Simon Fraser University (SFU) is a leading Canadian institution located in Burnaby, British Columbia. With a mission to be Canada's most community-engaged research university, SFU offers a comprehensive range of programs across disciplines including arts, sciences, business, communication, engineering, health sciences, and more. SFU is known for its innovative curriculum, interdisciplinary approach, and commitment to social responsibility. Students at SFU benefit from a supportive and inclusive learning environment, cutting-edge research opportunities, and a vibrant campus life surrounded by the natural beauty of British Columbia.

Lower Division Requirements
Students complete all of

BISC 101 - General Biology (4)
BISC 102 - General Biology (4)
BISC 202 - Genetics (3)
BISC 204 - Introduction to Ecology (3)
BISC 205 - Principles of Physiology (3)
CHEM 121 - General Chemistry and Laboratory I (4)
CHEM 122 - General Chemistry II (2)
CHEM 281 - Organic Chemistry and Laboratory I (4)
MBB 222 - Molecular Biology and Biochemistry (3)
MBB 231 - Cellular Biology and Biochemistry (3)
STAT 201 - Statistics for the Life Sciences (3)
and one of

CHEM 282 - Organic Chemistry II (2)
CHEM 283 - Organic Chemistry IIb (3)
and one of

MATH 150 - Calculus I with Review (4)
MATH 151 - Calculus I (3)
MATH 154 - Mathematics for the Life Sciences I (3)
and one of

MATH 152 - Calculus II (3)
MATH 155 - Mathematics for the Life Sciences II (3)
and one of

PHYS 101 - Physics for the Life Sciences I (3)
PHYS 120 - Mechanics and Modern Physics (3)
PHYS 125 - Mechanics and Special Relativity (3)
PHYS 140 - Studio Physics - Mechanics and Modern Physics (4)
and one of

PHYS 102 - Physics for the Life Sciences II (3)
PHYS 121 - Optics, Electricity and Magnetism (3)
PHYS 126 - Electricity, Magnetism and Light (3)
PHYS 141 - Studio Physics - Optics, Electricity and Magnetism (4)
Students are encouraged to complete all lower division requirements before registering for upper division courses. Students who intend to apply for medical, dental, veterinary, or other professional program may need additional courses and are encouraged to consult with the Biological Sciences Undergraduate Advisor.

Upper Division Requirements
Students complete a minimum of 12 upper division courses (a minimum of 36 units), consisting of three core courses plus nine concentration specific courses, as specified below. Once students have completed their lower division requirements, they should meet with the Undergraduate Advisor to declare their concentration. Students must obtain a C- or better on all Upper Division Requirements.

All students complete three core courses, as follows.

BISC 300 - Evolution (3)
BISC 333 - Developmental Biology (3)
and at least one of

BISC 303 - Microbiology (4)
BISC 306 - Invertebrate Biology (4)
BISC 316 - Vertebrate Biology (4)
BISC 317 - Insect Biology (3)
BISC 318 - Parasitology (3)
BISC 327 - Algal Biology (4)
BISC 328 - Fungal Biology and Ecology (3)
BISC 337 - Plant Biology (4)
Cells, Molecules, and Physiology (CMP) Concentration
This concentration is for students who wish to specialize in Cell Biology, Molecular Biology, and Physiology. The program provides flexibility for students to pursue their interests across these disciplines.

Students who choose this concentration will complete two of the following techniques courses

BISC 302W - Genetic Analysis (3)
BISC 303 - Microbiology (4)
BISC 357 - Genetic Engineering (4)
BPK 408W - Cellular Physiology Laboratory (4)
and at least five additional stream electives from

BISC 302W - Genetic Analysis (3)
BISC 303 - Microbiology (4)
BISC 305 - Animal Physiology (3)
BISC 313 - Environmental Toxicology: A Mechanistic Perspective (3)
BISC 357 - Genetic Engineering (4)
BISC 366 - Plant Physiology (3)
BISC 403 - Current Topics in Cell Biology (3)
BISC 405 - Neurobiology (3)
BISC 421 - Models in Biology: From Molecules to Migration (3)
BISC 423 - Developmental Neurobiology (3)
BISC 424 - Applied Genomics (3)
BISC 425 - Sensory Biology (3)
BISC 428 - Cell Anatomy (3)
BISC 430 - Microbe-Plant Interactions (3)
BISC 445 - Environmental Physiology of Animals (3)
BISC 455 - Endocrinology (3)
BISC 457 - Plant Molecular Biology and Biotechnology (3)
BISC 471 - Special Topics in Cells, Molecules and Physiology (3)
BISC 472 - Special Topics in Cells, Molecules and Physiology (3)
BISC 475 - Special Topics in Biology (3)
BISC 497W - Undergraduate Research: Writing Intensive (3)
BISC 498 - Undergraduate Research I (3)
BISC 499 - Undergraduate Research II (3)
BPK 408W - Cellular Physiology Laboratory (4)
and two upper division elective courses (minimum of six units) from BISC, BPK, HSCI, MBB, PHYS, or STAT, subject to approval by the department. Normally no more than two research intensive courses (such as BISC 497W, 498, or 499) may be used to satisfy stream requirements. Students complete a total of five lab courses (which may include one of BISC 497W, 498, 499) among their upper division courses. A minimum of 3 CMP stream courses must be at the 400 level.

Ecology, Evolution, and Conservation (EEC) Concentration
This concentration integrates theoretical and applied approaches to Ecology, Evolution, and Conservation. Students interested in obtaining additional field biology experience may also take courses at Bamfield Marine Sciences Centre, listed under Marine Sciences (MASC) in the course calendar. The EEC concentration is accredited by the College of Applied Biology (see the Biological Sciences website for details).

Students who choose this concentration will complete both

STAT 302 - Analysis of Experimental and Observational Data (3)
BISC 360W - Techniques in Ecology and Evolution (3)
and at least one additional organismal course from

BISC 306 - Invertebrate Biology (4)
BISC 316 - Vertebrate Biology (4)
BISC 317 - Insect Biology (3)
BISC 327 - Algal Biology (4)
BISC 328 - Fungal Biology and Ecology (3)
BISC 337 - Plant Biology (4)
and at least one applied course from

BISC 308 - Environmental Toxicology: An Ecological Perspective (3)
BISC 309 - Conservation Biology (3)
BISC 413 - Fisheries Ecology (3)
and at least two conceptual courses from

BISC 407 - Population Dynamics (3)
BISC 410 - Behavioral Ecology (3)
BISC 420 - Community Ecology (3)
BISC 422 - Population Genetics (3)
BISC 440W - Biodiversity (3)
and at least three additional stream electives from

BISC 305 - Animal Physiology (3)
BISC 308 - Environmental Toxicology: An Ecological Perspective (3)
BISC 309 - Conservation Biology (3)
BISC 366 - Plant Physiology (3)
BISC 407 - Population Dynamics (3)
BISC 410 - Behavioral Ecology (3)
BISC 412 - Aquatic Ecology (3)
BISC 413 - Fisheries Ecology (3)
BISC 414 - Limnology (3)
BISC 420 - Community Ecology (3)
BISC 421 - Models in Biology: From Molecules to Migration (3)
BISC 422 - Population Genetics (3)
BISC 440W - Biodiversity (3)
BISC 441 - Evolution of Health and Disease (3)
BISC 445 - Environmental Physiology of Animals (3)
BISC 473 - Special Topics in Ecology, Evolution and Conservation (3)
BISC 474 - Special Topics in Ecology, Evolution and Conservation (3)
BISC 497W - Undergraduate Research: Writing Intensive (3)
BISC 498 - Undergraduate Research I (3)
BISC 499 - Undergraduate Research II (3)
Courses from other units such as the Faculty of Environment and MASC courses may count as options toward these stream electives, subject to approval by the department. Students complete a total of five lab courses (which may include one of BISC 497W, 498, 499) among their upper division courses.

Open Concentration
This concentration allows students to build their own program and combine interests spanning the full diversity of courses offered in the Department.

Students who choose this concentration will complete one of the following techniques courses

BISC 302W - Genetic Analysis (3)
BISC 303 - Microbiology (4)
BISC 357 - Genetic Engineering (4)
BISC 360W - Techniques in Ecology and Evolution (3)
BPK 408W - Cellular Physiology Laboratory (4)
and an additional 8 upper division BISC courses (totaling a minimum of 24 units). Students may substitute up to 2 upper division courses from other units (e.g., BPK, FENV, HSCI, MASC, MBB, PHYS, or STAT), subject to approval by the department. Normally no more than two research intensive courses (such as BISC 497W, 498, or 499) may be used to satisfy stream requirements. Students complete a total of five lab courses (which may include one of BISC 497W, 498, 499) among their upper division courses. A minimum of 3 BISC courses must be at the 400 level.

University Degree Requirements
Students must also satisfy University degree requirements for degree completion.

You will need to book the accommodation after you have been accepted.

You can choose to live on campus or off campus in private accommodation.

• Make a booking online after you have been accepted (in this case please let us know your choice when you apply).
• Register when you arrive - its not possible to reserve a room before arriving. You can arrive a few days before and book it