Note: This is the 2010–2011 edition of the eCalendar. Update the year in your browser's URL bar for the most recent version of this page, or click here to jump to the newest eCalendar.
Program Requirements
Students who need 97-120 credits to complete their degree requirements will normally be registered in the Science Freshman Program until they complete their first year. They must consult an adviser in the Science Office for Undergraduate Student Advising (SOUSA) to obtain advice and approval of their course selection. Full details are available on the SOUSA website at . Academic advising is also available by email. The address is newstudentadvising.science [at] mcgill.ca.
Students normally complete 30 credits which must include at least seven courses from the list of Approved Freshman Science Courses, selected as follows:
General Math and Science Breadth
Six of the Freshman courses to satisfy one of the following:
Option 1) 2 courses from MATH and 4 courses from BIOL, CHEM or PHYS;
or
Option 2) 3 courses from MATH and 3 courses from BIOL, CHEM or PHYS.
Science Complementary
The seventh course is chosen from the list of Approved Freshman Science Courses.
Notes:
1. Students who have not studied all of Biology, Chemistry, and Physics at the grade 12 level or equivalent are strongly advised to include at least one course in the missing discipline in their Freshman Program.
2. Many students will complete more than seven courses from the Approved Freshman Science Courses list, particularly those who wish to leave several options open for their choice of major.
3. Students entering the Freshman Program should be aware of the department specific requirements when selecting their courses. Detailed advising information is available at .
4. The maximum number of courses per term, required, complementary, and elective, is five.
5. Some medical and dental schools have specific freshman course requirements. Check the admission requirements of the school(s) to which you intend to apply.
List of approved Freshman Science Courses
Select the approved courses according to the instructions above.
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BIOL 111 Principles: Organismal Biology (3 credits)
Overview
Biology (Sci) : An introduction to the phylogeny, structure, function and adaptation of unicellular organisms, plants and animals in the biosphere.
Terms: Fall 2010
Instructors: Gregory-Eaves, Irene; Dhindsa, Rajinder S; Seizilles de Mazancourt, Claire (Fall)
- Fall
- 2 hours lecture and 3 hours laboratory
- Restriction: Not open to students who have taken CEGEP objective 00UK or equivalent; or BIOL 115.
- This course serves as an alternative to CEGEP objective code 00UK
- May require departmental approval.
- Open to all students wishing introductory biology.
- Attendance at first lab is mandatory to confirm registration in the course.
- This class will use a Student Response System (clicker) which can be obtained from the Bookstore.
-
BIOL 112 Cell and Molecular Biology (3 credits)
Overview
Biology (Sci) : The cell: ultrastructure, division, chemical constituents and reactions. Bioenergetics: photosynthesis and respiration. Principles of genetics, the molecular basis of inheritance and biotechnology.
Terms: Winter 2011
Instructors: Dent, Joseph Alan; Vogel, Jacalyn (Winter)
- Winter
- 2 hours lecture and 3.5 hours laboratory/seminar
- Restriction: Not open to students who have taken or are taking CEGEP objective 00XU or equivalent; or BIOL 115; or AEBI 122
- Attendance at first lab is mandatory to confirm registration in the course.
-
CHEM 110 General Chemistry 1 (4 credits)
Overview
Chemistry : A study of the fundamental principles of atomic structure, radiation and nuclear chemistry, valence theory, coordination chemistry, and the periodic table.
Terms: Fall 2010
Instructors: Butler, Ian Sydney; Fenster, Ariel; Kakkar, Ashok K; Gauthier, Jean-Marc (Fall)
- Fall
- Prerequisites/corequisites: College level mathematics and physics or permission of instructor; CHEM 120 is not a prerequisite
- Each lab section is limited enrolment
-
CHEM 115 Accelerated General Chemistry: Giants in Science (4 credits) *
Overview
Chemistry : An advanced combined version of CHEM 110 and CHEM 120 that will emphasize developments in the chemical sciences that changed the way nature was understood, focusing, where possible, on examples that led to Nobel Prizes.
Terms: Fall 2010
Instructors: Gauthier, Jean-Marc (Fall)
- Fall
- Prerequisite: Grade 12 Chemistry
- Corequisites: PHYS 131 and MATH 140 or 150
- Restrictions: Enrollment is restricted to students who have obtained a grade greater than 95% in their high school university preparatory chemistry course (e.g., the Ontario Grade 12 University Preparation Chemistry Course [SCH4U]). Not open to students who are taking or have taken CHEM 110 or CHEM 120.
- Note: CHEM 115 and (CHEM 110 plus CHEM 120) are considered equivalent from a prerequisite point of view. If you are planning on applying to medical school, note that some medical schools require applicants to have two general chemistry courses; at McGill you would have to take an additional physical chemistry course like CHEM 204 or equivalent to meet this requirement.
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CHEM 120 General Chemistry 2 (4 credits) *
Overview
Chemistry : A study of the fundamental principles of physical chemistry.
Terms: Winter 2011
Instructors: Gauthier, Jean-Marc; Fenster, Ariel; Mittermaier, Anthony; Siwick, Bradley (Winter)
- Winter
- Prerequisites/corequisites: College level mathematics and physics, or permission of instructor: CHEM 110 is not a prerequisite
- Each lab section is limited enrolment
-
COMP 202 Introduction to Computing 1 (3 credits)
Overview
Computer Science (Sci) : Overview of components of microcomputers, the internet design and implementation of programs using a modern high-level language, an introduction to modular software design and debugging. Programming concepts are illustrated using a variety of application areas.
Terms: Fall 2010, Winter 2011, Summer 2011
Instructors: Petitpas, Mathieu; Frydrychowicz, Maja (Fall) Frydrychowicz, Maja; Pomerantz, Daniel (Winter) Pomerantz, Daniel (Summer)
- 3 hours
- Prerequisite: a CEGEP level mathematics course
- Restrictions: COMP 202 and COMP 208 cannot both be taken for credit. COMP 202 is intended as a general introductory course, while COMP 208 is intended for students interested in scientific computation. COMP 202 cannot be taken for credit with or after COMP 250
-
ESYS 104 The Earth System (3 credits)
Overview
Earth System Science : Earth system science examines the complex interactions among the atmosphere, biosphere, geosphere and hydrosphere. It focuses on physical, chemical, and biological processes that extend over spatial scales ranging from microns to the size of planetary orbits, and spans time scales from fractions of a second to billions of years.
Terms: Winter 2011
Instructors: Minarik, William; Fabry, Frederic; Lapointe, Michel F (Winter)
- Winter
- 3 hours lecture
- Restriction: Not open to students who are taking or have taken ATOC 104 or GEOG 104 or EPSC 104.
-
MATH 133 Linear Algebra and Geometry (3 credits)
Overview
Mathematics & Statistics (Sci) : 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; quadratic loci in two and three dimensions.
Terms: Fall 2010, Winter 2011, Summer 2011
Instructors: Kelome, Djivede; Anderson, William J; Loveys, James G; Shahabi, Shahab; Clay, Adam (Fall) Kelome, Djivede; Anderson, William J (Winter) Palka, Karol (Summer)
- Prerequisite: a course in functions
- Restriction: Not open to students who have taken MATH 221 or CEGEP objective 00UQ or equivalent.
- Restriction Note B: Not open to students who have taken or are taking MATH 123, MATH 130 or MATH 131, except by permission of the Department of Mathematics and Statistics.
-
PSYC 100 Introduction to Psychology (3 credits)
Overview
Psychology : Introduction to the scientific study of mind and behavior, including basic concepts and methods in psychology while also highlighting the relevance of psychology to everyday life; attachment, aggression, depression, parenting and personality change.
Terms: Fall 2010, Summer 2011
Instructors: Levitin, Daniel (Fall) Pruessner, Jens (Summer)
- 2 lectures; 1 conference
- Restriction: Not open to students who have passed an Introductory Psychology course in CEGEP: 350-101 or 350-102 or equivalent
* CHEM 115 is not open to students who are taking or have taken CHEM 110 or CHEM 120.
* CHEM 120 is not open to students who have taken CHEM 115.
First calculus course, one of:
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MATH 139 Calculus 1 with Precalculus (4 credits)
Overview
Mathematics & Statistics (Sci) : Review of trigonometry and other Precalculus topics. Limits, continuity, derivative. Differentiation of elementary functions. Antidifferentiation. Applications.
Terms: Fall 2010
Instructors: Hundemer, Axel W; Drury, Stephen W (Fall)
- Fall
- 4 hours lecture; 1 hour tutorial
- Prerequisite: a course in functions
- Restriction: Not open to students who have taken CEGEP objective 00UN or equivalent.
- Restriction Note B: Not open to students who have taken or are taking MATH 122, except by permission of the Department of Mathematics and Statistics.
- Students continue in MATH 141
- Each Tutorial section is enrolment limited
-
MATH 140 Calculus 1 (3 credits)
Overview
Mathematics & Statistics (Sci) : Review of functions and graphs. Limits, continuity, derivative. Differentiation of elementary functions. Antidifferentiation. Applications.
Terms: Fall 2010, Winter 2011, Summer 2011
Instructors: Drury, Stephen W; Trudeau, Sidney; Shahabi, Shahab (Fall) Hundemer, Axel W (Winter)
- 3 hours lecture, 1 hour tutorial
- Prerequisite: High School Calculus
- Restriction: Not open to students who have taken MATH 120, MATH 139 or CEGEP objective 00UN or equivalent
- Restriction: Not open to students who have taken or are taking MATH 122 or MATH 130 or MATH 131, except by permission of the Department of Mathematics and Statistics
- Each Tutorial section is enrolment limited
-
MATH 150 Calculus A (4 credits)
Overview
Mathematics & Statistics (Sci) : Functions, limits and continuity, differentiation, L'Hospital's rule, applications, Taylor polynomials, parametric curves, functions of several variables.
Terms: Fall 2010
Instructors: Roth, Charles (Fall)
- Fall
- 3 hours lecture, 2 hours tutorial
- Students with no prior exposure to vector geometry are advised to take MATH 133 concurrently. Intended for students with high school calculus who have not received six advanced placement credits
- Restriction: Not open to students who have taken CEGEP objective 00UN or equivalent
- Restriction Note B: Not open to students who have taken or are taking MATH 122 or MATH 130 or MATH 131, except by permission of the Department of Mathematics and Statistics
- MATH 150 and MATH 151 cover the material of MATH 139, MATH 140, MATH 141, MATH 222
Second calculus course, one of:
-
MATH 141 Calculus 2 (4 credits)
Overview
Mathematics & Statistics (Sci) : The definite integral. Techniques of integration. Applications. Introduction to sequences and series.
Terms: Fall 2010, Winter 2011, Summer 2011
Instructors: Trudeau, Sidney (Fall) Sancho, Neville G F; Drury, Stephen W; Trudeau, Sidney (Winter)
- Prerequisites: MATH 139 or MATH 140 or MATH 150.
- Restriction: Not open to students who have taken MATH 121 or CEGEP objective 00UP or equivalent
- Restriction Note B: Not open to students who have taken or are taking MATH 122 or MATH 130 or MATH 131, except by permission of the Department of Mathematics and Statistics.
- Each Tutorial section is enrolment limited
-
MATH 151 Calculus B (4 credits)
Overview
Mathematics & Statistics (Sci) : Integration, methods and applications, infinite sequences and series, power series, arc length and curvature, multiple integration.
Terms: Winter 2011
Instructors: Roth, Charles (Winter)
- Winter
- 3 hours lecture; 2 hours tutorial
- Each Tutorial section is enrolment limited
- Prerequisite: MATH 150
- Restriction: Not open to students who have taken CEGEP objective 00UP or equivalent
- Restriction: Not open to students who have taken or are taking MATH 122 or MATH 130 or MATH 131, except by permission of the Department of Mathematics and Statistics
- Restriction: Not open to students who have taken MATH 152
First physics course, one of:
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PHYS 101 Introductory Physics - Mechanics (4 credits)
Overview
Physics : An introductory course in physics without calculus, covering mechanics (kinematics, dynamics, energy, and rotational motion), oscillations and waves, sound, light, and geometrical optics.
Terms: Fall 2010
Instructors: Ragan, Kenneth J (Fall)
- Fall
- 3 hours lectures; 2 hours laboratory; tutorial sessions
- Restriction: Not open to students taking or having taken PHYS 131, CEGEP objective 00UR or equivalent
- Laboratory sections have limited enrolment
-
PHYS 131 Mechanics and Waves (4 credits)
Overview
Physics : The basic laws and principles of Newtonian mechanics; oscillations and waves.
Terms: Fall 2010
Instructors: Ragan, Kenneth J (Fall)
- Fall
- 3 hours lectures; 1 hour tutorial, 3 hours laboratory in alternate weeks; tutorial sessions
- Corequisite: MATH 139 or higher level calculus course.
- Restriction: Not open to students taking or having taken PHYS 101, CEGEP objective 00UR or equivalent
- Laboratory sections have limited enrolment
Second physics course, one of:
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PHYS 102 Introductory Physics - Electromagnetism (4 credits)
Overview
Physics : Electric field and potential. D.C. circuits and measurements. Capacitance. Magnetic field and induction. A.C. circuits Semiconductor devices and their application. Electromagnetic waves.
Terms: Winter 2011
Instructors: Altounian, Zaven (Winter)
- Winter
- 3 hours lectures; 2 hours laboratory; tutorial sessions
- Prerequisite: PHYS 101.
- Corequisite: MATH 139 or higher level calculus course.
- Restriction: Not open to students taking or having taken PHYS 142, CEGEP objective 00UR or equivalent
- Laboratory sections have limited enrolment
-
PHYS 142 Electromagnetism and Optics (4 credits)
Overview
Physics : The basic laws of electricity and magnetism; geometrical and physical optics.
Terms: Winter 2011
Instructors: Miyahara, Yoichi (Winter)
- Winter
- 3 hours lectures, 3 hours laboratory in alternate weeks; tutorial sessions
- Prerequisite: PHYS 131.
- Corequisite: MATH 141 or higher level calculus course.
- Restriction: Not open to students taking or having taken PHYS 102, CEGEP objective 00UR or equivalent
- Laboratory sections have limited enrolment
Electives
Students wishing to take elective courses may choose them from introductory courses offered by departments in the Faculties of Science or of Arts. A list of recommended courses is found at . Certain courses offered by other faculties may also be taken, but some restrictions apply. Consult the SOUSA website at for more information about taking courses from other faculties.
Faculty of Science—2010-2011 (last updated Jan. 19, 2011) (disclaimer)