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

U of T (Scarborough)

Life Sciences (regular and co-op)

OUAC TSL

Remove
Remove

McMaster

Life Sciences Gateway

OUAC MLS

Remove
Remove
Your average, their wayrequired courses forced in
Published rangetheir exact wording73–80%Mid-70s (regular), high 70s (co-op)80–91%80-85% for all majors except Neuroscience (81-86%), and Animal Biology, Bio-Medical Science (85-91%)93–97%Mid-90s80–85%80 to 85%
Required coursesforced into your top 6 — options are the row belowENG4USBI4UENG4UENG4USBI4UENG4U
Choose one ofany of these satisfies it
  • one of MCV4U, MDM4U, MHF4U
  • one of MCV4U, MHF4U
  • one of MCV4U, MHF4U, SCH4U, SPH4U
Prerequisitesas published
  • ENG4U
  • MCV4U, MHF4U or MDM4U
  • SBI4U
  • SCH4U recommended
  • MCV4U for specific disciplines is required.
  • +2 more on the program page
  • Biological Sciences:
  • ENG4U
  • MHF4U
  • 2 4U Science courses
  • 2 additional 4U/M courses
  • +7 more on the program page
  • 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.
  • Biological Sciences:
  • ENG4U
  • MHF4U
  • 2 4U Science courses
  • 2 additional 4U/M courses
  • +5 more on the program page
More than marks?supplementary applicationMarks onlyMarks onlyMarks onlyMarks only
Co-opAvailableAvailableAvailableNo
Degree
First-year intakewhere published6801,000
What you studyAnimal ScienceBiological SciencesBiotechnologyGeneticsAnimal ScienceBiological SciencesChemistryEnvironmental StudiesAnimal ScienceBiological SciencesGeneticsMicrobiologyAnimal ScienceBiological SciencesBiotechnologyChemistry
What it isLife Sciences is a broad study of how living things work, from individual cells and genetics to whole organisms and ecosystems. You'll choose a focus area like microbiology, human biology, genetics, or plant science, and take courses across biology, chemistry, and related fields. The co-op option lets you alternate study terms with paid work placements 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.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 Bachelor of Science (General) lets you study science broadly across biology, chemistry, environmental science, and related fields, choosing your own mix of courses rather than specializing deeply in one area. Unlike an honours program, it gives you flexibility to explore multiple sciences without committing to a single major or meeting the tighter requirements of a specialized stream. This suits students who are curious about science in general but aren't yet sure which direction appeals to them most.
The door tomajors you reach through itbiologylife sciencesmedical sciencesmicrobiologyneurosciencebiochemistrybiologychemistryhealth scienceslife sciencesmicrobiologyneurosciencephysicsbiochemistrybiologylife sciencesmedical sciencesmicrobiologyneuroscienceApplied to directly
Entrance awardsat this campus, by average4 published, 4 with no applicationfrom 85%See them12 published, 4 with no applicationfrom 75%See them5 published, 3 with no applicationfrom 75%See them12 published, 4 with no applicationfrom 75%See them
SourceUniversity of Toronto — Scarborough on OUInfoUniversity of Guelph on OUInfoMcMaster University on OUInfoUniversity of Guelph on OUInfo

Also compare with

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.