COURSE CURRICULUM

The Honours Bachelor of Science (HBSc) in Bioinformatics is a rigorous four-year program designed for students interested in applying computational and analytical techniques to biological problems. Offered under the Faculty of Science and Environmental Studies, students must meet all university and faculty regulations and maintain at least a 70% average in core courses to remain in the program. In first year, students take foundational courses including Biology 1050, Chemistry 1110 and 1130, Computer Science 1411 and 1431, Mathematics 1171 and 1172, Physics 1211 and 1212, and a half-credit elective from Type A or B courses (English 1015, 1016, or 1115 recommended). Second year includes Biology 2171, 2230, 2711, and 2910; Chemistry 2211 and 2231; Computer Science 2412; Mathematics 2255; Physics 2331; and one Type E elective to fulfill the Indigenous Content Requirement. In third year, students study Bioinformatics 3711/Chemistry 3711, Biology 3135 or 3330 and 3112, Chemistry 2411, 3251, and 3271, Computer Science 2477, Mathematics 2111 and 2310, plus one elective. Fourth year emphasizes research and advanced coursework, requiring three FCEs including Bioinformatics 4111, 4501, or 4901 (with at least one full-course equivalent at the 4000 level), Chemistry 3210, Computer Science 3413 and 4411, and one additional half-credit elective. Students planning to pursue graduate studies are strongly encouraged to complete the research-based Bioinformatics 4111 and 4901 together. By March 15 of third year, those intending to complete a thesis must secure an advisor, have a topic approved, and submit a one-page proposal to the program coordinator.