BSc Biology at St. Francis Xavier University

Programme overview

Biology at StFX is a Bachelor of Science combining classroom, field and laboratory work to study living organisms from the cell to global ecological systems. Six concentrations are offered and degree patterns include Major, Advanced Major and Honours, with joint programs available with Psychology, Chemistry, Math and Physics.

Faculty: Faculty of Science | Department: Biology Department | Study mode: full-time | Location: Antigonish, Nova Scotia, Canada

What you will study

First-year students take Introductory Cell Biology and Diversity of Life, covering cell biology, basic genetics, major groups of organisms and evolution. Concentrations are Health Sciences, Ecology, Cell and Molecular Biology, Animal Biology, Plant Biology and Aquatic Biology.

Career pathways

Biotechnology, teaching, environmental consultancy, medicine, veterinary medicine; graduates pursue medical, dental, veterinary and graduate study.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Faculty of Science (BSc), Nova Scotia high school applicants: Minimum overall Grade 12 average of 70% with no grade below 65% in each required subject; limited-enrolment programs are competitive and the minimum does not guarantee admission. Required: English 12 (or English 12: African Heritage), Pre-Calculus 12 or Calculus 12, two of (Biology 12, Chemistry 12, Computer Science 12 or Computer Programming 12, Environmental Science 12 or Geology 12, Physics 12) and one other university preparatory course. Requirements for other provinces and countries differ by location. Applicants whose first language is not English normally need proof of English proficiency (for example IELTS 6.5 overall with no band below 6.0, TOEFL iBT 90 with no band below 20, Duolingo 115, PTE Academic 60).

Requirements published at faculty level.

Main intake: September (classes begin 2 September 2026; Welcome Days 29-30 August 2026). January intake (classes begin 5 January 2027) for eligible programmes; competitive programmes such as BSc Nursing are not available for January admission. Spring term (May 2027) and Summer term (July 2027) undergraduate studies are also offered.

Domestic applicants: 1 September deadline for September entry (2026 and 2027); 9 December 2026 for January 2027 entry. Applications for September 2027 open 15 September 2026. Bachelor of Education: last date to submit application is 1 December 2026. LPN to BScN: 9 December 2026. Four-year BSc Nursing: 3 March 2027. Spring term (May 2027): 12 April 2027. Summer term (July 2027): June, date to be confirmed. Major scholarship consideration: apply by 1 March 2027.

International applicants: 30 May 2027 deadline for September 2027 entry (later applications reviewed case by case according to visa processing times); 30 September 2026 for January 2027 entry, with confirmation by 30 October 2026. Applications for September are made at apply.stfx.ca.

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