This major will help you understand the molecular and biochemical foundations of life that lead to genes, cells, and the organisms around us. Life sciences is a constantly evolving field, with new knowledge and applications in biotechnology, medicine, and forensics emerging each year.
Many of your courses will involve work in fully equipped science labs to provide you with hands-on experience. You鈥檒l also have courses with outdoor labs in the unique natural setting of Macdonald Campus.
Your courses
In the Bachelor of Science (Agricultural and Environmental Sciences) - Major in Life Sciences, you鈥檒l take 42 credits of core courses in fundamental biological sciences (animal, plant, microbiology, cell, and molecular) and 24 credits of courses in a specialization of your choice.
You can also pursue a research-intensive Honours program in your final year.
Suggested specializations
In the Life Sciences major, you鈥檒l need to choose at least one specialization. We recommend:
Animal Biology
Biology of large mammals and birds, including genetics and biotechnology.
Animal Health & Disease
Animal physiology, function, and disease prevention and treatment.
Microbiology & Molecular Biotechnology
Pure and applied microbiology, molecular genetics, pathogenicity, environmental microbiology, genomics, biotechnology, and bioinformatics.
Multidisciplinary Life Sciences
A flexible, multidisciplinary approach to the study of pure and applied life sciences.
Plant Biology
Molecular, biochemical, and cellular biology of plants.
This specialization can also be taken with a major in Environmental Biology.
Wildlife Biology
Some students may also choose to focus on proper management and conservation of essential wildlife species and their habitats.
This specialization can also be taken with a major in Environmental Biology.
Career paths
Life sciences is a broad field that can lead to a variety of careers, including work in research and development or applied science. You can also pursue further studies to work in veterinary science or medicine.
- Future studies in health sciences, including medicine or聽veterinary science
- Food and fermentation industries
- Bioscience and pharmaceutical industries
- Environmental sciences
Internships & research
As you progress in your program, you can gain essential hands-on experience by completing a field project or internship.
Our students have been:
- Investigating microbes in the Arctic
- Researching epigenetics in Grenoble, France
- Helping improve water and soil quality in Shanghai
- Interning at veterinary clinics in Quebec
A聽Bachelor's degree聽is an undergraduate degree that normally takes 3 to 4 full-time years of study to complete, depending on the student鈥檚 previous education system.
If you are applying from high school (outside of Quebec's CEGEP system), you cannot apply directly to this major. You must apply to the associated聽Freshman/Foundation Year听辫谤辞驳谤补尘.
鈥淚 chose this program because it offers hands-on training and has a diverse course offering. That is very important for me because I learn best when I can apply the theory through laboratory experiments. Outside of my classes, I鈥檓 VP of media for the Fermenters and Brewers of Mac student club, I鈥檓 a student ambassador for the university and I work part-time at a small animal veterinary practice.鈥澛�
鈥擭o茅my, B.Sc.(Ag.Env.Sc.), Life Sciences major, specializing in Animal Health & Disease