Major in Zoology
Note: The UBC Okanagan campus also offers Majors in Biology, Ecology, Evolution, and Conservation Biology, and Microbiology.
Graduates will obtain a solid grounding in a broad range of topics dealing with animal biology (physiology, ecology, developmental biology). This program emphasizes a comparative approach and provides students with practical experience and skills in laboratory, field work, and communications. This program prepares students for graduate school and professional programs.
| 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 1122,3, 113, 1142, 150, 151, 153, 154, 155, 156, CORH_O 203 | 6 |
| MATH_O 1001 | 6 |
| 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 |
| BIOL_O 204, 205 | 6 |
| CHEM_O 203, 204; or CHEM_O 213, 2143 | 6 |
| Electives5 | 6 |
| Total credits | 30 |
| Third and Fourth Years | |
|---|---|
| BIOL_O 311 | 3 |
| BIOL_O 354 | 3 |
| BIOL_O 363 | 3 |
| Zoology electives from the following courses: BIOL_O 301, 306, 308, 341, 3563, 357, 3593, 370, 372, 375, 401, 414, 417, 4204, 422, 4524, 459, 460, 461, 467, 468 | 21 |
| Science electives numbered 300 or higher | 6 |
| Other electives numbered 300 or higher5 | 6 |
| Electives to satisfy B.Sc. requirements5 | 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 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.
4If approved by the program advisor as appropriate to Zoology.
5 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.
Zoology Honours Program
The Honours in Zoology 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 Zoology, except that students must complete 6 credits of BIOL_O 440.
Admission Requirements
- Fourth-year standing;
- A minimum grade average of 75% over all courses completed; and
- Enrolment in BIOL_O 440 with a research project and research supervisor approved by the department head as appropriate to Zoology.
Graduation Requirements
- Completion of the course requirements for the Major in Zoology;
- A 75% overall grade average; and
- BIOL_O 440 (6 credits) with a minimum grade of 75%. A written thesis is required with a public presentation in the form of a poster session or a seminar.