Biology is the study of life and of living organisms, including their structure, function, growth, origin, evolution and distribution. Of all the sciences, biology is perhaps the most closely related to everyday life. We are exposed daily to news and documentary reports on biological topics such as genetic engineering, environmental conservation, pollution, disease and immunology, social and behavioural interactions and population growth.

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• Admission requirements - entry to the university
• Your first year
• Admission requirements - admission to the major
• Sample courses
• Career opportunities

Biology at Memorial

Our programs offer tremendous field and laboratory research opportunities for undergraduate students. We offer various field courses in biology at the Bonne Bay Marine Station, located near Gros Morne National Park, as well as in Terra Nova National Park in eastern Newfoundland and at Memorial’s Harlow Campus in England.

In the biology program you have opportunities to become involved in laboratory research, such as through the Memorial Undergraduate Career Experience Program (MUCEP) and the NSERC Undergraduate Student Research Award (USRA) program.

Students pursuing a B.Sc. with a major in biology have the option to declare a concentration in one of the following areas:

• applied ecology and conservation
• aquatic life
• biological tools and techniques
• biology for health professions
• comparative biology
• evolutionary ecology
• molecular, microbial and cell biology

In addition to the major, minor and honours options in biology, joint programs are offered in:

• biology and behavioural neuroscience (B.Sc. honours)
• cell biology and human biosciences (B.Sc. honours)
• biology and Earth sciences (B.Sc. honours)
• biology and psychology (B.Sc. honours)
• biology and statistics (B.Sc. honours)

Co-operative education option

The Department of Biology offers a co-operative education option available to biology majors. Admission to the co-op option is competitive for a limited number of places.

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Admission requirements - entry to the university

Applications are considered on a rolling basis. You are encouraged to apply by:

You may apply for admission into the Faculty of Science by indicating bachelor of science as your program choice on the undergraduate application for admission.

Direct entry into the Faculty of Science from high school is subject to meeting the general admission requirements for Memorial University, including appropriate courses in mathematics and a laboratory science.

Important to know: You cannot choose biology as your major at the time of application. Admission into the major requires the completion of university level courses. Follow the information listed below under your first year and admission to the major for further details.

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Your first year

Have a look at a sample schedule of 10 courses you may need to take before applying to the biology major.

This is a sample only. Meet with an academic advisor to create a plan that aligns with your specific needs and goals.

1. Selection of a mathematics course depends on your background and ability. You should refer to the math course criteria chart prior to selecting your first-semester course. You may complete Mathematics 1000 in the fall semester and an elective in the winter semester, however you may elect to take Mathematics 1090 in preparation for Mathematics 1000.
   
   
2. Selection of a chemistry course depends on your background and ability. Students should refer to the chemistry course criteria chart prior to selecting their first-semester course. 
   All biology majors are required to complete Chemistry 1050/1051. If you are not eligible to register for Chemistry 1050 in the fall semester, you can take Chemistry 1010 in the fall and Chemistry 1050 in the winter semester. It is strongly recommended that Chemistry 1051 be completed before beginning the second year of studies. It will be possible to take Chemistry 1051 in the spring semester. Students attending Grenfell Campus will normally complete Chemistry 1200/1001 in their first year.
   
   
3. Selection of a physics course depends on your background and ability. You should refer to the physics course criteria chart prior to selecting your first-semester course. If you're registered in Physics 1050, you must also be registered in Mathematics 1000 (not 1090). The two first-year physics courses are required for the major in biology and should be completed in first year to avoid timetable conflicts that may arise in second year.
   
   
4. You are required to complete six credit hours in CRW courses, including at least three credit hours in English.  Students attending Grenfell Campus will normally complete English 1000/1001.
   
   
5. If you are considering taking either Chemistry 1050/1051 or Physics 1020/1021 (or 1050/1051) in your first year, it is highly recommended to prioritize the Chemistry courses. These courses are important prerequisites to second-level and upper year courses; delaying these courses may lead to scheduling difficulties further along in the program.

Further assistance

For assistance with course selection, contact the Academic Advising Centre.

For additional program information, visit the Department of Biology or contact Andrew Chaulk. 

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Admission requirements - admission to the major

Current Memorial students

Entry into the biology major is based on academic standing. In order to apply for the biology major, you must complete a minimum of 30 credit hours (10 courses), including the following:

• Biology 1001 and 1002
• Mathematics 1090 and 1006 (or 1000) or Mathematics 1006 (or 1000) and an elective
• six credit hours in critical reading and writing (CRW) courses, including at least three credit hours in English
• Chemistry 1050 and 1051 or Physics 1020 (or 1050) and 1021 (or 1051)

You must complete Biology 1001 and 1002 with an average of at least 65% and have a minimum overall average of 60% in the courses mentioned above.

Students intending to major in biology must submit a departmental application form to the Department of Biology. Forms are usually submitted during the second semester. You will not be admitted to a biology major program until you have met the entrance requirements listed above. Further admission details, including application submission dates, are available from the Department of Biology.

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Sample courses

BIOL 2250 - Principles of Genetics
BIOL 2900 - Principles of Evolution and Systematics
BIOL 4404 - Microbial Physiology

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Career opportunities

A bachelor of science degree, with a major in biology, prepares students for a variety of careers including:

• fisheries officer
• wildlife officer
• marine or aquaculture biologist
• bio or medical technologist
• horticulturist
• science teacher
• veterinarian

Note: some of these careers may call for supplementary education or preparation in the form of graduate studies, experiential learning or professional courses and exams.

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