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Faculty of Science
1. Summary of Programs
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4. Program Details
4.1 Biological Sciences
4.1.1 Common First and Second Years
4.1.2 Programs in Biochemistry
4.1.3 Programs in Biological Sciences
4.1.4 Programs in Cellular, Molecular and Microbial Biology
4.1.5 Programs in Ecology
4.1.6 Programs in Plant Biology
4.1.7 Programs in Zoology
4.1.8 Environmental Science - Biological Sciences Concentration
4.1.9 Double Major in the Department of Biological Sciences
4.1.10 Minor in Biological Sciences
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University of Calgary Calendar 2017-2018 Faculty of Science 4. Program Details 4.1 Biological Sciences 4.1.1 Common First and Second Years
4.1.1 Common First and Second Years

See the Faculty of Science subsections on Enrolment Limitations in Section 3 Faculty Regulations and Program Details in Section 4.

Required Courses

18 units (3.0 full-course equivalents) - Biology 241, 243, 311, 331, 371 and at least one1 of Biology 313 and Biochemistry 393

6 units (1.0 full-course equivalent) - Chemistry 201 or 211, and 203 or 2132

6 units (1.0 full-course equivalent) - One of Mathematics 249 or 265 or 275 and one of Mathematics 211 or 213 or 267 or 277 (see Recommendations below)

6 units (1.0 full-course equivalent) - Computer Science 217 and 219, or Computer Science 231 and 233, or Computer Science 235 and a senior Computer Science option

or

Geology 201 and one of 202 or 203

or

Physics 211 or 221, and 223 (see Recommendations below)

6 units (1.0 full-course equivalent) - Major options and/or options combination (see Second Year in the Program Sequence Table below)

3 units (0.5 full-course equivalent) - Chemistry 351

3 units (0.5 full-course equivalent) - Chemistry 353 or option3

12 units (2.0 full-course equivalents) - Breadth requirement: Options from outside the Faculty of Science4

1Students planning to pursue the Biological Sciences, Plant Biology and Zoology programs require both Biology 313 and Biochemistry 393. Students pursuing the Biochemistry and Cellular, Molecular and Microbial Biology programs require Biochemistry 393. Students pursuing the Ecology program require Biology 313. Students in any program may take both courses should they desire. Consult specific program requirements for details.

2Chemistry 201 and 203 are offered in both Fall and Winter Terms and may be done in any order. Chemistry 211 and 213 are recommended for students majoring in Chemistry and other students with strong backgrounds in chemistry.

3Check details of other programs in the Department of Biological Sciences to see where Chemistry 353 is a requirement.

4These 12 units (2.0 full-course equivalents) form part of the 18 units (3.0 full-course equivalents) options from outside the Faculty of Science (check Table I in 3.4 Program Requirements for ineligible courses). Of these 18 units (3.0 full-course equivalents), at least 6 units (1.0 full-course equivalent) must be from the Faculty of Arts. Science 311 may be counted among the 18 units (3.0 full-course equivalents) from other faculties.

Recommendations
  • Biology 241, 243, 311, 331 and 371 and at least one of Biology 313 or Biochemistry 393 should be taken in the sequence described below if students wish to pursue any of the degree programs offered by the Department of Biological Sciences.
  • Students who have completed Mathematics 31 can take Mathematics 265 unless they are interested in pursuing programs in Physics and Astronomy or Mathematics and Statistics. Students interested in those programs are encouraged to take Mathematics 275.
  • Students planning a Biochemistry major must take Physics 211 or 221, and 223.
  • Students planning a Zoology major must take either the Physics option (Physics 211 or 221, and 223) or the Geology option (Geology 201 and 202).
  • Students planning an Ecology or Zoology major are advised to take a course in linear methods (i.e., Mathematics 211 or 213).
  • Prior to registering in the second year, students should consider which program they wish to pursue in the third and subsequent years so that an appropriate choice of major access courses may be made (see Second Year in the Program Sequence Table below).
  • Chemistry 355 is an acceptable substitute for Chemistry 353; it is recommended that students planning Biochemistry Honours complete Chemistry 355.
Common First and Second Years Program Sequence

First Year for All Programs

 
Fall Term Winter Term

Biology 241

Biology 243

Chemistry 201 or 203 or 211

Chemistry 201 or 203 or 2132

Mathematics 249 or 265 or 275

Mathematics 211 or 213 or 267 or 277

Choose either Computer Science 217 or 231 or 235 or Geology 201or Physics 211 or 2211

Continue Computer Science with Computer Science 219 or 233 or Computer Science option if 235 is chosen or continue Geology with Geology 202 or continue Physics with Physics 223

Non-science option

Non-science option

Second Year for All Programs

 

Non-science option

Non-science option

Biology 311

Biochemistry 3931 or option

Option

Biology 3131or option

Biology 371

Biology 331

Chemistry 351

Chemistry 353 or option1

Choose from the following to prepare for the third and fourth years of the intended major.

 
Biochemistry:  

Chemistry 311

Chemistry 315

Biological Sciences:

 

 

Option

Cellular, Molecular and Microbial Biology:

 

Option

Cellular, Molecular and Microbial Biology 343

Ecology:

 

Biology 315

Plant Biology:

 
 

Plant Biology 327

Zoology:

 
Zoology 403

Zoology 401

1Check details of programs in the Department of Biological Sciences to see where this is allowed.

2Students wishing to take Chemistry 213 must take either Chemistry 201 or 211 as the prerequisite. Chemistry 201 and 203 are offered both in Fall and Winter Terms and students may complete them in any order.