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Biology


On this page: Introduction | Programs |
See also: Faculty Members | Course Descriptions | Course Winter Timetable: Cell & Systems Biology; Ecology & Evolutionary Biology|

Introduction

Given by Members of the Departments of Cell & Systems Biology and Ecology & Evolutionary Biology Students are advised to consult courses listed by these Departments. Biology is the scientific study of life. At no time in history has biology been more visible and important to human life and the future of our planet. The study of biology has vast applications in understanding one’s own body, in grappling with the ethical questions that face humanity, and in understanding the interdependent web of living organisms on the planet. Today the biological sciences are experiencing a revolution. Important discoveries occur almost weekly as scientists and their students around the world develop and use new techniques, theories, and approaches. The University of Toronto has many faculty conducting research and teaching courses in the biological sciences. Within the Faculty of Arts and Science, St. George campus, there is no single biology department. Biology courses once taught by the departments of Botany and Zoology are now taught by members of the departments of Cell & Systems Biology and Ecology & Evolutionary Biology. Each of these departments offers its own programs and courses, but also jointly offers the Biology, Botany, and Zoology programs. Courses are available in the subject areas of behaviour, evolution, ecology, cell and molecular biology, genetics, physiology, and developmental biology. In addition, there are courses offering a field experience for students. Students should consult the Cell & Systems Biology and Ecology & Evolutionary Biology entries in this Calendar. Because many areas of biology draw on mathematics and the physical sciences, background preparation in mathematics and chemistry (and sometimes physics) is recommended for students pursuing programs in biology. Students entering their first year in the life sciences take BIO150Y1BIO150Y1">BIO150Y1BIO150Y1. BIO150Y1BIO150Y1">BIO150Y1BIO150Y1 is taken by students who have successfully completed grade 12 Biology (or an equivalent course) and is a prerequisite for almost all further courses in the life sciences. Note that courses prior to 2007-08 that were listed in Calendars under Botany and Zoology are now listed under Cell & Systems Biology or Ecology & Evolutionary Biology. All students, regardless of campus or Faculty, must abide by the stated course prerequisites and exclusions.

Biology Programs

Biology (Science program)

The Biology Specialist, Major, and Minor programs are administered through the Department of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology.

After completing 4.0 FCEs (four full courses or their equivalent), students in these programs are encouraged to discuss their course selections each year with the Department. Contact: undergrad@eeb.utoronto.ca

Enrolment in the programs listed below requires completion of 4.0 FCEs; no minimum GPA is required.

Specialist program:

(13 full courses or their equivalent, including at least 1.0 400-series FCE)
First Year: BIO150Y1BIO150Y1">BIO150Y1BIO150Y1; (CHM138H1, CHM139H1)/CHM151Y1; JMB170Y1/MAT135Y1/MAT136Y1/MAT137Y1/MAT157Y1

Higher Years:
1. 2.0 FCEs from: chemistry, CHM220H1, CHM247H1/CHM249H1; physics, PHY131H1, PHY132H1, PHY151H1, PHY152H1; or statistics, EEB225H1, PSY201H1, PSY202H1, STA220H1, STA221H1, STA250H1, STA255H1, STA257H1, STA261H1
NOTE: One of the two courses selected here could also be taken in First Year
2. 3.5 FCEs: (BIO240H1, BIO241H1)/BIO255Y1; BIO251Y1; (BIO270H1, BIO271H1); BIO260H1/HMB265H1
3. 0.5 FCE at the 200+ series from: BCH; BIO; BOT (excluding BOT202Y1); CSB (excluding CSB200Y1); EEB (excluding EEB202H1, EEB214H1, EEB215H1, EEB216H1); ENV234Y1; HMB321H1; HPS353H1, HPS355H1; MGY312H1; PSY397H1, PSY497H1; ZOO (excluding ZOO 200Y1, 214Y1, 215H1, 216H1)
4. 1.0 300+ series FCE in plant or microbial biology from: BOT; CSB340H1, CSB350H1, CSB351Y1, CSB353H1, CSB427H1, CSB450H1, CSB452H1, CSB459H1, CSB460H1; EEB304H1, EEB328H1, EEB330H1, EEB331H1, EEB337H1, EEB340H1, EEB341H1, EEB428H1, EEB440H1
5. 1.0 300+ series FCE in animal biology from: CSB325H1, CSB327H1, CSB328H1, CSB329H1, CSB330H1, CSB331H1, CSB332H1, CSB343H1, 344H1, CSB346H1, CSB347H1, CSB357H1, CSB425H1, CSB428H1, CSB429H1, CSB430H1, CSB445H1, CSB457H1, CSB482Y1; EEB309H1, EEB322H1, EEB356H1, EEB360H1, EEB361H1, EEB384H1, EEB386H1, EEB388H1, EEB389H1; ZOO
6. 1.0 300+ series FCE from: ANA; ANT436H1; BCH; BIO; BOT; CSB; EEB; HMB321H1; HPS353H1, HPS355H1; IMM; MGY; PSL; PSY397H1, PSY497H1; ZOO
7. 1.0 400-series FCE from: BIO; BOT; CSB; EEB; ZOO

Major program:

(8 full courses or their equivalent)
First Year: BIO150Y1BIO150Y1">BIO150Y1BIO150Y1; (CHM138H1, CHM139H1)/CHM151Y1
Higher Years:
1. 3.0 FCEs: (BIO240H1, BIO241H1)/BIO255Y1; BIO251Y1; (BIO270H1, BIO271H1)
2. 1.0 FCE from: BCH; BIO, including BIO260H1/HMB265H1; BOT (excluding BOT202Y1); CSB (excluding CSB200Y1); EEB (excluding EEB202H1, EEB214H1, EEB215H1, EEB216H1); ENV234Y1; HMB321H1; HPS353H1, HPS355H1; MGY312H1; PSY397H1, PSY497H1; ZOO (excluding ZOO 200Y1, 214Y1, 215H1, 216H1)
3. 2.0 300+ series FCEs from: ANA; BCH; BIO; BOT; CSB; EEB; HMB321H1; HPS353H1, HPS355H1; IMM; MGY; PSL; PSY397H1, PSY497H1; ZOO

Minor program:

(4 full courses or their equivalent)
1. BIO150Y1BIO150Y1">BIO150Y1BIO150Y1
2. 1.0 FCE from: BIO240H1, BIO241H1, BIO251Y1, BIO255Y1, BIO270H1, BIO271H1
3. 2.0 FCEs (1.0 FCE must be at the 300+ series) from: BIO; BOT (excluding BOT202Y1); CSB (excluding CSB200Y1); EEB (excluding EEB202H1, EEB214H1, EEB215H1, EEB216H1); ENV234Y1; HMB265H1, HMB321H1; HPS353H1, HPS355H1; MGY312H1; PSY397H1; PSY497H1; ZOO (excluding ZOO 200Y1, 214Y1, 215H1, 216H1)

Botany (Science program)

The Botany Specialist, Major, and Minor programs are administered through the Department of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology. After completing 4.0 FCEs (four full courses or their equivalent), students in these programs are encouraged to discuss their course selections each year with the Department. Contact: undergrad@eeb.utoronto.ca

Enrolment in programs listed below requires completion of 4.0 FCEs; no minimum GPA is required.

Specialist program:

(12 full courses or their equivalent, including at least 1.0 400-series FCE)
First Year: BIO150Y1BIO150Y1">BIO150Y1BIO150Y1; (CHM138H1, CHM139H1)/CHM151Y1
Higher Years
1. 2.0 FCEs from: BCH210H1; CHM220H1, CHM247H1/CHM249H1; CSC108H1, CSC148H1; JMB170Y1/MAT135Y1/MAT136Y1/MAT137Y1; PHY131H1, PHY132H1, PHY151H1, PHY152H1; or statistics, EEB225H1, STA220H1, STA221H1, STA250H1, STA255H1, STA257H1, STA261H1
NOTE: One or more of the two courses selected here could also be taken in First Year
2. 2.5 FCEs: (BIO240H1, BIO241H1)/BIO255Y1; BIO251Y1; BIO260H1/HMB265H1
3. 1.0 FCE from: ENV234Y1 or EEB319H1, EEB321H1, EEB323H1, EEB324H1, EEB330H1, EEB337H1
4. 2.0 FCEs from: BCH210H1; BOT (excluding BOT202Y1); CSB340H1, CSB350H1, CSB351Y1, CSB353H1, CSB450H1, CSB452H1, CSB459H1, CSB460H1; EEB304H1, EEB330H1, EEB331H1, EEB337H1, EEB340H1, EEB341H1, EEB428H1, EEB440H1
5. 2.5 300+ series FCEs (at least 1.0 must be 400-series) from: BOT; CSB340H1, CSB349H1, CSB350H1, CSB351Y1, CSB353H1, CSB427H1, CSB450H1, CSB452H1, CSB459H1, CSB460H1, CSB472H1, CSB473H1, CSB497H1/498Y1, CSB499Y1; EEB301H1, EEB302H1, EEB303H1, EEB304H1, EEB305H1, EEB306H1, EEB307H1, EEB308H1, EEB310H1, EEB311H1, EEB318H1, EEB319H1, EEB321H1, EEB323H1, EEB324H1, EEB328H1, EEB330H1, EEB331H1, EEB337H1, EEB340H1, EEB341H1, EEB353H1, EEB355H1, EEB428H1, EEB440H1, EEB494Y1, EEB495Y1, EEB497H1/498Y1, EEB499Y1; HPS353H1, HPS355H1

Major program:

(8 full courses or their equivalent)

First Year: BIO150Y1BIO150Y1">BIO150Y1BIO150Y1; (CHM138H1, CHM139H1)/CHM151Y1; and one course from (CSC108H1, CSC148H1), JMB170Y1/MAT135Y1/MAT136Y1/MAT137Y1, PHY131H1, PHY132H1, PHY151H1, PHY152H1
Higher Years:
1. 2.0 FCEs: (BIO240H1, BIO241H1)/BIO255Y1; BIO251Y1
2. 1.0 FCE from: BCH210H1; BIO260H1/HMB265H1; BOT (excluding BOT202Y1); CSB340H1, CSB350H1, CSB351Y1, CSB353H1, 372H1, 373H1, CSB427H1, CSB450H1, CSB452H1, CSB459H1, CSB460H1; EEB304H1, EEB330H1, EEB331H1, EEB337H1, EEB340H1, EEB341H1, EEB428H1, EEB440H1; ENV234Y1
3. 2.0 300+ series FCEs from: BOT; CSB340H1, CSB349H1, CSB350H1, CSB351Y1, CSB353H1, CSB427H1, CSB450H1, CSB452H1, CSB459H1, CSB460H1, CSB472H1, CSB473H1, CSB497H1/498Y1, CSB499Y1; EEB301H1, EEB302H1, EEB303H1, EEB304H1, EEB305H1, EEB306H1, EEB307H1, EEB308H1, EEB310H1, EEB311H1, EEB318H1, EEB319H1, EEB321H1, EEB323H1, EEB324H1, EEB328H1, EEB330H1, EEB331H1, EEB337H1, EEB340H1, EEB341H1, EEB353H1, EEB355H1, EEB428H1, EEB440H1; HPS353H1, HPS355H1, HPS497H1/498Y1, 499Y1

Minor program:

(4 full courses or their equivalent)
1. BIO150Y1BIO150Y1">BIO150Y1BIO150Y1; BIO251Y1
2. 1.0 FCE from: BIO240H1/BIO241H1/BIO255Y1; BIO260H1/HMB265H1; BOT (excluding BOT 202Y1); CSB340H1, CSB349H1, CSB350H1, CSB351Y1, CSB353H1, CSB427H1, CSB450H1, CSB452H1, CSB459H1, CSB460H1, CSB472H1, CSB473H1; EEB301H1, EEB302H1, EEB303H1, EEB304H1, EEB305H1, EEB306H1, EEB307H1, EEB308H1, EEB310H1, EEB311H1, EEB318H1, EEB319H1, EEB321H1, EEB323H1, EEB324H1, EEB328H1, EEB330H1, EEB331H1, EEB337H1, EEB340H1, EEB341H1, EEB353H1, EEB355H1, EEB428H1, EEB440H1; ENV234Y1; HPS353H1, HPS355H1
3. 1.0 300+ series FCEs from: BOT (excluding BOT202Y1); CSB340H1, CSB350H1, CSB351Y1, CSB353H1, CSB427H1, CSB450H1, CSB452H1, CSB459H1, CSB460H1, CSB497H1/498Y1, CSB499Y1; EEB304H1, EEB330H1, EEB331H1, EEB337H1, EEB340H1, EEB341H1, EEB428H1, EEB440H1, EEB497H1/498Y1, EEB499Y1

Zoology (Science program)

The Zoology Specialist, Major, and Minor programs are administered through the Department of Cell & Systems Biology. After completing 4.0 FCEs (four full courses or their equivalent), students in these programs are encouraged to discuss their course selections each year with the Department. Contact: undergrad@csb.utoronto.ca

Enrolment in programs listed below requires completion of 4.0 FCEs; no minimum GPA is required.

Specialist program:

(13 full courses or their equivalent, including at least 1.0 400-series FCE)
First Year: BIO150Y1BIO150Y1">BIO150Y1BIO150Y1; (CHM138H1, CHM139H1)/CHM151Y1; JMB170Y1/MAT135Y1/MAT136Y1/MAT137Y1/MAT157Y1 (MAT135Y1 may be required for certain courses)
Higher Years
1. 2.5 FCEs from: (BIO240H1, BIO241H1)/BIO255Y1; (BIO270H1, BIO271H1); BIO260H1/HMB265H1
2. 1.0 FCE from: CHM220H1, CHM247H1/CHM249H1; or statistics, EEB225H1, PSY201H1, PSY202H1, STA220H1, STA221H1, STA250H1, STA255H1, STA257H1, STA261H1
3. 1.0 FCE from: CHM220H1, CHM247H1/CHM249H1; MAT235Y1/MAT237Y1; PHY131H1, PHY132H1, PHY151H1, PHY152H1; PSY100H1; or statistics, EEB225H1, PSY201H1, PSY202H1, STA220H1, STA221H1, STA250H1, STA255H1, STA257H1, STA261H1
NOTE: Some of the courses selected here could also be taken in First Year
4. 1.0 300+ series FCE from: BIO; CSB325H1, CSB327H1, CSB328H1, CSB329H1, CSB330H1, CSB331H1, CSB332H1, CSB343H1, 344H1, CSB346H1, CSB347H1, CSB357H1, CSB425H1, CSB429H1, CSB430H1, CSB445H1, CSB457H1, CSB482Y1; EEB309H1, EEB322H1, EEB356H1, EEB360H1, EEB361H1, EEB384H1, EEB386H1, EEB388H1, EEB389H1; ZOO
5. 4.5 FCEs (at least 2.0 must be 300+ series and 1.0 400-series) from: ANT436H1; BIO; CSB325H1, CSB327H1, CSB328H1, CSB329H1, CSB330H1, CSB331H1, CSB332H1, CSB343H1, 344H1, CSB346H1, CSB347H1, CSB349H1, CSB351Y1, CSB357H1, CSB425H1, CSB429H1, CSB430H1, CSB445H1, CSB457H1, CSB472H1, CSB473H1, CSB482Y1, CSB497H1/498Y1, CSB499Y1; EEB263Y1, EEB265Y1, EEB301H1, EEB302H1, EEB303H1, EEB305H1, EEB306H1, EEB307H1, EEB308H1, EEB309H1, EEB310H1, EEB311H1, EEB318H1, EEB319H1, EEB321H1, EEB322H1, EEB323H1, EEB324H1, EEB328H1, EEB353H1, EEB355H1, EEB356H1, EEB360H1, EEB361H1, EEB362H1, EEB365H1, EEB370H1, EEB375H1, EEB384H1, EEB386H1, EEB388H1, EEB389H1, EEB459H1, EEB460H1, EEB461H1, EEB462H1, EEB465H1, EEB468H1, EEB469H1, EEB471H1, EEB494Y1, EEB495Y1, EEB496Y1, EEB497H1/498Y1, EEB499Y1; ENV234Y1; HMB321H1; HPS353H1, HPS355H1; MGY312H1; PSY397H1, PSY497H1; ZOO (excluding ZOO 200Y1, 214Y1, 215H1, 216H1)

NOTE: The 5.5 FCEs in 4. and 5. above must include at least 78 hours of lab; one field course counts as 52 hours.

Major program:

(8 full courses or their equivalent)

First Year: BIO150Y1BIO150Y1">BIO150Y1BIO150Y1; (CHM138H1, CHM139H1)/CHM151Y1
Higher Years
1. 2.0 FCEs: (BIO240H1, BIO241H1)/BIO255Y1; (BIO270H1, BIO271H1)
2. 1.0 FCE from: CHM220H1, CHM247H1/CHM249H1; JMB170Y1/MAT135Y1/MAT136Y1/MAT137Y1/MAT157Y1; or statistics, EEB225H1, PSY201H1, PSY202H1, STA220H1, STA221H1, STA250H1, STA255H1, STA257H1, STA261H1
NOTE: One of the courses selected here could also be taken in First Year
3. 2.0 FCEs (at least 1.0 must be 300+ series) from: ANT436H1; BIO; BIO260H1/HMB265H1; CSB325H1, CSB327H1, CSB328H1, CSB329H1, CSB330H1, CSB331H1, CSB332H1, CSB343H1, 344H1, CSB346H1, CSB347H1, CSB349H1, CSB351Y1, CSB357H1, CSB425H1, CSB429H1, CSB430H1, CSB445H1, CSB457H1, CSB472H1, CSB473H1, CSB482Y1; EEB263Y1, EEB265Y1, EEB301H1, EEB302H1, EEB303H1, EEB305H1, EEB306H1, EEB307H1, EEB308H1, EEB309H1, EEB310H1, EEB311H1, EEB318H1, EEB319H1, EEB321H1, EEB322H1, EEB323H1, EEB324H1, EEB328H1, EEB353H1, EEB355H1, EEB356H1, EEB360H1, EEB361H1, EEB362H1, EEB365H1, EEB370H1, EEB375H1, EEB384H1, EEB386H1, EEB388H1, EEB389H1, EEB459H1, EEB460H1, EEB461H1, EEB462H1, EEB465H1, EEB468H1, EEB469H1, EEB471H1; ENV234Y1; HMB321H1; HPS353H1, HPS355H1; MGY312H1; PSY397H1, PSY497H1; ZOO (excluding ZOO 200Y1, 214Y1, 215H1, 216H1)
4. 1.0 300+ series FCE from: BIO; CSB325H1, CSB327H1, CSB328H1, CSB329H1, CSB330H1, CSB331H1, CSB332H1, CSB343H1, 344H1, CSB346H1, CSB347H1, CSB357H1, CSB425H1, CSB429H1, CSB430H1, CSB445H1, CSB457H1, CSB482Y1, CSB497H1/498Y1, CSB499Y1; EEB309H1, EEB322H1, EEB356H1, EEB360H1, EEB361H1, EEB384H1, EEB386H1, EEB388H1, EEB389H1, EEB497H1/498Y1, EEB499Y1; ZOO

Minor program:

(4 full courses or their equivalent)

1. BIO150Y1BIO150Y1">BIO150Y1BIO150Y1
2. 1.0 FCE from: BIO240H1, BIO241H1, BIO255Y1, BIO270H1, BIO271H1
3. 1.0 FCE from: BIO; BIO260H1/HMB265H1; CSB325H1, CSB327H1, CSB328H1, CSB329H1, CSB330H1, CSB331H1, CSB332H1, CSB343H1, 344H1, CSB346H1, CSB347H1, CSB349H1, CSB351Y1, CSB357H1, CSB425H1, CSB429H1, CSB430H1, CSB445H1, CSB457H1, CSB472H1, CSB473H1, CSB482Y1; EEB263Y1, EEB265Y1, EEB301H1, EEB302H1, EEB303H1, EEB305H1, EEB306H1, EEB307H1, EEB308H1, EEB309H1, EEB310H1, EEB311H1, EEB318H1, EEB319H1, EEB321H1, EEB322H1, EEB323H1, EEB324H1, EEB328H1, EEB353H1, EEB355H1, EEB356H1, EEB360H1, EEB361H1, EEB362H1, EEB365H1, EEB370H1, EEB375H1, EEB384H1, EEB386H1, EEB388H1, EEB389H1, EEB459H1, EEB460H1, EEB461H1, EEB462H1, EEB465H1, EEB468H1, EEB469H1, EEB471H1; ENV234Y1; HMB321H1, HPS353H1, HPS355H1; MGY312H1; ZOO (excluding ZOO 200Y1, 214Y1, 215H1, 216H1)
4. 1.0 300+ series FCE from: BIO; CSB325H1, CSB327H1, CSB328H1, CSB329H1, CSB330H1, CSB331H1, CSB332H1, CSB343H1, 344H1, CSB346H1, CSB347H1, CSB349H1, CSB357H1, CSB425H1, CSB429H1, CSB430H1, CSB445H1, CSB457H1, CSB482Y1, CSB497H1/498Y1, CSB499Y1; EEB309H1, EEB322H1, EEB356H1, EEB360H1, EEB361H1, EEB384H1, EEB386H1, EEB388H1, EEB389H1, EEB497H1/498Y1, EEB499Y1; ZOO

Other Biology Programs:

Animal Physiology: see Life Sciences: Cell & Systems Biology

Behaviour: see Life Sciences: Ecology & Evolutionary Biology

Biogeography: see Geography

Biology, Human: see Life Sciences: Human Biology

Biophysics: see Physics

Cell and Molecular Biology: see Life Sciences: Cell & Systems Biology

Developmental Biology: see Life Sciences: Cell & Systems Biology

Ecology: see Life Sciences: Ecology & Evolutionary Biology

Environmental Biology: see Life Sciences: Ecology & Evolutionary Biology

Evolutionary Biology: see Life Sciences: Ecology & Evolutionary Biology