BSc Biology

Hands-on, extensive lab and fieldwork, state-of-the-art research facilities, and participation in real-world projects are offered to students to equip them with practical skills.

Experiential learning opportunities include:

• Field courses at Bonne Bay Marine Station and Terra Nova National Park

• Access to advanced laboratory and research equipment

• MUCEP and NSERC USRA research internships

• Optional Co-op internships for paid field experience

• Possibilities for Honours thesis research

• Use of computer software and biological analysis programs

• Group research projects and collaborative research

• Access to specialized libraries and the Harlow Campus in England

• Research at the Ocean Sciences Centre (OSC): a modern cold ocean research laboratory committed to fisheries, aquaculture, oceanography, and marine ecology, with hands-on contact with marine life exhibits and harp seals

• Research at the Bonne Bay Aquarium & Research Station located in Gros Morne National Park, offering teaching laboratories, aquarium facilities, and access to diverse marine habitats

• Hands-on experience with the CREAIT Network: access to essential research instrumentation and thematic equipment clusters in oceanography, chemistry, and biology

• Field research at the Memorial University Botanical Garden: a 110-acre living laboratory for environmental science, ecology, and botany, with a focus on invasive species management and rare plant conservation

Graduates of Memorial University of Newfoundland’s BSc in Biology are well-prepared for a variety of science careers and further study. Typical job roles include bio/medical technologist, fisheries biologist, research scientist, laboratory technician, wildlife or conservation officer, and science educator. Many alumni also pursue professional programs such as medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine, or graduate research.

Here’s how Memorial supports your success:

• Career Services & Co-op: The Biology Co-op program offers paid, hands-on work placements in roles like field/lab technician, genetic counselling assistant, plant pathology research assistant, and hospital laboratory technician, providing valuable experience and employer connections.

• Employment Stats & Salary: While historical data shows about 39% of biology grads were employed full-time and 56% in further studies within months of graduation, starting salaries for biology roles in Canada typically range from $45,000–$55,000 CAD per year, with higher earnings as you gain experience.

• Industry Partnerships: Memorial’s Research Innovation Office connects students with industry partners in government labs, fisheries, forestry, agriculture, and biotech, offering research, internships, and networking opportunities.

• Accreditation: The BSc Biology is fully recognised in Canada and internationally, and students can choose concentrations in areas like applied ecology, aquatic life, molecular biology, and biology for health professions for tailored career preparation.

• Graduate Outcomes: Students gain hands-on lab and field experience, participate in research at facilities like Bonne Bay Marine Station, and can access undergraduate research awards and programs for additional training.

Further Academic Progression: After your BSc, you can pursue an MSc in Biology at Memorial (or other universities), with research opportunities in areas such as microbiology, molecular biology, marine biology, and behavioural ecology. The program also prepares you for professional degrees in medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine, occupational therapy, or optometry, supported by Memorial’s strong faculty and research infrastructure.