Department of Biology
ESC 350
200 University Ave. W
Waterloo, Ontario,
Canada N2L 3G1
Phone: (519) 888-4567 ext. 32569
Fax: (519) 746-0614
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
- Jan. 28, 2019Researchers and Indigenous community work together to determine fish safety for consumption
Food security is an urgent and growing concern for Indigenous populations in Canada. Environmental change in aquatic ecosystems can impact the health of fish and the communities that rely on those fish in many ways. Some of those ways can involve exposure to contaminants like mercury.
- Dec. 17, 2018Remembering Biology instructor Frank Brookfield
Frank Brookfield (left) and Peter Russell with a Parasaurolophus fossil.
University of Waterloo retiree J. Frank Brookfield passed away on November 29th. Brookfield was a long-time instructor in the Biology department and also served as the biology curator of the Earth Sciences Museum.
- Nov. 15, 2018Contribution to environmental toxicology earns biologist Mark Servos SETAC Fellowship
Canada Research Chair Mark Servos has been appointed a 2018 Fellow of the Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry (SETAC), in recognition of his research contributions as well as his SETAC leadership and service. In addition to being named a fellow, Servos will become an advisor to the SETAC World Council.
Events
- Feb. 26, 2019BIOL 130 supported learning group
Supported learning groups (SLG) are free weekly study sessions intended to give students a chance to study with their classmates. Science Peer Success Coaches create and facilitate fun and engaging activities to help students review challenging course content from BIOL 130.
- Feb. 28, 2019BIOL 130 supported learning group
Supported learning groups (SLG) are free weekly study sessions intended to give students a chance to study with their classmates. Science Peer Success Coaches create and facilitate fun and engaging activities to help students review challenging course content from BIOL 130.
- Mar. 5, 2019BIOL 130 supported learning group: Midterm 2 prep session
Supported learning groups (SLG) are free weekly study sessions intended to give students a chance to study with their classmates. This SLG will be focused on midterm review and preparation for the BIOL 130 Midterm 2.