Students learn how genes and proteins organize cells for cellular activities, multicellular development, and cellular interactions with the environment. Students also learn how cell and molecular biology research is conducted, and receive training in advanced techniques of the field. Cell and molecular biology research is one the most demanding fields in science. Students gain an understanding of the field, and leave the program equipped to tackle fundamental scientific questions.
After foundational courses in first and second year, students participate in advanced lecture, seminar and laboratory courses, and are encouraged to apply for research project courses in the laboratories of the Department. Course offerings include gene expression, cell biology, developmental biology, plant development, plant-microbe interactions, plant signaling, neurogenesis, tissue morphogenesis, stem cell biology, genomics and proteomics.
This is a limited enrolment program. Students must have completed 4.0 credits and meet the requirements listed below to enrol.
Completed courses
The following courses are required:
- BIO120H1, BIO130H1
- ( CHM135H1 and CHM136H1)/ CHM151Y1
- JMB170Y1/( MAT135H1 and MAT136H1)/ MAT137Y1/ MAT157Y1
Variable Minimum Grade
A minimum grade in some courses is needed for entry, and this minimum changes each year depending on available spaces and the number of applicants. The following courses must be completed:
To ensure that students admitted to the program will be prepared, applicants with a final grade lower than 70% in BIO130H1 or BIO230H1/ BIO255H1 will not be considered for admission. Please note that obtaining this minimum final grade or minimum grade average does not guarantee admission to the program.
Students in this program have the option to request enrolment in the Arts & Science Internship Program (ASIP) stream. Students can apply for the ASIP stream after Year 1 (Year 2 entry) or after Year 2 (Year 3 entry, starting Fall 2024). Full details about ASIP, including student eligibility, selection and enrolment, are available in the ASIP section of the Arts & Science Academic Calendar. Please note that the majority of students enter ASIP in Fall term of Year 2. Space is more limited for Year 3 entry. Students applying for Year 3 entry must have been admitted to the Cell & Molecular Biology Specialist in the Summer after Year 2.
(12.5 credits, including at least 1.0 credit at the 400-level)
First Year:
BIO120H1, BIO130H1; ( CHM135H1, CHM136H1)/ CHM151Y1; JMB170Y1/ ( MAT135H1, MAT136H1)/ MAT137Y1/ MAT157Y1.
Higher Years:
1. ( PHY131H1, PHY132H1)/ ( PHY151H1, PHY152H1)
2. BIO220H1, BIO230H1/ BIO255H1, BIO270H1, BIO271H1, BIO260H1/ HMB265H1; BCH210H1
3. CSB330H1/ CSB350H1/ CSB352H1, CSB349H1
4. 1.0 credit from: CJH332H1, CSB327H1, CSB328H1, CSB329H1, CSB331H1, CSB340H1, CSB353H1
5. 1.0 credit from: BCH422H1, BCH426H1, BCH444H1, BCH445H1, CSB427H1, CSB428H1, CSB429H1, CSB430H1, CSB431H1, CSB435H1, CSB450H1, CSB451H1, CSB452H1, CSB454H1, CSB457H1, CSB458H1, CSB459H1, CSB460H1, CSB471H1, CSB472H1, CSB473H1, CSB474H1, CSB475H1, CSB483H1
6. 2.5 credits from: BCH422H1, BCH426H1, BCH440H1, BCH441H1, BCH444H1, BCH445H1, CJH332H1, CSB299Y1, CSB327H1, CSB328H1, CSB329H1, CSB330H1, CSB331H1, CSB340H1, CSB350H1, CSB351Y1, CSB352H1, CSB353H1, CSB360H1, CSB397Y0, CSB399Y1, CSB427H1, CSB428H1, CSB429H1, CSB430H1, CSB431H1, CSB435H1, CSB447H1, CSB450H1, CSB451H1, CSB452H1, CSB453H1, CSB454H1, CSB457H1, CSB458H1, CSB459H1, CSB460H1, CSB471H1, CSB472H1, CSB473H1, CSB474H1, CSB475H1, CSB483H1, CSB490H1, CSB491H1, CSB492H1, CSB497H1, CSB498Y1, CSB499Y1, HMB496Y1/ HMB499Y1, MGY480Y1
NOTE: No more than 0.5 credit in BCH can be used towards requirements 5. and 6.
The Cell & Molecular Biology Specialist Program has the additional option of a Disciplinary Focus.
Students in this program have the option to complete the Arts & Science Internship Program (ASIP) stream.
