Joint Major in Computer Science & Biology
(69-73 credits)

 

Life Sciences are becoming increasingly quantitative and analytical, and integrative.

This program will train students to the fundamentals of Biology – with a focus on molecular biology – and will give them the computational and mathematical skills needed to handle and analyze large biological datasets.

The program fills an important gap in the undergraduate programs at McGill, as no existing program allows students to get a solid training in these tow increasingly interconnected fields.

Advising notes for U0 students: It is highly recommended that freshman BIOL, CHEM, MATH and PHYS courses be selected with an advisor to ensure they meet the core requirements of the COMP-BIO program.


Required MATH Courses (6 Credits):

Credits
Department
Courses
Course Title
3
Mathematics
MATH 222
Calculus 3
3
MATH 223
Linear Algebra



Required COMP Courses (12, 15 OR 16 CREDITS):

Credits
Department
Courses
Course Title
3
Computer Science
COMP 202
Introduction to Computing 1*
COMP 206
Introduction to Software Systems
COMP 250
Introduction to Computer Science
COMP 251
Data Structure and Algorithms
COMP 462
Computational Biology Methods
or COMP 561
Computational Biology Methods and Research
*Students who have sufficient knowledge in a programming language are not required to take COMP 202


Required BIOL/CHEM Courses (20 CREDITS):

Credits
Department
Courses
Course Title
3
Biology
BIOL 200
Molecular Biology
3
BIOL 201
Cell Biology and Metabolism
3
BIOL 202
Basic Genetics
3
BIOL 215
Introduction to Ecology and Evolution
4
BIOL 301
Cell and Molecular Laboratory
4
Chemistry
CHEM 212
Introductory Organic Chemistry 1


Required JOINT Courses(4 CREDITS):

Credits
Department
Courses
Course Title
3
Computer Science
COMP 401
Project in Biology & Computer Science
1
COMP 499
Undergraduate Bioinformatics Seminar


Complementary Courses (27 CREDITS)
6 credits from the following:

Credits
Department
Courses
Course Title
3
Biology
BIOL 309
Mathematical Models in Biology
3
and BIOL 373
Biometry
OR
  
3
Mathematics
MATH 323
Probability
3
and MATH 324
Statistics
OR
3
MATH 203
Principles of Statistics 1
3
and MATH 204
Principles of Statistics 2

At least 21 credits from the following lists with the following two requirements:
 
(1) At least 9 credits from each of the two blocks
(2) At least 9 credits at the 400 level or above
(2) At least 3 credits at the 400 level or above from each block
Computer Science Block
Credits
Department
Courses
Course Title
3
Biology
MATH 240
Discrete Structures 1
3
COMP 273
Introduction to Computer Systems
3
COMP 302
Programming Languages and Paradigm
3
COMP 303
Software Development
3
COMP 304
Object Oriented Software Design
3
COMP 310
Operating Systems
3
COMP 330
Theoretical aspects: Computer Science
3
COMP 335
Software Engineering Methods
3
COMP 350
Numerical Computing
3
COMP 360
Algorithm Design Techniques

All COMP courses at the 400-level (except 401, 499 and 462) and all courses at the 500-level (except 561)
Biology Block
Credits
Department
Courses
Course Title
3
Biology
BIOL 300
Molecular Biology of the Gene
3
BIOL 309
Mathematical Models in Biology
3
BIOL 310
Large Scale Ecology
3
BIOL 313
Eukaryotic Cell Biology
1
BIOL 395
Quantitative Biology Seminar 1
3
BIOL 435
Natural Selection
1
BIOL 495
Quantitative Biology Seminar 2
3
BIOL 518
Advanced Topics in Cell Biology
3
BIOL 551
Molecularl Biology: Cell Cycle
3
BIOL 568
Topics of the Human Genome
3
BIOL 569
Developmental Evolution
3
BIOL 572
Molecular Evolution
3
BIOL 583
Advanced Biometry


Program coordinators: Bettina Kemme, Derek Ruths (Computer Science) and Jackie Vogel (Biology)