How to Apply to the Biology Undergraduate Program at Dalhousie University: BSc or BA in Biology and Marine Biology in the Faculty of Science, with Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, Neuroscience and Medical Sciences in Other Departments, Entry as an Undeclared Science Student, and Admission and Prerequisites for Canadian, International (Including Chinese) and Transfer Students

Dalhousie University (Dal) is in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Biology is offered mainly by the Department of Biology in the Faculty of Science (biology and marine biology); biochemistry and molecular biology, microbiology and immunology, neuroscience and medical sciences are offered by other departments or programs of the faculty. Below is what Dal publishes for September 2027 entry, organized for Canadian students, international students, applicants from China and transfer students. Chemistry, mathematics, physics, psychology, computer science and engineering are not covered here; medicine (MD), nursing, pharmacy and dentistry are outside this guide – see the relevant program pages on the Dal website.

Biology degrees and options

• Department of Biology degrees: the Faculty of Science page lists a BSc or BA in Biology and a BSc or BA in Marine Biology. The program page lists Halifax and Truro and Bible Hill as locations, starts in September and January, and options of Major, Double Major, Minor, Concentrated Honours BSc and Combined Honours BSc, with co-op available alongside any major, double major or honours degree. The department teaches two subject areas for majors and minors, biology (BIOL) and marine biology (MARI). The website says the four-year major and honours programs are popular with students aiming at medicine, dentistry, physiotherapy, occupational therapy and nursing.
• Sample courses (program page): Year 1 Writing for the Sciences, Principles of Biology, Concepts in Chemistry: Structure and Reactivity, Life Science Calculus & Statistics; Year 2 animal diversity, cell biology, evolution; Years 3 and 4 electives such as parasitology, field studies of marine mammals, environmental impact assessment and cultural evolution.
• Certificates: certificates that can be completed with the degree include Animal Behaviour, Aquaculture and the Environment, Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), Genetics, Geographic Information Science (GIS), and Science Leadership and Communication.
• Field and abroad courses: the SEASIDE summer field program along the Nova Scotia coast (credit in biology, marine biology, oceanography, environmental science or geography; some courses are in high demand, so apply early); courses in Belize or Sri Lanka; independent research, experiential learning and special topics courses. Facilities include the Aquatron and the greenhouse. The program page also lists a "Study abroad" option (its own label); ask the department for arrangements.
• Honours: open to fourth-year students who meet GPA requirements (the exact GPA is in the department's honours guide, which was not read here). Students find an honours supervisor (most often from Biology, but possibly from other departments or an approved outside researcher), carry out a full-year independent research project, write a thesis (BIOL/MARI 4901 and 4902) and present at the one-day Cameron Conference. Most students begin planning in third year.
• Co-op: Biology and Marine Biology co-op requires three successful work terms, at least one in a fall or winter term; students can apply after first or second year and need a minimum GPA of 3.0; apart from the non-credit SCIE 2800.00 and the work terms, class and credit requirements match the Major and Honours degrees. Whether co-op is open to international students and what work permit is needed is not stated on the pages read – ask the Faculty of Science co-op office.
• Other life-science BSc programs (in other departments): the Faculty of Science page lists a BSc in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology; its graduate programs run through the medical school); a BSc in Microbiology and Immunology; a BSc or BA in Neuroscience (Department of Psychology and Neuroscience); and the Medical Sciences BSc (with higher entry requirements – 80% overall average, Pre-calculus 12, Chemistry 12, Biology 12 or Physics 12 and one more academic subject – and its own February 15, 2027 deadline; competitive). Their program pages were not read here, so check the website; the prerequisites, English, transfer and cost sections below describe the general BSc requirements.
• Accreditation: the Department of Biology pages read do not describe degree accreditation; please ask the department.

How to apply and when to choose the major

• You do not apply directly to biology: the website says all BSc students enter the Faculty of Science as undeclared majors and officially declare a biology major, minor or specialized option at the end of first year, using first-year science and math prerequisites. The pages read give no GPA threshold or quota for the biology major; Honours and co-op have GPA requirements (above).
• First-year options: the Integrated Science Program (DISP; selected on the application; the website requires two of chemistry, biology and physics plus one additional university-preparatory course) is an immersive first-year option with team work and a hands-on research project; science students can also complete first year on the Halifax or Truro campus (Truro Start).
• First-year interest groups: the Faculty of Science runs non-credit FIGS interest groups for new students, with themes such as oceans, health and medicine, neuroscience, and climate change and biodiversity; a completed group shows as PASS on the transcript.
• Entrance tests and interviews: the website mentions no entrance test or interview for biology.

Prerequisites and course equivalents

• BSc admission requirements (the admission-requirements page and the biology program page agree): minimum overall average 75%; academic English 12; Pre-calculus Math 12; three additional academic subjects. The admission page lists no separate Grade 12 chemistry, biology or physics requirement for the BSc. Dalhousie stresses that many programs are competitive and meeting the minimum does not guarantee admission.
• Biology and chemistry courses and credit: the admission page lists no Grade 12 biology or chemistry requirement for the BSc (Grade 12 biology is required for nursing and other programs; Medical Sciences needs Chemistry 12 plus Biology 12 or Physics 12). What first-year biology expects from high school is not published on the pages read – ask a biology advisor. IB Biology (HL) can be considered for Biology 1010 and 1011 and IB Chemistry (HL) for first-year chemistry courses; AP Biology (4 or 5) also for Biology 1010 and 1011 and AP Chemistry for first-year chemistry.
• Missing a course: the website says Dal's online, self-paced UPrep courses can be used to earn a missing prerequisite such as Pre-calculus, chemistry or physics, or to upgrade marks.
• Tests, essays, references: the overview page says applicants are primarily assessed on academic performance. The BSc pages read list no standardized test, essay or reference requirement; the website has a separate list of programs that need supplemental documents, and whether the BSc is on it is not stated on the pages read – please check with Admissions.
• Course equivalents (the provincial tables on the website prevail): English – British Columbia English Studies 12 and others; Alberta English Language Arts 30-1; Ontario ENG4U and others; Nova Scotia English 12. Pre-calculus – British Columbia Pre-Calculus 12 or Calculus 12; Alberta Pure Math 30, Math 31 or Math 30-1; Ontario MHF4U or MCV4U; Nova Scotia Pre-Calculus 12 or Calculus 12. Other provinces and Quebec CEGEP are in the website tables.

Canadian students (citizens and permanent residents)

• How to apply: through Dalhousie's own application portal. The website says applications for fall 2027 open on October 1, and the application fee is CAD 70. Results are normally given within 2–3 weeks of applying. The website does not say whether the OUAC 101/105 form or another provincial application centre is required; it only says Ontario and Nova Scotia students may enter their student number on the application so grades are downloaded automatically (the awards page names the OUAC number or Nova Scotia student ID). Please confirm with Admissions (admissions@dal.ca).
• Transcripts: if Grade 12 first-semester or mid-year grades are not out yet, upload an unofficial transcript showing Grade 11 final marks and the Grade 12 courses in progress; official transcripts must be sent by the school directly once first-semester or mid-year and final grades are available.
• In-province and out-of-province students: the pages read distinguish only Canadian and international students for tuition and do not distinguish provinces of residence.
• Tuition: based on approved 2026–27 rates, a Canadian undergraduate pays an estimated CAD 10,790–13,462 in tuition and fees for the fall and winter terms (a range that varies by faculty and course selection). 2027–28 rates are not on the pages read.
• Entrance awards: see "Costs and scholarships" below.

International students

• Qualifications: the website lists the accepted secondary qualification country by country, and stresses that holding a listed certificate or exam result does not guarantee admission; subjects and grades are considered.
• English: applicants whose first language is not English must show proof; three years of secondary study or one year of post-secondary study at a recognized English-medium institution is generally accepted. Minimums: IELTS overall 6.5, bands 6.0; TOEFL (1–120 scale) overall 90, bands 20 (or the 1–6 scale: overall 4.5, Listening 4.5, Reading, Speaking and Writing 4.0); Duolingo 120; Michigan English Test (formerly MELAB) 55; CAEL 70; PTE Academic overall 61 with communicative skills 50; Cambridge C1/C2 overall 180; Oxford ELLT 7 overall with no component below 6. International school courses can also count: IB English A (Literature or Language and Literature) grade 5, or English B grade 6; AP English exam grade 4; GCSE/IGCSE English Language or Literature grade B.
• If English is not yet met: the application is still reviewed and a conditional offer may be made, with a later test or an approved pathway (Dal's English for Academic Purposes program, or partner programs at CLLC and Oxford International). The English page says tests or pathway programs for fall entry should be done by May 15 (for applications received by the deadline); the dates page says May 1, 2027 is the deadline to provide proof of English proficiency unless the offer letter says otherwise. The two dates differ – follow your offer letter. Deferrals must be requested.
• IB and AP: the IB Diploma needs at least 26 points including bonus points. IB course equivalents for admission: Mathematics Analysis and Approaches or Applications and Interpretation (SL or HL, graduating 2021 or later) for Pre-calculus 12; IB Chemistry, Physics and Biology (SL or HL) for Chemistry 12, Physics 12 and Biology 12. IB higher-level courses and, from September 2027, selected standard-level courses with grades 5, 6 or 7 can be considered for transfer credit; AP exams with a 4 or 5 in listed subjects are eligible, and the deposit must be paid before the transfer credit form. The British A-level route has its own page on the website, which was not read here – please check it.
• Study permit: international students need a study permit. The international applicants page mentions Government of Canada changes and the Provincial Attestation Letter, with details on a separate page that was not read here; the amount of funds to show is not stated on the pages read.
• International tuition: based on approved 2026–27 rates, an international undergraduate pays an estimated CAD 33,091–51,503 in tuition and fees for the fall and winter terms (a range). Dalhousie also has an International Tuition Guarantee (locked-in tuition): the tuition page says it may apply to international undergraduates starting in fall 2023 or later, while the undergraduate tuition page says fall 2024 or later. The two pages differ – check the latest page.
• International scholarships: entrance awards are open to both Canadian and international students (see below).
• The website states no quota or eligibility restriction on biology for international students; the programs it says are closed to international students because of residency limits (nursing and several health technology programs) are outside this guide.

Applicants from China (separate section)

• Qualification: the website lists the "Senior Secondary School Graduation Certificate" as the equivalent qualification for China. It does not say whether the gaokao is considered and does not describe Chinese huikao materials. How the gaokao is used is not published; ask Dal's international admissions team at international.admissions@dal.ca.
• Grades and courses: grades are read against the subjects the program requires. The BSc requirement is Pre-calculus 12 or an equivalent, but the country page does not say how Chinese courses map to it – confirm with Admissions.
• English: follow the international English requirements above (IELTS, TOEFL, Duolingo and so on, same minimums).
• Interview, China-specific page, credential evaluation: the website mentions no interview; the country page only names the qualification, and no credential-evaluation requirement was read – please ask Admissions.
• Pathway programs: no pathway program with Chinese institutions for biology appears on the pages read.

Transfer students (from colleges, CEGEPs or other universities)

• What counts for transfer credit: a course must meet all four conditions – grade C or higher, completed at a recognized post-secondary institution, equivalent to a subject taught at Dalhousie, and relevant to your program. Only a certain number of credit hours can count toward the degree (the page does not give the limit).
• Process: check the Academic Calendar and the Transfer Credit Equivalency Table (login required) for pre-approved courses; list every post-secondary institution attended on the application; transfer credit request forms are accepted only after the offer is confirmed and the deposit paid; courses not pre-approved may go to departmental assessment. Transcripts not in English or French need a certified translation (except non-English language and culture courses in Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Italian, Russian or Spanish). The departments the website lists as requiring a course outline or syllabus include Chemistry, Microbiology and Immunology and Physiology; Biology is not on that list, and most departments accept course descriptions – follow the assessment email.
• Outcomes and appeals: an exact Dalhousie course, general credit, or no credit; appeals with new course information within 30 days.
• Do not register too early: the website warns that registering for a course that is under transfer-credit review may forfeit the credit.
• Minimum GPA and transfer deadline: the transfer page gives no minimum GPA for transfer admission; deadlines for programs not individually listed are open "where space is available" before classes start, but applying early is recommended so credits are assessed before the March early registration. Transfer students are generally not eligible for entrance awards. Students with more than one year of Quebec CEGEP may be eligible for credit; see the transfer page.

Timeline (September 2027 entry)

• October 1, 2026: applications for fall 2027 open; the 2027–28 General Entrance Award application also opens.
• No separate deadline for the BSc: the dates page lists separate February 15, 2027 deadlines for Nursing, Health Sciences, Medical Sciences and Social Work; the BSc is not among them. For programs not listed, applications can be considered before classes start where space is available, but high-school applicants are encouraged to apply early to meet the February 15 entrance-award deadline and the May 15 guaranteed-residence deadline.
• January 31, 2027: deadline to accept early entrance awards.
• February 15, 2027: entrance scholarship application deadline; offers go out in March.
• May 1, 2027: deadline to pay the deposit and accept the offer, to accept General Entrance Awards, and to provide proof of English proficiency (unless the offer letter says otherwise).
• May 15, 2027: guaranteed residence application deadline.
• June 2027: first-year course registration opens.

Costs and scholarships

• How tuition works: most undergraduate programs charge per course; a course is usually 3 credit hours and a full term load is 5 courses (15 credit hours); rates differ by faculty; there are mandatory incidental fees and some programs have auxiliary fees (labs, equipment). The website has a tuition and fee calculator. The figures above are 2026–27 estimates; new rates take effect on April 1 each year.
• Residence: roughly CAD 12,877–16,792 for lodging and meal plan (the website's estimated range).
• Entrance awards: more than 2,000 a year, roughly CAD 1,000 to 80,000 in value (yearly or over four years), one-time or renewable for up to four years. Both Canadian and international students can apply. Eligibility: applying directly from high school (or with no transferable post-secondary study), entering in the fall term, and typically an 80% average or 26 predicted IB points, calculated on the five courses required for the program. Selection looks at academic achievement, leadership, extracurriculars, community service, financial need and cultural identity.
• How to apply: after applying and paying the CAD 70 fee, complete the General Entrance Award application in the portal (opens October 1, 2026; due February 15, 2027) and provide first-semester Grade 12 grades or the provincial student ID. Awards are decided on first-semester grades; later grades are not used to reassess. Some awards need a separate application.

Application checklist

Canadian students:

• BSc: overall average at least 75%, academic English 12, Pre-calculus 12 and three more academic subjects; declare biology at the end of first year; Medical Sciences has higher requirements and a February 15, 2027 deadline
• CAD 70 application fee; unofficial transcript first, then official transcripts from the school when first-semester and final grades are out; entrance award application by February 15, 2027
• Deposit by May 1 and residence application by May 15

International and Chinese applicants:

• Senior Secondary School Graduation Certificate (China) and transcripts; confirm the equivalent of Pre-calculus 12 with Admissions; how the gaokao is used is not published
• IELTS 6.5 (6.0 bands), TOEFL 90 or the 4.5 scale, Duolingo 120 and so on; English proof deadline as above (May 1 or May 15 – follow the offer letter); conditional offers are possible
• International students can apply for entrance awards; study permit and funds details are on the international pages of the website

Transfer students:

• Apply early; courses with C or higher that match Dal courses may earn credit; request credit after the offer is confirmed and the deposit paid

Sources: Dalhousie University website – Undergraduate admissions overview; Admission requirements by program; Canadian high school course equivalencies; International applicants; Requirements by country; English language requirements; Transfer credits; IB applicants and credit; AP applicants and credit; Dates and deadlines; Tuition; Undergraduate program tuition; Entrance awards; Faculty of Science; Departments and programs; Science first year; Department of Biology; Biology undergraduate programs; Biology program page; Marine biology; Biology honours; Biology co-op; SEASIDE field courses. The information is for September 2027 entry (check whether any date that does not print a year applies to 2027 entry); the latest information on the Dalhousie website prevails.