Deciding is difficult. So don't.
With so many different sciences to love, why limit yourself? Honours Science at Waterloo lets you keep your interests broad.
Take a range of courses in chemistry, biology, physics, earth sciences, and more in the most flexible program within the Faculty of Science. Because you don’t have to commit to a major, more than half of your courses are electives. Choose additional science courses, or take advantage of offerings from other departments across the university.
Once you graduate, an Honours Science degree gives you an excellent foundation for many science-related careers. It also makes it easy to meet the requirements for professional programs such as medicine, dentistry, optometry, and more.
Choose your own courses
In Waterloo’s most flexible science program, there’s only one restriction: six of your 10 courses each year must be science related. After that, it’s up to you!
Pick your Science major later
If you end up falling in love with a particular subject in Science, you can switch into a more specialized program at any time up to third year.
Honours Science provides an excellent foundation for your career or for further education, such as medical school or a master's degree.
About the Honours Science program
Available as a regular program only
Apply directly to this program on your application
Earn a Bachelor of Science in Honours Science
Waterloo Science is an international leader in research
Offered by the Faculty of Science
State of the art teaching labsHonours Science admission requirements
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Ontario students: 6 Grade 12 U and/or M courses including
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English (ENG4U) (minimum final grade of 70% is required)
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Advanced Functions (minimum final grade of 70% is required)
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Calculus and Vectors (minimum final grade of 70% is required)
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Two of Biology, Chemistry, Earth and Space Science, Mathematics of Data Management, and Physics
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Admission averages: Low 80s
- An Admission Information Form is necessary
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Not studying in Ontario? Search our admission requirements
Careers with an Honours Bachelor of Science
With its flexible course selection, Honours Science leads to a wide variety of careers in fields such as health care and research, education, energy and oil, pharmaceuticals, environmental science and research, insurance, natural resources, and agriculture and food.
Recent graduates
- Teacher, Halton District School Board
- Cardiac Ethnographer, University Health Network
- Coordinator Forests Without Borders, The Canadian Ecology Centre
- Environment, Health & Safety Advisor, Suncor Energy Products Inc.
- Food Processing Specialist, Maple Leaf Consumer Foods
- Industrial Hygienist, Petro-Canada
- Lab Technologist, Stratford General Hospital
First-year courses
September to December
Two of:
• First- or second-year Biology course course with associated labs (excluding BIOL 101, BIOL 225, and BIOL 280)
• CHEM 120/120L - Physical and Chemical Properties of Matter/ Laboratory
• EARTH 121/121L - Introductory Earth Sciences/ Laboratory
• PHYS 111/111L - Physics 1/ Laboratory
1 Mathematics course
2 electives
January to April
SCCOM 100 - Communication in the Sciences
Two of:
• First- or second-year Biology course with associated labs (excluding BIOL 101, BIOL 225, and BIOL 280)
• CHEM 123/123L - Chemical Reactions, Equilibria and Kinetics/ Laboratory
• EARTH 122/122L - Introductory Environmental Sciences/ Laboratory
• PHYS 112/112L - Physics 2/ Laboratory
1 Mathematics course
1 electives
After first year
- Most of the classes you’ll take will be Faculty of Science 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.
Helpful links
- Visit the Honours Science website
