Cutoffs

Studying Microbiology in Ontario

You can’t always apply to microbiology directly. Some universities admit you straight into it; others admit you into a broad first-year category and you choose microbiology 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 microbiology later

  • Western University

    Apply to Medical Sciences (ESM)

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

    Microbiology and Immunology (and Microbiology and Immunology with Pathology) are BMSc modules entered in Year 3. Years 1 and 2 in Medical Sciences are the same for everyone; ESM buys you assured Year-3 entry at 80% in Year-2 core courses with nothing below 60%, rather than competing from the general pool. Requires ENG4U, MCV4U, SBI4U and SCH4U; SPH4U recommended.

    https://welcome.uwo.ca/what-can-i-study/undergraduate-programs/medical-sciences.html

  • McMaster University

    Apply to Life Sciences Gateway

    You choose microbiology at the end of first year.

    There is no undergraduate program named Microbiology at McMaster — the Department of Biology lists it only as a research area, not a degree. The closest degrees are Honours Molecular Biology & Genetics (Core, Research Specialization, or Research Specialization Co-op), with Honours Biology and Honours Biochemistry as the other realistic destinations. All are Level 2 programs off the Life Sciences Gateway.

    https://future.mcmaster.ca/programs/lifesci/

  • University of Toronto — St. George

    Apply to Life Sciences (including Psychology)

    You choose microbiology at the end of first year.

    There is no program called just Microbiology — searching that term returns nothing. It is Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, offered as Major or Specialist and entered from Life Sciences after first year. SBI4U, SCH4U and MCV4U required.

    https://future.utoronto.ca/program/molecular-genetics-and-microbiology/

  • University of Toronto — Mississauga

    Apply to Life Sciences

    You choose microbiology after first year (4.0 credits).

    There is no standalone Microbiology program at UTM. The closest routes are Molecular Biology or Biology, both requested after first year inside Life Sciences.

    https://www.utm.utoronto.ca/future-students/programs/molecular-biology

  • University of Toronto — Scarborough

    Apply to Life Sciences

    You choose microbiology end of first year, on ACORN.

    There is no program literally called microbiology. The closest are Molecular Biology, Immunology and Disease and Molecular Biology & Biotechnology, both declared later inside Life Sciences (TSL). Either way the OUAC application is TSL (or TXD for the Health Sciences stream).

    https://www.utsc.utoronto.ca/admissions/programs/molecular-biology-immunology-disease

  • University of Waterloo

    Apply to Life Sciences

    You choose microbiology you name Biology as your major when you apply to Life Sciences; the Microbiology option is added after first year.

    There is no standalone Microbiology major or admission program. Microbiology is an option — roughly eight courses added onto a Science major, started after first year. You apply to Life Sciences, major in Biology, then add the option.

    https://uwaterloo.ca/science/undergraduate/programs/minors-options-and-specializations

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.