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Biological and Chemical Sciences (PhD)

In Person

Our PhD program in Biological and Chemical Sciences is research-focused, and operates through an apprenticeship model where you will work closely with a faculty supervisor.

Your research will fall within one or more of our three areas of research strength: environment and health, biotic interactions, and structure and reactivity.

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Program Highlights

  • Program operates through an apprenticeship model where you will work closely with a faculty supervisor.
  • Three core research strengths: environment and health, biotic interactions, and structure and reactivity.
  • Winners of major external awards (OGS and Tri-Council) may be eligible for top-up funding which includes the Dean’s Graduate Scholarship (total value exceeds $10,000).
  • Eligible domestic students admitted to study on a full-time basis may be eligible for funding comprised of teaching assistantships, internal/external scholarships, and/or faculty-funded studentships or research assistantships.

Program Details

Program Structure

This full-time program can be completed in four years. You’ll be required to present and defend a research proposal in conjunction with a qualifying exam, and write and defend a dissertation.

Our program will turn you into an independent researcher capable of succeeding in careers in research, teaching, industry or government.

The research component of the program is complemented by coursework, which is designed to emphasize the importance of interdisciplinary approaches to biological and chemical research.

Research Focus

Our program has three core research strengths:

  • Environment and health: Research directed at issues affecting the environment that may ultimately impact global health on a broader scale.
  • Biotic interactions: Research on the biotic interactions that occur at all levels of biological organization and how such interactions influence biochemical and cellular processes, as well as the fitness and survival of individuals, populations and ecosystems.
  • Structure and reactivity: Research on structural properties of small molecules, polymers, biomolecules, as well as supramolecular assemblies such as protein complexes, nanoparticles and liquid crystals, and the relation between these structures and their physical, chemical, or biological activities.
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"Immerse yourself in all Laurier has to offer while completing your graduate education. Enjoy the journey – remember to have fun too!"

Paula C. Fletcher, associate dean, Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies

Admissions

Take the first step in your graduate education and apply to one of our graduate programs. Follow our three-step admission process — we’ll walk you through how to apply and prepare for your first day as a graduate student.

  • Start: Fall (September), Winter (January) or Spring (May)
  • Format: Full-time
  • Application opens:
    • January 2026 intake: July 16, 2024 (international applicants) or Nov. 16, 2024 (domestic applicants)
    • May 2026 intake: Nov. 16, 2024 (international applicants) or March 16, 2025 (domestic applicants)
    • September 2026 intake: March 31, 2025 (international applicants) or July 31, 2025 (domestic applicants)
  • Application deadline:
    • January 2026 intake: July 15, 2025 (international applicants) or Nov. 15, 2025 (domestic applicants)
    • May 2026 intake: Nov. 15, 2025 (international applicants) or March 15, 2026 (domestic applicants)
    • September 2026 intake: March 30, 2026 (international applicants) or July 30, 2026 (domestic applicants)

Your Next Steps

Questions? Contact Geoff Horsman, graduate coordinator (Chemistry) at ghorsman@wlu.ca or Jonathan Wilson, graduate coordinator (Biology) at jmwilson@wlu.ca. For general inquiries, email bcs@wlu.ca. 

Contact a Faculty Member Tuition and Funding Apply Now

Waterloo Campus

This program is available on Laurier's Waterloo campus.

Laurier Waterloo is where tradition, innovation and incredible school spirit collide.

The Waterloo campus spans one large city block, ensuring you’re close to your classes, favourite study spots, student services and favourite coffee shops. Laurier is a leading force in research among Canadian universities, and many of our research centres and institutes are housed in Waterloo.

We offer the guidance and support you need to thrive academically and personally throughout your degree.

Discover Laurier Waterloo for yourself: 

Tuition and Funding

Regardless of the type of graduate degree program you intend to pursue, financial planning is important. At Laurier, we want to provide you with as much information as possible about a variety of scholarship and funding opportunities and equip you with the skills to manage your finances effectively in the years to come.

Laurier welcomes international applicants to all of our doctoral programs. International students who have confirmed funding from a third-party, such as their employer or a scholarship program in their home country, will be considered for admission. Learn more about admission requirements for international applicants.
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Careers

Potential future careers for our graduates include:

  • researcher/instructor in academia
  • university faculty member
  • research scientist in industry or government

Your Path to Post-Degree Success

ASPIRE is Laurier's professional skills development training program for graduate students. The program helps you craft an individualized, extracurricular learning plan tailored to your professional journey and entry to the workplace.

Faculty

Learn about the interests and ongoing research of our faculty members. If their research interests you, email the professor directly to set up a meeting. Include information about yourself, your skills, your experience, and why you’re interested in their research.

Jennifer Baltzer
Professor
Canada Research Chair in Forests and Global Change
  • Forest ecology

Anthony J. Clarke
Dean, Faculty of Science
Professor

  • Enzymology, glycobiology

Mihai Costea
Professor
Curator of the Laurier Herbarium

  • Conservation biology in plant diversity

Joseph Culp
Environment and Climate Change Canada Research Scientist in Residence

  • Stream ecology

Christian Danve M. Castroverde
Assistant Professor

  • Molecular biology, plant biology

Louise Dawe
Associate Professor

  • Supramolecular chemistry, chemistry education

Lillian DeBruin
Associate Professor

  • Membrane biochemistry, biochemistry education

Douglas Deutschman
Professor

  • Ecology and biostatistics

Stephanie DeWitte-Orr
Associate Professor
Associate Dean: Research and Graduate Studies, Faculty of Science

  • Cell biology, immunology, and virology

Dmitri Goussev (Gusev) 
Professor

  • Organometallic chemistry

Derek Gray
Associate Professor

  • Environmental and aquatic biology

Geoff Horsman 
Associate Professor
Graduate Coordinator, Chemistry and Biochemistry

  • Enzymology, natural product biochemistry

Vladimir Kitaev 
Professor

  • Nanoparticle chemistry

Erin Leonard
Assistant Professor

  • Aquatic animal physiology and toxicology

Tristan A.F. Long
Associate Professor

  • Behavioural ecology, evolutionary genetics

Deborah MacLatchy
President and Vice-Chancellor
Professor

  • Exotoxicology, fish physiology

Stephen MacNeil
Associate Professor 

  • Chemistry Education

Ken Maly
Associate Professor
Chair, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry

  • Organic chemistry

Allison McDonald
Professor

  • Comparative physiology, plant biochemistry

Jim McGeer
Professor

  • Aquatic physiology and toxicology

Gabriel Moreno-Hagelsieb
Professor

  • Genomics, metagenomics

Scott M. Ramsay
Associate Professor
Undergraduate Academic Advisor, Biology

  • Behavioural ecology

Robin Slawson
Professor

  • Environmental microbiology

Matthew Smith
Professor
Chair, Department of Biology

  • Molecular biology, protein biochemistry

Scott Smith
Professor

  • Aquatic environmental chemistry

Kevin Stevens
Associate Professor

  • Wetland ecology, aquatic botany

Frances Stewart
Assistant Professor
Canada Research Chair in Northern Wildlife Biology

  • Wildlife biology

Michael Suits
Associate Professor

  • Structural biology

Heidi Swanson
Associate Professor
Jarislowsky Chair in Sustainable Water Futures

  • Aquatic ecology

Dirk Wallschläger
Professor
Laurier Distinguished Research Chair in Aquatic Sciences

  • Environmental chemistry and toxicology

Joel Weadge
Associate Professor

  • Glycobiology, protein biochemistry

Michael P. Wilkie
Professor

  • Environmental physiology, aquatic toxicology

Jonathan Mark Wilson
Associate Professor
Graduate Coordinator, Biology
Co-Director, Laurier Institute for Water Science

  • Fish physiology

Zhongwei Zou
Assistant Professor

  • Molecular plant pathology