3.0 GPA on the last ★60 credited to the degree.

Effective September 2016, there will be no further admissions to BSc Honors or BSc Specialization in Bioinformatics. Students who entered one of these programs prior to September 2016 must complete all program requirements by April 30, 2020. Refer to the Calendar in effect at the time you were admitted or readmitted for the regulations governing the degree program requirements. The last BSc Honors or BSc Specialization in Bioinformatics will be granted at Spring Convocation 2020.

Effective September 2017, there will be no further admissions to BSc Honors or BSc Specialization in Animal Biology, Evolutionary Biology, Microbiology and Plant Biology. Students who entered one of these programs prior to September 2017 must complete all program requirements by April 30, 2024. Refer to the Calendar in effect at the time you were admitted or readmitted for the regulations governing the degree program requirements. The last BSc Honors or BSc Specialization in Animal Biology, Evolutionary Biology, Microbiology and Plant Biology will be granted at Spring Convocation 2024.

First-Year Core for BSc Honors in Biological Sciences

The following courses are common to all programs:

BIOL 107 - Introduction to Cell Biology
BIOL 108 - Introduction to Biological Diversity
CHEM 101 - Introductory University Chemistry I
CHEM 164 - Organic Chemistry I OR
CHEM 261 - Organic Chemistry I
MATH 114 - Elementary Calculus I OR
MATH 117 - Honors Calculus I OR
MATH 134 - Calculus for the Life Sciences I OR
MATH 144 - Calculus for the Physical Sciences I OR
MATH 125 - Linear Algebra I
STAT 151 - Introduction to Applied Statistics I
★6 in Arts options (junior level ENGL or WRS recommended)
★6 in program-specific courses (see individual programs for requirements and recommendations)

Note

SCI 100 may be used in lieu of BIOL 107 , BIOL 108 , CHEM 101 , CHEM 164 and MATH 114 . SCI 151 may be used in lieu of STAT 151 .

Course Sequence in Biological Sciences

See Science Chart 2

Animal Biology: Effective September 2017, there will be no further admissions to BSc Honors or BSc Specialization in Animal Biology. Students who entered one of these programs prior to September 2017 must complete all program requirements by April 30, 2024. Refer to the Calendar in effect at the time you were admitted or readmitted for the regulations governing the degree program requirements. The last BSc Honors or BSc Specialization in Animal Biology will be granted at Spring Convocation 2024.

Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Biology

Evolutionary Biology: Effective September 2017, there will be no further admissions to BSc Honors or BSc Specialization in Evolutionary Biology. Students who entered one of these programs prior to September 2017 must complete all program requirements by April 30, 2024. Refer to the Calendar in effect at the time you were admitted or readmitted for the regulations governing the degree program requirements. The last BSc Honors or BSc Specialization in Evolutionary Biology will be granted at Spring Convocation 2024.

Integrative Physiology

Microbiology: Effective September 2017, there will be no further admissions to BSc Honors or BSc Specialization in Microbiology. Students who entered one of these programs prior to September 2017 must complete all program requirements by April 30, 2024. Refer to the Calendar in effect at the time you were admitted or readmitted for the regulations governing the degree program requirements. The last BSc Honors or BSc Specialization in Microbiology will be granted at Spring Convocation 2024.

Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology

Plant Biology: Effective September 2017, there will be no further admissions to BSc Honors or BSc Specialization in Plant Biology. Students who entered one of these programs prior to September 2017 must complete all program requirements by April 30, 2024. Refer to the Calendar in effect at the time you were admitted or readmitted for the regulations governing the degree program requirements. The last BSc Honors or BSc Specialization in Plant Biology will be granted at Spring Convocation 2024.