Important Information for Fall 2025:Ìý
The most important information we can give new students is that we're here to help you navigate the below process - so don't hesitate to email science.advisor@uwaterloo.ca.
You will find the required courses for your first-year in Science listed below and sorted by programs.
Here are a few reminders regarding Fall 2025Ìýenrolment:
- The Science academic advisors have enrolled you in your required courses according to your program requirements. During the Course Selection Period, July 2Ìý- July 9Ìý(see Important Dates Calendar), check that your Fall termÌýcourses listed below match the courses listed on Quest and do not make any changes to these courses.
- If your program requires you to take an elective, please ensure you consider the 'recommended' electives in the Notes section of your program below (if applicable), or consult the course registration information for new studentsÌýpage under "list of courses that may be available to you".
- Check that you have a full course load: 5 lectures (LEC, 0.5 unit each) and their associated labs (LAB), tutorials (TUT), and tests (TST), where applicable. If you have to take a reduced course load as part of an individual education plan, please discuss your course load with an academic advisor from the Science Undergraduate Office.
Important Information to Consider
Overview of Courses for All First-Year Students
Most Faculty of Science students must take at least two different Science subjects in the first year (e.g., CHEM and BIOL). You should take at least one course of each of the two subjects in the Fall term (e.g., CHEM 120 and CHEM 120L, BIOL 130 and BIOL 130L), and the second course of those same two subjects in the Winter (e.g., CHEM 123 and CHEM 123L, BIOL 165).
Fall Course
- 100- or 200-level Biology plus labs, if applicable; BIOL 110, BIOL 130/130L,Ìýor BIOL 240/240L
- CHEM 120 and CHEM 120L or CHEM 121 and CHEM 121L
- EARTH 121 and EARTH 121L
- PHYS 111 and PHYS 111L or PHYS 121 and PHYS 121L
Winter Course
- 100- or 200-level Biology plus labs, if applicable; BIOL 211, BIOL 220, or BIOL 239
- CHEM 123 and CHEM 123L or CHEM 125 and CHEM 125L
- EARTH 122 and EARTH 122L
- PHYS 112 and PHYS 112L or PHYS 122 and PHYS 122L
The following courses will not be considered substitutes for any of the pairings shown in the table above:
- BIOL 225 and 280
- EARTH 123
- PHYS 105
- PHYS 124
- PHYS 175
- CHEM 140
- MNS courses (e.g. MNS 101)
- SCI courses (e.g. SCI 238)
Postponing Required Courses
Many courses offered in the Fall term are not offered again in the Winter term. If you choose not to follow the sequence of required courses for your program, you may have difficulty getting them in future terms as well as narrowing course options for later terms (e.g., a required course may be a prerequisite for another course). The academic advisors will select your Fall and Winter courses following what is indicated below, under your selected program.ÌýIf you decide to reduce your required courses, it is your responsibility to account for these courses when planning your program requirements.
Physics Course Prerequisites
In programs where you have the option between PHYS 111 or PHYS 121, the decision is up to you. If you are uncertain of which course is best for you, review the course descriptions.
Students who did not complete 12U Physics should enrol in PHYS 111 instead of PHYS 121. If you have limited exposure to Grade 12 Physics, you should contact the Science Undergraduate Office to discuss which PhysicsÌýcourse you should be enrolled in.
Changing Programs or Requesting Co-op
If you wish to change your program (or Subject of Major Interest from your OUAC application) you may do so by:
- Selecting theÌýrequired coursesÌýcorresponding to your new program.
- Filling out the program change web form (in use in June, July, and August—complete the program change process outside of those months).
At this time, requests to switch from regular to co-op will not be considered. You can request co-op after your first year of studies and more information is listed onÌýmodifying your program ±è²¹²µ±ð.Ìý
Professional Schools
If you are interested in a professional program, the school will list their admission and academic requirements. It is important to plan ahead to meet these requirements.
The Biomedical Sciences and Honours Science programs allow the most flexibility to take the courses required for professional schools. Please see the requirements for Optometry and Pharmacy below. If you have questions about planning your courses to meet admission requirements for either program, please contact an academic advisor. You must include, your UÀ¶Ý®ÊÓÆµ student ID number (e.g., 20XXXXXX), full name, and which school/program you are interested in.
Optometry
The School of Optometry and Vision Science at À¶Ý®ÊÓÆµ lists their admission requirements and questions should be directed to the Admissions Coordinator. By reviewing the academic requirements, you can plan your elective courses appropriately.Ìý
Pharmacy
The School of Pharmacy at À¶Ý®ÊÓÆµ lists their admission process and questions about this process should be directed to Pharmacy. By reviewing the prerequisite courses required for admission to the Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) program at the University of À¶Ý®ÊÓÆµ,Ìýyou can plan your elective courses appropriately.Ìý
Other Professional Health-Related Schools
If you are considering a professional health-related school, you should research these programs in order to plan your courses at UÀ¶Ý®ÊÓÆµ accordingly. You will need to contact the professional schools directly for their admission process and academic requirements. The may be a good starting point for Rehab Sciences and Medicine.
Lab Schedules and Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS) requirement
Lab Schedules
Some labs run weekly, while others alternate weeks. It's important to check your schedule in Quest, your course outline, as well as the , for details.
Some labs will have a meet or check in on the Day 1, week 1, and then initiate an alternating pattern in week 2 or week 3. Different labs may take different approaches. The pattern of one lab does not imply the same pattern in other or all labs.
Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS) Requirement
All new students in the Faculty of Science should have completed WHMIS training by September 3. Those that have not yet done so shouldÌýbe able to access and enrol in the online WHMIS training module through . This is a requirement for all Fall labs.
Once you have successfully completed the WHMIS training module, please print your completion certificate. You will be asked to show this certificate in each of your labs. Keep your printout with you at all times.
Required courses
Biochemistry
Notes:
- Labs forÌýPHYS courses are not required for this program. If you choose to take the lab component of PHYS (e.g., PHYS 111L or PHYS 121L or PHYS 112LÌýor PHYS 122L), add themÌýduring course selection week.
- Full year one physicsÌý(Lecture and Lab) may be required for other Science programs or Professional School requirements (e.g., Optometry). Ìý
- CHEM 121/125 are appropriate equivalents that fulfill the first-year Chemistry requirement for Pharmacy admission.
- A fullÌýrecommendedÌýcourse sequence for the program can be found on the ScienceÌýRecommended Course Sequence pageÌý(select 2025-2026).Ìý
- Details regarding program description, required averages, and degree requirements can be found in the currentÌýUndergraduate Studies Academic CalendarÌýunder "Programs & Plans".
Biological and Medical Physics
Notes:
- A fullÌýrecommendedÌýcourse sequence for the program can be found on the ScienceÌýRecommended Course Sequence pageÌý(select 2025-2026).Ìý
- Details regarding program description, required averages, and degree requirements can be found in the currentÌýUndergraduate Studies Academic CalendarÌýunder "Programs & Plans".
Biology
Notes:
- A fullÌýrecommendedÌýcourse sequence for the program can be found on the ScienceÌýRecommended Course Sequence pageÌý(select 2025-2026).Ìý
- Details regarding program description, required averages, and degree requirements can be found in the currentÌýUndergraduate Studies Academic CalendarÌýunder "Programs & Plans".
Biomedical Sciences (Regular Only)
Notes:
- It is strongly recommended to avoid taking both MATH 127 and PSYCH 101 within the same term.
- A fullÌýrecommendedÌýcourse sequence for the program can be found on the ScienceÌýRecommended Course Sequence pageÌý(select 2025-2026).Ìý
- Details regarding program description, required averages, and degree requirements can be found in the currentÌýUndergraduate Studies Academic CalendarÌýunder "Programs & Plans".
Biotechnology/Chartered Professional Accountancy (Co-op Only)
Notes:
- A fullÌýrecommendedÌýcourse sequence for the program can be found on the ScienceÌýRecommended Course Sequence pageÌý(select 2025-2026).Ìý
- Details regarding program description, required averages, and degree requirements can be found in the currentÌýUndergraduate Studies Academic CalendarÌýunder "Programs & Plans".
Chemistry
Notes:
- CHEM 121/125 are appropriate equivalents that fulfill the first-year Chemistry requirement for Pharmacy admission.
- A fullÌýrecommendedÌýcourse sequence for the program can be found on the ScienceÌýRecommended Course Sequence pageÌý(select 2025-2026).Ìý
- Details regarding program description, required averages, and degree requirements can be found in the currentÌýUndergraduate Studies Academic CalendarÌýunder "Programs & Plans".
Chemistry, Computational specialization
Notes:
- CHEM 121/125 are appropriate equivalents that fulfill the first-year Chemistry requirement for Pharmacy admission.
- A fullÌýrecommendedÌýcourse sequence for the program can be found on the ScienceÌýRecommended Course Sequence pageÌý(select 2025-2026).Ìý
- Details regarding program description, required averages, and degree requirements can be found in the currentÌýUndergraduate Studies Academic CalendarÌýunder "Programs & Plans".
Earth Sciences, Geology, Hydrogeology, & Geophysics specializations
Winter term
Notes:
- A fullÌýrecommendedÌýcourse sequence for the program can be found on the ScienceÌýRecommended Course Sequence pageÌý(select 2025-2026).Ìý
- Details regarding program description, required averages, and degree requirements can be found in the currentÌýUndergraduate Studies Academic CalendarÌýunder "Programs & Plans".
Environmental Sciences, Ecology specialization
Winter term
Notes:
- A fullÌýrecommendedÌýcourse sequence for the program can be found on the ScienceÌýRecommended Course Sequence pageÌý(select 2025-2026).Ìý
- Details regarding program description, required averages, and degree requirements can be found in the currentÌýUndergraduate Studies Academic CalendarÌýunder "Programs & Plans".
Environmental Sciences, Geoscience and Water Science specializations
Winter term
- CHEM 123,ÌýCHEM 123L
- EARTH 122,ÌýEARTH 122L
- MATH 127
- Science communication requirement
- OneÌýelectiveÌý(0.5 unit)
Notes:
- A fullÌýrecommendedÌýcourse sequence for the program can be found on the ScienceÌýRecommended Course Sequence pageÌý(select 2025-2026).Ìý
- Details regarding program description, required averages, and degree requirements can be found in the currentÌýUndergraduate Studies Academic CalendarÌýunder "Programs & Plans".
Honours Science (Regular Only)
Winter term
- Two of (up to 1.5 units):
-
One Mathematics course (0.5 unit)
- °¿²Ô±ðÌýelectiveÌý(0.5 unit)
Notes:
- You will receive an email from the Faculty of Science about choosing your FallÌý2025Ìýcourses and electives.
- Not every BIOL lecture course has an associated lab course. If you select a BIOL course that has an associated lab course (e.g., BIOL 130 and BIOL 130L), you must take both for this requirement. If you select a BIOL course that does not have an associated lab course (e.g., BIOL 239), you are not required to take an additional lab.
- For students who have selected BIOL 130 for Fall 2025, BIOL 130L will be enroled for you in Winter 2026.Ìý
- Mathematics courses from the Faculty of Mathematics include ACTSC, AMATH, CO, CS, MATH, PMATH or STAT only. MATH 103 does not count toward this degree; CS 100, COMM, and MTHELÌýcourses do not fulfill the MathematicsÌýcourseÌýrequirement.
- A fullÌýrecommendedÌýcourse sequence for the program can be found on the Science Recommended Course Sequence page (select 2025-2026).Ìý
- Details regarding program description, required averages, and degree requirements can be found in the currentÌýUndergraduate Studies Academic CalendarÌýunder "Programs & Plans".
Materials and Nanosciences
Notes:
- A fullÌýrecommendedÌýcourse sequence for the program can be found on the ScienceÌýRecommended Course Sequence pageÌý(select 2025-2026).Ìý
- Details regarding program description, required averages, and degree requirements can be found in the currentÌýUndergraduate Studies Academic CalendarÌýunder "Programs & Plans".
Mathematical Physics
Notes:
- Must complete a total of 1.25 units of year one science, in one subject outside of physics (CHEM, EARTH or BIOL). The associated lab can be linked to either the fall or winter course, where possible. BIOL 225 and BIOL 280 can not be used as BIOL options.
- A fullÌýrecommendedÌýcourse sequence for the program can be found on the ScienceÌýRecommended Course Sequence pageÌý(select 2025-2026).Ìý
- Details regarding program description, required averages, and degree requirements can be found in the currentÌýUndergraduate Studies Academic CalendarÌýunder "Programs & Plans".
Medicinal Chemistry (Co-op Only)
Notes:
- CHEM 121/125 are appropriate equivalents that fulfill the first-year Chemistry requirement for Pharmacy admission.
- A fullÌýrecommendedÌýcourse sequence for the program can be found on the ScienceÌýRecommended Course Sequence pageÌý(select 2025-2026).Ìý
- Details regarding program description, required averages, and degree requirements can be found in the currentÌýUndergraduate Studies Academic CalendarÌýunder "Programs & Plans".
Physics
Fall term
- CHEM 120/120L or EARTH 121/121L, or 100- or 200-level BIOL with lab if applicable
- CS 114
- MATH 127
- PHYS 10
- PHYS 121,ÌýPHYS 121L
- Science communication requirement
Notes:
- Must complete 1.25 total units of year one science, in one subject outside of physics (CHEM, EARTH or BIOL). The associated lab can be linked to either the fall or winter course, where possible. BIOL 225 and BIOL 280 can not be used as BIOL options.
- A fullÌýrecommendedÌýcourse sequence for the program can be found on the ScienceÌýRecommended Course Sequence pageÌý(select 2025-2026).Ìý
- Details regarding program description, required averages, and degree requirements can be found in the currentÌýUndergraduate Studies Academic CalendarÌýunder "Programs & Plans".
Physics and Astronomy
Notes:
- Must complete 1.25 total units of year one science, in one subject outside of physics (CHEM, EARTH or BIOL). The associated lab can be linked to either the fall or winter course, where possible. BIOL 225 and BIOL 280 can not be used as BIOL options.
- A fullÌýrecommendedÌýcourse sequence for the program can be found on the ScienceÌýRecommended Course Sequence pageÌý(select 2025-2026).Ìý
- Details regarding program description, required averages, and degree requirements can be found in the currentÌýUndergraduate Studies Academic CalendarÌýunder "Programs & Plans".
Psychology
Winter term
- BIOL 130L
- One 100- or 200- level 0.5 unit BIOL elective (exclusive of BIOL 225Ìýand BIOL 280)
- CHEM 123,ÌýCHEM 123L
- One Mathematics course (0.5 unit)
- One of:
PSYCH 207,ÌýPSYCH 211,ÌýPSYCH 238, PSYCH 253/PSYCH 253R,ÌýPSYCH 257/PSYCH 257R,ÌýPSYCH 261 - Science communication requirement
Notes:
- Mathematics courses from the Faculty of Mathematics include ACTSC, AMATH, CO, CS, MATH, or PMATH only. CS 100 and MATH 103 do not fulfill the MathematicsÌýcourseÌýrequirement.
- Admission to this program occurs in year two, after successfully meeting year one average requirementsÌýand completing all year one PSYCH course requirements.Ìý
- A fullÌýrecommendedÌýcourse sequence for the program can be found on the ScienceÌýRecommended Course Sequence pageÌý(select 2025-2026).Ìý
- Details regarding program description, required averages, and degree requirements can be found in the currentÌýUndergraduate Studies Academic CalendarÌýunder "Programs & Plans".
Science and Aviation
Winter term
- Science communication requirement
- 0.5 unit Math elective from ACTSC, AMATH, CO, CS, MATH, PMATH, STATÌý(excludingÌýMATH103,ÌýCS100)
-
Two of (up to 1.5 units):
- You will receive an email from the Faculty of Science about your FallÌý2025Ìýcourses.
- If BIOL 130 or BIOL 240 areÌýchosen, the associated lab componentsÌý(BIOL 130L or BIOL 240L) areÌýalsoÌýrequired.
- For students who have selected BIOL 130 for Fall 2025, BIOL 130L will be enroled for you in Winter 2026.Ìý
- Science and Aviation students will begin flight training with AVIA 121 + AVIA 141 in Spring term (May-August).Ìý
- Advance standing students entering with a Private Pilot Licence will begin flight training with AVIA 222 + AVIA 243 in Fall term (September-December) - contact the academic advisor to discuss schedule adjustments.Ìý
- À¶Ý®ÊÓÆµ Wellington Flight Centre will be in contact with you regarding flight training in future terms.
- A fullÌýrecommendedÌýcourse sequence for the program can be found on the ScienceÌýRecommended Course Sequence pageÌý(select 2025-2026).Ìý
- Details regarding program description, required averages, and degree requirements can be found in the currentÌýUndergraduate Studies Academic CalendarÌýunder "Programs & Plans".
Science and Business
Science and Business
Winter term
Notes:
- You must complete a set of first-year science courses in either BIOL, EARTH or PHYS.ÌýThe subject selected in Fall should be the same subject selected in Winter.
- BIOL labs are not required but may be a prerequisite for upper-year courses, or graduate or professional programs.
- A fullÌýrecommendedÌýcourse sequence for the program can be found on the ScienceÌýRecommended Course Sequence pageÌý(select 2025-2026).Ìý
- Details regarding program description, required averages, and degree requirements can be found in the currentÌýUndergraduate Studies Academic CalendarÌýunder "Programs & Plans".
Science and Business, Biochemistry & BiotechnologyÌýSpecializations
Note:
- A fullÌýrecommendedÌýcourse sequence for the program can be found on the ScienceÌýRecommended Course Sequence pageÌý(select 2025-2026).Ìý
- Details regarding program description, required averages, and degree requirements can be found in the currentÌýUndergraduate Studies Academic CalendarÌýunder "Programs & Plans".
Science and Business, Biology Specialization
Winter term
Note:
- BIOL labs are not required but may be a prerequisite for upper-year courses, or graduate or professional programs.
- BIOL 130 is the default courseÌýselected for the Fall term. You are allowed to choose a different BIOL course.Ìý
- A fullÌýrecommendedÌýcourse sequence for the program can be found on the ScienceÌýRecommended Course Sequence pageÌý(select 2025-2026).Ìý
- Details regarding program description, required averages, and degree requirements can be found in the currentÌýUndergraduate Studies Academic CalendarÌýunder "Programs & Plans".