Biology
From the big picture to the microscopic, set your sights on understanding the natural world around you.
Welcome to the program page for Biology! Here you can get general information on the Major in Biology as well as other Biology degrees.
Academic Advisor
Dr. Jeffrey Gagnon
Telephone: 705.675.1151 x 2357
Email: jdgagnon@laurentian.ca
Office: S-523A Admin Assistant: Marianne Bresolin, 705.675.1151 x 2285
Ontario High School Applicants
Program Prerequisites:
-
1 grade 12 English U/M course; 1 grade 12 4U Advanced Functions; 1 grade 12 U Science course (Chemistry recommended); 1 additional grade 12 U/M Math or Science course; 2 other grade 12 U/M courses
- A minimum overall average of 70% in the 6 best grade 12 U/M courses
Additional information for applicants who have completed Advanced Placement courses.
Additional information for applicants who have completed the International Baccalaureate.
Applicants from outside an Ontario High School
Canadian High School Applicants from outside Ontario
Canadian Applicants
If you are a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, you must complete your application through the Ontario Universities Application Center (OUAC).
For detailed instructions on the application process, see the How to Apply: Undergraduate Studies page.
Apply Now as a Domestic Applicant
International Applicants
If you’re an international applicant, you must fill out the International Application Form.
For detailed instructions on the application process, see the How to Apply: International Students page.
Apply Now as an International Applicant
For Current Students
The degree options listed below are for the upcoming academic year, not the current academic year. If you are a current student looking for which courses to take in order to complete your degree options from a previous academic year's curriculum, please consult with an academic advisor.
Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Biology
Students must follow these regulations in order to meet graduation requirements for the BA or B.Sc.
Students must select one of the following options:
- specialization in Biomedical Biology
- specialization in Zoology
- major in Biology
Major in Biology
BIOL 1506E Biology I
BIOL 1507E Biology II
12 credits from the following:
BIOL 2007E Genetics
BIOL 2026E Introduction to Microbiology
BIOL 2126E Cell Biology
BIOL 2356E Principles of Ecology
BIOL 2306E Diversity of Plants or BIOL 2726E Diversity of Animals
15 BIOL credits at the third or fourth year level
9 additional BIOL credits
18 first year Science credits from the following:
CHMI1006E General Chemistry I*
CHMI 1007E General Chemistry II
MATH 1036E Calculus I**
MATH 1037E Calculus II or MATH 1057E Linear Algebra I
PHYS 1006E Introductory Physics I
PHYS 1007E Introductory Physics II
12 credits from Arts
48 elective credits#
* Students lacking grade 12 4U Chemistry must first take CHMI 1031.
**Students lacking grade 12 4U Advanced Functions or who have attained a grade of less than 60% must first take MATH 1912.
# Students must complete either a minor (24 credits) or a second major (42 credits) from the courses not used in the Biology major.
Note: Students may not exceed 48 credits at the 1000 or 9100 level in their degree program.
Bachelor of Science (General) in Biology
Students must follow these regulations in order to meet graduation requirements for the BA or B.Sc.
Concentration in Biology
First Year
BIOL 1506E Biology I
BIOL 1507E Biology II
CHMI 1006E General Chemistry I#
CHMI 1007E General Chemistry II
MATH 1036E Calculus I##
MATH 1037E Calculus II OR MATH 1057E Linear Algebra I
PHYS 1006E Introducturoy Physics I
PHYS 1007E Introductory Physics II
6 credits in Arts
# Students lacking grade 12 4U Chemistry must first take CHMI 1031.
## Students lacking grade 12 4U Advanced Functions or who have attained a grade of less than 60% must first take MATH 1912.
Second Year
BIOL 2007E Genetics
BIOL 2026E Introduction to Microbiology
BIOL 2126E Cell Biology
BIOL 2356E Principles of Ecology
CHMI 2227E Biochemistry I
CHMI 2426E Organic Chemistry I
STAT 2126E Introduction to Statistics
OR STAT 2246E Statistics for Scientists
3 credits from:
BIOL 2306E Diversity of Plants
BIOL 2706E Vertebrate Form and Function
BIOL 2726E Diversity of Animals
CHMI 2427E Organic Chemistry II#
6 elective credits from the Arts
# Students wishing to take CHMI 3226 in third year must complete CHMI 2227 and CHMI 2427 in second year.
Third Year
24 credits from the following:*
BIOL 2105E Human Anatomy and Physiology
BIOL 2306E Diversity of Plants
BIOL 2726E Diversity of Animals
BIOL 2757E Biological Aspects of Human Sexuality
BIOL 3006E Evolutionary Biology
BIOL 3026E Applied and Environmental Microbiology
BIOL 3056E Mineral Exploitation and the Biosphere
BIOL 3067E Winter Ecology
BIOL 3117E Infectious Diseases
BIOL 3306E Vascular Plant Systematics
BIOL 3316E Plant Form and Function
BIOL 3317E Plant Ecophysiology
BIOL 3327E Experimental Methods in Biology
BIOL 3336E Plant Ecology
BIOL 3346E Ethnobotany
BIOL 3376E Restoration Ecology I: Concepts and Principles
BIOL 3386E Mycology
BIOL 3706E General Entomology
BIOL 3726E Animal Histology
BIOL 3746E Animal Ecology
BIOL 3756E Vertebrate Physiology
BIOL 3807E Applied Entomology
BIOL 3927E Forest Entomology
BIOL 3977E Biodiversity and Conservation
CHMI 3226E Biochemistry II
6 elective credits
* Students must include BIOL 2306E and BIOL 2726E if not taken in second year.
Note: Students may substitute certain fourth year courses in consultation with their academic advisor.
Note: Students may not exceed 48 credits at the 1000 or 9100 level in their degree program.
Minor in Biology
BIOL 1506E Biology I
BIOL 1507E Biology II
12 credits from the following:
BIOL 2007E Genetics
BIOL 2026E Introduction to Microbiology
BIOL 2105E Human Anatomy and Physiology
BIOL 2126E Cell Biology
BIOL 2306E Diversity of Plants
BIOL 2356E Principles of Ecology
BIOL 2706E Vertebrate Form and Function
BIOL 2726E Diversity of Animals
6 BIOL credits at the third or fourth year level
Note: Students may not include BIOL 3067, BIOL 4016 or BIOL 4035 as part of the minor.
Certificate in Environmental Solutions
a. Required courses; 6 credits from:
BIOL 1000E Canadian Environmental Biology
ENVI 1507E Intro to Environmental Studies
ENSC 1406E Earth's Environmental Systems
b. Elective courses; Environmental Themes; 24 credits from:
ARCH 2326E Architecture and Ecology
ARCH 2306E Design for Climate Change
BIOL 2356E Principles of Ecology
BIOL 3746E Animal Ecology
BIOL 3977E Biodiversity & Conservation
BIOL 4777E Wildlife Management
CHMI 2041E Introductory environmental chemistry
CHMI 3006E Green Chemistry
CHMI 4286E Environmental biochemistry
CHMI 4197E Environmental analytical chemistry
ENSC 4116E Environmental remediation
ENGR 3437E Water and Wastewater Treatment
ENGR 3466E Environmental Impact of Process Industries
ENGR 3477E Adsorption and Membrane Processes in Pollution Control
ENGR 4187E Solid Waste Processing and Recycling in the Minerals Industry
ENGR 4426E Air Pollution Control
GEOL 2046E Natural Hazards and Disasters
GEOL 2066E Near-Surface Geophysical Methods
GEOL 3397E Introductory soil science
GEOL 4706E Hydrogeology
ENGL 2666E Literature and the Environment
ENGL 3536E Environmental Communication
HIST3296E The Canadian Environment
HIST 3946E North America's Forests
HIST 4906E Canada’s Forests
HIST 4916E A History of Ontario’s Forests
SOCI 4176E Environmental sociology
SOCI 2266E Cultural Marginality and the Environment: Environmental Risk and Indigenous Populations
SOCI 4216E Capitalism, Work and the Regulation of Environmental Risks
SOCI 4256E Indigenous Peoples and the International Society
ECON 2057E Environmental Economics and Policies
ECON 3056E Economics of Natural Resources
JURI 2316E Environmental Law
JURI 3316E Environmental Law
PHED 4246E Ecohealth Promotion
Field work related
BIOL4016E Field camp
BIOL 4216E Ontario Field Biology
NATS 3206E Internship
List of Faculty Members
Sessional Faculty
Muhammed Alikhan
Garry Ferroni
Léo Leduc
Yves Alarie
School of Natural Sciences
Nathan Basiliko
School of Natural Sciences
Jeffrey Gagnon
School of Natural Sciences
John Gunn
School of Natural Sciences
Suzanne Lamothe
School of Natural Sciences
Jacqueline Litzgus
School of Natural Sciences
Mery Martinez Garcia
School of Natural Sciences
Kabwe Nkongolo
School of Natural Sciences
Jean-Francois Robitaille
School of Natural Sciences
Peter Ryser
School of Natural Sciences
Mazen Saleh
School of Natural Sciences