Studying Biochemistry in Ontario

Western University

Apply to Medical Sciences (ESM)

You choose biochemistry at the end of Year 2 — you enter the BMSc program and its module in Year 3.

Biochemistry is a BMSc module you enter in YEAR 3, not first year — Western calls BMSc a 'second-entry' program. ESM gives assured Year-3 entry if you finish Year-2 core courses with at least an 80% average and no mark below 60%; from Science (ES) you take the same first two years but must compete for Year-3 seats through the competitive pool. ESM requires ENG4U, MCV4U, SBI4U and SCH4U (SPH4U recommended) and its average guideline runs above Science's. If you would rather stay in Science, note the Honours Specialization in Biochemistry and Chemistry (Chemistry) and the Honours Specialization in Genetics and Biochemistry (Biology) are separate ES routes into the subject.

Queen's University

Apply to Life Science & Biochemistry (QL)

You choose biochemistry at Plan Selection after first year, when you choose the Biochemistry plan rather than Life Sciences.

CORRECTED FROM DIRECT ENTRY: you apply to the COMBINED code Queen's calls "Life Science & Biochemistry (QL)" — you are not admitted to Biochemistry specifically, and you still choose between the Life Sciences and Biochemistry plans at Plan Selection after first year. The good news is that unlike most Queen's plans there is no GPA threshold for direct-entry students, so the choice is effectively yours. Requires English 4U, Calculus and Vectors 4U, Biology 4U and Chemistry 4U — verified on Queen's requirements table.

McMaster University

Apply to Life Sciences Gateway

You choose biochemistry at the end of first year.

Honours Biochemistry is run by the Faculty of Health Sciences but you cannot apply to it from Grade 12 — it is a limited-enrolment Level 2 entry program. McMaster's own wording is that students from any undergraduate program who meet the course and GPA requirements may be considered, but that those courses are most commonly completed in the Life Sciences Gateway I program. Applying to Honours Health Sciences is not the route to Biochemistry.

University of Toronto — St. George

Apply to Life Sciences (including Psychology)

You choose biochemistry at the end of first year.

U of T lists Biochemistry as Major and Specialist only — there is no Minor. Entered from Life Sciences after first year on your BIO and CHM grades. SBI4U, SCH4U and MCV4U all required, SPH4U recommended.

University of Toronto — Mississauga

Apply to Chemical & Physical Sciences

You choose biochemistry after first year (4.0 credits).

UTM has no program called 'Biochemistry' — the equivalent is Biological Chemistry, and its admission table confirms Chemical & Physical Sciences (TMW), NOT Life Sciences. Applying to TML expecting biochemistry is a common mistake. Prerequisites are ENG4U, MHF4U, SBI4U and SCH4U.

University of Toronto — Scarborough

Apply to Physical & Environmental Sciences (OUAC TSP)

You choose biochemistry end of first year, on ACORN.

The trap: at UTSC, Biochemistry is under Physical & Environmental Sciences (TSP), not Life Sciences (TSL) — applying to Life Sciences to do biochemistry is the wrong entry point. Requires Grade 12 Biology, Advanced Functions and Calculus & Vectors (Chemistry and Physics only recommended), mid 70s.

University of Waterloo

Apply to Life Sciences

You choose biochemistry you name Biochemistry as your major when you apply to Life Sciences.

"Apply to Life Sciences and select Biochemistry as your major." Biochemistry is one of only three majors under the Life Sciences code (with Biology and Psychology). Advanced Functions and Calculus and Vectors are both required on top of two sciences — the calculus requirement is what disqualifies students who assume a biochem degree only needs biology and chemistry.

University of Guelph

Apply to Bachelor of Science (BSc) Honours (GZ)

You choose biochemistry on the OUAC application itself. Guelph's Honours BSc majors all share code GZ, and you name your major when you apply. First year is common across the majors, so Guelph says switching afterwards is straightforward.

Guelph's Honours BSc is one OUAC code (GZ) covering 27 majors, published at 80-85% for all of them except Neuroscience (81-86%) and Animal Biology and Bio-Medical Science (85-91%, and those two have their own codes, GZA and GZB). You choose the major on the application, not after first year.

Carleton University

Apply to Science - Honours (CT)

You choose biochemistry on the OUAC application, as your major inside the Bachelor of Science (CT, 78%). Carleton also offers a Science Gateway — Life Sciences or Physical Sciences — for students who want a BSc but have not picked a major.

Biochemistry is a BSc major named on the application. Carleton's Honours BSc is a single OUAC code, CT, at 78%, covering 17 majors; you name the major on the application. CS is the 3-year non-honours BSc and CK is Science - Major. Undecided science applicants can choose the Life Sciences or Physical Sciences Gateway.

Toronto Metropolitan University

Apply to Chemistry (SCH)

You choose biochemistry inside Chemistry or Biology — TMU has no standalone biochemistry code.

TMU has no biochemistry degree. Chemistry (SCH, 70-75%) and Biology (SBX, 75-80%) are the routes, both direct entry with co-op; Biomedical Sciences (SBS, 80-85%) is the life-science option.

Ontario Tech University

Apply to Chemical Biology (DSH)

You choose biochemistry on the application — Ontario Tech has no biochemistry code; Chemical Biology is the equivalent.

Ontario Tech has no degree called Biochemistry. Chemical Biology (DSH, low-70s; DHC co-op) is the equivalent, and Pharmaceutical Chemistry (DSW) is the related option.

Lakehead University

Apply to Chemistry (includes Medical Sciences) (AF)

You choose biochemistry on the application — biochemistry sits inside Chemistry at Thunder Bay.

Lakehead has no biochemistry code. Chemistry (AF, 70%, Thunder Bay) covers it and explicitly includes Medical Sciences as a stream. Lakehead has two campuses and many programmes run at only one: check the campus in the programme name before you apply, because Thunder Bay and Orillia are 1,400 km apart.

Nipissing University

Apply to not offered at Nipissing

Nipissing has no biochemistry major, and no chemistry major at all — its Bachelor of Science has seven majors and chemistry is not among them. Biology is the nearest, chosen inside PS.

Algoma University

Apply to not offered at Algoma

Algoma has no biochemistry and no chemistry programme — neither appears on Algoma's own 21-programme list. Biology (JFA/JGA) is the only lab science.

Trent University — Durham GTA

Apply to not offered at Trent Durham

Not at Durham; Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (RBM) runs at the Peterborough campus.