Laurentian University Programs
Available in English

Zoology

Faculty of Science, Engineering and Architecture

Study animals, organisms and how they’re adapting, surviving and thriving in today’s environment.

Program Overview

Lead the pack to a great job studying, researching and following life in the outdoors.

What you'll learn

As a student in our Zoology program, you'll specialize in many areas, including animal biology, organisms and their development, genetics, evolution, physiology, behaviour, and interaction with the environment.

In the first two years of the program, you will acquire a strong foundation in the basic principles underlying Biology. You will then use this knowledge in the final two years to gain a deep understanding of subjects such as evolutionary biology, general entomology, vertebrate physiology, and animal behaviour.

Hands-on experience

Our small class size provides unique opportunities, such as paid teaching assistantships, one-on-one instruction during labs, and the use of research-grade equipment. With over 400 hours of required lab work, our Field Camp course, an honours thesis and the option of internship placements, our students acquire hands-on skills which are sought after by employers.

When you graduate 

Our graduates go on to pursue careers as scientists in provincial and federal wildlife agencies, animal research, wildlife rehabilitation, science communication and many others.

You can also choose to pursue research with our Master of Science in Biology program or our Master of Science Communication.

Small classes provide unique opportunities, such as paid teaching assistantships, one-on-one instruction in labs, use of research-grade instrumentation.

Lots of experiential learning opportunities via summer jobs in research labs, an honours thesis, a field camp, and internships.

Certificate in Environmental Solutions
Explore the intersection of science and environmental advocacy through the certificate, choosing between courses in Biology, Chemistry, Engineering, History, Law, and more. This certificate is available to students in all programs and equips students with the knowledge to address pressing environmental challenges.

Career Outlook

With a zoology degree, you can work in animal health, wildlife conservation, environmental consulting, animal research, or science education. Some career options include, but are not limited to:

  • Animal researcher
  • Conservation officer
  • Environmental lawyer (requires law school)
  • Fisheries biologist
  • Marine biologist
  • Provincial and federal wildlife officer
  • Science communicator
  • Science teacher
  • Veterinarian (requires veterinary school)
  • Zookeeper
A young male is holding a net over his shoulders at a lake

Graduates of Zoology will be qualified for employment in a variety of fields including provincial and federal wildlife agencies, science education, animal research, or admission into various programs of specialization including Wildlife rehabilitation, science communication, and Veterinary medicine.

Brandon Varela

Program Details

Program language:

English

Delivery method:

On Campus

Contact info

School of Natural Sciences
(705) 675-1151 ext. 2100
F-519
nat-sci@laurentian.ca

Please contact the email above, and our recruitment team will get back to you!

More About The Program

Admission Requirements

Ontario High School Applicants

Program Prerequisites:

  • 1 grade 12 English U/M course; 1 grade 12 4U Advanced Functions; 2 grade 12 U Science courses or 1 Science + 1 Math; 2 other grade 12 U/M courses
  • A minimum overall average of 70% in the 6 best grade 12 U/M courses


Additional information for applicants who have completed Advanced Placement courses.

Additional information for applicants who have completed the International Baccalaureate.

 

Applicants from outside an Ontario High School 

International Students

Canadian High School Applicants from outside Ontario

Applicants from Colleges

Applicants from other Universities

Mature Students

How To Apply

Canadian Applicants

If you are a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, you must complete your application through the Ontario Universities Application Center (OUAC).

For detailed instructions on the application process, see the How to Apply: Canadian Undergraduate Applicants page.


Apply Now as a Domestic Applicant

International Applicants

If you’re an international applicant, you must fill out the International Application Form.

For detailed instructions on the application process, see the How to Apply: International Students page.


Apply Now as an International Applicant

Degree Options

Bachelor of Science (Honours) Specialization in Zoology

120 credits

Students must follow these regulations in order to meet graduation requirements for the BA or B.Sc.

Program of Study

First year

BIOL 1506E     Biology I         

BIOL 1507E     Biology II

CHMI 1006E     General Chemistry I 1

CHMI-1007E     General Chemistry II       

MATH 1036E     Calculus I 2

MATH 1037E     Calculus II   OR   MATH 1057E     Linear Algebra I

PHYS 1006E     Introductory Physics I

PHYS 1007E     Introductory Physics II

+ 6 credits in Arts

 

1 Applicants lacking 12U-level Chemistry or the equivalent, must complete CHMI 1031 prior to taking CHMI 1006.

2 Applicants with a grade of less than C (60%) in 12U-level Calculus or the equivalent, must complete MATH 1912 prior to taking MATH 1036.

 

Second year

BIOL 2007E     Genetics          

BIOL 2026E     Introduction to Microbiology         

BIOL 2126E     Cell Biology         

BIOL 2356E     Principles of Ecology         

BIOL 2706E     Vertebrate Form and Function         

BIOL 2726E     Diversity of Animals         

CHMI 2426E     Organic Chemistry I       

STAT 2126E     Introduction to Statistics   

     OR   STAT 2246E     Statistics for Scientists

+ 6 credits in Arts

 

Third year

BIOL 2306E     Diversity of Plants  

BIOL 3327E     Experimental Methods in Biology         

CHMI 2227E     Biochemistry I       

NATS 3106E     Scientific Writing and Communication

+ 6 credits from Zoology List A below

+ 6 credits from Zoology List B below

+ 6 credits from any discipline

 

Fourth year

BIOL 4016E     Field Camp and Report   OR   equivalent 3

NATS 4005E     Honours Thesis

     OR NATS 4106E     Literature Review and 3cr BIOL 

+ 9 credits from Zoology List A below

+ 6 credits from Zoology List B below

+ 6 credits from any discipline

 

3 Students must consult their academic advisor for a suitable replacement for BIOL 4016. BIOL 4216 may be a suitable replacement. BIOL 4016 (or its equivalent) can be taken in third year.

4 Students with an overall average of less than B (6) in all Biology courses must replace NATS 4005 with NATS 4106 and another 3 credits from List A or B.

 

Zoology List A 5 (15 credits)

BIOL 3006E     Evolutionary Biology         

BIOL 3706E     General Entomology         

BIOL 3726E     Animal Histology

BIOL 3746E     Animal Ecology         

BIOL 3756E     Vertebrate Physiology         

BIOL 4717E     Animal Behaviour         

BIOL 4736E     Developmental Biology         

5 Some courses are offered only every second year.

 

Zoology List B (12 credits)

List A courses taken above the required 18 credits can replace courses in List B.

BIOL 2757E     Aspects of Human Sexuality         

BIOL 3007E     Evolutionary Medicine

BIOL 3117E     Infectious Diseases         

BIOL 3306E     Vascular Plant Systematics         

BIOL 3386E     Mycology         

BIOL 3806E     Biological Effects of Metals in Plants and Animals

BIOL 3977E     Biodiversity and Conservation         

BIOL 4066E     Quantitative Ecology         

BIOL 4076E     Ecosystem Ecology

BIOL 4216E     Ontario Field Biology Camp         

BIOL 4217E     Ontario Field Biology Camp

BIOL 4317E     Plant-Animal Interactions         

BIOL 4346E     Medical Mycology  

BIOL 4387E     Special Topics in Environmental Biology     

BIOL 4747E     Herpetology         

BIOL 4756E     Freshwater Biology

BIOL 4777E     Wildlife Management: Objectives, Methods and Techniques         

BIOL 4807E     Advanced Genetics

BIOL 4907E     Fisheries Science for Stressed Ecosystems         

CHMI 2427E     Organic Chemistry II

CHMI 3226E     Biochemistry II       

ENSC 3246E     Aquatic Ecology 

GEOL 2406E     Paleobiology I       

INTE 3107E     Pathophysiology    

NATS 3206E     Internship

 

Note:

  • Students may not exceed 48 credits at the 1000 or 9100 level in their degree program.
  • Students must take a minimum of 9 credits of the 4000-level courses to graduate with honours.
  • SCOM 4006 is recommended as a general elective.

Sample Courses

First-year students who have not taken Calculus and Vectors in grade 12 are strongly advised to take MATH 1912 before taking MATH 1036. First-year students who have not taken Chemistry in high school are strongly advised to take CHMI 1031 before taking CHMI 1006.

Some upper-year biomedical biology courses are not offered every year. Third-year students should consult with their academic advisor before making their course selection.

Please note that many of the courses are also offered in French.

A list of required courses in this program is available here.

Faculty Members

Jacqueline Litzgus
Director, Vale Living With Lakes Centre
Living with Lakes
Mery Martinez Garcia
Associate Professor, School of Natural Sciences
School of Natural Sciences
Kabwe Nkongolo
Full Professor, School of Natural Sciences
School of Natural Sciences
Peter Ryser
Full Professor, School of Natural Sciences
School of Natural Sciences
Mazen Saleh
Full Professor, School of Natural Sciences
School of Natural Sciences
Albrecht Schulte-Hostedde
Full Professor, School of Natural Sciences
School of Natural Sciences
Suzanne Lamothe
Master Lecturer, School of Natural Sciences
School of Natural Sciences
Jean-Francois Robitaille
Associate Professor, School of Natural Sciences
School of Natural Sciences
Jeffrey Gagnon
Associate Professor, School of Natural Sciences
School of Natural Sciences
Elizabeth Favot
Assistant Professor, School of Natural Sciences
School of Natural Sciences
Mateus Pepinelli
Assistant Professor, School of Natural Sciences
School of Natural Sciences

Core faculty members and their areas of specialization:

Ready to take the next step?

We’re here to help you get started on your journey to Laurentian.

A Laurentian University student on her laptop in a study room.

More to Explore

Explore Laurentian University

Student in lab coat

Study at Laurentian University

Student holding IV

Browse Services and Support

Graduates