This program presents a foundation for understanding how ecology and evolution shape organismal features (from morphology and physiology to behaviour) and the structure and function of communities and ecosystems. Ultimately these processes determine the broad patterns of organization of life on earth and biodiversity. The challenges to biodiversity are daunting. Habitat destruction, biological invasions and climate change are causing loss of species and disruption of ecosystems worldwide. BEES graduates will be well trained to understand and actively seek solutions to these problems. This program will show how ecological and evolutionary perspectives can be used to understand and predict the outcome of dynamic interactions among organisms, populations, species, and communities. Students will be well trained to take positions in government agencies, consulting firms or NGO's; able to continue with graduate studies in science for academic careers; or able to pursue careers in business or law related to environmental issues, stewardship and sustainable development.
Program Supervisor: Dr. Ivana Stehlik
Email: biodiversity@utsc.utoronto.ca
Link to Biodiversity, Ecology and Evolution in the Course Calendar:
Students In the Cellular and Molecular Biology Program analyze the cellular and molecular underpinnings of organismal processes and learn to use a battery of cell, molecular and genetic tools that can be applied to tackle environmental, biomedical, industrial and basic research problems.
This program strives to help students construct a broad foundation of knowledge across the major disciplines of biology in the first two years of study, and combine this knowledge with an increasingly analytical and reflective approach to learning. Upon this base students deepen their knowledge of biological processes that occur at the cellular and molecular level through the course work of their third and fourth years. This is a laboratory-rich program that integrates an understanding of chemical and physical processes with our complex biological systems. Because of broad training in biology and rigorous cross training in cognate disciplines graduates are well positioned to apply to professional and graduate schools or work in a broad range of government regulatory agencies, clinical or research-focused industries and other careers that require the union of strong analytical and technical skills.
The co-op option of the Cell and Molecular Biology program complements and punctuates academic course work with full time work terms in laboratories for basic discoveries or government, health care, and public or private industry.
Program Supervisor: Professor Clare Hasenkampf
Email: cell-and-molecular-biology@utsc.utoronto.ca
Link to Cell and Molecular Biology (non co-op) in the Course Calendar
Link to Cell and Molecular Biology (co-op) in the Course Calendar
The Human Biology specialist program provides a solid foundation of introductory science courses and core biology courses while emphasizing, in the upper years, issues related to human health and the interaction of the human species with the environment. The first year of the program emphasizes introductory courses in biology, chemistry, calculus, physics and psychology. The second year of the program emphasizes core courses in cell biology, molecular biology, physiology, ecology, evolution and anatomy that provide the basis for continued specialization in the third and fourth years. The upper years of the program emphasize specialized courses in biochemistry, endocrinology, microbiology, histology, toxicology, physiology, psychology, pathology and pathobiology. This program is suited for those students who wish to go onto health-related fields such as medicine, dentistry, nursing, pharmacy, physiotherapy, public health and health policy / management or graduate studies in these, and other areas such as physiology, molecular medicine and endocrinology.
Program Supervisor: Dr. Aarthi Ashok
Email: human-biology@utsc.utoronto.ca
Link to Human Biology in the Course Calendar
In today’s rapidly changing world, the development of solutions to combat some of the most pressing global challenges such as climate change, emerging diseases, hunger and species extinction, requires an integrative approach in which expertise is drawn from disparate biological and other disciplines. The specialist program in Integrative Biology provides the student with a solid knowledge base in key core and foundational areas of biology while also providing a breadth of knowledge to support more specialized studies and focused training in a range of disciplines (for examples, see below under "Routes to Specialization"). Students who complete this program will be well positioned for a career in many aspects of the biological sciences or to undertake further studies at the professional or graduate level.
Program Supervisor: Dr. Ivana Stehlik
Email: integrative-biology@utsc.utoronto.ca
Link to Integrative Biology in the Course Calendar:
Biology is the study of life and this major program in Biology is meant to provide students with a solid basic knowledge of this vast discipline, while also allowing the student to tailor their program in the upper years toward one or more of biology's many sub-disciplines. Many of the world’s most important and timely issues (medical science and disease, conservation and biodiversity, food and energy supplies) are issues that require citizens to have a firm understanding of biological principles and practices. To complete their degree, students should combine their major program in biology with a major program (or two minor programs) in another related or unrelated discipline.
Program Supervisor: Dr. Ivana Stehlik
Email: integrative-biology@utsc.utoronto.ca
Link to Biology Major in the Course Calendar
Link to Biology Minor in the Course Calendar
The Specialist (Joint) program in Applied Microbiology is currently under review and new enrolment in it has been suspended indefinitely. Students who enrolled prior to the 2013 Summer Session can continue to finish the program according to the 2012-2013 UTSC Calendar.
This UTSC-Centennial College joint specialist program combines theory and technical experience in areas related to applied and industrial microbiology. The UTSC courses provide students theoretical and academic depth in cell and molecular biology, biochemistry and microbiology, while Centennial's courses provide invaluable applied and practical experience. Project work, in consultation with faculty, allows students to develop skills in laboratory research and techniques, report writing and presentation. By taking courses at both UTSC and Centennial, students are able to earn a UTSC Honours B.Sc. degree and qualify for a Biotechnology Technologist--Industrial Microbiology Diploma from Centennial College. Graduates from this program are well trained to take positions in the food, chemical, pharmaceutical, cosmetic and other related industries. This includes positions in product development, product production and sales management. Opportunities also exist in government and environmental agencies, as well as the option to pursue graduate work.
Program Supervisor: Dr. Shelley Brunt
Email:
applied-microbiology@utsc.utoronto.ca, jtprogs@utsc.utoronto.ca
Link to Applied Microbiolgy in the Course Calendar:
Other Useful Links:
UTSC Joint Programs- Applied Microbiology
The paramedicine program is a joint program with Centennial College. Over the course of four years of study, students receive an Honors Bachelor of Science from the University of Toronto and a Paramedic Diploma from Centennial College. By the end of the third year of study, students are ready to write the appropriate examinations to become a practicing paramedic. This program combines the academic aspects of University study with the practical aspects of College study. Through their courses at UTSC, students will gain a solid foundation in topics such as biology, physiology, anatomy, microbiology, genetics, histology, pathology, psychology and statistics/data analysis. At Centennial College, students will learn the theory and practical requirements for the paramedic profession. For more information, please see the following web sites below.
Program Supervisor: Dr. Shelley Brunt
Email: paramedicine@utsc.utoronto.ca, jtprogs@utsc.utoronto.ca
Link to Paramedicine in the Course Calendar:
Other Useful Links:
UTSC Joint Programs
UTSC Joint Programs- Paramedicine