Biological and Medical Physics at University of Waterloo

Programme overview

Biological and Medical Physics is a Bachelor of Science run by the Department of Physics and Astronomy. It is an interdisciplinary degree built on physics, chemistry and biology, with a focus on areas such as medical technology, cancer research, neurophysics and biophysics instrumentation. It is available as a co-op or regular program.

Faculty: Faculty of Science | Department: Department of Physics and Astronomy | Intake: September | Study mode: full-time | Location: Waterloo, Ontario, Canada

What you will study

First year covers physics (mechanics, electricity and magnetism), general chemistry, calculus, introductory cell biology and computing for science. Upper-year courses include Introduction to Biophysics, Molecular & Cellular Biophysics, Biophysics of Imaging, Medical Physics and Advanced Therapeutic Concepts in Oncology and Medical Physics.

Career pathways

Graduates can pursue professional programs such as medicine or optometry, or work in radiation oncology, medical imaging, health physics, or research in biology and physics. Example roles include medical physicist, health and safety officer, drug discovery scientist and scientific instrumentation support. Sample co-op jobs include medical device design assistant, ultrasound image reconstruction specialist and X-ray diffraction technologist.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Ontario applicants: Six Grade 12 U and/or M courses including English (ENG4U) (minimum final grade of 70% is required); Advanced Functions (minimum final grade of 70% is required); Calculus and Vectors (minimum final grade of 70% is required); Two of: Biology, Chemistry, Earth and Space Science, Mathematics of Data Management, or Physics; Admission averages: Low 80s. How to apply: Apply to Physical Sciences and select Biological and Medical Physics as your major in first year.

Tuition is charged per credit, so the total depends on the courses you register for each year. Current fees are listed in the official fee schedule.

First-year students are admitted for the September (fall) term only. Terms: fall (September to December), winter (January to April), spring (May to August). Part-time, online, post-degree and non-degree studies can start in the winter, spring or fall term.

Applications for September 2027 entry close on 1 February 2027 for programs other than Engineering (documents due 15 February 2027) and on 15 January 2027 for Engineering programs other than Architecture (documents due 1 February 2027). International students have the same deadlines. Full-time applicants apply through the Ontario Universities' Application Centre (OUAC).

Part-time, online, post-degree and non-degree studies: winter 2027 applications close 30 October 2026 for degree and non-degree (13 November 2026 for post-degree); spring 2027 applications close 26 February 2027 for degree and non-degree (12 March 2027 for post-degree). Optometry closes 12 November 2026 and Pharmacy closes 6 January 2027.

Apply through the official page: https://uwaterloo.ca/future-students/admissions/how-to-apply

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