Biology

Discover Life's Potential

Our mission is to engage students in an experiential learning and research environment. Through a rigorous curriculum, students will develop a strong foundation that allows them to think critically about biology, from molecules to ecosystems, and to contribute meaningfully to our rapidly changing world.

Why study biology at Acadia?

• Learn through hands-on experience in courses, labs and research settings
• Develop skills in data analyses, problem-solving and scientific communication
• Explore research opportunities across molecular, ecological and applied fields
• Benefit from the expertise of dedicated faculty and staff who are passionate about teaching and mentorship

Our dynamic program equips students with the necessary skills and confidence needed to address the challenges of practicing biology in a rapidly changing environment.

Biology Overview

Welcome to the Department of Biology at Acadia University, located at 33 Westwood Avenue, Wolfville, Nova Scotia. Our main office is on the third floor and is open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 9-4.  Drop-ins, in person or virtual meetings are all welcome. Our Administrative Assistant works remotely on Wednesdays but can be reached via email (biology@acadiau.ca).

We offer a broad biology program that supports students with wide-ranging career goals, and focusses on three themes: Health Science, Biodiversity and Ecology and Genetics and Evolution. Students learn foundational concepts and discipline- specific content, and have an opportunity to place these within the context of emerging global issues. As we prioritize experiential learning, students are able to gain practical skills with hands-on labs, opportunities for research (for program credit or as an intern), and opportunities to participate in Acadia’s excellent Co-operative Education program.

The BSc BIOL program starts with the Biology Core which provides a comprehensive foundation in the first two years of study.  We offer ~ 50 biology courses overall, and upper-level students have a diverse selection of courses that span disciplines, taxonomic groups, include theory and skills-based learning, and provide immersive field experiences. Our program helps students develop the critical and creative learning skills needed for biology-related careers, and our graduates have a proven track record of success.

The MSc BIOL program is a research-intensive program with minimal course work that spans molecular to ecosystem biology. Masters students become deeply engaged with the program, and have opportunities to be Teaching Assistants as well as to contribute in many ways to the program overall.