Cutoffs

4 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.

Full

McMaster

Life Sciences Gateway

OUAC MLS

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Algoma

Biology (BSc 4 year)

OUAC JGA

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Your average, their wayrequired courses forced in
Published rangetheir exact wording93–97%Mid-90s70%70%+80–83%Low 80s80–91%80-85% for all majors except Neuroscience (81-86%), and Animal Biology, Bio-Medical Science (85-91%)
Required coursesforced into your top 6 — options are the row belowENG4USBI4UENG4UMHF4UENG4UMCV4UMHF4UENG4U
Choose one ofany of these satisfies it
  • one of MCV4U, MHF4U
  • one of MCV4U, MHF4U, SCH4U, SPH4U
  • two of MDM4U, SBI4U, SCH4U, 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.
  • 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 – min. 70%)
  • Advanced Functions (min. 70%)
  • Calculus and Vectors (min. 70%)
  • Any two of the following: Biology, Chemistry, Earth and Space Science, Mathematics of
  • Data Management, or Physics
  • Biological Sciences:
  • ENG4U
  • MHF4U
  • 2 4U Science courses
  • 2 additional 4U/M courses
  • +7 more on the program page
More than marks?supplementary applicationMarks onlyMarks onlyMarks onlyMarks only
Co-opAvailableNoAvailableAvailable
Degree
First-year intakewhere published1,000570
What you studyAnimal ScienceBiological SciencesGeneticsMicrobiologyEnvironmental StudiesAnimal ScienceBiological SciencesBiologyBiotechnologyAnimal ScienceBiological SciencesChemistryEnvironmental Studies
What it isLife 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.Life Sciences is a broad study of living organisms, their cells, genetics, and chemistry at the molecular level. You'll take core courses in biology, chemistry, and biochemistry, then choose a focus like microbiology, biotechnology, or human biology depending on your interests. The co-op option lets you alternate between school and paid work terms in research labs, hospitals, or biotech companies, giving you real experience alongside your degree.A Bachelor of Science Honours is a four-year degree where you specialize in one science discipline — such as biology, chemistry, environmental studies, or nutrition — and take supporting courses in math and other sciences. The honours designation means you complete a research project or thesis in your final year. Many students choose the optional co-op stream, which alternates study terms with paid work placements in related fields, giving you practical experience alongside classroom learning. This program suits students who want depth in a single science and are interested in research, lab work, or professional roles in health, environment, or industry.
The door tomajors you reach through itbiochemistrybiologylife sciencesmedical sciencesmicrobiologyneurosciencebiologylife sciencesbiochemistrybiologylife sciencesmicrobiologyneurosciencebiochemistrybiologychemistryhealth scienceslife sciencesmicrobiologyneurosciencephysics
Entrance awardsat this campus, by average5 published, 3 with no applicationfrom 75%See them7 published, 7 with no applicationfrom 80%See them4 published, 3 with no applicationfrom 80%See them12 published, 4 with no applicationfrom 75%See them
SourceMcMaster University on OUInfoAlgoma University on OUInfoUniversity of Waterloo on OUInfoUniversity of Guelph on OUInfo

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