This program provides education in disciplines of the anatomical sciences (cell biology, developmental biology, and gross anatomy), physiology and pharmacology. These life science disciplines provide a comprehensive understanding of the functions and mechanisms of actions of the cells and major systems of the human body, and of the effects and mode of action of chemicals which modify the major systems of the body.

Options: Four-year or Honours degree

Please click here to view this program in the University Catalogue.

This program includes education in many of the major topics in neuroscience including molecular and cellular neuroscience, systems and sensory neuroscience, behavioural and cognitive neuroscience, neurophysiology and neuroanatomy.

Options: Four-year or Honours degree

Please click here to view this program in the University Catalogue.

This program which provides education in the areas the molecular and cellular approaches to the study of the life sciences including microbial physiology and pathogenesis, protein structure and function, molecular biology, microbial genetics, virology, tumour biology and cancer, immunology and immunopathogenesis.

Options: Four-year or Honours degree

Please click here to view this program in the University Catalogue.

The Departments of Anatomy, Physiology, and Pharmacology and Biochemistry, Microbiology, and Immunology offer this program that enables cutting-edge, multi-disciplinary training that positions graduates for careers in the biomedical sciences as well as health-related professions.

Options: Four-year or Honours degree

Please click here to view this program in the University Catalogue.

This program builds on the shared two-year biomedical sciences platform shared by all the biomedical science majors to provide students with a strong foundation of multi-disciplinary training while providing flexibility for initial specialization within a particular biomedical science. This program includes necessary courses for students prepared to enter into health-related professional schools not requiring a four-year degree such as Dentistry, Veterinary Medicine and Pharmacy.

Options: Three-year degree

Please click here to view this program in the University Catalogue.

This degree program is flexible and allows you to explore a wide range of subject areas. Below is a suggested first-year course schedule to help guide your planning:

^a Required course for the M4 Core Requirement - priority 1st year course(s)
^b Course from the Cognate Requirement - priority 1st year course(s)
^c Or other course listed under the Indigenous Learning Requirement could be chosen 
^d Or other course listed under the English Language Writing Requirement could be chosen
^e Or other course listed under the Breadth or Elective Requirement could be chosen

 The Course and Program Catalogue has the complete and official listing of required classes and their descriptions for this program.

This degree program is flexible and allows you to explore a wide range of subject areas. Below is a suggested second-year course schedule to help guide your planning:

^a Required course for the M4 Core Requirement - priority courses to be eligible to apply to a major
^b Or other course listed under the Quantitive Reasoning Requirement chould be chosen
^c Or other course listed under the Cognate, Breadth or Elective Requirements chooud be chosen

The Course and Program Catalogue has the complete and official listing of required classes and their descriptions for this program.

The M4 Core Requirements must be finished before a student can apply for a BSc (BMSC) major. 

The M4 Core Requirements (24 credit units) consist of the following classes: 

• BMSC 200.3 Biomolecules
• BMSC 207.3 Human Body Systems I
• BMSC 208.3 Human Body Systems II
• BMSC 210.3 Microbiology
• BMSC 220.3 Cell Biology
• BMSC 230.3 Metabolism
• BMSC 240.3 Laboratory Techniques
• CHEM 250.3 Introduction to Organic Chemistry

These classes must be finished before a student can apply for a BSc (BMSC) major. 

Eligibility for Transfer into the BSc (BMSC) Program

Arts & Science students who wish to transfer into the Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Sciences (BSc BMSC) program must meet the following requirements:

• A minimum grade of 50% in 3 credit units of 100-level or higher courses in each of the following subjects:
  • Biology (BIOL)
  • Chemistry (CHEM)
  • Physics (PHYS)
  • Mathematics (MATH)

If these university-level course requirements are not met at the time of transfer, students' high school grades will be considered. In that case, students must have a minimum average of 70% across the following high school courses:

• Biology 30
• Chemistry 30
• Physics 30
• Math Foundations 30

Arts and Science Biomedical Sciences Student Transfer form

Eligibility for a 3-year BSc (BMSC) Biomedical Foundations major (BMF)

To eligible for placement into the 3-year Biomedical Foundations (BMF) major, you must first be admitted into the BSc (BMSC) program. Upon admission, you will be automatically placed in the General major.

You can then apply to the BMF major at any time using the Arts & Science Student Inquiry Form.

Eligibility for a 4-Year BSc (BMSC) Major

To be eligible for placement into a 4-year major, you must complete the M4 Core Requirements (24 credit units) by April of the year you intend to enter the major. These courses are typically completed by the end of your second year.

M4 Core Courses:

• BMSC 200.3 – Biomolecules
• BMSC 207.3 – Human Body Systems I
• BMSC 208.3 – Human Body Systems II
• BMSC 210.3 – Microbiology
• BMSC 220.3 – Cell Biology
• BMSC 230.3 – Metabolism
• BMSC 240.3 – Laboratory Techniques
• CHEM 250.3 – Introduction to Organic Chemistry

Application Timeline

The application period runs annually from March 1 to April 30.
To apply for a major for the 2026–2027 academic year, you must submit your application by April 30, 2026.

After the deadline:

• Applications are reviewed for eligibility.
• If you apply to a major with limited capacity, your application will be ranked based on your average in the M4 Core courses.
• You will be notified of your placement in early May via your USask email.

The application for a major will be open from March 1st to April 30th, 2026

How do I apply for the 3-year BSc (BMSC) Biomedical Foundations major (BMF)?

To apply to the 3-year Biomedical Foundations (BMF) major, you must first be admitted into the BSc (BMSC) program. Upon admission, you will be automatically placed in the General major.

You can then apply to the BMF major at any time using the Arts & Science Student Inquiry Form.

How do I apply for a 4-year BSc (BMSC) major?

To be eligible for placement into a 4-year major, you must complete the M4 Core Requirements (24 credit units) by April of the year you intend to enter the major. These courses are typically completed by the end of your second year.

M4 Core Courses:

• BMSC 200.3 – Biomolecules
• BMSC 207.3 – Human Body Systems I
• BMSC 208.3 – Human Body Systems II
• BMSC 210.3 – Microbiology
• BMSC 220.3 – Cell Biology
• BMSC 230.3 – Metabolism
• BMSC 240.3 – Laboratory Techniques
• CHEM 250.3 – Introduction to Organic Chemistry

Application Timeline

The application period runs annually from March 1 to April 30.
To apply for a major for the 2026–2027 academic year, you must submit your application by April 30, 2026.

After the deadline:

• Applications are reviewed for eligibility.
• If you apply to a major with limited capacity, your application will be ranked based on your average in the M4 Core courses.
• You will be notified of your placement in early May via your USask email.

What if I started my program before 2020?

What if I don’t meet the requirements to choose a major?

You’re encouraged to apply for a BMSC major once you meet the eligibility criteria.

Are some majors limited in capacity?

Yes. The following majors have limited seats:

• Biomedical Neuroscience (BMNS) – 40 seats
• Interdisciplinary Biomedical Science (ID BMSC) – 40 seats

If demand exceeds capacity, eligible applicants will be ranked based on their average in the required courses. Top-ranked students will be placed in their first-choice major; others will be placed in their second choice.

Important: Do not register for third-year courses in BMNS or ID BMSC unless you’ve been officially accepted into the major.

Course Updates for 2026-2027  

(last updated February 19,2026)

This section highlights key changes to BMSC courses and programs for the 2026–2027 academic year, designed to support students in planning and registration

Cellular, Physiological and Pharmacological (CPPS) Announcements for 2026-2027  

(last updated February 19, 2026)

At this time, there are no new announcements to share.

Biomedical Neuroscience (BMNS)
Announcements for 2026-2027  

*These announcements are for students who have been officially accepted
into the BMNS major only. 

(last updated February 19, 2026)

At this time, there are no new announcements to share.

Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology (BMI) Announcements for 2026-2027  

(last updated February 19, 2026)

At this time, there are no new announcements to share.

Interdisciplinary Biomedical Sciences (ID BMSC) Announcements for 2026-2027  

*These announcements are for students who have been officially accepted
into the ID BMSC major only.

(last updated February 19, 2026)

At this time, there are no new announcements to share.

This information will help you choose the correct courses for your program requirements. The following new courses are accepted as equivalents to the past courses. Always read individual course details to note equivalencies and registration notes in the USASK catalogue.

Anatomy and Cell Biology (ACB) 
Announcements for 2026-2027  

The following notice applies to students enrolled in the BSc Anatomy and Cell Biology (ACB) program.

(last updated February 19, 2026)

At this time, there are no new announcements to share.

Biochemistry (BIOC)

Announcements for 2026-2027 

The following notice applies to students enrolled in the BSc Biochemistry (BIOC) program. 

(last updated February 19, 2026)

At this time, there are no new announcements to share.

Microbiology and Immunology (MCIM)
Announcements for 2026-2027  

The following notice applies to students enrolled in the BSc Microbiology and Immunology (MCIM) program. 

The BSc in MCIM is available only to students who began their program before 2020 and are currently declared in the MCIM major.  

(last updated February 19, 2026)

At this time, there are no new announcements to share.

Physiology & Pharmacology (PHPY)
Announcements for 2026-2027  

The following notice applies to students enrolled in the BSc Physiology and Pharmacology (PHPY) program.

The BSc in PHPY is available only to students who began their program before 2020 and are currently declared in the PHPY major.     

(last updated February 19, 2026)

At this time, there are no new announcements to share.

Eligibility:

To be eligible for admission to the Honours Program, students must meet the following requirements:

• Have completed a minimum of 60 credit units.
• Have an overall Cumulative Weighted Average (CWA) of at least 70%.
• Maintain a minimum average of 70% in their Honours subject area (M4 and M5 courses).

When to Apply:

• Students can apply after the above eligibility requirements are met.
• At the latest, students planning to take the Undergraduate Research course (CPPS 432.6, NEUR 432.6, or BMIS 489.6) must apply to the Honours Program by May 1st of the same year they intend to enroll in the course.

Admission Process:

• All Honours Program applications are processed by the Undergraduate Student Office in the College of Arts and Science.
• Students will be notified of their application status via their Usask email, typically by late June, prior to enrollment in the research course.

Course Registration:

• Students do not register for the Undergraduate Research course (CPPS 432.6, NEUR 432.6, or BMIS 489.6) during their regular registration window. Students will receive permission to register in the Undergraduate Research course (CPPS 432.6, NEUR 432.6, or BMIS 489.6) once admission to the Honours Program is confirmed and the BMSC Academic Advisor has been notified of their desired supervisor.
• Permissions are typically granted in July and August by the BSMC Academic Advisor.

Deadline:

• The deadline to apply to the Honours Program is May 1st: A&S Honours Application

Students planning to complete an Honours Program must independently secure a faculty supervisor to enroll in the Undergraduate Research course, which is typically completed in the final year of study.

Getting Started:

• Start early: Finding a supervisor can be competitive. Begin your search the year before you plan to take the course. The list of potential approved supervisors for each program is updated annually by October 15th. 
• Clarify your interests: Identify your research interests and explore the work of potential supervisors in your major.
• Use available resources: Refer to the Tips for Securing a Supervisor document for guidance on writing emails to potential supervisors.
• Interdisciplinary Biomedical Sciences (ID BMSC) students can choose between CPPS 432.6, NEUR 432.6 or BMIS 489.6.

After Securing a Supervisor:  

• For CPPS, BMNS, or ID BMSC students enrolling in CPPS 432.6 or NEUR 432.6:
  Email the BMSC Academic Advisor at bmscadvising@usask.ca to confirm your supervisor from the approved list.
• For BMIS or ID BMSC students enrolling in BMIS 489.6:
  Email the BMIS 489.6 course coordinator to supervisor approval. Once approved, the coordinator will notify the BMSC Academic Advisor.

The BMSC Academic Advisor will confirm supervisor approval, verify Honours Program acceptance, and grant registration permission for the research course. Permissions are typically issued in July and August.

Important Deadline:

Deadline to secure a supervisor for the 2026–2027 academic year: August 15, 2026

Before you start

Do your research. You should know:

1. What area of research do you want to pursue? Are there professors doing research in the area of interest to you? *Please note that this search function is designed for grad student searches and results may not reflect professors taking on honours students. It is still a great tool to help get started in your search.
   
2. You should identify one or two professors who are doing research in an area closely related to what you are interested in.

Preparation

The more specific you can be in your first email the better success you will have.

You should:

• Read the Professor's webpage;
• Check out any online publications that are available and read them;
• Inform yourself about the specifics of the program to which you want to apply. 

Writing Tips

Professors get dozens of emails from potential students. If you want to get your email noticed, you must give the professor the information they need, quickly, clearly, and professionally.

• Use proper titles – Dr. Smith;
• Keep your email short, just three paragraphs, no more than 250 words;
• Use complete sentences;
• Use spell check.

Key Parts

Introduce yourself: Tell the professor in two or three sentences who you are. State your degree level and your research area. Give a clear statement indicating that you meet the honours admission requirements which includes your average.

Example:

Dear Dr. Smith,
My name is XX XX and I am from the BMSC program. I am in my final year of my BMSC degree in XXXX with focus on intracellular sulfur transport system research. My GPA/average is 86%.

Make a connection and provide reasons to be considered: Use specific references to make a connection between the work that you have been doing and the research projects that the professor is working on. Important points to include:

• Papers, journal articles, either published, accepted or submitted.
• Conference papers given;
• Scholarships won

Example:

My current research interest is in host-pathogen interactions, and I have just submitted a co-authored article which was accepted by XXX. I have attached a brief research interest statement with more details. I was reading about recent work in structure and function of protein complexes on the website and it looks very interesting. I am interested in building upon my undergraduate experience and expanding my research into related areas. I have attached a copy of my C.V. for your review.

State your request; tell the professor what you are looking for.

Example:

I wish to begin the undergraduate research class (XXXX.6) in September YYYY and would be very interested in working under your supervision. I would appreciate if you could review the attached documents and let me know what the possibilities might be.  

*This information was taken and altered from: https://grad.usask.ca/admissions/tips-for-finding-a-supervisor.php

CPPS 432.6 Approved Supervisors for 2026-2027

Additional Approved Supervisors for CPPS 432.6

Working with a Supervisor Not on the Approved List
If a student wishes to work with a supervisor who is not listed on the Approved Supervisor List, the following conditions must be met:

1. A primary supervisor from the Approved Supervisor List must be secured to work alongside the unlisted supervisor.
2. Approval must be obtained from the course coordinator(s) to proceed with both supervisors.

Action Required:

To request approval, students must email the course coordinator(s) with:

• the names of both proposed supervisors
• a brief project description

Be sure to cc both supervisors in the email.

NEUR 432.6 Approved Supervisors for 2026-2027

BMIS 489.6 Approved Supervisors for 2026-2027

Subject to the nature of the proposed research project, supervisors listed under the Adjunct and Associate Faculty may be approved by the course coordinator(s). Additionally, supervisors external to the BMI Department may be considered, contingent upon the approval of the research project.

What the Biomedical Sciences Advisor Can Help With:

• Major-specific questions or concerns (M4 and M5 requirements)
• Navigating the Course and Program Catalogue
• Confirming program and degree requirements
• Understanding the application process for a major
• Choosing a major and selecting appropriate courses
• Planning course sequencing for competitive majors
• Navigating university policies and procedures
• Connecting you with educational supports
• Answering any other academic questions you may have

The BMSC academic advisor is not able to provide guidance on admission requirements for other programs, including questions about course substitutions, equivalent courses, and eligibility. For assistance with these matters, please contact the program you are interested in directly.

Appointment Format & Duration

• Advising appointments are available in-person or remotely
• Appointments are bookable Monday, Thursday and Friday.
• Each appointment is 30 minutes long, which is typically sufficient for most concerns
• If you have multiple topics to discuss, please book two back-to-back 30-minute slots (for a total of 60 minutes)

• Book an Academic Advising Appointment

What Arts and Science Advisors Can Help With:

• Questions or concerns outside of your major (M1, M2, M3, and M6 requirements)
• Navigating the Course and Program Catalogue
• Exploring majors, minors, and certificates
• Confirming program and degree requirements
• Attending group advising sessions on various academic topics
• Clarifying academic policies and procedures
• Submitting academic requests such as:
  • Appeals
  • Deferred exam requests
  • Visiting student requests
  • Second degree requirements
• Understanding faculty actions (e.g., required to discontinue, probation status)
• Creating plans for academic success, including course retake strategies
• Answering any other academic questions you may have

Booking an Appointment

• The Undergraduate Student Office (UGSO) offers in-person and remote advising appointments.
• To book, log into PAWS, go to Arts and Science Students, and click on Advising Appointments.
• Appointments can be scheduled up to 7 days in advance during regular office hours: Monday to Friday
• Evening appointments are available on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM (CST)

Office Hours (UGSO)

• Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday: 8:30 AM – 4:00 PM (CST)
• Wednesday: 9:30 AM – 4:00 PM (CST)

Drop-In Advising (Arts 265)

Available on a first-come, first-served basis:

• Monday, Wednesday, Friday from 9:30 am to 12:30 pm
• Tuesdays & Thursdayfrom 12:00 pm to 3:00 pm

Quick Questions?

If you’re unable to visit Arts 265:

• Call UGSO: 306-966-4231 (Toll-free: 1-844-966-4231)
• Or submit a ticket to the online service desk