Biomedical Sciences at University of Waterloo

Programme overview

Leads to the Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Sciences. Study human and animal systems and their functions related to health, disease, and the healing process. Diversify your knowledge by learning about viruses, bacteria, and other microbes, and how these (along with genetic and environmental influences) can impact health. Examine how the body ages, how disease and injury impact it, and what diagnostic tools can identify physiological problems.

Faculty: Faculty of Science | Study mode: full-time | Location: Waterloo, Ontario, Canada

What you will study

Most of the classes you’ll take will be Biology courses. With your remaining classes, you can choose additional Biology courses as your electives as well as courses in many of the 100 subject areas at Waterloo. Sample upper-year courses include Introduction to Applied Microbiology, Principles of Human Physiology 1, Functional Histology, Biology of Human Aging, Public Health Microbiology.

Career pathways

Graduates commonly pursue careers in medicine, dentistry, and nursing working for medical research centres and hospitals as well as in the agricultural, pharmaceutical, and biotechnology industries. Many students also pursue further education such as medical school or specialized master's degrees.

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, Physics; Admission averages: Low 80s. How to apply: Apply directly to Biomedical Sciences on your application.

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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