The programs
Funding - All full-time students, without a major scholarship and within time limits, receive a minimum of $28,353 per year (25/26 minimum funding) comprised of funding from your supervisor, the Department, and the Faculty.
Course requirements - Master students must complete 3 graduate courses; Doctoral students must complete 2 graduate courses; Direct entry Doctoral students require 4 graduate courses.
Milestones - All students must complete a thesis proposal, graduate seminar, and thesis defence. Doctoral students must also complete a comprehensive exam.
Additional information can be found on the Future Graduate Students Science graduate programs webpage.
How to apply
You can find more about the application process, as well as student funding and program information on the Future Graduate Students website.
Admission Requirements
Check that you meet the admission requirements for the Department of Biology.
The Department of Biology requires students to have 3 references. Three academic references are preferred, but 2 academic and 1 professional reference is acceptable.
Applications that identify potential supervisors have a higher success rate. It is recommended that you contact potential supervisors to ensure that they have available positions and funding.
Application deadlines
- At minimum, the application form is due by the deadlines outlined in the tables below.
- Students who meet these deadlines will be considered for major awards and scholarships (OGS, QEII-GSST, Tri-Agency Scholarships, as well as University of Waterloo awards). Please be aware that award applications are separate from graduate admission applications.
| Starting Semester | Application Deadline |
|---|---|
| Fall (September - December) | February 1st |
| Winter (January - April) | July 1st (previous year) |
| Spring (May - August) | October 1st (previous year) |
If you have any questions, please contact the Admissions Coordinator, April Wettig. Please ensure you provide your full name and University of Waterloo student number (if applicable).
After you apply
Once you have completed your online graduate application and have paid the non-refundable application fee, you will be contacted by Graduate Studies and Postdoctoral Affairs (GSPA) via email with instructions on how to upload your supporting documents to your University of Waterloo Quest self-service account. Visit the Graduate Studies website for more information.
If you are not able to upload your application materials on Quest, then please contact gradapp@uwaterloo.ca. Please include your full name and University of Waterloo student number on all correspondence.