X. Degree Programs

Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.)

Zoology (ZOO)

Department of Integrative Biology, College of Biological Science

The Major in Zoology offers a broad education in the life sciences while providing a more specialized understanding of the structure, function and ecology of animals. This major qualifies students for post-graduate work in zoology and other life sciences and provides a sound science background for students wishing to pursue careers in teaching, government service or the private sector.

Major (Honours Program)

Students may enter this major in Semester 1 or any semester thereafter. A student wishing to declare the major may wish to consult the Faculty Advisor. A minimum total of 20.00 credits is required to complete the major. At least 6.00 science credits must be at the 3000 or 4000 level, 2.00 of which must be at the 4000 level.

Semester 1
BIOL*1070 [0.50] Discovering Biodiversity
CHEM*1040 [0.50] General Chemistry I
MATH*1080 [0.50] Elements of Calculus I
PHYS*1080 [0.50] Physics for Life Sciences
0.50 Liberal Education electives

Students lacking Grade 12 or 4U Biology, Chemistry or Physics should follow the revised schedule of study for this major found at https://www.uoguelph.ca/bsc/revised_SS

Semester 2
BIOL*1080 [0.50] Biological Concepts of Health
BIOL*1090 [0.50] Introduction to Molecular and Cellular Biology
CHEM*1050 [0.50] General Chemistry II
PHYS*1070 [0.50] Physics for Life Sciences II
0.50 Liberal Education electives
Semester 3
BIOL*2060 [0.50] Ecology
BIOL*2400 [0.50] Evolution
ZOO*2090 [0.50] Vertebrate Structure and Function
1.00 electives or restricted electives *
Semester 4
BIOC*2580 [0.50] Introduction to Biochemistry
MBG*2040 [0.50] Foundations in Molecular Biology and Genetics
STAT*2230 [0.50] Biostatistics for Integrative Biology
ZOO*2700 [0.50] Invertebrate Morphology & Evolution
0.50 electives or restricted electives *
Semester 5
ZOO*3000 [0.50] Comparative Histology
ZOO*3600 [0.50] Comparative Animal Physiology I
ZOO*3610 [0.25] Lab Studies in Animal Physiology I
ZOO*3700 [0.50] Integrative Biology of Invertebrates
Electives or restricted electives to a maximum of 2.75 total credits in this semester.
Semester 6
BIOL*3060 [0.50] Populations, Communities & Ecosystems
ZOO*3050 [0.50] Developmental Biology
ZOO*3620 [0.50] Comparative Animal Physiology II
ZOO*3630 [0.25] Lab Studies in Animal Physiology II
Electives or restricted electives to a maximum of 2.75 total credits in this semester.
Semester 7
ZOO*4070 [0.50] Animal Behaviour
ZOO*4910 [0.50] Integrative Vertebrate Biology
1.50 electives or restricted electives
Semester 8

2.50 electives or restricted electives

* CIS*1200 is recommended for those needing to improve their computer skills.

Restricted Electives must include:

  1. A minimum of 1.00 credits of Liberal Education electives is required. The list of Liberal Education electives for B.Sc. students can be found at: https://www.uoguelph.ca/bsc/

  2. A minimum of 0.50 credits from:

    ZOO*4330 [0.50] Biology of Fishes
    ZOO*4920 [0.25] Lab Studies in Ornithology
    ZOO*4940 [0.25] Lab Studies in Herpetology
    ZOO*4950 [0.25] Lab Studies in Mammalogy
  3. A minimum of 0.50 credits from:

    BIOL*4410 [0.75] Field Ecology
    BIOL*4610 [0.75] Arctic Ecology
    BIOL*4700 [0.50] Field Biology
    BIOL*4710 [0.25] Field Biology
    BIOL*4800 [0.50] Field Biology
    BIOL*4810 [0.25] Field Biology
    IBIO*4500 [1.00] Research in Integrative Biology I
    IBIO*4510 [1.00] Research in Integrative Biology II
    IBIO*4521/2 [2.00] Thesis in Integrative Biology
    ZOO*4170 [0.50] Experimental Comparative Animal Physiology
    ZOO*4300 [0.75] Marine Biology and Oceanography

    Other field or research courses with approval of faculty advisor.

Credit Summary (20.00 Total Credits)

4.00 - First year science core

8.00 - Required science courses semesters 3 - 8

1.00 - Restricted electives (# 2, and 3 in restricted electives list)

3.00 - Approved Science electives

1.00 - Liberal Education electives (#1 in restricted electives)

3.00 - Free electives - any approved elective for B.Sc. students

Of the total credits required, students are required to complete 16.00 credits in science of which a minimum of 2.00 credits must be at the 4000 level and an additional 4.00 credits must be at the 3000 or 4000 level.

Minor (Honours Program)

Students in majors other than Zoology, Biodiversity, Wildlife Biology & Conservation and Marine & Freshwater Biology who have a strong interest in Zoology may choose to take a minor in Zoology.

A minor in Zoology requires a minimum of 5.00 credits, 4.00 of which must be from the following list:

BIOL*2060 [0.50] Ecology
BIOL*2400 [0.50] Evolution
BIOL*3060 [0.50] Populations, Communities & Ecosystems
ZOO*2090 [0.50] Vertebrate Structure and Function
ZOO*2700 [0.50] Invertebrate Morphology & Evolution
ZOO*3000 [0.50] Comparative Histology
ZOO*3050 [0.50] Developmental Biology
ZOO*3600 [0.50] Comparative Animal Physiology I
ZOO*3610 [0.25] Lab Studies in Animal Physiology I
ZOO*3620 [0.50] Comparative Animal Physiology II
ZOO*3630 [0.25] Lab Studies in Animal Physiology II
ZOO*3700 [0.50] Integrative Biology of Invertebrates
ZOO*4070 [0.50] Animal Behaviour
ZOO*4330 [0.50] Biology of Fishes
ZOO*4910 [0.50] Integrative Vertebrate Biology
ZOO*4920 [0.25] Lab Studies in Ornithology
ZOO*4940 [0.25] Lab Studies in Herpetology
ZOO*4950 [0.25] Lab Studies in Mammalogy

The remaining 1.00 credits may also come from this list or from outside this list, in consultation with a faculty advisor.

University of Guelph
50 Stone Road East
Guelph, Ontario, N1G 2W1
Canada
519-824-4120