Major in Biology
Note: The UBC Okanagan campus also offers Majors in Ecology, Evolution, and Conservation Biology, Microbiology, and Zoology.
The Biology Major is designed to provide students with an excellent grounding in all fields of biology and the basic practical skills of the working biologist. This program prepares students for graduate school and professional programs. Students graduating from the UBC Okanagan campus with a B.Sc. in Biology will have a wide variety of practical experience and skills in laboratory, fieldwork, and communications (both oral and written).
| First Year | Credits |
|---|---|
| BIOL_O 116, 1251 | 6 |
| CHEM_O 111 or CHEM_O 121 | 3 |
| CHEM_O 113 or CHEM_O 123 | 3 |
| ENGL_O 1092, or two of ENGL_O 1122, 113, 1142, 150, 151, 153, 154, 155, 156, CORH_O 203 | 6 |
| MATH_O 1001 | 3 |
| MATH_O 101 or 1031 | 3 |
| PHYS_O 111 or 112 | 3 |
| PHYS_O 121 or 122 | 3 |
| Total credits | 30 |
| Second Year | |
|---|---|
| BIOL_O 200, 201 | 6 |
| BIOL_O 202, 265 | 6 |
| Two of BIOL_O 204, 205, 209, 210, 228 | 6 |
| CHEM_O 203, 204; or CHEM_O 213, 2143 | 6 |
| Electives4 | 6 |
| Total Credits | 30 |
| Third and Fourth Years | |
|---|---|
| BIOL_O 311 | 3 |
| BIOL_O 354 | 3 |
| Biology electives numbered 300 or higher | 24 |
| Science electives numbered 300 or higher | 6 |
| Other electives numbered 300 or higher4 | 6 |
| Electives to satisfy B.Sc. credit requirements4 | 18 |
| Total Credits | 60 |
| Minimum credits for degree | 120 |
1BIOL_O 116, 125; CHEM_O 111, 113 or 121, 123; and MATH_O 100, 101 or 103 should be taken in the first year to ensure students have the prerequisites for second year.
2Credit will only be granted for one of ENGL_O 109, 112 OR 114.
3Strongly recommended.
4 Students entering the B.Sc. in 2024 or later must complete at least 9 credits of non-science designated courses and 3 credits from INDG_O 100 or ENGL_O 114. Students who entered the B.Sc. prior to 2024 are required to complete 12 credits of non-science designated courses. These students are strongly encouraged to take INDG_O 100 or ENGL_O 114.
Biology Honours Program
The Honours in Biology is an intensive program of study based on coursework and research experience. Students who complete this program will have the ability to work independently and with a high level of competency. The course requirements are the same as in the Major in Biology program, except students must complete 6 credits of BIOL_O 440.
Admission Requirements
- Fourth-year standing.
- A minimum overall grade average of 75% over all courses completed.
- Enrolment in BIOL_O 440 with a research project and research supervisor approved by the department head.
Graduation Requirements
- Completion of the course requirements for the Major in Biology.
- A 75% overall grade average.
- BIOL_O 440, with a minimum grade of 75%. A written thesis is required, with a public presentation of the thesis in the form of a poster session or a seminar.