FACULTY OF SCIENCE


MEDICAL BIOPHYSICS

Medical Sciences Building 115, Tel: 519- 661-3053

The Department of Medical Biophysics offers a 4-year BSc Honors or MBSc Honors Biophysics program and participates in the 3-year BSc Biology program and the 4-year General BMSc Medical Sciences program. (See BIOLOGY PROGRAMS and MEDICAL SCIENCES PROGRAMS.)

Undergraduate Biophysics courses are open to students from Physical, Mathematical, and Biological Sciences. The courses available to second and third year students are: Biology 330a, 331G, 302 and 303. Fourth year courses are listed under Biophysics.

FOUR-YEAR BSc HONORS or BMSc HONORS BIOPHYSICS

The primary goal of the Honors Biophysics program is to develop and strengthen the student's ability to apply mathematical and physical principles in the study of biological phenomena. The focus of much of the program relates to medical science.

Students from physical or mathematical sciences enter the program in the third year, while those in the Biology program enter in the fourth year. Students who are considering Honors Biophysics are advised to consult the Department early, preferably during their first year. They can thus receive maximum benefit from counselling.

Admission Requirements to Third Year for Students from Physical or Mathematical Sciences

Completion of the requirements for the second year of a program in the Faculty of Science, with an average of at least 70% on the three highest marks in science courses numbered 200 or above and no mark less than 60% in all such science courses. Students who do not meet this standard may request special permission.

Prerequisite courses for entry to Honors Biophysics are:

Physics 020, 024 or 025, Biology 022, 023, Chemistry 020 or 023, Calculus 050a/b plus one of Calculus 051a/b or 081a/b, or Applied Mathematics 026, or the former Applied Mathematics 020, or 023a/b plus 024a/b, or the former Mathematics 027.
Students who do not have all prerequisites may request special consideration.

Note: Students are encouraged to include in their second year any of the 200-level courses listed below for third year Honors Biophysics, especially the second-level calculus course. If qualified, they should also consider taking one of Biology 302 or 303 or 330a or 331G.

The student's selection of courses must be approved by the Department.

Third Year
Five courses, to include the following prerequisites for fourth year, if not previously taken:
Applied Mathematics 290a plus 291b, or one of Calculus 250a/b or 280a/b plus one of Calculus 251a/b or 281a/b, or the former Applied Mathematics 200 or 281a plus 282b, or the former Mathematics 204a plus one of the former Mathematics 205b or 285b.
Biology 302, 303, 330a, 331G
Physics 243b and 266b or the former Physics 242a or 244b, or Chemistry 224a and 234b, or 254, or another 200-level physical science course approved by the Department
The remaining courses to make up five will be chosen from the list: the former Biology 222b, 271a, 272b, 280a, 281b, 282b, 283a, 284a, 285b, 290a/b, 309, 310, 357a, 359b; by special permission other Biology courses may be substituted
Three of the courses will be designated as principal courses when the student registers

Admission Requirements to Fourth Year for Students in the Biology Program

Completion of the requirements for the 3-year BSc Biology program, with the general prerequisites for entrance into honors programs and the course prerequisites given below.

The prerequisite courses for admission to fourth year Honors Biophysics are:
Calculus 050a/b plus one of Calculus 051a/b or 081a/b, or Applied Mathematics 026, or the former Applied Mathematics 020, or 023a/b plus 024a/b, or the former Mathematics 027
Physics 020, 024 or 025
Applied Mathematics 290a plus 291b, or one of Calculus 250a/b or 280a/b plus one of Calculus 251a/b or 281a/b, or the former Applied Mathematics 200, or 281a plus 282b, or the former Mathematics 204a plus one of the former Mathematics 205b or 285b.
Biology 302, 303, 330a, 331G
Physics 243b and 266b or the former Physics 242a or 244b, or Chemistry 224a and 234b or 254, or another 200-level physical science course approved by the Department

Note: Students who do not meet the conditions above may request special consideration.

Fourth Year
Principal Courses
Biophysics 467a, 470a/b/y, 480
One full-course equivalent at the 200-level or above from the Faculty of Science
Subsidiary Courses
Two full-course equivalents should be chosen in consultation with the Department and approved by it:
A half-course in Statistics if not already taken
A half or full course outside the Faculty of Science (history or philosophy of science preferred)
Students who took a second year physics course as a prerequisite to fourth year must take Chemistry 224a and 234b, or 254, while those who took physical chemistry must take a second year physics course from the prerequisite list.
The remainder chosen with the intent of strengthening the student's background in science
Suggested courses include Biophysics 461a/b*, 475a

The student's selection of courses must be approved by the Department

* Given only when demand is sufficient.


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FACULTY OF SCIENCE

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