Delve into life’s common principles and processes, as well as its vast diversity, at the many levels of biological organization. A Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Biology provides you with foundations in biology, chemistry and math to prepare you for graduate work in biology or professional postgraduate programs in biology and the health sciences.
You can choose a concentration or double major in Biology and Chemistry, Biology and Psychology or Biology and Mathematics from day one.
Your future professors work hard to make sure your academic experience is current, complete and designed to open doors in your career. Here are a few things you can count on:
Comprehensive Curriculum: Study molecular processes, cell structures, metabolic pathways, inheritance patterns, physiological responses, and more. Explore biodiversity, ecology, and conservation across all life domains.
Career-Ready Courses: The BSc program prepares you for graduate studies in Biology or professional programs in environmental and health sciences, including veterinary, dentistry, pharmacy, optometry, and medical schools.
Flexible Concentrations: Choose from concentrations in Cell and Molecular Biology, Microbiology and Genetics, Ecology, Evolution and Biodiversity, or Anatomy and Physiology.
Here are just a few of our students’ favourite ways to apply their learning throughout their degree (check out the Experience Guide for even more!):
Co-op: You can apply to co-op at the end of first year, and complete three four-month work terms over the course of your four-year degree.
Global Learning Experience: Immerse yourself in a two-week field experience through the Ontario Universities Program in Field Biology. Approximately 30 courses are offered each year, based in Ontario, Canada's north, New Brunswick, Newfoundland, British Columbia, Africa and the Caribbean.
Honours Thesis Option: Complete a capstone experience through an honours thesis or directed studies, working closely with a faculty member who will mentor you through the research process.
Beginning in third year, single-major Biology students (i.e. students who do not combine this program with another BSc program) can optionally specialize in one of three concentrations:
The Management Option is for students interested in adding management-specific education to their degree. This is a direct-entry, 4.0-credit option that includes courses covering all the core pillars of business and economics. Apply directly to Biology (BSc) with Management Option on OUAC.
As part of the BSc in Biology, you will automatically receive a minor in Chemistry, gaining a solid theoretical foundation through the study of matter and the way materials act and react while mastering experimental techniques as part of your labs.
These are a few of the many other popular academic opportunities which allow you to dive deeper into your major area of study or broaden your knowledge:
Expand your field of expertise by pairing your BSc Biology major with another major like Psychology, Chemistry, or Mathematics.
We also offer a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Biology program, which is intended for those who wish to study Biology without an emphasis on chemistry and math, and want to have a role in communicating biology and biological concepts to others in careers such as law, education/teaching, public policy or science journalism.
We prepare you for a clinical career in Canada. Laurier students apply to med school with a competitive edge and gain preferential status with internationally accredited medical schools, including the American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine and St. George’s University.
Students applying to this program from a Canadian province outside of Ontario are encouraged to review our course equivalents by province chart. This chart will show you what courses from your province are equivalent to the admission requirements listed under the Ontario High School Admission Requirements section.
Students applying to this program from an international curriculum are encouraged to review our curriculum-specific requirements. You will find which courses from your country's curriculum are equivalent to the admission requirements listed under the Ontario High School Admission Requirements section. If your country or curriculum is not listed, please reach out to international@wlu.ca.
Laurier's language of instruction is English, and so we may require you to provide evidence of your English proficiency to help make sure you are successful in your academic courses.
Your three most recent years of full-time education must be in English without taking any ESL (English as a Second Language) courses. If you do not meet this requirement, you must provide evidence of your English proficiency.
We reserve the right to request an English-language test from any applicant.
If you do not meet Laurier's English proficiency requirement but are academically qualified for your program, you may be eligible for a conditional offer of admission.
The Academic Transition Pathway (ATP) program is offered through our affiliated institution, Wilfrid Laurier International College, and provides an option for meeting our English-proficiency requirement. If you have received an offer to Laurier with a condition to meet our English-proficiency requirement, you can meet that condition by successfully completing the ATP program.
Students applying to t his program from another post-secondary institution are encouraged to review our transfer-specific requirements . T his page will show you the admission requirements for your unique transfer situation and provide mo re details about transferring to Laurier.
Visit our admission requirements section to find specific requirements for transfer students, indigenous applicants, mature learners, homeschooled applicants, senior citizens, refugees, and more.