Does Memorial University of Newfoundland give transfer credit for IB Biology HL?
St. John's, NL
Yes, Transfer Credit Available!
Minimum Grade Required
Credit Granted
Biology 1001 (HL 4) or Biology 1001 + 1002 (HL 5)
💡Expert's Take
The score sets the size of the award, not just whether you get one. A 4 at HL earns BIOL 1001 only; a 5 earns the full first-year sequence (BIOL 1001 + 1002). Standard Level earns no credit per the IB transfer credit chart.
The award only covers the first-year Biology lectures. Lab-based second-year courses (BIOL 2122 Invertebrates, BIOL 2210 Vertebrates, BIOL 2600 Ecology) also list Science 1807 and 1808 as prerequisites; these are free, self-paced Brightspace safety modules that most students finish in an afternoon, so the friction is administrative rather than academic. The harder gates are elsewhere: BIOL 2250 (Genetics) requires Chemistry 1050 or 1200, and BIOL 2060 (Cell Biology) and BIOL 2900 (Evolution) both chain off BIOL 2250. The IB Biology award by itself does not unlock that chain.
What to watch for:
- SL Biology earns no credit. A student offering only IB Biology SL still completes the full BIOL 1001 + 1002 sequence on arrival.
- HL 4 students hold BIOL 1001 as transfer credit, which satisfies the BIOL 1001 prerequisite for BIOL 1002, but BIOL 1002 still has to be completed before most upper-year Biology courses become accessible.
- Departmental pacing advice on the Biology Major page recommends BIOL 2250 and 2600 in semester 3 and BIOL 2060 and 2900 in semester 4. First-semester second-year Biology is not the standard route, even with HL 5.
- Per the IB chart's stated procedural requirement, transfer credit is processed when an official IB transcript is sent to Memorial directly from the International Baccalaureate Organization. By implication, predicted scores alone do not generate an award.
Program-by-program effect of HL 5 over HL 4:
- Biology major: the HL 5 award saves BIOL 1002 itself (3 credit hours). It does not shorten the second-year core, which still depends on BIOL 2250, 2060, 2600, 2900 and their own prerequisites.
- Human Biosciences: the BIOL 1002 admission requirement can be met by BIOL 1002, HUBI 1001 or Biochemistry 1600, so HL 5 satisfies one of three equivalents. Chemistry 1050+1051, Math 1006, CRW/English, an overall average minimum and Chemistry 2400 eligibility are still required separately.
- Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.): the entry-to-practice program requires a 10-course, 30-credit-hour prerequisite package (BIOL 1001+1002, Chem 1050/1051 or 1200/1001, Math 1000/1001, English/CRW). HL 5 covers the Biology 1001+1002 portion (6 credit hours) only; the rest of the package and the program's competitive admission still apply.
Official award line (IB Biology, Higher Level):
Minimum score: 4 (HL); 5 for the full first-year sequence
Credit granted: Biology 1001 at HL 4; Biology 1001 + 1002 at HL 5
Standard Level: no credit
Memorial University · International Baccalaureate transfer credit chart
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Your Potential Savings
Credits Earned
3
Tuition per Credit*
~$225
Est. Savings*
~$675
*Tuition rates are approximate and may vary by academic year, faculty, and program. Always verify with Memorial University of Newfoundland's official sources before making decisions.
📊 Compare Biology HL at Other Universities
See how Biology HL transfer credits compare across Canadian universities. Click column headers to sort.
| University | Min Grade | Credit Granted | Est. Savings | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| McGill UniversityMontreal, QC | 5/7 | BIOL 111 + BIOL 112 (6 credits) | $2,520 | → | |
| Dalhousie UniversityHalifax, NS | 5/7 | BIOL 1010.03 + BIOL 1011.03 (6 credit hours) | $2,052 | → | |
| Simon Fraser UniversityBurnaby, BC | 5/7 | SFU BISC 101 (4), B-Sci; SFU BISC 102 (4), B-Sci | $1,864 | → | |
| University of British ColumbiaVancouver, BC | 6/7 | BIOL_V 1st-year level (8 credits) | $1,656 | → | |
| University of SaskatchewanSaskatoon, SK | 5/7 | BIOL 120.3 + BIOL Jr.3 = 6 credit units | $1,554 | → | |
| York UniversityToronto, ON | 5/7 | SC/BIOL 1000 3.0 + SC/BIOL 1001 3.0 (6 credits) | $1,458 | → | |
| Western UniversityLondon, ON | 5/7 | Biology 1001A (0.5 cr) + Biology 1002B (0.5 cr) = … | $1,440 | → | |
| Queen's UniversityKingston, ON | 5/7 | BIOL 102 + BIOL 103 (6.0 units) | $1,398 | → | |
| Carleton UniversityOttawa, ON | 5/7 | BIOL 1103 + BIOL 1104 (1.0 credit) | $1,365 | → | |
| McMaster UniversityHamilton, ON | 5/7 | BIOLOGY 1A03 and BIOLOGY 1M03 | $1,200 | → | |
| University of GuelphGuelph, ON | 5/7 | BIOL 1070 (0.50 credits) | $720 | → | |
| University of OttawaOttawa, ON | 5/7 | BIO 1XXX (3 units) | $660 | → | |
| University of TorontoToronto, ON | 5/7 | BIO1**Y (1.0 credit) | $659 | → | |
| University of AlbertaEdmonton, AB | 6/7 | BIOL 107 (3 units) | $651 | → | |
| University of CalgaryCalgary, Alberta | 5/7 | Biology 211 (Biomolecules and Cellular Systems) | $597 | → | |
| University of VictoriaVictoria, BC | 4/7 | BIOL 184 (1.5 units) and BIOL 186 (1.5 units) | $555 | → | |
| University of WaterlooWaterloo, ON | 5/7 | BIOL 239 + BIOL 130L (0.75 units ≈ 1.5 courses) | $450 | → |
Tip: Different provinces have different tuition rates. Use these comparisons to find the best value for your residency status.
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Data Disclaimer
This information is compiled from Memorial University of Newfoundland official sources and verified community reports. It is NOT a substitute for official academic advising. Always confirm with your advisor before making decisions.
Last updated: December 2025
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