Welcome to Biology at Waterloo

Biology is the study of living organisms: their structure, function, organization, origin, and evolution.

As a biologist, you’ll have career options that span a wide range of professions, including laboratory and field research, environmental assessment, the health professions, education, and industry. By choosing one of our areas of specialization (no longer available after Fall 2020), such as Animal Physiology, Ecology and Environmental Biology, Microbiology, Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, or Plant Biology, you can better prepare yourself for these exciting career opportunities.

Our Biology program is versatile, allowing you to complement your Genetics, Cell Biology, Physiology, Ecology, Plant Biology, and Human Anatomy courses with studies from the arts, humanities, languages, and mathematics areas. Related labs, tutorial sessions, and field trips provide hands-on experience in a wide range of biological disciplines.

The Department of Biology offers undergraduate degrees in Bioinformatics, Biomedical Sciences (formerly Pre-Optometry/Pre-Health), Honours Biochemistry, Honours Biochemistry/Biotechnology (Regular and Co-op), Honours Environmental Sciences (Ecology Specialization) and Honours Biology (Regular and Co-op). View the degrees and programs. More information about our graduate programs is available on our graduate program site.

Learn more about the Department of Biology's vision/strategic plan.

News

  1. Feb. 16, 2023Q and A with the experts: Bird flu spillover to mammals a cause for concern
    Flock of ducks

    The World Health Organization recently stated that the spillover to mammals of H5N1 influenza—commonly known as bird flu—should be monitored closely, and we need to be prepared to face infection in humans. Dr. Christine Dupont, a continuing lecturer in the Department of Biology at the University of Waterloo, is an expert on infectious disease in animals. 

  2. Feb. 11, 2023Biology Prof. Julie Messier talks about women in STEM with Plus TFO
    Plus_tfo_interview-banner

  3. Feb. 7, 2023MSc Student, Joud Abu Farah, Wins Best Poster at Toronto's Wastewater Surveillance Conference
    Joud Abu Farah posting with best poster award at Toronto's Wastewater Surveillance Conference

    Congratulations to Joud Abu Farah, Master of Science (MSc) Biology Candidate and part of the Servos Research Group, for winning the Best Poster Award at Toronto's Wastewater Surveillance Conference!

Read all news

Events

  1. Mar. 28, 2023EcoEvo Journal Club

    W2023 edition

    Join us to discuss selected papers with the Waterloo Ecology & Evolution community. Meetings are hybrid on Tuesdays 1-2 pm.

    Everyone is welcome. All career stages and all departments.

    Meetings are hybrid: 

    In person: B2-256 (room for up to 6 people)

    On Zoom: https://uwaterloo.zoom.us/j/95810844043?pwd=aEFnMnA2amdtbmNqK082RklkbU5DUT09

  2. Mar. 31, 2023Biology Seminar Series

    In person:

    STC 0010 

    On Zoom: 

    https://uwaterloo.zoom.us/j/2905784835?pwd=RjgzNTg4c0x4bGNnL0o4OENLeXNEdz09
    Meeting ID: 290 578 4835
    Passcode: 004681

    _____________________________________________________

    Jan 20 

    Dr. Courtney Toth, University of Toronto

    Microbial anaerobic degradation of BTEX

  3. Apr. 11, 2023EcoEvo Journal Club

    W2023 edition

    Join us to discuss selected papers with the Waterloo Ecology & Evolution community. Meetings are hybrid on Tuesdays 1-2 pm.

    Everyone is welcome. All career stages and all departments.

    Meetings are hybrid: 

    In person: B2-256 (room for up to 6 people)

    On Zoom: https://uwaterloo.zoom.us/j/95810844043?pwd=aEFnMnA2amdtbmNqK082RklkbU5DUT09

All upcoming events