Honours Science

  Discover your own path in our most flexible program. 

students walking

Students walking around our Biology and Earth Sciences and Chemistry buildings

Courses

As an Honours Science student, you can choose between BIOL, CHEM, EARTH, MNS, PHYS, and SCI to count towards your Science elective credits. 

When choosing courses, it is important to consider what your goals are. Are you working towards meeting the requirements for a professional school? Are you looking to take specific upper year courses which have prerequisites? Are you looking to take courses for interest? 

Once you determine your goals, you can decide which courses are more appropriate for any given term. 

We encourage you to take a look at our visual course maps* which are available for five Science subjects of study. They may give you an idea of what courses may be appropriate to take and align with your goals. Note: a University of Waterloo login is required. Partner this with the Science course terms of offering page to plan when courses are offered. 

Degree checklist (Excel file download)

Program requirements are generally based on the year students begin their studies in the Faculty of Science. Make sure to view the correct program requirements in the archived calendar for the appropriate year. Note: University of Waterloo login required.

How to fill out the Honours Science degree checklist excel file:

* Please review the video description on Vimeo for a transcript of the audio.

View "Honours Science Degree Check 2.mp4" on Vimeo

Minors 

Since Honours Science is a flexible program, many choose to complement their degree with a Science or non-Science minor. The following links can help develop a better understanding of the various minors available.

Further education

Are you interested in pursuing professional or graduate school? Consider the various types of further education that may be in your future career plan through the following links.

Recommended course sequence for pathway to UW Pharmacy from Honours Science

* This course sequence will allow you to meet the academic requirements for application to UW Pharmacy

Year 1

Fall

  • BIOL 130, BIOL 130L
  • CHEM 120, CHEM 120L
  • MATH 127
  • Elective
  • Elective

Winter

  • CHEM 123, CHEM 123L
  • STAT 202
  • One of ENGL 193 or COMMST 193
  • BIOL 239
  • Elective

Year 2

Fall

  • BIOL 240
  • CHEM 266
  • Elective
  • Science elective 200- level or higher
  • Science lecture or lab elective

Winter

  • CHEM 237
  • Elective
  • Elective
  • Science elective 200- level or higher
  • Science lecture or lab elective

Year 3

Fall

  • Elective
  • Elective
  • Science elective 200- level or higher
  • Science elective 200- level or higher
  • Science elective 200- level or higher

Winter

  • Elective
  • Elective
  • Science elective 200- level or higher
  • Science elective 200- level or higher
  • Science elective 200- level or higher

Year 4

Fall

  • Science elective 400- level
  • Science elective 300- level or higher
  • Science elective 300- level or higher
  • Elective
  • Elective

Winter

  • Science elective 400- level
  • Science elective 300- level
  • Elective
  • Elective
  • Elective

Recommended course sequence for pathway to UW Optometry from Honours Science

* This course sequence will allow you to meet the academic requirements for application to UW Optometry

Year 1

Fall

  • BIOL 130, BIOL 130L
  • CHEM 120, CHEM 120L
  • MATH 127
  • PSYCH 101
  • Elective

Winter

  • One of ENGL 193 or COMMST 193
  • BIOL 211
  • STAT 202
  • CHEM 123, CHEM 123L
  • Elective

Year 2

Fall

  • CHEM 266
  • PHYS 111, PHYS 111L
  • BIOL 240
  • BIOL 273
  • Elective

Winter

  • CHEM 237
  • PHYS 112, PHYS 112L
  • Science elective 200- level or higher
  • Introductory ethics course
  • Elective

Year 3

Fall

  • Science elective 200- level or higher
  • Science elective 200- level or higher
  • Science elective 300- year elective
  • Science lecture or lab elective
  • Elective
  • Elective

Winter

  • BIOL 373
  • Science elective 300-level or higher
  • Science elective 200- level or higher
  • Elective
  • Elective

Year 4

Fall

  • Science elective 400- level or higher
  • Science elective 300- level or higher
  • Science elective 300- level or higher
  • Elective
  • Elective

Winter

  • Science elective 400- level or higher
  • Science elective 300- level or higher
  • Elective
  • Elective
  • Elective

Experiential learning

Our EDGE program provides students with the experience necessary to take on the workforce. Considering that Honours Science is a non co-op program, the EDGE program is a great alternative option.

Need help?

If you have questions about completing an Honours Science degree, feel free to connect with an Honours Science program advisor.