COURSE CURRICULUM

In the Science and Financial Management program, students choose from three science specializations—Biotechnology, Earth and Water Science, and Physics of Systems and Energy—as well as three accounting and finance specializations: Professional Accountant (CPA bound), Financial Markets (CFA bound), and Business Analytics. For the Biotechnology specialization, a typical first-year schedule includes courses such as Analytical Methods for Business 1 and 2 (AFM 112, 113), Foundations for Financial Reporting (AFM 191), Introduction to Global Capital Markets (AFM 121), and Foundations for Management Accounting (AFM 182). Biology courses include Introductory Cell Biology (BIOL 130), Fundamentals of Microbiology and Lab (BIOL 240/240L), and Genetics (BIOL 239). Communication skills are developed through courses like Communication in the Sciences (ENGL 193 or COMMST 193), while management and organizational behavior are covered in Management of Business Organizations (SCBUS 122) and Organizational Behaviour in Scientific and Technical Workplaces (SCBUS 225). After first year, students typically focus about one-third of their courses on Biology and two-thirds on Accounting and Financial Management, with flexibility to choose electives from Waterloo’s extensive offerings. Upper-year courses include advanced topics such as Fermentation Biotechnology (BIOL 443), Advanced Cell Biology (BIOL 331), and Business Strategy (AFM 433), blending scientific knowledge with financial and strategic expertise to prepare students for impactful careers.