Bachelor of Science in Biology

at Mount Allison University Canada

Learning Spanish and about Hispanic culture and literature will open doors that you never knew existed. It will change the way you think about the world around you. As one of the most-spoken languages in the world, Spanish can also serve you in the workplace, while on vacation, or in your career as a student.

We offer three degree options.

1. If you’ve already selected a major, consider a MINOR in Spanish. Many students specializing in International Relations, History, Commerce, Sociology and even Biology pursue a minor in Spanish because knowledge of the language helps them pursue career paths in international contexts or in the developing world. 

2. A MAJOR in Spanish truly embraces the language, cultural and literary contexts of the Hispanic world, drawing from the rich cultures of Latin America as well as Spain. Our courses entice students to travel or study abroad and offer authentic encounters with the Hispanic world through art, film and most importantly, literature.

3. An HONOURS in Spanish via the Interdisciplinary Modern Languages, Literatures and Cultures degree, with an emphasis on Spanish. Combined with the study of two other languages, this degree option allows you to gain intimate knowledge of three languages while focusing on the culture and literature of the Spanish-speaking world.

Geocomputing is an applied program that combines theory and practice of computer science and geography. The program gives students expertise to study and understand spatial dimensions of social and environmental problems such as minimizing environmental impacts and identifying critical habitat.

At Mount Allison, Geocomputing combines theory and practice of computing and geography, offering students a new way to look at the world.

Students in Geocomputing take courses in computer science, environmental science, and environmental studies, with spatial computing (geographic information systems) at the heart.

In Computer Science, you'll look at subjects like:

• Programming techniques
• Algorithms
• Discrete structures
• Data structures
• Database systems
• Object-oriented design and methodology
• Computers and society

In Environment and Geography, you'll look at subjects like:

• Geographic information systems (GIS)
• The physical environment
• The human environment
• Data analysis
• Resources management and environmental policies

In their final year, students complete an applied capstone project that integrates both fields.

Ranging from hands-on applications to pure theory, Computer Science introduces students to all facets of the discipline. It also gives you an appreciation of the historical, ethical, and social context of computing, and the responsibility of the computer professional and casual computer user in a modern society.

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.

Aviation is an interdisciplinary degree program combining professional flight training with studies in subjects relevant to the field of aviation in either science or business. The Aviation program at Mount Allison is one of only a few in Canada that allows you to earn an undergraduate degree that incorporates flight and ground school training. It is offered through a partnership with MFC Training, one of the leading flight training establishments in North America.

In first year you'll take introductory courses in your chosen degree, either Science or Commerce.

Then to begin your flight training you must:

• have second-year standing (have earned a minimum of 24 credits)
• obtain a Transport Canada Category 1 medical certificate
• pass a formal English language proficiency test mandated by Transport Canada, and administered by MFC Training

You'll continue to take three courses per term on campus and ground school training, while one-on-one instructor training and flying takes place at the MFC Training campus.

As an Aviation student, you'll:

• complete more than 200 hours of flying
• receive hundreds of hours of ground training
• learn about navigation, airplane instruments, aviation regulations, and weather

International relations is the study of the relationships between countries and between governmental and non-governmental organizations. It examines the impacts of economic, social, technological, environmental, military, and political processes, as well as issues of justice, responsibility, and human well-being.

The international relations program at Mount Allison is centred around courses in economics, language, and political science.

In first and second year you will take introductory courses in economics, political science, and international relations.

In third and fourth year you will begin to specialize. International relations is inter and multidisciplinary and in addition to your core courses, you will have the opportunity to choose two streams of study from the following disciplines:

• Political science (politics in Europe, the U.S., Africa, the Middle East; security studies; foreign policy analysis)
• History (war and society in Europe, Japan and modern Asia, environmental history)
• Sociology (social movements, refugee studies, globalization)
• Anthropology (indigenous knowledge systems, social inequality, globalization and social change)
• Economics (game theory, environmental economics, international development)
• Geography and environmental studies (Canadian environmental policy, international environmental affairs, sustainable development)
• English (African literature, Caribbean literature, literary representations of race and culture)
• Religious studies (gender issues in eastern and western religions, contemporary ethical issues)

International relations also has a university-level language requirement. Mount Allison offers courses in French, Spanish, German, and Japanese.

You are encouraged to gain international experience by studying or working abroad or by doing international work in Canada, and to carry out independent research.

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.

Philosophy, Politics, and Economics at Mount Allison is the only PPE program in Canada east of Ontario, and one of only three in the country.

The Philosophy, Politics, and Economics program brings together three fundamental disciplines that use different tools and methodologies to study the human experience, but are all concerned with the many, often conflicting, ideas of what is good for people and the challenges that arise when these varied approaches are put into practice.

It helps students develop critical-thinking skills that will serve them well no matter their chosen career, offering students the opportunity of a multidisciplinary immersion in the problems that structure the human world.

At Mount Allison, courses in the multidisciplinary PPE program are drawn from established courses in all three disciplines, with special topics courses offered in upper years.

In Philosophy, you'll cultivate a broad view of human experience and values by examining concepts like:

• how we can know the world
• the nature of justice
• our responsibility to others

In Politics, you'll gain insight into:

• the workings of government
• the meaning of citizenship
• how society, economy, and culture shape the political community

In Economics, you will look at:

• the development of modern economies
• the evolution of economic systems
• the outcomes of economic policies
• the economic consequences of participation in trade, exchange, or employment

Most of the required courses for the program are at the first and second-year level, giving you greater flexibility in your upper years to tailor your courses to your interests.

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

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.

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.