Science
Our Science programs set the standard for advanced technological learning, putting the focus on our students having real-world experiences. Discover some of the most intensive and comprehensive undergraduate programs available anywhere, with cutting-edge specializations, opportunities for exciting research and the brightest faculty from around the world. We’re here to help you learn the technical skills you need—and that employers want—for a productive career in science.
When I first visited the university, my attention was immediately drawn to the undergraduate laboratories. I aspired to pursue a career in research as a first step towards applying to medical school. The professors made me feel like I was more than a number on a test sheet. They pushed me to break new ground and they supported me throughout the application process to medical school. My current successes are due to my years at Ontario Tech and to the dedicated staff who continue to inspire students. Sébastien Robert Science (Honours) in Biological Science, Class of 2015 Medical student, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario
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Programs
Applied and Industrial Mathematics (regular and co-op)
Applied and Industrial Mathematics (regular and co-op)
Applied and Industrial Mathematics (regular and co-op)
Mathematics is a fundamental component of scientific endeavour and plays a part in most of our daily activities. It's a key component of problem-solving, from the modelling of atmospheric physics to the complexities of managing risk in financial markets.
Students in the Applied and Industrial Mathematics program will learn concepts, principles, qualitative and quantitative methods, as well as innovative problem-solving skills. Students will gain valuable experience by learning state-of-the-art algorithms and software in courses, and through research projects related to the workplace.
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Applied Biotechnology (regular and co-op)
Pursue an area of Biological Science that is rapidly growing and which applies to many day-to-day applications, such as health, agriculture and industry.
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Astrophysics (regular and co-op)
Explore the current state of knowledge in astrophysics, examine new and emerging theories, and utilize modern techniques to analyze and solve problems in astronomy and astrophysics.
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Biological Science (regular and co-op)
Biology is the study of life. It focuses on understanding life on earth: what life is, how it originated, how it changes over time, and how it influences and is influenced by the surrounding environment. Simply, it examines how life works.
At Ontario Tech University, we have a comprehensive undergraduate program where students can take a wide variety of courses to support their interests in various disciplines of biology that explore complex systems of life – from molecules and cells to ecosystems and human anatomy. Our undergraduate courses give students many opportunities to experience biology first hand through lab and field activities using cutting-edge technology.
The research of our biology professors is integrated into the undergraduate program and students can get involved in a variety of research opportunities. After completing their undergraduate degree, students can do a Masters’ or PhD in Applied Bioscience.
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Chemical Biology (regular and co-op)
Learn how chemistry is applied to answer key questions of biological importance, through the synthesis and use of small molecules, probes, or chemically-modified macromolecules.
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Chemistry (regular and co-op)
Chemistry is known as the central science. From the experimental to the theoretical, our program exposes you to all major fields of chemistry: physical, analytical, organic, inorganic and chemical biology. Students use modern laboratories and teaching environments to gain hands-on experimental understanding.
Students in our program gain important problem-solving skills for the 21st century. Graduates may also pursue advanced degrees in medicine, law, business, education, and research-based Master of Science and PhD programs.
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Computer Science (regular and co-op)
Computing is part of everything we do. It plays a major role in everything from self-driving cars and immersive games to improving everyday activities. Our programs are designed to ensure our graduates are developing the skills they need to thrive in tomorrow's job market.
Our undergraduate program will equip you with the skills and experience to find innovative solutions to the world’s problems whether your plan is to work in industry, start your own company or pursue graduate studies. Degree options include Co-operative Education and specializations in Data Science or Digital Media.
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Data Science (regular and co-op)
Develop the critical skills needed to help you understand and extract key information from vast quantities of data to provide insight into today's world.
As a Computer Science student in the Data Science specialization, you will develop the knowledge, skills, and tools, to set you up for success in this desirable job market.
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Digital Media (regular and co-op)
The Digital Media specialization within the Computer Science program covers topics such as computer graphics, information visualization, human‑computer interaction, machine vision and mobile development. Students will study the underlying technologies used in computer games, educational software, mobile devices and other forms of digital media through the science that informs it. This option is especially suitable for students who are directly interested in digital media or in a related field.
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Environmental Biology (regular and co-op)
Prepare yourself as a leader in the environmental sector as you learn about natural sciences, and the diversity of life from genomes to ecosystems in natural and human impacted environments.
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Forensic Science
Forensic Science is an interdisciplinary study that uses scientific principles to analyze evidence for legal investigations. Our Forensic Science program will give students a strong scientific foundation in biology and chemistry. Students will also learn about forensic aspects of identification, toxicology, physics, psychology and law.
Our Forensic Science program is accredited by the Forensic Science Education Program Accreditation Commission (FEPAC), recognizing that our curriculum, labs, faculty and research have met the rigorous standards set by the American Academy of Forensic Sciences (AAFS). We are one of only two programs in Canada to receive this prestigious award.
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Program page Program map - Forensic biology Program map - Forensic chemistry PROGRAM MAP - FORENSIC PHYSICS
Health Physics and Radiation Science
Energy supply, medicine, agriculture, national security, manufacturing and resource-based industries are all examples of where the use of radioactive materials or radiation-generating machines are an essential part of operations. Radiation is also used to study materials and matter on the atomic scale. Our curriculum is a combination of fundamental radiation science, technological methods and applications to prepare you for a successful career.
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Health Sciences
The term “public health” can conjure a variety of images and ideas for individuals in Canadian society and abroad. For some, it means screening for communicable diseases, mass immunization programs or legislation for healthy and safe work environments. For others, public health means the creation of governmental agencies or combating Ebola and the Zika virus. Overall, the aim of public health is to empower residents to make informed decisions and partake in interventions that seek to preserve, promote, and restore their health.
The Human Health Specialization will prepare you for health-related post-graduate studies such as, medicine, epidemiology, and dentistry. You will take upper-year electives that extend your knowledge in core areas as well as integrate a critical knowledge and understanding of the health-care system in Canada. The Human Health Science specialization offers you an opportunity to learn a broad range of topics related to health. This specialization focuses on the fundamental areas of science as it relates to human health and disease including:
- Anatomy and physiology
- Microbiology
- Neurophysiology
- Pathophysiology
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Public Health PROGRAM MAP - PUBLIC HEALTH
HUMAN HEALTH SCIENCE PROGRAM MAP - HUMAN HEALTH SCIENCE
ALLIED HEALTH SCIENCE PROGRAM MAP - ALLIED HEALTH SCIENCE
Human Health Science
In the Human Health Science specialization, you will learn the fundamental areas of science related to human health and disease, including anatomy and physiology, pathophysiology, microbiology and neurophysiology.
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Integrated Mathematics and Computer Science (regular and co-op)
Integrated Mathematics and Computer Science (regular and co-op)
Integrated Mathematics and Computer Science (regular and co-op)
Integrated Mathematics and Computer Science provides an integrated curriculum aimed at developing enriched skills in mathematical analysis and modeling, and software design and programming. It focuses on where mathematics and computer science converge, as well as the practical application of computer knowledge and mathematical principles.
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Integrative Neuroscience (regular and co-op)
Integrative Neuroscience offers a unique interdisciplinary approach to the study of neuroscience, with an emphasis on strong foundational science and practical laboratory skills. You will study the nervous system at the cellular level, understand its influences on functional circuits at the macroscopic level, and learn how this forms the basis of behaviour, movement and neurological diseases. This program explores neuroscience from an evolutionary perspective, including a comparative analysis of the nervous system and behaviour among different animal groups.
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Life Sciences (regular and co-op)
This program provides an excellent basis for writing the Medical College Admission Test® (MCAT®) exam and for satisfying course requirements for applying to professional programs in medicine, pharmacy, and dentistry.
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Marine Biology (regular and co-op)
Marine Biology is a specialization within the Biological Science program. Within the marine biology specialization, students will learn about marine ecosystems and organisms, as well as have experiential learning opportunities in the marine environment via a semester abroad* at the Bermuda Institute of Ocean Sciences (BIOS).
BIOS is a world-renowned institute with financial support from government, corporate, and private investors. Located in Bermuda, BIOS is near to the Sargasso Sea, one of the world’s most diverse open-ocean ecosystems, and also home to some of the world’s most northern coral reefs, allowing researchers from around the globe an opportunity to study corals. Their facilities and equipment include the research vessel (R/V) Atlantic Explorer, a U.S. flagged UNOLS ocean class vessel, operated by BIOS, that provides faculty and staff—as well as visiting scientists and students—with well-equipped floating labs to support numerous scientific endeavors in the ocean environment.
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Medical Laboratory Science
Medical laboratory technologists:
- Analyze the chemical substances in the body.
- Detect abnormal cells in the blood.
- Identify the type of bacteria responsible for an infection.
- Match the blood given to an accident victim.
Ontario Tech University's Bachelor of Health Science in Medical Laboratory Science (MLS) program is the first of its kind in Ontario. You will be introduced to the exciting diagnostic aspects of health science, including a focus on medical research. You will become skilled in the five main areas of the diagnostic laboratory:
- Chemistry
- Hematology
- Histotechnology
- Microbiology
- Transfusion medicine
The program also emphasizes:
- Professional communication
- Research skills
- Scientific writing
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Nanotechnology and Clean Energy (regular and co-op)
Nanotechnology and Clean Energy (regular and co-op)
Nanotechnology and Clean Energy (regular and co-op)
The Nanotechnology and Clean Energy specialization within the Physics program is designed to meet the urgent demand for graduates with the knowledge and skills to address global issues of escalating energy consumption and declining resources. It emphasizes alternative and conventional energy, with a particular focus on the application of nanotechnology to developing clean energy solutions.
Students will learn the scientific principles underlying the field of nanotechnology along with the development of novel and economical means of generating and harvesting energy, while simultaneously minimizing the environmental impact.
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Pharmaceutical Chemistry (regular and co-op)
Pharmaceutical Chemistry combines the study of drug discovery and development, pharmacology, analytical techniques, and drug chemistry. The chemical design process and evaluation of potential future medications will be a prime focus of your studies. You will apply knowledge gained from course material, hands-on lab experiences and faculty research to the pharmaceutical industry.
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Physics (regular and co-op)
The study of Physics focuses on understanding the fundamental behaviour of systems in nature. This can include understanding the smallest particles in nature (like atoms) to exploring dark matter halos in space.
Students can complete their studies through the Bachelor of Science (Honours) Physics program, or they can specialize in either Astrophysics or Nanotechnology and Clean Energy. Our courses incorporate hands-on learning and provide students with the opportunity to use cutting-edge technology.
The research of our physics professors is integrated into the undergraduate program and students can get involved in a variety of research opportunities. After completing their undergraduate degree, students can choose to do graduate studies in either Modelling and Computational Science or Materials Science. Both of these programs offer Master of Science and PhD Degrees.
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Psychology (Bachelor of Arts)
Students enrolled in the Bachelor of Arts in Psychology program will receive a core first year of social science courses with their second year reserved for foundational psychology courses. Students will also be required to take a number of additional social science electives in their upper years of study. This program will be of particular interest to students wishing to pursue studies in the social, personality and developmental characteristics of human behaviour.
Students will receive a solid foundation in research methods and statistics as well as highly marketable skills in a variety of tech-focused domains. The knowledge students will gain from this program will put them in strong positions for additional education or direct-to-work opportunities in areas such as business, community development, advocacy, public policy, security and marketing.
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Psychology (Bachelor of Science)
Does the chronic use of drugs lead to permanent changes in the brain? How do modern pharmaceuticals help treat the symptoms of anxiety and depression? How do traumatic events influence a child’s development?
Students enrolled in the Bachelor of Science in Psychology program will receive a core first year of natural science courses, including biology, chemistry, physics, math and psychology with their second year reserved for foundational psychology courses. Students will also be required to take a number of additional science electives in their upper years of study. This program will be of particular interest to students wishing to pursue studies in the cognitive and biological underpinnings of human behaviour.
Students will receive a solid foundation in research methods and statistics as well as highly marketable skills in a variety of tech-focused domains. The knowledge students will gain from this program will put them in a strong position for additional education or direct-to-work opportunities in areas such as medicine, health care, social services and mental health.
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Science and Management option
Students interested in managerial and leadership roles in commercial and industrial scientific enterprises can choose to complement the technical studies of their program with business and management courses by applying to the fifth-year Bachelor of Science and Management (Honours) program in their fourth year of study. Available to all students in all programs, you will gain a solid foundation in the key functional areas of business and management, including:
- Financial management
- Human resources management
- Marketing management
- Operations
You may also qualify for credit against the first year of a Master of Business Administration degree (MBA).
The fifth year of study includes:
- Financial Accounting
- Managerial Economics
- Organizational Behaviour
- Introduction to Project Management
- Managerial Accounting
- Managerial Finance
- Introduction to Operations Management
- Human Resources Management
- Principles of Marketing
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Experiential learning
Co-op education program
A five-year Co-operative Education option is available in undergraduate programs with the Faculty of Science which satisfies the Canadian Association for Co-operative Education guidelines. These programs combine an Honours Bachelor of Science program with embedded work terms. The co-op option provides students with opportunities to apply classroom and lab concepts to real-world situations and gain valuable, relevant work experience. Co-op opportunities promote networking and lifelong career success as the experience helps clarify career objectives.
Students are able to be on co-op placement for four, eight, 12, or 16 consecutive months.
Clinical learning experience
The integration of classroom instruction and clinical practice is also the foundation of our Medical Laboratory Science program. You learn and enhance your technical and professional skills through laboratory activities in each of the three years at the university and gain extensive experience in fourth year during a two-semester practicum at one of our affiliated clinical sites. This practicum experience positions you for career success by:
- Providing networking opportunities.
- Facilitating professional mentoring.
- Fostering the development of teamwork and leadership.
Research practicum
Students in all Health Sciences programs can apply for a fourth-year Research Practicum that extends throughout their final year of studies. Working under the direction of a research tutor, both university- and community-based, you receive a practical experience that exemplifies the collaborative research process while providing you with a valued opportunity to apply your knowledge in a research setting.
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Medical School pathway
Ontario Tech students who successfully graduate from the following programs with a minimum cumulative GPA of 75 per cent* will be eligible for admission** to the Doctor of Medicine (MD) program at Saba University School of Medicine, Medical University of the Americas, or St. Matthew's University School of Medicine:
- Chemical Biology
- Health Sciences
- Human Health Science
- Integrative Neuroscience
- Life Sciences
- Public Health
*Ontario Tech graduates with a GPA lower than 75 per cent will be considered on an individual basis and subject to seat availability.
**To receive entry, Ontario Tech graduates must satisfactorily complete an undergraduate interview with the admissions team at one of the pathway universities, along with other steps in the admissions process.For more information—and to view admission requirements and scholarship opportunities—visit our Medical School pathway web page.
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Veterinary School pathway
To help accelerate your learning, Ontario Tech has partnered with St Matthew’s University School of Veterinary Medicine to create a pathway to becoming a veterinarian.
Ontario Tech graduates must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 75 per cent* for guaranteed entry** to the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) program at St Matthew’s University School of Veterinary Medicine.
*Ontario Tech graduates with a GPA lower than 75 per cent will be considered on an individual basis and subject to seat availability.
**To receive entry, Ontario Tech graduates must satisfactorily complete an undergraduate interview with the admissions team at one of the pathway universities, and provide three letters of recommendation from an Ontario Tech faculty member.
For more information—and to view admission requirements and scholarship opportunities—visit our Veterinary School pathway webpage.
