Studying Biology in Ontario
You can’t always apply to biology directly. Some universities admit you straight into it; others admit you into a broad first-year category and you choose biology later. That difference is why searching for a major by name can make it look like a university doesn’t offer it.
Apply broad, choose biology later
Western University
Apply to Science (ES)
You choose biology at the end of first year, during Intent to Register in March.
You apply to the Faculty of Science, not to Biology. ES requires ENG4U and MCV4U plus two more from a science/math list. Western flags that SBI4U and SCH4U are 'not required for admission, but required to take first-year Biology / Chemistry courses' — and every Biology module (Major, Specialization, all Honours Specializations) demands Biology 1001A + 1002B AND Chemistry 1301A/B + 1302A/B, plus a first-year physics and math course. Skip SCH4U and you can lock yourself out of the entire department.
https://welcome.uwo.ca/what-can-i-study/undergraduate-programs/science.htmlQueen's University
Apply to Science – Biological and Cognitive Sciences (QSB)
You choose biology during Plan Selection in May at the end of first year.
Biology (Arts and Science, BSc) is a different program from Life Sciences (QL, Faculty of Health Sciences, direct entry) — students confuse these constantly. CODE CAVEAT: Queen's admission-requirements table still lists a single Science (QS) code; OUInfo lists QSB. Confirm on OUAC. The pathway does not lock you in — Queen's has said students are not prevented from choosing a major outside the sub-section they applied to. Either way you are in no plan until May of first year.
https://www.queensu.ca/artsci/undergraduate/first-year-students/plan-selectionMcMaster University
Apply to Life Sciences Gateway
You choose biology at the end of first year, when you rank up to four Level 2 programs.
There is no 'Biology' program to apply to from Grade 12 — Science I was replaced by four Gateways, and Honours Biology Core is a Level 2 choice. The Biology department also runs Biology - Physiology, Molecular Biology & Genetics, and Neuroscience at Level 2. The calendar says completion of any Level 1 program plus specific courses, so the Gateway is the sensible route rather than a hard gate.
https://future.mcmaster.ca/programs/lifesci/University of Toronto — St. George
Apply to Life Sciences (including Psychology)
You choose biology at the end of first year.
Verified in the Arts & Science calendar: the Biology Major is open enrolment — 'a student who has completed 4.0 credits may enrol'. So the competitive step is getting into Life Sciences, not getting the program. SBI4U, SCH4U and MCV4U are all required to apply.
https://future.utoronto.ca/program/biology/University of Toronto — Mississauga
Apply to Life Sciences
You choose biology after first year (4.0 credits).
Life Sciences is the application code; Biology, Molecular Biology, Ecology & Evolution, Biotechnology, Comparative Physiology and Paleontology are all chosen after Year 1 from inside it. Forensic Biology is NOT here — it sits in Forensic Sciences (TMK), a separate application.
https://www.utm.utoronto.ca/future-students/programs/biologyUniversity of Toronto — Scarborough
Apply to Life Sciences
You choose biology end of first year, on ACORN.
Grade 12 Biology plus one Grade 12 math (Calculus & Vectors, Advanced Functions or Data Management) are required; Chemistry is only recommended for admission but you will need it for most life-science POSts. High 70s, low 80s for co-op. The Health Sciences stream of Life Sciences is OUAC TXD.
https://www.utsc.utoronto.ca/admissions/programs/biologyUniversity of Waterloo
Apply to Life Sciences
You choose biology you name Biology as your major when you apply to Life Sciences, and start those courses in first term.
Waterloo's page says plainly: "Apply to Life Sciences and select Biology as your major." Life Sciences is an admission umbrella, not a degree — it holds exactly three majors (Biochemistry, Biology, Psychology). It requires English 70%, Advanced Functions 70%, Calculus and Vectors 70%, and two of Biology/Chemistry/Earth and Space Science/Data Management/Physics, admission average low 80s. The calculus requirement catches out students who took biology and chemistry but dropped calculus.
https://uwaterloo.ca/future-students/programs/biology
Read off each university’s own admissions pages, and covering the seven campuses Ontario students apply to most. Entry structures change — confirm with the university before you build a timetable around one. Search all programs.