Explore The Diversity Of Life
There’s an instant connection that’s made between the study of biology and living on Cape Breton Island. In this incredibly bio-diverse region on the coast of Atlantic Canada, we’re constantly reminded that we’re all part of nature.

Biology is a natural science concerned with the study of all living organisms. Although living organisms share some unifying themes, such as their origin from the same basic cellular structure, and their molecular basis of inheritance, they are extremely diverse. This diversity of life leads to many divisions in biological science. That’s why, at CBU, collaboration and collective learning environments are so important.

As a biology student, you will look at such topics as origins, structure, function, reproduction, growth and development, and behaviour and evolution of different organisms. In addition, you will consider how living organisms interact with each other and the environment on an individual and group basis.

hy study at CBU?
Come to Cape Breton for the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to learn about biology in a truly unforgettable setting.

More than 85% of our courses include a laboratory component, with an emphasis placed on hands-on activities, skills development and field-based exercises. Many of our labs take students outside the classroom to apply material learned in lectures to the forests, streams and shorelines nearby. That means you’ll be meeting real people in our communities and making a real impact on how we interact with our environment.

CBU’s biology faculty are actively engaged in diverse fields of research, including forest ecology, plant genetics, invertebrate zoology, freshwater and marine biology, avian behavioural ecology, neuroethology and vertebrate palaeontology. Plus, biology at CBU offers a sound foundation for a wide variety of professional careers in fields including business, conservation, education, health care, natural resources and technology.

Graduates of the Bachelor of Science in biology at CBU are prepared to go on to graduate studies to pursue research or academic careers in any branch of biology.

What skills will I gain from this program?
Solid grounding in key biology concepts and essential skills.
Ability to specialize in multiple areas of
Exposure to scientific research and educational experience.
Skills required for any future career in biology.

Experiential Learning Opportunities
CBU biology research projects have taken students:

Snorkelling in the tropical waters of Barbados.
Sampling whelk and sea cucumber from fishing boats off Scatarie Bank.
Examining the effects of moose grazing in the Cape Breton Highlands.
Prospecting for fossils in the southern United States.
Looking for rare freshwater mussels in Cape Breton streams.

Biologist/technician
Business
Conservation
Education
Health care
Natural resources