i Please note:
To view the current calendar, go to
Health Sciences Major
This bachelor of science (BSc) program incorporates basic science courses (biology, chemistry, molecular biology and statistics) with HSCI courses about health and disease. Building on a solid base of basic biomedical and applied health science, students will receive advanced training in pharmacology, toxicology, pathophysiology and epidemiology, as well as molecular biology and genetics.
¶¡ÏãÔ°AV Requirements
Internal Transfer
Internal transfer allows students to transfer, within ¶¡ÏãÔ°AV, from one faculty to another. Students can apply for internal transfer into the Faculty of Health Sciences with a minimum CGPA of 2.5 and after completion of one of the following 200-level HSCI courses with a minimum grade of C-: HSCI 211-3, HSCI 212-3, HSCI 214-3, HSCI 215-3, or HSCI 216-3.
Minimum Grades
Students enrolling in HSCI courses must have a grade of C- or better in prerequisite courses and in the program's required courses.
Program Requirements
This program requires a total of 120 units, composed of required and elective courses, prerequisites, and other electives to meet the University’s writing, quantitative and breadth (WQB) requirements.
Life Sciences Concentration Lower Division Requirements
Students complete all of
An introduction to the biochemical and physiological mechanisms of living organisms. Topics covered include cell structure and function, DNA replication and the flow of genetic information, enzyme function, metabolism and physiology of microorganisms, plants, and animals. Prerequisite: High school biology 12 (or equivalent) with a C grade or better, or BISC 100 with C- or better, or HSCI 100 with C+ or better. Breadth-Science.
Survey of the diversity of life, and its evolutionary history on earth. The student is introduced to the study of genetics, development, and evolution, giving an overview of how these processes interact to produce form and function. Also included are principles of behavior and ecological relationships of organisms to each other and their environment. Prerequisite: High school biology 12 (or equivalent) with a C grade or better, or BISC 100 with C- or better, or HSCI 100 with C+ or better. Breadth-Science.
Principles and concepts of the transmission of genetic information treated comparatively in man, animal, plant and microbe. Prerequisite: BISC 101 and 102 with a grade of C- or better.
Atomic and molecular structure; chemical bonding; thermochemistry; elements; periodic table; gases liquids, solids, and solutions. This course includes a laboratory component. Prerequisite: BC high school chemistry 12 or CHEM 111. Recommended: MATH 151 (or 154) and PHYS 120 (or 101) as a corequisite. Students may not count both CHEM 120 and 121 for credit. Quantitative/Breadth-Science.
Chemical equilibria; electrochemistry; chemical thermodynamics; kinetics. Students who intend to take further laboratory courses in chemistry should take CHEM 122 concurrently with CHEM 126. Prerequisite: CHEM 121 or 120. Recommended: MATH 152 (or 155) and PHYS 121 (or 102) as a corequisite. Quantitative.
Structure, bonding, physical and chemical properties of simple organic compounds. Introduction to spectroscopy. Kinetics and mechanisms of organic reactions. This course includes a laboratory component. Prerequisite: CHEM 121. Corequisite: CHEM 122. Quantitative.
Polyfunctional organic compounds and complex organic reactions. Introduction to natural products. Students with credit for CHEM 283 may not complete this course for further credit. Prerequisite: CHEM 281. Quantitative.
How health, illness and disease are defined and measured for individuals and populations. Research strategies used to identify how health, illness and disease are distributed across human populations and how environmental, socio-economic, demographic, biological, behavioural and political factors influence individual and population health. Breadth-Social Sci/Science.
Designed for students specializing in the biological and medical sciences. Topics include: limits, growth rate and the derivative; elementary functions, optimization and approximation methods, and their applications; mathematical models of biological processes. Prerequisite: Pre-Calculus 12 (or equivalent) with a grade of at least B, or MATH 100 with a grade of at least C, or achieving a satisfactory grade on the ¶¡ÏãÔ°AV Calculus Readiness Test. Students with credit for either MATH 150, 151 or 157 may not take MATH 154 for further credit. Quantitative.
Designed for students specializing in the biological and medical sciences. Topics include: the integral, partial derivatives, differential equations, linear systems, and their applications; mathematical models of biological processes. Prerequisite: MATH 150, 151 or 154; or MATH 157 with a grade of at least B. Students with credit for MATH 152 or 158 may not take this course for further credit. Quantitative.
The structure, function and synthesis of proteins, RNA and DNA and their interrelated biological functions within the cell. An introduction to molecular biology techniques and methods of protein purification and analysis. Prerequisite: or Corequisite CHEM 281.
Prerequisite: MBB 222, BISC 101, CHEM 281 with grades of C- or better. Corequisite: Chem 282 or Chem 283. Students who have taken MBB 221 and MBB 231 may not repeat this course for further credit.
Force and motion, conservation of energy and momentum, fluids, properties of soft matter and thermal physics with applications taken from the life sciences. Prerequisite: BC Principles of Physics 12 or PHYS 100 or equivalent. This prerequisite may be waived, at the discretion of the department, as determined by the student's performance on a regularly scheduled PHYS 100 final exam. Please consult the physics advisor for further details. Corequisite: MATH 150 or 151 or 154 or 157; BISC 100 or 101 or 102. Students with credit for PHYS 120, 125 or 140 may not take this course for further credit. Quantitative/Breadth-Science.
and two of
An interdisciplinary overview of the major non-communicable diseases - cancers, cardiovascular and metabolic diseases - from a public health perspective. Review of biological mechanisms, risk factors, historical and cultural contexts, and global distribution. Prerequisite: HSCI 100 or BISC 101, HSCI 130.
An integrated survey of infectious diseases and their social and economic causes and consequences. Infectious agents, including bacteria, protozoa, fungi and viruses -- how they spread, how they work, and how they can be stopped. Surveillance, prevention, and management of infectious diseases and epidemics. Prerequisite: HSCI 100 or BISC 101, HSCI 130.
An interdisciplinary overview of mental health and mental illness among populations. A review of the distribution and risk factors of mental illnesses as well as the historical and cultural context of their development. Prerequisite: HSCI 100 or BISC 101, HSCI 130.
An interdisciplinary overview of injury and disability. Review of global distribution and risk factors. Examination of disability and injury across multiple levels of analysis. Prerequisite: HSCI 100 or BISC 101, HSCI 130.
Effects that social and ecological factors have on human growth, development and health. Challenges such as epidemics, natural catastrophes, industrialization, globalization, migration, poverty, war, global warming, etc, leading to evolution and adaptations. Relationships between socio-ecological challenges, their health consequences and related gene-population variations and effects on growth, development, sexual maturation, reproductive investment, and senescence and health. Prerequisite: HSCI 100 or BISC 101.
and one of
Research methodology and associated statistical analysis techniques for students with training in the life sciences. Intended to be particularly accessible to students who are not specializing in Statistics. Prerequisite: 30 units. Students with credit for STAT 101, 102, 203 (formerly 103), 270 (formerly MATH 272) or 301 may not take STAT 201 for further credit. Quantitative.
Descriptive and inferential statistics aimed at students in the social sciences. Scales of measurement. Descriptive statistics. Measures of association. Hypothesis tests and confidence intervals. Students in Sociology and Anthropology are expected to take SA 255 before this course. Intended to be particularly accessible to students who are not specializing in Statistics. Students with credit for STAT 101, 102, 103, 201, 270, ARCH 376 or, BUEC 232 (formerly 332), may not subsequently receive credit for this course. Recommended: a research methods course such as SA 255, CRIM 120, POL 213 or equivalent is recommended prior to taking STAT 203. Quantitative. Prerequisite: REQ-Students in Sociology and Anthropology are expected to take SA255 before this crs. Students with credit for STAT101, 102, 103, 201, 270, ARCH376 or, BUEC232 (formerly 332), may not receive further credit. Recommended: SA255, CRIM120, POL213 or equiv. Equivalent Courses: STAT102 STAT103 STAT201 STAT270 STAT301. Quantitative.
Life Sciences Concentration Upper Division Requirements
Students complete all of
A comparative analysis of the Canadian health care financing and delivery systems and policies. History, organizational principles, health care resources, costs, access to care, quality, and equity. Societal and political issues, threats and values that affect Canada's health care system and others around the world. Prerequisite: 60 units, including nine HSCI units.
Molecular, cellular and systemic approach to examine topics in human pathophysiology. Prerequisite: MBB 231, or permission of the instructor.
Human variation and human health in the context of population genetics, epidemiology, demography, and human evolution. Prerequisite: BISC 202.
The concepts and measurements of human population dynamics in epidemiological inference. Identification of causes and prevalence of disease. Demographic and molecular methodology to assess the determinants of health and disease. Prerequisite: nine HSCI units including one HSCI 200 division course and either STAT 302 or 305 which may be taken concurrently.
Modern molecular biological and recombinant DNA methods such as DNA isolation, plasmid preparation, restriction enzyme digestion, Southern blots, cloning and polymerase chain reaction. Prerequisite: MBB 222, and MBB 221 or MBB 231, and MBB 331 as a co- or pre-requisite (the latter is recommended). Students with credit for BISC 357 may not take this course for further credit.
The study of DNA and RNA in relation to gene structure and expression: DNA replication and the regulation of gene expression in bacteria and higher organisms. Introduction to recombinant DNA and cloning theory; natural vector structures and recombinant vector construction. Prerequisite: MBB 222 and MBB 221 or MBB 231, BISC 202.
and one of
The standard techniques of multiple regression analysis, analysis of variance, and analysis of covariance, and their role in experimental research. Prerequisite: Any STAT course (except STAT 100), or BUEC 232, or ARCH 376. Statistics major and honors students may not use this course to satisfy the required number of elective units of upper division statistics. However, they may include the course to satisfy the total number of required units of upper division credit. Students cannot obtain credit for STAT 302 if they already have credit for STAT 305 and/or 350. Quantitative.
Intermediate statistical techniques for the health sciences. Review of introductory concepts in statistics and probability including hypothesis testing, estimation and confidence intervals for means and proportions. Contingency tables and the analysis of multiple 2x2 tables. Correlation and regression. Multiple regression and model selection. Logistic regression and odds ratios. Basic concepts in survival analysis. Prerequisite: STAT 201 or 203. Statistics major and honors students may not use this course to satisfy the required number of elective units of upper division statistics. Students cannot obtain credit for STAT 305 if they already have credit for STAT 302 or 350, or if they are simultaneously enrolled in STAT 305 and either or both of STAT 302 and 350. Quantitative.
and one of
Practical ethical and legal issues in health sciences, emphasizing population and public health. Case studies approach highlighting current ethical dilemmas and decision-making in the context of global to local legal frameworks. Prerequisite: 45 units including nine HSCI units, one of which must be a 200 division course. HSCI 319 is identical to PHIL 319 and students cannot receive credit for both courses. Writing.
Ethical issues related to public health as they are located in and influenced by a global context. Consideration of several ethical approaches including utilitarianism, deontic ethics, and the capabilities approach, as well as theories of justice. Application of approaches to topics ranging from global markets in human organs to international migration of health workers and pharmaceutical testing in the Developing World. Prerequisite: 60 units of completed course work and PHIL 120 or HSCI 319W. Students who have taken HSCI 320 or PHIL 327 may not take this course for further credit.
Students must complete a minimum of at least seven of the following courses, which include a minimum of one as indicated by *, a minimum of one indicated by **, and a minimum of two indicated by ***.
The phenomenon of organic evolution, and the major forces leading to changes in allele frequencies over time, i.e. natural selection and genetic drift. Topics include adaptation, speciation, the origin of life, and the major evolutionary trends over geological time. Prerequisite: BISC 202 with a grade of C- or better. Recommended: BISC 204. Students with credit for BISC 400 may not take this course for further credit.
Discussion and manipulations of some of the organisms and techniques applicable to genetic analysis. Students are required to come into the lab on average of two hours per week in addition to the four hour scheduled lab each week for project work. Prerequisite: BISC 202 with a grade of C- or better. Students with credit for BISC 302W may not take this course for further credit.
The biology of micro-organisms and their significance in the understanding of cellular processes. Students are required to come into the lab on average of two hours per week in addition to the four hour scheduled lab each week for project work. Prerequisite: BISC 102 and MBB 231 with a grade of C- or better.
A study of the interrelationships of animals and their physical and biotic environment. Prerequisite: BISC 101, 102 and 204 with a grade of C- or better. Students with credit for BISC 304W may not repeat this course for further credit.
This course introduces students to basic principles of toxicology and several classes of widely encountered environmental pollutants. Emphasis is on toxicology as an interdisciplinary science. This course is a prereq for all advanced toxicology courses. Prerequisite: MBB 231 with a grade of C- or better.
Classical and modern experimental approaches will be described for understanding development of embryos of several species having common and distinctive features. These approaches are at the organismal, cellular, molecular and genetic levels. Prerequisite: BISC 202, MBB 222, MBB 231 with a grade of C- or better.
Physiology of neuroscience, focusing on cellular and molecular mechanisms. Topics include: cellular and subcellular organization of the nervous system, electrical properties of neurons, ion channels, synaptic transmission, sensory systems, learning and memory, neurodegenerative diseases. Prerequisite: BISC 305 or KIN 305 with a grade of C- or better. Students who have completed BISC 472 under the title 'Neurobiology' may not complete BISC 405 for further credit.
Ecology and phylogeny of animal parasites (from protozoa to helminthes), including those of humans, domestic animals and wildlife. Parasite success, host-parasite interactions, general epidemiological principles of parasitic infections, and reproductive strategies used by parasites to increase the likelihood of transmission as well as host responses and medical options for past and current parasite problems. Prerequisite: BISC 101 and 102, and 204 or HSCI 212 with a grade of C- or better and completion of 60 units. Recommended: BISC 300 and 306. Students who have taken BISC 418 Parasitology may not take this course for further credit.
Theoretical and experimental aspects of inheritance at the population level. Topics include Hardy-Weinberg, one- and two-locus selection theory, introduction to quantitative genetics, and Fisher's fundamental theorem of natural selection. Prerequisite: BISC 202 with a grade of C- or better and STAT 201.
Application of the principles and theories of evolution and ecology to the study of health and disease, with a particular but not exclusive emphasis on humans. Topics to be covered include the evolutionary ecology of infectious disease, the immune system, cancer, senescence, fetal programming, and the genetic/environmental bases of disease. The course will involve a combination of lectures by the primary faculty member teaching the course, discussions, student research projects (papers, written and revised, and presentations to the class), and specialist guest lectures. Prerequisite: BISC 202 or 204 with a grade of C- or better. Recommended: BISC 300.
Elements of physical chemistry from the macroscopic point of view. Thermodynamics, and its applications to chemical equilibrium. Chemical kinetics and reaction rate theories. Prerequisite: CHEM 122, MATH 152 (or 155), PHYS 121 (or 102). Recommended: MATH 251. Credit will not be granted for both CHEM 360 and MBB 323. Quantitative.
An introduction to chemical processes in the aqueous environment. Quantitative treatment of the variables determining the composition of natural systems. Chemistry of aqueous toxic agents, wastewater treatment, and related matters. Prerequisite: CHEM 281 and CHEM 360. Quantitative.
Quantitative treatment of chemical and physical processes in the atmospheric environment. Chemistry of the troposphere including air pollution and climate change. Chemistry of the stratosphere including ozone depletion. Environmental radioactivity. Current topics. Prerequisite: CHEM 281 and CHEM 360. Quantitative.
Biological, molecular and biochemical actions of drugs and toxicants. Genetic and environmental risk determinants. Understanding the broad spectrum of toxicological problems encountered in clinical practice, drug development and regulation, and medical research. Prerequisite: MBB 231, CHEM 282.
Animal virology in the context of viral diseases in humans and animals. Animal viruses, their replication, virus-host interactions and viral diseases. Prerequisite: MBB 222, or permission of the instructor. Corequisite: BISC 303: Microbiology.
The basic organization of the immune system, including structure, function and genetics of antibodies, T-cell receptors, innate immune receptors, and the complement system. Innate, antibody and cellular immune responses and their control, and development of the cells involved in these responses. Prerequisite: MBB 331. Students with credit for MBB 426 and HSCI 325 may not take this course for further credit.
The basic organization of the immune system, including structure, function and genetics of antibodies, T-cell receptors, innate immune receptors, and the complement system. Innate, antibody and cellular immune responses and their control, and development of the cells involved in these responses. Prerequisite: MBB 331. Students who have taken HSCI 325 or HSCI 425 cannot take MBB 426 for further credit.
The immunologic response to bacterial, viral and parasitic infections, immunological diseases, such as autoimmune diseases, immunodeficiency, hypersensitivity reactions (including asthma and allergy) and transplantation-rejection reactions. Immunotherapeutics and vaccine development. Prerequisite: HSCI 426 or MBB 426 or permission of the instructor. HSCI 427 is identical to MBB 427 and HSCI 425 and students may not take this course for further credit.
The immunologic response to bacterial, viral and parasitic infections, immunological diseases, such as autoimmune diseases, immunodeficiency, hypersensitivity reactions (including asthma and allergy) and transplantation-rejection reactions. Immunotherapeutics and vaccine development. Prerequisite: MBB 426 or HSCI 426. Students with credit for HSCI 427 may not repeat this course for further credit.
Mechanisms underlying viral infectious diseases in humans and animals at the levels of the molecule, cell, organ and the individual. Virus spread in a host, host responses to the viral infection, and virus-host interactions that result in disease. Prerequisite: HSCI 338 - Animal virology and HSCI 321- Human pathophysiology.
A review of pathophysiological mechanisms of disease with an emphasis on the molecular, cellular and genetic bases of pathology. Laboratory includes cell-biology experiments, histological preparations, and microscopic examination of normal and diseased tissues. Prerequisite: MBB 308 and HSCI 321, or permission from instructor.
Study, in a laboratory environment, of viruses as infectious agents that threaten human health and viral associated cancer as well as their use in gene therapy. Includes cell culture methods, virus isolation and quantification, virus purification, etc. Prerequisite: HSCI 338 - Animal Virology. One of - BISC 357- Gene Cloning, MBB 308. Molecular Biology laboratory, or MBB 309 - Biochemistry Laboratory.
Laboratory methods in immunology. Focus on the vertebrate immune system and the molecular and cellular principles underlying immune recognition. Experimental methods designed to combine serology, biochemistry, molecular biology, cell biology and genetics as a basis for understanding immunological aspects of health and disease. Prerequisite: HSCI or MBB 426, and one of MBB 308, BISC 303 or MBB 309W.
The scientific principles underlying the toxic actions of various substances important to human health. The chemical nature of toxic substances, their mode of action, uptake and metabolism. Analytical techniques for analyzing samples of toxicological importance in the work and general environment and short-term assays used in risk assessment will be introduced. Prerequisite: HSCI 323, MBB 308.
Mechanisms of drug action in the brain, including several classes of drugs and neurotransmitter systems that are involved in mental health disorders, drug addiction and neurodegeneration. Prerequisite: HSCI 323 and HSCI 321 or MBB 331.
Discussion of novel and advanced topics in chemical covalent modifications of chromatin that influence gene regulation. Prerequisite: MBB 331, or permission of the instructor.
Current topics in molecular biology-based research into pathologies of disease related to drug and environmental exposures. Focus on systems pharmacology and the molecular determinants of drug and toxicant action as they relate to gene expression and signal transduction. Prerequisite: HSCI 323 and MBB 331, or permission of the instructor.
Immunological concepts of vaccines and vaccinology including vaccination, correlates of immune protection, humoral and mucosal immunity, adjuvants, recombinant vaccine technology, 'designer' vaccines, and HIV/AIDS vaccine design as a paradigm for modern vaccinology. Prerequisite: BISC 303 and HSCI 426 or MBB 426, or permission of the instructor. Recommended: HSCI 427 or MBB 427.
Application of modern molecular methods to epidemiological questions. Globally-relevant and emerging infectious diseases will be highlighted. Prerequisite: HSCI 330 and MBB 331. Students with credit for HSCI 432 in 2010 may not complete HSCI 478 for further credit.
Molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying the pathogenesis of aging-related neurodegenerative diseases, and translational, bench-to-bedside, research topics related to therapeutic strategies and outcomes. Prerequisite: MBB 331 and HSCI 321.
An in-depth overview of newly emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases in the context of disease prevention, surveillance and control. Prerequisite: HSCI 338 - Animal Virology, MBB/HSCI 426 - Immune System I: Basis of Innate and Adaptive Immunity.
Deals with the physiology and pathophysiology of the cardiovascular, respiratory, and renal systems in detail. Prerequisite: BPK (or KIN) 205, MBB 231 (or 201), MATH 155 (or 152). Non-majors require BPK (or KIN) 205 (or BISC 305), MBB 231 (or 201) plus permission of the instructor. Students with credit for KIN 305 may not take this course for further credit.
Examines the regulation of body functions with an emphasis on the endocrine, gastrointestinal and neuronal systems. The course focuses on integration of physiological mechanisms at the cellular and organ levels. Examples of abnormal human physiology are used to illustrate important principles. Prerequisite: BPK (or KIN) 201, 205, MBB 231 (or 201), MATH 155 (or 152). Non-majors require BPK (or KIN) 205 (or BISC 305), MBB 231 (or 201) plus permission of the instructor. Students with credit for KIN 306 may not take this course for further credit.
Experiments dealing with the nervous, muscular, cardiovascular, respiratory, and renal systems are covered. Prerequisite: KIN 305 and 306, one of which must already have been completed and the other can be taken concurrently. Students with credit for KIN 407 may not take this course for further credit. Quantitative.
This course entails a detailed analysis of the molecular and cellular basis of cardiac function. The material will be derived from myriad disciplines including: anatomy (histology and ultrastructure), biomechanics, physiology, electrophysiology, biochemistry and molecular biology. A particular emphasis will be placed on the mechanisms by which the heart responds to stresses such as ischemia and exercise. Prerequisite: REQ-BPK (or KIN) 305. Students with credit for KIN 412 may not repeat this course for further credit.
Core concepts in cancer biology ranging from the clinical and pathological basis of carcinogenesis to the molecular and cellular changes involved in cancer development. Emphasis will be on the complex interactions of lifestyle factors, genetics and social cultural determinants on cancer risk. Prerequisite: MBB 231 (or MBB 201) and at least 90 units. Students with credit for BPK (or KIN) 420 or KIN 431 may not complete this course for further credit.
Examines neural and neuromuscular diseases, including Alzheimer's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, multiple sclerosis, stroke, and myasthenia gravis. Emphasizes currently favoured hypotheses, underlying evidence and pathogenic mechanisms. Prerequisite: BPK (or KIN) 306. Recommended: BPK (or KIN) 336 and/or BPK (or KIN) 415. Student with credit for BPK (or KIN) 421 or KIN 426 may not take this course for further credit.
Contemporary techniques in biochemistry including protein purification, immunochemical methods, and lipid characterization. Prerequisite: MBB 222 and MBB 221 or MBB 231. Recommended: CHEM 215 and CHEM 286 precede MBB 309W. Writing.
The enzymes and intermediates of major catabolic and anabolic pathways. Their regulation and integration in health and disease states. Prerequisite: MBB 222, and MBB 221 or MBB 231.
Biochemical and molecular aspects of cellular function, interactions and communication including cell cycle, apoptosis, cancer, immune system, neuronal transmission and the signal transduction pathways that integrate them. Prerequisite: MBB 222, and MBB 221 or MBB 231.
Introduction to physical biochemistry including rigorous treatment of thermodynamics and molecular transport and interactions with specific emphasis on biochemical and molecular biological processes. CHEM 360 may be substituted as an alternative to this requirement for MBB majors. Prerequisite: MATH 152 (or 155), PHYS 121 (or 102, or 126, or 141), CHEM 122 (or 102), MBB 222.
Recent literature is examined for insights into the structure and properties of DNA and RNA, drawing on a variety of biochemical, chemical and molecular biological perspectives. Prerequisite: MBB 331 with a grade of C or better.
A review of recent research on the structure, dynamics, function and biosynthesis of membranes, membrane lipids and proteins. Prerequisite: MBB 322.
Recent research in transition state theory; specificity in enzyme catalyzed reactions, the use of recombinant DNA techniques to describe and modify enzyme catalysis, the function of enzymes in organic solvents, and the development of new catalytic activities through monoclonal antibody techniques. Prerequisite: two of MBB 321, 322, 323, 331.
Structure and function of molecules that mediate transport across membranes including channels, carriers, and pumps. Primary literature from the fields of biochemistry and physiology will be explored through lectures and independent study. Prerequisite: MBB 321, 322 and either MBB 323 or CHEM 360. Students who have taken MBB 420 under the same topic may not take this course for further credit.
The molecular strategies that bacterial, viral and fungal pathogens use to colonize the human body and cause disease will be studied. Using specific organisms as illustrations, emphasis will be placed on the structural biology of molecular systems such as acquisition and use of virulence factors, adhesion to and invasion of host cells, secretion of toxins and immune escape. Prions, zoonoses and emerging diseases will be included. Prerequisite: MBB 322. Students who have taken MBB 420 under the same title cannot take this course for further credit.
Analysis of mechanisms of protein, lipid, and nucleic acid delivery and transport within cells; processes of protein targeting, exocytosis, and endocytosis; molecular mechanisms of vesicle transport and membrane fusion; role in signal transduction and disease. Prerequisite: MBB 322 and MBB 331.
The cellular basis of selected chronic diseases such as cancer and polycystic kidney disease will be explored in-depth. Through the use of lectures and group discussions and an emphasis on the primary literature, the focus will be on recent developments in the study of these diseases. Prerequisite: MBB 322 and 331. Students who have taken MBB 440 under the same title cannot take this course for further credit.
Laboratory with accompanying lectures designed to give practical experience in advanced contemporary molecular biology techniques. Lab exercises will include site-directed mutagenesis, preparation and characterization of GST-fusion proteins, construction of transgenes and their expression in transgenic organisms, and use of the yeast two-hybrid assay to study protein-protein interactions. Prerequisite: MBB 308 and 331, or permission of instructor.
The analysis of entire genomes of organisms has only been possible since 1995. This new area of study will be examined in detail with emphasis on current research. Prerequisite: MBB 331.
Lectures and student presentations will cover the wide range of ways in which organisms (primarily eukaryotes) regulate gene expression along the pathway from DNA to protein. Prerequisite: MBB 331.
An investigation of how biochemistry, cell biology and genetics is used to study the diverse mechanisms used in cell signaling along with an exploration of how the various approaches to studying signal transduction complement each other. Prerequisite: MBB 321, 322, and MBB 331.
Recent advances in human molecular genetics including genome analysis, gene therapy, genetic testing, and studies of genetic disorders. Prerequisite: MBB 331.
Lectures and hands-on instruction at the computer in the use of, and theory behind, bioinformatic software and algorithms for the analysis of macromolecular data. Prerequisite: MBB 331 and an introductory computer science course (e.g. CMPT 110 or 120), or equivalent.
Proteomics concerns the analysis of the entire complement of proteins expressed by an organism. This course will consider protein sequence alignment, sequence database scanning, classification of protein structures, prediction of protein structure and function, and evolution of protein function. Prerequisite: MBB 321 and MBB 322; one introductory computer course (e.g. CMPT 110 or 120), or equivalent.
A consideration of protein biogenesis (folding, assembly, and targeting to cellular compartments), modification, and degradation, and their roles in protein and cellular function. Prerequisite: MBB 321 and MBB 322.
Examination of recent literature on neuronal growth cones and axonal guidance. Cell cultural, biochemical, and molecular genetic approaches will be emphasized in assessing guidance cues. Prerequisite: MBB 331.
A physics perspective on cellular structure and composition; random walks and diffusion; properties of fluids, cell motion; entropy and the properties of soft materials; structure and function of proteins; signal propagation in nerves. Prerequisite: Completion of 45 units including CHEM 122, MATH 152 (or 155), PHYS 121 (or 102 or 126 or 141). Recommended: BISC 101. Quantitative.
Experiments in biological and soft condensed matter physics including investigation of Brownian motion, molecular order and biophysical forces using techniques such as optical trapping, NMR, spectroscopy and x-ray diffraction. Attention will also be given to more general skills, including experimental design, operating and troubleshooting experimental equipment, data analysis, and the presentation of experimental results. Prerequisite: PHYS 231 or MBB 309; PHYS 344W or PHYS 347 or MBB 323 or CHEM 360, or permission of the department. Quantitative.
Students receive theory and practical experience in the control and management of hazardous substances in the environment. This includes the application of techniques used to assess toxicological, ecological and human health risks of contaminants within the current regulatory framework. Prerequisite: MATH 151 or 154 or 157; STAT 101 or 103 or 201 or 301 or GEOG 251.
Population and Quantitative Health Sciences Concentration Lower Division Requirements
Students complete all of
An introduction to the biochemical and physiological mechanisms of living organisms. Topics covered include cell structure and function, DNA replication and the flow of genetic information, enzyme function, metabolism and physiology of microorganisms, plants, and animals. Prerequisite: High school biology 12 (or equivalent) with a C grade or better, or BISC 100 with C- or better, or HSCI 100 with C+ or better. Breadth-Science.
Survey of the diversity of life, and its evolutionary history on earth. The student is introduced to the study of genetics, development, and evolution, giving an overview of how these processes interact to produce form and function. Also included are principles of behavior and ecological relationships of organisms to each other and their environment. Prerequisite: High school biology 12 (or equivalent) with a C grade or better, or BISC 100 with C- or better, or HSCI 100 with C+ or better. Breadth-Science.
Principles and concepts of the transmission of genetic information treated comparatively in man, animal, plant and microbe. Prerequisite: BISC 101 and 102 with a grade of C- or better.
How health, illness and disease are defined and measured for individuals and populations. Research strategies used to identify how health, illness and disease are distributed across human populations and how environmental, socio-economic, demographic, biological, behavioural and political factors influence individual and population health. Breadth-Social Sci/Science.
Designed for students specializing in the biological and medical sciences. Topics include: limits, growth rate and the derivative; elementary functions, optimization and approximation methods, and their applications; mathematical models of biological processes. Prerequisite: Pre-Calculus 12 (or equivalent) with a grade of at least B, or MATH 100 with a grade of at least C, or achieving a satisfactory grade on the ¶¡ÏãÔ°AV Calculus Readiness Test. Students with credit for either MATH 150, 151 or 157 may not take MATH 154 for further credit. Quantitative.
and at least five of
Atomic and molecular structure; chemical bonding; thermochemistry; elements; periodic table; gases liquids, solids, and solutions. This course includes a laboratory component. Prerequisite: BC high school chemistry 12 or CHEM 111. Recommended: MATH 151 (or 154) and PHYS 120 (or 101) as a corequisite. Students may not count both CHEM 120 and 121 for credit. Quantitative/Breadth-Science.
Chemical equilibria; electrochemistry; chemical thermodynamics; kinetics. Students who intend to take further laboratory courses in chemistry should take CHEM 122 concurrently with CHEM 126. Prerequisite: CHEM 121 or 120. Recommended: MATH 152 (or 155) and PHYS 121 (or 102) as a corequisite. Quantitative.
Structure, bonding, physical and chemical properties of simple organic compounds. Introduction to spectroscopy. Kinetics and mechanisms of organic reactions. This course includes a laboratory component. Prerequisite: CHEM 121. Corequisite: CHEM 122. Quantitative.
Polyfunctional organic compounds and complex organic reactions. Introduction to natural products. Students with credit for CHEM 283 may not complete this course for further credit. Prerequisite: CHEM 281. Quantitative.
An elementary introduction to computing science and computer programming, suitable for students with little or no programming background. Students will learn fundamental concepts and terminology of computing science, acquire elementary skills for programming in a high-level language and be exposed to diverse fields within, and applications of computing science. Topics will include: pseudocode, data types and control structures, fundamental algorithms, computability and complexity, computer architecture, and history of computing science. Treatment is informal and programming is presented as a problem-solving tool. Students should consult with the self-evaluation on the School of Computing Science website to decide whether they should follow the CMPT 120/125 course sequence or enrol in CMPT 126. Prerequisite: BC Math 12 or equivalent is recommended. Students with credit for CMPT 102, 125, 126, 128 or CMPT 200 or higher may not take this course for further credit. Quantitative/Breadth-Science.
An introduction of broad, basic economic ideas applied to government finance, allocation, and procurement. Topics covered may include government size, health care, debt, social insurance, trade, and redistribution policies. Breadth-Social Sciences.
Designed for students specializing in the biological and medical sciences. Topics include: the integral, partial derivatives, differential equations, linear systems, and their applications; mathematical models of biological processes. Prerequisite: MATH 150, 151 or 154; or MATH 157 with a grade of at least B. Students with credit for MATH 152 or 158 may not take this course for further credit. Quantitative.
Force and motion, conservation of energy and momentum, fluids, properties of soft matter and thermal physics with applications taken from the life sciences. Prerequisite: BC Principles of Physics 12 or PHYS 100 or equivalent. This prerequisite may be waived, at the discretion of the department, as determined by the student's performance on a regularly scheduled PHYS 100 final exam. Please consult the physics advisor for further details. Corequisite: MATH 150 or 151 or 154 or 157; BISC 100 or 101 or 102. Students with credit for PHYS 120, 125 or 140 may not take this course for further credit. Quantitative/Breadth-Science.
and one of
An introduction to reading and writing in the academic disciplines. Prerequisite: 12 units. Students with credit for ENGL 199 may not take this course for further credit. Writing.
An introduction to the central problems of ethics: for example, the nature of right and wrong, the objectivity or subjectivity of moral judgments, the relativity or absolutism of values, the nature of human freedom and responsibility. The course will also consider general moral views such as utilitarianism, theories of rights and specific obligations, and the ethics of virtue. These theories will be applied to particular moral problems such as abortion, punishment, distributive justice, freedom of speech, and racial and sexual equality. Sometimes the course will also focus on important historical figures such as Plato, Aristotle, Kant and Mill. Open to all students. Students with credit for PHIL 120 may not take this course for further credit. Writing/Breadth-Humanities.
and one of
Research methodology and associated statistical analysis techniques for students with training in the life sciences. Intended to be particularly accessible to students who are not specializing in Statistics. Prerequisite: 30 units. Students with credit for STAT 101, 102, 203 (formerly 103), 270 (formerly MATH 272) or 301 may not take STAT 201 for further credit. Quantitative.
Descriptive and inferential statistics aimed at students in the social sciences. Scales of measurement. Descriptive statistics. Measures of association. Hypothesis tests and confidence intervals. Students in Sociology and Anthropology are expected to take SA 255 before this course. Intended to be particularly accessible to students who are not specializing in Statistics. Students with credit for STAT 101, 102, 103, 201, 270, ARCH 376 or, BUEC 232 (formerly 332), may not subsequently receive credit for this course. Recommended: a research methods course such as SA 255, CRIM 120, POL 213 or equivalent is recommended prior to taking STAT 203. Quantitative. Prerequisite: REQ-Students in Sociology and Anthropology are expected to take SA255 before this crs. Students with credit for STAT101, 102, 103, 201, 270, ARCH376 or, BUEC232 (formerly 332), may not receive further credit. Recommended: SA255, CRIM120, POL213 or equiv. Equivalent Courses: STAT102 STAT103 STAT201 STAT270 STAT301. Quantitative.
and at least three of
An interdisciplinary overview of the major non-communicable diseases - cancers, cardiovascular and metabolic diseases - from a public health perspective. Review of biological mechanisms, risk factors, historical and cultural contexts, and global distribution. Prerequisite: HSCI 100 or BISC 101, HSCI 130.
An integrated survey of infectious diseases and their social and economic causes and consequences. Infectious agents, including bacteria, protozoa, fungi and viruses -- how they spread, how they work, and how they can be stopped. Surveillance, prevention, and management of infectious diseases and epidemics. Prerequisite: HSCI 100 or BISC 101, HSCI 130.
An interdisciplinary overview of mental health and mental illness among populations. A review of the distribution and risk factors of mental illnesses as well as the historical and cultural context of their development. Prerequisite: HSCI 100 or BISC 101, HSCI 130.
An interdisciplinary overview of injury and disability. Review of global distribution and risk factors. Examination of disability and injury across multiple levels of analysis. Prerequisite: HSCI 100 or BISC 101, HSCI 130.
Effects that social and ecological factors have on human growth, development and health. Challenges such as epidemics, natural catastrophes, industrialization, globalization, migration, poverty, war, global warming, etc, leading to evolution and adaptations. Relationships between socio-ecological challenges, their health consequences and related gene-population variations and effects on growth, development, sexual maturation, reproductive investment, and senescence and health. Prerequisite: HSCI 100 or BISC 101.
Population and Quantitative Health Sciences Concentration Upper Division Requirements
Students complete all of
A comparative analysis of the Canadian health care financing and delivery systems and policies. History, organizational principles, health care resources, costs, access to care, quality, and equity. Societal and political issues, threats and values that affect Canada's health care system and others around the world. Prerequisite: 60 units, including nine HSCI units.
Principles and applications in health sciences research methodology. Quantitative and qualitative methods. Research process and design. Appropriate approaches for diverse research questions. Research ethics, sources of data, sampling, measurement, data collection, initial data analysis techniques. Prerequisite: two HSCI 200 division courses, one of which may be taken concurrently.
Human variation and human health in the context of population genetics, epidemiology, demography, and human evolution. Prerequisite: BISC 202.
The concepts and measurements of human population dynamics in epidemiological inference. Identification of causes and prevalence of disease. Demographic and molecular methodology to assess the determinants of health and disease. Prerequisite: nine HSCI units including one HSCI 200 division course and either STAT 302 or 305 which may be taken concurrently.
Scientific research in population health. Developing and evaluating research protocols, taking a general research question and turning it into an analysis plan, carrying out the analysis, and writing up the findings for presentation and publication. Prerequisite: HSCI majors with 90 units, including HSCI 330 and STAT 302, or permission from instructor.
and one of
The standard techniques of multiple regression analysis, analysis of variance, and analysis of covariance, and their role in experimental research. Prerequisite: Any STAT course (except STAT 100), or BUEC 232, or ARCH 376. Statistics major and honors students may not use this course to satisfy the required number of elective units of upper division statistics. However, they may include the course to satisfy the total number of required units of upper division credit. Students cannot obtain credit for STAT 302 if they already have credit for STAT 305 and/or 350. Quantitative.
Intermediate statistical techniques for the health sciences. Review of introductory concepts in statistics and probability including hypothesis testing, estimation and confidence intervals for means and proportions. Contingency tables and the analysis of multiple 2x2 tables. Correlation and regression. Multiple regression and model selection. Logistic regression and odds ratios. Basic concepts in survival analysis. Prerequisite: STAT 201 or 203. Statistics major and honors students may not use this course to satisfy the required number of elective units of upper division statistics. Students cannot obtain credit for STAT 305 if they already have credit for STAT 302 or 350, or if they are simultaneously enrolled in STAT 305 and either or both of STAT 302 and 350. Quantitative.
and one of
Practical ethical and legal issues in health sciences, emphasizing population and public health. Case studies approach highlighting current ethical dilemmas and decision-making in the context of global to local legal frameworks. Prerequisite: 45 units including nine HSCI units, one of which must be a 200 division course. HSCI 319 is identical to PHIL 319 and students cannot receive credit for both courses. Writing.
Ethical issues related to public health as they are located in and influenced by a global context. Consideration of several ethical approaches including utilitarianism, deontic ethics, and the capabilities approach, as well as theories of justice. Application of approaches to topics ranging from global markets in human organs to international migration of health workers and pharmaceutical testing in the Developing World. Prerequisite: 60 units of completed course work and PHIL 120 or HSCI 319W. Students who have taken HSCI 320 or PHIL 327 may not take this course for further credit.
and at least six of the following courses, which include a minimum of one as indicated by +
Application of the principles and theories of evolution and ecology to the study of health and disease, with a particular but not exclusive emphasis on humans. Topics to be covered include the evolutionary ecology of infectious disease, the immune system, cancer, senescence, fetal programming, and the genetic/environmental bases of disease. The course will involve a combination of lectures by the primary faculty member teaching the course, discussions, student research projects (papers, written and revised, and presentations to the class), and specialist guest lectures. Prerequisite: BISC 202 or 204 with a grade of C- or better. Recommended: BISC 300.
Theoretical and experimental aspects of inheritance at the population level. Topics include Hardy-Weinberg, one- and two-locus selection theory, introduction to quantitative genetics, and Fisher's fundamental theorem of natural selection. Prerequisite: BISC 202 with a grade of C- or better and STAT 201.
Environmental risks and the impact of human activity on health. Chemical and biological hazards. Methodological approaches to their detection, assessment, management, and mitigation. Prerequisite: Two HSCI 200-level courses one of which may be taken concurrently.
Social determinants of health and health inequities. Explores how and why the social advantages and disadvantages that people experience - based on their social position(s) and social circumstances - determine their health status and overall well-being. Prerequisite: 60 units and two HSCI 200-level courses, one of which may be taken concurrently.
Regression and data analysis techniques for health research. Practical approaches to linear and logistic regression, multivariable modelling, interaction, variable selection, confounding, and measures of association. Computer-based laboratory exercises using statistical software applied to health datasets. Prerequisite: STAT 302 or STAT 305. Recommended: HSCI 330.
The use of mapping strategies and geographic information systems in identifying disease patterns and health risks. The relation of health problems to the distribution of markers of exposure, susceptibility, and health impact, and resulting risk management strategies for intervention, mitigation, and disease prevention. Prerequisite: 60 units and two HSCI 200-level courses, or permission of instructor. Recommended: GEOG 255, CMPT 100.
A multidisciplinary and international focus on the transmission, impact, prevention, and human aspects of the global HIV/AIDS epidemic. Prerequisite: 60 units including either HSCI 212 or 330.
The epidemiologic approach to health and disease in a population. Applying epidemiology to evaluation and policy. Prerequisite: HSCI 330.
Application of modern molecular methods to epidemiological questions. Globally-relevant and emerging infectious diseases will be highlighted. Prerequisite: HSCI 330 and MBB 331. Students with credit for HSCI 432 in 2010 may not complete HSCI 478 for further credit.
An in-depth overview of the sociocultural, epidemiological, and policy aspects of population and public health. Prerequisite: HSCI majors with 90 units, including at least 15 upper division HSCI units. Other prerequisites may vary according to topic.
An in-depth overview of environmental health, environmental risks and human activity in relation to environmental health in the context of disease prevention, surveillance and control. Prerequisite: HSCI majors with 90 units, including HSCI 304 and HSCI 330.
Treatment of current issues in mental health and addictions from a population and public health perspective. Students will examine several topics from theoretical, methodological and policy perspectives. Prerequisite: HSCI majors with 90 units, including at least 15 upper division HSCI units. Other prerequisites may vary according to topic.
Treatment of current global health issues. Students will examine several topics from theoretical, methodological and policy perspectives. Prerequisite: HSCI majors with 90 units, including at least 15 upper division HSCI units. Other prerequisites may vary according to topic.
The analysis of entire genomes of organisms has only been possible since 1995. This new area of study will be examined in detail with emphasis on current research. Prerequisite: MBB 331.
Lectures and hands-on instruction at the computer in the use of, and theory behind, bioinformatic software and algorithms for the analysis of macromolecular data. Prerequisite: MBB 331 and an introductory computer science course (e.g. CMPT 110 or 120), or equivalent.
Students receive hands-on experience in the construction and analysis of computer simulation models of environmental and ecological systems and problems. Prerequisite: REM 100 or EVSC 100; BISC 204; MATH 151 or 154 or 157; MATH 152 or 155 or 158; STAT 101 or 201 or 203 or equivalent. Quantitative.
An examination of measurement issues within sociological and anthropological research, focusing on the logical and conceptual construction and interpretation of tables, and an examination of the uses and abuses of statistics. Through an introduction to 'hands on' use of the computer, this course emphasizes the applications, rather than the mathematics, of statistics. Prerequisite: STAT 203 or equivalent and SA 255. Students with credit for SA 355 may not take POL 315 for further credit. Quantitative.
and a minimum two additional upper division HSCI courses (6 units minimum)
Writing, Quantitative, and Breadth Requirements
Students admitted to ¶¡ÏãÔ°AV beginning in the fall 2006 term must meet writing, quantitative and breadth requirements as part of any degree program they may undertake. See for university-wide information.
WQB Graduation Requirements
A grade of C- or better is required to earn W, Q or B credit
Requirement |
Units |
Notes | |
W - Writing |
6 |
Must include at least one upper division course, taken at ¶¡ÏãÔ°AV within the student’s major subject | |
Q - Quantitative |
6 |
Q courses may be lower or upper division | |
B - Breadth |
18 |
Designated Breadth | Must be outside the student’s major subject, and may be lower or upper division 6 units Social Sciences: B-Soc 6 units Humanities: B-Hum 6 units Sciences: B-Sci |
6 |
Additional Breadth | 6 units outside the student’s major subject (may or may not be B-designated courses, and will likely help fulfil individual degree program requirements) |
Residency Requirements and Transfer Credit
The University’s residency requirement stipulates that, in most cases, total transfer and course challenge credit may not exceed 60 units, and may not include more than 15 as upper division work.
Elective Courses
In addition to the courses listed above, students should consult an academic advisor to plan the remaining required elective courses.
For calendar technical problems or errors, contact calendar-sfu@sfu.ca | Calendar Changes and Corrections