Biological Sciences


Faculty List
  • M.C.B. Andrade, B.Sc. (Simon Fraser), M.Sc. (Toronto), Ph.D. (Cornell), Professor
  • I. Anreiter, B.Sc. (Universidade Técnica de Lisboa), M.Sc. (Universidade Nova de Lisboa), Ph.D. (Toronto), Assistant Professor
  • A. Ashok, B.Sc. (Sheffield), Ph.D. (Brown), Professor, Teaching Stream
  • R. Boonstra, B.Sc. (Calgary), Ph.D. (British Columbia), Professor Emeritus
  • S.A. Brunt, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D. (Toronto), Associate Professor, Teaching Stream
  • M.W. Cadotte, B.Sc., M.Sc. (Windsor), Ph.D. (Tennessee), Professor
  • I.M. Campbell, B.Sc. (Alberta), M.A., Ph.D. (Toronto), Associate Professor Emeritus
  • R.E. Dengler, B.Sc., Ph.D. (California, Davis), Associate Professor Emeritus
  • G. Filion, B.Sc. (Concordia), M.Sc. (École Normale Supérieure), Ph.D. (Université Denis Diderot), Assistant Professor
  • M.F. Filosa, B.S. (St. Peter's), M.S. (Fordham), Ph.D. (Princeton), Associate Professor Emeritus
  • M.J. Fitzpatrick, B.Sc., M.Sc. (Brock), Ph.D. (Toronto), Assistant Professor, Teaching Stream
  • K. Gan, B.Sc., M.Sc. (Simon Fraser), Ph.D. (Simon Fraser), Assistant Professor
  • S. Gazzarrini, B.Sc., M.Sc. (Milan), Ph.D. (Tuebingen), Professor
  • E. Gonzales-Vigil, B.Sc. (National Agrarian University), Ph.D. (Michigan State), Assistant Professor
  • J.W. Gurd, B.A. (Mount Allison), Ph.D. (McGill), Professor Emeritus
  • C. Guzzo, B.Sc., Ph.D. (Queen's), Assistant Professor
  • R.E. Harrison, B.Sc. (Winnipeg), M.Sc. (Manitoba), Ph.D. (Toronto), Professor
  • C.A. Hasenkampf, B.Sc. (Loyola), M.Sc., Ph.D. (Florida State), Professor Emerita
  • M. Koyama, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D. (Tokyo), Assistant Professor
  • N.R. Lovejoy, B.Sc., M.Sc. (Toronto), Ph.D. (Cornell), Professor
  • J.S. MacIvor, B.Sc. (Guelph), M.Sc. (Saint Mary's), Ph.D. (York), Assistant Professor
  • N.E. Mandrak, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D. (Toronto), Professor
  • A.C. Mason, B.Sc. (Guelph), M.Sc., Ph.D. (Toronto), Professor
  • P. McGowan, B.Sc. (Concordia), M.A., Ph.D. (Duke), Professor
  • P.K. Molnar, B.Sc., M.Sc. (Ludwig-Maximilians-Universitat Munich), Ph.D. (Alberta), Assistant Professor
  • G.A. Mott, B.Sc. (British Columbia), Ph.D. (Harvard), Assistant Professor
  • C. Nalewajko, B.Sc., Ph.D., D.Sc. (University College London), Professor Emerita
  • J.E. Nash, B.Sc. (Aberdeen), M.Sc., Ph.D. (Manchester), Associate Professor
  • X. Pan, B.Sc. (Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University), M.Sc. (Dalhousie), Ph.D. (Alberta), Assistant Professor
  • K.N. Persaud, B.Sc. (Toronto), B.Ed. (Western Ontario), Ph.D. (McMaster), Associate Professor, Teaching Stream
  • C. Pickett, B.Sc., M.A. (Toronto), Senior Lecturer Emerita
  • C. Porteus, B.Sc., M.Sc. (Guelph), Ph.D. (British Columbia), Assistant Professor
  • S. Rajavasireddy, B.Sc. (Osmania University), M.Sc. (Tat Institute of Fundamental Research), Ph.D. (McGill University), Assistant Professor
  • S.G. Reid, B.Sc., Ph.D. (Ottawa), Associate Professor
  • C.D. Riggs, B.Sc. (North Carolina), Ph.D. (Florida State), Associate Professor Emeritus
  • J.C. Ritchie, B.Sc. (Aberdeen), Ph.D. (Sheffield), D.Sc. (Aberdeen), F.R.S.C., Professor Emeritus
  • J.C. Silver, B.Sc., Ph.D. (CUNY), Professor Emerita
  • I. Stehlik, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D. (Zurich), Associate Professor, Teaching Stream
  • R. Sturge, B.Sc., M.Sc. (Toronto), Ph.D. (UMBC), Assistant Professor, Teaching Stream
  • M.R. Terebiznik, B.Sc., Ph.D. (U.B.A., Buenos Aires, Argentina), Associate Professor
  • T.R. Thiele, B.A. (Hamilton College, Clinton, NY), Ph.D. (Oregon), Assistant Professor
  • B. Treanor, B.Sc. (Calgary), Ph.D. (Imperial College London), Associate Professor
  • G.C. Vanlerberghe, B.Sc., M.Sc. (Western Ontario), Ph.D. (Queen's), Professor
  • Y. Wang, B.Sc. (Shanxi University), M.Sc. (Boise State), Ph.D. (Toronto), Assistant Professor
  • J.T. Weir, Ph.D. (UBC), Professor
  • K.C. Welch, B.Sc. (Trinity University), M.A., Ph.D. (Santa Barbara), Associate Professor
  • D.D. Williams, B.Sc. (North Wales), Dip. Ed. (Liverpool), M.Sc., Ph.D. (Waterloo), D.Sc. (Wales), Professor Emeritus
  • G.R. Williams, B.Sc., Ph.D., D.Sc. (Liverpool), F.R.S.C., Professor Emeritus
  • J.H. Youson, B.A. (Victoria), M.Sc. (McGill), Ph.D. (Western Ontario), Professor Emeritus
  • R. Zhao, B.Sc. (Peking University), Ph.D. (Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences), Associate Professor

Associate Chair Undergraduate: Professor S. Brunt
Undergraduate Program Administrator: biosciundergrad.utsc@utoronto.ca

Program Area Supervisors:

Biology Major: E. Bell Email: biology-major@utsc.utoronto.ca
Biology Minor: Email: biology-minor@utsc.utoronto.ca
Conservation and Biodiversity: I. Stehlik;  Email: biodiversity@utsc.utoronto.ca
Human Biology: S.G. Reid; Email: human-biology@utsc.utoronto.ca
Integrative Biology: S. Brunt, Email: integrative-biology@utsc.utoronto.ca
Molecular Biology, Immunology and Disease: S. Brunt, Email: molecular-biology-immunology@utsc.utoronto.ca
Molecular Biology and Biotechnology: M. Fitzpatrick Email: molecular-biology-biotechnology@utsc.utoronto.ca
Biology: R. Sturge Email: biology-major@utsc.utoronto.ca
Plant Biology: J. Brown Email: plant-biology@utsc.utoronto.ca


Biological Sciences offers four Specialist programs: Conservation and Biodiversity Co-op, Conservation and Biodiversity; Molecular Biology and Biotechnology; Molecular Biology and Biotechnology Co-op; Human Biology; and Integrative Biology. The Conservation and Biodiversity program enables students to explore the origins and maintenance of the Earth's astonishing biodiversity using a variety of perspectives and approaches. In the Molecular Biology and Biotechnology programs, students investigate the cellular and sub-cellular mechanisms underlying life processes. The Human Biology program emphasizes the biology of the human species and is tailored for students who wish to pursue a career in a health-related field. The Integrative Biology program approaches biological questions in a multidisciplinary fashion, with course work in a range of biology sub-disciplines.

Biological Sciences also offers five Major programs and one Minor program. The Major programs (in Biology; Conservation and Biodiversity; Human Biology; Molecular Biology, Immunology and Disease; and Plant Biology) allow students to combine their studies in biology with studies in either an unrelated program or in a complementary Major program such as Neuroscience, Environmental Science, Biochemistry, Health Studies or Psychology. The Minor program in Biology is intended for students who have an interest in biology but wish to focus their studies in a different discipline.

Students are advised to consult the specific program requirements for their degree, and, if necessary, to meet with the appropriate program supervisor for advice on completion of their program requirements. In some instances, courses from other University of Toronto campuses or other institutions may be used to satisfy program requirements, but such substitutions must be pre-approved by the program supervisor. Students should check the information that follows thoroughly. Other useful information can be found on the Department of Biological Sciences Website.

Effective July 1, 2023, the (Joint) Specialist in Paramedicine is now administered in the Department of Health and Society.  Program advisors may continue to be reached at paramedicine@utsc.utoronto.ca.  Note, the program requirements for 2023-24 remain unchanged; students who are presently enrolled in the program or entering in Fall 2023 will follow the program as outlined in the calendar for the year they began the program. For more details regarding this program please contact paramedicine@utsc.utoronto.ca, or refer to the Paramedicine section of the Calendar or the Joint Programs website.

Pre-program Supervision in Biological Sciences

Biological Sciences has a pre-program supervisor available to advise students who have not yet chosen a program (primarily first-year students) on the degree and program-related matters. Please contact Shamim Sarang at biosciundergrad.utsc@utoronto.ca if you have questions of this nature.

Combined Degree Programs, Honours Bachelor of Science/ Master of Environmental Science

The Combined Degree Programs for UTSC Honours Bachelor of Science (HBSc) with the Master of Environmental Science (MEnvSc) offered by the Graduate Department of Physical and Environmental Sciences allow exceptional students who are registered in one of the Specialist/Specialist Co-op programs identified below to apply during Year 3 of their studies, and be considered, for admission to the MEnvSc program. They are designed for students interested in pursuing a career in environmental sciences within the green-sector, geosciences, industry, consulting, government and policy organizations. These Combined Degree Programs give students the opportunity to: (1) begin exploring their academic interests in Year 4 of their studies; (2) complete 1.0 credit in courses that may be counted towards both degrees; and (3) enrol in the MEnvSc in the Summer session between Years 4 and 5 to complete either a two-month academic or internship opportunity, in addition to the mandatory four-month academic or internship opportunity completed in the MEnvSc program alone.

Combined Degree Programs options are:

  • Conservation and Biodiversity (Specialist), Honours Bachelor of Science/ Master of Environmental Science
  • Integrative Biology (Specialist), Honours Bachelor of Science/ Master of Environmental Science

For more information, including Admission and Program requirements, see the Combined Degree Programs section of the Calendar.

Combined Degree Programs, Honours Bachelor of Science/ Master of Teaching

The Combined Degree Programs for UTSC Honours Bachelor of Science (HBSc) /Honours Bachelor of Arts (HBA) with the Master of Teaching (MT) offered by the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education provide students with a direct pathway to the completion, in 6 years, of their Undergraduate degree, Ontario Teacher’s Certificate of Qualifications, and Master’s degree.​ These Combined Degree Programs allow students to complete 1.0 credit in courses that may be counted towards both degrees.

The Combined Degree Programs options are:

  • Conservation and Biodiversity (Specialist), Honours Bachelor of Science/ Master of Teaching
  • Conservation and Biodiversity (Major), Honours Bachelor of Science/ Master of Teaching
  • Human Biology (Specialist), Honours Bachelor of Science/ Master of Teaching
  • Human Biology (Major), Honours Bachelor of Science/ Master of Teaching
  • Integrative Biology (Specialist), Honours Bachelor of Science/ Master of Teaching
  • Molecular Biology and Biotechnology (Specialist), Honours Bachelor of Science/ Master of Teaching
  • Molecular Biology and Biotechnology (Specialist Co-op), Honours Bachelor of Science/ Master of Teaching
  • Molecular Biology Immunology and Disease (Major), Honours Bachelor of Science/ Master of Teaching
  • Biology (Major), Honours Bachelor of Science/ Master of Teaching
  • Plant Biology (Major), Honours Bachelor of Science/ Master of Teaching

For more information, including Admission and Program requirements, see the Combined Degree Programs section of the Calendar.

Program Combination Restrictions in the Biological Sciences

Students interested in completing a Double Major may combine any two of the following programs offered by the Department of Biological Sciences; Major Program in Conservation and Biodiversity (Science), Major Program in Human Biology (Science); Major Program in Molecular Biology, Immunology and Disease (Science); Major Program in Neuroscience; and Major Program in Plant Biology (Science). Although students are permitted to combine these programs, anyone considering doing so is strongly encouraged to complete one of the Department's Specialist programs instead.

No program combinations other than those listed above are permitted, including any combinations with the Major and Minor programs in Biology

Certificate in Biological Sciences Research Excellence

The Certificate in Biological Sciences Research Excellence will recognize students’ research accomplishments in experiential, research-based learning experiences throughout their undergraduate programs.  Please see the Certificate in Biological Sciences Research Excellence webpage for more details on the certificate requirements including enrolment in undergraduate research opportunity courses.

Enrolment in Biological Sciences courses

Priority access to B-, C-, and D-level Biology courses is given to students enrolled in Biological Sciences Specialist (Joint) and Major programs and other programs requiring these courses. At the beginning of the Fall/Winter registration period, the courses will be restricted to these students. Provided space is available, the courses will then open up to other students.
Some courses in Biological Sciences (BIO) may include Ancillary fees.

Second Year Core Courses

Students are STRONGLY advised to take ALL of the second year core courses [BIOB10H3, BIOB11H3BIOB34H3, BIOB38H3, BIOB50H3, BIOB51H3, BIOB90H3] as well as core lab courses [BIOB12H3 or BIOB32H3 or BIOB33H3 or BIOB52H3] during their second year of study. This will assist in the selection of upper-level courses, provide the greatest flexibility to satisfy the prerequisites of such courses, and give the background and experience needed to excel in upper-level courses. Failure to take the entire set of core courses in the second year can result in course timetabling conflicts and unfavourable exam schedules (e.g. back-to-back exams) in your upper years.

Required Courses in Cognate Disciplines

Students are strongly advised to take all required first and second-year courses in disciplines such as Chemistry, Physics, Math, and Computer Science before their third year of study.  This will avoid course timetabling conflicts and will enable enrolment in upper-level courses in our programs that require these prerequisites.

Experiential Learning and Outreach

Please note, several faculty members in Biological Sciences offer experiential learning opportunities in their courses (In-reach) which are advertised on the Current Placement Opportunities website.

For a community-based experiential learning opportunity in your academic field of interest, consider the course CTLB03H3, which can be found in the Teaching and Learning section of the Calendar.