Bachelor of Science in Biology

at Mount Allison University Canada

Biochemistry is the study of living organisms at the molecular level.
As part of the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Mount Allison's biochemistry program is designed to provide students with a solid science foundation in the first two years, with paths for specialization in third and fourth years.

You will begin your studies by examining the world around you at the molecular level, with courses including:

• Introductory biochemistry
• Introductory chemistry
• Cell biology
• Organic or analytical chemistry
• Enzymology and metabolism

Third-year is a pivotal year in the program as you will take core lab courses that lay the foundation for research in biochemistry, including lab only courses like Molecular Analyses and Experiential Biochemistry.

Upper year courses concentrate on sub-disciplines of biochemistry, with topics like:

• Nucleic acids
• Molecular structure of the immune system
• Animal, bacterial, and plant viruses
• Protein structures and function
• Biochemical ecology
• Lipids and membranes
• Signal transduction
• Animal physiology

Biochemistry is an interdisciplinary program, which means you may also take courses in biology, chemistry, physics, environmental science, and mathematics.

The Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry emphasizes experiential learning — you will graduate with 600 to 1,200 hours of lab experience, developing important analytical and presentation skills along the way.

Research is a key component of the department's approach. You will be encouraged to take advantage of faculty-supervised independent research, job opportunities as summer research assistants, and chances to contribute to faculty research projects, which often leads to co-authoring a paper with your professor for publication.

Physics seeks to describe the nature of the physical world. It includes the study of everything from subatomic particles to the essence of the universe as a whole.
Physics plays a central role in most technological developments in the modern world, as well as in the theoretical foundation for most other areas of science.
Other degree options in the field of physics at Mount Allison:

• BSc honours in mathematics and physics
• Any degree, minor in applied physics
• Any degree, minor in astronomy

In the Mount Allison physics program, the development of fundamental concepts and mathematical formulation proceeds simultaneously in a selected series of courses in physics and mathematics.

The physics program also prepares you for more advanced study in applied areas such as photonics, materials science, or biomedical engineering; or for a career in such fields as astronomy, space research, or oceanography.

A key feature of the Mount Allison physics department is the experiential learning approach used in many courses – students learn through collaborative, hands-on activities.

Introductory physics involves a combination of mini-lectures, lab work, and collaborative learning experiences, covering subjects like: 

• General physics
• Astronomy
• Physics for the life sciences
• Physics of music and sound
• Classical waves
• Date acquisition and analysis

While in upper years you may choose to pursue studies in subjects like:

• Astrophysics
• Quantum mechanics
• Electricity and magnetism
• Statistical mechanics
• Advanced physical chemistry
• Electronics
• Medical physics
• Thermodynamics
• Nuclei and fundamental particles
• Solid state physics
• Energy production and the environment
• Modern optics

You are also encouraged to carry out independent research through work on your thesis or summer projects and to become involved in faculty research as research assistants.

Art history is integral to the study of art and visual culture. It provides valuable insight into history, philosophy, and the humanities in general.

Courses in art history at Mount Allison range from an introduction to art and its contexts to more focused examinations of specific time periods, movements, and issues surrounding the visual arts.
You will be able to explore:

• Canadian and Indigenous art
• Museum and curatorial studies
• Contemporary art
• Women and gender in art
• Specialist courses in 19th and 20th century art

Upper year advanced seminars offer you the opportunity to take a more focused and critical approach to topics like:

• Modern to postmodernism
• Feminism and gender
• Museum studies
• Museums and education
• Collections and collecting
• Curating and critical writing
• Arts and archives
• Independent studies in specialized subjects
• Museum and gallery practicums

Biology is the scientific study of living things — their form, function, origin, and behavior. Disciplines include cell biology, ecology, genetics and evolution, and animal and plant diversity.
The Department of Biology at Mount Allison is committed to providing students with opportunities for hands-on learning, as well as research and laboratory experience.

First-year courses include studies of evolution, ecology, human biology, and cell biology, as well as biochemistry.
Upper-year courses allow students to explore topics such as:

• Marine biology
• Aquaculture
• Embryology
• Genetics
• Microbiology
• Ornithology
• Physiology
• Animal biology
• Plant biology

Faculty are actively involved in research and students are strongly encouraged to participate in research through faculty-supervised independent research projects during summers or during academic terms.

Research opportunities in the Department of Biology at Mount Allison include:

• Phytoplankton physiology
• Neurophysiology
• Environmental animal physiology
• Fish ecology
• Molecular genetics
• Marine botany
• Field ecology

Computer Science
At Mount Allison, computer science courses are designed to address the needs of a wide variety of users, from the casual to the professional. Whether you want to learn more about certain software or to develop advanced programming skills, Mount Allison has a computer science course for you.

Introductory computer science courses offer an overview of programming skills, the use and application of popular software, and the essentials of computing. More advanced courses deal with topics ranging from artificial intelligence and the role of computers in society to the design and implementation of advanced hardware or software systems.

Specialized areas include:

• theory of computation
• cryptography
• artificial intelligence
• databases
• computer graphics
• networks
• software and hardware design

All courses in the computing curriculum offer a blend of theory and practical application, with many of the offerings having a significant project component in which students are given the opportunity to apply the classroom material to real-world problems.

Physics
At Mount Allison, a key feature of Physics is the experiential learning approach used in many courses — students learn through collaborative, hands-on activities. In the Physics program, the development of fundamental concepts and mathematical formulation proceeds simultaneously in a selected series of courses in physics and mathematics.

Physics also prepares you for more advanced study in applied areas such as photonics, materials science, or biomedical engineering; or for a career in such fields as astronomy, space research, or oceanography. Introductory physics involves a combination of mini-lectures, lab work, and collaborative learning experiences.

While in upper years you may choose to pursue studies in subjects like:

• astrophysics
• quantum mechanics
• electricity and magnetism
• statistical mechanics
• advanced physical chemistry
• electronics
• medical physics
• thermodynamics
• nuclei and fundamental particles
• solid state physics
• energy production and the environment
• modern optics

The study of Fine Arts helps you develop your artistic and creative abilities, and your ability to think critically, write, and speak about works of art.

At Mount Allison, Fine Arts offers a unique approach for students looking to obtain professional training — combining studio work and instruction with the freedom of an immersive liberal arts and sciences curriculum.
The Fine Arts program gives you the opportunity to develop your creative and critical ability through studio courses in:

• Drawing
• Painting
• Photography (analog and digital)
• Printmaking (lithography, silkscreen, intaglio, relief, and letterpress)
• Sculpture and installation
• Open media

The first-year studio courses give you a broad knowledge and skill base. The second and third years courses build on this foundation and focus on selected studio areas. In your final year, you create a body of work through independent study. In addition to studio classes, you'll undertake courses and seminars that foster an understanding of art history and visual culture.

The Women's and Gender Studies program teaches with a focus on anti-racism, feminist theory, queer and trans studies, and social justice. 

At Mount Allison, Women's and Gender Studies promotes student engagement, with one another as well as with social justice issues, and fosters communication and writing skills.

Courses focus on issues of:

• Gender
• Ability
• Religion
• Sexuality
• Race
• Class
• Ethnicity
• Age
• Colonialism

The program includes several core courses which provide an introduction to the principles of Women’s and Gender Studies as well as more advanced study of approaches to feminism.
In upper years you'll focus on issues of gender, identity, and culture; theories of gender and power in society; gender, science, and research; and contemporary issues in feminism and gender studies.

French studies at Mount Allison includes a variety of language, literature, and culture courses, which give you the opportunity to learn more about French, French-Canadian, and francophone cultures while developing your abilities in the language.

As part of the modern languages and literatures department, Mount Allison offers an extensive French studies program with a variety of language, literature, and culture courses to increase your awareness of the French and French-Canadian identities while developing your ability to function in the second language. To this end, all language and literature courses are taught in French.

First and second-year courses provide the opportunity to establish a sound foundation in written and oral French*. The study of grammar at these levels is reinforced in the language laboratory or tutorial groups.

Upper year courses are specifically intended to refine your command of spoken and written French, while other courses examine the various areas of French and French-Canadian literatures and cultures as well as theories of literary criticism.

Most courses in the French curriculum are generally delivered in French, while some culture courses are taught in English.

Music has been an integral part of the Mount Allison experience for nearly 140 years.
Whether you are looking to prepare for a professional career in music, or simply want to study music as an elective or as an extracurricular activity, the Music department has plenty to offer.

The Music program at Mount Allison stresses professional training, with an emphasis on musical performance. The department offers performance study in:

• Voice
• Piano
• Strings
• Woodwinds
• Brass
• Percussion
• Guitar
• Organ
• Harpsichord

Although it is a classically-based program, Music offers electives in jazz, musical theatre, world music, and much more. To see a full list of Music courses, see our academic calendar – Music.

Bachelor of Music students are not formally streamed into specific areas of musical study. This flexible approach helps ensure you are well prepared for the wide-ranging demands and varied career options that exist for today's musicians.

Small class sizes within Mount Allison's Music program mean that you work closely with the department's talented and enthusiastic faculty, have constant access to instruments and practice rooms, and perform on stage on a regular basis.

Modern languages, literatures, and cultures is an interdisciplinary degree that provides you with expertise in two languages and knowledge of a third — as well as to the literature and culture of the relevant communities.

Other degree options in the field of modern languages and literatures at Mount Allison include:

• French Studies (BA honours, major, or minor)
• German Studies (any degree minor)
• Hispanic Studies (BA major or minor)
• Japanese Studies (any degree minor)

A degree in modern languages, literatures, and cultures at Mount Allison exposes you to the practical study of language within small class sizes to provide an opportunity to acquire many skills that will serve you well in your future endeavours:

• Superior communicative competence
• Cultural awareness
• Aesthetic literacy

The Department of Modern Languages and Literatures is composed of five areas: French, German, Hispanic studies, Japanese, and linguistics.

Following introductory courses (or intermediate in the case of French)* in your chosen languages in your first year, you will take more advanced language classes and have options to study French, German, and Spanish literature, film, and culture. You will also learn the fundamentals of linguistics.

Fourth year offers the chance to pursue independent studies in French, German, and Spanish.

You are encouraged to take advantage of extracurricular opportunities to enhance your studies, and to participate in international study abroad and exchange programs to gain further exposure to both the language and culture you are studying.