* Books, supplies
Ontario students: six 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)
Two of Biology, Chemistry, Earth and Space Science, Mathematics of Data Management, or Physics
Internet-based TOEFL (iBT), including Home Edition and Paper Edition – Test of English as a Foreign Language TOEFL MyBest Scores and TOEFL Essentials will not be used to meet our English language requirements. If you have taken multiple tests you will need to submit results for each test., 90 overall 25 writing, 25 speaking, Waterloo's institution code is 0996 and our department code is 00. We do not accept electronic TOEFL scores for undergraduate admissions.
IELTS Academic – International English Language Testing System, 6.5 overall 6.5 writing, 6.0 reading, 6.0 listening, 6.5 speaking,, We accept the electronic Test Report Form (TRF). Waterloo's e-transfer institution name is University of Waterloo – Admissions.
CAEL or CAEL online – Canadian Academic English Language Assessment, 70 overall 60 per band 70 writing, 70 speaking, You must log in to your affiliated account and select University of Waterloo as a recipient institution.
PTE Academic (including PTE Academic Online) – Pearson Test of English, 63 overall 65 writing, 65 speaking.
Cambridge English test (C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency), 180 overall 176 writing, 176 reading 176 speaking, 176 listening, Go to the Candidate Results Online portal, input your ID and secret number then click on Send my result.
Duolingo English test, 120 overall. Results will not be accepted without subscores., You must log in to your affiliated account and select University of Waterloo – Undergraduate as a recipient institution.
EFAS – English for Academic Success (offered by Waterloo's English Language Institute), 75% overall in 400 levels 75% in each of academic, oral, and writing, Your scores will be sent to us automatically by Renison University College.
In the past 200 years, advances in techniques and tools have allowed biochemists to focus on these fundamental questions: How do organisms use chemical compounds to thrive? How do organisms adjust to changes in their environment and how can our knowledge of the chemistry of life be applied to improving the human condition? To answer these questions, we study the structures of molecules – such as enzymes – and the diverse metabolic processes – such as the Krebs cycle – that are fundamental to life.
In Biochemistry, you'll create chemicals. Analyze genes. Explore the fundamentals of metabolism. You’ll start with a broad science foundation in first year, including chemistry, biology, physics, and calculus.
You’ll graduate with the knowledge and skills to work in a wide range of areas, from forensics to pharmaceuticals to food and agriculture.
Program highlights
Grab your lab coat. Thanks to our extensive range of lab courses, you’ll have plenty of opportunity to learn hands-on skills like chromatography, electrophoresis, nuclear magnetic resonance, and more.
Build an awesome résumé. Interested in teaching? Get experience as an undergraduate teaching assistant. Aiming for a career in research? Be a research assistant with one of our world-renowned professors. And gain paid work experience through co-op!
More Info: click here
First-year courses and beyond
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.
September to December
BIOL 130/130L – Introductory Cell Biology/Laboratory
CHEM 121/121L – Physical and Chemical Properties of Matter/Laboratory
MATH 127 – Calculus 1 for the Sciences
ENGL 193/SPCOM 193 – Communication in the Sciences
PHYS 111 – Physics 1 –– OR –– PHYS 121 – Mechanics
January to April
BIOL 239 – Genetics
CHEM 125/125L – Chemical Reactions, Equilibria and Kinetics/Laboratory
MATH 128 – Calculus 2 for the Sciences
CHEM 140 – Introduction to Scientific Calculations
PHYS 112 – Physics 2 –– OR –– PHYS 122 – Waves, Electricity and Magnetism
After first year
Most of the classes you’ll take will be Chemistry courses with some additional Biology. 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
CHEM 430 – Special Topics in Biochemistry
CHEM 433 – Advanced Biochemistry
BIOL 341 – Fundamentals of Immunology
BIOL 365 – Methods in Bioinformatics
Medical Insurance: 500 CAD per year
