In this Guide
Learn the many ways you can extend your classroom experience to the real world.
- Take required courses in Biology and other topics, and explore other programs of interest.
- Check out department notice boards and the My Learning Space page dedicated to Biology students for important information and events in the department.
- Participate in Supplemental Instruction sessions for key courses that are offered periodically throughout the year. You can find out about these on the Biology MyLS page.
- Learn about co-op – students apply at the end of your first year for this experience.
- Attend departmental seminars to hear about current research from faculty members and invited speakers.
- Live in the Faculty of Science Residence Learning Community to extend opportunities for learning and development beyond the classroom.
- Learn about undergraduate scholarships, awards and bursaries.
- Enhance your academic experience at Laurier through professional one-on-one, online and peer-to-peer resources available through Academic Advising and Support.
- Choose to specialize in one of the Biology concentrations:
- Cell and Molecular Biology, Microbiology and Genetics.
- Ecology, Evolution and Biodiversity.
- Anatomy and Physiology.
- Apply to complete field courses in Ontario, New Brunswick, Newfoundland, Northern Canada, British Columbia, Africa or the Caribbean through the Ontario University Program in Field Biology.
- Study abroad on an academic exchange in Australia, the United Kingdom, France, Sweden or South Africa.
- Explore opportunities to get involved with research in a faculty member's lab.
- Consider applying to complete a fourth-year thesis as a part of the Research Specialization.
- Consider applying for Instructional Assistant or work-study opportunities in the Department of Biology.
- Apply for undergraduate scholarships, awards and bursaries.
- Continue to attend departmental seminars to engage with faculty and visiting speakers.
- If you’re thinking about applying to graduate school, talk with your professors and visit the Career Centre.
- Complete a fourth-year thesis if you are interested in the Research Specialization.
- Pursue research, Instructional Assistant and work-study opportunities in Biology.
- Participate in provincial, national or international scientific conferences in a faculty member-led research team.
- If you’re applying to graduate school, sign up for a scholarship proposal writing workshop and book a further education application appointment.
- Learn about graduate scholarships and financial aid if you are thinking of further education.
As a Biology student, you can:
- Join student clubs such as the Laurier Biology Association or the Faculty of Science Students' Association (FOSSA). Build leadership skills through joining an executive team.
- Seek student-representative positions in the Biology Department to participate in opportunities such as the Faculty of Science Divisional Council.
- Get involved with the Laurier Centre for Women in Science (WinS).
- Attend the Ontario Biology Day undergraduate research conference or participate in poster conferences.
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
- Apply the principles of the scientific process - hypothesis making, experimental design, applying modern techniques, observation and data collection, analysis and interpretation - to formulate and test ideas using an objective and analytical approach.
- Gather, assess, evaluate and interpret biological data, in both the laboratory and in the field, and communicate knowledge to scientific and non-scientific communities.
- Build a thorough understanding of the consistencies and diversity in structures and processes, as well as the interactions and dynamics operating at all levels of biological organization, from the molecular to whole organisms, up to populations within their environments, and ecosystem and biosphere levels.
- Acquisition of the skills, knowledge, attitude and creativity to contribute to the discovery of new knowledge at the molecular or cellular level or find solutions to problems that are rooted, for example, in human-caused disturbances to biological systems, in order to protect, preserve and conserve Earth’s biota.
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
59 Biology respondents from the Laurier Graduate Survey conducted by the Career Centre. Graduates were surveyed within 12 months of graduation. Other includes 7% who were travelling, volunteering or out of the workforce and 5% who were looking for employment.
Alumni Career and Pathways
Sample Further Education Programs Within the First Year After Graduation
- Master’s Degree - Integrative Biology, Bioinformatics, Molecular Genetics and Biotechnology, Public Health
- College Program - Biotechnology, Clinical Research, Lab Technology, Functional Genomics and Clinical Consultation, Sonography
- Bachelor’s Degree - Education, Nursing
- Doctor - Medicine, Dentistry
Sample Jobs Within the First Year After Graduation
- area sales manager
- associate underwriter
- field research assistant
- laboratory assistant
- operations lead
- product coordinator
- research assistant
Careers Of Alumni Two to Five Years After Graduation
- biological technologist
- grants officer
- hearing instrument specialist
- pharmacist
- regulatory product manager
- senior research associate
- veterinarian
- wildlife biologist
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
- bioinformatics
- biomedical engineering
- education/teaching
- environment
- food/beverage
- forensic science
- genetics
- healthcare
- journalism/media
- nutrition/dietetics
- pharmacy
- public health
- rehabilitation
- research
- scientific writing
- sustainability
Career Resources
- Society of Canadian Women in Science and Technology
- Canadian Bioethics Society
- Canadian Health Information Management Association
- Canadian Healthcare Technology
- Canadian Foundation for Healthcare Improvement
- The Canadian Society of Environmental Biologists
- Digital Health Canada
- ECO Canada
Laurier Alumni Career Profiles
Learn about career paths of Biology alumni:
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
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