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.
Biodiversity impacts every aspect of our planet. To maximize a student’s exposure to biodiversity we strongly encourage students to consider an international exchange in their fifth semester. An increase in global awareness of the diverse issues facing biodiversity from different economic, social, environmental and biological landscapes will help students to critically think, analyze and recognize the inherent complexities within the field.
Major (Honours Program)
Students may enter this major in Semester 1 or any semester thereafter. A student wishing to declare the major may wish to consult the Faculty Advisor. A minimum total of 20.00 credits required to complete the major.
Semester 1
| BIOL*1070 | [0.50] | Discovering Biodiversity |
| CHEM*1040 | [0.50] | General Chemistry I |
| MATH*1080 | [0.50] | Elements of Calculus I |
| PHYS*1080 | [0.50] | Physics for Life Sciences |
| 0.50 Liberal Education electives | ||
Students lacking Grade 12 or 4U Biology, Chemistry or Physics should follow the revised schedule of study for this major found at https://www.uoguelph.ca/bsc/revised_SS
Semester 2
Semester 3
Semester 4
Semester 5
| 2.50 electives or restricted electives* | ||
| or | ||
| Study Abroad* |
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 credits of Liberal Education electives are required. The list of Liberal Education electives for B.Sc. students can be found at: https://www.uoguelph.ca/bsc
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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*3600 [0.50] Comparative Animal Physiology I -
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 [1.00] Research in Integrative Biology I IBIO*4510 [1.00] 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.
** Study Abroad can include an exchange, international letter of permission, semester abroad or field school. Full details on the institutions and experiences available, along with application deadlines and admission requirements can be found on the University of Guelph, Centre for International Programs website: https://www.uoguelph.ca/cip/
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, 3 and 4 in restricted elective list)
4.00 - Approved Science electives
1.00 - Liberal Education (#1 in restricted electives)
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.