Year 1 Courses

The following courses are recommended for first-year students wanting to pursue an Honors Specialization, Specialization or Major module in the basic medical sciences.

Summer Academic Orientation handout for the BMSc Program

Please visit the Faculty of Science website for a listing of new and renamed first-year courses and also a list of Science and Basic Medical Science modules.

1.0 course from:

Biology 1001A and 1002B - Biology for Science I and II - For students in the Faculty of Science with Grade 12U or Grade 11U Biology and permission of the department. A minimum mark of 80% in Grade 12U Biology is recommended for students registered in a faculty other than the Faculty of Science.
Biology 1201A and 1202B - General Biology and General Biology II - For students registered in a faculty other than the Faculty of Science. Pre-requisites are Grade 12U Biology or Grade 11U Biology and permission of the Department

Minimum marks of 70% in Biology 1201A and 1202B are required for admission to any modules in the basic medical sciences.

1.0 course:

Chemistry 1100A/B and 1200B - Discoverying Chemistry I and II- For students with Grade 12U Chemistry or Grade 11U Chemistry and permission of the Chemistry department.

1.0 course from:

Calculus 1000A/B- Calculus I -or- Calculus 1100A/B - Calculus I with Fundamentals
Calculus 1301A/B- Calculus II -or- Calculus 1501A/B - Calculus II for Mathematical and Physical Sciences
Mathematics 1600A/B - Linear Algebra I
Mathematics 1225A/B - Methods of Calculus
Mathematics 1228A/B - Methods of Finite Mathematics
Mathematics 1229A/B - Methods of Matrix Algebra
Statistical Sciences 1024A/B - Introduction to Statistics
Applied Mathematics 1201A/B - Mathematical Applications for Biological Sciences
Applied Mathematics 1413 - Applied Mathematics for Engineers I

The majority of students aiming for the BMSc Program take Calculus 1000A or 1100A in combination with Calculus 1301B. This combination is recommended for students who are comfortable and competent in calculus. Completion of a full 1.0 credit in calculus is required for admission into some post-graduate or professional programs such as Pharmacy. Students lacking a strong background in Calculus could consider a less rigorous combination of courses such as Mathematics 1228A/B and Statistical Sciences 1024A/B.

1.0 course from:

See Points to Consider for guidance in selecting a first-year physics course.

Physics 1028A/B - Physics for Biological Students I
Physics 1029A/B - Physics for Biological Students I
Fundamental physics concepts are introduced with an emphasis on applications in biological processes. The majority of students aiming for the BMSc Program take these courses (except for students interested in Medical Biophysics).

Physics 1301A/B - Introductory Physics I
Physics 1302A/B - Introductory Physics II
These are calculus-based laboratory courses for students intending to pursue further studies in science. These introductory physics courses will give a good background for any Science/BMSc degree. They cover all the standard material plus some topics in modern physics. This choice is recommended for students interested in Medical Biophysics.

Physics 1501A/B - Enriched Introductory Physics I
Physics 1502A/B - Enriched Introductory Physics II
These are calculus-based laboratory courses for students intending to pursue further studies in science, particularly the physical sciences. These enhanced physics courses should only be taken by students who are seriously interested in physics.

1.0 course from:

another faculty that is not Science (Category A or Category B)

Points to consider:

  • Although the Physics requirement can be completed in either Year 1 or Year 2, students aiming for the BMSc Program should seriously consider taking it in Year 1 because:
    • the performance in university-level physics should be enhanced by the retention of high school physics material.
    • academic performance in Year 2 is critical for registration in the BMSc Program, and the addition of Physics rather than an option to that year could create a heavier course load, potentially jeopardizing a student's eligibility.
    • there could be scheduling conflicts between the physics courses and the required Year 2 courses.
  • The Department of Mathematics has developed a brief guide to help students decide which math courses to select, taking into consideration high school background and academic/career goals. This guide is neither a replacement for departmental or faculty counsellor advice nor for the academic calendar, and does not absolve students of the responsibility to ensure that their course selection complies with the requirements needed for their module/degree.
  • Students interested in modules offered by the Department of Medical Biophysics should consider taking either Physics 1301A or 1501A and 1302B or 1502B. The first year math requirement must be satisfied by one of Calculus 1000A/B or 1100A/B, and one of Calculus 1301A/B or Calculus 1501A/B. Biology 1001A and Biology 1002B may be deferred until Year 2.
  • A maximum of 7.0 first-year (1000-level) courses may be counted toward a 3-year or 4-year degree. Completion of a 4-year degree requires a minimum of 13.0 senior courses (2000-level or above). Completion of a 3-year degree requires a minimum of 8.0 senior courses.
  • Should you find the first few classes in any course to be overwhelming, you should speak with your instructor and/or an academic counsellor about switching to another course before the deadline to add courses. You are free to attend other courses and/or sections within the same course during the first couple weeks of term to experience other subject areas or different teaching styles. All adding of courses/changing of sections is subject to space being available and must be completed by the published deadlines.

Marks Required:

  • Honors Specialization, Specialization and Majors modules offered by basic medical science departments require a minimum mark of 60% in each Biology, Chemistry, Math and Physics full or half course.
  • Further information about admission to the BMSc Program including cutoff averages is posted under 'Admission toBMSc'.