FACULTY OF SCIENCE | biology.mcmaster.

ca

Biology
The Department of Biology is the hub of research and teaching related to living systems and environments, and how knowledge contributes to advances in environmental and medical
biotechnology. With undergraduate specializations in Environmental Science, Physiology, Psychology, Mathematics, Neuroscience, and Molecular Biology and Genetics, the Department
offers students the ability to prepare for careers in scientific research, industry, and the public sector. The curriculum, taught by award-winning faculty, helps to ensure that the
undergraduate programs provide a stimulating experience in many areas of Biology.

Areas of Research Science Career & Cooperative Education

Focus of Study for Bioinformatics & Functional Genomics Co-Op Programs
Undergraduate Programs Research in the area of ‘bioinformatics and functional genomics’ leverages the power of genomic and post-genomic The Department of Biology offers Molecular Biology and Genetics Co-op, beginning
technologies, to address fundamentally important biological questions in a wide range of organisms. at Level III, for students wishing to integrate paid and relevant work experience
The Department’s outstanding faculty members have
with their academic program.
a solid foundation in both teaching and research and Ecology and Evolution
work diligently to bring current research perspective Postgraduate Opportunities
Our research in the area of ecology and evolution aims to address several important questions and uses a host of
and skills into the classroom and teaching laboratories. approaches and techniques including molecular, quantitative methods, GIS, laboratory experimentation on organism Graduates from our Honours programs are well prepared to apply to graduate and
Biology students benefit from this expertise and have the development and physiology, population dynamics, genetic analyses as well as satellite imagery. professional schools in the following areas:
opportunity to explore a wide range of topics including:
Environmental Physiology Medicine MBA Veterinary Medicine
Bioinformatics and Functional Genomics
Environmental physiology explores how cells and physiological systems respond to changes in their environment. Dentistry Optometry Bachelor of Education
Evolutionary Biology and Ecology
The environmental physiologists in the Department of Biology study a broad range of topics in a variety of vertebrate
Microbiology Pharmacy Law Graduate Studies
(mammals, fish, and birds) and invertebrate (insects, crustaceans, and worms) animals.
Environmental Physiology Careers
Genetics & Molecular Biology
Cell and Molecular Biology and Genetics Biology students develop a range of skills that are easily transferred to a wide
Developmental Biology Molecular biology is a fundamental area of investigative research in Biology that employs new technologies and
range of careers. Graduates have pursued careers in the following areas:
experimental approaches to examine fundamental processes in all living organisms.
Neurobiology Environmental Biology Food Science Neuroscience
Ecotoxicology Cell & Development Biology
Psychology Genetics Microbiology
Plant Biology and Physiology The cell and developmental biology laboratories are engaged in cutting-edge research encompassing gene regulation,
Pathology Bioinformatics Epidemiology
Animal Physiology cancer biology, neuro systems, and reproductive system development and function.
Horticulture Biostatistics Conservation Biology
Microbiology & Plant Biology
Immunology Policy Analysis
Research in microbiology and plant biology involves systems-level investigations into the genetics, biochemistry and
physiology of plants, bacteria, and fungi.
 Level II Programs
Honours Biology
(Honours B.Sc.)
Completion of any Level I
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
program with a Grade Point
Average of at least 5.0 including:
• BIOLOGY 1A03 & 1M03 with
an average of at least 6.0
• CHEM 1A03 & 1AA3
• MATH 1A03 or 1LS3
• PHYSICS 1A03 or 1C03
• 6 units from the Science I
Course List
ADMISSION NOTES
Science I Course List:
ASTRON 1F03, BIOLOGY 1A03, 1M03, BIOPHYS 1S03, CHEM 1A03, 1AA3, EARTHSC 1G03, ENVIRSC 1C03, ENVSOCTY 1HA3, 1HB3, LIFESCI 1D03, MATH 1A03, 1AA3, 1B03, 1LS3, 1LT3, 1MM3, 1MP3, PHYSICS 1A03, 1AA3, 1C03, 1CC3, PSYCH 1F03, 1FF3, 1X03, 1XX3, SCIENCE 1A03
CONTACT
INFORMATION
Honours Biodiversity and
Environmental Sciences
(Honours B.Sc.)
Completion of any Level I program
with a Grade Point Average of at
least 5.0 including:
• BIOLOGY 1A03 & 1M03 with an
average of at least 6.0
• EARTHSC 1G03 or ENVIRSC
1C03, with a grade of at least C+
• MATH 1A03 or 1LS3
• 12 units from ASTRON 1F03,
BIOPHYS 1S03, CHEM 1A03,
1AA3, COMPSCI 1JC3, 1MD3,
EARTHSC 1G03, ENVIRSC 1C03,
ENVSOCTY 1HA3, 1HB3, LIFESCI
1D03, MATH 1AA3, 1B03, 1LT3,
PHYSICS 1A03, 1AA3, 1C03,
1CC3, PSYCH 1F03, 1FF3, 1X03,
1XX3, SCIENCE 1A03
Students are strongly
recommended to take CHEM
1A03 and 1AA3 in Level I.
biology.mcmaster.ca | biology@mcmaster.ca
Life Sciences Building (LS), Room 218
Honours Biology -
Honours Biology Research Physiology Research
Specialization Specialization
(Honours B.Sc.) (Honours B.Sc.)
These programs are limited enrolment. Possession of the published minimum requirements does not guarantee admission. Selection is based on academic achievement but requires, as a minimum,
completion of any Level I program with a Grade Point Average of at least 5.0, including admission requirements listed below.
• BIOLOGY 1A03 & 1M03 with • BIOLOGY 1A03 & 1M03 with an
an average of at least 6.0 average of at least 6.0
• CHEM 1A03 & 1AA3 • CHEM 1A03 & 1AA3
• MATH 1A03 or 1LS3 • MATH 1A03 or 1LS3
• PHYSICS 1A03 or 1C03 • PHYSICS 1A03 or 1C03
• 6 units from the Science I • 6 units from the Science I
Course List Course List
. One of PHYSICS 1A03 or 1C03
is required for admission.
Completion of PHYSICS 1AA3 or
1CC3 is also recommended.
Honours Molecular Biology
and Genetics Research
Specialization
Co-op option begins in Level III
(Honours B.Sc.)
• BIOLOGY 1A03 & 1M03 with an
average of at least 6.0
• CHEM 1A03 & 1AA3
• MATH 1A03 or 1LS3
• PHYSICS 1A03 or 1C03
• 6 units from the Science I
Course List
One of PHYSICS 1A03 or 1C03
is required for admission.
Completion of PHYSICS 1AA3 or
1CC3 by the end of Level II is
also recommended.
Honours Biology
and Mathematics
(Honours B.Sc.)
• BIOLOGY 1A03 & 1M03 with
an average of at least 6.0
• One of MATH 1A03, 1LS3,
1X03, 1ZA3
• One of MATH 1AA3, 1LT3,
1XX3, 1ZB3 with a grade of
at least C+
MATH 1B03 must be completed
by the end of Level II.
Completion in Level I is
strongly recommended.
Honours Biology and
Psychology, Neuroscience
& Behaviour
(Honours B.Sc.)
• BIOLOGY 1A03 & 1M03 with
an average of at least 7.0
• PSYCH 1FF3 or 1XX3 with a
grade of B-
• CHEM 1A03 & 1AA3 with an
average of at least 7.0
• MATH 1A03 or 1LS3
• PHYSICS 1A03 or 1C03
• 3 units from the Science I
Course List
1. One of PHYSICS 1A03
or 1C03 is required for
admission.
2. Completion of either
PSYCH 1F03 or 1X03 is
required by the end of
Level II, but PSYCH 1X03 is
recommended in Level I.
3. Either PSYCH 1FF3 or 1XX3
is required for admission,
however PSYCH 1XX3
is recommended.
Honours
Neuroscience
(Honours B.Sc.)
• BIOLOGY 1A03 & 1M03
• CHEM 1A03 & 1AA3
• MATH 1A03 or 1LS3
• PHYSICS 1A03 or 1C03
• PSYCH 1FF3 or 1XX3
• One of MATH 1AA3, 1B03,
1LT3, 1MP3, COMPSCI 1MD3
While completion in Level I is
recommended, the following
courses must be completed by
the end of Level II: MATH 1AA3
or 1LT3, MATH 1B03, COMPSCI
1MD3 or MATH 1MP3
(Note: PHYSICS 2G03 is an
appropriate substitute.)
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