Academic Calendar - 2024

Western University Academic Calendar. - 2024

Western Main Campus

Major MAJOR IN EPIDEMIOLOGY AND BIOSTATISTICS
Faculty of Science/Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry; including BMSc and Neuroscience - Epidemiology and Biostatistics



A degree containing this module normally requires 4 years for completion. The Major in Epidemiology and Biostatistics can be completed in any regular undergraduate degree. When combined with one of the following Majors, however, this module leads to a Bachelor of Medical Sciences (BMSc) degree: Biochemistry, Interdisciplinary Medical Sciences (IMS), Medical Biophysics, Medical Cell Biology, Microbiology and Immunology, Pathology, Pharmacology or Physiology. See BACHELOR OF MEDICAL SCIENCES (BMSc) PROGRAM for more information.

Admission Requirements


Both 1000- and 2000-level courses are included in the Admission Requirements for students pursuing the Major in Epidemiology and Biostatistics in BMSc degrees, since admission to the BMSc Program does not occur until Year 3. The Admission Requirements for students pursuing the Major in other regular undergraduate degrees include only 1000-level courses, since students may register in the Major in Year 2 in non-BMSc degrees. The Module requirements (below) are the same for all students completing the Major.

Admission Requirements for students pursuing this Major module in a Bachelor of Medical Sciences (BMSc) degree:

Admission to this Major module occurs in Year 3 upon admission to Year 3 of the Bachelor of Medical Sciences (BMSc) Program. Students will usually complete MEDICAL SCIENCES FIRST ENTRY (Medical Sciences 1 and 2) prior to admission to a BMSc degree.

The 1000-level half courses listed below must each be completed with a mark of at least 60%:

1.0 course: Biology 1001A* and Biology 1002B*.
1.0 course: Chemistry 1301A/B and Chemistry 1302A/B.
0.5 course from: Calculus 1000A/B, Calculus 1500A/B.
0.5 course from: Applied Mathematics 1201A/B, Calculus 1301A/B, Calculus 1501A/B, Mathematics 1600A/B.
0.5 course from: Physics 1201A/B, Physics 1501A/B, the former Physics 1028A/B, the former Physics 1301A/B.
0.5 course from: Computer Science 1026A/B, Physics 1202A/B, Physics 1502A/B, the former Physics 1029A/B, the former Physics 1302A/B.

* Biology 1201A with a mark of at least 70% may be used in place of Biology 1001A, and Biology 1202B with a mark of at least 70% may be used in place of Biology 1002B.

The courses below must be completed with a minimum mark of 60% in each (unless otherwise indicated) prior to admission to the Major module in Year 3. These courses will also be used towards the Module requirements. See ADMISSION TO THE BACHELOR OF MEDICAL SCIENCES (BMSc) PROGRAM and MODULES OFFERED IN THE BMSc PROGRAM for additional requirements (averages, course load, etc.).

0.5 course: Biochemistry 2280A.
0.5 course from: Biology 2382A/B, Biology 2581A/B.
0.5 course from: Biology 2244A/B or Statistical Sciences 2244A/B, with a mark of at least 75%.
0.5 course: Epidemiology 2200A/B with a mark of at least 75%.

Admission Requirements for students pursuing this Major module in a degree other than a Bachelor of Medical Sciences (BMSc) degree:

Completion of first-year requirements, including a mark of at least 60% in each of the 3.0 (full or half) principal courses below:

1.0 course: Biology 1001A* and Biology 1002B*.
1.0 course: Chemistry 1301A/B and Chemistry 1302A/B.
0.5 course from: Calculus 1000A/B, Calculus 1500A/B.
0.5 course from: Applied Mathematics 1201A/B, Calculus 1301A/B, Calculus 1501A/B, Mathematics 1600A/B.

The following must be completed by the end of second year, with a mark of at least 60% in each half course:

0.5 course from: Physics 1201A/B, Physics 1501A/B, the former Physics 1028A/B, the former Physics 1301A/B.
0.5 course from: Computer Science 1026A/B, Physics 1202A/B, Physics 1502A/B, the former Physics 1029A/B, the former Physics 1302A/B.

* Biology 1201A with a mark of at least 70% may be used in place of Biology 1001A, and Biology 1202B with a mark of at least 70% may be used in place of Biology 1002B.

Module/Program Information


Module
6.0 courses:

0.5 course: Biochemistry 2280A.
0.5 course from: Biology 2382A/B, Biology 2581A/B.
0.5 course from: Biology 2244A/B or Statistical Sciences 2244A/B, with a minimum mark of 75%.
0.5 course: Epidemiology 2200A/B with a minimum mark of 75%.
1.0 course: Biostatistics 3100A with a minimum mark of 70%, Biostatistics 3110B.
1.0 course: Epidemiology 3200A with a minimum mark of 70%, Epidemiology 3210B.
1.0 course from: Biostatistics 4115B, Epidemiology 4310A/B, Epidemiology 4320A/B, Epidemiology 4600A, Epidemiology 4615B (see note 2).
1.0 course from: Biology 2485A/B, Biology 3592A/B, Microbiology and Immunology 2500A/B, Pathology 3500, Pathology 4400A/B, additional courses in Biostatistics and Epidemiology at the 3000- and 4000-level.

Notes: 

1. To register in Year 4 of a degree containing this module, students must satisfy the Admission Requirements for the module and have the prerequisite to register in at least two of Biostatistics 4115B, Epidemiology 4310A, Epidemiology 4320A, Epidemiology 4600A, and Epidemiology 4615B.
2. Biostatistics 4115B requires a minimum mark of 70% in Biostatistics 3110B. Epidemiology 4615B requires a minimum mark of 70% in either Epidemiology 4600A or Economics 2261A/B.
3. BSc and BMSc students completing the Major in Epidemiology and Biostatistics in addition to another module must adhere to the Common Course Policy if the same courses at the 2000- to 4000-level appear in more than one of the modules (see faculty websites for details).
4. Students are encouraged to take at least one of the following ethics courses as options: Philosophy 2715F/G – Health Care Ethics, Philosophy 3730F/G – Research Ethics.