Bachelor of Medical Science (Honours) - Microbiology and Immunology (ESM)

Program Description Medical Sciences is a "first-entry" program into the Faculty of Science at Western. High school students interested in studying the basic medical sciences (human biology) modules at an advanced level in the BMSc Program should select MEDICAL SCIENCES on the Ontario Universities' Application Centre (OUAC). Admission to Medical Sciences is not admission to the BMSc Program. Students are registered as Medical Sciences students in Years 1 and 2, and apply to the BMSc Program when they enter Year 3. Entry into the BMSc Program is competitive and limited but admission is assured for Medical Sciences 2 students who achieve a minimum average of 80%, with no mark less than 60%, in the Year 2 courses that are specific to the student's module of interest for Year 3 BMSc.

The Department of Microbiology and Immunology at the Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Western University is dedicated to the study of microorganisms and the immune system. Faculty explore the structure, chemistry, genetics, and behaviour of bacteria, viruses, protozoa, mammalian cells, and the immune system. They apply the techniques of microbiology, immunology, molecular biology, and cell biology to both fundamental and medical problems.

This focus includes not only many interesting microorganisms, but how they behave in the environment or how they influence the immune system. Areas of health research studied include diabetes, arthritis, gene therapy, tumor biology, viral host interactions, resistance of cancer cells to chemotherapeutic agents, pathogens in the hospital setting, genetic control of cell surfaces of microbes, autoimmunity, and cell-to cell communication during the immune response. The Department of Microbiology and Immunology offers courses to explore many of these topics. Education of future scientists, health care professionals, and informed citizens is an important mandate of our Department.

This program leads to the Bachelor of Medical Sciences (BMSc) degree. The Department also participates in the Bachelor of Medical Sciences non-discipline specific streams. The Honours fourth year program is intended for students who have performed at an above-average level in their preparatory courses (cell biology, microbiology, immunology, genetics, and biochemistry) and who are keen to explore one or more of these areas in depth. Advanced coverage of bacteriology, genetics, immunology, and virology is given in a series of half courses. These courses are also open to any student in the BSc or BMSc programs with the necessary prerequisites.

NOTE: Please note the English scores listed are minimum requirements. Meeting the minimums does not guarantee admission. Students with low English scores may be admitted to the English BOOST Program, a 9 week training program for conditional admission to their chosen program.