Bachelor of Science, Majors, Minors and Transfer
Biology
A Major and Minor are offered
Program Fees: Domestic Students, International Students
Apply for Admission: Forms and Information
Note: VIU also offers a Bachelor of Arts, Minor in Biology.
General Description
The Bachelor of Science Major and Minor in Biology emphasize a “hands-on,” integrative approach to learning. Smaller class sizes allow one-on-one interaction, fostering development of the student-mentor relationship. Versatility is a key feature of the Biology program.
Whereas the Major has a traditional core program, which all students must take, students can also select courses to suit their interests. For example, strong faculty expertise in Organismal Biology, Ecology, Molecular/Cellular Biology and Microbiology/Virology enables students to emphasize one of these directions. Students can also select electives from other departments (e.g., Fisheries, Forestry, Geography, Anthropology) to satisfy their degree requirements. In the final year, students have the option, depending on availability, to complete a comprehensive undergraduate research project, under the supervision of a Biology faculty member.
The Major will be of interest to those looking towards teaching, graduate school, professional schools such as Medicine, Dentistry, Pharmacy, Veterinary Medicine and Law, or employment as scientists in the Biological and Environmental Sciences.
The Minor will be of particular interest to students proceeding towards a career in Primary and Secondary Education, with plans for teaching a science curriculum.
For additional information on the program, faculty, and undergraduate research, please visit the Biology home page at viu.ca/biology.
All B.Sc. students interested in the Biology Major or Minor must contact the Biology Degree Advisor.
Research and Teaching Interactions
VIU Faculty and students enjoy interaction with two renowned marine facilities: the Pacific Biological Station (PBS) and the Bamfield Marine Sciences Centre. Both are among the most prominent, prestigious marine facilities on the west coast of North America and offer exciting experiences for students. Several VIU Faculty are engaged in collaborative research with scientists at PBS, located in Nanaimo. VIU Biology students are often involved in research projects, or are employed during summers for field and/or laboratory work at PBS. Several VIU Biology faculty are also involved with the Bamfield Marine Sciences Centre, situated on the rugged west coast of Vancouver Island. This remote, yet modern, field station is used by faculty members engaged in marine biological research who may either teach courses there, or use the excellent facilities for field trips to supplement courses. In addition, students may take advanced, field-oriented summer courses at the Bamfield Marine Sciences Centre. For details of course offerings, visit the Bamfield Marine Sciences Centre web site at: www.bms.bc.ca.
Tropical Biology Field School in Belize
Belize, in Central America, has the largest barrier reef in the western hemisphere, and about 70% of its rainforest remains intact. VIU’s 6-week Tropical Biology Field School studies coral reef and rainforest ecosystems of Belize.
- Spend 2 of the 6 weeks on the Cayes to study fish, invertebrates, plankton, and water quality of coral reefs, mangrove forests, and sea grass meadows.
- Investigate the relationships among water, soil, plants and animals in three different habitats of the Sibun River watershed.
- Learn about the past and present cultures of this region.
For information, please check the Tropical Field School web page at: web.viu.ca/belize.
Notes on Admission
- Courses in first year have different prerequisites. To satisfy all first year course prerequisites, students must complete the following B.C. Secondary School courses: English 12, Biology 11 or 12, Chemistry 12, Math 12 (Principles of Math 12), and Physics 11 (Principles of Physics 11). A minimum grade of C+ is required, except for Math 12 which requires a minimum of "B". Physics 12 is recommended but not required. Some seats are available for students who have only completed Chemistry 11 with a minimum C+.
- Students who do not satisfy all of the first year course prerequisites will not likely be able to complete the full degree program in four years. Students who are lacking any or all of the first year course prerequisites should speak with a VIU Advisor about upgrading courses.
- Students with a two-year diploma in a field related to the Biological Sciences may receive advanced standing, depending upon their program.
- Students are encouraged to become computer literate in word processing, spreadsheets and databases by second year.
- Transcripts from other institutions for courses used towards the B.Sc., Major in Biology degree must be received by VIU’s Records office by August 15 for the Fall semester, and November 30 for the Spring semester.
Requirements for a Major
See Institutional B.Sc. Degree Requirements. The 126 credits required for graduation are as follows:
| Program Component | Credits |
|---|---|
Core courses |
72 |
Upper-level Biology electives (including specialization courses) |
21 |
Non-science electives |
6 |
Upper-level electives |
12 |
General electives |
15 |
Note: Most core, specialization, and elective courses have prerequisites. Students should check prerequisites carefully, and consult the Biology Degree Advisor when planning their program.
Core Courses
The Core component of the degree, combined with appropriate electives, gives students sufficient knowledge and experience in their field to facilitate entry into graduate or professional schools, or into employment in their field.
Note: Students are strongly encouraged to complete all Year 1 and Year 2 core requirements in the order listed to minimize potential scheduling conflicts later in their degree.
YEAR 1– Effective September 2010 |
Credits |
|---|---|
BIOL 121 - (Introductory Zoology) |
4 |
BIOL 123 - (Introduction to Cellular and Molecular Biology) |
4 |
CHEM 111/112 or 121/122 or 111/122 - (Chemistry Fundamentals) |
8 |
6 |
|
8 |
|
6 |
Note: At the end of first year or after completing a minimum of 24 credits, students need to declare their educational goals in consultation with the B.Sc. Advisor.
YEAR 2 |
Credits |
|---|---|
BIOL 200 - (Principles of Cell Biology) |
3 |
BIOL 201 - (Principles of Biochemistry) |
3 |
BIOL 202 - (Ecology) |
3 |
BIOL 210 - (Microbiology I) |
3 |
BIOL 212 - (Genetics) |
3 |
BIOL 223 - (Botany) |
3 |
6 |
|
MATH 211 - (Statistics I) |
3 |
Note: Students planning to transfer to Microbiology programs at UBC or UVic should also consider taking BIOL 211 - (Microbiology II).
YEARS 3 & 4 |
Credits |
|---|---|
BIOL 305 - (Animal Physiology) |
3 |
BIOL 402 - (Evolution) |
3 |
BIOL 403 - (Current Topics in Biology) |
3 |
Select 15 upper–level BIOL credits numbered 300* and above. |
15 |
Specialization Options |
|
Students must complete at least one of the following pairs of courses, each representing a particular biological specialization. |
|
Microbial Biology |
|
BIOL 332 - (Microbial Ecology) and either, |
6 |
Molecular and Cellular Biology |
|
BIOL 341 - (Molecular Cell Biology) and, |
6 |
Aquatic and Terrestrial Ecology |
|
BIOL 320 - (Aquatic Ecosystem Fundamentals) and, |
6 |
* Check individual course prerequisites.
Undergraduate Research Project
The Biology Department encourages education gained by participating in active research. Students have the option to complete a research project (BIOL 490 or 491) in their final year. For these courses, students carry out their research under the direction of a Research Advisor from the Biology Department (in some cases, faculty may be from another Department). Students interested in taking BIOL 490 or 491 should consult a faculty member as early as possible in their academic career. Details of the special registration process required for BIOL 490 and 491 may be obtained from the Biology Chair or B.Sc. Degree Advisor.
Further information on previous research projects performed by VIU Biology graduates is available at viu.ca/biology.
Requirements for a Minor
Students must fulfill all Institutional B.Sc. Degree Requirements, including Degree English Requirements and courses listed below:
Years 1 & 2 * |
Credits |
|---|---|
Minimum “C-” required for each of the following courses: |
|
BIOL 121 - (Introductory Zoology) |
4 |
BIOL 123 - (Introduction to Cellular and Molecular Biology) |
4 |
Select one of the following pairs: |
8 |
MATH 211 - (Statistics I) |
3 |
BIOL 201 - (Principles of Biochemistry) |
3 |
Select two courses from the following: |
6 |
CHEM 231 - (Organic Chemistry I) |
3 |
* Students should check upper-level course prerequisites to guide second year course choices.
Years 3 & 4 |
Credits |
|---|---|
Minimum of 18 credits of Biology courses numbered 300 or above.* |
18 |
* Check individual course prerequisites.
Updated April 19, 2010