Department of Biology

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, 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. Aug. 15, 2018Waterloo scientists awarded $2 million in NSERC Strategic Partnership GrantsMichael Power, Trevor Charles, Juewen Liu.

    Three researchers from the Faculty of Science received more than $2 million in Strategic Partnership Research Grants from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) last week. Recipients included Professors Michael Power and Trevor Charles from the Department of Biology and Professor Juewen Liu from the Department of Chemistry.

  2. Aug. 2, 2018Understanding and protecting the lakes in the Peace-Athabasca DeltaMitchell Kay being interviewed by Parks Canada

    Located in northeast Alberta, the Peace-Athabasca Delta (PAD) is one of the most magnificent wetlands in the world. Serving as the junction of four major North American waterfowl migratory routes, millions of ducks and geese descend to feed and nest here each summer.

  3. June 27, 2018Andrew Doxey wins first Science Excellence in Early Career Research AwardAndrew Doxey.

    The Faculty of Science is pleased to announce Assistant Professor Andrew Doxey as the first recipient of the Science Excellence in Early Career Research Award (SEECRA).

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Events

  1. Sep. 20, 2018Ecohydrology Seminar Series: Extracellular electron transfer (EET) in the crtitical zone

    Biological redox transformation of insoluble Fe-bearing minerals in soil and sedimentary environments

    Dr. Eric Roden, Professor, University of Wisconsin-Madison

  2. Sep. 24, 2018Water Institute Research Conference 2018: Breaking BoundariesWater Institute Research Conference 2018: Breaking Boundaries in Water Research

    Join the Water Institute on Wednesday, September 24 for a full day of interdisciplinary dialogue around water research at the University of Waterloo.

  3. Sep. 30, 2018Discovery Tools Problem Pitch applications due

    Quantum Valley Investments® Problem Pitch - Discovery Tools

    New for the Fall 2018 term, the Problem Lab is partnering with the Faculty of Science to bring you the Discovery Tools Problem Pitch!

    Win support of up to $10,000 to conduct your own research into better tools for inquiry in the biological and physical sciences. Enter the Fall Term Quantum Valley Investments Problem Pitch Competition in the category of Discovery Tools*.

All upcoming events