3 programs, side by side

Rows marked with a dot are where these differ. Everything is each university’s own published wording; the “your average” row is yours, calculated the way each program does it.

	McMaster Life Sciences Gateway OUAC MLS Remove	Brock Biochemistry OUAC BCH Remove	Western Science OUAC ES Remove
Your average, their wayrequired courses forced in
Published rangetheir exact wording	93–97%“Mid-90s”	73–77%“Mid 70s”	80–87%“Low to mid 80s”
Required coursesforced into your top 6 — options are the row below	ENG4U SBI4U	SCH4U	ENG4U MCV4U
Choose one ofany of these satisfies it	one of MCV4U, MHF4U one of MCV4U, MHF4U, SCH4U, SPH4U	one of MCV4U, MHF4U two of ENG4U, SBI4U, SES4U, SPH4U	two of ICS4U, MDM4U, MHF4U, SBI4U, SES4U, SPH4U
Prerequisitesas published	English 4U 1 of Advanced Functions 4U, Calculus & Vectors 4U Biology 4U 1 of Advanced Functions 4U, Calculus & Vectors 4U, Chemistry 4U, Physics 4U Applicants without Calculus & Vectors 4U will be required to take an equivalent Calculus course in Level I.	MHF4U (min. 70%) or MCV4U (min. 70%) SCH4U (min. 70%) 2 from SBI4U, SPH4U, SES4U, a second 4U Math or ENG4U ENG4U is strongly recommended Alternative Offers +1 more on the program page	English, ENG4U Calculus and Vectors MCV4U Two of: Advanced Functions, MHF4U Biology, SBI4U +7 more on the program page
More than marks?supplementary application	Marks only	Marks only	Yes Unless otherwise noted, required courses must be completed with a minimum average of 70%. Western Integrated Science applicants must submit a supplementary application. More information Usually closes before January 15
Co-op	Available	Available	Available
Degree	—	—	—
First-year intakewhere published	1,000	—	550
What you study	Animal Science Biological Sciences Genetics Microbiology	Chemistry	Animal Science Astronomy Biological Sciences Chemistry
What it is	Life Sciences Gateway is a first-year program where you explore core sciences—biology, chemistry, and math—before specializing in areas like genetics, microbiology, pharmacology, animal science, or psychology. It includes mandatory co-op work terms alongside your studies. This broad entry lets you test different life science directions before committing to a specific degree, rather than applying directly to a single specialized program.	Biochemistry is the study of chemical processes inside living cells and organisms, combining chemistry and biology to understand how life works at a molecular level. This co-op program includes work terms where you apply what you are learning in paid jobs with employers, giving you real workplace experience alongside your studies. It suits students who want a science degree with both theory and hands-on professional experience, and who are interested in how molecules, reactions, and life interconnect.	This is a broad science degree where you choose from fields like biology, chemistry, physics, computer science, geology, and others. You take foundational science courses in first year, then specialize by selecting which science subjects to focus on. Co-op is available, letting you do paid work terms at science-related employers alongside your studies.
The door tomajors you reach through it	biochemistry biology life sciences medical sciences microbiology neuroscience	biochemistry	biology chemistry earth science environmental science life sciences mathematics physics statistics
Entrance awardsat this campus, by average	5 published, 3 with no applicationfrom 75%See them	4 published, 1 with no applicationfrom 80%See them	6 published, 5 with no applicationfrom 85%See them
Source	McMaster University on OUInfo	Brock University on OUInfo	Western University on OUInfo

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