Honours Biology - Honours Molecular Biology and Genetics
In the Undergrad calendar, there are a lot of different Year II Bio Programs. I was just wondering if someone could give me more info on the Honours Biology - Genetics Specialization. Is this program hard to get into? How many students does it accept? If anyone is in this programs/knows anything about it, i would appreciate your help!

Thanks

do well in first year, like above a 8-9 average and you will get into this specialization..I applied and got in, but chose to accept the Honours Biology(core) instead....I think they accepted 50+ last year...correct me if im wrong...but in reality its not hard to get into if you have the average....as far as material...in second year all biology specializations will have similar if not exactly the same courses with the exception being the requisite of taking a physics if you in Mol Bio and Genetics...its further down the road like 3rd year and 4th that the course start to vary...Mol Bio focusing on more of the little molecular biology aspects/genetics while the other bios may involve ecology/anatomy...so yeah...you should go speak with Kath McIntosh in LSB...she is the bio undergraduate advisor and she is very nice and helpful, and as a plus she has plenty of candy i her office...

there are for sure more than 50 people in the program, especially since its a new combined one. You can email the counsellor Dr. Cameron if you want more info. We take pretty much the same things in second year as honours bio, but there are more required courses in the long run so there might not be room for the electives you want. the whole point of the specialization is if you know you like it, they give you many of the required courses so that you are focused in that area.
good luck

So you don't think a 8-9 average would do?

** Sorry i meant 7-8 average

My average was a 6.9 and i got in. lol

The main difference between this and other bio programs: you need to take both level 2 organic chemistry courses, a level 2 stats course, and in fourth year you are required to do your thesis (4C09) or the independent research project. You also have the option to do co-op, which you apply to in second year.

You can also switch out to bio core if you decide later that you don't want to continue in a specialization.

I don't see the point in doing a specialization. You might, just might, get an extra inch in grad school apps, but it's not worth it.

Just do life sci/core bio.

hmm... im just thinking i rather do something other than the usual bio or life science just to look a bit better on grad school applications... but considering the extra stats courses and the fourth year thesis i dont think i would want to do that....
are there other specializations that are level above the basic bio or life sci that dont require so many extra electives?

and also, dhyong, isnt this program available for the first time this school year?

Originally Posted by The MACster

hmm... im just thinking i rather do something other than the usual bio or life science just to look a bit better on grad school applications... but considering the extra stats courses and the fourth year thesis i dont think i would want to do that....
are there other specializations that are level above the basic bio or life sci that dont require so many extra electives?

and also, dhyong, isnt this program available for the first time this school year?

You're right...so you'll only find second year students in this program. We applied last year and this is the first year it's running.

The main reason I think many people choose this program was the co-op option. It replaced some of the specializations for regular Honours Biology (ie. Microbiology, Biotechnology). You might also want to look at joint Biology programs such as Biology+Math or Biology+Psychology.

Originally Posted by The MACster

hmm... im just thinking i rather do something other than the usual bio or life science just to look a bit better on grad school applications... but considering the extra stats courses and the fourth year thesis i dont think i would want to do that....
are there other specializations that are level above the basic bio or life sci that dont require so many extra electives?

and also, dhyong, isnt this program available for the first time this school year?

If you're looking to do a Master's degree in science, a thesis or at least a project is pretty much a necessity.

does neone know what average you need for the physiology specialization?

Originally Posted by ReDorkulateD

does neone know what average you need for the physiology specialization?

For a transfer it's 9.5. As for direct entry from level 1, I'm not so sure but I'd guess about the same/

I had a 9.3 and i got in to physio, but I think its based on how many people apply. (I know a girl who got into molecular and not physio thought so i guess its a bit more competative)

Don't get hung up on marks, just apply if you really want to do it, and then who knows. If you don't get in its not the end of the world. if you really like physiology or whatever specialization you will take the courses required, do well and then do what you want with your life. Don't let a little "title" get in the way of who you like to do. I know I man who did his pHd in biochem and now teaches grade 12, and a woman who took life sci and now is a top researcher and they both love what they do. Its about who you are and not what some piece of paper says.

Originally Posted by Fight0

If you're looking to do a Master's degree in science, a thesis or at least a project is pretty much a necessity.

i was thinking more like med or dentistry school...
to my knowledge, they usually dont require a thesis...
so this thesis is mandatory in the molecular bio and genetics program?