Our Programs

The Ecology & Evolutionary Biology Department offers the following Programs: Ecology & Evolutionary Biology (Specialist and Major); Biodiversity & Conservation Biology (Major), Environmental Biology (Major and Minor), and Quantitative Biology (Major).

We also co-sponsor the following programs: Specialist, Major, and Minor programs in general Biology (with Cell & Systems Biology), a Major program in Genome Biology (with Cell & Systems Biology and Molecular Genetics & Microbiology).

Students applying to the Faculty of Arts & Science must choose one admission category on their application, identifying the area of study they want to pursue. At the end of first year, students choose a program of study, or a combination of programs from different categories.

With the exception of the Quantitative Biology Major, all of our programs are open enrolment programs. A student who has completed 4.0 credits may enrol in our programs during the program enrolment period. The Quantitative Biology Major is a limited enrolment program. Students must have completed 4.0 credits and meet the requirements listed below in the Arts & Science Calendar.

For more information about programs and how to add programs, please visit the Program Toolkit on Sidney Smith Commons.

Ecology & Evolutionary Biology

This program provides a comprehensive understanding of ecological and evolutionary patterns and processes, as well as the diversity of life forms (microbes, fungi, plants, animals).

Understand the ecological and evolutionary patterns and processes, as well as the diversity of life forms (microbes, fungi, plants, animals). Concepts are taught using a broad array of approaches, including molecular studies, laboratory experiments, computer and mathematical modeling, and field studies. An integral part of the experience is to conduct independent research projects in the laboratory and/or field. There is a strong emphasis within the program on hands-on laboratory and fieldwork that complement the conceptual framework developed in lectures. 

Biodiversity & Conservation Biology

In today’s era of unprecedented global change, natural ecosystems are under attack and thousands of species are threatened with extinction and many more have experienced unprecedented declines.

Students will be equipped to aid in the response to what is perhaps humanity’s most pressing challenge, the conservation of biological diversity. Students in this program take courses in their first and second years that provide foundations in ecology, evolutionary biology, biodiversity and conservation biology, environmental biology, mathematics, and statistics. In their upper years students will obtain in-depth knowledge about the diversity of living organisms and take advanced courses in ecology, evolution, and biodiversity and conservation biology, including a capstone course at the 400-level.

Environmental Biology

This program provides a broad background in biology that is essential to understand the impact of humans on other organisms and their environments.

The program provides a background in biology that is essential to understand the impact of humans on other organisms and their environments. Also, an understanding of ecology, the diversity and function of living organisms, the physical and chemical environment, and the ways organisms interact with, and affect, ecosystem processes. Students are exposed to ecosystem management, issues related to environmental change, and the consequences of interactions between humans and the environment.

Quantitative Biology

This major provides foundations in biology and quantitative approaches used to test and advance biological knowledge, and is appropriate for students who wish to pursue a career or graduate studies in a broad range of life sciences, ranging from biomedical to conservation to epidemiology.

This program is designed for students with a deep interest in biology who wish to gain a strong grounding in quantitative methods and their application to biological questions. The program is delivered through a mixture of classroom-learning and applied laboratory teaching, with an emphasis on understanding how quantitative methods inform our understanding of biology, and how they can be applied to test and develop new hypotheses. Students also have access to independent research opportunities that enhance professional skills, science communication, and the development and application of knowledge in quantitative biology.

Biology

Obtain a foundation in the core areas of cell and molecular biology, ecology and biodiversity, evolutionary biology, physiology and genetics; as well as in calculus, chemistry and statistics (Specialist), or chemistry (Major). These programs are flexible in allowing students many possible course pathways that are compatible with completing program requirements, encouraging students to explore the diversity of their biological interests and to obtain broad training in life sciences.

Genome Biology

This is a joint program with: Cell & Systems Biology, Ecology & Evolutionary Biology, and Molecular Genetics. It is administered through the Department of Cell & Systems Biology (CSB). Contact: CSB Undergraduate Office for complete details.

Courses

We offer a diverse collection of courses that explore biological diversity, conservation biology, molecular evolution, population and quantitative genetics, computational and statistical data analysis, genomics, animal behaviour, the ecology of populations, communities, and ecosystems, mathematical theory in biology, environmental biology, and systematics.

Students participate in diverse learning environments within EEB courses: hands-on bench and computer lab practicals, field trips, off-campus field courses in Ontario and internationally, small-class discussion seminars, and independent research projects with world-leading faculty researchers. For a list of the courses we offer, please see the Ecology and Evolutionary Biology page on the Faculty of Arts & Science Calendar.