First Year: The BSc in Biology shares a point of entry with the BSc programs in Chemistry, Contemporary Science, and Medical Physics, through which new science students at Ryerson complete a common first year. This allows students to explore various science-based routes to degree completion before they commit to the Biology program. In addition to BSc foundation courses, the first year of studies will include an introduction to the use of computers as scientific tools, and an orientation course that will support students in making a successful transition to university and planning their steps to degree completion. Students in Science programs must enroll in SCI 180 in their first semester of studies.

Upper Years: In the upper years of the curriculum, students will focus on developing their technological expertise and exploring the research and industrial applications of biological science. Depending on the course sequence selected, students may pursue a BSc in Biology, with a Minor, and with an option in Biophysics, Bioinformatics and Computational Biology or Environmental Biology. In the final year, they will consolidate their learning by undertaking an independent, faculty-supervised thesis project in their field of academic focus.

Biophysics Option

This option is available to students entering their fifth semester of the Biology program. Biophysics is an interdisciplinary science that applies the theories and methods of physics to biological questions. Biophysics typically addresses biological problems at the molecular level by drawing knowledge and experimental techniques from a wide variety of disciplines to indirectly observe or model the structures and interactions of individual molecules or complexes of molecules. Biophysics is typically studied at the graduate level which makes this option at Ryerson unique. Students who choose this option will enhance their undergraduate biology education with courses such as Radiation Biology, Health Physics and Medical Physics. Biophysics offers careers in teaching and research at educational, medical and government institutions, research and development at pharmaceutical, biotechnology and nanotechnology and other biologically oriented high-tech companies, and in regulation and public policy at all levels of government and private organizations. This undergraduate option can also lead the way to post-graduate studies towards certification as a health or medical physicist.

Environmental Biology Option

This option is available to students entering their fifth semester of the Biology program.  Environmental biology is a science with an inter-disciplinary approach that merges chemistry, engineering and other pertinent fields.  Students will receive training in wastewater technologies, environmental engineering, ecotoxicology, digital image analysis, chemical analytical techniques, ecosystem ecology, wetlands management, data recording and transmission, and statistical and policy analyses.  Well educated undergraduates in the Environmental Biology (EVB) option are fundamentally important for research and development of novel technologies to protect and remediate the environment and develop improved and sustainable alternatives.  Graduates of the EVB option will likely enjoy great demand for direct employment in government and private organizations and in the ever-growing “green” industries.

Bioinformatics and Computational Biology Option

This option is available to students entering their fifth semester of the Biology program. Bioinformatics and Computational Biology is an interdisciplinary field that applies the techniques of computer science, applied mathematics, and statistics to address problems inspired by biology. Careers in Bioinformatics and Computational Biology might range from analysis of genomic sequences to visualizing the activity of an animal's nervous system or modeling the responses of a plant to changing environmental conditions. Students choosing this option will enhance their biology education with courses in computer programming, stochastic modeling and bioinformatics. Bioinformatics is a fast growing subdiscipline that uses Bioinformatics and Computational Biology methods for the interpretation of vast amounts of data from high throughout techniques in the biological field. Students who chose to study computational biology will be exposed to this rapidly evolving field and can pursue a career in the Life Sciences as a scientific curator, gene analyst, protein analyst, or phylogenist, in the Computer Science/Engineering area as a database programmer or bioinformatics software developer, in Applied Sciences as a molecular modeller or biostatistician, or Pharmaceutical Sciences as a Cheminformatician or pharmacogenetician.

CO-OPERATIVE PROGRAM

An optional co-operative program is available which provides the graduating students with 20 months of work experience that enhances their organizational and technical abilities as well as their oral and written communication skills.

Although the Office of Co-operative Education cannot guarantee a placement, they provide major assistance in locating suitable positions and counselling of students in their search for suitable jobs. This co-operative program enables students to earn competitive wages to offset the costs of a university education.

Students who have completed the first year of the program must apply through this department for admission to the co-operative program prior to the beginning of the second year. Enrolment in the co-op program is limited. Admission will be based on the student's grade point average.

The sequencing of academic and work terms is shown below:

Students must successfully complete a minimum of four work terms in order to graduate from the co-op program.

The co-op program requires five years to complete the degree in Biology. The regular program can be completed in four years.

All Co-op placements must be approved by the Office of Co-operative Education and the Dean's designate responsible for administering science programs.

Optional Specialization in Management Sciences (OSMS) 

Students can enrich their studies and hone their management skills with the Optional Specialization in Management Sciences. Courses within the optional specialization cover four major areas in management sciences: Strategic Engineering Management, Operations Management/Operations Research, Finance and Organizational Behaviour. For eligibility, registration, and course information see Optional Specialization in Management Sciences (OSMS).

Career Opportunities

As a graduate of the Biology program, students will have high caliber skills in problem-solving and technological innovation, particularly in the areas of biotechnology and environmental science - two sectors experiencing increasing demand for qualified professionals. Here are a few of the many career paths you may take:

• Scientist, Researcher, or Science Manager (government, academia, or industry through further studies and completion of a Master's or PhD at the post-graduate level)
• Biochemistry, Microbiology, Molecular Sciences, Biotechnology
• Technical support (Biotechnology, Agri-Food, and Pharmaceutical Sectors)
  • Research, Product Development and Manufacturing
  • Quality Control 
• Food and Beverage Industry
  • Research, Product Development and Manufacturing
  • Quality Control
• Environmental Science
• Teaching (primary, secondary, and post-secondary)
• Health Sciences (Medicine, Dentistry, and allied health sciences)

Liberal Studies
Students must take three lower level liberal studies courses and three upper level liberal studies courses to graduate.

Minors

Students may pursue any Minor offered by Ryerson with exceptions. Please refer to the Minors Policy section of this calendar for further information on individual Minor requirements and restrictions.

The G. Raymond Chang School of Continuing Education Certificates

Undergraduate students wishing to pursue a continuing education certificate program should be aware of possible restrictions. Please refer to the Curriculum Advising website at www.ryerson.ca/curriculumadvising for complete details.