Bachelor of Arts - Biology - Health Sciences

Students entering the Department of Biology and Biochemistry may pursue one of several degree options.

Incoming students interested in Biochemistry can choose between two degrees: the Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) Honours degree or the Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) Major degree.

Incoming students interested in Biology can choose among three degrees: the Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) Honours degree, the Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) Major degree, or the Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree. In addition, each student following a Biology degree program must select one of two concentrations: Health Sciences or Biodiversity and Ecology.

The Biology B.Sc. degree requires a strong grounding in the core sciences—mathematics, physics, and chemistry. This degree is the best option for students intending to apply to graduate (M.Sc. or Ph.D.) programs or to professional programs such as medicine or physiotherapy.

Students with a strong interest in biology but without a strong background in the basic sciences often thrive in the Biology B.A. program. The B.A. degree is more flexible than the B.Sc. and many students pair it with a second major. For example, a student interested in governmental health policy might pursue a B.A. in Biology (Health Sciences) alongside a B.A. in Political Science, while an environmentally focused student might combine a B.A. in Biology (Biodiversity and Ecology) with a B.A. in Environmental Studies.

Differences Between the Biology Concentrations

The Health Sciences concentration prepares students for graduate studies in a wide range of biomedical fields—such as cell biology or physiology—and is typically chosen by those planning to continue on to medicine, dentistry, or other health-related professional programs.

The Biodiversity and Ecology concentration is intended for students interested in wildlife biology, ecology, zoology, plant science, or environmental sciences. This concentration prepares students for employment or graduate studies in various environmental and organismal fields.