Department Information
Student enquiries: 403.220.8600
Department Office: Biological Sciences 186
Website: science.ucalgary.ca/biological-sciences

Ethics in the Biological Sciences

Studies in the Biological Sciences involve the use of living and dead organisms. Students taking laboratory- and field-based courses in these disciplines can expect involvement with and experimentation on such materials. Students perform dissections on dead or preserved organisms in some courses. In particular courses, students experiment on living organisms, their tissues, cells, or molecules. Sometimes field work requires students to collect a variety of living materials by many methods, including humane trapping.

All work on humans and other animals conforms to the Helsinki Declaration and to the regulations of the Canadian Council on Animal Care. The Department strives for the highest ethical standards consistent with stewardship of the environment for organisms whose use is not governed by statutory authority. Individuals contemplating taking courses or majoring in one of the fields of study offered by the Department of Biological Sciences should ensure that they have fully considered these issues before enrolling. Students are advised to discuss any concern they might have with the Associate Head, Undergraduates of the Department.