Biology

Explore how an animal lives. Discover how cells interact with each other. Investigate how animals interact with other animals and plants. Determine how plants interact with other plants and each other. Find out how parasites and pathogens interact with animals and plants. See how living organisms interact with their environment. These opportunities and more are available when you choose Biology at the University of Saskatchewan.

What is Biology?

Biology today is the study of all living organisms and their relationships and interactions with other living organisms. Different biologists study different elements of Biology: genetics, cell biology, physiology, ecology, population biology, limnology, toxicology, conservation, behaviour, parasitology, development, etc. All of these learning and career opportunities are available to students in the Department of Biology at the University of Saskatchewan. We have lectures to lay down the ground rules, laboratories to get your hands busy and field trips to get your feet wet! Additional options within your program can include courses from agriculture, commerce, environmental science, toxicology and paleobiology.

"The Department of Biology is very unique for its diversity of topics and its friendly environment. There are numerous opportunities for students to recognize and employ their talents."

Fakhra Shahid, Fourth-year Honours Student, President of the Biology Club

The U of S Advantage

The ‘Peoples' University’ is situated within walking distance of the beautiful South Saskatchewan River. Biologists can also take advantage of studying short-grass tundra, aspen parkland, boreal forest and taiga and tundra by driving a short distance outside of Saskatoon.

The U of S campus is also home to numerous Provincial and Federal Government agencies: Agriculture and AgriFood Canada, the Plant Biotechnology Institute, National Research Council, Canadian Wildlife Service, National Hydrology Research Centre, Canadian Food Inspection Agency, Innovation Place with Saskatchewan Research Council, Bio Processing Centre and the Canadian Light Source synchroton. All of these facilities provide research opportunities for undergraduate research projects and graduate student research programs.

A weekly seminar series provides opportunities to hear prominent researchers from the U of S and across North America speak about their work - and also have your Systems and Integrative Biology questions answered.

Career Opportunities

With a degree in Biology you will have the choice of numerous exciting career paths, such as:

research biologist
health care
environment management and conservation
education (eg. teaching assistant, laboratory technician)
forensics
law
politics and policy
toxicology
business and industry
economics
writing and editing
artist

A Major in Biology

The three degree programmes in Biology are:

B.Sc. Three-year - a sound introduction to the major areas of biology. This degree is perfect for students going on into a professional program such as medicine, veterinary medicine, dentistry, optometry, law or education.
B.Sc. Four-year - allows students to develop a biology programme to suit their interests further to the major areas of biology. This degree is perfect as an entry level.
B.Sc. Honours - for students who meet the required academic standing and wish to follow a more intensive schooling in selected areas of biology. This degree is perfect from which to move into higher education in the form of a Master or Doctoral degree.

Students may pursue an interdisciplinary degree programme such as Biotechnology, Environmental Studies, Toxicology or Paleobiology of which biology is a major component.

"At the U of S you can study the fascinating world of animal parasites. Learn how parasites infect the brains and other tissues of their hosts to alter the host's behaviour (e.g. brainworms in ants). Also find out how to identify ticks, uncover where they occur in Saskatchewan and determine the types of bacteria they contain."

Neil Chilton, Parasitologist and Professor, Department of Biology

Outstanding Students & Faculty

Recent biology undergraduate student achievements include:

Convocation Award: most distinguished Biology graduate: Stolar (2006-07) & Munson (2007-08)

Recent biology graduate student achievements include:

Governor’s General Award: Gariepy (2006-07) & McIntosh (2007-08)

The Biology faculty is a dynamic group of excellent teachers:

University Master Teacher Award winners: Steeves & Sawhney
College and UUSU Teaching Award winners: Bonham-Smith, Cota-Sanchez, Davis, Marchant, Sawhney and Wiebe
U of S Award for Distinction in Outreach and Public Service: Messier

And researchers...

University Distinguished Research Award: Fowke
Award of Innovation, Industry Liaison Office, U of S: Fowke
Outstanding New Investigator, Animal Behaviour Society: Chivers
Gold Medal, Canadian Plant Physiologists: King
Gold Medal, Canadian Entomological Society: Gillott
Lawson Medal, Canadian Botanical Society: Sawhney

Getting Involved!

Become a member of the innovative Biology Club and enjoy both recreational and social gatherings throughout the academic year. BioScan, a major forum to raise public awareness of the new frontiers in Biology, is hosted by the Biology Club every three years (next one is scheduled for 2011). The Biology Club was the recipient of the University's Outreach and Engagement Award for Bioscan 2008.

Research Facilities

Recent grants received by numerous Biology faculty have resulted in a well-equipped, dynamic research environment for undergraduate research projects and graduate research programs. On campus facilities include electron and confocal microscopes, high performance liquid chromatography, isotope laboratory, state-of-the-art computer stations, greenhouse and controlled growth chambers, aquaria and insect flight simulator and the RJF Smith Aquatics Centre. Off campus research facilities include field stations (Northern Saskatchewan, Yukon, B.C.), boats and diverse gear for collecting water, plant and animal samples.

Related Interests

If you are interested in Biology, you might also be interested in:

Relevant Links

For more information available online for Biology: