BSc Biology

If you’re looking for a biology degree that’s all about hands-on experience, Kwantlen Polytechnic University’s BSc in Biology is the perfect fit. From your very first year, you’ll be in the lab, using real scientific equipment and learning the techniques that biologists use every day. As you move through the program, you’ll build on these skills with advanced labs, research projects, and community-focused studies, so you graduate with the confidence and experience employers and grad schools want.

Here’s how you’ll gain practical skills and experience at KPU:

• Lab-intensive courses every year, with access to specialised labs on Richmond, Surrey, and Langley campuses—including anatomy & physiology, microbiology, and general biology labs, all equipped for hands-on learning.

• Small lab sections (12–32 students) ensure you get personal guidance and plenty of time with equipment.

• Opportunities to work as a research assistant under faculty supervision, where you’ll support applied research, gather experimental data, and even help prepare reports and presentations.

• Upper-year Honours Thesis Projects (BIOL 4990 & 4995), where you’ll design, conduct, and present your own research under the mentorship of expert faculty.

• Training in essential laboratory techniques like PCR, gel electrophoresis, and data analysis using specialised software for statistics, spreadsheets, and scientific reporting.

• Fieldwork opportunities as part of research projects or lab courses, so you can apply your skills outside the classroom.

• Community-focused research or directed studies projects in your final year, connecting your studies to real-world issues and local organisations.

• Access to campus libraries and digital tools to support your coursework and research.

Graduates of Kwantlen Polytechnic University’s BSc in Biology are well-positioned for rewarding careers—most move into roles such as research biologist, laboratory technologist, environmental consultant, or science educator, with others pursuing medicine, biotechnology, teaching, or graduate research. BC’s Labour Market Outlook ranks biologists and related scientists among the highest opportunity occupations, and the program’s multidisciplinary, hands-on approach ensures you gain practical skills in everything from gene editing to ecosystem analysis.

Here’s how KPU supports your career launch:

• Career Services: Access personalised advising, résumé and cover letter workshops, job listings, employer info sessions, and networking events through KPU’s Career Services.

• Employment Stats & Salary: Biology grads in BC typically start between $45,000–$55,000 CAD per year, with strong growth as you gain experience. The BSc is accredited by the BC College of Applied Biology, allowing you to fast-track to Biologist in Training or Registered Professional Biologist (RPBio) status after graduation.

• Industry Partnerships: The program’s applied focus and connections to local employers, research institutes, and government agencies provide opportunities for internships, co-op, and networking.

• Accreditation: The BSc Biology is fully recognised in Canada and internationally, supporting long-term career mobility and professional growth.

• Graduate Outcomes: Students gain extensive lab and field experience, and can complete an Honours thesis project or participate in applied research, making them highly competitive for employment or further study.

Further Academic Progression: After your BSc Biology at KPU, you can pursue a master’s in biology or related fields, or enter professional programs in medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, veterinary medicine, or education. The program’s strong research foundation and accredited status make it an excellent pathway to graduate and professional schools.