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Marine Biology

Program details

Faculty
Science

Degree
Bachelor of Science (Honours)
Bachelor of Science and Management (Honours)

Experiential learning
Capstone
Co-op
Research study
Undergraduate thesis

Delivery method
In-class

Location
Ontario Tech University, North Oshawa

Start dates
September

Length
Four or five years

Program load
Full-time

OUAC code
DMB (Regular)
DBL (Co-op)

Apply now

Overview

Students in lab Learn about marine ecosystems and organisms in this specialization, and immerse yourself in the marine environment during a semester abroad in Bermuda.

 

Experience a one-of-a-kind semester in Bermuda

  • Study life in the ocean from the largest animals to the smallest organisms.

  • Develop foundational knowledge and lab skills before embarking on a one-of-a-kind semester abroad at the Bermuda Institute of Ocean Sciences (BIOS) where you will learn about marine ecosystems and explore coral reefs.

  • Enhance your degree earning work experience through a cop-op placement or summer internship. 

 

Marine Biology Specialization

Individuals interested in this specialization will apply directly to Marine Biology through the Ontario Universities' Application Centre using application code  DMB.

If you're interested in applying to the Marine Biology (Co-op) specialization, apply via OUAC code  DBL.

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).

*Differential fees as well as room and board will be set by and paid directly to BIOS. Program fees, housing and meals are approximately $20,000 USD.  To learn more, visit the BIOS website. 

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.                      

Direct-entry co-op program

This program has a direct-entry co-op option that you can apply for directly on your Ontario Universities Application Centre (OUAC) application.

Our co-op positions are full-time, paid employment opportunities providing students with a steady income stream throughout their studies.

Learn more about how you can unleash your career potential with paid co-op.

Science and Management

If you are interested in managerial and leadership roles, consider applying for the five-year Bachelor of Science and Management (Honours) program in your upper years of study. Graduates gain a solid foundation in the key functional areas of business and management, including finance, accounting, operations, project management and marketing.

There is a wealth of opportunities for science graduates in industry, government and in areas of applied science. The combination of a science degree and business and management education will give an added advantage to graduates in establishing careers within these practical fields.


Admissions

Admissions


Current Ontario secondary school students must complete the Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) with six 4U or 4M credits including English (ENG4U), Advanced Functions (MHF4U), and two of Biology (SBI4U), Calculus and Vectors (MCV4U), Chemistry (SCH4U) or Physics (SPH4U) will be considered for admission. In addition, a combined minimum 70 per cent average in prerequisite math and science courses is required. It is recommended that all four of MCV4U, SBI4U, SCH4U and SPH4U be taken.

Note: Admission is competitive. The specific average or standing required for admission varies from year to year. Students are selected by taking into consideration a wide range of criteria including school marks, distribution of subjects taken, and performance in subjects relevant to the academic program. Possession of the minimum requirements does not guarantee acceptance. Preference will be given to applicants with the best qualifications.


Last year's cut-off70 per cent
Expected cut-offLow 70s

Program details

Faculty
Science

Degree
Bachelor of Science (Honours)
Bachelor of Science and Management (Honours)

Experiential learning
Capstone
Co-op
Research study
Undergraduate thesis

Delivery method
In-class

Location
Ontario Tech University, North Oshawa

Start dates
September

Length
Four or five years

Program load
Full-time

OUAC code
DMB (Regular)
DBL (Co-op)

Apply now

Learn more

Faculty website

Download viewbook

Tuition Calculator

Contact information

Career opportunities

Pursue career and advanced education opportunities in a variety of areas including:

  • Aquariums and marine science institutions
  • Conservation authorities
  • Government or private research laboratory
  • Medicine (after further study)
  • Pharmacy (after further study)
  • Secondary school teaching (through Concurrent Education)

An Honours undergraduate degree in Biological Science will also allow you to pursue graduate studies, including the university’s Master of Science program in Applied Biosciences. 


Experiential learning

Marine Biology students are afforded the opportunity to study at the Bermuda Institute of Ocean Sciences in one of the world’s most diverse, open-ocean ecosystems. Immerse yourself in well-equipped floating labs to support numerous endeavours in the ocean environment.

A five-year Co-operative Education option is available; it satisfies the guidelines of the Canadian Association for Co-operative Education. The program combines an Honours Bachelor of Science program with embedded work terms. The co-op option gives you opportunities to apply your classroom and lab concepts to real-world situations and help you gain valuable, relevant work experience to promote networking and lifelong career success.

Co-op work terms give you the opportunity to earn a competitive salary that will help pay for your university degree, and the work experience to help clarify your career objectives. More importantly, a co-op degree gives you a distinct advantage that will assist your prospects for full-time employment after graduation or for being readily accepted into graduate school to pursue further studies. Studies have shown that university students who graduate with a co-op degree have lower debt loads, are employed faster and have higher starting salaries

We are committed to providing you with outstanding opportunities to work with today’s highest-quality employers in business and industry. Our university has developed strong partnerships with leading employers in Durham Region and beyond to allow you to connect with experts in the field and gain hands-on, real-world experience.


Did you know?

median upper year class size
of students are employed within six months of graduation
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    For program requirements, including required number of credits for completion, program maps and course descriptions, please see the academic calendar and course catalogue of Loading.... Courses are subject to change without notice.

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