Biological Sciences - Bachelor of Science

In the Biological Sciences major, students study living organisms with emphasis placed on experiential learning through laboratories, field work, and research. The major is comprised of the Molecular/Cellular and Ecology/Diversity streams. A diversity of courses are available spanning genetics, biochemistry, cell biology, zoology, botany and ecology. Students graduate with a broad foundation of knowledge and skills, and the ability to apply, evaluate and communicate their understanding of the life sciences as scientists, educators, leaders, and engaged citizens.

Contact Information

Department of Biological Sciences
Room 6-118, City Centre Campus
10700 - 104 Avenue
Edmonton, AB T5J 4S2
T: 780-633-3399

Arts and Science Academic Advising
Room 6-211, City Centre Campus
T: 780-497-4505
E: artsandscience@macewan.ca

Bachelor of Science

The Bachelor of Science (BSc) is a foundational general degree that provides broad and widely applicable knowledge and abilities rather than a niche specialization. This broad base equips graduates with generalist knowledge and skills that give the flexibility and agility so highly valued in a dynamic world economy. It also offers students a solid foundation to specialize in future employment or further schooling.

The degree provides a breadth of study across various Arts and Science disciplines and sets the foundation for later years. The major and minor areas of study allow students to focus and gain in-depth expertise in complementary or entirely disparate disciplines; there is a wide array of possible combinations. Finally, options enable students to explore courses outside their disciplines or even within their program, enhancing their diversity of learning. The small classes, close interaction between instructors and students, opportunities for individual study, and faculty with a strong focus on teaching are signature strengths of this program.

General Program Information

The BSc requires students to complete 120 credits of non-duplicative coursework. The BSc emphasizes breadth and depth and has been designed for exceptional flexibility and customization. Students can complete a major and a minor, a double major, or a major and two minors. Students can choose a secondary major in an Arts or Science discipline, but the primary major must be in a Science discipline.

All newly admitted students enter the BSc program as “Undeclared.” Undeclared means a student has not yet chosen their major(s) and minor(s). Students may declare at any time after being accepted to the BSc, and typically, they declare after completing a minimum of 45 credits. The Arts and Science Academic Advising Office will send information about majors and minors via email and newsletters; please contact the Advising Office if you require further assistance with this decision.

Science Disciplines

Arts Disciplines

Out of Faculty Minors

Laddering a Diploma into the Bachelor of Science

Students with an accredited diploma can ladder into the Bachelor of Science (BSc) and use some of their diploma coursework towards their degree requirements. If you have questions about the diploma laddering process, please visit www.macewan.ca/bscstudent or contact artsandscience@macewan.ca.

Preparing for Professional Studies

Students intending to enter professional programs at other universities can take their pre-professional programs in the Faculty of Arts and Science at MacEwan University. The university offers the first and second years of several pre-professional programs, including chiropractic medicine, dental hygiene, dentistry, medical laboratory science, medicine, optometry, pharmacy, and veterinary medicine. All courses in these pre-professional programs are credit courses, and, as such, they may apply to the degrees offered by MacEwan University.

Students are advised to consult the admissions requirements for the universities and programs of their choice and to select their MacEwan University courses accordingly. Completing pre-professional courses at MacEwan University does not guarantee admission to the subsequent professional program. Each professional program requires a separate application, and entry is competitive, not automatic.

Degree Requirements

Breadth Requirements

All Bachelor of Science degrees require Breadth Requirements. Courses can satisfy both the breadth requirements and requirements for the major(s), minor(s), Honours, or options. BIOL, CHEM, EASC, or PHYS courses must include a laboratory component.

Bachelor of Science Degree

Multi-disciplinary majors consist of 60-72 junior- and senior-level credits. Students majoring in mathematical or physical sciences may pursue a minor but are not required to do so.

Bachelor of Science Honours

The minimum passing grade for a course at MacEwan University is a D unless otherwise noted next to the appropriate course in the program of study. In the Faculty of Arts and Science, students typically require a minimum grade of C- to use a course as a prerequisite. Please check course descriptions for more information.

Cross-Faculty Course Recognitions

Cross-Faculty course recognition represents an agreement between programs within MacEwan University and consists of a number of approved courses that have the potential to be recognized within another degree. These courses are not considered transfers or equivalents as the original course will show within a student's transcript and their Academic Planning and Progress Report (APPR). How the courses listed below might be used within a student’s degree are determined by the student’s program of study. They are dependent on a number of factors including year of declaration, year of completion, and individual program requirements.

Biological Sciences Requirements

Biological Sciences Major

The Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Biological Sciences program requires students to complete 120 credits of non-duplicative coursework. In addition to the Biological Sciences Major, students will complete one of the following:

• one minor,
• two minors, or
• a secondary Science major

Students are required to complete option courses as well as the major(s) and minor(s). All BSc degrees require Breadth Requirements. Courses can satisfy both the breadth requirements and requirements for the major(s), minor(s), or options.

The Biological Sciences major is 42 to 60 credits with a minimum of 36 senior-level credits. Students must complete a minimum of 18 biological sciences credits at the 300- or 400-level with a minimum of six credits at the 400-level.

Students major in Biological Sciences have the option of completing the General Biological Sciences Major, the Molecular/Cellular Stream, or the Ecology and Diversity Stream.

The Biology major is a competitive major. Students must complete BIOL 107 and BIOL 108 with no grade lower than C-. Students must also have completed a minimum of one of BIOL 207 or BIOL 208 with no grade lower than C-, and be registered in the remaining course during the winter term when declarations close. A number of seats may be available to students who complete one of BIOL 207 or BIOL 208 and another 200-level biological science (BIOL, BICM, BOTN, or ZOOL) with minimum grades of C-. Students will submit their declaration by January 15. Students who apply will be ranked by their admissions GPA, which is calculated using their most recent 24 credits of university-level coursework, without breaking up a term. Applicants with the highest GPA will be admitted to the program first until no seats remain. Students will be notified of the success or denial of their application to the Biological Sciences major no later than February 1.

Note : Students majoring in Biological Sciences are required to complete CHEM 101 , CHEM 102 , and STAT 151 . These courses can be used to fulfil the Breadth Requirements.

Bachelor of Science - Biological Sciences Major