Departments, Schools and Programs

The Faculty of Science consists of four departments: Biology, Chemistry, Earth & Environmental Sciences and Physics & Astronomy, and the Schools of Optometry and Pharmacy.

Since the first students were enrolled in Fall, 1959, the Faculty has grown to 2300 undergraduates and 375 graduate students pursuing full-time studies, and another 1400 undergraduate and graduate students in part-time studies.

Undergraduate Degrees

The degree of Bachelor of Science (BSc) is awarded on the successful completion of the three-year General and four-year Honours programs. The degree Doctor of Optometry (OD) is awarded upon the successful completion of the four-year professional program in the School of Optometry. B.Sc.Phm will be awarded upon successful completion of the four-year professional program in the School of Pharmacy.

Graduate Degrees

At the graduate level, science has a reputation for attracting some of the best and brightest students from around the world. The vigorous research and graduate-level teaching programs in Biology, Chemistry, Earth & Environmental Sciences, Physics and the School of Optometry enables students to pursue studies leading to Master of Science (MSc) and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degrees.

Academic Plans

Biochemistry, Biology, Chemistry, Earth Sciences, Physics and Science and Business are available in both the Regular and Co-operative system of study. In the Co-operative system, students alternate four-month study terms on campus with four-month work terms in industry, business or government, in an area related to their studies. Biotech/Economics and Biotechnology/Chartered Accountancy programs are only offered through the Co-operative stream while Biomedical Science is only offered as a Regular stream program.

Graduate Academic Plans leading to the degrees of MSc and PhD are discussed in the University of Waterloo Graduate Studies calendar.