Biology www.biology.mcmaster.ca/

The Department of Biology is the hub of basic research on living systems, and its application in environmental and medical biotechnology.

EXAMPLES OF FACULTY RESEARCH Ben Bolker is a theoretical ecological/evolutionary biologist. He studies the spatial dynamics of ecological communities and epidemics (sometimes combined), building mathematical and statistical models to estimate and predict changes in populations and communities over time.

Rosa DaSilva’s research is focused on the cellular and molecular mechanisms that underlie systemic animal physiology, developmental biology, and both human and comparative anatomy and physiology. In particular, the molecular and cellular biology of cell-cell interactions, motility, and proliferation, with emphasis on how interrupted protein-protein interactions can lead to aberrant cellular activity such as tumorigenesis and cancer.

Ian Dworkin’s research focuses on using genetic and genomic approaches to address outstanding questions in the evolution of complex phenotypes. Using Drosophila (among other systems) as a model system to examine the interplay of standing genetic variation and environmental heterogeneity and their contribution to trait expression and variation; and how this interaction is itself shaped by evolutionary forces such as natural selection and drift.

Jurek Kolasa concentrates on the structure and variability of complex, multi-species assemblages to find out how complexity and community interactions affect species extinctions and levels of biodiversity at various scales of time and space. The communities he investigates are primarily invertebrates inhabiting natural tropical rock pools.

Elizabeth Weretilnyk uses biochemical, molecular biological and genomic approaches to identify and study the metabolic changes which enable a plant to tolerate conditions of environmental stress, particularly osmotic stress.

POSSIBLE CAREERS Biology is a multidisciplinary field that spans biochemistry, chemistry, psychology and mathematics. A degree in biology can offer many career options in academia, government or industry. Career options include:

Health Science Professional Schools – medicine, dentistry, optometry, pharmacyPost-graduate Professional Schools – law, business (MBA)EducationGraduate (M.Sc and Ph.D.) programsGovernment – Health Canada, Fisheries and Oceans, Agriculture Canada, Environment Canada Industry Biotechnology PharmaceuticalsHealth Technologies Biological Imaging

BIOLOGY FACULTY OF SCIENCE

FOCUS OF STUDY

Bioinformatics and Functional GenomicsDevelopmental BiologyEcology and EvolutionEnvironmental PhysiologyGenetics and Molecular Biology Microbiology and Plant Biology

FACILITIES 30 Faculty Research labs (well-equipped, state of the art instrumentation)Modern, well-equipped undergraduate labsAnimal quartersGreenhouse and growth chambersEquipment for recombinant DNATransmission and environmental scanning electron microscope

CO-OP OPPORTUNITIES The Department offers both an Honours Biology and Pharmacology Co-op and Honours Molecular Biology and Genetics Co-op program. Similar to all co-op programs, admission is at Level III, the programs are five-year years in length and allow students to gain practical experience, develop skills relevant to the workforce and network with employers.

Students in the Biology & Pharmacology Co-op Program are taught in a problem-based, self-directed format. Students participate in three, four-month work terms. Recent students completed work terms in the areas of:

Research & developmentPharmacological, biochemical and toxicological studiesPlanning, design and implementation of clinical trialsMedical information and product evaluationGovernmental and corporate regulatory affairsPharmacoepidemiology and pharmacoeconomics

Students in the Molecular Biology & Genetics Co-op Program complete four, four-month work terms and are prepared to work in fields such as:

Drug discovery and developmentBiotechnologyClinical researchBrewing and viticultureFood regulationMicrobiology

LEVEL II PROGRAMS

Honours Biology

(Honours B. Sc.)

Honours Biology Discovery Sub-Plan

(Honours B. Sc.)

Honours Biology - Physiology

(Honours B. Sc.)

Honours Molecular Biology and Genetics

(Honours B. Sc.)

Honours Biology and Environmental Sciences

(Honours B. Sc.)

Honours Biology and Mathematics

(Honours B. Sc.)

Honours Biology and Psychology, Neuroscience & Behaviour

(Honours B. Sc.)

Honours Neuroscience (Honours B. Sc.)

ADM

ISSI

ON R

EQUI

REM

ENTS Completion of any Level I program

with a Grade Point Average of at least 5.0 including:

These programs are limited enrollment. Possession of the published minimum requirements does not guarantee admission. Selection if based on academic achievement but requires, as a minimum, completion of any Level I program with a Grade Point Average of at least 5.0, including admission requirements listed below.

• 6 units BIOLOGY 1A03, 1M03 with an average of at least 6.0

• 6 units CHEM 1A03, 1AA3• 3 units from MATH 1A03, 1LS3• 3 units from PHYSICS

1A03, 1C03• 6 units from the Science I

Course List

• 6 units BIOLOGY 1A03, 1M03 with an average of at least 6.0

• 6 units CHEM 1A03, CHEM 1AA3

• 3 units from MATH 1A03, MATH 1LS3

• 3 units from PHYSICS 1A03, 1C03

• 6 units from the Science I Course List

• 6 units BIOLOGY 1A03, 1M03 with an average of at least 6.0

• 6 units CHEM 1A03, 1AA3• 3 units from MATH 1A03, 1LS3• 3 units from PHYSICS

1A03, 1C03• 6 units from the Science I

Course List

• 6 units BIOLOGY 1A03, 1M03 with an average of at least 6.0

• 6 units CHEM 1A03, 1AA3• 3 units from MATH 1A03, 1LS3• 3 units from PHYSICS

1A03, 1C03• 6 units from the Science I

Course List

• 3 units from MATH 1A03, 1LS3• 6 units BIOLOGY 1A03, 1M03

with an average of at least 6.0• 3 units from ENVIR SC 1C03,

1G03 with a grade of at least C+• 12 units from ASTRON 1F03,

BIOPHYS 1S03, CHEM 1A03, 1AA3, COMPSCI 1JC3, 1MD3, 1XA3, ENVIRSC 1C03, 1G03, GEOG 1HA3, 1HB3, MATH 1AA3, 1B03, 1LT3, MEDPHYS 1E03, PHYSICS 1A03, 1AA3, 1C03, 1CC3, PSYCH 1F03, 1X03, 1XX3, SCIENCE 1A03

• 6 units BIOLOGY 1A03, 1M03 with an average of at least 6.0

• 3 units from MATH 1A03, 1LS3, 1X03, 1ZA3

• 3 units from MATH 1AA3, 1LT3, 1XX3, 1ZB3 with a grade of at least C+

• 6 units BIOLOGY 1A03, 1M03 with an average of at least 7.0

• 3 units PSYCH 1XX3 a grade of at least B-

• 6 units CHEM 1A03, 1AA3 with an average of at least 7.0

• 3 units from MATH 1A03, 1LS3• 3 units from PHYSICS

1A03, 1C03• 3 units from the Science I

Course List

• 6 units BIOLOGY 1A03, 1M03• 6 units CHEM 1A03, 1AA3• 3 units from MATH 1A03, 1LS3• 3 units from PHYSICS

1A03, 1C03• 3 units PSYCH 1XX3• 3 units from MATH 1AA3,

1B03, 1LT3, 1MP3, COMPSCI 1MD3

ADM

ISSI

ON N

OTES One of PHYSICS 1A03 or 1C03

is required for admission. Completion of PHYSICS 1AA3 or 1CC3 is also recommended.

One of PHYSICS 1A03 or 1C03 is required for admission. Completion of PHYSICS 1AA3 or 1CC3 by the end of Level II is also recommended.

Students are strongly recommended to complete CHEM 1A03 and 1AA3 in Level I.

MATH 1B03 must be completed by the end of Level II. Completion in Level I is strongly recommended.

1. One of PHYSICS 1A03 or 1C03 is required for admission.

2. Completion of either PSYCH 1F03 or 1X03 is required by the end of Level II, however, PSYCH 1X03 is recommended in Level I.

While completion in Level I is recommended, the following courses must be complete by the end of Level II: - MATH 1AA3 or 1LT3- MATH 1B03 - COMPSCI 1MD3 or MATH 1MP3

SCIENCE I COURSE LIST: ASTRON 1F03, BIOLOGY 1A03, 1M03, BIOPHYS 1S03, CHEM 1A03, 1AA3, ENVIRSC 1C03, 1G03, GEOG 1HA3, 1HB3, MATH 1A03, 1AA3, 1B03, 1LS3, 1LT3, 1MP3, MEDPHYS 1E03, PHYSICS 1A03, 1AA3, 1C03, 1CC3, PSYCH 1F03, 1X03, 1XX3, SCIENCE 1A03

UPCOMING EVENTSBiology Information Night > Thursday, March 30, 2017, 6:00 pm, HSC, Rm 1A6 Biology Undergraduate Symposium > Friday, April 7, 2017

(Talks 8:30 am-12:30 pm in MDCL 3022/3023; Poster Session 1:30 pm - 4:30 pm in University Club)

CONTACT INFORMATIONwww.biology.mcmaster.ca | Rebecca Woodworth | biology@mcmaster.caLSB, Room 215