Biological Sciences

The Biological Sciences program encompasses the breadth of biology from protists to plants to animals and from microbiology to ecology.

In this program, you’ll have access to our modern labs and the teaching and research knowledge of professors who have received provincial, national and international acclaim for their work.

Lectures, laboratories and field studies in years 1 and 2 will introduce you to the breadth of Biological Sciences, after which you can design years 3 and 4 of your program by choosing courses in biochemistry, cell biology, developmental biology, animal, plant and microbial physiology, genetics, molecular biology, neurobiology, virology, ecology, animal behaviour and bioinformatics.

Students are encouraged to participate in Faculty research activities through project courses and research assistantships. Projects often result in student co-authorship of peer-reviewed academic papers before graduation.

Many extracurricular and volunteer opportunities exist within the department including joining faculty research labs; participating in pre-secondary school outreach workshops; enrolling in Lab Links to Careers; and assisting with our Lab-in-a-Box program. Participatory learning experiences not only provide students with an opportunity to hone their own skills, but also allows them to connect with our community through outreach activities that support future and fellow students.

The Biological Sciences Co-op program offers a truly valuable experience allowing you to apply academic knowledge to real-world situations. Your degree will include three four-month work terms. Both Biological Science programs provide you with an option to participate in an 8-month honours thesis project during which you will perform original research under the supervision of a faculty member.

  • BSc in Biological Sciences
  • Minor in Biological Sciences

Expected cut-off: mid 70s
OUAC Code: BS

Not an Ontario Secondary School applicant? Find your admissions criteria here.


Career outcomes

  • Medicine or dentistry
  • Veterinary medicine
  • Field ecologist
  • Technical writer
  • Education
  • Research scientist

Prerequisite requirements

  • Advanced Functions (MHF4U) (min.70%) or Calculus and Vectors (MCV4U) (min.70%)
  • Chemistry (SCH4U) (min.70%)
  • Two from: Biology (SBI4U), Physics (SPH4U), Earth and Space Science (SES4U), or second 4U math or English (ENG4U)

Recommended subjects

  • English (ENG4U)