X. Degree Programs
Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.)
Biodiversity (BIOD)
Department of Integrative Biology, College of Biological Science
The Major in Biodiversity offers a broad education in the diversity and evolution of life while providing a more specialized understanding of biology at the level of the organism. It is the most flexible of the majors offered by the Department of Integrative Biology and as such, it allows students the opportunity to design a customized program around their interests. The major qualifies students for postgraduate work in biodiversity, botany, zoology, and other life sciences and provides a sound science background for students wishing to pursue professional life science degrees or careers in teaching, government service or the private sector.
Major (Honours Program)
Students may enter this major in Semester 1 or any semester thereafter. A student wishing to declare the major must consult the Faculty Advisor. A minimum total of 20.00 credits are required to complete the major. At least 6.00 science credits must be at the 3000 or 4000 level, 2.00 of which must be at the 4000 level.
Semester 1
BIOL*1070 | [0.50] | Discovering Biodiversity |
CHEM*1040 | [0.50] | General Chemistry I |
MATH*1080 | [0.50] | Elements of Calculus I |
PHYS*1070 | [0.50] | Introductory Physics for Life Sciences |
0.50 Arts or Social Science electives | ||
Students who are lacking one 4U /grade 12 course in Biology, Chemistry or Physics must take the equivalent introductory course in first semester. The required first-year science courses in that subject should be completed according to the revised schedule of studies available at: http://www.bsc.uoguelph.ca/revisedss |
Semester 2
Semester 3
Semester 4
Semester 5
MICR*2420 | [0.50] | Introduction to Microbiology |
2.00 electives or restricted electives* |
Semester 6
Semester 7
IBIO*4100 | [1.00] | Interpreting Biodiversity II |
1.50 electives or restricted electives* |
Semester 8
2.50 electives or restricted electives* |
* Restricted Electives
*The major in Biodiversity is a flexible program that allows students, in consultation with faculty advisors, to pursue their own interests and design a customized program of study. For example, students may wish to select their electives to focus on a particular taxonomic group such as microbes, plants, invertebrates, or vertebrates, and/or one of the three areas of research strength in the Department of Integrative Biology: physiology, ecology, or evolution.
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At least 1.00 Arts and/or Social Science electives are required. The list of approved Arts and Social Science electives for B.Sc. students is available at: http://www.bsc.uoguelph.ca/Approved_electives.shtml#arts
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A minimum of 0.50 credits from: BOT*2100 [0.50] Life Strategies of Plants BOT*3050 [0.50] Plant Functional Ecology ZOO*3200 [0.50] Comparative Animal Physiology I ZOO*3210 [0.50] Comparative Animal Physiology II -
A minimum of 0.50 credits from:
BOT*3310 [0.50] Plant Growth and Development BOT*3410 [0.50] Plant Anatomy ZOO*3050 [0.50] Developmental Biology -
A minimum of 0.50 credits from the following list. Biodiversity students are strongly encouraged to take at least one field course. Students should keep in mind that some of these courses have prerequisites that are not required courses for the BIOD major and should plan their programs accordingly.
BIOL*4410 [0.75] Field Ecology BIOL*4610 [0.75] Arctic Ecology BIOL*4700 [0.50] Field Biology BIOL*4710 [0.25] Field Biology BIOL*4800 [0.50] Field Biology BIOL*4810 [0.25] Field Biology IBIO*4500 [0.75] Research in Integrative Biology I IBIO*4510 [0.75] Research in Integrative Biology II IBIO*4521/2 [2.00] Thesis in Integrative Biology ZOO*4170 [0.50] Experimental Comparative Animal Physiology ZOO*4300 [0.75] Marine Biology and Oceanography Other field or research courses with approval of faculty advisor.
Credit Summary (20.00 Total Credits)
4.00 - First year science credits
6.50 - Required science courses semesters 3 - 8
1.50 - Restricted elective (# 2 and 3 in restricted elective list)
4.00 - Approved Science electives
1.00 - Arts and/or Social Science electives (# 1 in restricted elective list)
3.00 - Free electives - any approved elective for B.Sc. students.
*Of the total credits required, students are required to complete 16.00 credits in science of which a minimum of 2.00 credits must be at the 4000 level and an additional 4.00 credits must be at the 3000 or 4000 level.