Biology
From the big picture to the microscopic, set your sights on understanding the natural world around you.
Welcome to the program page for the Department of Biology! Here you can get general information on how to apply and details under degree options and courses.
Be sure to check out our Department Page for more details and news
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
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
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 Ecology
- specialization in Restoration Biology
- specialization in Zoology
- major in Biology
- major in Restoration Ecology
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 OR PHYS 1206E Physics for the Life Science I
PHYS 1007E Introductory Physics II OR PHYS 1207E Physics for the Life Science II
12 credits from Arts
48 elective credits#
* Students lacking grade 12 4U Chemistry must first take CHMI 1041.
**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.
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.
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 1206E Physics for the Life Science I
PHYS 1207E Physics for the Life Science II
6 credits in Arts
# Students lacking grade 12 4U Chemistry must first take CHMI 1041.
## 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.
List of Faculty Members
Sessional Faculty
Muhammed Alikhan
Garry Ferroni
Léo Leduc
Yves Alarie
Department of Biology
Nathan Basiliko
Department of Biology
Peter Beckett
Department of Biology
Jeffrey Gagnon
Department of Biology
John Gunn
Department of Biology
Suzanne Lamothe
Department of Biology
David Lesbarrères
Faculty of Graduate Studies
Jacqueline Litzgus
Department of Biology
Francis Mallory
Department of Biology
Mery Martinez Garcia
Department of Biology
Sabah Nasserulla
Department of Biology
Kabwe Nkongolo
Department of Biology
Jean-Francois Robitaille
Department of Biology
Peter Ryser
Department of Biology
Mazen Saleh
Department of Biology