Biological Sciences (Biology)
Bachelor of Science
(Faculty of Science)
The biological sciences consider life in all forms, from single-celled species to more familiar plants, animals and fungi. Biological scientists investigate why, when, where and how these organisms lead their lives and consider these questions as they relate to biological molecules, cells, organisms and ecosystems – indeed, the whole biosphere. With more than three million species of organisms on Earth, the biological sciences offer an infinite number of intriguing questions.
General Admission Requirements
To be considered for admission applicants are required to present the appropriate high school subjects and a competitive average.
Application/Document Deadlines
Transfer Students:
- Transfer students must present the competitive average plus the following specified courses:
Biological Sciences
Students are required to present the following courses with a minimum grade of C- or better in each course:
- Biology 241 and 243 (formerly 231 and 233)
- Chemistry 201 or 211 and Chemistry 203 or 213
- one of Mathematics 249 or 251 or 281 or AMAT 217
- one of Mathematics 211 or 221 or 253 or 283 or AMAT 219
Why Study Biological Sciences?
Students looking for a truly interdisciplinary degree offering the best of study from each of the other five majors within the field (Biochemistry, Botany, Cellular, Molecular and Microbial Biology, Ecology, Zoology insert links to other programs) may choose to complete the broader based and more general Biological Sciences program. Students majoring in this area are passionate about many kinds of living organisms and are characterized by a curious nature and a knack for problem solving. Because this is the most broadly based of the Biological Sciences programs, students seeking the transferable skills obtained through a liberal education in science often select this route. The general Biological Sciences program permits students to tailor their program to aspects of the biological sciences that are not served by each of the other five major fields. Students will complete the same bio-core required of all students in the department and will then customize their program to include the aspects of biology that most interest them.
Students will gain a broad appreciation of two or more areas in the biological sciences selected from biochemistry; botany; cellular, molecular and microbial biology; ecology and zoology.
What do I need to get in?
You’ll need to meet the admission requirements of the Faculty of Science.
What will I study in my first two years?
All students entering programs in the Department of Biological Sciences will complete a common Biological Sciences core (20 half-courses) before selecting one of the six major programs (Biological Sciences, Biochemistry, Botany, Cellular, Molecular and Microbial Biology, Ecology, Zoology).
The first and second years in Biological Sciences serve as the interlocked foundation for all programs offered by the Department of Biological Sciences. During these two years, you will complete the core Biology courses that are required of all Biological Science students. These courses will expose you to the diversity and unity of life and provide a foundation allowing you to appreciate the factual and conceptual context of specialized disciplines in Biological Sciences. In addition, these courses will expose you to the language of biology and a common set of tools that will allow you to analyze life from a variety of perspectives.
You will also complete supporting courses in Biochemistry, Chemistry and Mathematics during your first two years. Courses in Biochemistry and Chemistry provide you with a basis for understanding the chemical context of life. Required courses in Mathematics give you a basic understanding of calculus and/or linear algebra for application in subsequent major field courses. Throughout these two years there is a heavy emphasis on experiential learning in biology and chemistry courses.
What will I study in later years?
In your third and fourth years of Biological Sciences you will complete additional courses in the field of biological sciences as well as a course in Biochemistry. The Biological Sciences program allows you to emphasize courses from several subdisciplines of the biological sciences and provides opportunity for you to customize your program to aspects of biology that are not necessarily served by the other major areas offered in the Department. As such you will have a great degree of flexibility in selecting courses in biological sciences that are of particular interest to you.
The Biological Sciences Honours Program extends the regular program to prepare students for additional education (M.Sc. and/or Ph.D.) leading to a research career. In addition to the courses required of all Biological Sciences students, Honours students complete a research project under the guidance of a faculty member. Honours students are also encouraged to take 600-level seminar courses to develop an advanced understanding of topics of particular interest.
You will also have the opportunity to take courses off main campus that will enhance their undergraduate experience including exchange programs, travel study courses and field schools. You might wish to spend Fall term taking courses at the Bamfield Marine Sciences Centre located off the west coast of Vancouver Island, or take spring or summer courses at the Biogeoscience Institute in Kananaskis Country 80 km west of Calgary. You could also look further afield and participate in an overseas field schools offered frequently to destinations such Belize, Costa Rice, Ghana or Madagascar or embark on a term or full year exchange program to one of the U of C’s numerous partner institutions.
During your degree you are also expected to take a number of courses from outside your major field and are encouraged to take courses that will provide breadth and contribute to the interdisciplinary nature of your degree.
What can I do with my degree?
Graduates of the general Biological Sciences program have many of the same career choices as do graduates of the other major programs offered by the Department of Biological Sciences. By appropriate choice of major courses, students can equip themselves for entrance into professional programs such as dentistry, education, medicine and veterinary medicine.
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