Biology - Organismal Minor Concentration (B.A. & Sc.) (19 credits)
Offered by: Biology (Faculty of Science)
Degree: Bachelor of Arts and Science
Program credit weight: 19
Program Description
The Minor Concentration Biology - Organismal, is restricted to students in the B.A. & Sc. It is a sequence of courses designed to yield a broad introduction to organismal biology.
Advising Note: Students interested in a Biology minor concentration must choose either the Cell/Molecular option or the Organismal option, but may not take both. Students interested in a more in-depth program in Biology should consider the Major concentration.
Students may complete this program with a minimum of 18 credits or a maximum of 19 credits depending if they are exempt from taking CHEM 212 Introductory Organic Chemistry 1. and their choice of complementary course.
Note: For information about Fall 2025 and Winter 2026 course offerings, please check back on May 8, 2025. Until then, the "Terms offered" field will appear blank for most courses while the class schedule is being finalized.
Required Courses1 (16 credits)
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| BIOL 200 | Molecular Biology. | 3 |
Molecular Biology. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. The physical and chemical properties of the cell and its components in relation to their structure and function. Topics include: protein structure, enzymes and enzyme kinetics; nucleic acid replication, transcription and translation; the genetic code, mutation, recombination, and regulation of gene expression. | ||
| BIOL 201 | Cell Biology and Metabolism. | 3 |
Cell Biology and Metabolism. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. This course introduces the student to our modern understanding of cells and how they work. Major topics to be covered include: photosynthesis, energy metabolism and metabolic integration; plasma membrane including secretion, endocytosis and contact mediated interactions between cells; cytoskeleton including cell and organelle movement; the nervous system; hormone signaling; the cell cycle. | ||
| BIOL 205 | Functional Biology of Plants and Animals. | 3 |
Functional Biology of Plants and Animals. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Unified view of form and function in animals and plants. Focus on how the laws of chemistry and physics illuminate biological processes relating to the acquisition of energy and materials and their use in movement, growth, development, reproduction and responses to environmental stress. | ||
| BIOL 215 | Introduction to Ecology and Evolution. | 3 |
Introduction to Ecology and Evolution. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. An introduction to the fundamental processes of ecology and evolution that bear on the nature and diversity of organisms and the processes that govern their assembly into ecological communities and their roles in ecosystem function. | ||
| CHEM 212 | Introductory Organic Chemistry 1. 2 | 4 |
Introductory Organic Chemistry 1. Terms offered: Summer 2025 A fundamental study of aliphatic compounds and saturated functional groups including modern concepts of bonding, reaction mechanisms, conformational analysis, spectroscopy, and stereochemistry. | ||
- 1
Required courses taken at CEGEP or elsewhere that are not credited toward the B.A. & Sc. must be replaced by approved complementary courses. Regardless of the substitution, students must take at least 18 credits in this program.
- 2
Students who have already taken CHEM 212 Introductory Organic Chemistry 1. or its equivalent will choose another appropriate complementary course, to be approved by the adviser.
Complementary Course (3 credits)
Any 3-credit biology course at the 300 level or higher approved by the Biology Adviser.