Program Requirements
The Honours program in Biology is intended for students who are interested in gaining a concentrated research experience. A broad range of fundamental biological concepts spanning molecules and cells to organisms and ecosystems, including development, behaviour and evolution is supplemented with research in a chosen area. Potential areas of focus include: (1) molecular, cellular and developmental biology, (2) conservation, ecology and evolution, and (3) neurobiology and behaviour.
Acceptance into the Honours program at the end of U2 requires a CGPA of 3.50 and approval of a 9- or 12-credit Independent Studies proposal (see listing of BIOL 479D1/BIOL 479D2, BIOL 480D1/BIOL 480D2 for details). For an Honours degree, a minimum CGPA of 3.50 at Graduation and adherence to the program as outlined below are the additional requirements.
First Class Honours will be awarded to students graduating with a CGPA of 3.75 or better, and having successfully completed the Honours program
Required Courses (35 credits)
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BIOL 200 Molecular Biology (3 credits)
Overview
Biology (Sci) : 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.
Terms: Fall 2024
Instructors: Champetier, Serge; Hastings, Kenneth E M; Lasko, Paul; Turney, Shaun; Reyes Lamothe, Rodrigo (Fall)
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BIOL 201 Cell Biology and Metabolism (3 credits)
Overview
Biology (Sci) : 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.
Terms: Winter 2025
Instructors: Brouhard, Gary; Hekimi, Siegfried; Zheng, Huanquan; Champetier, Serge (Winter)
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BIOL 205 Functional Biology of Plants and Animals (3 credits)
Overview
Biology (Sci) : 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.
Terms: Winter 2025
Instructors: Sakata, Jon; Barrett, Rowan; Soper, Fiona (Winter)
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BIOL 206 Methods in Biology (3 credits)
Overview
Biology (Sci) : Introduction to modern methods used in organismal biology, including ecological sampling, experimental methods and statistics. Particular emphasis is on ways of thinking about the design of sampling programs and the analyses of data to test hypotheses using observational or experimental data.
Terms: Fall 2024
Instructors: Pollock, Laura; Larsson, Hans Carl; Turney, Shaun (Fall)
Fall
1. 2 hours lecture, 2. 3 hours laboratory
Prerequisite: BIOL 111 or equivalent
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BIOL 215 Introduction to Ecology and Evolution (3 credits)
Overview
Biology (Sci) : 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.
Terms: Fall 2024
Instructors: Price, Neil; Kassen, Rees; Fussmann, Gregor (Fall)
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BIOL 216 Biology of Behaviour (3 credits)
Overview
Biology (Sci) : Introduction to the study of animal behaviour at the population, organismal, cellular, and molecular levels. Historical and contemporary methods and experiments will be presented and discussed to provide an overall appreciation of the biology of behaviour, with a focus on the application of multiple levels of analysis to biological phenomena and the formulation of hypotheses about evolution, development, function, and mechanisms of behavioural traits. Topics will range from how animals communicate with one another to the cellular mechanisms that allow information to be processed by nervous systems.
Terms: Winter 2025
Instructors: Hendricks, Michael; Woolley, Sarah; Guigueno, M茅lanie (Winter)
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BIOL 301 Cell and Molecular Laboratory (4 credits)
Overview
Biology (Sci) : An introduction to biology research and communication with a focus on cell and molecular biology. Through conducting a series of project-based experiments and writing a final report, molecular and synthetic biology techniques such as gene cloning, manipulation, protein isolation and characterization and how research is conducted, analyzed and communicated will be addressed. In addition, an introduction to bioinformatics methods and their role in analysis will be provided.
Terms: Fall 2024, Winter 2025
Instructors: Hayer, Arnold; Harrison, Paul; Zheng, Huanquan; Leroux, Maxime (Fall) Zheng, Huanquan; Harrison, Paul; Leroux, Maxime; Hayer, Arnold (Winter)
Fall or Winter
1 hour lecture and one 6-hour laboratory
Prerequisites: BIOL 200, BIOL 201 (or ANAT 212/BIOC 212); or BIOL 219
Restrictions: Not open to students who have taken or are taking BIOC 300, or BIOC 220 and BIOC 320. Requires departmental approval.
For approval email maxime.leroux [at] mcgill.ca. Specify your ID number as well as the term and two lab day preferences.
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BIOL 302 Fundamentals of Genetics and Genomics (3 credits)
Overview
Biology (Sci) : Trait variation within and across populations and species,and how this reflects variation within genomes. Case studies and problem-solving approaches will be used to illustrate the tools of genomics, molecular genetics and classical genetics, and how they are employed to understand the mechanisms of phenotypic variation.Topics will include evolutionary, developmental and human genetics. Application of multiple levels of genetic analysis, formulation, and testing of hypotheses on critical topics ranging from evolution to developmental biology to human genetics.
Terms: Fall 2024
Instructors: Schoen, Daniel J; Lasko, Paul; Western, Tamara; Brule, Veronique (Fall)
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BIOL 311 Advanced Methods in Organismal Biology (3 credits)
Overview
Biology (Sci) : Application of methods and techniques used by organismal biologists, paired with the design of sampling programs to test hypotheses using observational or experimental data, and the analysis of data. Topics include DNA barcoding/metabarcoding and experimental evolution.
Terms: Winter 2025
Instructors: Cristescu, Elena; Schoen, Daniel J; Gonzalez, Andrew; Turney, Shaun (Winter)
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BIOL 499D1 Honours Seminar in Biology (2 credits)
Overview
Biology (Sci) : The practical aspects of science and scholarship in biology, including scientific writing, research presentations, bibliographies, methods, and peer review, as relating to Biology Honours research projects and theses. Attendance at research seminars in areas of related research.
Terms: Fall 2024
Instructors: Sakata, Jon (Fall)
Fall, Winter
Students must register for both BIOL 499D1 and BIOL 499D2.
No credit will be given for this course unless both BIOL 499D1 and BIOL 499D2 are successfully completed in consecutive terms
In some weeks, conference attendance will be replaced by research seminar attendance.
Restriction: Open to students in the Biology Honours program. Students in the Quantitative Biology or Computer Science and Biology Honours programs may enroll with instructor permission.
In some weeks, conference attendance will be replaced by research seminar attendance.
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BIOL 499D2 Honours Seminar in Biology (2 credits)
Overview
Biology (Sci) : See BIOL 499D1 for course description.
Terms: Winter 2025
Instructors: Sakata, Jon (Winter)
Winter
Prerequisite: BIOL 499D1
No credit will be given for this course unless both BIOL 499D1 and BIOL 499D2 are successfully completed in consecutive terms
In some weeks, conference attendance will be replaced by research seminar attendance.
Restriction: Open to students in the Biology Honours program. Students in the Quantitative Biology or Computer Science and Biology Honours programs may enroll with instructor permission.
In some weeks, conference attendance will be replaced by research seminar attendance.
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COMP 204 Computer Programming for Life Sciences (3 credits)
Overview
Computer Science (Sci) : Computer Science (Sci): Computer programming in a high level language: variables, expressions, types, functions, conditionals, loops, objects and classes. Introduction to algorithms, modular software design, libraries, file input/output, debugging. Emphasis on applications in the life sciences.
Terms: Fall 2024, Winter 2025
Instructors: Becerra, David (Fall) Siddiqi, Kaleem (Winter)
Co-requisite: BIOL 112
Restrictions: Not open to students who have taken or are taking COMP 202, COMP 208, or GEOG 333; not open to students who have taken or are taking COMP 206 or COMP 250.
To take COMP 204, students should have a solid understanding of pre-calculus fundamentals such as polynomial, trigonometric, exponential, and logarithmic functions.
Complementary Courses (36-37 credits)
Core 12-13 credits:
3 or 4 credits selected from CHEM block:
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CHEM 204 Physical Chemistry/Biological
Sciences 1 (3 credits)
Overview
Chemistry : Similar to CHEM 223/CHEM 243. Emphasis on the use of biological examples to illustrate the principles of physical chemistry. The relevance of physical chemistry to biology is stressed.
Terms: Fall 2024, Winter 2025
Instructors: Khaliullin, Rustam (Fall) Caire da Silva, Lucas (Winter)
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CHEM 212 Introductory Organic Chemistry 1 (4 credits) *
Overview
Chemistry : A fundamental study of aliphatic compounds and saturated functional groups including modern concepts of bonding, reaction mechanisms, conformational analysis, spectroscopy, and stereochemistry.
Terms: Fall 2024, Summer 2025
Instructors: Vlaho, Danielle; Huot, Mitchell; Sirjoosingh, Pallavi; Tsantrizos, Youla S; Pavelka, Laura; Luedtke, Nathan (Fall) Sirjoosingh, Pallavi; Vlaho, Danielle; Huot, Mitchell (Summer)
Fall, Summer
Restriction: Not open to students registered in Chemistry or Biochemistry. Not open to students who have taken or are taking CHEM 211, CHEM 242, or equivalent.
Each lab section is limited enrolment
Note: Some CEGEP programs provide equivalency for this course. For more information, please see the Department of Chemistry's Web page ().
* If a student has already taken CHEM 212 or its equivalent, the credits can be made up with CHEM 204, CHEM 222, or a 3- or 4-credit Biology complementary course to be approved by the Biology Adviser.
9 credits (3 credits from each of Block A, Block B and Block C):
Block A- Ecology and Evolution:
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BIOL 304 Evolution (3 credits)
Overview
Biology (Sci) : A comprehensive introduction to evolutionary biology. It covers both short-term and long-term evolutionary processes. Topics include the history of life, the origin of species, adaptation, natural selection and sexual selection.
Terms: Fall 2024
Instructors: Hendry, Andrew; Larsson, Hans Carl (Fall)
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BIOL 305 Animal Diversity (3 credits)
Overview
Biology (Sci) : The characteristics of the major groups of animals, their ancestry, history and relationship to one another. The processes of speciation, adaptive radiation and extinction responsible for diversity. Methods for constructing of phylogenies, for comparing phenotypes, and for estimating and analyzing diversity.
Terms: Winter 2025
Instructors: Barrett, Rowan; Larsson, Hans Carl; Bell, Graham; Turney, Shaun; Fussmann, Gregor (Winter)
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BIOL 308 Ecological Dynamics (3 credits)
Overview
Biology (Sci) : Principles of population, community, and ecosystem dynamics: population growth and regulation, species interactions, dynamics of competitive interactions and of predator/prey systems; evolutionary dynamics.
Terms: Fall 2024
Instructors: Guichard, Frederic; Fussmann, Gregor (Fall)
Block B- Molecular and Cellular:
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BIOL 300 Molecular Biology of the Gene (3 credits)
Overview
Biology (Sci) : A survey of current knowledge and approaches in the area of regulation of gene expression, post-transcriptional control of gene expression, and signal transduction.
Terms: Fall 2024
Instructors: Sch枚ck, Frieder; Moon, Nam Sung (Fall)
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BIOL 303 Developmental Biology (3 credits)
Overview
Biology (Sci) : A consideration of the fundamental processes and principles operating during embryogenesis. Experimental analyses at the molecular, cellular, and organismal levels will be presented and discussed to provide an overall appreciation of developmental phenomena.
Terms: Winter 2025
Instructors: Gerhold, Abigail; Rao, Yong; Dufort, Daniel (Winter)
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BIOL 313 Eukaryotic Cell Biology (3 credits)
Overview
Biology (Sci) : In-depth examination of the structure and function of eukaryotic cells, with an emphasis on experimental design and interpretation. Examination of the molecular mechanisms of various cellular processes, including protein homeostasis, intracellular transport, cytoskeletal dynamics, multicellular organization and cell proliferation.
Terms: Winter 2025
Instructors: Weber, Stephanie (Winter)
Block C-Neuro/Behaviour:
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BIOL 306 Neural Basis of Behaviour (3 credits)
Overview
Biology (Sci) : Neural mechanisms of animal behaviour; neuroethology; cellular neurophysiology, integrative networks within nervous systems; neural control of movement; processing of sensory information.
Terms: Fall 2024
Instructors: Sakata, Jon; Dent, Joseph Alan (Fall)
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BIOL 307 Behavioural Ecology (3 credits)
Overview
Biology (Sci) : How an organism鈥檚 behaviour relates to its physical, biological, and social environment, using evolutionary and ecological perspectives. Emphasis is on general principles, covering topics such feeding, predator avoidance, aggression, reproduction, social behaviour, communication and cognition.
Terms: Winter 2025
Instructors: Reader, Simon; Guigueno, M茅lanie (Winter)
Honours Block (9-12 credits)
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BIOL 479D1 Honours Research Project 1 (4.5 credits)
Overview
Biology (Sci) : Introduces students to original research, and to its design, execution and reporting.
Terms: Fall 2024
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2024-2025 academic year.
Fall, Winter
8-12 hours per week research project and related seminars
Restriction: Biology Honours students. Projects must be arranged individually with, and accepted by a staff member of the Biology Department
Students must register for both BIOL 479D1 and BIOL 479D2.
No credit will be given for this course unless both BIOL 479D1 and BIOL 479D2 are successfully completed in consecutive terms
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BIOL 479D2 Honours Research Project 1 (4.5 credits)
Overview
Biology (Sci) : See BIOL 479D1 for course description.
Terms: Winter 2025
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2024-2025 academic year.
Winter
Prerequisite: BIOL 479D1
No credit will be given for this course unless both BIOL 479D1 and BIOL 479D2 are successfully completed in consecutive terms
OR
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BIOL 480D1 Honours Research Project 2 (6 credits)
Overview
Biology (Sci) : Introduces students to original research, and to its design, execution and reporting.
Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2024-2025 academic year.
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2024-2025 academic year.
Fall and Winter
10-15 hours per week research project and related seminars
Restriction and course description: as for BIOL 479
Students must register for both BIOL 480D1 and BIOL 480D2.
No credit will be given for this course unless both BIOL 480D1 and BIOL 480D2 are successfully completed in consecutive terms
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BIOL 480D2 Honours Research Project 2 (6 credits)
Overview
Biology (Sci) : See BIOL 480D1 for course description.
Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2024-2025 academic year.
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2024-2025 academic year.
Winter
Prerequisite: BIOL 480D1
No credit will be given for this course unless both BIOL 480D1 and BIOL 480D2 are successfully completed in consecutive terms
Other (12-15 credits)
15 credits of Biology courses at the 300-500 levels if taking BIOL 479D1/D2, or 12 credits if taking BIOL 480D1/D2. With permission of the Biology Adviser, up to 6 credits may be taken from other science department courses (300-500 levels). Up to 3 credits of previous independent research courses may be included. Must include 6 credits of 400-500 levels.
