Science Academic Plans

Advisors: See Faculty of Science, Academic Advisors.

The University of Waterloo offers a Co-operative Biology Academic Plan designed to equip the graduating student with two years of work-related experience as well as a degree in Honours Biology. Applicants for Co-op Biology must fulfill the normal admission requirements for the Faculty of Science. The Academic Plan has academic and work terms scheduled as shown in "Co-operative Education and Career Action".

During the work terms, students are assessed on their performance and are also required to write work reports. The Academic Plan is aimed at making the student competitive in the job market without precluding entry into graduate school.

Continuation in Honours Co-operative Biology requires a cumulative overall average of 60%, a cumulative average of 60% in all Biology courses and cumulative science average of 60%.

In order to graduate in the Honours Co-operative Biology Academic Plan, the following requirements must also be met:

1. Successful completion of 21.5 units, except for the Animal Biology Specialization which requires 22.0 units.
2. Thirteen courses (6.5 units) from among 300- and 400-level Biology courses of which five courses (2.5 units) must be at the 400-level.
3. No more than two unsuccessful attempts at any required course is normally permitted (see Faculty of Science policy on repeating courses).
4. Four satisfactory work term reports.
5. No more than 5.0 failed units allowed.
6. No more than 3.0 SCI-labelled units may be applied to the Academic Plan.
7. Completion of the required courses in the specializations as described for the regular Academic Plan in Honours Biology.
8. Completion of the English Language Proficiency Requirement.

The following changes in timing will allow co-op students to fit required courses into their on-campus terms:

1. All Specializations. Some students may wish to reduce the workload in 2B by taking CHEM 237/CHEM 237L in 3B.
2. Plant Biology Specialization should take BIOL 323 in 3B.
3. Animal Biology, Biotechnology, Microbiology, Molecular Genetics Specializations should take BIOL 241 in 2B or in 3A.