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.
Events
W2024 Edition
Join us to discuss selected papers with the Waterloo Ecology & Evolution community. Everyone is welcome. All career stages and all departments.
Time: Biweekly on Mondays 4-5 pm (Except on February 19)
Location (In person): B2-256 (room for up to 6 people)
Note: If you would like to attend remotely, please contact Hanna 2 days in advance (h2hickey@uwaterloo.ca).
Biology Graduate Student Seminar Series
Join us for our Winter 2024 Biology Graduate Student Seminar Series
Hosted biweekly on Thursdays from 3-4 pm; In-person RCH 308 and online via Zoom
Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 945 6604 5694
Passcode: 642037
OE3C 2024
Save the date!
Registration has opened for the Ontario Ecology, Ethology, and Evolution Colloquium (OE3C – oe3c.ca) being held at UWaterloo from 02-04 May 2024. This is a great opportunity for Biology students to showcase their research and network with academics across Ontario while staying close to home.
FREE GRADUATE REGISTRATION for UWaterloo graduate students that present research they have conducted or assisted with (maximum 20 undergraduates and 20 graduates).
News
The Department of Biology and the Faculty of Science mourns the passing of Anne Innis Dagg
The Department of Biology and the Faculty of Science is saddened to share that Anne Innis Dagg, a groundbreaking Canadian zoologist, feminist and environmentalist, passed away on April 1, 2024. She studied and worked at the University of Waterloo from the 1960s through 2013, pursuing a wide range of research interests.
Emerging research on scoliosis surgery links to self-image
As spine surgeons and health-care professionals gathered in the white-capped mountains of Whistler, British Columbia, for the Canadian Spine Society’s annual conference earlier this month, many of them heard from University of Waterloo student, Sarah Hardy.
Co-op Student of the Year for the Faculty of Science: Milena Gojsevic
Milena Gojsevic (she/her) is the Co-op Student of the Year for the Faculty of Science. During her work term at Sunnybrook Hospital, she displayed commitment and curiosity towards scientific research. Milena delves into the details of her impressive journey as a clinical research assistant.