Biology Schools and Programs in Canada

Biology Studies in Canada

Biology in Canada is studied as a Bachelor of Science (BSc), usually with biology or biological sciences as the major. The degree combines lectures with laboratory and field work, and most universities add research projects and optional work terms. Education is a provincial responsibility, so the length of the degree and the details of the curriculum differ from one province and university to another.

SpainExchange lists 21 schools in Canada for biology. Toronto and Edmonton have three each and Victoria two; the others are spread from Charlottetown and Halifax in the east to Nanaimo and Abbotsford in the west.

How the degree is organised

According to the Canadian Information Centre for International Credentials (CICIC), a bachelor's degree normally takes three or four years of full-time study, depending on the province. In Quebec, students who come from the two-year pre-university cégep programme typically complete the degree in three years. The University of Manitoba gives four years as the expected duration of its BSc in Biological Sciences. The King's University in Edmonton lists both a four-year and a three-year BSc in biology.

Three terms come up in every programme description:

• Major. The main subject of the degree. At Mount Allison University the biology major has 60 credits; at the University of Prince Edward Island (UPEI) it requires at least 42 semester hours in biology.
• Honours. A more concentrated version of the major with higher academic requirements, often including a thesis. At Mount Allison the honours programme has 75 credits. At the University of Lethbridge, students with a high enough GPA can write an undergraduate thesis in the fourth year.
• Minor. A smaller second subject; a biology minor at Mount Allison has 24 credits.

The first two years cover the core. The University of Lethbridge names cellular and molecular biology, organismal biology, genetics, evolution and ecology, together with required courses in chemistry, physics and mathematics. In the later years students choose a direction. The University of Manitoba offers themes such as ecology and environmental biology, cell, molecular and developmental biology, physiology, evolution and biodiversity, and genetics. UPEI has three specialisations: Integrative Biology, Biology of Health and Diseases, and Environment and Ecology. York University in Toronto groups its department around cell and molecular biology, physiology and neuroscience, and ecology and evolutionary biology. Location also shapes the courses: Mount Allison, in Atlantic Canada, teaches coastal marine biology.

Co-op and research

Many Canadian programmes include co-operative education (co-op), which alternates study with paid work terms. At the University of Manitoba, the science co-op option consists of three four-month work terms, so students graduate with 12 months of work experience. The University of Lethbridge states that it offers co-op to all majors in the arts and sciences, and the University of the Fraser Valley mentions co-op placements, undergraduate research and study tours. International students should ask the university which work authorisation a placement requires.

Master's and doctorate

A master's degree takes one to three years after the bachelor's degree and a doctorate at least three years, according to CICIC. In biology the Master of Science (MSc) is normally based on research. Acadia University describes its MSc in biology as research-intensive, with minimal coursework, and Mount Allison University also offers an MSc in Biology. McGill University has a BSc to MSc thesis track for its undergraduates. Applicants for a research degree usually need to find a supervisor in their field before or during the application.

Admission and language

Each university sets its own requirements. For a BSc the basis is a completed secondary education with science subjects; the exact subjects and marks for each country are published by the university's admissions office. The universities named here teach in English. Applicants whose first language is not English normally have to prove their level with a recognised test, and each university sets the required score.

Study permit and costs

Most foreign nationals need a study permit, which costs CAN$150 according to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). The application needs a letter of acceptance, in most cases a provincial or territorial attestation letter obtained through the university, and proof of funds. Students going to Quebec need a Quebec Acceptance Certificate (CAQ). For applications from 1 September 2026, a single student outside Quebec must show CAN$23,448 for one year of living expenses, on top of tuition and travel. Eligible students can work off campus up to 24 hours per week during term.

Tuition fees are set by each university and are higher for international students. They should be checked in the fee calendar of the university for the year of entry.

Careers

A biology degree leads to work in laboratories, environmental consulting, conservation and education, and it is a common basis for further study. The King's University lists paths such as conservation officer, environmental consultant and wildlife biologist, as well as professions that require a further professional degree, for example medical doctor, dentist, pharmacist, physiotherapist and veterinarian. No official employment figures were used for this page.

Frequently asked questions

How long is a biology degree in Canada?

Often four years; the University of Manitoba gives four years as the expected duration. Some universities also offer a three-year BSc, and in Quebec the degree typically takes three years after cégep.

What is the difference between a major and an honours degree?

Honours is a more concentrated programme with higher requirements. At Mount Allison University the biology major has 60 credits and the honours programme 75.

Can I gain work experience during the degree?

Yes, at universities with a co-op option. At the University of Manitoba it consists of three four-month work terms.

Can I continue to a master's degree?

Yes. A master's degree takes one to three years. Acadia University and Mount Allison University, for example, offer an MSc in biology.