Academic Calendar 2006
(Old Programs)

Medical Sciences Building 407, Tel: (519) 661-3053

The Department of Medical Biophysics offers Honors BSc and BMSc Programs in Biophysics and participates in the Honors and General BSc Biology and BMSc Medical Sciences Programs. (See BIOLOGY and MEDICAL SCIENCES PROGRAMS.) Most undergraduate Medical Biophysics courses are also open to students in Physical or Mathematical Sciences programs. Medical Biophysics 302E, 303E, 330F, 331G, 333F and 335G are available to qualified students in Year 2.

The primary goal of the Honors Biophysics programs is to develop and strengthen the student's ability to apply mathematical and physical principles in the study of biological phenomena. The focus of much of the program relates to medical science. Example theme areas include: blood flow biomechanics in large blood vessels and in the microcirculation; medical imaging principles and applications in image guided surgery; survival in physical extremes; radiobiology, radiation therapy and tumor metastasis; orthopedic biomechanics.

Students from physical or mathematical sciences enter the program in the third year and complete a BSc (Honors) degree, while those from the Biology and Medical Sciences Programs normally enter in the fourth year and complete a BMSc (Honors) degree. Students who are considering Honors Biophysics are advised to consult the Department early, preferably during their first year. They can thus receive maximum benefit from counseling.

Completion of the requirements for the second year of a program in the Faculty of Science, with an average of at least 70% on the three highest marks in science courses numbered 200 or above and no mark less than 60% in all such science courses. Students who do not meet this standard may request special permission.

Prerequisite courses for entry to Honors Biophysics are:

A minimum mark of 60% in: Biology 022 or 023;
Calculus 050a/b plus one of Calculus 051a/b or 081a/b, or Applied Mathematics 026;
Chemistry 020 or 023;
Physics 020, 024 or the former 025. If Physics 028a/b and 029a/b or the former Physics 022 has been taken, a minimum mark of 80% is required.

Students who do not have all prerequisites may request special permission.

Note: Students are encouraged to include in their second year one of Medical Biophysics 302E, 303E, 330F, 331G (formerly Biology 302, 303, 330a, 331G).

Five courses, three of which will be designated as principal courses. These must include all of the following, not previously taken:

Calculus 250a/b or 280a/b plus one of Calculus 251a/b or 281a/b
Medical Biophysics 302E, 303E, 330F, 331G (formerly Biology 302, 303, 330a, 331G).
Physics 201a/b and 202a/b, or the former Physics 200, or the former Physics 243b and 266b, or Chemistry 274a and 284b, or the former Chemistry 224a and 234b, or the former 254, or another 200-level physical science course approved by the Department.

Additional courses, to make a total of five, must be chosen from:

Chemistry 213a/b, Biochemistry 280a (formerly Biology 280a), Biology 281b, 282b, 290F/G, Applied Mathematics 261b, Anatomy and Cell Biology 309 (formerly Biology 309), Physiology 130, 312 (or the former Physiology 310), Physiology 314a (formerly Biology 314a), Microbiology and Immunology 357a, (formerly Biology 357a), Statistical Sciences 222a/b, 241a/b, 243a/b, Computer Science 025a/b, 026a/b, 027a/b; by special permission, other Biology, Physical or Basic Medical Science courses may be substituted.

A minimum average of 70% over Second and Third Year, a minimum average of 70% in the required Biology and Principal Discipline courses of the second and third year of the BMSc program with no mark in any of those under 60% (see Bachelor of Medical Sciences Programs for details), and completion of the course prerequisites given below.

Completion of the graduation requirements for the 3-year BSc Biology program, with a minimum average of 70% over second and third year, and a minimum average of 70% in the required Biology courses (see Biology Program) and Medical Biophysics prerequisite courses (listed below), with no mark under 60% in any of those courses.

The prerequisite courses for admission to fourth year Honors Biophysics are:

Calculus 050a/b plus one of Calculus 051a/b or 081a/b, or Applied Mathematics 026.
Physics 020, 024 or the former 025. If Physics 028a/b and 029a/b, or the former Physics 022 has been taken, a minimum mark of 80% is required.
Calculus 250a/b or 280a/b plus one of Calculus 251a/b or 281a/b
Medical Biophysics 302E, 303E, 330F, 331G (formerly Biology 302, 303, 330a, 331G).
Physics 201a/b and 202a/b, or the former Physics 200, or the former Physics 243b and 266b, or Chemistry 274a and 284b, or the former Chemistry 224a and 234b, or the former 254, or another 200-level physical science course approved by the Department. Students who do not meet the conditions above may request special consideration.

Medical Biophysics 480 (1.5 courses)
At least 1.5 full course equivalents from: Medical Biophysics 402a/b, 409a/b, 467a/b, 470a/b/y,475a.
Additional principal courses to be taken at the 200-level or above from the Faculty of Science or the Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry which must include the 200-level Physics or Chemistry requirement if not already taken (both are required for graduation).

A senior half or full course in Statistics (e.g., Biology 244a/b, Statistical Sciences 222a/b, 241a/b, 243a/b, Psychology 281) if not already taken.
The remainder chosen with the intent of strengthening the student's background in Science or the Basic Medical Sciences.
Up to one full course may be taken from the Faculties of Arts and Humanities and/or Social Science.
Courses are to be chosen in consultation with and approved by the Department.