Acting ChairDavid Furrow, BSc (Dalhousie) MS (Yale), MPhil (Yale), PhD (Yale), Professor
Biology, the scientific study of life, introduces students to major concepts in the areas of genetics, cell biology, physiology, neuroscience, ecology, evolution and diversity of organisms. The program encourages critical thinking and problem solving. Students will have opportunities to conduct independent research with faculty members and learn various laboratory techniques and scientific writing.
Career paths are many and include those in health professions, research, environmental science, journalism, library science, biotechnology, education and conservation biology.
Students are advised that a basic knowledge of chemistry is recommended for all biology courses. Any student wishing to major or minor in biology should consult a biology faculty member who will help the student plan an academic program.
Admission RequirementsReview sections 2.1.4 Admission Requirements and 2.1.6 Additional Admission Requirements.
Major (20 Units)
Combined Major (20 Units)
Honours Degree (20 Units)
Concentration (4.0 Units)
Minor (3.0 Units)
Major (20 Units)
The degree with a major is intended for those students with a clearly focused interest who wish to gain knowledge in depth of a single discipline.
Students intending to complete the major degree must declare their intention to do so before they register for their sixth unit of coursework. Students who do not make this declaration within this time frame will not be permitted to register for further coursework.
Students must successfully complete 20 units with the following requirements:
❏ a minimum of 8.0 and a maximum of 10 units in the major as follows:
❏ BIOL 1152, 1153, 2240, and 3312
❏ 1.0 unit from BIOL 2203, 2204 or 2207
❏ BIOL 3309 or 3310
❏ BIOL 3370 or 3372
❏ 2.5 additional units of BIOL at the 2000 level or above
Note: BIOL 2201 and 2202 may not be used to fulfill the requirements for a major in biology
❏ 1.5 additional units of BIOL at the 3000 level or above
❏ a minimum overall GPA of 2.0 in the required 8.0 units of BIOL
❏ CHEM 1011, 1012, and 2401
❏ MATH 1113, 2208, and 2209
❏ a minor consisting of 3.0 units in a science field (Applied Statistics, Chemistry, Computer Science,
Mathematics, Physics, Psychology, and designated Applied Human Nutrition courses) as specified by the
department offering the minor. Students must achieve a minimum GPA of 2.0 in the required 3.0 units
❏ students may choose a second 3.0 unit minor in any area that offers a minor or up to 2.5 additional
units of arts or science electives
❏ 1.0 unit from each core group A, B, and C listed under the Bachelor of Arts (General Studies)
(exclusive of the major):
❏ Core A - Sciences & Mathematics (1.0 unit)
❏ Core B - Social Sciences (1.0 unit)
❏ Core C - Humanities (1.0 unit)
❏ at least 9.0 units must be at the 2000 level or above
❏ Note: No more than 4.0 units from professional areas may be counted toward the degree. Courses
included in the Applied Human Nutrition science minor will not be counted as professional electives.
Special Studies
Students may count a maximum of 4.0 units of directed/independent/research studies courses in a Bachelor of Science (Major), with no more than 2.0 units in any single discipline.
Major CertificateStudents who have graduated from Mount Saint Vincent University with a Bachelor of Science (General Studies) degree may apply to do a major certificate. Students must fulfill the requirements for the major degree listed above.
Combined Major (20 Units)
The combined major degree is intended for those students who wish to gain in-depth knowledge of two disciplines. Students must declare a major or combined major before registering for their sixth unit of coursework. Students who do not make this declaration within this time frame will not be permitted to register for further coursework.
Students must successfully complete 20 units. In order to complete a combined major in Biology, the following requirements must be met:
❏ a minimum of 6.0 units and a maximum of 8.0 units in the Biology combined major as follows:
❏ BIOL 1152, 1153, and 2240
❏ 1.0 unit from BIOL 2203, 2204 or 2207
❏ BIOL 3309 or 3310
❏ BIOL 3370 or 3372
❏ 1.5 additional units of BIOL at the 2000 level or above
❏ 1.0 additional units of BIOL at the 3000 level or above
❏ CHEM 1011, 1012, and 2401
❏ MATH 2208
❏ a second combined major specified by another program
(Canadian Studies, Chemistry, Cultural Studies, Economics, English, French, History, Mathematics,
Political Studies, Psychology, Sociology/Anthropology, Women’s Studies)
❏ a minimum overall GPA of 2.0 in the required 6.0 units of each combined major
❏ at least 5.0 units of the 12 units overall required for the combined majors must be at the 3000 level or above
❏ 1.0 unit from each core group A, B, and C listed under the Bachelor of Arts (General Studies)
(exclusive of the major):
❏ Core A - Sciences & Mathematics (1.0 unit)
❏ Core B - Social Sciences (1.0 unit)
❏ Core C - Humanities (1.0 unit)
❏ at least 9.0 units of the total 20 units must be at the 2000 level or above
❏ Note: No more than 4.0 units from professional areas may be counted toward the degree. Courses
included in the Applied Human Nutrition science minor will not be counted as professional electives.
Students wishing to combine an arts major and a science major (e.g. Chemistry and English or Biology and Political Studies):
❏ must meet all of the requirements listed above
and
♦ to complete a BSc (Combined Major) primary science
discipline plus secondary arts discipline
❏ must complete a minimum 12 units of the total 20 units in science disciplines
♦ to complete a BA (Combined Major) primary arts discipline
plus secondary science discipline
❏ must complete a minimum 12 units of the total 20 units in arts disciplines
Honours DegreeThe honours degree option is available to students who wish to study a single discipline in depth, usually with post-graduate study as a goal.
Students wishing to do an honours degree must apply in writing to the department Chair. Application may be made after successful completion of 10 units of study but must be made prior to completion of the third year or 15 units of study. Minimum requirements for honours program entry are an average GPA of 3.0 in biology courses and the agreement of a faculty member to supervise the thesis. Approval of the department is necessary for a student to be accepted into the honours program.
Students must successfully complete 20 units with the following requirements:
❏ a minimum of 10 and a maximum of 12 units in the honours subject as follows:
❏ BIOL 1152, 1153, 2240, and 3312
❏ 1.0 unit from BIOL 2203, 2204 or 2207
❏ BIOL 3309 or 3310
❏ BIOL 3370 or 3372
❏ BIOL 3999
❏ BIOL 4499
❏ 2.5 additional units of BIOL at at the 2000 level or above Note: BIOL 2201 and 2202 may not be
used to fulfill the requirements for the honours in biology
❏ 2.0 additional units of BIOL at the 3000 level or above
❏ a minimum overall GPA of 2.0 in the required 8.0 units of BIOL
❏ CHEM 1011, 1012, 2401, 3501, and 3502
❏ MATH 1113, 2208, and 2209
❏ a minor consisting of 3.0 units in a science field (Applied Statistics, Chemistry, Computer Science,
Mathematics, Physics, Psychology, and designated Applied Human Nutrition courses) as specified by
the department offering the minor. Students must achieve a minimum GPA of 2.0 in the required 3.0 units
❏ 1.0 unit from each core group A, B, and C listed under the Bachelor of Arts (General Studies)
(exclusive of the honours subject):
❏ Core A - Sciences & Mathematics (1.0 unit)
❏ Core B - Social Sciences (1.0 unit)
❏ Core C - Humanities (1.0 unit)
❏ obtain a minimum GPA of 3.0 and a grade of at least C- in 10 units of the required BIOL honours courses
❏ achieve a minimum of B- in the honours thesis
❏ obtain an overall GPA of 3.0 or better in all courses counted for the degree beyond the first 5.0 units taken
❏ Note: No more than 4.0 units from professional areas may be counted toward the degree. Courses
included in the Applied Human Nutrition science minor will not be counted as professional electives.
Note: First-class honours will be awarded to students who maintain a GPA of 3.5 or better in 10 units in the honours subject and no grade below B- in all courses counted for the degree beyond the first 5.0 units taken.
Joint Honours DegreeAn honours degree, given jointly with Dalhousie University, may be obtained in those areas of biology which form part of the honours program at Dalhousie. In addition to specific department requirements, general university regulations at both institutions must be fulfilled. Approval of both Biology Departments is necessary for a student to be accepted into the joint honours program.
Honours CertificateStudents who have graduated from Mount Saint Vincent University with a Bachelor of Science degree with major in biology may apply to do an honours certificate. Students must fulfill the requirements for the honours degree listed above and meet the University regulations regarding honours certificates.
Concentration (4.0 Units)To obtain a concentration in Biology, students must fulfill the following requirements:
❏ BIOL 1152 and 1153
❏ 0.5 units from BIOL 2203, 2204 or 2207
❏ 2.5 additional units of BIOL at the 2000 level or above, of which
at least 1.0 unit must be at the 3000 level or above
Minor (3.0 Units)
To obtain a minor in Biology, students must fulfill the following requirements:
❏ BIOL 1152 and 1153
❏ 2.0 additional units of BIOL