Ontario, Canada is home to four universities that turn up regularly on Academic Ranking of World Universities, Quacquarelli Symonds and "Times Higher Education" lists of best schools. Each of these schools deliver unique educational experiences to undergraduates, specializing in various branches of the sciences, including biological, physical and health sciences.

University of Toronto

The University of Toronto is 17th in the world in physical sciences according to "Times Higher Education" 2013-14 rankings. It is also ranked 35th in the world in natural sciences and mathematics according to ARWU and 24th in the world for biological sciences according to QS. The Department of Computer Science offers 10 different academic areas for undergraduates to focus their studies. The Bloomberg Faculty of Nursing holds a host of first-rank awards, including being the best second-entry Bachelor of Science program in the country, according to The University of Toronto 2010 Performance Indicators for Governance.

McMaster University

McMaster University is ranked in the top 100 worldwide for chemical engineering, according to QS's 2013 rankings. The Department of Chemical Engineering offers a five-year undergraduate program, allowing additional exploration in life sciences, bioengineering, anatomy and biochemistry. McMaster also ranks 26th in the world for health sciences, according to "Times Higher Education's" 2013-14 rankings. This Bachelor of Health Sciences degree program is interdisciplinary, and incorporates peer mentorship, anatomy labs and actors who portray specific medical conditions as a means to deliver a progressive and integrative experience. After completing the first year of this program, students can progress along the standard curriculum or specialize in child health, global health or biomedical sciences.

Queen's University

Queen's University is a research-based institution. Founded in 1841 by Royal Charter of Queen Victoria, it ranks 93rd in the world for clinical, pre-clinical and health sciences by "Times Higher Education" and in the 151 to 200 range for biological sciences by QS in 2013. The undergraduate Nursing faculty at Queen's University offers a full, four-year program as well as a two-year advanced standing program for students who already have earned 10 college credits. The Life Sciences program can be taken as a general course of study or with a specialization such as Biomedical Discovery, Neuroscience or Drug Development and Human Toxicology.

Waterloo University

Waterloo University, founded in 1957, was ranked by "Maclean's" magazine as the best overall Canadian university for 18 out of the last 21 years and as the most innovative Canadian university for all of those 21 years, as of 2013. Waterloo's physics and astronomy program also ranks in the 101 to 150 range according to QS's 2013 world rankings. This program is available in a standard four-year format as well as in a Co-op format. In the Co-op format, students spend four months of each year working professionally in the physics and astronomy field.

Related Articles