Science and Business

Can scientists make it big in business? You bet.

A student in the Science and Business program at the University of Waterloo.

Jumpstart your career with a one-of-a-kind degree that equips you with both scientific know-how and valuable business skills.

Science and Business at Waterloo combines studies in biology, chemistry, and physics with courses in economics, accounting, marketing, law, and entrepreneurship.

Focus your degree by specializing in one of four different scientific disciplines, or take a broader range of courses tailored to your interests. Meanwhile, in one of Canada’s top universities for business, you’ll work in small groups on case studies, business plans, and market analysis, as well as have the opportunity to gain paid work experience through the co-op stream.

When you graduate, the opportunities are many: this is a degree you can put to work in intellectual property, research, mutual funds, technical sales, business development, law, and a host of other fields.

Graph 300+ business-related courses available

Breifcase Available as a co-op and regular program

Optional specializations for you to choose from

Admission requirements

Ontario students: six Grade 12 U and/or M courses including

English (ENG4U) (minimum final grade of 70%)
Advanced Functions (minimum final grade of 70% is required)
Calculus and Vectors (minimum final grade of 70% is required)
Two of Biology, Chemistry, Earth and Space Science, Mathematics of Data Management, Physics
Recommended high school courses: Chemistry, Introduction to International Business

Admission averages: Low 80s

We recommend you complete the Admission Information Form once you've applied.

Not studying in Ontario? Search our admission requirements.

Female business science student pointing to chart on glass wall while her peers sit at the meeting table in front of her.

Choose the co-op stream to include 20 months of paid work experience as part of your Bachelor of Science degree.

What will you learn?

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.

Skills you'll develop with this major

Business strategy
Public speaking
Conflict resolution
Leadership
Critical thinking

This isn't an exhaustive list – rather a glimpse into the skills a Science and Business 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.

Types of courses you'll take

39% science electives, 5% math, 15% science and business workshops, 12% economics, 5% chemistry, 10% accounting and financial management, 12% other, 2% free electives

This is a general guideline. The ratio of courses may change slightly from year to year.

Get tips from Waterloo students

Monthly topics include how to choose a university program, what it's like to be a Waterloo student, and more.

Questions? Ask a student!

Contact a Science student ambassador to learn about their experience.

Ask them questions such as why they chose their program, what the classes are like, and how you can get involved on campus.

First-year courses and beyond

What is the balance of science and business courses in the program?

There is about a 50/50 split between both science and business courses! This allows you to explore both disciplines and tailor your degree to courses that interest you. You can specialize your degree in either biology, biochemistry, or biotechnology, or even remain unspecialized. On the business side, you can take courses such as economics, accounting, finance, human resources management, business law, marketing, and more.

September to December

AFM 131 - Introduction to Business in North America
CHEM 120/120L - General Chemistry 1/Laboratory
MATH 127 - Calculus 1 for the Sciences
SCBUS 123 - Workshop 1: Science and Business
ENGL 193/SPCOM 193 - Communication in the Sciences

January to April

ECON 101 - Introduction to Microeconomics
MATH 128 - Calculus 2 for the Sciences
CHEM 123/123L - General Chemistry 2/Laboratory
SCBUS 122 - Management of Business Organizations
CS 100 - Introduction to Computing through Applications
A first- or second-year Biology course -- OR -- EARTH 122/EARTH 122L - Introductory Environmental Sciences/Laboratory -- OR -- another Science elective

After first year

Most of the classes you’ll take will be Faculty of Science courses with some Economics and Accounting and Financial Management 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.

Sample upper-year courses

AFM 231 – Business law
BIOL 239 – Genetics
SCBUS 223 – Workshop 2: Strategies Behind Technological Innovation
SCBUS 323 – Workshop 3: Technology Development

Co-op = relevant paid work experience

By alternating school terms and paid co-op work terms throughout your degree, you can explore new career areas and types of employers as your career interests evolve.

Sample co-op job titles

Marketing research analyst
Marketing and operation coordinator
Validation & quality assurance analyst
Laboratory technician
Undergraduate research assistant
Science peer tutor
Sustainability project analyst

Sample co-op employers

Environment & Climate Change Canada
Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre
TD Bank Group
Toyota Motor Manufacturing Canada
Workplace Safety and Insurance Board of Ontario
Apotex Inc.
Alberta Cancer Research Institute

Specializations

You can add additional areas of expertise to your degree by including one or more of the areas of focus in Science and Business.

Biochemistry
Biology
Biotechnology
Earth Sciences (co-op not available)

You can also include one of the minors available to all Waterloo students.

What can you do with a degree in Science and Business?

With their two areas of expertise, graduates of the program commonly pursue careers in finance, science, technology, health and medical research, consulting, and in the energy and oil industry practising project and program analysis, business analysis, and technology development.

Graduates

Business Analyst - The Hospital for Sick Children
Clinical Research Officer - Canadian Agency for Drugs and Technologies in Health
Drug Safety Operations Team Lead - Hoffmann-LaRoche Ltd.
Logistic Planner - Praxair Canada Inc.
Project Leader - Apotex Incorporated
Science Commercialization Officer - Science Enterprise Algoma
Privacy Analyst - eHealth Ontario
Account Manager - Pivotal Labs

Learn about the future of careers in business.

Cap Earn a Bachelor of Science degree in Honours Science and Business

Beaker Offered by the Faculty of Science

Click Apply directly to this program on your application

Ready to learn more?

Visit the Science and Business website
Related programs

Student Stories

Visit our Beyond Ideas website to learn about Science and Business at Waterloo, the student experience, co-op, and more.

Connect outside of class

The Science and Business Students’ Association organizes beach days, BBQs, and end-of-term events … plus pre-exam breakfasts and résumé critiques.

Launch your own startup

If you come up with an idea for a product related to biology, chemistry, or physics, Concept Science, our incubator for science startups, can help you turn that idea into a business.