Zoology
Study animals, organisms and how they’re adapting, surviving and thriving in today’s environment.
The specialization in Zoology provides courses that are designed to give students a rigorous background in the fundamentals of animal biology
The specialization provides an emphasis on whole organisms and their development, genetics, evolution, physiology, behaviour, and interaction with the environment. The specialization provides enough flexibility to allow students to pursue specific areas of interests such as mammals, reptiles, and frogs, fisheries biology, evolution, wildlife management, etc.
Download a copy of the Course List below:
For students enrolled prior to Fall 2023 (PDF)
For students enrolled in or after Fall 2023 (PDF)
Academic Advisor
School of Natural Sciences
Telephone: (705) 675-1151 ext. 2100
Email: nat-sci@laurentian.ca
Office: F-519
Ontario High School Applicants
Program Prerequisites:
- 1 grade 12 English U/M course; 1 grade 12 4U Advanced Functions; 2 grade 12 U Science courses or 1 Science + 1 Math; 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: Canadian Undergraduate Applicants 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
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) Specialization in Zoology
120 credits
Students must follow these regulations in order to meet graduation requirements for the BA or B.Sc.
Program of Study
First year
BIOL 1506E Biology I
BIOL 1507E Biology II
CHMI 1006E General Chemistry I 1
CHMI-1007E General Chemistry II
MATH 1036E Calculus I 2
MATH 1037E Calculus II OR MATH 1057E Linear Algebra I
PHYS 1006E Introductory Physics I
PHYS 1007E Introductory Physics II
+ 6 credits in Arts
1 Applicants lacking 12U-level Chemistry or the equivalent, must complete CHMI 1031 prior to taking CHMI 1006.
2 Applicants with a grade of less than C (60%) in 12U-level Calculus or the equivalent, must complete MATH 1912 prior to taking MATH 1036.
Second year
BIOL 2007E Genetics
BIOL 2026E Introduction to Microbiology
BIOL 2126E Cell Biology
BIOL 2356E Principles of Ecology
BIOL 2706E Vertebrate Form and Function
BIOL 2726E Diversity of Animals
CHMI 2426E Organic Chemistry I
STAT 2126E Introduction to Statistics
OR STAT 2246E Statistics for Scientists
+ 6 credits in Arts
Third year
BIOL 2306E Diversity of Plants
BIOL 3327E Experimental Methods in Biology
CHMI 2227E Biochemistry I
NATS 3106E Scientific Writing and Communication
+ 6 credits from Zoology List A below
+ 6 credits from Zoology List B below
+ 6 credits from any discipline
Fourth year
BIOL 4016E Field Camp and Report OR equivalent 3
NATS 4005E Honours Thesis
OR NATS 4106E Literature Review and 3cr BIOL
+ 9 credits from Zoology List A below
+ 6 credits from Zoology List B below
+ 6 credits from any discipline
3 Students must consult their academic advisor for a suitable replacement for BIOL 4016. BIOL 4216 may be a suitable replacement. BIOL 4016 (or its equivalent) can be taken in third year.
4 Students with an overall average of less than B (6) in all Biology courses must replace NATS 4005 with NATS 4106 and another 3 credits from List A or B.
Zoology List A 5 (15 credits)
BIOL 3006E Evolutionary Biology
BIOL 3706E General Entomology
BIOL 3726E Animal Histology
BIOL 3746E Animal Ecology
BIOL 3756E Vertebrate Physiology
BIOL 4717E Animal Behaviour
BIOL 4736E Developmental Biology
5 Some courses are offered only every second year.
Zoology List B (12 credits)
List A courses taken above the required 18 credits can replace courses in List B.
BIOL 2757E Aspects of Human Sexuality
BIOL 3007E Evolutionary Medicine
BIOL 3117E Infectious Diseases
BIOL 3306E Vascular Plant Systematics
BIOL 3386E Mycology
BIOL 3806E Biological Effects of Metals in Plants and Animals
BIOL 3977E Biodiversity and Conservation
BIOL 4066E Quantitative Ecology
BIOL 4076E Ecosystem Ecology
BIOL 4216E Ontario Field Biology Camp
BIOL 4217E Ontario Field Biology Camp
BIOL 4317E Plant Animal Interactions
BIOL 4346E Medical Mycology
BIOL 4747E Herpetology
BIOL 4756E Freshwater Biology
BIOL 4777E Wildlife Management: Objectives, Methods and Techniques
BIOL 4807E Advanced Genetics
BIOL 4907E Fisheries Science for Stressed Ecosystems
CHMI 2427E Organic Chemistry II
CHMI 3226E Biochemistry II
GEOL 2406E Paleobiology I
INTE 3107E Pathophysiology
NATS 3206E Internship
Note:
- Students may not exceed 48 credits at the 1000 or 9100 level in their degree program.
- Students must take a minimum of 9 credits of the 4000 level courses to graduate with honours.
- SCOM 4006 is recommended as a general elective.
The folllowing course is not listed here, but is available through WebAdvisor:
BIOL 3117 EL Infectious Diseases
This course explores the principles of medical microbiology. Topics include resistance and immunity, and infectious diseases of the genitourinary tract, respiratory tract, digestive tract, and skin. Causative agents, symptomology, chemotherapy, and the possibilities of immunization are addressed. (lec 3, lab 3) cr 3. Students cannot retain credit for both BIOL 3117 and BIOL 2110. Prerequisite: BIOL 2026, BIOL 3025, or BIOL 2111.
List of Faculty Members
Core faculty members
Alarie, Yves: Invertebrate systematics
Basiliko, Nathan: Environmental microbiology; ecosystem ecology; soils
Beckett, Peter: Restoration ecology; wetlands
Gagnon, Jeffrey: Obesity and metabolic disease
Gunn, John: Fisheries ecology and management
Lamothe, Suzanne: Permanent sessional lecturer
Lesbarrères, David: Evolutionary ecology; herpetology
Litzgus, Jackie: Ecology and conservation of reptiles at risk
Mallory, Frank: Wildlife management & behavioural & biomedical ecology
Martinez-Garcia, Mery: Animal physiology in changing environments
Nasserulla, Sabah: Permanent sessional lecturer
Nkongolo, Kabwe: Human and plant genetics
Robitaille, Jean-François: Behavioural ecology of Mustelids
Ryser, Peter: Ecology of wetland plants; root ecology; heavy metal stress
Saleh, Mazen: Molecular biophysics; bacterial environmental interactions
Schulte-Hostedde, Albrecht: Applied evolutionary ecology