Biology (Co-op and Regular)
- About
- Beyond the classroom
- Specializations
- First year courses
- Upper year courses
- Co-op
- Beyond University of Waterloo
- Important information
About
One of the most rapidly developing areas of science, biology is the key to understanding the health and growth of microorganisms, plants, and animals. The study of biology can lead to careers in many fields, including medicine and other health professions, agriculture, law, laboratory and field research, education, resource management, and industry.
Beyond the classroom
After second year, you can choose a specialization and focus your degree in one area to suit your own career aspirations. In the upper years, you'll work in state-of-the-art labs with specialized equipment that may involve examining microorganisms for hormone function, analyzing molecules, and isolating and cloning genes. Some courses include field trips to New Brunswick, Jamaica, Algonquin Park, and other exciting locations.
Specializations
As a biology major, you can choose to focus your studies in one of the following specializations: animal physiology, environmental biology, biotechnology, molecular genetics, microbiology, or plant biology.
*please note that specializations and their requirements may change from year to year. Check the current undergraduate studies calendar for accurate listings.
First year courses
Waterloo's Honours Biology program offers extensive lab experience in the first two years to help you develop skills in sterile techniques, dissecting, research, design, and results analysis.
First-year courses you'll take:
| Fall term | Winter term |
|---|---|
|
BIOL 110: Introductory Zoology One of: MATH 114: Linear Algebra; MATH 127: Calculus 1 for the Sciences; orPHYS 111: Physics 1 |
BIOL 120: Plant Structure and Function BIOL 165: Diversity of Life (currently listed as BIOL 265) CHEM 123/123L: Chemical Reactions, Equilibria and Kinetics/Lab Two electives |
Upper year courses
Beginning in second year, you'll begin to take specialized courses in the Honours Biology program. You can focus your studies in an area of specialization or choose to keep your courses broad. Our Biology Department offers over 80 courses to choose from with topics ranging from human anatomy to microbiology.
Biology course descriptions and requirements, are found in the undergraduate Calendar.
Co-op
What is co-op?
In the second term of your second year, you are able to begin a co-op job. You will complete 4 months of co-op, then return for 4 months of school. This pattern will continue the rest of your stay at University of Waterloo.
For more information visit the Co-operative Education website.
Co-op students at work
- Forensics Technician, Canada Customs And Revenue Agency
- Research Assistant, Harvard University
- Biopolymer Technician, Dalton Chemical Laboratories Inc.
- Viral Lab Research Assistant, Health & Welfare Canada Communications
- Organic Synthetic Chemist, Torcan Chemical Ltd.
- Biotechnology Researcher, National Research Council
See what other jobs students have had.
Biology co-op earnings
| work term | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| earnings/week (avg $) | 545 | 585 | 619 | 661 | 673 |
Beyond University of Waterloo
Because our biology program emphasizes research and computer skills, employers find that our students are valuable team members who quickly learn new techniques and who are able to quickly problem solve.
What our grads are doing now
- DNA Forensic Technologist, The Centre for Forensic Sciences
- Microbiologist, Novocol Pharmaceutical of Canada Inc.
- Regulatory Affairs Officer, Procter & Gamble
- Toxicologist, Environment Canada
- Product Development Chemist, 3M of Canada Ltd.
Other careers students are following can be found in our Carrers in Science website.
Important information
Information on admission requirements, financing and housing, is found in our Admission website.
