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.

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: Introductory Physical and General Chemistry	Autumn	6
CHEM102	Chemistry 1B: Structure and Reactivity of Molecules for Life	Spring	6
	Total for major at 100-level		24
MATH151	General Mathematics 1A (if required)	Autumn or 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
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
All students majoring in Biological Sciences must take at least three 300-level subjects from the following lists. Recommended subject combinations are as follows:
Option 1: Choose any three subjects from the following five subjects:
BIOL303	Biotechnology: Applied Cell and Molecular Biology	Autumn	8
BIOL320	Molecular Cell Biology	Autumn	8
BIOL321	Infection and Immunity	Spring	8
BIOL332	Ecological and Evolutionary Physiology	Autumn	8
CHEM320	Bioinformatics: From Genome to Structure	Spring	8
Option 2: Choose any three subjects from the following four subjects:
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
Students interested in including subjects outside of these combinations should discuss their choices with an Academic Advisor.
	Total for major at 300-level		24
	Sub-total for major		78
Plus additional subjects chosen from the Science Schedule			12
Total for major			90
Plus elective subjects chosen from the Science or General Schedules			54
Note: The above degree structure must include a minimum of 32 credit points at 300-level
Degree Total			144
400-Level - Honours
BIOL401	Biology Honours	Annual	48
BIOL402	Biology Joint Honours	Annual	24
BIOL403	Biology Honours Part 1 for Part-Time Students	Annual	24
BIOL404	Biology Honours Part 2 for Part-Time Students	Annual	24

Other Information

Notes on Biological Sciences major:

1. A fourth Biological Sciences 200-level subject may be waived for students taking a double major.

2. A Mathematics or Statistics subject acceptable to the School of Biological Sciences may be substituted for STAT252.

3. STAT252 may be waived for some programs combining 300-level Biological Sciences and another approved discipline.

Advanced Biology (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 a distinction average or higher performance in subjects pertinent to the intended area of research, as approved by the Head of School.

An elective subject, MARE357 - Advances in Molluscan Biology, is offered in Summer Session for students wishing to gain additional field experience.