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Bachelor of Science (Biological Sciences)
The general aim of the degree courses offered by the School of Biological Sciences is to provide students, regardless of previous background, with a basic understanding of the major principles, concepts and technologies of modern Biology. A major in Biological Sciences can be taken in the fields of biochemistry, molecular biology, cell biology, immunology, comparative physiology, terrestrial ecology, marine biology, evolutionary biology and environmental biology.
Major Study
First year (BIOL103, 104) is a general, self-contained introduction to Biology as well as essential background for future years. Students wishing to major in Biological Sciences must also take both first year Chemistry subjects. Students are required to take four 200-level Biological Sciences subjects selected from the seven available. Note prerequisites for 3rd Year subjects when selecting the combination of 2nd Year subjects. Students proceeding to a Biological Sciences major are strongly encouraged to take more than the minimum array of Biological Sciences subjects, especially at second year. All students majoring in Biological Sciences must take at least three 300-level subjects that form a coherent course of study. Approved subject combinations are (i) BIOL320, 321, and one of BIOL303, 332, CHEM320 (ii) BIOL351, 355 and BIOL332. Other subject combinations are possible and should be discussed with the Head of Department.
Second Majors
Second majors with other Departments are also available. In particular, students interested in Biochemistry may take a second major in Chemistry; students interested in Ecology should consider a second major in Physical Geography; and students interested in comparative physiology should consider subjects from the Health and Behavioural Sciences schedule.
| Subjects |
|
Session |
Credit Points |
| 100-Level |
| BIOL103 |
Molecules, Cells and Organisms |
Spring |
6 |
| BIOL104 |
Evolution, Biodiversity and Environment |
Autumn |
6 |
| CHEM101 |
Chemistry 1A |
Autumn |
6 |
| CHEM102 |
Chemistry 1B |
Spring |
6 |
| Total for major at 100-level: |
|
24 |
| MATH151 |
General Mathematics 1A (if required) |
Autumn/ Summer |
6 |
| Note: students wishing to take MARE200 and
MARE300 should note that one of EESC102 Earth Environments
and Resources or EESC112 Landscape change and Climatology
is required as a prerequisite. |
| 200-Level |
| 24 credit points from the following Biological Sciences subjects plus Statistics (STAT252) |
| BIOL213 |
Principles of Biochemistry |
Autumn |
6 |
| BIOL214 |
The Biochemistry of Energy and Metabolism |
Spring |
6 |
| BIOL215 |
Introductory Genetics |
Spring |
6 |
| BIOL240 |
Functional Biology of Plants and Animals |
Autumn |
6 |
| BIOL241 |
Biodiversity: Classification and Sampling |
Spring |
6 |
| BIOL251 |
Principles of Ecology and Evolution |
Autumn |
6 |
| MARE200 |
Introduction to Oceanography |
Autumn |
6 |
| STAT252 |
Statistics for Natural Sciences |
Spring |
6 |
| Total for major at 200-level: |
|
30 |
| 300-Level |
| An approved combination of three of the
following subjects (at least 24 credit points): |
| BIOL303 |
Biotechnology: Applied Molecular and Cell Biology |
Autumn |
8 |
| CHEM320 |
Bioinformatics: From Genome to Structure |
Spring |
8 |
| BIOL320 |
Molecular Cell Biology |
Autumn |
8 |
| BIOL321 |
Cellular and Molecular Immunology |
Spring |
8 |
| BIOL332 |
Ecological and Evolutionary Physiology |
Autumn |
8 |
| BIOL351 |
Conservation Biology: Marine and Terrestrial Populations |
Autumn |
8 |
| BIOL355 |
Marine and Terrestrial Ecology |
Spring |
8 |
| MARE300 |
Fisheries and Aquaculture |
Spring |
8 |
| Total for major at 300-level: |
|
24 |
| Plus additional subjects chosen from
the Science Schedule: |
|
12 |
| Plus elective subjects chosen
from the Science Schedule
or the General Schedule:* |
|
54 |
| Degree Total: |
|
144 |
| 400-Level (Honours Program) |
| BIOL401 |
Biology Honours |
Annual |
48 |
| BIOL402 |
Biology Joint Honours |
Annual |
24 |
*The degree structure must include a minimum of 32 credit points at 300-level.
Other Information
Notes on Biological Sciences major:
- A fourth Biological Sciences 200-level subject may be waived for students taking both a Biological Sciences major and a major from the School of Earth and Environmental Sciences.
- A Mathematics or Statistics subject acceptable to the Department of Biological Sciences may be substituted for STAT252.
- STAT252 may be waived for some programs combining 300-level Biological Sciences and another approved discipline.
Advanced Biology Project (BIOL392) is an 8-credit point project-based subject and Advanced Biology (BIOL391) is a 16-credit point project-based subject. These two subjects are available for high-quality students wishing to complement their coursework with research projects. Entry into these subjects is by permission of the Coordinator and requires good performance (usually Distinction average) in four 200-level Biological Sciences subjects.
An elective subject, MARE357 - Advances in Molluscan Biology, is offered in Summer Session for students wishing to gain additional field experience.
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