First-year courses and beyond
Programs/majors in the Faculty of Science start right in first year. To select your program with confidence, here’s some handy info to get you started.
September to December
January to April
This is a sample schedule. Courses or when a course is offered may change depending on availability.
After first year
- About half of the classes you’ll take will be Physics courses with some Biology Courses. With your remaining classes you can choose electives from many of the over 100 subject areas available at Waterloo.
- View a list of all the courses required for your degree.
Types of courses you'll take
This is a general guideline. The ratio of courses may change slightly from year to year.
Skills you'll develop with this major
- Quantitative and analytical thinking in biology and health-related professions
- Statistical and analytical problem solving in life sciences
- Modeling clinical procedures with scientific methods
- Integrated laboratory methodologies in biology, chemistry, and physics
- Technical skills to implement experiments in life and medical physics
This isn't an exhaustive list – rather a glimpse into the skills a Biological and Medical Physics major can provide.
Your experience will be unique, and the skills you develop will depend on your goals; which courses you take; and your involvement with any clubs, jobs, or research projects.
Advisors are here to help
With so much flexibility, you might have a lot of questions. We're here to help! If you're applying for admission, contact our Faculty of Science recruitment co-ordinator.
Once you're a Waterloo student, you'll have access to academic advisors who can help you
- choose your courses,
- select minors and specializations,
- ensure that you're meeting the requirements for your degree, and more.
Next steps
- Overview of Waterloo's Biological and Medical Physics degree program.
- Download a Faculty of Science brochure.