BSc or BA (120 credit hour) Concentrated Honours in Biology
Students who want a challenging program resulting in a broad background in Biology, including an independent research experience may want to enroll in an Honours program. Students interested in eventually pursuing graduate studies are particularly encouraged to consider Honours.
To graduate with Honours, students must complete a minimum of 54 credit hours above the 1000 level in Biology. A minimum B+ average (GPA of 3.3), with no grade less than C, is required in the core Biology courses. Students must also have a cumulative B average (GPA of 3.0) in courses in the honours subject at the time of graduation. Students write a research-based Honours thesis. The Honours Qualifying Examination requirement is satisfied through completion of BIOL 4901.03 AND BIOL 4902.03.
A Co-op option is available for students enrolled in a BSc Concentrated Honours in Biology. See Co-operative Education Program.
Admission to Honours
Students must apply for admission to Honours programs. Students considering Honours should consult with a Biology Honours Advisor early in their studies. To be admitted, students must:
- Have a minimum B+ average (GPA of 3.3) in the core Biology courses with no grade less than C. A maximum of two of these core courses may be repeated once to achieve this requirement.
- Have a minimum B average (GPA of 3.0) across all courses in the honours subject.
- Identify and gain the support of a thesis supervisor during their third year of studies (see Honours webpage for supervisor eligibility).
- With the supervisor’s input, draft and submit a thesis proposal to the Honours Committee no later than May 15th of their third year of studies. See Honours webpage for thesis proposal guidelines, and admission procedures for Honours Co-op students.
Biology Honours webpage https://www.dal.ca/faculty/science/biology/honours.html
Course Requirements
In addition to fulfilling the requirements outlined in the Academic Regulations and College of Arts and Science Degree Requirements sections, students in a Concentrated Honours program in Biology must complete the following courses:
1000 level
- BIOL 1010.03: Principles of Biology Part I (or BIOL 1020.03: Introductory Biology I: Cells, Genetics and Evolution or SCIE 1505X/Y.18 or SCIE 1506.09: Integrated Science I and SCIE 1507.09 Integrated Science II or equivalent)
- BIOL 1011.03: Principles of Biology Part II (or BIOL 1021.03: Introductory Biology II: Organismal Biology and Ecology or SCIE 1505X/Y.18: Integrated Science or SCIE 1506.09: Integrated Science I and SCIE 1507.09 Integrated Science II or equivalent)
- MATH 1060.03/STAT 1060.03: Introductory Statistics for Science and Health Sciences (or SCIE 1505X/Y.18: Integrated Science or SCIE 1506.09: Integrated Science I and SCIE 1507.09 Integrated Science IIor equivalent)
- An additional 3 credit hours in MATH or STAT (BSc)
- CHEM 1011.03: Concepts of Chemistry: Structure and Reactivity
- CHEM 1012.03: Concepts in Chemistry: Energy and Equilibrium
Recommended:
- PHYC 1310.03/PHYC 1320.03 (or PHYC 1300X/Y.06): Physics In and Around You
- MATH 1215.03: Life Sciences Calculus or MATH 1000.03: Differential and Integral Calculus I or MATH 1030.03: Matrix Theory and Linear Algebra I
2000 level
Core Biology courses
3000/4000 level
A minimum of 30 additional credit hours in BIOL or BIOL-approved courses at or above the 2000 level, of which at least 18 credit hours must be at or above the 3000 level. One of the following course options must be included:
Core Biology Courses
In addition, students must complete an Honours Thesis:
- BIOL 4901.03: Honours Research and Thesis I and BIOL 4902.03: Honours Research and Thesis II
Students are encouraged to consult the sections on Course Selection Guidelines and BIOL-approved Courses when selecting their 3000 and 4000 level courses.