* 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, 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.
Explore all aspects of life and living creatures – from cells and genes to species and diversity.
Some of the greatest scientific discoveries have occurred within the field of biology, including the mapping of the human genome, identifying the structure of DNA, and how photosynthesis works. All of these revelations happened because dedicated scientists looked at the world a little differently.
At Waterloo, you’ll dive into your Biology major right from day one. And with more than 80 biology courses available, you’ve got plenty of options. From microbes and genes to plants and zoology, we've got something for anyone who's passionate about living systems.
You’ll graduate ready for a career in laboratory or field research, environmental assessment, education, health professions, or industry. If you enrol in co-op, you'll also have up to two years of paid work experience to add to your resume.
Program highlights
Get boots-on-the-ground skills. Take advantage of hands-on field courses to study terrestrial, aquatic, or marine biology in locations such as Algonquin Park and Jamaica.
Meet other bio-nerds. Make some time in your schedule for the Biology Undergraduate Society (BUGS), which organizes student-professor nights, tutoring sessions, and a full calendar of social events.
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 110 – Introductory Zoology
BIOL 130/130L – Introductory Cell Biology/Lab
BIOL 150 – Organismal and Evolutionary Ecology
CHEM 120/120L – General Chemistry 1/Lab
One elective
January to April
BIOL 165 – Diversity of Life
BIOL 239 – Genetics
CHEM 123/123L – General Chemistry 2/Lab
ENGL 193/SPCOM 193 – Communication in the Sciences
Choose one of:
MATH 114 – Linear Algebra for Science
MATH 127 – Calculus 1 for the Sciences
PHYS 111 – Physics 1
After first year
Most of the classes you’ll take will be Biology 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
BIOL 225 – Plants and Civilization
BIOL 310 – Invertebrate Zoology
BIOL 346 – Microbial Ecology and Diversity
BIOL 472 – Cell Biology of Human Disease
Medical Insurance: 500 CAD per year
