Grade 6+ Required: The University of Alberta awards transfer credit for IB grades of 6 or 7 only. A grade of 5 may satisfy admission requirements but does not grant course credit.
Tuition Note: Savings shown are for domestic students (~$238/credit). International students pay significantly more (~$1,000+/credit).
Does University of Alberta accept Biology HL?
Edmonton, AB
Yes, Transfer Credit Available!
Minimum Grade Required
Credit Granted
BIOL 107 (3 units)
💡Expert's Take
IB Biology at the University of Alberta — HL earns you one of the cleanest transfer credits in the chart. SL, unfortunately, gets you nothing. Either way, the credit is only as useful as the strategy behind it.
IB Biology HL
Score requirement: UAlberta awards transfer credit only for a final grade of 6 or 7 — not 5. This is higher than many students expect, and if you score below 6, you receive no Biology transfer credit (see UAlberta IB Transfer Credit and UAlberta Calendar: IB Course Equivalents (Chart 4)).
What you actually receive: with a 6 or 7, UAlberta grants BIOL 107 — Introduction to Cell Biology (★3). This is specific, named course credit — not generic or unassigned. BIOL 107 appears on your transcript as credit earned — though without a letter grade or GPA impact, since UAlberta does not assign a grade to IB transfer credit. It satisfies the prerequisite for BIOL 207 Molecular Genetics and Heredity (which requires BIOL 107) and counts as a foundation course in the BSc Biological Sciences Major and Honors programs. If you also complete the full IB Diploma, you receive an additional ★3 in an open 100-level elective on top of the BIOL 107 credit (see UAlberta IB Students page).
Why this matters: some IB subjects at UAlberta award generic 100-level credit (e.g., English A Language & Literature HL → "C LIT 100-level"), which can create ambiguity around how your program applies the credit. Biology HL is not one of those cases — your credit is specific and straightforward. No need to "confirm whether it counts as the specific course your major requires" — it is the specific course.
IB Biology SL
No automatic credit and no CSA pathway. Unlike Chemistry SL (where students can apply to write a Credit by Special Assessment exam for CHEM 101), Biology SL does not appear in UAlberta's IB Advanced Standing chart at all — not for transfer credit, and not for a challenge exam. If you took Biology at SL only, you will need to take BIOL 107 at UAlberta. Your IB preparation will still give you a head start on the material, but there is no formal credit pathway (see UAlberta IB Transfer Credit).
Program Considerations
BIOL 107 is a foundation course for BSc Biological Sciences (Major, Honors, and Minor) and a prerequisite for several 200-level biology courses. Receiving specific credit means you can move directly into upper-year courses in your first year if your timetable allows. However, keep in mind:
- BIOL 107 is only half the first-year intro sequence. BIOL 108 (Introduction to Biological Diversity) is the other half, and IB does not grant credit for it. UAlberta explicitly notes that "BIOL 107 is not a prerequisite for BIOL 108" — they can be taken in either order. So you will still take BIOL 108 regardless.
- Some upper-year courses require both halves. While BIOL 207 (Molecular Genetics) requires only BIOL 107, other key courses require both: BIOL 208 (Principles of Ecology) requires BIOL 108 (not BIOL 107), and BIOL 221 (Mechanisms of Evolution) requires both BIOL 107 and 108. Your IB transfer credit alone does not unlock every 200-level biology course — you still need BIOL 108 to complete the prerequisite chain.
- Readiness for 200-level courses: BIOL 107 at UAlberta covers cell structure, energy metabolism, cell reproduction, DNA replication, transcription, and translation. If your IB Biology HL felt strong in these areas, you are well prepared. If it felt more memorization-heavy, consider whether jumping straight to courses like BIOL 207 (Molecular Genetics) is the right move — or whether a lighter first-year load using the freed-up slot is a better use of the credit.
- Professional program pathways: UAlberta notes that you "may meet professional program prerequisites with your IB coursework, including Pharmacy, Medical Laboratory Science and Radiation Therapy." However, it is recommended to check directly with the professional program to understand how transfer credit is treated in their specific admissions process.
- Engineering note: The Faculty of Engineering does not grant the same transfer credit as other faculties and recommends declining all transfer credit for first-year courses. If you accept transfer credit and have a Light Load Adjustment, it will lower your ranking for entry into second-year engineering programs. While Biology is less commonly an Engineering prerequisite than Chemistry or Physics, Engineering students should be aware of this faculty-wide policy.
Declining Credit — A One-Way Door
UAlberta allows you to decline transfer credit on a course-by-course basis, but this decision is final and cannot be reversed. If you decline and later wish you hadn't, the credit is gone permanently. To decline, submit a Transfer Credit Decline Form or contact IBstudent@ualberta.ca before the Fall Term course registration deadline. Also be aware: accepting transfer credit may result in a lighter course load, which can affect eligibility for certain scholarships and programs (see UAlberta Calendar: IB Curriculum).
Actionable strategy:
- Biology HL, score 6+, entering BSc Biological Sciences: Your BIOL 107 credit is a foundation course for your program — use it. Consider taking BIOL 108 in Fall and BIOL 207 (Molecular Genetics) in Winter once your BIOL 107 prerequisite is satisfied, or use the freed-up slot for another first-year requirement (CHEM 101, MATH 134, STAT 151). Note that BIOL 208 (Ecology) and BIOL 221 (Evolution) require BIOL 108, so completing BIOL 108 early is the key to unlocking your second-year sequence.
- Biology HL, score 6+, entering a non-biology program: BIOL 107 still counts as ★3 toward your degree. It satisfies science elective requirements in many faculties (e.g., Arts, Business). Use it to reduce your course load or make space in a heavy first-year schedule.
- Biology HL, score below 6: No automatic credit. Unlike Chemistry SL, there is no CSA exam pathway for Biology. You will need to take BIOL 107 at UAlberta, but your HL preparation will be a significant advantage.
- Biology SL: No credit and no CSA option. Plan to take BIOL 107 if your program requires it.
Official award line (IB Biology HL):
Minimum score: 6
Credit granted: BIOL 107 — Introduction to Cell Biology (★3)
IB Diploma bonus: Additional ★3 in a 100-level open elective
BIOL 107 in the Course Catalogue
UAlberta IB Transfer Credit UAlberta Calendar: IB Course Equivalents (Chart 4) UAlberta Calendar: BSc Biological Sciences UAlberta AP & IB Handbook 2025-26 (PDF)
Need help preparing for IB Biology HL?
Your Potential Savings
Credits Earned
3
Tuition per Credit*
~$217
Est. Savings*
~$651
*Tuition rates are approximate and may vary by academic year, faculty, and program. Always verify with University of Alberta's official sources before making decisions.
📊 Compare Biology HL at Other Universities
See how Biology HL transfer credits compare across Canadian universities. Each school has different grade requirements and savings potential.
McGill University
Montreal, QC
Min Grade
5/7
Credit Granted
BIOL 111 + BIOL 112 (6 credits)
(6 credits)
Est. Savings
$2,520
McMaster University
Hamilton, ON
Min Grade
5/7
Credit Granted
BIOL 1A03 + BIOL 1M03 (up to 6 units)
(6 credits)
Est. Savings
$1,200
Queen's University
Kingston, ON
Min Grade
5/7
Credit Granted
BIOL 102 + BIOL 103 (6.0 units)
(6 credits)
Est. Savings
$1,398
Simon Fraser University
Burnaby, BC
Min Grade
5/7
Credit Granted
SFU BISC 101 (4), B-Sci; SFU BISC 102 (4...
(8 credits)
Est. Savings
$1,864
University of British Columbia
Vancouver, BC
Min Grade
6/7
Credit Granted
BIOL_V 1st-year level (8 credits)
(8 credits)
Est. Savings
$1,656
University of Waterloo
Waterloo, ON
Min Grade
5/7
Credit Granted
BIOL 239 + BIOL 130L (0.75 units ≈ 1.5 c...
(1 credit)
Est. Savings
$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 University of Alberta 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: February 2026
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