Study life. It’s in your DNA.
At Waterloo, you’ll dive into your Biology major right from day one. And with more than 80 biology courses available, you’ve got plenty of options. Keep your Biology degree broad, or go deeper with one of 6 possible specializations.
You’ll graduate ready for a career in laboratory or field research, environmental assessment, education, the health professions, or industry.
Get career-relevant skills
Looking for practical skills? Take advantage of hands-on field courses to study terrestrial, aquatic, or marine biology in places like Algonquin Park and Jamaica.
Meet other bio-nerds
Make some time in your schedule for the Biology Undergraduate Society (BUGS), which organizes student-professor nights, tutoring sessions, and a full calendar of social events.
By choosing an area of specialization, you can focus your studies and prepare for exciting career opportunities.
About the Biology program
Available as a 
Apply to Life Sciences and select Biology as your major
Earn a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology
Available as a major and minor
Offered by the Faculty of Science
Ranked among the world's top universities for biological sciences Biology admission requirements
- Ontario students: 6 Grade 12 U and/or M courses including
- English (ENG4U) (minimum final grade of 70% is required)
- Advanced Functions (minimum final grade of 70% is required)
- Calculus and Vectors (minimum final grade of 70% is required)
- 2 of: Biology, Chemistry, Earth and Space Science, Mathematics of Data Management, Physics (Biology, Chemistry, and/or Physics are recommended)
- Admission averages: Low 80s
- An Admission Information Form is recommended
- Not studying in Ontario? Search our admission requirements
How to apply
Apply to Life Sciences and select Biology as your major.
Careers in biology
Graduates with a Biology degree often work in health care, microbiology and genetics for agricultural companies, hospitals and health science centres, medical research centres, labs, pharmaceutical companies, energy companies, and in education as teachers, lecturers, researchers, and more.
Recent graduates
- Cellular Therapy Production Manager, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute
- Chiropodist/Foot Specialist, LifeSource Medical Centre
- Clinical Research Assistant, Canadian Agency for Drugs and Technologies in Health
- Co-Founder, Feeband Lab Inc.
- Fishery Research Program Associate, Great Lakes Fishery Commission
- Genetic Counsellor, Prenatal Diagnosis Clinic, McMaster University
- Researcher, Hospital for Sick Children
- Microbiologist, Septodont, Novocol Pharmaceutical Division
- Dietitian, Bridgepoint Health
First-year Biology courses
September to December
BIOL 110 - Introductory Zoology
BIOL 130/130L - Introductory Cell Biology/Lab
CHEM 120/120L - Physical and Chemical Properties of Matter/Lab
BIOL 150 - Organismal and Evolutionary Ecology
ENGL 193/SPCOM 193 - Communication in the Sciences
January to April
BIOL 165 - Diversity of Life
BIOL 239 - Genetics
CHEM 123/123L - Chemical Reactions, Equilibria and Kinetics/Lab
Choose one of:
• MATH 114 - Linear Algebra for Science
• MATH 127 - Calculus 1 for the Sciences
• PHYS 111 - Physics 1
1 elective
After first year
Most of the classes you’ll take will be Biology courses. With your remaining classes, you can choose electives from many of the 100 subject areas at Waterloo.
View a list of all the courses required for your degree (refer to Honours Biology or one of the specializations in Biology).
Sample upper-year courses
BIOL 225 – Plants and Civilization
BIOL 310 – Invertebrate Zoology
BIOL 346 – Microbial Ecology and Diversity
BIOL 472 – Cell Biology of Human Disease
Customize your Bachelor of Science in Biology degree
You can add additional areas of interest and expertise by including a minor/minors or one of the below specialization within Biology as part of your degree.
- Animal biology
- Biotechnology
- Environmental biology
- Microbiology
- Molecular genetics
- Plant biology
Gain relevant work experience through co-op
By alternating school terms and paid co-op work terms throughout your degree, you can explore different careers in the biological sciences.
Sample co-op job titles
- Quality Assurance Lab Technician
- Genetic Counselling Assistant
- Research Assistant/Media Consultant
- Field and Lab Technician
- Plant Pathology Research Assistant/Student
- Bioinformatics Assistant
- Aquatic Toxicity Testing Technologist
Sample co-op employers
- University Health Network
- Environment Canada
- Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
- Public Health Agency of Canada
- Ontario Ministry of the Environment
Learn more about Biology
- Email Jenn Czekus, our Science recruitment co-ordinator, who can answer any questions about Biology
- Visit the Biology website
- How do I choose between Health Sciences and Life Sciences?
- Related programs: Biochemistry, Biomedical Sciences, Environmental Sciences, Health Studies, Life Sciences
