Studying Life Sciences in Ontario

Western University

Apply to Science (ES)

You choose life sciences at the end of first year, during Intent to Register in March.

Western has no program or module called 'Life Sciences' — that name belongs to McMaster, Queen's and Guelph. The equivalents here are Science (ES) if you want biology, genetics, ecology or biochemistry-adjacent modules, or Medical Sciences (ESM) if you are aiming at the BMSc and the health-professional route. Searching 'life sciences' and finding nothing does not mean Western lacks the field.

McMaster University

Apply to Life Sciences Gateway

You choose life sciences at the end of first year, ranking up to four Level 2 programs.

The OUAC choice is the Gateway; Honours Life Sciences is the Level 2 program you rank into afterward. First year is largely set for you — Biology 1A03 and 1M03, Chem 1A03 and 1AA3, Math 1LS3, Physics 1A03, Psych 1X03, plus 6 units of electives — and those courses are what unlock Level 2 programs across Biology, Chemistry, Earth & Environment, Math & Stats, Physics & Astronomy and PNB.

University of Toronto — St. George

Apply to Life Sciences (including Psychology)

You choose life sciences at the end of first year.

Life Sciences is the admission category, not a program — there is no 'Life Sciences' program page. In first year you are not enrolled in any program at all; you take first-year courses then apply to something specific (Human Biology, Neuroscience, Health and Disease, Biochemistry, Psychology) at the end of first year, and most of those are limited enrolment.

University of Toronto — Mississauga

Apply to Life Sciences

You choose life sciences after first year (4.0 credits).

Life Sciences is an admission category, not a degree — nobody graduates with a 'Life Sciences' degree. You take a common first year and then request Biology, Molecular Biology, Biotechnology, Ecology & Evolution or similar.

University of Guelph

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

You choose life sciences 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 has no major called Life Sciences. The equivalent majors are Biological Science, Molecular Biology and Genetics, Biomedical Toxicology and Human Health and Nutritional Sciences, all under GZ. 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 life sciences 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.

Carleton has no major called Life Sciences, but its Science Gateway has a Life Sciences track for undecided applicants. The equivalent majors under CT are Biology, Biochemistry, Neuroscience and Mental Health, Bioinformatics and Biotechnology. 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.

Wilfrid Laurier University — Waterloo

Apply to Honours Science (BSc) (UZL)

You choose life sciences at the end of first year. Honours Science (UZL) is Laurier's explore-first science door: you take first-year courses across biology, chemistry, physics, math and psychology, then move into a major for second year.

Laurier has no major called Life Sciences. Honours Science (UZL, mid-70s) is the explore-first door into biology, biochemistry and psychology-neuroscience; or apply directly to Biology (UZF) or Biochemistry and Biotechnology (UBI), which have their own codes at the same range.

York University

Apply to Biology (BSc) (YSB)

You choose life sciences on the application — York splits life sciences into named degrees rather than one door.

York has no major called Life Sciences. The life-science degrees are all direct entry at low-to-mid 80s: Biology (YSB), Biomedical Science (YSW), Biotechnology (YSA), Biochemistry (YSF) and Neuroscience (YVA). Science (BSc, First Year Only) (YPU) is the undeclared science door if you want to pick later.

Brock University

Apply to Sciences (BI)

You choose life sciences after exploring first-year courses inside the Faculty of Mathematics and Science.

Brock has no major called Life Sciences. Sciences (BI, mid-70s) is the undeclared science door; or apply directly to Biological Sciences (BS), Biomedical Sciences (BIM), Biotechnology (BIT) or Neuroscience (BIN), all with their own codes at the same range.

University of Windsor

Apply to Biomedical Sciences (NSD)

You choose life sciences on the application — Windsor splits life sciences into named codes.

Windsor has no major called Life Sciences. Biomedical Sciences (NSD), Biology (NSB), Biochemistry (NSY) and Behaviour, Cognition and Neuroscience (NSX) are the life-science codes, all direct entry at a 70% minimum. Windsor publishes a minimum average rather than a range, and its own pages show the minimum is a floor for consideration, not the bar: Nursing is listed at 70% but Windsor recommends 85%, and Concurrent Education lists 75% while the admitted mean is 86%. For limited-enrolment programmes, treat the published number as the lowest you can apply with, not what gets you in.

Ontario Tech University

Apply to Biomedical Science (DSU)

You choose life sciences on the application — Ontario Tech splits life sciences into named codes.

Ontario Tech has no major called Life Sciences. Biomedical Science (DSU), Biological Science (DSB), Chemical Biology (DSH), Neuroscience (DSZ) and Applied Biotechnology (DSF) are the life-science codes, all direct entry at low-70s. Ontario Tech publishes nearly every major twice, a base code and a co-op code, usually at the same range.

Trent University

Apply to Biology (RBI)

You choose life sciences on the application — Trent splits life sciences into named codes.

Trent has no major called Life Sciences. Biology (RBI), Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (RBM), Biomedical Science (RBS) and Conservation Biology (RZL) are the life-science codes. Trent publishes a minimum, and its own admissions FAQ says 'meeting the minimum does not guarantee admission'. The safety net is real: if you are not admitted to a competitive programme, Trent automatically assesses you for an alternate offer into a similar one, with no second application.

Laurentian University

Apply to Biomedical Biology (LBW)

You choose life sciences on the application — Laurentian splits life sciences into named codes.

Laurentian has no major called Life Sciences. Biomedical Biology (LBW), Biochemistry (LBC), Zoology (LZY) and Behavioural Neuroscience (LNO) are the life-science codes, all direct entry at 70%. Laurentian is bilingual and publishes most programmes twice — an English code and a French code, usually at the same range. Apply to the language you will study in.

Nipissing University

Apply to Bachelor of Science (PS)

You choose life sciences on the application or after — the Bachelor of Science (PS, 70% minimum) is a genuinely undeclared door, and you choose a major from the seven inside it.

Nipissing has no major called Life Sciences. Biology and Environmental Biology and Technology, inside the Bachelor of Science, are the life-science majors. Nipissing admits to the Bachelor of Science as one OUAC code, PS, at a 70% minimum; the seven science majors are chosen inside it. Liberal Science (PLB) is the non-specialised version.

Algoma University

Apply to Biology (BSc 4 year) (JGA)

You choose life sciences on the application — Biology is Algoma's only life science.

Algoma has no major called Life Sciences; Biology (JGA/JFA, 70%+) is the only life-science degree.

Trent University — Durham GTA

Apply to not offered at Trent Durham

No life-science codes at Durham; the nearest is Biology (RBI) at Peterborough.