In this Guide
Learn the many ways you can extend your classroom experience to the real world.
- Take required Chemistry, Biology, Math, and Physics courses.
- Learn about co-op – apply at the end of your first year.
- Live in the Faculty of Science Residence Learning Community to extend opportunities for learning and development beyond the classroom.
- Participate in Supplemental Instruction sessions for key courses.
- Complete WHMIS training.
- Contact Science Advising and seek help early.
- Enhance your academic experience at Laurier through professional one-on-one, online and peer-to-peer resources available through Academic Advising and Support.
- Take required Chemistry and Biology courses to ensure you have prerequisites for senior Biochemistry and Biotechnology courses.
- Learn about Instructional Assistantship opportunities in Biochemistry & Biotechnology.
- Look for research opportunities in faculty members’ labs.
- Attend CH490 presentations and apply for the Honours Thesis Research course if you are interested in the opportunity to do research.
- If you’re thinking about applying to graduate school, talk with your professors and visit the Career Centre.
- Complete your senior thesis research project and gain hands-on experience using state-of-the-art equipment in a new and challenging area of biochemical research.
- Attend the PhD symposium to view graduate students’ projects.
- Attend the Chemistry Seminar Series to network with Biochemistry alumni, industry professionals and researchers.
- Showcase your thesis project at Laurier’s poster conferences.
- If you’re applying to graduate school, sign up for a scholarship proposal writing workshop and book a further education application appointment.
As a Biochemistry and Biotechnology student, you can:
- Join student clubs such as the Laurier Chemistry Association, Faculty of Science Students’ Association (FOSSA), or Laurier Biotechnology Organization and build leadership skills through joining an executive team.
- Support first-year student success by applying to become a Supplemental Instruction leader.
- Participate in National Chemistry Week, Global Biotechnology Week and the Canadian Society for Chemistry Oral and Paper Competition.
- Attend the Southern Ontario Undergraduate Student Chemistry Conference.
- Explore paid research opportunities including the Faculty of Science or Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) Undergraduate Student Research Assistantships (USRAs), and Research Internships in Science and Engineering (RISE) in Germany.
- Join the Chemical Institute of Canada, the Canadian Society for Molecular Biosciences or the Biomedical Society as a student member.
Outside of your program, there are many co-curricular opportunities for you to participate in.
- Check out the Experience Catalogue for a full list of co-curricular experiences that are currently offered across campus.
- Volunteer with the Students’ Union (e.g., Laurier Orientation, Hawk Walk, EcoHawks, Food Bank, Emergency Response Team, Shinerama).
- Volunteer on campus with the Accessible Learning, Global Engagement, Sustainability Office, Centre for Student Equity, Diversity and Inclusion, WLU Student Publications and more.
- Get involved in the local community by volunteering off campus.
- Apply for on-campus jobs:
- Check Navigator frequently for job postings or contact individual departments directly.
- Search for job opportunities on the Students’ Union website.
- If you meet eligibility criteria, apply for the Laurier Work Study Program or International Student Work Experience Program.
- Attend Job Fairs to network with employers.
- Explore ways to get involved in research.
- Look into StartUp Lab opportunities for support in launching a new venture.
Job/Volunteer Search Tips
- While on-campus opportunities are posted year-round, recruitment often starts early! Start looking in the winter term for opportunities in the following academic year.
- Have your resumé and LinkedIn profile reviewed by Career Centre staff for both on and off-campus opportunities.
- Laurier offers a variety of co-curricular certificates that you can complete during your studies. Earn certificates in topics including academic development, professional development, wellness, leadership and career development.
- Participate in workshops, programming and events offered by the Career Centre, Gendered and Sexual Violence Prevention and Support, Laurier Library, the Centre for Student Equity, Diversity and Inclusion and more.
- Engage in the First-Year Leadership Program including Campus Councils and House Council and the Leadership Certificate.
- Connect with Global Engagement to learn about international options available to you including opportunities abroad and language and culture sharing programs.
Design Your Degree
These are a few popular academic opportunities which allow you to dive deeper into your major area of study or broaden your knowledge. See undergraduate options, minors and courses for more information.
Develop Your Knowledge and Skills
As a Laurier student, you will develop the following competencies through your curricular and co-curricular experiences.
Competency Framework
Competencies are categories of transferrable skills that appear on your online Experience Record to help you reflect on what you've learned from your experiences. The competencies include:
- Adaptability and Resiliency
- Collaboration and Teamwork
- Communication
- Creativity and Innovation
- Critical Thinking
- Digital Literacy
- Diversity and Intercultural Understanding
- Functional Knowledge
- Leadership
- Problem Solving
- Professional Attributes
- Self-Awareness
Functional Knowledge
- Contribute to the discovery of solutions to problems that are often of immediate concern to society, medicine or industry.
- Demonstrate knowledge of the structure, function and interaction of biomacromolecules.
- Develop and master experimental skills required to measure, analyze and interpret data.
- Develop an understanding of scientific process and the ability to formulate and test hypotheses/ideas using an objective and analytical focus.
- Gather, assess, evaluate, interpret and then communicate technical and scientific data to both scientific and non-scientific communities.
- Explore the molecular aspects of life, while developing a strong foundation in cell and molecular biology, microbiology, genetics and molecular medicine. Learn about technologies and products that help improve, replenish and sustain the health of our planet.
Discover Career Options
All your experiences at Laurier can help you prepare for your future. Attend Career Centre events and workshops or book a career consulting appointment to explore career and further education options.
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Pursuing Further Education
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Employed
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Other
25 Biochemistry/Biotechnology and Chemistry respondents from the 2024 Laurier Graduate Survey conducted by the Career Centre. Graduates were surveyed within 12 months of graduation. Other includes those travelling, volunteering or out of the workforce. 12% of graduates were looking for employment when survey data collection ended.
Alumni Careers and Pathways
Sample Further Education Programs Within the First Year After Graduation
- Master’s Degree - Chemistry, Biochemistry, Medical Biotechnology
- College Program - Medical Laboratory Technician
Sample Jobs Within the First Year After Graduation
- data review specialist
- laboratory technical coordinator
- pharmacy assistant
- quality assurance specialist
- research assistant
- technical specialist
Careers Of Alumni Two to Five Years After Graduation
- bioanalytical scientist
- biotechnologist
- chemistry technician
- client data analyst
- implementation specialist
- innovation consultant
- microbiology lab technologist
- regulatory affairs specialist
Career Options and Resources
Need some guidance on what you can do with your degree? Discover some career options and find resources to help guide you.
Career and Industry Options
- agriculture
- beauty/cosmetics
- biomedical engineering
- education/teaching
- entrepreneurship
- environment
- epidemiology
- food/beverage
- forensics
- genetics
- government
- healthcare
- pharmaceutical
- pharmacology
- pharmacy
- public health
- quality assurance
- research
- sustainability
- technical writing
Your Experiences Tell Your Story
Share your story through your Laurier Experience Record. An interactive, shareable and official record of your hands-on experiences and learning opportunities at Laurier – the first of its kind in Canada!
Share Your Feedback
We'd love to hear from you. Complete the Laurier Experience Guide Feedback Survey to share your thoughts.