BSc Biology

You’ll develop practical skills through extensive labs, fieldwork, and undergraduate research—often starting as early as your second year. The program emphasises hands-on learning, with opportunities for paid internships, summer research assistantships, and independent study projects. The Office of Experiential Learning and Career Development supports tailored experiences to match your interests.

Experiential learning opportunities include:

Independent Research Projects & Honours Thesis:
As early as Year 2, students have the opportunity to undertake faculty-supervised independent research, progressing to a full Honours research thesis in upper years (6-credit capstone project). Many students begin by volunteering in labs and eventually participate in summer research employment, sometimes co-authoring peer-reviewed publications.

Faculty Lab Involvement:
About 50% of science students are actively involved in lab work, particularly in areas such as phytoplankton physiology, environmental microbiology, neurophysiology, and marine botany. Students may work as research assistants, contributing to national and international collaborations and accessing sophisticated laboratory facilities.

Harold Crabtree Aqualab (Centre for Aquatic Sciences):
Students conduct hands-on aquatic research testing the effects of temperature, salinity, and pollutants on fish and invertebrates in a climate-controlled aquatic lab.

Environmental Analytics & Stable Isotope Lab (EASIL):
Offers advanced instrumentation like isotope ratio mass spectrometers and elemental analyzers, which students can use in independent study or lab-based research courses.

Experience MtA Internship Program:
Mount Allison’s experiential learning platform posts paid internships—both summer and during the academic year—in diverse settings. Biology students can secure roles locally or internationally, engaging with environmental agencies, NGOs, or research organisations and gain transcript‑recognized experience.

Mount Allison University’s BSc Biology graduates enjoy outstanding outcomes — many move into roles such as medical researcher, environmental biologist, health policy analyst, wildlife or aquatic biologist, government research scientist, and science educator. Acceptance rates to top graduate and professional schools (including medicine and veterinary medicine) are exceptionally high, and alumni can be found in leadership roles worldwide.

Here’s how Mount Allison sets you up for success:

• Career & Research Support: The Biology program emphasises hands-on learning, with small class sizes, direct faculty mentorship, and extensive lab and field research opportunities. Many students work alongside professors on summer research projects or independent studies, gaining real-world experience and building professional networks.

• Employment Stats & Salary: While specific salary data isn’t published, biology graduates in Canada typically start between $45,000–$55,000 CAD per year, with strong growth as you gain experience.

• Industry & Academic Partnerships: The department’s connections with government, environmental agencies, and research institutes provide access to internships, fieldwork, and collaborative projects.

• Accreditation: Mount Allison’s Biology program is ranked among the top 20 in Canada and is fully recognised for entry into graduate and professional programs.

• Graduate Outcomes: Graduates gain advanced lab, analytical, and research skills, making them highly competitive for employment or further study. Alumni boast high acceptance rates to top graduate and professional schools, including medicine, law, and veterinary programs.

Further Academic Progression: After your BSc Biology, you can pursue Mount Allison’s own MSc in Biology, which offers research-based training in areas like ecology, molecular biology, animal physiology, and neurophysiology, or continue to PhD or professional programs (medicine, veterinary