75 University Avenue West | Waterloo, Ontario, Canada N2L 3C5Tel: (519) 884-0710 ext. 3385 | Fax: (519) 747-2106 | Email: chooselaurier@wlu.ca

www.chooselaurier.ca | www.facebook.com/laurierfuturestudents1 0 0 Y E A R S I N S P I R I N G L I V E S O F L E A D E R S H I P A N D P U R P O S E

While every effort has been made to ensure this publication is accurate at time of printing, the information contained herein is subject to change without notice.

W i l f r i d L a u r i e r U n i v e r s i t y

1911-2011 | Wilfrid Laurier University

1911-2011 | Wilfrid Laurier University

Use font as guide for �nal text

Part-Time, Distance & Continuing Education

Biology

LIAS

-039

2-SE

PT10

Sarah Wagg had great high school marks that would have earned her a spot in any Ontario university. She chose Laurier for its “small school atmosphere, interaction and financial support.” She has never regretted her decision. In the Faculty of Science, “the programs are really competitive, more than many people would expect because

Laurier hasn’t been known as a science school,” says Wagg, a biology graduate who minored in chemistry.

She liked the up-to-date facilities and the fact that undergraduate students have the opportunity to work with modern equipment, gaining hands-on

experience in the most recent techniques.

Wagg, who is now working on a graduate degree in neuroscience at the University of Calgary, plans to pursue a career in medical research.

The programs are really competitive, more than people would expect.

Biology at Laurier

Our graduates go places,” says Dr. Jane Rutherford, former

chair of Laurier’s Biology Department. “Biology graduates have successful careers in research, medicine, optometry, teaching and with environmental agencies. Laurier is a great place to develop skills in critical thinking and the creativity so vital to professions in modern science.”Biology students develop their commu-nication skills by preparing seminars, lab presentations and poster displays of their work. They may participate in faculty research projects such as helping to develop new cell lines or studying growth and development in plants.

Supported by NSERC Undergraduate Student Research Awards, selected biology students work with faculty mentors on

a diverse range of projects,

including the detection of potentially pathogenic microorganisms in natural surface waters, the investigation of mate selection by white-throated sparrows, and the genetic regulation of flowering and growth in flax plants.

“Our students don’t just learn about science, they do science,” says Rutherford. “They may be researching biochemical processes or they may be working on a project that involves population ecology. They all get caught up in the excitement of creating new understandings of how life works.”

For Laurier biology students, doing science involves lots of hands-on expe-rience — from literally getting their feet wet and hands dirty during a field-course, to developing new protocols at the lab-bench during an independent directed-studies project. They learn that doing biology is not only about technical skills but also about attitude, passion and critical thinking.

“We have very good teaching facilities in a modern building, and great research

labs in the Laurier Science Research Centre,” Rutherford says. “But we’re still small enough to maintain a high level of interaction between students and faculty in lectures and labs.”

About the programsLaurier offers both honours BA and BSc programs in biology.

The honours BA program is attractive to students interested in careers as diverse as law, teaching, public policy or science journalism.

The honours BSc program provides biology majors with a firm foundation in chemistry and math, and prepares students for graduate work in biology, as well as for professional programs in environmental sciences and the health sciences.

In both the honours BA and honours BSc programs, double major programs involving other disciplines such as chemistry, mathematics, geography or psychology are available.

“

StRong ReputAtionin the 2009 Maclean’s reputational survey, Laurier ranked in the top three in its category

nationally for Best overall, Highest Quality, Most innovative and overall Reputation.

The presence of bacterial pathogens in the watershed is a topic of importance for the protection of public health, and one that interests Dr. Robin Slawson,an associate professor in environmental microbiology at Laurier.

“Students are always interested in issues surrounding human and environmental health, which makes it an exciting topic to both research and teach,” says Slawson.

Slawson’s research laboratory studies the presence of pathogens such as salmonella and E. coli O157:H7 in surface waters in Ontario, with the aid of funds from the Ontario Ministry of the Environment. Examining aspects of their survival potential in the water, such as temperature tolerance and antibiotic resistance, will help us better understand how to control these types of microorganisms.

Sample courses offered Co-op at LaurierHonours arts and science students in co-op complete two work terms of at least 10 weeks each, usually in the summers following their second and third years. Participants receive training in job search techniques and assistance in finding employment related to their studies or career goals.

Why should you consider co-op?• Put theory into action• Apply your technical skills• Clarify your career goals• Develop marketable skills • Gain valuable contacts

Recent employers of Biology co-op students include:• Biology Department, Wilfrid Laurier University,

Waterloo• County of Oxford Public Health & Emergency

Services, Woodstock• Grand River Conservation Authority, Cambridge

options to enhance your degreeHonours arts and science students are eligible for several options to enhance their learning. The Management Option gives you fundamental training in key areas of business such as business organization, accounting, marketing, management skills, operations and the fundamentals of finance, macroeconomics and microeco-nomics, interpersonal communications, business law, personal finance and business management.

The Applied Mathematics Option offers courses in algebra, calculus and statistics with a focus on methods commonly used in modern mathematical models in science.

Honours BSc biology students may also choose the Environmental Science Option, which is attractive to those wishing to pursue a career in toxicology or environ-mental assessment.

For more information on these options, visit www.wlu.ca/calendars.

Advanced Topics in DNA Science and Molecular Biotechnology

Animal Behaviour

Human Anatomy

Field Botany: Flora of Ontario

Biogeography

Life on Earth: Plants

Animal Communication

Endocrinology

Ecology

Microbial Disease

Environmental Toxicology

Cells: Form and Function

Evolution

Field Studies

Community Ecology

Genetic Analysis

Introductory Bioinformatics

A great learning experience

AdMiSSion infoRMAtionfor the most up-to-date information about admission to Laurier,

go to www.wlu.ca/admissions.

75 University Avenue West | Waterloo, Ontario, Canada N2L 3C5Tel: (519) 884-0710 ext. 3385 | Fax: (519) 747-2106 | Email: chooselaurier@wlu.ca

www.chooselaurier.ca | www.facebook.com/laurierfuturestudents1 0 0 Y E A R S I N S P I R I N G L I V E S O F L E A D E R S H I P A N D P U R P O S E

While every effort has been made to ensure this publication is accurate at time of printing, the information contained herein is subject to change without notice.

Use font as guide for �nal text

Part-Time, Distance & Continuing Education

LIAS

-039

2-SE

PT10

Carving out your career

A career in biological research Not everything you see on television is true. Take DNA sequencing: on TV, those crime labs in New York, Las Vegas and Miami can take a drop of blood and give you an identification in minutes. Mihaela Savulescu knows better.

Savulescu graduated from Laurier in 2002 with a double major in biology and chemistry (“to keep as many doors open as possible”), and is now working as a DNA sequencing analyst and molecular core technician.

At Laurier, Savulescu had two summer co-op work terms with Dr. Mary Ann Fieldes using high-pressure liquid chromotography to conduct genetic research on flax plants. “That’s when I realized I enjoyed biological research,” she says.

After graduation, Savulescu — a passionate soccer player in her spare time — earned a master’s degree in biochemistry with a specialization in toxicology.

Although she’s currently working, she’s also considering doing a PhD.“I wouldn’t mind being a university professor,” she says. “The trouble is that

there are so many different areas I’m interested in.”

Recent career examples• Species Co-ordinator, World Wildlife Fund• Teacher, Kugaardjuq School, NWT• Environment Indicators Specialist,

Environment Canada• Co-ordinator Waterfront Rehabilitation, Metro

Toronto and Region Conservation Authority• Nuclear Medicine Technologist,

London Health Services Centre• Veterinarian, Kirkton Veterinary Clinic• X-ray Technician, Peterborough Civic Hospital

What can you do with a degree in biology?Biology students at Laurier gain an in-depth understanding of organisms, from the molecular and cell level to the ecosystem level. They master laboratory techniques while learning about plant and animal anatomy and physiology, develop-mental biology and histology. They learn the concepts and techniques of field biology in ecology, limnology and fish biology.

“We stress the basics of biology,” says former chair, Dr. Jane Rutherford. “And we emphasize the ability to communicate the concepts of biology, so no matter where they go, our students are well-prepared.”

Senior undergraduates in biology may have an opportunity to serve as instruc-tional assistants in introductory courses. “There’s nothing like having to explain a concept to help you really understand it,” Rutherford says.