Incoming Biology students choose between two degrees: the Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) and the Bachelor of Arts (B.A.). They also must choose between two concentrations: Health Sciences and Life Sciences. Upper-year students can transfer into the B.Sc. Honours program.
What is the difference between the B.Sc. and a B.A.?
The B.Sc. degree requires a strong grounding in the core sciences (math, physics, and chemistry). The B.Sc. is the best option if you intend to apply to graduate (M.Sc. or Ph.D.) or professional (e.g. medicine or physiotherapy) programs.
Students with a strong interest in biology but not a strong grounding in the basic sciences thrive in the B.A. Biology program. The B.A is much more flexible than the B.Sc., and many students pair it with a second B.A. major. For example, a student interested in governmental health policy might choose a B.A. in Biology (Health Science) and a B.A. in Political Science, whereas an environmentally-oriented student might pair a B.A. Biology (Life Science) with a B.A. in Environmental Studies.
What is the difference between Health Sciences and Life Sciences?
Health Science prepares students for graduate school in biomedical fields such as cell biology or physiology, and is usually the choice of students hoping to enter medicine, dentistry, or other health-related professional programs. Many of these students also enroll in the Pre-Medicine program.
Students interested in wildlife biology, ecology, plant science, and/or the environment usually choose the Life Science concentration. This degree prepares students for employment or graduate studies in these varied environmental and organismal areas of biology.
What is a B.Sc. Honours Degree?
The Biology Honours B.Sc. prepares the student for graduate work in the life sciences. Some professional schools also prefer that students have an Honours degree prior to entry. Honours students plan, execute, and report the findings of an independent research project conducted under the guidance of one or more faculty members. They also take additional Biology courses in the areas of experimental design and scientific writing (and correspondingly fewer electives). Students apply for entry into this program in their 3rd year of studies (i.e. the year prior to their graduating year). Entry into the program is based on marks and the availability of an appropriate faculty supervisor. See the links below for more details about Honours.
What are the Required and Optional Courses for Each Program?
For a summary of the courses required for the B.Sc. and B.A. degrees in the two concentrations and at the Majors and Honours levels, read the relevant sections of the academic calendar.
If you are already in a Biology program and want to track your progress towards graduation, see this document for a handy checklist.
