Last updated: February 27, 2024 @ 12:17PM

Biomedical Sciences

This program is offered through the Departments of Biological Sciences and Health Sciences

Co-ordinators
Jeff Stuart, Department of Biological Sciences
Dan Malleck, Department of Health Sciences

Academic Advising
Heather VanVolkenburg
brocku.ca/fmsadvising

General Information

Administrative Assistants
Brittany Kalbfleisch, Nicole Mooney

905-688-5550, extension 3388
Mackenzie Chown F234
brocku.ca/biology

Administrative Coordinator
Mary Montgomery

905-688-5550, extension 4228
Academic South 329
brocku.ca/hlsc

The main focus of the Biomedical Sciences program is on the molecular basis of human health. It draws on the expertise of faculty in Health Sciences in the medical aspects of human health and of faculty in Biological Sciences in the theory, methods, and applications of molecular biology. This program will prepare students for careers in biomedical research, teaching or professional programs in health sciences.

Students wishing to gain entry into the Biomedical Sciences program from another Brock University program must have first completed all first-year requirements of the program (with a minimum of 70 percent in BIOL 1P91, 1P92, HLSC 1F90, CHEM 1P91 and 1P92) and a minimum major average of 75 percent and overall average of 60 percent.

Program Notes
  1. To proceed to Year 2, students must achieve a minimum 70 percent major average and minimum 50 percent non-major average, with a minimum grade of 70 percent in BIOL 1P91, 1P92, HLSC 1F90, CHEM 1P91 and 1P92. To continue in the program after second year, students must achieve and maintain a minimum 75 percent major average and a minimum 60 percent overall average or program removal may occur.
  2. Students taking BMED 4F92 require a minimum 75 percent major average. Students taking BMED 4F90 and 4F91, or HLSC 4F90 require a minimum 80 percent major average.
  3. Students preparing for professional studies in health sciences should note that some programs require completion of a laboratory physics course (PHYS 1P91 and 1P92). An understanding of basic physics is also beneficial to students in specific BIOL courses.
  4. The following courses will count as electives only and not towards major credit: BIOL 1P23, 1P24, 1F25, 1P27, 1P28, 1P30, 2P95.
  5. In 20 credit degree programs a maximum of eight credits may be numbered 1(alpha)00 to 1(alpha)99; at least three credits must be numbered 2(alpha)90 or above; at least three credits must be numbered 3(alpha)90 or above; and the remaining credits must be numbered 2(alpha)00 or above.

    In some circumstances, in order to meet university degree and program requirements, more than 20 credits may be taken.


Honours Program

Year 1
·   BIOL 1P91 and 1P92
·   CHEM 1P91 and 1P92
·   HLSC 1F90
·   MATH 1P97
·   STAT 1F92, or 1P98 and one-half elective credit
·   one-half elective credit

Year 2
·   BIOL 2P02, 2P03, 2P97 and 2P98
·   CHEM 2P20 and 2P21
·   HLSC 2P07, 2P09, 2P95 and 2P96

Year 3
·   BCHM 3P01
·   one and one-half credits from BCHM 3P02, BIOL 3P28, 3P30, 3P50, 3P51, PHYS 2P02
·   HLSC 3P09 and 3P19
·   one HLSC credit numbered 2(alpha)90 or above
·   one Humanities context credit

Year 4
Thesis Option:
·   BMED 4F90 and 4F91, or HLSC 4F90 and one HLSC or BIOL credit numbered 2(alpha)90 or above
·   one credit from BCHM 3P02, 4P06, BIOL 3P28, 3P30, 3P34, 3P50, 3P51, 3P92, 4P11, 4P28, 4P35, 4P41, 4P51, 4P53, 4P57, PHYS 2P02
·   HLSC 4P95 and 4P99
·   one elective credit

Library Research Option:
·   BMED 4F92
·   one credit from BCHM 3P02, 4P06, BIOL 3P28, 3P30, 3P34, 3P50, 3P51, 3P92, 4P11, 4P28, 4P35, 4P41, 4P51, 4P53, 4P57, PHYS 2P02
·   one BIOL or HLSC credit numbered 3(alpha)90 or above
·   HLSC 4P95 and 4P99
·   one elective credit

Description of Courses

Note that not all courses are offered in every session. Refer to the applicable term timetable for details.

# Indicates a cross listed course
* Indicates a primary offering of a cross listed course

Prerequisites and Restrictions

Students must check to ensure that prerequisites are met. Students may be deregistered, at the request of the instructor, from any course for which prerequisites and/or restrictions have not been met.
BMED 4F90
Honours Thesis
Students undertake a limited research project involving laboratory study under faculty supervision.
Restriction: open to BMED majors with approval to year 4 (honours), a minimum 80 percent major average and permission of the Co-ordinator.
Corequisite(s): BMED 4F91.
Note: to be taken in conjunction with BMED 4F91. Submission and oral defense of the thesis is required. This course may be offered in multiple modes of delivery. The method of delivery will be listed on the academic timetable, in the applicable term.

BMED 4F91
Literature Research and Seminar
Students undertake a detailed study of the scientific literature relevant to the topic of the honours thesis.
Restriction: open to BMED majors with approval to year 4 (honours), a minimum 80 percent major average and permission of the Co-ordinator.
Corequisite(s): BMED 4F90.
Note: to be taken in conjunction with BMED 4F90. The literature review will be included in the thesis and will be presented as a seminar. This course may be offered in multiple modes of delivery. The method of delivery will be listed on the academic timetable, in the applicable term.

BMED 4F92
Library Research Essays
Students will be required to carry out two detailed studies of the scientific literature under faculty and teaching assistant supervision.
Restriction: open to BMED majors with approval to year 4 (honours), a minimum 75 percent major average and permission of the instructor.
Note: results of the studies will be presented in major essays and formal seminars. One research topic is to be completed each term. This course may be offered in multiple modes of delivery. The method of delivery will be listed on the academic timetable, in the applicable term.