Required courses

Most Faculty of Science students must take at least two different Science subjects in the first year (e.g., CHEM and BIOL). You should take at least one course of each of the two subjects in the Fall term (e.g., CHEM 120 and CHEM 120L, BIOL 130 and BIOL 130L), and the second course of those same two subjects in the Winter (e.g., CHEM 123 and CHEM 123L, BIOL 165).

The following courses will not be considered substitutes for any of the pairings shown in the table above:

• BIOL 225 and 280
• EARTH 123
• PHYS 124
• PHYS 175
• CHEM 140
• MNS courses (e.g. MNS 101)
• SCI courses (e.g. SCI 238)

In programs where you have the option between PHYS 111 or PHYS 121, the decision is up to you. If you are uncertain of which course is best for you, review the course descriptions.

Students who did not complete 12U Physics should enrol in PHYS 111 instead of PHYS 121. If you have limited exposure to Grade 12 Physics, you should contact the Science Undergraduate Office to discuss which Physics course you should be enrolled in.

If you wish to change your program (or Subject of Major Interest from your OUAC application) you may do so by:

1. Selecting the required courses corresponding to your new program.
2. Filling out the program change web form (in use in June, July, and August—complete the program change process outside of those months).

At this time, requests to switch from regular to co-op will not be considered. You can request co-op after your first year of studies and more information is listed on modifying your program page. 

If you are interested in a professional program, the school will list their admission and academic requirements. It is important to plan ahead to meet these requirements.

The Biomedical Sciences and Honours Science programs allow the most flexibility to take the courses required for professional schools. Please see the requirements for Optometry and Pharmacy below. If you have questions about planning your courses to meet admission requirements for either program, please contact an academic advisor. You must include, your UWaterloo student ID number (e.g., 20XXXXXX), full name, and which school/program you are interested in.

Optometry

The School of Optometry and Vision Science at Waterloo lists their admission requirements and questions should be directed to the Admissions Coordinator. By reviewing the academic requirements, you can plan your elective courses appropriately. 

Pharmacy

The School of Pharmacy at Waterloo lists their admission process and questions about this process should be directed to Pharmacy. By reviewing the prerequisite courses required for admission to the Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) program at the University of Waterloo, you can plan your elective courses appropriately. 

Other Professional Health-Related Schools

If you are considering a professional health-related school, you should research these programs in order to plan your courses at UWaterloo accordingly. You will need to contact the professional schools directly for their admission process and academic requirements. The Ontario Universities' Application Centre may be a good starting point for Rehab Sciences and Medicine.

Lab Schedules

Some labs run weekly, while others alternate weeks. It's important to check your schedule in Quest, your course outline, as well as the Schedule of Classes, for details.

Some labs will have a meet or check in on the Day 1, week 1, and then initiate an alternating pattern in week 2 or week 3. Different labs may take different approaches. The pattern of one lab does not imply the same pattern in other or all labs.

Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS) Requirement

All new students in the Faculty of Science should have completed WHMIS training by September 4. Those that have not yet done so, should be able to access and enrol in the online WHMIS training module through LEARN. This is a requirement for all Fall labs.

Once you have successfully completed the WHMIS training module, please print your completion certificate. You will be asked to show this certificate in each of your labs. Keep your printout with you at all times.

Notes:

1. Labs for PHYS courses are not required for this program. If you choose to take the lab component of PHYS (e.g., PHYS 111L or PHYS 121L or PHYS 112L or PHYS 122L), add them during course selection week.
2. Full year one physics (Lecture and Lab) may be required for other Science programs or Professional School requirements (e.g., Optometry).  
3. CHEM 121/125 are appropriate equivalents that fulfill the first-year Chemistry requirement for Pharmacy admission.
4. A full recommended course sequence for the program can be found on the 2024-25 Course Sequences page. 
5. Details regarding program description, required averages, and degree requirements can be found on the 2024-25 Undergraduate Studies Academic Calendar page.

Notes:

1. A full recommended course sequence for the program can be found on the 2024-25 Course Sequences page. 
2. Details regarding program description, required averages, and degree requirements can be found on the 2024-25 Undergraduate Studies Academic Calendar page.

Notes:

1. It is strongly recommended to avoid taking both MATH 127 and PSYCH 101 within the same term.
2. A full recommended course sequence for the program can be found on the 2024-25 Course Sequences page. 
3. Details regarding program description, required averages, and degree requirements can be found on the 2024-25 Undergraduate Studies Academic Calendar page.

Notes:

1. CHEM 121/125 are appropriate equivalents that fulfill the first-year Chemistry requirement for Pharmacy admission.
2. A full recommended course sequence for the program can be found on the 2024-25 Course Sequences page. 
3. Details regarding program description, required averages, and degree requirements can be found on the 2024-25 Undergraduate Studies Academic Calendar page.

Notes:

1. CHEM 121/125 are appropriate equivalents that fulfill the first-year Chemistry requirement for Pharmacy admission.
2. A full recommended course sequence for the program can be found on the 2024-25 Course Sequences page. 
3. Details regarding program description, required averages, and degree requirements can be found on the 2024-25 Undergraduate Studies Academic Calendar page.

1. A full recommended course sequence for the program can be found on the 2024-25 Course Sequences page. 
2. Details regarding program description, required averages, and degree requirements can be found on the 2024-25 Undergraduate Studies Academic Calendar page.

Notes:

1. You will receive an email from the Faculty of Science about choosing your Fall 2024 courses and electives.
2. Not every BIOL lecture course has an associated lab course. If you select a BIOL course that has an associated lab course (e.g., BIOL 130 and BIOL 130L), you must take both for this requirement. If you select a BIOL course that does not have an associated lab course (e.g., BIOL 239), you are not required to take an additional lab.
3. Math courses from the Faculty of Mathematics only include ACTSC, AMATH, CO, CS, MATH, PMATH or STAT. MATH 103 does not count toward this degree; CS 100, COMM, and MTHEL courses do not fulfill the Math course requirement.
4. A full recommended course sequence for the program can be found on the 2024-25 Course Sequences page. 
5. Details regarding program description, required averages, and degree requirements can be found on the 2024-25 Undergraduate Studies Academic Calendar page.

Notes:

1. A full recommended course sequence for the program can be found on the 2024-25 Course Sequences page. 
2. Details regarding program description, required averages, and degree requirements can be found on the 2024-25 Undergraduate Studies Academic Calendar page.

Notes:

1. Must complete a total of 1.25 units of year one science, in one subject outside of physics (CHEM, EARTH or BIOL). The associated lab can be linked to either the fall or winter course. BIOL 225 and BIOL 280 can not be used as BIOL options.
2. A full recommended course sequence for the program can be found on the 2024-25 Course Sequences page. 
3. Details regarding program description, required averages, and degree requirements can be found on the 2024-25 Undergraduate Studies Academic Calendar page.

Notes:

1. Must complete 1.25 total units of year one science, in one subject outside of physics (CHEM, EARTH or BIOL). The associated lab can be linked to either the fall or winter course. BIOL 225 and BIOL 280 can not be used as BIOL options.
2. A full recommended course sequence for the program can be found on the 2024-25 Course Sequences page. 
3. Details regarding program description, required averages, and degree requirements can be found on the 2024-25 Undergraduate Studies Academic Calendar page.

Notes:

1. Must complete 1.25 total units of year one science, in one subject outside of physics (CHEM, EARTH or BIOL). The associated lab can be linked to either the fall or winter course. BIOL 225 and BIOL 280 can not be used as BIOL options.
2. A full recommended course sequence for the program can be found on the 2024-25 Course Sequences page. 
3. Details regarding program description, required averages, and degree requirements can be found on the 2024-25 Undergraduate Studies Academic Calendar page.

Notes:

1. Admission to this program occurs in year two, after successfully completing all year one requirements. Psychology information sessions are usually held in March during the winter 1B term.
2. A full recommended course sequence for the program can be found on the 2024-25 Course Sequences page. 
3. Details regarding program description, required averages, and degree requirements can be found on the 2024-25 Undergraduate Studies Academic Calendar page.

1. You will receive an email from the Faculty of Science about your Fall 2024 courses.
2. Waterloo Wellington Flight Centre will be in contact with you regarding the flight training in future terms.
3. If BIOL 130 or BIOL 240 is chosen, their lab components are required.
4. A full recommended course sequence for the program can be found on the 2024-25 Course Sequences page. 
5. Details regarding program description, required averages, and degree requirements can be found on the 2024-25 Undergraduate Studies Academic Calendar page.