60 Units
The Major in Life Sciences provides a strong foundation in cellular biology, molecular biology, organic chemistry and biochemistry. It should provide you with the prerequisites to apply to schools of medicine, dentistry or pharmacy, as well as to biomolecular graduate program. Be sure to carefully check the admission requirements of professional and graduate schools you are considering.
This program is offered in English and in French.
The table below includes only discipline-specific courses. Please refer to the Academic Regulations for information on including a major to your degree.
The French Immersion Stream is available when taken as part of an honours degree.
This major cannot be combined with the following disciplines: major in Biochemistry (BCH), major in Biology (BIO), minor in Biochemistry (BCH), minor in Biology (BIO) or minor in Life Sciences.
Requirements for this program have been modified. Please consult the 2025-2026 calendars for the previous requirements.
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Compulsory courses at the 1000 level | ||
| BIO 1131 | Introduction to Organismal Biology | 3 Units |
| BIO 1141 | Introduction to Cell and Molecular Biology | 3 Units |
| CHM 1311 | Principles of Chemistry | 3 Units |
| CHM 1321 | Organic Chemistry I | 3 Units |
| MAT 1330 | Calculus for the Life Sciences I | 3 Units |
| MAT 1332 | Calculus for the Life Sciences II | 3 Units |
| Compulsory courses at the 2000 level | ||
| BCH 2333 | Introduction to Biochemistry | 3 Units |
| BIO 2133 | Genetics | 3 Units |
| CHM 2120 | Organic Chemistry II | 3 Units |
| CHM 2123 | Laboratory of Organic Chemistry II | 3 Units |
| STA 2392 | Introduction to Biostatistics | 3 Units |
| Compulsory courses at the 3000 level | ||
| BCH 3120 | General Intermediary Metabolism | 3 Units |
| Optional courses | ||
| 3 optional course units from: | 3 Units | |
| Principles of Physics I | ||
| Principles of Physics II | ||
| Introduction to Biopharmaceutical Science | ||
| 3 optional course units from: | 3 Units | |
| Molecular Biology | ||
| Molecular Biology | ||
| 3 optional course units from: | 3 Units | |
| Molecular Biology Laboratory | ||
| Molecular Biology Laboratory | ||
| 15 optional course units at the 3000 or 4000 level in biochemistry (BCH), biology (BIO), biomedical science (BIM), biopharmaceutical science (BPS), chemistry (CHM), environmental science (EVS), microbiology and immunology (MIC), PHA 4107, PHS 3341, PHS 3342, PHS 4300, PHS 4336. | 15 Units | |
| Total: | 60 Units | |