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
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McMaster

Life Sciences Gateway

OUAC MLS

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Western

Medical Sciences

OUAC ESM

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Your average, their wayrequired courses forced in
Published rangetheir exact wording80–83%Low 80s80–91%80-85% for all majors except Neuroscience (81-86%), and Animal Biology, Bio-Medical Science (85-91%)93–97%Mid-90s83–90%Mid to high 80s
Required coursesforced into your top 6 — options are the row belowENG4UMCV4UMHF4UENG4UENG4USBI4UENG4UMCV4USBI4USCH4U
Choose one ofany of these satisfies it
  • two of MDM4U, SBI4U, SCH4U, SES4U, SPH4U
  • one of MCV4U, MHF4U
  • one of MCV4U, MHF4U, SCH4U, SPH4U
Prerequisitesas published
  • 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
  • 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.
  • English, ENG4U
  • Calculus and Vectors, MCV4U
  • Biology, SBI4U
  • Chemistry, SCH4U
  • Note:
  • +1 more on the program page
More than marks?supplementary applicationMarks onlyMarks onlyMarks onlyMarks only
Co-opAvailableAvailableAvailableAvailable
Degree
First-year intakewhere published5701,0001,000
What you studyAnimal ScienceBiological SciencesBiologyBiotechnologyAnimal ScienceBiological SciencesChemistryEnvironmental StudiesAnimal ScienceBiological SciencesGeneticsMicrobiologyBiological SciencesChemistryHealth InformaticsHuman Biology
What it isLife 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.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.Medical Sciences is a four-year undergraduate program where you study human biology, chemistry, and related sciences to prepare for health professions or medical research. Unlike a general science degree, it focuses specifically on the foundational knowledge needed for medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, or graduate health programs. The program includes optional co-op work terms, letting you gain hands-on experience in labs, hospitals, or health settings alongside your coursework. It suits students drawn to understanding how the human body works and considering careers in health care or biomedical fields.
The door tomajors you reach through itbiochemistrybiologylife sciencesmicrobiologyneurosciencebiochemistrybiologychemistryhealth scienceslife sciencesmicrobiologyneurosciencephysicsbiochemistrybiologylife sciencesmedical sciencesmicrobiologyneurosciencebiochemistrymedical sciencesmicrobiologyneuroscience
Entrance awardsat this campus, by average4 published, 3 with no applicationfrom 80%See them12 published, 4 with no applicationfrom 75%See them5 published, 3 with no applicationfrom 75%See them6 published, 5 with no applicationfrom 85%See them
SourceUniversity of Waterloo on OUInfoUniversity of Guelph on OUInfoMcMaster University on OUInfoWestern University on OUInfo

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