Faculty: Faculty of Science
Degree options:
The Department of Biology at Mount Allison strives to provide students with opportunities for hands-on learning, including research and laboratory experience.
First-year courses include studies of introductory organismal and cell biology, as well as biochemistry. In second year, material divides into ecology, genetics and evolution, statistics, and a series of form and function courses.
Upper-year courses allow students to explore topics such as:
- marine biology
- aquaculture
- developmental biology
- applied genetics
- environmental microbiology
- ornithology
- animal and human physiology
- applied and theoretical ecology
Faculty are actively involved in research, and there are many opportunities for students 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 and ecology
- neurophysiology
- environmental animal physiology
- fish ecology
- molecular genetics
- marine botany
- field ecology
- ornithology
Find a list of specific biology courses in the academic calendar – biology.
NEW! Undergraduate certificates
Undergraduate certificates are open to Mount Allison students in any program of study. Certificates (12-18 credits) are taken during your Mount Allison degree, and must be combined with a major/degree program. Certificates available in the field of biology:
- Certificate in Biopsychology
Includes courses in biology and psychology providing students with foundational knowledge about the physiological basis for behaviour.
- Certificate in Foundations of Health
Provides students with foundational knowledge about the biological and psychological bases of health and health care — beneficial to students planning a career in health care, including medicine, nursing, allied health care professions, health policy, and biomedical research.
Not sure about the difference between a major, a minor, an honours, and a certificate?
Popular career paths for biology graduates include:
- medical professional
- health policy analyst
- medical researcher
- zoologist/veterinarian
- epidemiologist
- wildlife/aquatic biologist
- environmental biologist
- microbiologist
- government research scientist
- education professional
Alumni spotlight
Gretchen Lescord ('09)
Bachelor of Science, honours biology
Postdoctoral researcher, Wildlife Conservation Society and Laurentian University
"I’ve been fortunate to conduct research and also gain some teaching
assistant experience throughout my degrees, starting at Mount Allison. I worked with Dr. Ron Aiken and others as an undergrad and
this experience helped prepare me for future work with my master’s and
PhD.”
John Gunn ('87)
Bachelor of Science, honours biology
Canada Research Chair in Stressed Aquatic Systems at Laurentian University, Director of the Vale Living with Lakes Centre
"I really enjoyed research [at Mount Allison]. My professor encouraged me to pursue research and gave me the opportunity to work in the field... my first project was on freshwater clams in marsh lakes."
» Living with lakes — Gretchen Lescord ('09) and Dr. John Gunn ('73) join forces in environmental research around Canada's Nickel Belt
“What I love the most about the biology program at Mount Allison is the small class sizes and accessibility of research. Small class sizes allow biology professors to know you by name, so approaching a professor for extra help or clarification is stress-free, welcomed, and encouraged.
As well, the research opportunities are accessible and interesting. Even in first year, research projects are part of the lab sections of courses and in the upper years it is possible to do independent research with professors through independent studies or the honours program. If you're passionate about biology, enjoy critical thinking and problem-solving, and like to be in a close-knit community, Mount Allison is a great choice!”
Julia Bland (’19)
Honours biology, minor in biochemistry
Avonport, NS
“One of the very best things about the biology program at Mount
Allison would have to be the enthusiasm of all of the professors. The
willingness of these professionals to help students as well as to accept
input for continued program improvement certainly creates a dynamic
learning environment.
I have had professors who are so excited to be
teaching a particular course in their area of expertise that they
literally cannot stay still while lecturing! With this infectious
enthusiasm it’s almost impossible to not become passionate about the
courses you’re enrolled in.”
Kelsey Eatmon ('14)
Biology,
minor in sociology
Moncton, NB
“One of my favourite things about this program is the opportunities available for research. I think that in my undergraduate degree it is very important to be doing science and not just learning about it, and I am so grateful to have the opportunity to do actual research projects in my third year. It’s really amazing to think that you are testing something that no one else has tried, and that your findings can contribute to the larger science community.”
Corey Filiaggi ('14)
Honours biology, minor in biochemistry
Hammonds Plains, NS
Facilities
- The Harold Crabtree Aqualab: Centre for Aquatic Sciences
The Aqualab is a state-of-the art aquatic facility marrying field-based
aquatic research with lab-based studies reflecting real-world
environmental conditions. The Aqualab gives us a unique opportunity to
understand how aquatic animals cope with ecologically relevant changes
in temperature, salinity, oxygen and exposure to contaminants. Moreover,
it provides a fertile training facility for students, faculty, and
visiting scientists.
- Digital Microscopy Facility
The Digital Microscopy Facility (DMF) houses microscopy and microanalysis instrumentation which is available for use by Mount Allison faculty and students, and includes a scanning electron microscope, an energy dispersive spectrometry (EDS) system, and a 3D printer, among other equipment.
- Environmental Analysis and Stable Isotope Laboratory
The Environmental Analysis and Stable Isotope Laboratory (EASIL) hosts a growing suite of instrumentation for quantitative analyses of environmental processes. The facility personnel have expertise in compositional analyses of a wide range of biological and environmental samples, from bird feathers to mudflat sediment.
Get involved
It's easy to get involved outside the classroom with these student-run clubs and societies:
- Atlantic Wildlife Institute MtA
- Biology Society
- Health Care Outreach MtA
- Women in Science
Dr. Vett Lloyd