Lead innovation in biology

Our graduate programs in Biology provide rigorous academic and professional training that prepares students for diverse and meaningful careers. Our graduates go on to positions in federal government departments, innovative and established private-sector organizations, and academic institutions around the world.

Conduct leading-edge research

As a joint graduate institute, our program combines the strengths of the Biology departments at both uOttawa and Carleton University. The Ottawa-Carleton Institute for Biology offers advanced courses and hosts an Annual Research Days symposium, which alternates between campuses. Students can conduct research in diverse areas:

  • Biodiversity and Evolutionary Biology
  • Environmental Toxicology
  • Comparative Physiology
  • Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology

Access world-renowned laboratories

  • Aquatics facility for fish and amphibians
  • Facilities for lab rodents, naked mole rats and insects
  • A green house that sits atop the main building
  • Laboratory for natural and synthetic environmental toxins
  • Core molecular biology laboratory
  • Cellular imaging and cytometry facility

With Ottawa’s abundant greenspaces, forests and lakes, our state-of-the-art laboratories give students the opportunity to do fieldwork in nearby natural ecosystems.

Research themes

Biodiversity is the variety of life at the genetic, species, and ecological levels. We focus on two key areas: evolutionary ecology and molecular evolution. We are also actively engaged in generating both science and science-informed recommendations for pro-active biodiversity conservation.

Programs

Find your research mentor

Alexandre Poulain and PhD student in a lab.

Finding a thesis supervisor

Get practical advice to identify and connect with a thesis supervisor.

Professor Adam Brown with student.

Professor Directory

Explore the faculty and their research areas.

Graduate research experience

Zebrafish in their natural habitat.

How zebrafish survive when they can’t breathe: A biology graduate’s groundbreak…

Biology PhD student Maddison Reed revealed how zebrafish sense low oxygen, advancing survival science and potential health research.
Niepukolie Nipu.

Tracing inheritance beyond DNA: Exploring how environmental stress shapes futur…

Graduate student research shows how environmental stress shapes inherited traits beyond DNA, advancing epigenetics and evolution.
Zebra fish close up fin.

When fins shape romance: What zebrafish fins teach us about evolution

Graduate research on zebrafish fins sheds light on sexual selection and evolution, revealing how fin traits influence mating success.

Contact us

30 Marie-Curie, Ottawa ON
Canada, K1N 6N5
Book an appointment online
E-mail: [email protected]

Jessica Forrest and Howard Rundle 
E-mail: [email protected]