Helpful advice for planning a Biomedical Sciences degree
Students currently finishing first year
- It is a good idea to take at least one semester of English during second year, as many professional schools now require at least one, sometimes two semesters of English, English writing or expository writing. Check the requirements of your target schools to ensure you fulfill this requirement.
- It may be a good idea to take BIOL 110 (Introductory Zoology) during the fall of second year as it is a pre-requisite for some of the upper level Biology courses you may wish to take - Check out the Biology Courses on the Undergraduate Calendar now!
- It is also a good idea to take STAT 202 in the fall or winter of Second year. Optometry and several medical schools now require at least 1 semester of statistics.
- Waterloo Optometry requires a one-term course in Ethics. Students should consider taking one of the following courses in second year in Philosophy: PHIL 110B, PHIL 218J, PHIL 219J, PHIL 220J or PHIL 226.
- The list of course requirements for Optometry at Waterloo includes BIOL 211 (Vertebrate Zoology), as a required course, so students planning on applying to Optometry should consider taking this course in their second year.
Students currently finishing second year
- Students wishing to take BIOL 441 (Advances in Immunology) or BIOL 442 (Virology) during their 4th year should note that both of these courses require BIOL 308 (Principles of Molecular Biology) and BIOL 341 (Fundamentals of Immunology) as pre-requisites. Students wishing to take either of the above 400 level courses should take BIOL 308 in the fall of their 3rd year and BIOL 341 in the winter of their third year. BIOL 442 has additional pre-requisites that need to be completed.
- BIOL 309 (Analytical Methods in Molecular Biology) is not required course for the Biomedical Sciences program. However, it is one of the prerequisites for BIOL 331, BIOL 335L, BIOL 342, BIOL 428, BIOL 431, BIOL 434, BIOL 438. BIOL 309 is offered in Fall and Spring terms. Students planning to take any of the above courses should take BIOL 309 as early as possible.
Students currently finishing third year
- Students should look carefully at the courses they have taken and consider the possibility that the addition of one or two courses in their 4th year may make them eligible for a degree with a minor in Chemistry, Physics or even a major in Biology, Chemistry or Physics.
Planning a Minor
Minors add additional areas of expertise to your degree. View a complete list of minors. Choose minors within Science or in other faculties. Some restrictions may apply depending on your program, so plan ahead. Here are a few options available:
- Medical Physiology
- Biochemistry
- Chemistry
- Biophysics
- Gerontology
- Human Nutrition
- Psychology
- Economics
Other Credentials
EDGE Experiential Education Certificate1 - the University of Waterloo's new experiential education certificate program. EDGE gives UWaterloo students in regular (non-co-operative) programs an opportunity to develop key professional skills, explore their career options, and market themselves to employers.
UWaterloo / Conestoga BioTech Degree and Diploma
Global Experience Certificate - a GEC allows you the opportunity to develop cross-cultural experiences with a study term or volunteer experience abroad.
Careers
Visit the UW Health Professions website and Professional School Requirements website
Because Biomedical Sciences emphasizes research and computer skills, employers find that our students are valuable team members who quickly learn new techniques and who are able to quickly problem solve.
What our grads are doing now
- Research Technician, Ottawa General Hospital Eye Institute
- Physician, City of Oakville
- Epidemiologist, Brant County Health Unit
- Respiratory Therapist, London Health Sciences Centre
- Dentist, Young Street Dental Group
See more in the science careers list.