Science Academic Programs and Plans

Advisors: See Faculty of Science, academic advisors.

The University of Waterloo offers a co-operative Biology program designed to equip the graduating student with 20 months of work-related experience as well as a degree in Honours Biology. Applicants for co-op Biology must fulfil the normal admission requirements for the Faculty of Science.

During work terms, students are assessed on their performance. This program is aimed at making the student competitive in the job market without precluding entry into graduate school.

Continuing in Honours Co-operative Biology requires a cumulative overall average of 60%, a cumulative Science average of 60%, and a cumulative Biology average of 60%.

Successful completion of this program requires:

21.5 units distributed as follows:

• 5.5 BIOL units: BIOL 110, BIOL 120, BIOL 130, BIOL 130L, BIOL 150, BIOL 165, BIOL 239, BIOL 240, BIOL 240L, BIOL 273, BIOL 308, and BIOL 359
• 5.5 BIOL units 300-level or higher with the following condition:
  • 2.5 units must be 400-level
• 3.0 CHEM units: CHEM 120, CHEM 120L, CHEM 123, CHEM 123L, CHEM 237, CHEM 237L, CHEM 266, and CHEM 266L
• 0.5 Science elective unit
• 0.5 unit program elective chosen from: MATH 114, MATH 127, or PHYS 111
• 0.5 STAT unit: STAT 202
• 5.5 elective units
• 0.5 ENGL unit: ENGL 193/SPCOM 193

Additional Program Conditions:

1. A maximum of 3.0 SCI units may be counted toward this program.
2. A maximum of 5.0 failed units is permitted.
3. A failed second attempt of a required course will result in removal from the program (see Faculty of Science policy on repeating courses).
4. Detailed information on co-op program requirements is in the Co-operative Education and Career Action (CECA) section of this Calendar and in the Faculty of Science work-term report guidelines. Co-operative education requirements include:
   • A minimum of four work terms
   • Four WatPD (professional development) courses that must include PD 1, PD 11, and two PD elective courses
   • Four work-term reports:
     • One completed as part of PD 11
     • Three completed in required WKRPT courses: WKRPT 200S, WKRPT 300S, and WKRPT 400S

Notes

1. Science elective units include BIOL, CHEM, EARTH, PHYS, or SCI.
2. Students are encouraged to take 1.0 unit from the Faculty of Arts, with 0.5 unit being from the Department of English Language and Literature.
3. BIOL 361 is a recommended elective.
4. Students should verify term of offering when choosing between MATH 114, MATH 127, and PHYS 111 as they plan their course sequence. 

Recommended Course Sequence

Year One

Fall

BIOL 110, BIOL 130, BIOL 130L, BIOL 150
CHEM 120/CHEM 120L
One elective (0.5 unit)

Winter

BIOL 165, BIOL 239
CHEM 123/CHEM 123L
One of MATH 114, MATH 127, or PHYS 111
One of ENGL 193/SPCOM 193

Year Two

Fall

BIOL 240, BIOL 240L, BIOL 273
CHEM 266/CHEM 266L
One Science elective (0.5 unit)
One elective (0.5 unit)

Spring

BIOL 120, BIOL 308
CHEM 237/CHEM 237L
Two electives (1.0 unit)

Year Three

Winter

BIOL 359
Two BIOL electives 300-level or higher (1.0 unit)
STAT 202
One elective (0.5 unit)

Fall

Three BIOL electives 300-level or higher (1.5 units)
Two electives (1.0 unit)

Year Four

Fall and Winter

Six BIOL electives 300-level or higher (3.0 units)
Four electives (2.0 units)