Cutoffs

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

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Your average, their wayrequired courses forced in
Published rangetheir exact wording93–97%Mid-90s83–87%Mid 80s73–80%Mid-70s (regular), high 70s (co-op)
Required coursesforced into your top 6 — options are the row belowENG4USBI4UENG4UMCV4USBI4USCH4UENG4UMCV4USBI4U
Choose one ofany of these satisfies it
  • one of MCV4U, MHF4U
  • one of MCV4U, MHF4U, SCH4U, SPH4U
  • one of MDM4U, MHF4U
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
  • MCV4U
  • SBI4U
  • SCH4U
  • 2 additional 4U/M course
  • ENG4U
  • MCV4U, MHF4U or MDM4U
  • SBI4U
  • SCH4U recommended
  • MCV4U for specific disciplines is required.
  • +2 more on the program page
More than marks?supplementary applicationMarks onlyMarks onlyMarks only
Co-opAvailableAvailableAvailable
Degree
First-year intakewhere published1,000680
What you studyAnimal ScienceBiological SciencesGeneticsMicrobiologyChemistryHuman BiologyPharmacology, Toxicology & PharmacyAnimal ScienceBiological SciencesBiotechnologyGenetics
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.You study the chemistry of living things — how molecules work in cells and bodies, and how drugs and toxins affect them. This program combines chemistry and biology more deeply than a general life sciences program, with added focus on how substances interact with organisms. It suits students curious about medicine, pharmacy, drug development, or toxicology who want a stronger chemical foundation than biology alone provides.You study the science of living systems — cells, organisms, genetics, and disease — with flexible depth depending on which specialization you choose. The co-op option lets you alternate between classroom semesters and paid work terms at research labs, hospitals, or biotech companies, building real experience alongside your degree. This stream suits students drawn to biology and chemistry who want either a traditional path or the chance to test careers in health and life sciences before graduating.
The door tomajors you reach through itbiochemistrybiologylife sciencesmedical sciencesmicrobiologyneurosciencebiochemistrylife sciencesmedical sciencesmicrobiologyneuroscienceApplied to directly
Entrance awardsat this campus, by average5 published, 3 with no applicationfrom 75%See themNone published by average4 published, 4 with no applicationfrom 85%See them
SourceMcMaster University on OUInfoQueen's University on OUInfoUniversity of Toronto — Scarborough on OUInfo

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Same subject area and a similar published range, at a campus you have not got in the table yet.

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.