Academic Calendar - 2026
Western University Academic Calendar. - 2026
Medical Sciences
Despite significant advances in medical research, challenges to human health continue to be a global concern. Students will explore how medical science disciplines use distinct yet complementary approaches to address existing and emerging problems. Through self-reflection, students will develop an appreciation for the breadth and complexity of modern medical research.
Prerequisite(s): registration in Medical Sciences 1.
Extra Information: Pass/Fail; 1 lecture hour or online equivalent, approximately every two weeks.
Course Weight: 0
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Students carry out research under the direction of a faculty member, gaining practical experience in medical science. Experimental design, critical thinking, and scientific communication will be emphasized, and students will develop skills at reading and reviewing primary scientific literature.
Antirequisite(s): Biochemistry 3383F/G, Medical Biophysics 3980E, Neuroscience 3996F/G, Scholars Electives 2200E, Scholars Electives 3305E, the former Medical Sciences 3999A/B/Y.
Prerequisite(s): Registration in a BMSc degree and permission of the Associate Dean.
Extra Information: 5 hours per week.
Course Weight: 0.50
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Design of high throughput experiments, analysis of the resulting large datasets, installation and use of standard bioinformatic programs, collection of clean datasets from private and public sources, execution of exploratory and analytical analyses. Critical thinking, open science, data-sharing and reproducible analysis, and acquisition of practical skills will be common themes.
Antirequisite(s): Medical Bioinformatics 3100A/B, Computer Science 4461A/B.
Prerequisite(s): Biochemistry 2280A; Biology 2581A/B; either Biology 2244A/B or Statistical Sciences 2244A/B.
Extra Information: Blended course, 1 lecture hour, 1 lab/tutorial hour, 1 hour online instruction.
Course Weight: 0.50
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In this laboratory course, students will focus on molecular, tissue, and systems-level research practices across various medical science disciplines. Major topics include experimental design; practical laboratory skills; data analysis and interpretation; and scientific literacy and communication. Students will complete tasks both independently and collaboratively, and engage in reflective practice.
Antirequisite(s): Medical Sciences 3991F, Physiology and Pharmacology 3000E, the former Medical Sciences 3900F/G/Z.
Prerequisite(s): Either Biology 2244A/B or Statistical Sciences 2244A/B; Biology 2290F/G; and registration in a module in Interdisciplinary Medical Sciences (IMS).
Extra Information: 2 lecture/tutorial hours or equivalent online or in-person delivery/week and 3 laboratory hours/week.
Course Weight: 1.00
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In this laboratory course, students will focus on molecular, tissue, and systems-level research practices across various medical science disciplines. Major topics include experimental design; practical laboratory skills; data analysis and interpretation; and scientific literacy and communication. Students will complete tasks both independently and collaboratively and engage in reflective practice.
Antirequisite(s): Medical Sciences 3990E, Physiology and Pharmacology 3000E.
Prerequisite(s): one of Biology 2244A/B, Statistical Sciences 2244A/B, Psychology 2812A/B or the former Psychology 2810; and registration in Year 3 of an Honours Specialization in Neuroscience.
Extra Information: 2 lecture/tutorial hours or equivalent online or in-person delivery/week and 3 laboratory hours/week.
Course Weight: 0.50
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An experiential learning course in which students actively develop and apply research and project skills, both independently and collaboratively, by engaging with partners in a community, clinical, or industry setting.
Antirequisite(s): Anatomy and Cell Biology 4985E, Biochemistry 4955E, Biochemistry 4984E, Biochemistry 4985E, Epidemiology and Biostatistics 4985E, Medical Bioinformatics 4985E, Medical Biophysics 4985E, Medical Sciences 4990E, Microbiology and Immunology 4985E, One Health 4985E, Pathology 4985E, Physiology and Pharmacology 4985E, the former Anatomy and Cell Biology 4480E, the former Biochemistry 4483E, the former Biochemistry 4484E, the former Epidemiology and Biostatistics 4900E, the former Medical Bioinformatics 4980E, the former Medical Biophysics 4970E, the former Medical Sciences 4995E, the former Microbiology and Immunology 4970E, the former One Health 4980E, the former Pathology 4980E, the former Physiology and Pharmacology 4980E.
Prerequisite(s): Registration in Year 4 of the Honours BMSc (Double Majors) degree.
Extra Information: 8-10 hours per week.
Course Weight: 1.00
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This course is an interdisciplinary study of inflammation from cellular-based mechanisms to whole-system diseases. Online components will focus on foundational knowledge of inflammation and autoimmunity. In class, students will apply knowledge through case studies and work in teams to develop a patient-centred intervention using the design thinking framework.
Prerequisite(s): Enrolment in Year 4 of the Honours Specialization or the Major in Interdisciplinary Medical Sciences (IMS).
Extra Information: 2 lecture/tutorial hours per week.
Course Weight: 0.50
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This course investigates selected topics in medical science by focusing on a disease or condition that impacts health systems and examining it through interdisciplinary perspectives and evidence from different disciplines. Students will strengthen communication skills and hear from experts who share insights on challenges and emerging directions in medical science.
Antirequisite(s): Medical Sciences 4931F/G.
Prerequisite(s): Registration in Year 4 of a module in IMS.
Extra Information: 2 lecture hours per week.
Course Weight: 0.50
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An introduction to the basic medical sciences through a discussion and investigation of selected topics in medical sciences. Topics will focus on human diseases or conditions which are most common or result in most illness and death or burden to the health system (e.g., diabetes, obesity, cancer, neurodegenerative disease).
Antirequisite(s): Medical Sciences 4930F/G.
Prerequisite(s): Registration in Year 4 of a BMSc, BSc, BESc or BHSc degree, with the exception of the Honours Specialization in IMS, or permission of the instructor.
Extra Information: 3 lecture/tutorial hours/week or equivalent online delivery.
Course Weight: 0.50
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This advanced laboratory course develops research and inquiry skills in medical sciences through experimental, literature-based, and simulation learning. Students design and optimize experiments, analyze and interpret interdisciplinary evidence across scientific contexts, engage in ethical decision-making, communicate scientific findings, and apply results to complex scientific problems while working independently and collaboratively.
Antirequisite(s): The former Medical Sciences 4900F/G/Z, the former Medical Sciences 4991F/G, the former Medical Sciences 4995E.
Prerequisite(s): Medical Sciences 3990E and registration in Year 4 of the Honours Specialization in IMS.
Extra Information: 2 lecture/tutorial hours or equivalent online delivery/week and 4 laboratory hours/week.