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*Combined degree with the Department of Computer Science

**Combined Degree with the Faculty of Arts

Programs Offered in Biological Sciences

BSc and BSc Honours in Biochemistry; Biological Sciences; Cellular, Molecular and Microbial Biology; Ecology; Plant Biology (Botany); Zoology

BSc and BSc Honours in Ecology Co-operative Education

Minor in Biological Sciences

Programs in the Department of Biological Sciences are governed by a combination of general Faculty of Science regulations and the additional program specific regulations listed below.

It is essential for students to be familiar with both sets of regulations. It is helpful to read the Faculty regulations in Section 3 first.

Students should consult the Degree Navigator periodically to ensure that requirements are being met. Also students are strongly urged to consult the Department at all stages of their program.

Department Head: R.M.R. Barclay

Undergraduate Program Director and Associate Head: M.F. Hynes and H. Addy

Student enquiries: 403.220.3140

Department Office: BI 186

Other enquiries: 403.220.5261

Fax: 403.289.9311

Website: http://www.bio.ucalgary.ca/

Enrolment Limitations in Programs, Admissions and Student Standing

Admission to programs in the department is competitive. Admission will be granted for Fall Term only and will be based upon academic merit. Academic performance will be measured on the basis of the grade point average calculated over the most recent five FCE (University of Calgary courses and/or transferable courses taken at other institutions). (New admissions to the University are always subject to A.2 Admission Requirements as stated in the Undergraduate Admissions section of this Calendar.)

Applications to the Department of Biological Sciences programs are accepted:

• Directly from High School (see Section 3.2 Admissions) into either the Biological Sciences program, or into Honours Biochemistry; Honours Cellular, Molecular and Microbial Biology; Honours Ecology; Honours Plant Biology (Botany); or Honours Zoology.
• As space permits, into the Biological Sciences program, after the completion of any two of Biology 241, and 243; Chemistry 201 or 211, Chemistry 203 or 213; one of Mathematics 249 or 265 or 275 and one of Mathematics 211 or 213 or 253 or 267 or 277 with a grade of “C-” or better in each course.
• After completion of the first-year courses specified above and subject to the Honours qualifications set out in Subsection 3.2 – Honours Programs, and to availability of space, students may request placement into any of the Honours programs offered by the Department.
• Additionally, as space permits, applications to all programs in the Department are accepted after completion of any two of Biology 231, 233, 241 and 243, as well as Biology 311, 331 and 371 and at least one of Biochemistry 393 or Biology 313 with a grade of “C-“ or better in each course. In addition applicants must present Chemistry 201 or 211 and 203 or 213, one of Mathematics 249 or 265 or 275 and one of Mathematics 211 or 213 or 253 or 267 or 277 with a grade of "C-" or better in each course.

Note: Students admitted directly from High School into Honours programs are encouraged to sign up also for the Graduation Guarantee, Subsection 3.4.A.

Note: Any student in an Honours program is subject to the provisions for continuation in an Honours program, Subsections 3.2 and 3.4D.

Note: GPA requirements for Honours programs

Note: Students will be notified of the results of their application by email (results will not be provided by telephone).

Note: Biology 371 was offered for the first time in Fall of 2013. Students who registered in Biological Sciences programs prior to the Fall of 2012 should follow the 2011-2012 or earlier appropriate Calendars.

Enrolment Limitations in Courses

Enrolment in many courses offered by the Department of Biological Sciences is limited by available laboratory or tutorial space. The following courses are available in the first instance only to those students in good standing who meet the prerequisite(s) and have been admitted into a major program that requires the course(s):

• Biochemistry 341, 393, 401, 403, 431, 443, 555 and 575
• Biology 311, 313, 315, 331, 371, 401, 435, 505
• Cellular, Molecular and Microbial Biology 343, 403, 411, 421, 443, 451, 527
• Ecology 413, 417, 419, 425, 429, 439, 501
• Plant Biology 327, 403, 421, 543
• Zoology 375, 377, 379, 461, 463, 477.01, 477.02, 567, 577

Consult the Schedule of Classes for details regarding enrolment in these courses.

The Departments of Biological Sciences at the Universities of Alberta and Calgary and the Department of Biology at the University of Lethbridge have a block transfer agreement in effect. The full details of the Biological Sciences Block Transfer Agreement are available in the Alberta Transfer Guide published (on paper and online) by the Alberta Commission on Admissions and Transfer (ACAT) - http://www.acat.gov.ab.ca/.

Studies in the Biological Sciences involve the use of living and dead organisms. Students taking laboratory- and field-based courses in these disciplines can expect involvement with and experimentation on such materials. Students perform dissections on dead or preserved organisms in some courses. In particular courses, students experiment on living organisms, their tissues, cells, or molecules. Sometimes field work requires students to collect a variety of living materials by many methods, including humane trapping.

All work on humans and other animals conforms to the Helsinki Declaration and to the regulations of the Canadian Council on Animal Care. The Department strives for the highest ethical standards consistent with stewardship of the environment for organisms whose use is not governed by statutory authority. Individuals contemplating taking courses or majoring in one of the fields of study offered by the Department of Biological Sciences should ensure that they have fully considered these issues before enrolling. Students are advised to discuss any concern they might have with the Undergraduate Program Director of the Department.