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
Waterloo EcoEvo Journal Club
Meetings are in person in B2-256 with a different topic every meeting. Check out the event to find out who is leading the discussion.
Waterloo EcoEvo Journal Club
Meetings are in person in B2-256 with a different topic every meeting. Check out the event to find out who is leading the discussion.
Waterloo EcoEvo Journal Club
Meetings are in person in B2-256 with a different topic every meeting. Check out the event to find out who is leading the discussion.
News
An adventure down under
Waterloo undergraduate student tuned in to her passion for science and music during her study abroad term in Sydney, Australia
Dr. Mark Servos receives 2024 CEW Outstanding Contribution Award
Dr. Mark Servos received the 2024 Outstanding Contribution Award from the Canadian Ecotoxicity Workshop (CEW), Canada’s leading annual event in the field of ecological toxicology and related disciplines.
Combining anthropology and bioinformatics to unveil ancient disease histories
Master of Arts graduate found meaning in interdisciplinarity scholarship to expand her research interests and forge an exciting future