3 programs, side by side

+ Add a program	McMaster Life Sciences Gateway OUAC MLS ☆ Add to planRemove	Algoma Biology (BSc 4 year) OUAC JGA ☆ Add to planRemove	Western Science OUAC ES ☆ Add to planRemove
Your average, their wayrequired courses forced in
Published rangetheir exact wording	93–97%“Mid-90s”	70%“70%+”	80–87%“Low to mid 80s”
Required coursesforced into your top 6 — options are the row below	ENG4USBI4U	ENG4UMHF4U	ENG4UICS4UMCV4USES4USPH4U
Choose one ofany of these satisfies it	one of MCV4U, MHF4U one of MCV4U, MHF4U, SCH4U, SPH4U	—	two of MDM4U, MHF4U, SBI4U
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.	ENG4U MHF4U Two 4U/M science courses (Chemistry and Biology are recommended) Two other 4U/M courses 70% combined average in top six 4U/M courses	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	No	Available
Degree	—	—	—
First-year intakewhere published	1,000	—	550
What you study	Animal ScienceBiological SciencesGeneticsMicrobiology	Environmental Studies	Animal ScienceAstronomyBiological SciencesChemistry
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.	A four-year Bachelor of Science in Biology teaches you how living organisms work, from cells to ecosystems, with a focus on environmental systems and conservation. You'll study ecology, genetics, physiology, and how species interact with their surroundings, combining lab work with field study. This program suits students who want a broad foundation in biology and are interested in environmental issues, rather than pursuing a specialized professional path like medicine or engineering.	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	biochemistrybiologylife sciencesmedical sciencesmicrobiologyneuroscience	biologylife sciences	biologychemistryearth scienceenvironmental sciencelife sciencesmathematicsphysicsstatistics
Entrance awardsat this campus, by average	5 published, 3 with no applicationfrom 75%See them	7 published, 7 with no applicationfrom 80%See them	6 published, 5 with no applicationfrom 85%See them
Source	McMaster University on OUInfo	Algoma University on OUInfo	Western University on OUInfo

Ranges are what each university publishes, not guaranteed cutoffs, and limited-enrolment programs often admit above them. Confirm anything you are about to act on with the university; each column links to its source.