Last updated: November 15, 2001 @ 08:37AM

Biological Sciences

Chair
Alan J. Castle

Professors Emeriti
Arthur H. Houston, Ralph D. Morris, R. Peter Rand, Donald J. Ursino

Professors
Alan W. Bown, Douglas H. Bruce, Yousef Haj-Ahmad, A. Joffre Mercier

Associate Professors
Stefan Brudzynski, Robert L. Carlone, Alan J. Castle, Fiona F. Hunter, J. Cameron Lewis (on leave), Daniel McCarthy, Gary Pickering, Andrew G. Reynolds

Assistant Professors
Michael Bidochka, Kevin Brown, David Gabriel, Debra L. Inglis, Wendy McFadden-Smith, Miriam Richards, Adonis Skandalis, Gaynor Spencer, Litsa Tsiani

Adjunct Professors
Peter Bolli, Margaret Cliff, Peter Fernandez, Javier Gracia-Garza, Peter Nicholls, Ekaterini Riga, Dan Rinker, Lorne W. Stobbs, Ronald E. Subden

Laboratory Instructors
John Ciolfi, Diane Eaton, Ellen Maissan, George Melvin

General Information

Administrative Assistant,
Caroline Barrow
(905) 688-5550, extension 3388
Mackenzie Chown MC F234
http://brocku.ca/biology/

The biological sciences, or the life sciences, encompass a broad spectrum of subjects from molecular biology to ecology as well as such disciplines as biochemistry, biophysics, genetics and physiology. The program offered by the department is designed to provide the student with a broad base in modern biological thought, to fulfil the basic requirements for admission to professional and advanced degree studies and to prepare graduates for careers in the biological sciences and related fields. Although the undergraduate program provides students with flexibility in selecting the areas of biology most compatible with their interests and skills, it also ensures that students develop an overview of the major concepts and problems of modern biology as expressed at all levels of biological organization.

The objectives of the undergraduate program are realized through a group of core courses in years 1 and 2, each with an associated laboratory. Laboratory classes stress the investigative approach to experimental studies. Students move progressively from structured laboratory studies to increasingly independent investigations and in the honours year undertake individual research projects. Working from the core program, students may follow a variety of curriculum patterns to satisfy their interests.

Students must consult faculty advisers when planning years 3 and 4 of the BSc (honours) program or year 3 of the BSc (pass) program.

The honours year provides students with the opportunity for either broadening their understanding of the biological sciences or for increased specialization. Ideally, the honours program provides an opportunity for the synthesis of material presented in earlier years and also provides an opportunity for independent investigative work. Each honours candidate undertakes a major research study under the direct supervision of a faculty member. Students must apply to the Department of Biological Sciences in order to be admitted to year 4 (honours).

Program Notes
  1. Students registering for BIOL 1F90 should register in MATH 1P98 for the Fall Term, but should check with Mathematics department regarding prerequisites. MATH 1P01 may be substituted for MATH 1P97.
  2. Students preparing for professional studies in health sciences should note that many such programs require completion of a laboratory physics course i.e., PHYS 1F25 or 1F90 rather than PHYS 1F20.
  3. PHYS 1F20 or 1F25 is strongly recommended for students who do not have OAC Physics.
  4. The third ancillary science credit must be numbered 1(alpha)00 to 2(alpha)99 and offered by a department in the Faculty of Mathematics and Science other than Biological Sciences, excluding ASTR 1F00, CHEM 1P00, ERSC 1F90, SCIE 1F30, BTEC courses and MATH courses numbered 1(alpha)00 to 1(alpha)99. An organic chemistry course numbered 2(alpha)00 to 2(alpha)99 is recommended.
  5. BIOL 2F95 does not carry major credit for the BSc (honours degree). Students who submit this for credit toward the BSc pass degree must replace it with accepted BIOL credits if they subsequently enter the Honours program.
  6. Students in year 3 are encouraged to take one-half credit from BIOL 2P92, 2P93, 2P96, 2P98 not taken in year 2.
  7. CHEM 3P40 is strongly recommended for most projects in CHEM 4F90, 4F91 and should be taken in year 3 by students intending to proceed to a year 4 thesis in CHEM.
  8. Honours students who elect BIOL 4F90, 4F91 and who have taken only the minimum five credits in CHEM in years 1 through 3 may experience difficulty in obtaining the necessary two additional CHEM credits in year 4.
  9. PSYC 3F40 and 3P39 are required for students intending to complete an honours thesis in Psychology.
  10. All courses numbered 2(alpha)00 - 2(alpha)99 require a minimum of 3.0 overall credits. All courses numbered 3(alpha)00 - 3(alpha)99 require a minimum of 8.0 overall credits.
  11. In all 20 credit degree programs. At least 12 credits must be numbered 2(alpha)00 or above, six of which must be numbered 2(alpha)90 or above and of these, three must be numbered 3(alpha)90 or above. In all 15 credit degree programs, at least seven credits must be numbered 2(alpha)00 or above, three of which must be numbered 2(alpha)90 or above.

Honours Program

Year 1
·   BIOL 1F90 (see program note 1)
·   CHEM 1F92
·   MATH 1P97 and 1P98
·   one credit from COSC 1P90, 1P93, 1P98, 1P99, ERSC 1F95, PHYS 1F20, 1F25, 1F90 (see program notes 2 and 3) · one Humanities context credit or Social Science context credit
Year 2
·   BIOL 2F01, 2P05 and 2Q04
·   one credit from BIOL 2P92, 2P93, 2P96, 2P98
·   third ancillary science credit (see program note 4)
·   the Humanities context credit or Social Science context credit not take in year 1
Year 3
·   Three BIOL credits numbered 2(alpha)90 or above (see program notes 5, 6 and 7)
·   two elective credits
Year 4
·   BIOL 4F90 and 4F91, or BIOL 4F92 and one BIOL credit numbered 3(alpha)90 or above
·   one BIOL credit numbered 2(alpha)90 or above
·   one BIOL credit numbered 3(alpha)90 or above
·   one elective credit

Environmental Economics

Brock offers an honours BA program in Environmental Economics. Starting in the second year, students choose a secondary component normally in Biological Sciences, Environment or Human Geography. Refer to the Environmental Economics entry for additional information.

Pass Program

Satisfactory completion of the first three years of the honours program entitles a student to apply for a pass degree.

Concurrent BSc/BEd

The Faculty of Mathematics and Science and the Faculty of Education co-operate in offering a concurrent Pass BSc/BEd program for students interested in teaching mathematics and science at the elementary level to grade 8. After graduation from the BSc/Bed program, students may proceed to an honours Bachelor of Science degree in Integrated Studies. Refer to the Education-Concurrent BSc/BEd Program listing for additional information.

Combined Major Programs

Biology and Chemistry

Honours

Year 1
·   BIOL 1F90
·   CHEM 1F92
·   MATH 1P01 and 1P02 or MATH 1P97 and 1P98
·   one of PHYS 1F20, 1F25, 1F90 (see program notes 2 and 3)
·   one Humanities context credit or Social Science context credit
Year 2
·   BIOL 2F01
·   CHEM 2P12 or 2P63
·   CHEM 2P20, 2P21 and 2P42
·   one credit from BIOL 2P05, 2P92, 2P93, 2P96, 2P98, 2Q04
·   the Humanities context credit or Social Science context credit not taken in year 1
Year 3
·   BCHM 3P01 and 3P02
·   CHEM 2P12 or 2P63 (not taken in year 2)
·   CHEM 2P32
·   one BIOL credit numbered 2(alpha)90 to 3(alpha)99 (BIOL 3P50 recommended)
·   one and one-half credits from CHEM 3P20, 3P21, 3P30, 3P31, 3P40, 3P41, 3P51, 3P53, 3P60 (see program notes 4 and 7)
·   one-half elective credit
Year 4
·   BIOL 4F90 and 4F91 or BIOL 4F92 and one BIOL credit numbered 3(alpha)90 or above, or CHEM 4F90 and 4F91 (see program note 8)
·   one credit from the Department of Biological Sciences in the areas of biochemistry, biophysics or molecular biology or one half credit from one of those areas plus BCHM 3P02 or BIOL 3P50
·   one CHEM credit numbered 2(alpha)90 or above
·   one elective credit (see program note 10)
Pass

Satisfactory completion of the first three years of the honours program entitles a student to apply for a pass degree.

Biology and Geography

Honours

Year 1
·   BIOL 1F90
·   GEOG 1F91
·   MATH 1P97 and 1P98
·   one Humanities context credit
·   one Social Science context credit (GEOG 1F90 is strongly recommended)
Year 2
·   BIOL 2P05 and 2Q04
·   one credit from BIOL 2P92, 2P93, 2P96, 2P98
·   GEOG 2P11
·   one and one-half credits from GEOG 2P04, 2P05, 2P07, 2P09
·   one elective credit
Year 3
·   Two BIOL credits
·   GEOG 3P56
·   one GEOG credit numbered 2(alpha)90 to 3(alpha)99 from group B
·   one-half GEOG credit numbered 2(alpha)90 to 3(alpha)99 from group B or C (see Geography department)
·   one elective credit
Year 4
·   Two BIOL credits
·   GEOG 4F99
·   one GEOG credit numbered 3(alpha)90 or above from group B or C (see Geography department)
·   one elective credit
BIOL 4F90 and 4F91, or BIOL 4F92 and one BIOL credit numbered 3(alpha)90 or above or GEOG 4F90 must be included

Pass

Satisfactory completion of the first three years of the honours program entitles a student to apply for a pass degree.

Biology and Mathematics

Honours

Year 1
·   BIOL 1F90
·   CHEM 1F92
·   MATH 1P01, 1P02 and 1P98
·   COSC 1P02
·   one Humanities context credit or Social Science context credit
Year 2
·   Two credits from BIOL 2F01, 2P05, 2P92, 2P93, 2P96, 2P98, 2Q04
·   MATH 1P12, 2P03, 2P81, and 2P82
·   the Humanities context credit or Social Science context credit not taken in year 1
Year 3
·   Two BIOL credits numbered 2(alpha)90 to 3(alpha)99
·   MATH 1P40, 3P81 and 3P82
·   one-half MATH credit
·   one elective credit
Year 4
·   Two BIOL credits numbered 2(alpha)90 or above
·   MATH 2F40, 4P81 and 4P82
·   one elective credit (see program note 11)
Pass

Satisfactory completion of the first three years of the honours program entitles a student to apply for a pass degree.

Biology and Psychology

Entrance to the BIOL/PSYC combined honours program requires application to the Psychology Department.

Honours

Year 1
·   BIOL 1F90
·   PSYC 1F90
·   CHEM 1F92
·   one Humanities context credit
·   one elective credit (MATH 1F92 or 1P97 and 1P98 recommended)
Year 2
·   Two credits from BIOL 2F01, 2P05, 2P92, 2P93, 2P96, 2P98, 2Q04
·   PSYC 2F23
·   one PSYC credit numbered 2(alpha)00 or above
·   one elective credit
Year 3
·   Two BIOL credits numbered 2(alpha)00 to 3(alpha)99
·   two PSYC credits numbered 2(alpha)90 or above which must include either PSYC 3F40 or PSYC 3P30 (see program note 9)
·   one elective credit
Year 4
·   Two BIOL credits which may include BIOL 4F90 and 4F91 or BIOL 4F92 · PSYC 4P92 and 4P93 and one PSYC credit numbered 3(alpha)90 or above (if neither BIOL 4F90 and 4F91 nor BIOL 4F92 is taken, PSYC 4F90 or 4F91 is required)
·   one elective credit
Pass

Satisfactory completion of the first three years of the honours program entitles a student to apply for a pass degree.

Biology and Earth Sciences

Consult the Earth Sciences entry for a listing of program requirements.

Biology and Physics

Consult the Physics entry for a listing of program requirements.

Master of Science (MSc) Program

The Department of Biological Sciences offers specialized training in a wide variety of research areas leading to the MSc degree. Candidates will normally have an honours BSc or BA degree for admission to the program. A minimum of one year of full-time study and research is required. This must include BIOL 5F90 (MSc thesis) and a minimum course program equivalent to two credits.

For details, refer to the Graduate Calendar or contact the Chair of the Department.