X. Degree Programs

Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.)

Biological Science (BIOS)

College of Biological Science

Major (Honours Program)

The Biological Science major offers the opportunity to study a wide range of topics within biological science. The major is one of the most flexible within the B.Sc. program. After the core sciences in first and second year, students can tailor the degree to create a major all their own. With the wide breadth of courses offered, students can choose to focus their studies in one area of biological science or create a unique skill set and combination of courses not currently offered in any one of our majors. Students can also add a minor in either an area of science, arts or social science.

With this flexibility, students in the Biological Science major are encouraged to seek out study abroad opportunities through the Centre for International Programs. With a high number of elective spaces within the major, students can incorporate a study abroad and still meet the degree requirements within four years. Students who wish to pursue this option should start researching and planning in semesters 3 and 4.

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. This major will require the completion of 20.00 credits as indicated below:

Schedule of Studies

Semester 1
BIOL*1090 [0.50] Introduction to Molecular and Cellular Biology
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*1070 [0.50] Discovering Biodiversity
BIOL*1080 [0.50] Biological Concepts of Health
CHEM*1050 [0.50] General Chemistry II
PHYS*1070 [0.50] Physics for Life Sciences II
0.50 Liberal Education electives
Semester 3
BIOL*2400 [0.50] Evolution
One of:
BIOC*2580 [0.50] Introduction to Biochemistry
MBG*2040 [0.50] Foundations in Molecular Biology and Genetics
1.00 electives or restricted electives *
0.50 Liberal Education elective
Semester 4
STAT*2040 [0.50] Statistics I
One of:
BIOC*2580 [0.50] Introduction to Biochemistry
MBG*2040 [0.50] Foundations in Molecular Biology and Genetics
1.00 electives or restricted electives *
0.50 Liberal Education elective
Semester 5

2.50 credits of electives or restricted electives*

Students are encouraged to consider study abroad options†

Semester 6

2.50 credits of electives or restricted electives*

Students are encouraged to consider study abroad options†

Semester 7 and 8

2.50 credits of electives or restricted electives*

†Students interested in studying abroad need to apply in the year prior to going abroad. Students need to contact the Centre for International Programs to confirm admission requirements and to submit an application. Study abroad requires approval from the appropriate individuals and is pending available space at the host institution.

* Restricted Electives

** Note: some courses may require additional prerequisites.

  1. At least 2.00 credits of Liberal Education electives are 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 in Ecology:

    BIOL*2060 [0.50] Ecology
    BOT*3050 [0.50] Plant Functional Ecology
  3. A minimum of 0.50 credits in Mathematical or Computational Science:

    CIS*1000 [0.50] Introduction to Computer Applications
    CIS*1200 [0.50] Introduction to Computing
    MATH*1090 [0.50] Elements of Calculus II
    STAT*2050 [0.50] Statistics II
  4. A minimum of 0.50 credits in Physiology:

    BIOM*3200 [1.00] Biomedical Physiology
    BOT*2100 [0.50] Life Strategies of Plants
    HK*2810 [0.50] Human Physiology I - Concepts and Principles
    ZOO*3600 [0.50] Comparative Animal Physiology I **
  5. 5.50 additional Biological Science credits of which 4.00 must be at the 3000 or 4000 level. The list of approved science electives is posted at http://www.bsc.uoguelph.ca/.

Credit Summary (20.00 Total Credits)

4.00 - First year science core

3.50 - Required science courses semesters 3 - 8 (# 2, 3 and 4 in restricted elective list)

5.50 - Approved Biological Science electives of which 4.00 must be 3000/4000 level (# 5 in restricted elective list)

3.00 - Approved Science electives of which 2.00 credits must be 3000/4000 level* May include 1 of BIOL*1020, CHEM*1060

2.00 - Liberal Education electives

2.00 - Electives

*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.

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