Academic Calendar - 2024

Western University Academic Calendar. - 2024

Western Main Campus

Combined Degree Program HBA/HONOURS BMSc BIOCHEMISTRY
Richard Ivey School Of Business - HBA Combined Programs


This is a Combined Program also featured at the following pages:

The Richard Ivey School of Business, the Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, and the Faculty of Science administer these combined degrees.

Admission Requirements


Structure of the Combined Degree

The completion of the combined degree program usually takes five academic years.
Students apply for admission to the combined degree program during the first year of the HBA (HBA1), typically their third year of university. Once in HBA1, students must satisfy the following conditions to be eligible for admission to the combined program:

  • be eligible for admission to Year 3 of the Bachelor of Medical Sciences (BMSc) Program,
  • complete the Admission Requirements for the Honours Specialization in Biochemistry (including all of the 2000-level modular courses),
  • achieve a minimum average of 80% in the 10.0 courses completed prior to admission to HBA, and
  • achieve a minimum weighted rounded average of 78% in HBA1


Students will usually complete MEDICAL SCIENCES FIRST ENTRY in the Faculty of Science (Medical Sciences 1 and 2), as well as Business Administration 2257, to be considered for admission to the Combined BMSc (Biochemistry)/HBA Program. See ADMISSION TO THE BACHELOR OF MEDICAL SCIENCES (BMSc) PROGRAM for course and average requirements.

In Year 3, students enroll in the first year of the HBA program (demonstrated participation in extracurricular and/or community activities, leadership, and work experience are admission criteria for the HBA, in addition to academic achievement).

For Years 4 and 5, students register in the Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry and the Ivey School of Business in the Combined Honours BMSc (Biochemistry)/HBA program.

It is recommended that students do not complete more than two years of course work prior to admission to HBA1. It is possible, however, to undertake the combined program with more than 10.0 courses prior to entry into the first year of the HBA but completion of the program may take more than five academic years. Students in this situation should contact both the BMSUE Coordinator and the Richard Ivey School of Business.

Applications for the combined degrees must be made during HBA1 to the HBA program and the BMSUE Coordinator by the published deadlines for Ivey. The Ivey School's Advanced Entry Opportunity (AEO) students are also eligible to apply to the combined degrees. Entrance to the combined degrees is competitive and limited.

Module/Program Information


Year 3: HBA1
The third year of the undergraduate program in Business Administration consists of an integrated set of courses (7.5 courses) designed to give a basic understanding of the functions and the interrelationships of the major areas of management, as well as to develop problem-solving and action-planning skills.

All students will take: Business Administration 3300K, Business Administration 3301K, Business Administration 3302K, Business Administration 3303K, Business Administration 3304K, Business Administration 3311K, Business Administration 3316K, Business Administration 3321K, Business Administration 3322K, Business Administration 3323K.

No substitute for any of the above courses is permitted under any circumstances.

Years 4 and 5: HBA2 requirements
HBA2 Requirements can be taken over Years 4 or 5 - except Business Administration 4569 must be taken in Year 4.

2.5 courses:

3.0 additional business elective courses.


Years 4 and 5: BMSc requirements for the Honours Specialization in Biochemistry

Year 4

1.5 courses: Biochemistry 3380G, Biochemistry 3381A and Biochemistry 3382A with marks of at least 70% in each.
0.5 course: Biochemistry 3390B.

Year 5

1.0 course from: Biochemistry 4410A, Biochemistry 4415B, Biochemistry 4420A, Biochemistry 4425B.
1.5 additional courses from: Biochemistry 3385B, Biochemistry 3392F/G, Biochemistry 4320F/G, Biochemistry 4410A, Biochemistry 4415B, Biochemistry 4420A, Biochemistry 4425B, Biochemistry 4450A, the former Biochemistry 4463B.
1.5 courses: Biochemistry 4483E (Research Project = 1.5 courses).


Note: the breadth requirement of a BMSc degree must be satisfied, i.e. 1.0 course from Category B must be completed prior to graduation. See GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS FOR HONOURS BACHELOR DEGREES.

Degree Requirements

Students registered in the combined degrees are expected to abide by all guidelines associated with each of the individual degrees.


Progression


Students in these combined degrees must meet the following progression standards:


Students enrolled in first year HBA (Year 3) must attain a minimum weighted rounded average of 78%. In Year 4, students must attain a minimum weighted average of 75% in their 4000-level HBA courses and a minimum cumulative modular average of 75% with no mark less than 60% in any modular courses required for the Honours Specialization in Biochemistry (Biochemistry 3380G, 3381A, 3382A must be completed with marks of at least 70%). In Year 5, students must attain a minimum weighted average of 75% in their 4000-level HBA courses and a minimum cumulative modular average of 70% with no mark less than 60% in any modular courses required for the Honours Specialization in Biochemistry.

Failure to Meet Progression Standards

A student who fails to meet the progression standards in any year must withdraw from the combined degrees. With permission from the appropriate HBA Program Director and/or the Assistant Dean, Basic Medical Sciences Undergraduate Education, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, the student may continue in one degree, and request permission from the other School to complete the other degree at a later date.

A student who fails to meet the progression standards in any year of the combined degrees may appeal the decision in writing to either the HBA Program Director or the Assistant Dean, Basic Medical Sciences Undergraduate Education, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, depending upon the degree in which the progression standards were not met, in accordance with the University's policies on Academic Rights and Responsibilities.

Dean's Honour List

Students are considered for the Dean's Honour List in the Faculty of Science in Years 1 and 2.

Students who take courses required for the Honours Specialization in Biochemistry totaling at least 2.0 courses in Year 4 and 4.0 courses in Year 5 of the combined degrees are considered for the Dean's Honour List in the Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry in each of those years on the basis of those courses.

At the Richard Ivey School of Business, students are considered for the Dean's Honour List during their first year of HBA. Students enrolled in Years 4 and 5 of the combined degree program are considered for the Dean's Honour List in Year 5 only. Only grades obtained in 4000-level Business courses will be used in calculating averages for the purpose of determination of Dean's Honour List standing. The Dean's Honour List for HBA2 typically includes the top 25% of all of HBA2 and is determined by vote of the teaching faculty. Courses taken outside the Business School are excluded. Calculations for Ivey Scholar and Gold Medals are completed in the same way.


Related Information


Graduation

Upon completion of the combined program, students will receive two degrees: a BMSc (Honours) degree with an Honours Specialization in Biochemistry and a BA in Honours Business Administration.

Fees

Students pay the prevailing fees as determined by the University policy on combined degrees.

International Exchange Programs

Students in the Combined BMSc (Biochemistry)/HBA Program may be eligible to participate in academic exchange programs (for HBA, only). Interested students should discuss exchange options with the HBA Program Office and the BMSUE Program Office.