Bachelor of Science, Biological Sciences Major*
Regulations amended, effective Sep. 1, 2024.
* This major was previously called Human Science major.
The Biological Sciences major is designed for individuals who wish to pursue careers in the life sciences, including professional designations in medicine and related disciplines, research in biology and human sciences, or other health-related careers. Students will be able to customize their area of interest by completing electives in human biology and health as well as other disciplines.
Planning your program
Online program plans assist students in selecting the courses needed to fulfill their program requirements.
AU has also developed program learning outcomes that describe the career options that may be available to you upon graduating.
Minors
Students enrolled in the Bachelor of Science, Biological Sciences Major, can also declare a minor. Minors are available in:
Program requirements
Students complete the program regulations in effect at the time of their enrolment.
Program structure
| Total credits in the program | 120 |
| Residency requirement. A minimum of 30 credits must be obtained through Athabasca University | 30 |
| Graduation with Distinction or Great Distinction. At least 24 credits must be obtained through Athabasca University in order to be considered. | 24 |
Minimum credits required
| Senior (300 or 400) level | 72 | |
| Science credits | 72 | |
| In the major (if selected) | 45 | |
| In the major through Athabasca University | 15 | |
| In the minor (if selected) | 24 | |
| In the minor through Athabasca University | 9 | |
| Senior Science credits (300 and 400 level) | 45 | |
| Senior Science credits at 400 level | 15 | |
| Social Science credits | 6 | |
Maximum credits allowed
| In any one Science discipline | 75 |
| Senior project credits (495/496) | 12 |
| At the preparatory (100) level | 6 |
| Maximum Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR) credits | 30 |
Core course requirements
| MATH 215 – Introduction to Statistics | (3) |
| or | |
| MATH 216 – Computer-oriented Approach to Statistics | |
| MATH 265 – Introduction to Calculus I* | (3) |
| *(When selecting the CIS major or a computing-related minor, MATH 265 may be replaced with MATH 270.) | |
| COMP 200 – Introduction to Computing and Information Systems** | (3) |
| or | |
| COMP 210 – Introduction to Information Systems and Computer Applications | |
| **(COMP 200 is required for students selecting the CIS major or a computing-related minor.) | |
| SCIE 326 – Scientific Reasoning | (3) |
| SCIE 480 – Research Methods in Science | (3) |
| or | |
| COMP 494 – Research Methods*** | |
| ***COMP 494 is required for students in the CIS major. | |
| PHIL 333 – Professional Ethics | (3) |
| or | |
| PHIL 371 – Ethics, Science, Technology, and the Environment | |
| ENGL 255 – Introductory Composition (see English writing skills requirement) | (3) |
Biological Sciences – specific requirements
In addition to the BSc program general requirements, a major in Biological Sciences involves the completion of 45 credits of core and elective courses.
The Biological Sciences major cannot be combined with the Biology minor or the Human Science minor.
Core courses
(24 credits)
| BIOL 204 – Principles of Biology I (lab component) | (3) |
| BIOL 207 – Principles of Biology II* (lab component) *BSc Human Science major students in the Post Diploma route who have a Biology lab component in their diploma may choose either BIOL 205 or BIOL 207. | (3) |
| BIOL 230 – Human Physiology (lab component) | (6) |
| or | |
| BIOL 235 – Human Anatomy and Physiology | |
| HLST 200 – Introduction to Human Health I | (3) |
| BIOL 341 – Human Genetics | (3) |
| BIOL 401 – Cell Biology | (3) |
| At least one of the following project courses: | (3) |
| ASTR 495 - Astronomy and Astrophysics Projects I | |
| or | |
| BIOL 495 – Biology Projects | |
| or | |
| CHEM 495 – Chemistry Projects | |
| or | |
| ENSC 495 – Environmental Science Projects | |
| or | |
| GEOG 495 – Geography Projects I | |
| or | |
| GEOL 495 – Geology Projects I | |
| or | |
| NUTR 495 – Nutrition Projects | |
| or | |
| PHYS 495 – Physics Projects I | |
| or | |
| SCIE 495 – Science Projects I |
Elective courses
(21 credits)
Recommended options
| As the following courses are pre-requisites to some electives, they are recommended options for students in the Biological Sciences major. | |
| CHEM 217 – Chemical Principles I (lab component) | (3) |
| CHEM 218 – Chemical Principles II (lab component) | (3) |
Additional program regulations
- Athabasca University may grant transfer credit for individual Computer Science courses that were completed more than 5 years ago if proof of currency in the field is provided in the form of a current resumé and letter(s) of employment from the supervisor/employer/human resources. The letter should be written on company letterhead, and the content must include the supervisor's signature, the position title, date of hire, and a breakdown of the duties that highlight the relevancy of the education. Other evidence may be accepted if the letter and the resumé cannot be supplied. Visit the Transfer Credit Services section of the Calendar for more information regarding transfer credit towards the BSc program.
- Students holding a computing-related diploma from an approved college or technical institute that is more than 5 years old may be admitted to the BSc PD program if proof of currency in the field is provided in the form of a current resumé and letter(s) of employment from the supervisor/employer/human resources. The letter should be written on company letterhead, and the content must include the supervisor's signature, the position title, date of hire, and breakdown of the duties that highlight the relevancy of the education. Other evidence may be accepted if the letter and the resumé cannot be supplied.
- If the following courses are over 10 years old: BIOL 325, BIOL 341, BIOL 401, BIOL 480, CHEM 301, and NUTR 406; Athabasca University may grant transfer credit if proof of currency in the field is provided in the form of a current resumé and letter(s) of employment from the supervisor/employer/human resources. The letter should be written on company letterhead, and the content must include the supervisor's signature, the position title, date of hire, and a breakdown of the duties that highlight the relevancy of the education. Other evidence may be accepted if the letter and the resumé cannot be supplied.
- An individual course can only be used to fulfill one requirement in the program. For example, no course can be used to complete the specific requirements of both the major and the minor. Also, a course that fulfills the BSc program general requirements cannot be used to satisfy the specific requirements of either the major or the minor.
- Preparatory (100 level) courses cannot be used to fulfill the requirements of the Post Diploma program.
Information effective Sep. 1, 2024 to Aug. 31, 2025.
Updated July 24, 2024 by Office of the Registrar (calendar@athabascau.ca)