Molecular Biology and Genetics (MBG)
Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, College of Biological Science
The B.Sc. program with a Major in Molecular Biology and Genetics is a broadly based program in genetics including related areas of cell and molecular biology. In consultation with the Faculty Advisor, students can choose a general program or can focus their courses in areas such as molecular biology, cell biology, developmental biology, genetics, or agricultural genetics. The program qualifies students for postgraduate training in cell or molecular biology and genetics including clinical genetics and genetic counselling, and provides an excellent background for careers in biotechnology, toxicology, agriculture and medical research.
Major Requirements (Honours)
This is a major within the degree: Bachelor of Science.
Students may enter this major in Semester 1 or any semester thereafter. A student wishing to declare the major may wish to consult the Faculty Advisor.
A total of 20.00 credits is required to complete the major.
Students lacking Grade 12 or 4U Biology, Chemistry or Physics should follow the revised schedule of study for this major found at https://www.uoguelph.ca/bsc/revised_SS/.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Semester 1 | ||
| BIOL*1090 | Introduction to Molecular and Cellular Biology | 0.50 |
| CHEM*1040 | General Chemistry I | 0.50 |
| MATH*1080 | Elements of Calculus I | 0.50 |
| PHYS*1080 | Physics for Life Sciences | 0.50 |
| 0.50 Liberal Education electives | 0.50 | |
| Semester 2 | ||
| BIOL*1070 | Discovering Biodiversity | 0.50 |
| BIOL*1080 | Biological Concepts of Health | 0.50 |
| CHEM*1050 | General Chemistry II | 0.50 |
| PHYS*1070 | Physics for Life Sciences II | 0.50 |
| 0.50 Liberal Education electives | 0.50 | |
| Semester 3 | ||
| BIOC*2580 | Introduction to Biochemistry | 0.50 |
| MBG*2040 | Foundations in Molecular Biology and Genetics | 0.50 |
| MICR*2420 | Introduction to Microbiology | 0.50 |
| STAT*2040 | Statistics I | 0.50 |
| 0.50 Liberal Education electives | 0.50 | |
| Semester 4 | ||
| BIOC*3560 | Structure and Function in Biochemistry | 0.50 |
| CHEM*2700 | Organic Chemistry I | 0.50 |
| MCB*2050 | Molecular Biology of the Cell | 0.50 |
| MICR*2430 | Methods in Microbial Culture and Physiology | 0.50 |
| 0.50 Liberal Education electives | 0.50 | |
| Semester 5 | ||
| MBG*3040 | Molecular Biology of the Gene | 0.50 |
| MBG*3350 | Laboratory Methods in Molecular Biology | 0.75 |
| Electives or restricted electives to a maximum of 2.75 total credits in this semester | 1.50 | |
| Semester 6 | ||
| 2.50 electives or restricted electives | 2.50 | |
| Semester 7 | ||
| 2.50 electives or restricted electives | 2.50 | |
| Semester 8 | ||
| 2.50 electives or restricted electives | 2.50 | |
Restricted Electives
Note: Some courses have prerequisites, so be sure to consult the undergraduate calendar.
- A minimum of 2.00 credits of Liberal Education electives is required. The list of Liberal Education electives for B.Sc. students can be found at: https://www.uoguelph.ca/bsc/
- Physiology Elective - 0.50 credits
Course List Code Title Credits BIOM*3200 Biomedical Physiology 1.00 BOT*3310 Plant Growth and Development 0.50 HK*2810 Human Physiology I - Concepts and Principles 0.50 ZOO*3600 Comparative Animal Physiology I 0.50 - Subject Area Electives - 4.50 credits of which 2.00 credits must be at the 4000 level.
Course List Code Title Credits BIOC*4050 Protein and Nucleic Acid Structure 0.50 BIOL*3020 Population Genetics 0.50 BIOL*3300 Applied Bioinformatics 0.50 MBG*2400 Fundamentals of Plant and Animal Genetics 0.50 MBG*3050 Human Genetics 0.50 MBG*3060 Quantitative Genetics 0.50 MBG*3100 Plant Genetics 0.50 MBG*3660 Genomics 0.50 MBG*4030 Animal Breeding Methods and Applications 0.50 MBG*4040 Genetics and Molecular Biology of Development 0.50 MBG*4110 Epigenetics 0.50 MBG*4160 Plant Breeding 0.50 MBG*4240 Applied Molecular Genetics in Medicine and Biotechnology 0.50 MBG*4300 Plant Molecular Genetics 0.50 MCB*3010 Dynamics of Cell Function and Signaling 0.50 MCB*4010 Advanced Cell Biology 0.50 MCB*4020 Communication in Molecular and Cellular Biology 0.50 MCB*4500 Research Project in Molecular and Cellular Biology I 1.00 MCB*4510 Research Project in Molecular and Cellular Biology 1.00 MCB*4600 Topics in Molecular and Cellular Biology 0.50 MICR*3240 Microbial Physiology and Genetics 0.50 MICR*3280 Microbial Cell Biology 0.50 MICR*3330 World of Viruses 0.50 MICR*4330 Molecular Virology 0.50 STAT*2050 Statistics II 0.50
Credit Summary
(20.00 Total Credits)
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| First year science core | 4.00 | |
| Required science courses semesters 3 - 8 | 5.25 | |
| Restricted electives (#2 and 3 in restricted electives list) | 5.00 | |
| Approved Science Electives | 1.75 | |
| Liberal Education Electives (# 1 in restricted elective list) | 2.00 | |
| Free Electives - any approved elective for B.Sc. Students | 2.00 | |
| Total Credits | 20 | |
Of the total credits required, students are required to complete 16.00 credits in science of which a minimum of 2.00 credits must be at the 4000 level and an additional 4.00 credits must be at the 3000 or 4000 level.
Co-op Requirements (Honours)
This is a major within the degree: Bachelor of Science.
The Co-op program in Molecular Biology and Genetics is a five year program, including four work terms. Students must follow the academic work schedule as outlined below (also found on the Co-operative Education website: https://www.recruitguelph.ca/cecs/).
Academic and Co-op Work Term Schedule
| Year | Fall | Winter | Summer |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Academic Semester 1 | Academic Semester 2 | Off |
| 2 | Academic Semester 3, COOP*1100 | Academic Semester 4 | COOP*1000 Work Term I |
| 3 | Academic Semester 5 | COOP*2000 Work Term II | COOP*3000 Work Term III |
| 4 | COOP*4000 Work Term IV | Academic Semester 6 | Off |
| 5 | Academic Semester 7 | Academic Semester 8 | N/A |
Please refer to the Co-operative Education program policy with respect to work term performance grading, work term report grading and program completion requirements.
For additional program information students should consult with their Co-op Co-ordinator and Co-op Faculty Advisor, listed on the Co-operative Education web site.
Credit Summary
(22.00 Total Credits)
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| First year science core | 4.00 | |
| Required science courses semesters 3 - 8 | 5.25 | |
| Restricted electives (#2 and 3 in restricted electives list) | 5.00 | |
| Approved Science Electives | 1.75 | |
| Liberal Education Electives (# 1 in restricted elective list) | 2.00 | |
| Free Electives - any approved elective for B.Sc. Students | 2.00 | |
| Co-op Work Terms | 2.00 | |
| Total Credits | 22 | |
Recommended Program Sequence
A total of 20.00 credits is required to complete the major.
Students lacking Grade 12 or 4U Biology, Chemistry or Physics should follow the revised schedule of study for this major found at https://www.uoguelph.ca/bsc/revised_SS/.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Semester 1 - Fall | ||
| BIOL*1090 | Introduction to Molecular and Cellular Biology | 0.50 |
| CHEM*1040 | General Chemistry I | 0.50 |
| MATH*1080 | Elements of Calculus I | 0.50 |
| PHYS*1080 | Physics for Life Sciences | 0.50 |
| 0.50 Liberal Education electives | 0.50 | |
| Semester 2 - Winter | ||
| BIOL*1070 | Discovering Biodiversity | 0.50 |
| BIOL*1080 | Biological Concepts of Health | 0.50 |
| CHEM*1050 | General Chemistry II | 0.50 |
| PHYS*1070 | Physics for Life Sciences II | 0.50 |
| 0.50 Liberal Education electives | 0.50 | |
| Summer Semester | ||
| No academic semester or work term | ||
| Semester 3 - Fall | ||
| BIOC*2580 | Introduction to Biochemistry | 0.50 |
| COOP*1100 | Introduction to Co-operative Education | 0.00 |
| MBG*2040 | Foundations in Molecular Biology and Genetics | 0.50 |
| MICR*2420 | Introduction to Microbiology | 0.50 |
| STAT*2040 | Statistics I | 0.50 |
| 0.50 Liberal Education electives | 0.50 | |
| Semester 4 - Winter | ||
| BIOC*3560 | Structure and Function in Biochemistry | 0.50 |
| CHEM*2700 | Organic Chemistry I | 0.50 |
| MCB*2050 | Molecular Biology of the Cell | 0.50 |
| MICR*2430 | Methods in Microbial Culture and Physiology | 0.50 |
| 0.50 Liberal Education electives | 0.50 | |
| Summer Semester | ||
| COOP*1000 | Co-op Work Term I | 0.50 |
| Semester 5 - Fall | ||
| MBG*3040 | Molecular Biology of the Gene | 0.50 |
| MBG*3350 | Laboratory Methods in Molecular Biology | 0.75 |
| Electives or restricted electives to a maximum of 2.75 total credits in this semester | 1.50 | |
| Winter Semester | ||
| COOP*2000 | Co-op Work Term II | 0.50 |
| Summer Semester | ||
| COOP*3000 | Co-op Work Term III | 0.50 |
| Fall Semester | ||
| COOP*4000 | Co-op Work Term IV | 0.50 |
| Semester 6 - Winter | ||
| 2.50 electives or restricted electives | 2.50 | |
| Summer Semester | ||
| No academic semester or work term | ||
| Semester 7 - Fall | ||
| 2.50 electives or restricted electives | 2.50 | |
| Semester 8 - Winter | ||
| 2.50 electives or restricted electives | 2.50 | |
Restricted Electives
Note: Some courses have prerequisites, so be sure to consult the undergraduate calendar.
- A minimum of 2.00 credits of Liberal Education electives is required. The list of Liberal Education electives for B.Sc. students can be found at: https://www.uoguelph.ca/bsc/
- Physiology Elective - 0.50 credits
Course List Code Title Credits BIOM*3200 Biomedical Physiology 1.00 BOT*3310 Plant Growth and Development 0.50 HK*2810 Human Physiology I - Concepts and Principles 0.50 ZOO*3600 Comparative Animal Physiology I 0.50 - Subject Area Electives 4.50 credits of which 2.00 credits must be at the 4000 level
Course List Code Title Credits BIOC*4050 Protein and Nucleic Acid Structure 0.50 BIOL*3020 Population Genetics 0.50 BIOL*3300 Applied Bioinformatics 0.50 MBG*2400 Fundamentals of Plant and Animal Genetics 0.50 MBG*3050 Human Genetics 0.50 MBG*3060 Quantitative Genetics 0.50 MBG*3100 Plant Genetics 0.50 MBG*3660 Genomics 0.50 MBG*4030 Animal Breeding Methods and Applications 0.50 MBG*4040 Genetics and Molecular Biology of Development 0.50 MBG*4110 Epigenetics 0.50 MBG*4160 Plant Breeding 0.50 MBG*4240 Applied Molecular Genetics in Medicine and Biotechnology 0.50 MBG*4300 Plant Molecular Genetics 0.50 MCB*3010 Dynamics of Cell Function and Signaling 0.50 MCB*4010 Advanced Cell Biology 0.50 MCB*4020 Communication in Molecular and Cellular Biology 0.50 MCB*4500 Research Project in Molecular and Cellular Biology I 1.00 MCB*4510 Research Project in Molecular and Cellular Biology 1.00 MCB*4600 Topics in Molecular and Cellular Biology 0.50 MICR*3240 Microbial Physiology and Genetics 0.50 MICR*3280 Microbial Cell Biology 0.50 MICR*3330 World of Viruses 0.50 MICR*4330 Molecular Virology 0.50 STAT*2050 Statistics II 0.50
Minor Requirements (Honours)
This minor cannot be combined with a major in Molecular Biology and Genetics.
A minor in Molecular Biology and Genetics requires 5.00 credits in Molecular Biology and Genetics chosen in consultation with the faculty advisor, and will include:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| MBG*2040 | Foundations in Molecular Biology and Genetics | 0.50 |
| MCB*2050 | Molecular Biology of the Cell | 0.50 |
| Select a minimum of 4.00 credits from the following: | ||
| BIOC*3560 | Structure and Function in Biochemistry | 0.50 |
| BIOC*4050 | Protein and Nucleic Acid Structure | 0.50 |
| BIOL*3020 | Population Genetics | 0.50 |
| BIOL*3300 | Applied Bioinformatics | 0.50 |
| MBG*2400 | Fundamentals of Plant and Animal Genetics | 0.50 |
| MBG*3040 | Molecular Biology of the Gene | 0.50 |
| MBG*3050 | Human Genetics | 0.50 |
| MBG*3060 | Quantitative Genetics | 0.50 |
| MBG*3100 | Plant Genetics | 0.50 |
| MBG*3350 | Laboratory Methods in Molecular Biology | 0.75 |
| MBG*3660 | Genomics | 0.50 |
| MBG*4030 | Animal Breeding Methods and Applications | 0.50 |
| MBG*4040 | Genetics and Molecular Biology of Development | 0.50 |
| MBG*4110 | Epigenetics | 0.50 |
| MBG*4160 | Plant Breeding | 0.50 |
| MBG*4240 | Applied Molecular Genetics in Medicine and Biotechnology | 0.50 |
| MBG*4300 | Plant Molecular Genetics | 0.50 |
| MCB*3010 | Dynamics of Cell Function and Signaling | 0.50 |
| MCB*4010 | Advanced Cell Biology | 0.50 |
| MICR*3240 | Microbial Physiology and Genetics | 0.50 |
| MICR*3280 | Microbial Cell Biology | 0.50 |
| MICR*3330 | World of Viruses | 0.50 |
| MICR*4330 | Molecular Virology | 0.50 |