Science (Bio-Physical-Computational)

McGill University

4 / 3 years
Duration (years)
4 years from high school; normally 3 years after Quebec CEGEP
McGill Science, Arts and Arts/Science freshman and CEGEP routes
Optional Science Industrial Practicum or Internship Year in Science.
Work experience
Optional Science Industrial Practicum or Internship Year in Science.
McGill Science · complete internship structure and eligibility

Deadlines

January 2027

Mon	Tue	Wed	Thu	Fri	Sat	Sun
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Next deadlineFriday, January 15, 2027

Application
Fall 2027 entry · Applicants studying or last studying at an overseas or U.S. school, college or university
Official deadline

Other deadline details

March 1Advanced Level supporting documentsFall 2027 entry

Applicants using the Advanced Level route
March 1

SourceChecked Nov 9, 2026

March 1International Baccalaureate supporting documentsFall 2027 entry

Applicants using the standalone IB Diploma route
March 1

SourceChecked Nov 9, 2026

April 1 to May 15Ontario mandatory grade self-reportingFall 2027 entry

Ontario high-school applicants in Canada
April 1 to May 15
Unless already admitted or refused in the first round, or exempt from self-reporting

SourceChecked Nov 9, 2026

May 4Ontario supporting documentsFall 2027 entry

Ontario high-school applicants in Canada
May 4
Upload items requested in the Applicant Portal
Grade self-reporting has a separate window

SourceChecked Nov 9, 2026

May 4Other Canadian high-school supporting documentsFall 2027 entry

Canadian high-school applicants in Canada outside Ontario and Quebec
May 4

SourceChecked Nov 9, 2026

March 1 to May 1Other Canadian mandatory grade self-reportingFall 2027 entry

Canadian high-school applicants in Canada outside Ontario and Quebec
March 1 to May 1

SourceChecked Nov 9, 2026

April 15Quebec supporting documentsFall 2027 entry

Quebec CEGEP, college and high-school applicants, where documents are requested
April 15

SourceChecked Nov 9, 2026

March 1U.S. supporting documentsFall 2027 entry

U.S. high-school applicants, where documents are requested
March 1

SourceChecked Nov 9, 2026

Requirements

Admission requirements

High-school prerequisites

ENG4U / FRA4UGrade 12 core English or French
MCV4UGrade 12 Calculus and Vectors
Two of Grade 12 Biology (SBI4U), Chemistry (SCH4U) or Physics (SPH4U)

Complete the Ontario Secondary School Diploma and six Grade 12 4U, DU or 4M courses. At least four and all prerequisites must be 4U or DU. McGill includes prerequisites in its Top 6 calculation.

Application steps

Entry terms · Fall

September 2027 first-year entry. This BSc group was not offered for January 2027.

Step 1Check the admission requirements
- Check the published entry route for your applicant category.
McGill Ontario high-school requirements and deadlinesMcGill Ontario high-school requirements and deadlines
Step 2Apply through McGill admissions
- Create your application and select this program.
McGill admissionsMcGill admissions
Step 3Ontario applicants: self-reported grades and transcript
- Ontario high school applicants in Canada normally self-report through the Applicant Portal and upload an unofficial transcript. Exceptions include Ontario schooling outside Canada, high school completed over five years ago and specified partial Canadian-school histories. The portal gives the applicable route.
McGill Ontario applicant documentationMcGill Ontario applicant documentation
Step 4English proficiency results when no exemption applies
- Applicants who have lived and attended school for at least four years in a country where English is the acknowledged primary language are exempt. Otherwise submit official accepted test results unless another published exemption applies.
McGill Ontario applicant English-proof conditionsMcGill Ontario applicant English-proof conditions
Step 5Check whether English proficiency evidence is required. Programme-specific extras, scholarship/financial-aid requests and extenuating circumstances have separate documentation.
- Complete this item using the university’s applicant instructions.
McGill Ontario high-school requirements and deadlinesMcGill Ontario high-school requirements and deadlines
Step 6The central page names Population & Global Health, Dietetics, Education, Global Engineering, Music, Nursing, Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, Religious Studies and Social Work as choices with extra requirements. This common review does not certify their separate checklists or imply a universal CASPer, French test, reference or personal statement.
- Complete this item using the university’s applicant instructions.
McGill Ontario high-school requirements and deadlinesMcGill Ontario high-school requirements and deadlines
Step 7Apply directly through McGill’s undergraduate application.
- Complete this item using the university’s applicant instructions.
McGill Ontario high-school requirements and deadlinesMcGill Ontario high-school requirements and deadlines
Step 8Choose Arts or the applicable Science group and pay the application fee.
- Complete this item using the university’s applicant instructions.
McGill Ontario high-school requirements and deadlinesMcGill Ontario high-school requirements and deadlines

Applicant pathways

Ontario school credential assessed within Canada

Ontario curriculum applicants attending a school in Canada; BA & Sc and Science degree groups

Obtain the OSSD before classes and present at least six 4U/DU/4M courses. At least four and every prerequisite must be 4U/DU; no more than two 4M courses count. A core 4U English/French course is required; second-language courses do not satisfy that core prerequisite.
The Top 6 calculation includes required subjects and excludes most applied courses. Science/mathematics prerequisites must be within five years. BA & Sc and Science degree groups require their exact language, Calculus and Vectors and two Biology/Chemistry/Physics subjects as specified separately; published competitive grades remain unchanged. An Ontario diploma from a school outside Canada follows a separate policy.

Ontario applicants also completing IB or AP

Ontario-curriculum applicants in Canada with additional IB Diploma, individual IB or AP examinations

Declare IB/AP study on the application. Assessment normally uses the Ontario Top 6 credential; any later advanced standing uses final IB/AP results. This is distinct from the full-IB applicant route and does not promise transfer credit.
Normally self-report all Grade 11/12 academic courses through the Applicant Portal and upload the grade report used. Exceptions include school completion more than five years ago, only one Canadian high-school year, certain Quebec/Ontario transitions, Ontario Grade 12 completed in Quebec, and fewer than ten academic Grade 11/12 courses. The official record controls discrepancies. Complete the personalized checklist; exact dates are not changed.

Bio-Physical-Computational Sciences Ontario subjects and historical grades

Ontario high-school applicants in Canada

Complete Grade 12 core English or French. Second-language English or French does not satisfy this requirement.
Complete Grade 12 Calculus and Vectors and two of Grade 12 Biology, Chemistry or Physics. Math and science prerequisites must be completed within five years.
McGill’s Ontario admissions page reports Low to mid 90s in the Top 6 and in math and science as past admission guidance. McGill does not publish a guaranteed Fall 2027 cutoff.

Canadian high school outside Ontario and Quebec

Canadian high-school applicants completing school in Canada outside Ontario and Quebec

Complete a high-school diploma and present the top five academic Grade 12 courses. Include English or French according to the school’s language of instruction.
Include Grade 12 precalculus or calculus, and two of Grade 12 Biology, Chemistry or Physics.
McGill’s Canadian admissions page reports Low to mid 90s in the Top 5 and in math and science as past admission guidance. McGill does not publish a guaranteed Fall 2027 cutoff.

Full International Baccalaureate Diploma

Applicants assessed on the full IB Diploma

McGill reviews the full Diploma with the school transcript and predicted or final IB results.
Present mathematics and two of Biology, Chemistry or Physics at HL or SL, with at least one math or science at HL. SL Mathematics Applications and Interpretation does not satisfy the math prerequisite.
McGill’s IB admissions page reports 36–39 of 42 subject points and 6 in each required math or science, or 5–6 at HL as past admission guidance. McGill does not publish a guaranteed Fall 2027 cutoff.

U.S. high school

U.S. high-school applicants assessed on their U.S. diploma

Complete precalculus and two of Biology, Chemistry or Physics.
For Fall 2027, applicants to this degree may choose to exclude SAT and ACT results. Eligible U.S. high-school applicants studying in the U.S. self-report grades in the Applicant Portal.

Advanced Levels

Applicants assessed on Advanced Levels or equivalent

Present three different A-Levels including Mathematics and at least one of Biology, Chemistry or Physics. Present Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics and Physics at GCSE level.

University transfer

Applicants assessed on prior university study

Present one semester each of differential and integral calculus and two semesters of Biology, Chemistry and/or Physics with labs. McGill reviews both CGPA and math and science results.

Quebec CEGEP

Applicants completing a Quebec pre-university DEC

Current Science DEC prerequisites list Biology 0B01, Chemistry 0C01 and 0C02, Mathematics 0M02, 0M03 and 0M04, and Physics 0P01, 0P02 and 0P03.
Current Arts and Science DEC equivalents are Biology 7BL1, Chemistry 7CH1 and 7CH2, Mathematics 7MA1, 7MA2 and 7MA4, and Physics 7PH1, 7PH2 and 7PH3. Previous DECs have separate equivalent lists.
McGill can assign missing prerequisite courses after admission where its published exceptions apply.
McGill’s Quebec admissions page reports 29.0 overall and 29.0 core math and science as past admission guidance. McGill does not publish a guaranteed Fall 2027 cutoff.

Choosing a Science group

Applicants to the Faculty of Science

Select your Science program group in the McGill application. A second choice can use the same application fee for the same term and level. The two choices are assessed independently.
Changing groups requires an intra-faculty transfer after completing one full year at McGill.

Degree requirements

Credits and degree requirements

BSc degree: minimum 120 credits, including applicable advanced standing. The admission letter establishes the individual credit requirement.
Students entering with fewer than 24 credits of advanced standing begin at U0; qualifying Quebec CEGEP students normally receive 30 advanced-standing credits.
Computer Science and Biology is a 74-credit joint major or a 77-credit joint honours program within the 120-credit BSc.

References

Foundation requirements

Earn at least 60 credits at McGill outside the Foundation math and science requirements, and complete at least two-thirds of each departmental program at McGill.

References

Grades and academic standing

Graduate with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.00, or 3.00 for Honours unless the program sets a higher minimum.
Earn a grade of C or higher in required and complementary courses, including applicable Foundation courses.

References

Program facts

Entering averageNot researched

The admission average has not been researched for this program.

InternshipOptional Science Industrial Practicum or Internship Year in Science.

Check work experience options

Majors & specializations

Apply to this entry program. Choose a major later; some majors require university courses or separate selection.

Biology and Mathematics

BSc

Published requirements

Courses

Separate study choices within this entry program. Each course block belongs to its named choice; it is not required of every student in the degree.

Biology and Mathematics70 listed

Published required and complementary course choices for the 76-credit Biology and Mathematics Major (B.Sc.). This is a program within the degree, not the complete degree or a term-by-term timetable. Some requirements specify course levels or subjects rather than naming courses. 76 credits for this program; faculty-wide degree and foundation requirements apply separately.

BIOL 219Introduction to Physical Molecular and Cell Biology4 credits
An introduction to molecular and cell biology from a physical perspective. Techniques and methodologies, both experimental and computational, are included in the presentation of each thematic module.
MCGILL complete current official course definition
BIOL 301Cell and Molecular Laboratory4 credits
An introduction to biology research and communication with a focus on cell and molecular biology. Through conducting a series of project-based experiments and writing a final report, molecular and synthetic biology techniques such as gene cloning, manipulation, protein isolation and characterization and how research is conducted, analyzed and communicated will be addressed. In addition, an introduction to bioinformatics methods and their role in analysis will be provided.
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BIOL 395Quantitative Biology Seminar1 credits
Overview of concepts and current research in quantitative biology; theoretical ecology and evolution, computational biology, and physical biology.
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CHEM 212Introductory Organic Chemistry 14 credits
A fundamental study of aliphatic compounds and saturated functional groups including modern concepts of bonding, reaction mechanisms, conformational analysis, spectroscopy, and stereochemistry.
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COMP 202Foundations of Programming3 credits
Introduction to computer programming in a high level language: variables, expressions, primitive types, methods, conditionals, loops. Introduction to algorithms, data structures (arrays, strings), modular software design, libraries, file input/output, debugging, exception handling. Selected topics.
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COMP 204Computer Programming for Life Sciences3 credits
Computer Science (Sci): Computer programming in a high level language: variables, expressions, types, functions, conditionals, loops, objects and classes. Introduction to algorithms, modular software design, libraries, file input/output, debugging. Emphasis on applications in the life sciences.
MCGILL complete current official course definition
MATH 222Calculus 33 credits
Taylor series, Taylor's theorem in one and several variables. Review of vector geometry. Partial differentiation, directional derivative. Extreme of functions of 2 or 3 variables. Parametric curves and arc length. Polar and spherical coordinates. Multiple integrals.
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MATH 223Linear Algebra3 credits
Review of matrix algebra, determinants and systems of linear equations. Vector spaces, linear operators and their matrix representations, orthogonality. Eigenvalues and eigenvectors, diagonalization of Hermitian matrices. Applications.
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MATH 247Honours Applied Linear Algebra3 credits
Matrix algebra, determinants, systems of linear equations. Abstract vector spaces, inner product spaces, Fourier series. Linear transformations and their matrix representations. Eigenvalues and eigenvectors, diagonalizable and defective matrices, positive definite and semidefinite matrices. Quadratic and Hermitian forms, generalized eigenvalue problems, simultaneous reduction of quadratic forms. Applications.
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MATH 315Ordinary Differential Equations3 credits
First order ordinary differential equations including elementary numerical methods. Linear differential equations. Laplace transforms. Series solutions.
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MATH 323Probability3 credits
Sample space, events, conditional probability, independence of events, Bayes' Theorem. Basic combinatorial probability, random variables, discrete and continuous univariate and multivariate distributions. Independence of random variables. Inequalities, weak law of large numbers, central limit theorem.
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BIOL 215Introduction to Ecology and Evolution3 credits
An introduction to the fundamental processes of ecology and evolution that bear on the nature and diversity of organisms and the processes that govern their assembly into ecological communities and their roles in ecosystem function.
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MATH 242Analysis 13 credits
A rigorous presentation of sequences and of real numbers and basic properties of continuous and differentiable functions on the real line.
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MATH 243Analysis 23 credits
Definition and properties of Riemann integral, Fundamental Theorem of Calculus, Taylor's theorem. Infinite series: alternating, telescoping series, rearrangements, conditional and absolute convergence, convergence tests. Power series and Taylor series. Elementary functions. Introduction to metric spaces.
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BIOL 466Independent Research Project 13 credits
Independent research project.
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BIOL 467Independent Research Project 23 credits
Independent research project.
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BIOL 468Independent Research Project 36 credits
Independent research project.
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MATH 410Majors Project3 credits
A supervised project.
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MATH 314Advanced Calculus3 credits
Derivative as a matrix. Chain rule. Implicit functions. Constrained maxima and minima. Jacobians. Multiple integration. Line and surface integrals. Theorems of Green, Stokes and Gauss. Fourier series with applications.
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MATH 317Numerical Analysis3 credits
Error analysis. Numerical solutions of equations by iteration. Interpolation. Numerical differentiation and integration. Introduction to numerical solutions of differential equations.
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MATH 319Partial Differential Equations 3 credits
MATH 326Nonlinear Dynamics and Chaos3 credits
Linear systems of differential equations, linear stability theory. Nonlinear systems: existence and uniqueness, numerical methods, one and two dimensional flows, phase space, limit cycles, Poincare-Bendixson theorem, bifurcations, Hopf bifurcation, the Lorenz equations and chaos.
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MATH 208Introduction to Statistical Computing3 credits
Basic data management. Data visualization. Exploratory data analysis and descriptive statistics. Writing functions. Simulation and parallel computing. Communication data and documenting code for reproducible research.
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MATH 324Statistics3 credits
Sampling distributions, including Normal, Chi-squared, Student’s t, and F distributions. Sampling properties of the sample mean and variance. Point estimation: bias, variance, mean squared error, consistency, sufficiency, UMVUE. Method of moments and maximum likelihood estimation. One- and two-sample inference. Confidence intervals and sample size determination. Hypothesis testing, Type 1 and Type 2 errors, power, and p-values. The Neyman Pearson framework and likelihood ratio tests. Linear models used as illustrative examples, linking them to topics in estimation and hypothesis testing. One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and contingency tables.
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MATH 423Applied Regression3 credits
Multiple regression estimators and their properties. Hypothesis tests and confidence intervals. Analysis of variance. Prediction and prediction intervals. Model diagnostics. Model selection. Introduction to weighted least squares. Basic contingency table analysis. Introduction to logistic and Poisson regression. Applications to experimental and observational data.
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MATH 447Introduction to Stochastic Processes3 credits
Conditional probability and conditional expectation, generating functions. Branching processes and random walk. Markov chains, transition matrices, classification of states, ergodic theorem, examples. Birth and death processes, queueing theory.
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COMP 551Applied Machine Learning4 credits
Selected topics in machine learning and data mining, including clustering, neural networks, support vector machines, decision trees. Methods include feature selection and dimensionality reduction, error estimation and empirical validation, algorithm design and parallelization, and handling of large data sets. Emphasis on good methods and practices for deployment of real systems.
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MATH 204Principles of Statistics 23 credits
The concept of degrees of freedom and the analysis of variability. Planning of experiments. Experimental designs. Polynomial and multiple regressions. Statistical computer packages (no previous computing experience is needed). General statistical procedures requiring few assumptions about the probability model.
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MATH 308Fundamentals of Statistical Learning3 credits
Theory and application of various techniques for the exploration and analysis of multivariate data: principal component analysis, correspondence analysis, and other visualization and dimensionality reduction techniques; supervised and unsupervised learning; linear discriminant analysis, and clustering techniques. Data applications using appropriate software.
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MATH 340Discrete Mathematics3 credits
Discrete Mathematics and applications. Graph Theory: matchings, planarity, and colouring. Discrete probability. Combinatorics: enumeration, combinatorial techniques and proofs.
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MATH 437Mathematical Methods in Biology3 credits
The formulation and treatment of realistic mathematical models describing biological phenomena through qualitative and quantitative mathematical techniques (e.g. local and global stability theory, bifurcation analysis and phase plane analysis) and numerical simulation. Concrete and detailed examples will be drawn from molecular and cellular biology and mammalian physiology.
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MATH 463Convex Optimization3 credits
Introduction to convex analysis and convex optimization: Convex sets and functions, subdifferential calculus, conjugate functions, Fenchel duality, proximal calculus. Subgradient methods, proximal-based methods. Conditional gradient method, ADMM. Applications including data classification, network-flow problems, image processing, convex feasibility problems, DC optimization, sparse optimization, and compressed sensing.
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MATH 478Computational Methods in Applied Mathematics 3 credits
MATH 523Generalized Linear Models4 credits
Exponential families, link functions. Inference and parameter estimation for generalized linear models; model selection using analysis of deviance. Residuals. Contingency table analysis, logistic regression, multinomial regression, Poisson regression, log-linear models. Multinomial models. Overdispersion and Quasilikelihood. Applications to experimental and observational data.
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MATH 524Nonparametric Statistics4 credits
Distribution free procedures for 2-sample problem: Wilcoxon rank sum, Siegel-Tukey, Smirnov tests. Shift model: power and estimation. Single sample procedures: Sign, Wilcoxon signed rank tests. Nonparametric ANOVA: Kruskal-Wallis, Friedman tests. Association: Spearman's rank correlation, Kendall's tau. Goodness of fit: Pearson's chi-square, likelihood ratio, Kolmogorov-Smirnov tests. Statistical software packages used.
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MATH 525Sampling Theory and Applications4 credits
Simple random sampling, domains, ratio and regression estimators, superpopulation models, stratified sampling, optimal stratification, cluster sampling, sampling with unequal probabilities, multistage sampling, complex surveys, nonresponse.
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MATH 558Design of Experiments4 credits
Introduction to concepts in statistically designed experiments. Randomization and replication. Completely randomized designs. Simple linear model and analysis of variance. Introduction to blocking. Orthogonal block designs. Models and analysis for block designs. Factorial designs and their analysis. Row-column designs. Latin squares. Model and analysis for fixed row and column effects. Split-plot designs, model and analysis. Relations and operations on factors. Orthogonal factors. Orthogonal decomposition. Orthogonal plot structures. Hasse diagrams. Applications to real data and ethical issues.
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MATH 559Bayesian Theory and Methods4 credits
Subjective probability, Bayesian statistical inference and decision making, de Finetti’s representation. Bayesian parametric methods, optimal decisions, conjugate models, methods of prior specification and elicitation, approximation methods. Hierarchical models. Computational approaches to inference, Markov chain Monte Carlo methods, Metropolis;Hastings. Nonparametric Bayesian inference.
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BIOL 206Methods in Biology3 credits
Introduction to modern methods used in organismal biology, including ecological sampling, experimental methods and statistics. Particular emphasis is on ways of thinking about the design of sampling programs and the analyses of data to test hypotheses using observational or experimental data.
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BIOL 240Monteregian Flora3 credits
Field studies of ferns, fern allies, conifers and flowering plants; the use of keys for plant identification.
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BIOL 331Ecology/Behaviour Field Course3 credits
Methods of sampling natural populations. Testing hypotheses in nature.
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BIOL 334D1Applied Tropical Ecology1.5 credits
Relevant to agriculture, forestry, fisheries and conservation of natural resources. Field component taught at the University's Bellairs Research Institute in Barbados, for two weeks in early May. The course is organized in a series of small-group field projects of 2-3 days each. Interested students should check the course website, attend the full information session and fill out an application form.
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BIOL 334D2Applied Tropical Ecology1.5 credits
See BIOL 334D1 for course description.
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BIOL 432Limnology3 credits
A study of the physical, chemical and biological properties of lakes and other inland waters, with emphasis on their functioning as systems.
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BIOL 573Vertebrate Palaeontology Field Course3 credits
Terrestrial vertebrate fossils (i.e. dinosaurs, crocodiles and other reptiles) and palaeocommunity analysis, including practical training with fossil identification, mapping, collecting, and stratigraphic interpretation.
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BIOL 202Basic Genetics3 credits
Introduction to basic principles, and to modern advances, problems and applications in the genetics of higher and lower organisms with examples representative of the biological sciences.
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BIOL 205Functional Biology of Plants and Animals3 credits
Unified view of form and function in animals and plants. Focus on how the laws of chemistry and physics illuminate biological processes relating to the acquisition of energy and materials and their use in movement, growth, development, reproduction and responses to environmental stress.
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BIOL 302Fundamentals of Genetics and Genomics3 credits
Trait variation within and across populations and species,and how this reflects variation within genomes. Case studies and problem-solving approaches will be used to illustrate the tools of genomics, molecular genetics and classical genetics, and how they are employed to understand the mechanisms of phenotypic variation.Topics will include evolutionary, developmental and human genetics. Application of multiple levels of genetic analysis, formulation, and testing of hypotheses on critical topics ranging from evolution to developmental biology to human genetics.
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BIOL 304Evolution3 credits
A comprehensive introduction to evolutionary biology. It covers both short-term and long-term evolutionary processes. Topics include the history of life, the origin of species, adaptation, natural selection and sexual selection.
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BIOL 305Animal Diversity3 credits
The characteristics of the major groups of animals, their ancestry, history and relationship to one another. The processes of speciation, adaptive radiation and extinction responsible for diversity. Methods for constructing of phylogenies, for comparing phenotypes, and for estimating and analyzing diversity.
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BIOL 308Ecological Dynamics3 credits
Principles of population, community, and ecosystem dynamics: population growth and regulation, species interactions, dynamics of competitive interactions and of predator/prey systems; evolutionary dynamics.
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BIOL 310Biodiversity and Ecosystems3 credits
Ecological bases of the natural causes and consequences of current global environmental changes, including how biodiversity and ecosystem processes are defined and measured, how they vary in space and time, how they are affected by physical and biological factors, and how they affect each other and human societies.
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BIOL 324Ecological Genetics3 credits
Presents evolutionary genetics within an ecological context. Covers theoretical and applied topics together with relevant data from natural populations of plant and animals.
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BIOL 569Developmental Evolution3 credits
The influence of developmental mechanisms on evolution. This course draws on recent examples from plants and invertebrate and vertebrate animals. Topics include homology, modularity, dissociation, co-option, evolutionary novelty, evolution of cis-regulation and gene regulatory networks, developmental constraint and evolvability, heterochrony, phenotypic plasticity, and canalization.
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BIOL 594Advanced Evolutionary Ecology3 credits
Evolutionary ecology is the study of evolutionary change in natural populations. General predictive approaches in evolutionary ecology, including population genetics, quantitative genetics, optimality, and game theory will be examined. Emphasis will be placed on the mathematical underpinnings of each approach, particularly as they relate to classic and contemporary problems.
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BIOL 303Developmental Biology3 credits
A consideration of the fundamental processes and principles operating during embryogenesis. Experimental analyses at the molecular, cellular, and organismal levels will be presented and discussed to provide an overall appreciation of developmental phenomena.
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BIOL 313Eukaryotic Cell Biology3 credits
In-depth examination of the structure and function of eukaryotic cells, with an emphasis on experimental design and interpretation. Examination of the molecular mechanisms of various cellular processes, including protein homeostasis, intracellular transport, cytoskeletal dynamics, multicellular organization and cell proliferation.
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BIOL 518Advanced Topics in Cell Biology3 credits
Concepts and mechanisms in advanced cell biology, based on genetic, cell biological, biophysical, and computational studies. Emphasis is placed on processes that are evolutionarily conserved, with examples from model organisms and cell-free (in vitro) approaches.
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BIOL 592Integrated Bioinformatics3 credits
'Post-genomic' bioinformatics. Concepts behind large-scale computational analysis and comparison of genomes/proteomes (and beyond), and the implications for our understanding of the basic processes of molecular and cell biology and the evolution of those processes.
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BIOL 216Biology of Behaviour3 credits
Introduction to the study of animal behaviour at the population, organismal, cellular, and molecular levels. Historical and contemporary methods and experiments will be presented and discussed to provide an overall appreciation of the biology of behaviour, with a focus on the application of multiple levels of analysis to biological phenomena and the formulation of hypotheses about evolution, development, function, and mechanisms of behavioural traits. Topics will range from how animals communicate with one another to the cellular mechanisms that allow information to be processed by nervous systems.
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BIOL 306Neural Basis of Behaviour3 credits
Neural mechanisms of animal behaviour; neuroethology; cellular neurophysiology, integrative networks within nervous systems; neural control of movement; processing of sensory information.
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BIOL 320Evolution of Brain and Behaviour3 credits
Functional and comparative approach to neuroanatomy, examining how species changes in brain organization contribute to evolutionary changes in behaviour.
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BIOL 389Laboratory in Neurobiology3 credits
Methods of neurobiological research, including extracellular and intracellular recordings, electrical stimulation, and the study of neuro-behavioural problems.
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BIOL 530Advances in Neuroethology3 credits
Neural mechanisms underlying behaviour in vertebrate and invertebrate organisms.
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BIOL 580Genetic Approaches to Neural Systems3 credits
This course will focus on recent research employing genetic-based methods to examine the functional and structural properties of the nervous system. The focus will be on approaches for studying neural circuits and behavior in a range of model organisms. Topics will include recent technological advances, such as optogenetics for modifying and controlling neuronal activity, and animal models of neurological diseases. Students will critically analyze the application of these methods to current research through in-class discussion of primary literature, student presentations, and written assignments.
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NEUR 310Cellular Neurobiology3 credits
A survey of the functional organization of nerve cells, signalling in the nervous system, and principles of neural development. Topics include cell polarity, neurotransmitters, neurotrophins, receptors and second messengers, cell lineage, guidance of axon outgrowth, and nerve regeneration. Emphasis will be placed on analysis of neurons at the molecular level.
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NEUR 507Topics in Radionuclide Imaging3 credits
The course deals with neuroreceptor and oncologic imaging and imaging of cerebral bloodflow and metabolism. The role of radiochemistry and physics will be demonstrated in the context of clinical and research applications. Understanding how radiochemistry and physics intermingle with the medical aspects of radiotracer development will result in a deeper insight into the complex pathways of tracer design and the methods necessary to properly interpret the data obtained.
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PHGY 314Integrative Neuroscience3 credits
In depth presentation of experimental results and hypotheses underlying our current understanding of how single neurons and ensembles of neurons encode sensory information, generate movement, and control cognitive functions such as emotion, learning, and memory, during voluntary behaviours.
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PHGY 425Analyzing Physiological Systems3 credits
An introduction to quantitative analysis of physiological data, both to the mode of thinking and to a set of tools that allows accurate predictions of biological systems. Examples will range from oscillating genetic networks to understanding higher brain function. Modelling and data analysis through examples and exercises will be emphasized.
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PSYC 427Sensorimotor Neuroscience3 credits
A systematic examination of the sensorimotor system, drawing on models and data from both behavioural and physiological studies. Topics include: cortical motor areas, cerebellum, basal ganglia, spinal mechanisms, motor unit properties and force production, prioception, muscle properties.
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Computer Science and Biology56 listed

Published required and complementary course choices for the 74-credit Computer Science and Biology Major (B.Sc.). This is a program within the degree, not the complete degree or a term-by-term timetable. Some requirements specify course levels or subjects rather than naming courses. 74 credits for this program; faculty-wide degree and foundation requirements apply separately.

BIOL 111Principles: Organismal Biology3 credits
U0/Foundation preparation pair: BIOL 111 and BIOL 112. These are separate courses, not an additional six-credit BIOL 111 course or extra major requirements.
McGill 2026–27 exact native course identity and credits: BIOL 111
BIOL 112Cell and Molecular Biology3 credits
U0/Foundation preparation pair: BIOL 111 and BIOL 112. These are separate courses, not an additional six-credit BIOL 111 course or extra major requirements.
McGill 2026–27 exact native course identity and credits: BIOL 112
CHEM 110General Chemistry 14 credits
U0/Foundation preparation pair: CHEM 110 and CHEM 120. These are separate courses, not an additional eight-credit CHEM 110 course or extra major requirements.
McGill 2026–27 exact native course identity and credits: CHEM 110
CHEM 120General Chemistry 24 credits
U0/Foundation preparation pair: CHEM 110 and CHEM 120. These are separate courses, not an additional eight-credit CHEM 110 course or extra major requirements.
McGill 2026–27 exact native course identity and credits: CHEM 120
MATH 133Linear Algebra and Geometry3 credits
Systems of linear equations, matrices, inverses, determinants; geometric vectors in three dimensions, dot product, cross product, lines and planes; introduction to vector spaces, linear dependence and independence, bases. Linear transformations. Eigenvalues and diagonalization.
MCGILL complete current official course definition
PHYS 101Introductory Physics - Mechanics4 credits
U0/Foundation preparation uses PHYS 101 and PHYS 102, or the alternative PHYS 131 and PHYS 142 pair. The two pairs are not four simultaneous requirements.
McGill 2026–27 exact native course identity and credits: PHYS 101
PHYS 102Introductory Physics - Electromagnetism4 credits
U0/Foundation preparation uses PHYS 101 and PHYS 102, or the alternative PHYS 131 and PHYS 142 pair. The two pairs are not four simultaneous requirements.
McGill 2026–27 exact native course identity and credits: PHYS 102
BIOL 219Introduction to Physical Molecular and Cell Biology4 credits
An introduction to molecular and cell biology from a physical perspective. Techniques and methodologies, both experimental and computational, are included in the presentation of each thematic module.
MCGILL complete current official course definition
BIOL 301Cell and Molecular Laboratory4 credits
An introduction to biology research and communication with a focus on cell and molecular biology. Through conducting a series of project-based experiments and writing a final report, molecular and synthetic biology techniques such as gene cloning, manipulation, protein isolation and characterization and how research is conducted, analyzed and communicated will be addressed. In addition, an introduction to bioinformatics methods and their role in analysis will be provided.
MCGILL complete current official course definition
BIOL 395Quantitative Biology Seminar1 credits
Overview of concepts and current research in quantitative biology; theoretical ecology and evolution, computational biology, and physical biology.
MCGILL complete current official course definition
CHEM 212Introductory Organic Chemistry 14 credits
A fundamental study of aliphatic compounds and saturated functional groups including modern concepts of bonding, reaction mechanisms, conformational analysis, spectroscopy, and stereochemistry.
MCGILL complete current official course definition
MATH 222Calculus 33 credits
Taylor series, Taylor's theorem in one and several variables. Review of vector geometry. Partial differentiation, directional derivative. Extreme of functions of 2 or 3 variables. Parametric curves and arc length. Polar and spherical coordinates. Multiple integrals.
MCGILL complete current official course definition
MATH 223Linear Algebra3 credits
Review of matrix algebra, determinants and systems of linear equations. Vector spaces, linear operators and their matrix representations, orthogonality. Eigenvalues and eigenvectors, diagonalization of Hermitian matrices. Applications.
MCGILL complete current official course definition
MATH 323Probability3 credits
Sample space, events, conditional probability, independence of events, Bayes' Theorem. Basic combinatorial probability, random variables, discrete and continuous univariate and multivariate distributions. Independence of random variables. Inequalities, weak law of large numbers, central limit theorem.
MCGILL complete current official course definition
COMP 202Foundations of Programming3 credits
Introduction to computer programming in a high level language: variables, expressions, primitive types, methods, conditionals, loops. Introduction to algorithms, data structures (arrays, strings), modular software design, libraries, file input/output, debugging, exception handling. Selected topics.
MCGILL complete current official course definition
COMP 204Computer Programming for Life Sciences3 credits
Computer Science (Sci): Computer programming in a high level language: variables, expressions, types, functions, conditionals, loops, objects and classes. Introduction to algorithms, modular software design, libraries, file input/output, debugging. Emphasis on applications in the life sciences.
MCGILL complete current official course definition
COMP 206Introduction to Software Systems3 credits
Comprehensive overview of programming in C, use of system calls and libraries, debugging and testing of code; use of developmental tools like make, version control systems.
MCGILL complete current official course definition
COMP 250Introduction to Computer Science3 credits
Object oriented programming in Java: classes and objects, interfaces, inheritance. Data structures and abstract data types: arrays, stacks, queues, linked lists, trees, binary trees,binary search trees, heaps, hash tables, graphs. Recursive and non-recursive algorithms and their asymptotic complexity: searching and sorting, tree and graph traversal. Mathematical tools: induction, recurrence relations.
MCGILL complete current official course definition
COMP 251Algorithms and Data Structures3 credits
Data Structures: priority queues, balanced binary search trees, hash tables, graphs. Algorithms: topological sort, connected components, shortest paths, minimum spanning trees, bipartite matching, network flows. Algorithm design: greedy, divide and conquer, dynamic programming, randomization. Mathematicaltools: proofs of asymptotic complexity and program correctness, Master theorem.
MCGILL complete current official course definition
MATH 240Discrete Structures3 credits
Introduction to discrete mathematics and applications. Logical reasoning and methods of proof. Elementary number theory and cryptography: prime numbers, modular equations, RSA encryption. Combinatorics: basic enumeration, combinatorial methods, recurrence equations. Graph theory: trees, cycles, planar graphs.
MCGILL complete current official course definition
BIOL 202Basic Genetics3 credits
Introduction to basic principles, and to modern advances, problems and applications in the genetics of higher and lower organisms with examples representative of the biological sciences.
MCGILL complete current official course definition
BIOL 215Introduction to Ecology and Evolution3 credits
An introduction to the fundamental processes of ecology and evolution that bear on the nature and diversity of organisms and the processes that govern their assembly into ecological communities and their roles in ecosystem function.
MCGILL complete current official course definition
COMP 401Project in Biology and Computer Science3 credits
A research project applying computational approaches to a biological problem.
MCGILL complete current official course definition
COMP 462Computational Biology Methods3 credits
Application of computer science techniques to problems arising in biology and medicine, techniques for modeling evolution, aligning molecular sequences, predicting structure of a molecule and other problems from computational biology.
MCGILL complete current official course definition
COMP 561Computational Biology Methods and Research.). At least3 credits
MATH 315Ordinary Differential Equations3 credits
First order ordinary differential equations including elementary numerical methods. Linear differential equations. Laplace transforms. Series solutions.
MCGILL complete current official course definition
MATH 324Statistics3 credits
Sampling distributions, including Normal, Chi-squared, Student’s t, and F distributions. Sampling properties of the sample mean and variance. Point estimation: bias, variance, mean squared error, consistency, sufficiency, UMVUE. Method of moments and maximum likelihood estimation. One- and two-sample inference. Confidence intervals and sample size determination. Hypothesis testing, Type 1 and Type 2 errors, power, and p-values. The Neyman Pearson framework and likelihood ratio tests. Linear models used as illustrative examples, linking them to topics in estimation and hypothesis testing. One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and contingency tables.
MCGILL complete current official course definition
COMP 273Introduction to Computer Systems3 credits
Number representations, combinational and sequential digital circuits, MIPS instructions and architecture datapath and control, caches, virtual memory, interrupts and exceptions, pipelining.
MCGILL complete current official course definition
BIOL 300Molecular Biology of the Gene3 credits
A survey of current knowledge and approaches in the area of regulation of gene expression, post-transcriptional control of gene expression, and signal transduction.
MCGILL complete current official course definition
BIOL 303Developmental Biology3 credits
A consideration of the fundamental processes and principles operating during embryogenesis. Experimental analyses at the molecular, cellular, and organismal levels will be presented and discussed to provide an overall appreciation of developmental phenomena.
MCGILL complete current official course definition
BIOL 304Evolution3 credits
A comprehensive introduction to evolutionary biology. It covers both short-term and long-term evolutionary processes. Topics include the history of life, the origin of species, adaptation, natural selection and sexual selection.
MCGILL complete current official course definition
BIOL 306Neural Basis of Behaviour3 credits
Neural mechanisms of animal behaviour; neuroethology; cellular neurophysiology, integrative networks within nervous systems; neural control of movement; processing of sensory information.
MCGILL complete current official course definition
BIOL 308Ecological Dynamics3 credits
Principles of population, community, and ecosystem dynamics: population growth and regulation, species interactions, dynamics of competitive interactions and of predator/prey systems; evolutionary dynamics.
MCGILL complete current official course definition
BIOL 309Mathematical Models in Biology3 credits
Application of finite difference and differential equations to problems in cell and developmental biology, ecology and physiology. Qualitative, quantitative and graphical techniques are used to analyze mathematical models and to compare theoretical predictions with experimental data.
MCGILL complete current official course definition
BIOL 310Biodiversity and Ecosystems3 credits
Ecological bases of the natural causes and consequences of current global environmental changes, including how biodiversity and ecosystem processes are defined and measured, how they vary in space and time, how they are affected by physical and biological factors, and how they affect each other and human societies.
MCGILL complete current official course definition
BIOL 313Eukaryotic Cell Biology3 credits
In-depth examination of the structure and function of eukaryotic cells, with an emphasis on experimental design and interpretation. Examination of the molecular mechanisms of various cellular processes, including protein homeostasis, intracellular transport, cytoskeletal dynamics, multicellular organization and cell proliferation.
MCGILL complete current official course definition
BIOL 314Molecular Biology of Cancer3 credits
The molecular basis of human cancers, including analyzing the events that promote the formation of oncogenes and inhibit tumour suppressor genes, the biochemical properties of the proteins encoded by these genes, and their functions. Current molecular targets for cancer therapy and the concepts and consequences of inheriting mutations in genes that predispose to cancer.
MCGILL complete current official course definition
BIOL 316Biomembranes and Organelles3 credits
The course focuses on biomembranes and subcellular organelles and their implications for disease. The topics include: protein and lipid biochemistry, membrane structure and transport; intracellular compartmentalization, protein sorting and modification, intracellular membrane trafficking; energy transfer, organization and dynamics of chloroplasts and mitochondria; extracellular matrix and cell walls.
MCGILL complete current official course definition
BIOL 319Introduction to Biophysics3 credits
Emerging physical approaches and quantitative measurement techniques are providing new insights into longstanding biological questions. This course will present underlying physical theory, quantitative measurement techniques, and significant findings in molecular and cellular biophysics. Principles covered include Brownian motion, low Reynolds-number environments, forces relevant to cells and molecules, chemical potentials, and free energies. These principles are applied to enzymes as molecular machines, membranes, DNA, and RNA.
MCGILL complete current official course definition
BIOL 320Evolution of Brain and Behaviour3 credits
Functional and comparative approach to neuroanatomy, examining how species changes in brain organization contribute to evolutionary changes in behaviour.
MCGILL complete current official course definition
BIOL 389Laboratory in Neurobiology3 credits
Methods of neurobiological research, including extracellular and intracellular recordings, electrical stimulation, and the study of neuro-behavioural problems.
MCGILL complete current official course definition
BIOL 416Genetics of Mammalian Development3 credits
This course aims to examine problems, theories, and experimental evidence on several concepts of mammalian developmental processes at molecular to organogenesis levels. Most topics are in the mouse model system, where various techniques for genetic manipulation are available.
MCGILL complete current official course definition
BIOL 435Natural Selection3 credits
Explains how the selection of undirected variation accounts for some of the leading features of the natural world. Its main focus is evolutionary change and adaptation, but it will also include material from ecological, economic, biochemical and computer systems. It emphasizes experimental studies of evolution.
MCGILL complete current official course definition
BIOL 518Advanced Topics in Cell Biology3 credits
Concepts and mechanisms in advanced cell biology, based on genetic, cell biological, biophysical, and computational studies. Emphasis is placed on processes that are evolutionarily conserved, with examples from model organisms and cell-free (in vitro) approaches.
MCGILL complete current official course definition
BIOL 520Gene Activity in Development3 credits
An analysis of the role and regulation of gene expression in several models of eukaryotic development. The emphasis will be on critical evaluation of recent literature concerned with molecular or genetic approaches to the problems of cellular differentiation and determination. Recent research reports will be discussed in conferences and analyzed in written critiques.
MCGILL complete current official course definition
BIOL 524Topics in Molecular Biology3 credits
Molecular genetics and molecular, cellular and developmental biology, including signal transduction, cell differentiation and function, genetic diseases in eukaryotes.
MCGILL complete current official course definition
BIOL 530Advances in Neuroethology3 credits
Neural mechanisms underlying behaviour in vertebrate and invertebrate organisms.
MCGILL complete current official course definition
BIOL 532Developmental Neurobiology Seminar3 credits
Discussions of all aspects of nervous system development including pattern formation, cell lineage, pathfinding and targeting by growing axons, and neural regeneration. The basis for these discussions will be recent research papers and other assigned readings.
MCGILL complete current official course definition
BIOL 546Genetics of Model Systems3 credits
Topics in the genetics and molecular genetics of unicellular, plant, invertebrate and vertebrate models systems.
MCGILL complete current official course definition
BIOL 551Principles of Cellular Control3 credits
Fundamental principles of cellular control, with cell cycle control as a major theme. Biological and physical concepts are brought to bear on control in healthy cells..
MCGILL complete current official course definition
BIOL 568Topics on the Human Genome3 credits
Cellular and molecular approaches to characterization of the human genome.
MCGILL complete current official course definition
BIOL 569Developmental Evolution3 credits
The influence of developmental mechanisms on evolution. This course draws on recent examples from plants and invertebrate and vertebrate animals. Topics include homology, modularity, dissociation, co-option, evolutionary novelty, evolution of cis-regulation and gene regulatory networks, developmental constraint and evolvability, heterochrony, phenotypic plasticity, and canalization.
MCGILL complete current official course definition
BIOL 580Genetic Approaches to Neural Systems3 credits
This course will focus on recent research employing genetic-based methods to examine the functional and structural properties of the nervous system. The focus will be on approaches for studying neural circuits and behavior in a range of model organisms. Topics will include recent technological advances, such as optogenetics for modifying and controlling neuronal activity, and animal models of neurological diseases. Students will critically analyze the application of these methods to current research through in-class discussion of primary literature, student presentations, and written assignments.
MCGILL complete current official course definition
BIOL 588Advances in Molecular/Cellular Neurobiology3 credits
Discussion of fundamental molecular mechanisms underlying the general features of cellular neurobiology. An advanced course based on lectures and on a critical review of primary research papers.
MCGILL complete current official course definition
HGEN 575Human Biochemical Genetics3 credits
Selected human diseases, from the molecular and cellular levels to tissue effects and emerging novel therapies.
MCGILL complete current official course definition
NEUR 310Cellular Neurobiology3 credits
A survey of the functional organization of nerve cells, signalling in the nervous system, and principles of neural development. Topics include cell polarity, neurotransmitters, neurotrophins, receptors and second messengers, cell lineage, guidance of axon outgrowth, and nerve regeneration. Emphasis will be placed on analysis of neurons at the molecular level.
MCGILL complete current official course definition

Physiology and Mathematics32 listed

Published required and complementary course choices for the 79-credit Physiology and Mathematics Major (B.Sc.). This is a program within the degree, not the complete degree or a term-by-term timetable. Some requirements specify course levels or subjects rather than naming courses. 79 credits for this program; faculty-wide degree and foundation requirements apply separately.

BIOL 219Introduction to Physical Molecular and Cell Biology4 credits
An introduction to molecular and cell biology from a physical perspective. Techniques and methodologies, both experimental and computational, are included in the presentation of each thematic module.
MCGILL complete current official course definition
BIOL 395Quantitative Biology Seminar1 credits
Overview of concepts and current research in quantitative biology; theoretical ecology and evolution, computational biology, and physical biology.
MCGILL complete current official course definition
MATH 222Calculus 33 credits
Taylor series, Taylor's theorem in one and several variables. Review of vector geometry. Partial differentiation, directional derivative. Extreme of functions of 2 or 3 variables. Parametric curves and arc length. Polar and spherical coordinates. Multiple integrals.
MCGILL complete current official course definition
MATH 223Linear Algebra3 credits
Review of matrix algebra, determinants and systems of linear equations. Vector spaces, linear operators and their matrix representations, orthogonality. Eigenvalues and eigenvectors, diagonalization of Hermitian matrices. Applications.
MCGILL complete current official course definition
MATH 247Honours Applied Linear Algebra3 credits
Matrix algebra, determinants, systems of linear equations. Abstract vector spaces, inner product spaces, Fourier series. Linear transformations and their matrix representations. Eigenvalues and eigenvectors, diagonalizable and defective matrices, positive definite and semidefinite matrices. Quadratic and Hermitian forms, generalized eigenvalue problems, simultaneous reduction of quadratic forms. Applications.
MCGILL complete current official course definition
MATH 315Ordinary Differential Equations3 credits
First order ordinary differential equations including elementary numerical methods. Linear differential equations. Laplace transforms. Series solutions.
MCGILL complete current official course definition
MATH 323Probability3 credits
Sample space, events, conditional probability, independence of events, Bayes' Theorem. Basic combinatorial probability, random variables, discrete and continuous univariate and multivariate distributions. Independence of random variables. Inequalities, weak law of large numbers, central limit theorem.
MCGILL complete current official course definition
MATH 325Honours Ordinary Differential Equations3 credits
First and second order equations, linear equations, series solutions, Frobenius method, introduction to numerical methods and to linear systems, Laplace transforms, applications.
MCGILL complete current official course definition
BIOL 309Mathematical Models in Biology3 credits
Application of finite difference and differential equations to problems in cell and developmental biology, ecology and physiology. Qualitative, quantitative and graphical techniques are used to analyze mathematical models and to compare theoretical predictions with experimental data.
MCGILL complete current official course definition
BMDE 519Biomedical Signals and Systems3 credits
An introduction to the theoretical framework, experimental techniques and analysis procedures available for the quantitative analysis of physiological systems and signals. Lectures plus laboratory work using the Biomedical Engineering computer system. Topics include: amplitude and frequency structure of signals, filtering, sampling, correlation functions, time and frequency-domain descriptions of systems.
MCGILL complete current official course definition
MATH 242Analysis 13 credits
A rigorous presentation of sequences and of real numbers and basic properties of continuous and differentiable functions on the real line.
MCGILL complete current official course definition
MATH 243Analysis 23 credits
Definition and properties of Riemann integral, Fundamental Theorem of Calculus, Taylor's theorem. Infinite series: alternating, telescoping series, rearrangements, conditional and absolute convergence, convergence tests. Power series and Taylor series. Elementary functions. Introduction to metric spaces.
MCGILL complete current official course definition
MATH 248Honours Vector Calculus3 credits
Partial derivatives and differentiation of functions in several variables; Jacobians; maxima and minima; implicit functions. Scalar and vector fields; orthogonal curvilinear coordinates. Multiple integrals; arc length, volume and surface area. Line and surface integrals; irrotational and solenoidal fields; Green's theorem; the divergence theorem. Stokes' theorem; and applications.
MCGILL complete current official course definition
MATH 314Advanced Calculus3 credits
Derivative as a matrix. Chain rule. Implicit functions. Constrained maxima and minima. Jacobians. Multiple integration. Line and surface integrals. Theorems of Green, Stokes and Gauss. Fourier series with applications.
MCGILL complete current official course definition
MATH 317Numerical Analysis3 credits
Error analysis. Numerical solutions of equations by iteration. Interpolation. Numerical differentiation and integration. Introduction to numerical solutions of differential equations.
MCGILL complete current official course definition
MATH 319Partial Differential Equations 3 credits
MATH 324Statistics3 credits
Sampling distributions, including Normal, Chi-squared, Student’s t, and F distributions. Sampling properties of the sample mean and variance. Point estimation: bias, variance, mean squared error, consistency, sufficiency, UMVUE. Method of moments and maximum likelihood estimation. One- and two-sample inference. Confidence intervals and sample size determination. Hypothesis testing, Type 1 and Type 2 errors, power, and p-values. The Neyman Pearson framework and likelihood ratio tests. Linear models used as illustrative examples, linking them to topics in estimation and hypothesis testing. One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and contingency tables.
MCGILL complete current official course definition
MATH 326Nonlinear Dynamics and Chaos3 credits
Linear systems of differential equations, linear stability theory. Nonlinear systems: existence and uniqueness, numerical methods, one and two dimensional flows, phase space, limit cycles, Poincare-Bendixson theorem, bifurcations, Hopf bifurcation, the Lorenz equations and chaos.
MCGILL complete current official course definition
MATH 437Mathematical Methods in Biology3 credits
The formulation and treatment of realistic mathematical models describing biological phenomena through qualitative and quantitative mathematical techniques (e.g. local and global stability theory, bifurcation analysis and phase plane analysis) and numerical simulation. Concrete and detailed examples will be drawn from molecular and cellular biology and mammalian physiology.
MCGILL complete current official course definition
PHGY 209Mammalian Physiology 13 credits
Physiology of body fluids, blood, body defense mechanisms, muscle, peripheral, central, and autonomic nervous systems.
MCGILL complete current official course definition
PHGY 210Mammalian Physiology 23 credits
Physiology of cardiovascular, respiratory, digestive, endocrine and renal systems.
MCGILL complete current official course definition
PHGY 212Introductory Physiology Laboratory 11 credits
Exercises illustrating fundamental principles in physiology: Biological Signals Acquisitions, Blood, Immunology, Neurophysiology, Neuromuscular Physiology.
MCGILL complete current official course definition
PHGY 213Introductory Physiology Laboratory 21 credits
Exercises illustrating fundamental principles in physiology: Central Nervous System, Cardiovascular, Respiration, Exercise Physiology, Molecular Endocrinology.
MCGILL complete current official course definition
PHGY 312Respiratory, Renal, and Cardiovascular Physiology3 credits
In-depth presentation of experimental results and hypotheses underlying our current understanding of topics in renal, respiratory and cardiovascular functions explored beyond the introductory level.
MCGILL complete current official course definition
PHGY 313Blood, Gastrointestinal, and Immune Systems Physiology3 credits
In-depth presentation of experimental results and hypotheses underlying our current understanding of topics in immunology, blood and fluids, and gastrointestinal physiology.
MCGILL complete current official course definition
PHGY 461D1Experimental Physiology4.5 credits
Individual project work under the supervision of Departmental Staff members.
MCGILL complete current official course definition
PHGY 461D2Experimental Physiology4.5 credits
See PHGY 461D1 for course description.
MCGILL complete current official course definition
COMP 204Computer Programming for Life Sciences3 credits
Computer Science (Sci): Computer programming in a high level language: variables, expressions, types, functions, conditionals, loops, objects and classes. Introduction to algorithms, modular software design, libraries, file input/output, debugging. Emphasis on applications in the life sciences.
MCGILL complete current official course definition
COMP 250Introduction to Computer Science3 credits
Object oriented programming in Java: classes and objects, interfaces, inheritance. Data structures and abstract data types: arrays, stacks, queues, linked lists, trees, binary trees,binary search trees, heaps, hash tables, graphs. Recursive and non-recursive algorithms and their asymptotic complexity: searching and sorting, tree and graph traversal. Mathematical tools: induction, recurrence relations.
MCGILL complete current official course definition
PHGY 311Channels, Synapses and Hormones3 credits
In-depth presentation of experimental results and hypotheses on cellular communication in the nervous system and the endocrine system.
MCGILL complete current official course definition
PHGY 314Integrative Neuroscience3 credits
In depth presentation of experimental results and hypotheses underlying our current understanding of how single neurons and ensembles of neurons encode sensory information, generate movement, and control cognitive functions such as emotion, learning, and memory, during voluntary behaviours.
MCGILL complete current official course definition
PHYS 519Advanced Biophysics3 credits
An advanced biophysics course, with a special emphasis on stochastic and out of equilibrium physical processes in living matter.
MCGILL complete current official course definition

Physiology and Physics32 listed

Published required and complementary course choices for the 82-credit Physiology and Physics Major (B.Sc.). This is a program within the degree, not the complete degree or a term-by-term timetable. Some requirements specify course levels or subjects rather than naming courses. 82 credits for this program; faculty-wide degree and foundation requirements apply separately.

BIOL 219Introduction to Physical Molecular and Cell Biology4 credits
An introduction to molecular and cell biology from a physical perspective. Techniques and methodologies, both experimental and computational, are included in the presentation of each thematic module.
MCGILL complete current official course definition
BIOL 395Quantitative Biology Seminar1 credits
Overview of concepts and current research in quantitative biology; theoretical ecology and evolution, computational biology, and physical biology.
MCGILL complete current official course definition
MATH 222Calculus 33 credits
Taylor series, Taylor's theorem in one and several variables. Review of vector geometry. Partial differentiation, directional derivative. Extreme of functions of 2 or 3 variables. Parametric curves and arc length. Polar and spherical coordinates. Multiple integrals.
MCGILL complete current official course definition
MATH 223Linear Algebra3 credits
Review of matrix algebra, determinants and systems of linear equations. Vector spaces, linear operators and their matrix representations, orthogonality. Eigenvalues and eigenvectors, diagonalization of Hermitian matrices. Applications.
MCGILL complete current official course definition
MATH 247Honours Applied Linear Algebra3 credits
Matrix algebra, determinants, systems of linear equations. Abstract vector spaces, inner product spaces, Fourier series. Linear transformations and their matrix representations. Eigenvalues and eigenvectors, diagonalizable and defective matrices, positive definite and semidefinite matrices. Quadratic and Hermitian forms, generalized eigenvalue problems, simultaneous reduction of quadratic forms. Applications.
MCGILL complete current official course definition
MATH 315Ordinary Differential Equations3 credits
First order ordinary differential equations including elementary numerical methods. Linear differential equations. Laplace transforms. Series solutions.
MCGILL complete current official course definition
MATH 325Honours Ordinary Differential Equations3 credits
First and second order equations, linear equations, series solutions, Frobenius method, introduction to numerical methods and to linear systems, Laplace transforms, applications.
MCGILL complete current official course definition
PHYS 329Statistical Physics with Biophysical Applications3 credits
This interdisciplinary course introduces Statistical Physics illustrated with modern biophysical applications. Principles covered include partition functions, Boltzmann distribution, bosons, fermions, Bose Einstein condensates, Ferni gases, chemical potential, thermodynamical forces, biochemical kinetics, and an introduction to noise and phase transitions in biology.
MCGILL complete current official course definition
BMDE 519Biomedical Signals and Systems3 credits
An introduction to the theoretical framework, experimental techniques and analysis procedures available for the quantitative analysis of physiological systems and signals. Lectures plus laboratory work using the Biomedical Engineering computer system. Topics include: amplitude and frequency structure of signals, filtering, sampling, correlation functions, time and frequency-domain descriptions of systems.
MCGILL complete current official course definition
MATH 248Honours Vector Calculus3 credits
Partial derivatives and differentiation of functions in several variables; Jacobians; maxima and minima; implicit functions. Scalar and vector fields; orthogonal curvilinear coordinates. Multiple integrals; arc length, volume and surface area. Line and surface integrals; irrotational and solenoidal fields; Green's theorem; the divergence theorem. Stokes' theorem; and applications.
MCGILL complete current official course definition
MATH 314Advanced Calculus3 credits
Derivative as a matrix. Chain rule. Implicit functions. Constrained maxima and minima. Jacobians. Multiple integration. Line and surface integrals. Theorems of Green, Stokes and Gauss. Fourier series with applications.
MCGILL complete current official course definition
MATH 326Nonlinear Dynamics and Chaos3 credits
Linear systems of differential equations, linear stability theory. Nonlinear systems: existence and uniqueness, numerical methods, one and two dimensional flows, phase space, limit cycles, Poincare-Bendixson theorem, bifurcations, Hopf bifurcation, the Lorenz equations and chaos.
MCGILL complete current official course definition
MATH 437Mathematical Methods in Biology3 credits
The formulation and treatment of realistic mathematical models describing biological phenomena through qualitative and quantitative mathematical techniques (e.g. local and global stability theory, bifurcation analysis and phase plane analysis) and numerical simulation. Concrete and detailed examples will be drawn from molecular and cellular biology and mammalian physiology.
MCGILL complete current official course definition
PHGY 209Mammalian Physiology 13 credits
Physiology of body fluids, blood, body defense mechanisms, muscle, peripheral, central, and autonomic nervous systems.
MCGILL complete current official course definition
PHGY 210Mammalian Physiology 23 credits
Physiology of cardiovascular, respiratory, digestive, endocrine and renal systems.
MCGILL complete current official course definition
PHGY 212Introductory Physiology Laboratory 11 credits
Exercises illustrating fundamental principles in physiology: Biological Signals Acquisitions, Blood, Immunology, Neurophysiology, Neuromuscular Physiology.
MCGILL complete current official course definition
PHGY 213Introductory Physiology Laboratory 21 credits
Exercises illustrating fundamental principles in physiology: Central Nervous System, Cardiovascular, Respiration, Exercise Physiology, Molecular Endocrinology.
MCGILL complete current official course definition
PHGY 312Respiratory, Renal, and Cardiovascular Physiology3 credits
In-depth presentation of experimental results and hypotheses underlying our current understanding of topics in renal, respiratory and cardiovascular functions explored beyond the introductory level.
MCGILL complete current official course definition
PHGY 313Blood, Gastrointestinal, and Immune Systems Physiology3 credits
In-depth presentation of experimental results and hypotheses underlying our current understanding of topics in immunology, blood and fluids, and gastrointestinal physiology.
MCGILL complete current official course definition
PHGY 461D1Experimental Physiology4.5 credits
Individual project work under the supervision of Departmental Staff members.
MCGILL complete current official course definition
PHGY 461D2Experimental Physiology4.5 credits
See PHGY 461D1 for course description.
MCGILL complete current official course definition
PHYS 230Dynamics of Simple Systems3 credits
Translational motion under Newton's laws; forces, momentum, work/energy theorem. Special relativity; Lorentz transforms, relativistic mechanics, mass/energy equivalence. Topics in rotational dynamics. Noninertial frames.
MCGILL complete current official course definition
PHYS 232Heat and Waves3 credits
The laws of thermodynamics and their consequences. Thermodynamics of P-V-T systems and simple heat engines. Free, driven, and damped harmonic oscillators. Coupled systems and normal modes. Fourier methods. Wave motion and dispersion. The wave equation.
MCGILL complete current official course definition
PHYS 241Signal Processing3 credits
Linear circuit elements, resonance, network theorems, diodes, transistors, amplifiers, feedback, integrated circuits.
MCGILL complete current official course definition
PHYS 257Experimental Methods 13 credits
Introductory laboratory work and data analysis as related to mechanics, optics and thermodynamics. Introduction to computers as they are employed for laboratory work, for data analysis and for numerical computation. Previous experience with computers is an asset, but is not required.
MCGILL complete current official course definition
PHYS 258Experimental Methods 23 credits
Advanced laboratory work and data analysis as related to mechanics, optics and thermodynamics. Computers will be employed routinely for data analysis and for numerical computation, and, particularly, to facilitate the use of Fourier methods.
MCGILL complete current official course definition
PHYS 339Measurements Laboratory in General Physics3 credits
Introduction to modern techniques of measurement. The use of computers in performing and analysing experiments. Data reduction, statistical methods, report writing. Extensive use of computers is made in this laboratory; therefore some familiarity with computers and computing is an advantage.
MCGILL complete current official course definition
PHYS 340Majors Electricity and Magnetism3 credits
The electrostatic field and scalar potential. Dielectric properties of matter. Energy in the electrostatic field. Methods for solving problems in electrostatics. The magnetic field. Induction and inductance. Energy in the magnetic field. Magnetic properties of matter. Maxwell's equations. The dipole approximation.
MCGILL complete current official course definition
PHYS 346Majors Quantum Physics3 credits
De Broglie waves, Bohr atom. Schroedinger equation, wave functions, observables. One dimensional potentials. Schroedinger equation in three dimensions. Angular momentum, hydrogen atom. Spin, experimental consequences.
MCGILL complete current official course definition
PHGY 311Channels, Synapses and Hormones3 credits
In-depth presentation of experimental results and hypotheses on cellular communication in the nervous system and the endocrine system.
MCGILL complete current official course definition
PHGY 314Integrative Neuroscience3 credits
In depth presentation of experimental results and hypotheses underlying our current understanding of how single neurons and ensembles of neurons encode sensory information, generate movement, and control cognitive functions such as emotion, learning, and memory, during voluntary behaviours.
MCGILL complete current official course definition
PHYS 519Advanced Biophysics3 credits
An advanced biophysics course, with a special emphasis on stochastic and out of equilibrium physical processes in living matter.
MCGILL complete current official course definition

Elective choices

Approved course menus and remaining elective space depend on the chosen major, Liberal program or honours route. McGill permits up to six credits per year and 18 credits in total outside Arts and Science, with named program exceptions.

Study locations

Published academic-unit location: The 2026–27 catalogue lists the Science Office for Undergraduate Student Advising in Frank Dawson Adams Building, room 23, ground level, at 3450 University Street. SOUSA serves both BSc and BA & Sc degrees. This is a degree-advising office; individual teaching rooms are separate.Mcgill: named science-biophysical academic-unit location