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Biology (M.Sc.)

Study the science of life, from the microscopic to whole communities of plants and animals.

Overview

Are you passionate about addressing issues in diseases, protecting natural resources, animal welfare, or combating the detrimental effects of environmental pollution? Join us and become the catalyst for a brighter, healthier, and more sustainable future.

The Master of Science in Biology program at Laurentian University provides students with the opportunity to complete a research thesis in one of three fields of study:

  • Molecular and Cell Biology
  • Animal and Plant Biology
  • Ecology and Evolution

During the first year of studies, students typically take three courses and focus on research during the second year. With the help of their supervisor, students choose courses that provide a comprehensive understanding of topics relevant to their research field and personal interests. You'll have the chance to work alongside experienced scientists and receive guidance from an Advisory Committee throughout your studies.

Note: The program is taught in English; however, Francophone faculty members may support Francophone students during their studies.

Key Features

A graduation cap
Prepare for a career in research, government, or industry with a Master of Science in Biology. Diverse degree specializations open up many career choices and opportunities.
A school building
Work in a highly collaborative and professional research environment with members in other Laurentian University units, other research centres in the city, Ontario, and even other provinces and countries.
A thinking bubble with a question mark in it
Biology M.Sc. students who have a GPA above 75% can be considered for a paid Graduate Teaching Assistantship (GTA) for various undergraduate courses.

Career Opportunities

After graduation, our students can explore various career opportunities in fields such as:

  • Biomedical research
  • Chiropractic
  • Conservation agencies (wildlife, fish, habitat)
  • Dentistry
  • Environmental consulting
  • Federal and provincial ministries
  • Human and veterinary medicine
  • Mining
  • Naturopathy
  • Nongovernmental conservation agencies
  • Park management
  • Physiotherapy
  • Teaching

James Lee

As a graduate biology student at Laurentian, I am grateful to have the opportunity to conduct research in a medical laboratory at the Northern Ontario School of Medicine (NOSM). This collaboration between Laurentian and NOSM has provided me with unique experiences that have taught me so much about the world of biomedical research. The path of research can often be stressful, but the supportive atmosphere of fellow student researchers and staff at Laurentian and NOSM have created a positive environment where I can expand my knowledge, develop new laboratory skills, and form connections that will help advance my career.

Does this program interest you?

Take an in-depth look at program details, courses, and degree options!

Program Details

Faculty Members

Core faculty members

Alarie, Yves: Invertebrate systematics

Basiliko, Nathan: Environmental microbiology; ecosystem ecology; soils

Beckett, Peter: Restoration ecology; wetlands

Gagnon, Jeffrey: Obesity and metabolic disease

Gunn, John: Fisheries ecology and management

Lamothe, Suzanne

Lesbarrères, David: Evolutionary ecology; herpetology

Litzgus, Jackie: Ecology and conservation of reptiles at risk

Mallory, Frank: Wildlife management & behavioural & biomedical ecology

Martinez-Garcia, Mery: Animal physiology in changing environments

Nasserulla, Sabah

Nkongolo, Kabwe: Human and plant genetics

Robitaille, Jean-François: Behavioural ecology of Mustelids

Ryser, Peter: Ecology of wetland plants; root ecology; heavy metal stress

Saleh, Mazen: Molecular biophysics; bacterial environmental interactions

Schulte-Hostedde, Albrecht: Applied evolutionary ecology

 

Cross-appointed faculty

Belzile, Nelson

Boreham, Douglas (NOSM)

Gauthier, Eric: Molecular and cellular control of cell survival

Johnson, Julia

Kovala, Tom: Signal transduction and regulation of angiogenesis

Kumar, Aseem: Molecular signalling pathways

Lafrenie, Robert: Breast cancer indicators; natural cancer control products

Lannér, Carita: DNA replication in etiology of cancer

Larivière, Céline: Cellular and molecular neural and muscular systems

Le, Hoang-Thanh

MacLean, David (NOSM)

McElhaney, Janet

Merritt, Thomas: Genomics and bioinformatics (Drosophila and environmental)

Moise, Alexander (NOSM)

Mykytczuk, Nadia: Environmental microbiology

Nokhbeh, Reza: Bacteriophage biology, therapeutics and diagnostics

Omri, Abdel:  Lipid-based drug and vaccine delivery systems

Parissenti, Amadeo: Tumour biology

Ramcharan, Charles: Lake food webs

Ross, Gregory: Nervous system disorders; brain disease

Roy-Leveillée (Pascale School of Northern Development)

Simard, Alain (NOSM)

Tai, T.C.: Gene dysregulation; hypertension

Tharmalingam, Sujeenthar (NOSM)

Thome, Christopher (NOSM)

Yang, Guangdong

 

Adjunct faculty

Bhavsar, Satyendra

Bowman, Jeff: Spatial population ecology

Bräuer, Suzanna

Brown, Glen: Animal ecology, wildlife conservation and management

Buckner, Carly

Côté, Gilbert

Dotta, Blake

Echaubard, Pierre

Edwards, Brie

Edwards, Darryl

Garner, Trenton

Hamr, Josef

James, April

Johnston, Thomas

Jones, Trevor

Keller, Wendel: Effects of multiple stressors on northern aquatic ecosystems

Khidas, Kamal

Kim, Nam-Soo

Mandrak, Nicholas

Mastromonaco, Gabriela: Developmental biology; reproductive biotechnology

Pitcher, Trevor

Popp, Jesse

Renshaw, Gillian

Riley, Julia

Schock, Danna

Tanentzap, Andrew

Venier, Lisa

Watmough, Shaun

Jean-Francois Robitaille

Jean-Francois Robitaille

School of Natural Sciences
Kabwe Nkongolo

Kabwe Nkongolo

School of Natural Sciences
Abdelwahab Omri

Abdelwahab Omri

School of Natural Sciences
Amadeo Parissenti

Amadeo Parissenti

School of Natural Sciences
Peter Ryser

Peter Ryser

School of Natural Sciences
Blake Dotta

Blake Dotta

School of Natural Sciences
Aseem Kumar

Aseem Kumar

School of Natural Sciences
Albrecht Schulte-Hostedde

Albrecht Schulte-Hostedde

School of Natural Sciences
Mery Martinez Garcia

Mery Martinez Garcia

School of Natural Sciences
Jacqueline Litzgus

Jacqueline Litzgus

School of Natural Sciences
Mazen Saleh

Mazen Saleh

School of Natural Sciences
Thomas Merritt

Thomas Merritt

School of Natural Sciences
Jeffrey Gagnon

Jeffrey Gagnon

School of Natural Sciences
Guangdong Yang

Guangdong Yang

School of Natural Sciences