Science Majors
Natural Science majors can complete the Bachelor of Science Three-year, Four-year or Honours degree in the majors shown below (unless otherwise noted). Any student who wants to enter a health science professional college should also choose an Arts and Science major, so that a B.Sc. or B.A. degree may be completed either before or during a health science professional program.
Following is general information about our majors and programs. For specific Degree Requirements, please see academic requirements information handouts.
Anatomy and Cell Biology
If a student is interested in what makes bodies tick—from the gene to the organism, or from the fertilized egg until death—Anatomy and Cell Biology is the major to choose. The Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology focuses on the structural and functional organization of the human body. The Department's program is designed so that students are well-prepared to undertake studies in professional life sciences colleges such as Medicine, and are also equipped to pursue graduate studies. More...
Archaeology
(B.Sc. Four-year and Honours) Archaeology offers B.Sc. programs as well as B.A. programs. See also Social Science Majors. More...
Biochemistry
Biochemistry involves the study of enzymes, metabolic pathways, biochemical techniques, research approaches in biochemistry, and the synthesis, structure, and function of proteins and nucleic acids. Biochemists carry out research in a wide variety of areas, including the creation of genetically engineered crops that are more resistant to environmental pressures, perfecting forensic techniques, developing computerized portraits of proteins and nucleic acids, drug development, unravelling the full genetic code of humans, and creating bacteria which can be used to clean up the environment. More...
Biology
Biology is a broad discipline including the study of all living organisms from bacteria to mammals and flowering plants. The department has particular strengths in vertebrate ecology and behaviour, plant biotechnology, and developmental biology. The major in Biology includes courses in animals and plants, genetics, cell structure and function, ecology, and population biology. Courses in Biology typically include lectures and laboratory study, and may also involve field trips. More...
Chemistry
Chemistry deals with the structure and the transformations of material substances. It occupies a central place among the sciences because it takes the fundamental ideas of Mathematics and Physics, adapts these ideas to chemical systems, and applies them in areas ranging from biotechnology to advanced materials to environmental science. Students who graduate from the Four-Year and Honours programs qualify automatically for membership in the Canadian Society for Chemistry. More...
Computer Science
The most important ability that a student should have to enter computer science is the ability to logically analyze a problem and to plan a step-by-step approach to solving the problem. An interest in solving puzzles can be an indication of aptitude for this area. Students with the logical abilities for computer science often also have strong abilities in mathematics. The information-processing industry is now one of the biggest industries in the world. More...
Geography
Geography offers B.Sc. programs as well as B.A. programs. See also Social Science Majors. More...
Geological Sciences
Geology is the study of the Earth. Modern geologists work in laboratories, offices, and outdoors, for oil companies, mining companies, governments, research institutes, universities, and consulting firms. They study earthquakes, volcanoes, glaciers, mountains, shorelines, minerals and gems, and water supply; they assist engineers in the location of highways and dams, in the prevention and control of environmental problems, and in the safe development of mineral and energy resources; they investigate the geological past through the study of fossils and rocks; they use knowledge of the Earth's long history to evaluate phenomena such as global warming. More...
Mathematics and Statistics
Mathematics is the study of numbers, sets of points and various other abstract elements and deals with the size, order, shape and various relationships among these features. Statistics is a branch of Mathematics that includes the study of methods for data collection, analysis, interpretation and principles of experimental design. Mathematics contributes to the formulation and solution of problems in diverse fields such as Medicine, Economics and the Social Sciences in addition to being the foundation of the field of Computer Science and the "language" of Science and Engineering. More...
Microbiology and Immunology
Microbiology & Immunology is a field of study probing the world of viruses, bacteria, yeasts, moulds and protozoa. It encompasses aspects of ecology, genetics, physiology, molecular biology, the development of disease, public health and the human immune system. Microbiology and Immunology are exciting disciplines at the heart of many advances in modern medicine. Microbiology is the foundation for the utilization of microorganisms in biotechnology and also offers tools and perspectives to address ecological issues. Students begin by studying the structure, function, physiology, and genetics of bacteria and viruses, followed by more in-depth studies in areas such as medical microbiology and infectious diseases, molecular biology and genetics, industrial and applied microbiology, virology, and immunology. More...
Psychology
Psychology is the science that studies behaviour. It affects almost every facet of our lives. With the complexity of our modern world, psychologists fill an increasingly important role in solving human problems. How can we help children with learning disabilities to keep up with their classmates? Is it possible to restore vision to a blind person through brain implants? What types of therapy are most effective in treating depression? How can mental illness be prevented? How can racial prejudice be reduced? What are the best ways to raise children? Can we improve our environment in such a way as to reduce aggression, alienation, and crime? Other areas of exploration concern brain functioning addressed in cognitive psychology, perception, and physiological psychology. More...
Physiology
Physiology is the study of function in living organisms. Physiologists seek to understand how the individual components of living organisms interact and are regulated in the whole animal in its natural environment. Physiology has traditionally been the basic science central to medicine because of its unique emphasis on synthesis and integration in the whole organism. The undergraduate program in Physiology deals mainly with the physiology of mammals, including humans. Since the study of physiology is central to the study of medicine and related disciplines, the programs can provide valuable preparation for subsequent training in the various health-related professions. More...
Physics
Physics is the science that deals with the most fundamental principles that rule the behaviour of the physical universe. From quarks to galaxies, physicists attempt to understand the particles that make up the universe, and the forces with which they interact. Physics and Engineering Physics emphasizes applying experimental and theoretical analysis, with the aid of mathematics and computers, to the solution of problems in the physical world. More...
Other Science Programs
Other Science programs in Arts and Science are Bioinformatics, Environmental Earth Sciences, Food Science, Land Use and Environmental Studies, Geophysics, Mathematical Physics, Palaeobiology, Toxicology (see Interdisciplinary Programs) and in Geography (see Social Science Majors). Please note that several other colleges also offer professional degrees which include Bachelor of Science in their title (for example, Bachelor of Science in Agriculture, Bachelor of Science in Nutrition) but these programs are not offered by the College of Arts and Science.
