Site Navigation
Welcome
Important Notice and Disclaimer
Academic Schedule
Types of Credentials and Sub-Degree Nomenclature
Undergraduate Degrees with a Major
Combined Degrees
Minor Programs
Student and Campus Services
Admissions
Academic Regulations
Co-operative Education/Internship
Tuition and General Fees
Awards and Financial Assistance
International Foundations Program
Faculty of Arts
Cumming School of Medicine
Faculty of Environmental Design
Faculty of Graduate Studies
Haskayne School of Business
Faculty of Kinesiology
Faculty of Law
Faculty of Nursing
Qatar Faculty
Schulich School of Engineering
Faculty of Science
1. Summary of Programs
2. Faculty Student Affairs
3. Faculty Regulations
4. Program Details
4.1 Biological Sciences
4.1.1 Common First and Second Years
4.1.2 Programs in Biochemistry
4.1.3 Programs in Biological Sciences
4.1.4 Programs in Cellular, Molecular and Microbial Biology
4.1.5 Programs in Ecology
4.1.6 Programs in Plant Biology
4.1.7 Programs in Zoology
4.1.8 Environmental Science - Biological Sciences Concentration
4.1.9 Double Major in the Department of Biological Sciences
4.1.10 Minor in Biological Sciences
4.2 Chemistry
4.3 Computer Science
4.4 Geoscience
4.5 Mathematics and Statistics
4.6 Non-Departmental Programs: Data Science, Environmental Science, Nanoscience, Natural Sciences, Neuroscience
4.7 Physics and Astronomy
4.8 International Foundations Program (IFP) – Faculty of Science
5. Administration
Faculty of Social Work
Faculty of Veterinary Medicine
Werklund School of Education
Embedded Certificates
Continuing Education
COURSES OF INSTRUCTION
About the University of Calgary
Who's Who
Glossary of Terms
Contact Us
Archives
University of Calgary Calendar 2018-2019 Faculty of Science 4. Program Details 4.1 Biological Sciences 4.1.3 Programs in Biological Sciences
4.1.3 Programs in Biological Sciences

See the Faculty of Science subsections on Enrolment Limitations in Section 3 Faculty Regulations and Program Details in Section 4.

Courses constituting the field of Biological Sciences

1Students may apply a maximum of 9 units (1.5 full-course equivalents) from independent project courses numbered 507, 528 and 530 towards their major field; of these 9 units (1.5 full-course equivalents), students are permitted a maximum of 6 units (1.0 full-course equivalent) of independent project courses labelled as 507 offered by the Department of Biological Sciences.

2Certain courses with restricted enrolments are available in the first instance to those Program Honours and Majors who have met all prerequisites and whose programs require such courses. After a specific registration period for those students, other students who have met all prerequisites may be accommodated.

3Applicability to the field depends upon the actual course content. Additional approvals will be granted on a course-by-course basis. Check the list published by the Department each February.

4No more than 6 units (1.0 full-course equivalent) of such courses (approved by the Department prior to registering in the course) can be counted towards the major field.

5No more than 3 units (0.5 full-course equivalent) of the courses in this group may be counted towards the major field.

Required Courses - Major Program

See also 3.4 Program Requirements, in particular, the regulations on the number of courses at the 200 level and above allowed in a program and on the List of Science-Equivalent Courses in Other Faculties (Table I).

18 units (3.0 full-course equivalents) - Biology 241, 243, 311, 313, 331, 371

6 units (1.0 full-course equivalent) - Chemistry 201 or 211, and 203 or 213

6 units (1.0 full-course equivalent) - One of Mathematics 249 or 265 or 275 and one of Mathematics 211 or 213 or 267 or 277

6 units (1.0 full-course equivalent) - Computer Science 217 and 219, or Computer Science 231 and 233, or 235 and Computer Science option

or

Geology 201 and one of 202 or 203

or

Physics 211 or 221, and 223 (see Recommendations below)

3 units (0.5 full-course equivalent) - Biochemistry 393

3 units (0.5 full-course equivalent) - Chemistry 351

3 units (0.5 full-course equivalent) - Chemistry 353 or option

27 units (4.5 full-course equivalents) - Options from the Field: 12 units (2.0 full-course equivalents) of which must be at the 400 level or higher

18 units (3.0 full-course equivalents) - Breadth Requirement: Options from outside the Faculty of Science1

30 units (5.0 full-course equivalents) - Options

1These 18 units (3.0 full-course equivalents) options are selected from faculties outside the Faculty of Science (check Table I in 3.4 Program Requirements for ineligible courses). Of these 18 units (3.0 full-course equivalents), at least 6 units (1.0 full-course equivalent) must be from the Faculty of Arts. Science 311 may be counted among the 18 units (3.0 full-course equivalents) from other faculties.

Required Courses - Honours Program

18 units (3.0 full-course equivalents) - Biology 241, 243, 311, 313, 331, 371

6 units (1.0 full-course equivalent) - Chemistry 201 or 211, and 203 or 213

6 units (1.0 full-course equivalent) - One of Mathematics 249 or 265 or 275 and one of Mathematics 211 or 213 or 267 or 277

6 units (1.0 full-course equivalent) - Computer Science 217 and 219, or Computer Science 231 and 233, or 235 and Computer Science option

or

Geology 201 and one of 202 or 203

or

Physics 211 or 221, and 223 (see Recommendations below)

3 units (0.5 full-course equivalent) - Biochemistry 393

3 units (0.5 full-course equivalent) - Chemistry 351

3 units (0.5 full-course equivalent) - Chemistry 353 or option

33 units (5.5 full-course equivalents) - At least 9 units (1.5 full-course equivalents) chosen from each of three of the areas that constitute the Fields of Biochemistry, Cellular, Molecular and Microbial Biology, Ecology, Plant Biology and Zoology. Of these 33 units (5.5 full-course equivalents), at least 18 units (3.0 full-course equivalents) must be chosen from courses at the 400 level or higher. Note: These courses must be different from the 18 units (3.0 full-course equivalents) required Biology courses listed above and Biochemistry 393.

6 units (1.0 full-course equivalent) - Biology 5301

18 units (3.0 full-course equivalents) - Breadth Requirement: Options from outside the Faculty of Science2

18 units (3.0 full-course equivalents) - Options

1Honours students should plan to complete this course in their final year.

2These 18 units (3.0 full-course equivalents) options are selected from faculties outside the Faculty of Science (check Table I in 3.4 Program Requirements for ineligible courses). Of these 18 units (3.0 full-course equivalents), at least 6 units (1.0 full-course equivalent) must be from the Faculty of Arts. Science 311 may be counted among the 18 units (3.0 full-course equivalents) from other faculties.

Recommendations
  • Major options should be selected to satisfy the requirements for entry into another chosen major program or to satisfy the requirements for the Biological Sciences program. (See Required Courses - Major Program and Required Courses - Honours Program.)
  • Courses in Marine Science may be taken for credit during the summer and/or students may elect to spend the fall of either the third or fourth year attending the Bamfield Fall Program. Refer to the Marine Science course listings for details.
  • Students in the Biological Sciences Major program are encouraged to meet with an academic advisor to plan out their course sequences for third and fourth year based on their areas of interest.