Biology Program Guide

Biology Program Options Majors, Minor and Honours Programs Both Majors and Honours B.Sc. programs are offered in biology. Both provide opportunities for undergraduate research. What are the differences and why should you enroll in one or the other? Majors The Majors programs are intended for students who wish to study biology as part of a general educational program, or who are preparing for further specific study in postgraduate professional schools. They allow students to sample fairly broadly from the course offerings of the Faculty and the University. For example, a Majors program allows up to 33 credits of Arts courses or 21 credits of Science other than courses specified for the program. The Faculty of Science regulations allow students in Majors programs to obtain up to 12 credits from faculties other than Arts or Science. The Majors program also provides opportunity for undergraduate students to participate in research projects (through the Directed Studies course, BIOL 448). Many students enter graduate studies from Majors programs. Each year many Majors B.Sc. graduates are admitted to M.Sc. programs. If you are thinking about graduate study following a Majors degree, you should include a directed studies project (BIOL 448) in your program. Honours The Honours programs are more narrowly focused or specialized than are Majors programs. They are intended as training for students who desire to enter the field as professional biologists. Honours programs require 73 credits in the last two years of the program instead of the 60 credits required in Majors programs. In addition, Honours programs require an independent research project and the preparation and oral defense of a B.Sc. thesis. If you know that you are interested in graduate study in any area of Biology, the Honours degree is very good preparation. For example, with a first-class Honours B.Sc. it is possible at some universities to be admitted directly to the Ph.D. program and to skip the Masters level entirely. Alternatively, if you continue to an M.Sc. at UBC with the same project you should be able to complete the M.Sc. in minimal time.Please note, however, that an Honours degree is not a requirement for entry to graduate study. Students are admitted to graduate study on the basis of their undergraduate records. Note: Students entering or continuing in an Honours program must have a 75% average in at least 30 credits of course work taken in the previous winter session. Minor in Science An optional Minor in Science may be taken by a student in an Honours or Majors Bachelor of Science Program. The Minor consists of 18 upper-level credits either in a single subject or selected from a program. Students should design a coherent and academically sound course of studies for their proposed Minor, which must be approved by program advisors in both Majors (or Honours) and Minor areas and by the Dean during the second year. Approval will be withheld if the area of the Minor is considered to be too close to the area of the Majors or Honours (this would apply to all options in Biology). Certain courses may be used to fill program requirements in both areas of specialization, however Major+Minor in Science students must have 42 credits, and Honours+Minor in Science students must have 54 credits of upper-level Science credits to graduate. Double Majors A Double Major program needs the approval of both Departments and a senior Faculty advisor before the beginning of the third year. Approval will be withheld if the areas of the two Majors are too close (this would apply to all options in Biology). In order to graduate, a Double Major student must have a minimum of 54 upper-level Science credits. Minor in Arts or Commerce The Faculty of Science now allows Minors in Arts and Commerce. Students completing a Minor program will have this noted on their transcripts. If you wish to include a Minor in your program of studies you should make arrangements with a Faculty of Science Senior Advisor (Dean's Office) no later than your second year. A Minor in Arts consists of 18 credits of upper-level courses in one discipline (e.g. History) with any prerequisite courses (you may use your second-year elective spaces (right two boxes on worksheets) for prerequisite courses for your Minor. A Commerce Minor consists of ECON 309 (or 101/102), COMM 457, COMM 493 and six credits selected from COMM 329, COMM 458, COMM 465, COMM 473, for a total of 18 credits. ECON 101/102 in second year can substitute for ECON 309, but the upper-level credit requirements may have to be completed with another course.   Program Options First Year Courses General Biology - Majors This Major program provides a broad background with a range of organisms and allows maximum freedom in electives used to construct your individual program. This option can accommodate virtually any pre-professional program. Animal Biology - Majors & Honours These programs provide a solid background in zoology and allow a lot of freedom in selection of electives to suit your needs and interests. Plant Biology - Majors & Honours These programs provide a thorough grounding in botany but still allow substantial opportunity for study in other areas. Cell Biology and Genetics - Majors This is a flexible Major program for students interested in cell biology, developmental biology and genetics. There is a very wide choice of program electives that can be used for study in biochemistry, microbiology and immunology, if desired, as well as in the core areas of cell biology and genetics. Genetics - Honours Emphasis is on genetics, ranging from molecular biology to evolutionary and population genetics. There is scope among electives for further work in medical genetics or biochemistry. Cell and Developmental Biology- Honours This program is available for those wishing a strong concentration in cell biology. Both Cell and Developmental Biology and Genetics Honours allow for substantial work in molecular biology. Ecology and Environmental Biology- Majors & Honours These programs provide a strong background in ecology and have sufficient flexibility to accommodate many related interests, including environmental studies. Conservation Biology -  Majors & Honours These programs provide a strong background in systematics and ecology for work in conservation biology. There is an unusually wide range of electives in these programs. Evolutionary Biology - Honours Analytical studies in evolutionary biology unite ecology and population biology with genetics and physiology, and they require a more mathematical background. Marine Biology - Majors & Honours Emphasis here is on both organismal biology and ecology of marine organisms. Course work can be supplemented with electives from Marine Science (MRNE). Some course work at a biological station is required as part of the Honours program. Biology and Computer Science Combined Major This is an intensive program for students who are interested in interdisciplinary studies that would allow them to specialize in Bioinformatics. Biology and Chemistry Combined Honours This is an intensive program that provides a solid grounding in chemistry with a core of courses in biology. Oceanography and Biology Combined Honours This is a joint Oceanography/Biology program that offers intensive preparation in biological oceanography. Integrated Science Program - New Integrative upper level program Co-operative Education Program in Biology The Co-op program is intended to help prepare interested and qualified students for careers in industry and university by providing work placements supervised by practicing professionals.

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